I often get asked questions like, “How do you find the best deals on airline prices?” or “How do I buy train tickets in Europe?”. Deciding what resources to use to plan your trip can quickly lead to information overload or uncertainty in your buying decisions. Over the years, I’ve used numerous different companies and tools to plan my trips. Some have been amazing, and others have been…less than amazing. I’ve collected all of my favorite travel resources in one spot so you can plan your next trip confidently and with ease.
The below travel resources are all of the best sites, tools, and apps I actually use when I’m booking a trip and are what I recommend to help you plan your next adventure.
Flights
GOOGLE FLIGHTS
Leave it to Google to develop one of the easiest and most comprehensive flight search engines. I always start my search here, and I often use the flexible dates and generalized destination tools to get ideas on where to go next and what the best deals are.
SCOTT’S CHEAP FLIGHTS
When you sign up for this newsletter, you just pick your departure airport and then watch your inbox for deals! A free membership will get you deals for international trips, and a premium membership will alert you to domestic deals as well.
HOPPER APP
Just enter your destination, and this app will monitor prices and alert you when they drop. It can also predict when prices will fluctuate and shows you when prices are higher or lower than usual so you can be confident in the best time to purchase your flight or hotel.
Accomodation
AIRBNB
This where I book the majority of my stays. Stay with a local, book a private home, or discover a unique, once-in-a-lifetime stay. Book through this link to save up to $65 on your first stay.
VRBO
Many hosts use both Vrbo and AirBnB, but there are always some different, and sometimes better, options found here. I always check what’s available on Vrbo before deciding where to stay.
BOOKING.COM
If hotels are more your style, this is the best website to compare prices for your stay. There are a massive number of properties available on this site ranging from hostels to luxury stays.
Travel Insurance
WORLD NOMADS
Don’t leave home without travel insurance! World Nomads provides the most comprehensive insurance plan at the best cost, and it’s what every travel enthusiast I know recommends. They’ll cover illness before a trip (including COVID-19), theft, emergency medical costs, canceled flights, damaged gear, and more.
Getting Around
ROME2RIO
Rome2Rio will show you the best ways to get from Point A to Point B. It will show you available routes by bus, train, car, plane, and ferry as well as the cost of each option.
RENTALCARS.COM
I love the freedom of having a car when I travel. This website compares fares from all the major rental car companies to help you get the best deal.
LYFT
If renting a car isn’t your best option, Lyft is my go-to rideshare app. I’ve compared fares between Lyft and its competitors in real-time, and Lyft almost always has the better price.
TRAINLINE
When I’m traveling in Europe, trains are usually my preferred mode of transportation. Trainline compares routes and prices across different train and bus operators in Europe to help you find the best option.
FLIXBUS
Flixbus operates in both the U.S. and Europe and is an affordable and comfortable way to get around. Each bus has free Wi-Fi, reclining seats, private power outlets, restrooms, and room for your luggage or bike.
STAYING CONNECTED
T-MOBILE
If you live in the U.S., T-Mobile has, by far, the best perks for travelers. With T-Mobile, you’ll get an hour of free Wi-Fi and texting on every flight as well as unlimited data and text when traveling abroad. These perks kick-in as soon as you land – there’s no setup that needs to be done on your end.
If you frequently travel abroad and don’t already have a phone plan through T-Mobile, you may want to consider switching carriers.
This page contains affiliate links that help keep this blog running. At no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission if you book using these links. As always, I only post products and brands that I love and recommend. Thank you for supporting The Awayist!