Plan Your Trip With These Travel Resources
Trip Planning
Our Favorite Travel Tools
Planning a trip comes with a lot of details, but having the right tools makes it easier. These are the resources I personally use to research, compare, and book my travels.
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Flights
Google Flights
Best place to start when paying cash for flights. It compares prices across most airlines, highlights flexible dates, and sends you directly to the airline to book. It’s especially helpful for tracking prices over time so you know when to book and when to wait.
PointsYeah
PointsYeah is useful when you want to book flights using credit card or airline points instead of cash. The search is free and shows options across multiple programs in one place. It’s a great way to see whether using points actually makes sense before committing.
Accommodations
⭐️ Booking.com
Booking.com is our go-to for international hotel bookings. It has a huge selection, easy filters, and many properties offer free cancellation depending on the rate. We like it most when plans aren’t set in stone and flexibility matters.
Hotels.com
Works well for discounted and last-minute hotel stays, especially for shorter trips. Their free One Key membership lets you earn rewards toward future stays. It’s an easy choice when you want something simple without overthinking it.
Vrbo
Best for vacation rentals when you want more space than a hotel, especially for families or longer stays. Most listings are entire homes, making it easier to find kitchens, multiple bedrooms, and better value for groups.
Expedia
Ideal for booking hotels alongside flights or car rentals in one place. Bundle deals can reduce the total price and simplify planning when you’re booking multiple parts of a trip at once, especially for more straightforward itineraries.
Airbnb
A good choice if you want a more local-style stay instead of a traditional hotel, especially in residential areas. There are definite pros and cons, so we recommend reading reviews carefully and checking fees before booking.
Cruises
Cruise Critic Boards
Research cruises before you book by reading real experiences from cruisers who have sailed the ships and ports you’re considering. The forums let you compare cabins, ask questions, and learn what to expect before you commit.
Cruise Direct
Compare cruise prices and find deals across major cruise lines in one place. Booking through their team can be a good option if you want extra support during the process, rather than handling everything yourself.
Cruise Compete
Compare cruise prices from multiple travel agents to see who’s offering the best deal for the same sailing. It’s great for price shopping, but once you book, follow-up support can be more limited than booking directly.
GotoSea
Book cruises through a traditional travel agency that helps manage the details from start to finish. It’s a solid option if you want help finding deals and prefer having a real person involved in the booking process.
Costco Travel
Check cruise deals that often include extra perks you won’t get from the cruise line, like onboard credit or Costco gift cards. The trade-off is slower customer service, so it works best if you’re not in a rush to make changes.
Travel Books
Travel guides aren’t just reference books. They’re a way to get grounded in a place before you arrive. I usually buy one or two for each trip, marking up pages with notes and highlights so I understand the culture, history, and logistics ahead of time. It’s one of my favorite ways to build excitement and travel with more context once I’m there.
Getting Around
Train and Bus
Plan and book train and bus travel in Europe by checking routes, schedules, and prices in one place. We usually use Trainline.com to compare options and book tickets, and it works smoothly with U.S. credit cards.
Tour Guides
⭐️ Viator
Book guided tours and shore excursions from local operators all over the world. Flexible cancellation and pay-later options make it easy to research tours early and lock things in closer to your trip.
WithLocals
Book private tours with local guides, especially in Europe, for a more personal experience. This is our go-to for customized walks, food tours, and one-on-one insight you won’t get in large groups.
Get Your Guide
Browse guided tours, attraction tickets, and experiences offered by local operators worldwide. It’s a good option for finding popular highlights as well as the occasional tour you won’t see elsewhere.
Free Tours By Foot
Join free or very low-cost walking tours led by local guides in popular cities. It’s an easy way to get oriented in a destination and decide whether tipping for a longer or paid tour is worth it.
Devour Food Tours
Explore local food scenes through small-group tours focused on regional specialties in European cities. A great option if you want cultural context through food, not just a list of places to eat.
EatWith
Share a home-cooked meal or take a cooking class hosted by locals in their own homes. This is a more personal, immersive way to connect with local culture beyond traditional sightseeing.
Where to Start?
Start here with your travel planning.
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