Need Help Taking Off? Here Are Some of the Most Useful Travel Websites Gabby Teaman October 19, 2023 Travel Guide, Travel Tips In today’s increasingly digital world, it’s easier than ever to book and plan your vacation. You can research potential itineraries, calculate the costs of your vacation, and find interesting places to stay — right at your fingertips! Whether you’re trying to find accommodations, looking for highly rated tours, or are researching more about your destination, there’s no shortage of travel websites out there that can help. Before you book your next trip, here are some of the most helpful travel websites to use as you plan your next adventure. Viator If you want to book a tour to go on during your trip, Viator is a great place to start. As a tour aggregator, Viator provides a myriad of tours and experiences using third-party tour operators. You’ll find tours ranging from short city walks to multi-day experiences. It’s easy to customize your vacation using Viator’s services. You’ll also feel confident knowing that Viator partners with the best local tour operators. That way, you’ll enjoy a smooth trip from when you first fly out to when you arrive back home. So, why leave your tours up to chance? The professionals at Viator can help you customize the perfect trip for your personal preferences and needs. Lonely Planet Lonely Planet is well-known for its printed travel guidebook. The company has also successfully launched a very useful website. Here, you’ll find destination guides for almost any area on the planet. Lonely Planet prides itself on hiring writers that specialize in their assigned destination. The company’s rich library of resources provides a comprehensive look at all things travel, hotels, tourist attractions, restaurants, and tours. Their helpful information includes a detailed breakdown of the attractions at many destinations as well as helpful tips to help you travel like a local. TripAdvisor Do you want to make sure that the accommodations you book will meet your expectations? Are you wondering how your choice of hotel stacks up against the competition? TripAdvisor has built a strong reputation as a hotel review website. Additionally, the site has become the leading platform for restaurant and attraction reviews all around the world. Users also flock to the active travel forums that are designed to connect travelers together. They share ideas and recommendations — all in one place. Just remember to check the dates of the reviews you read to make sure they’re recent. AirBnB AirBnB revolutionized the travel industry in 2008 when it launched an alternative to traditional hotel accommodations. Boasting over 300,000 listings in nearly 200 countries, AirBnB makes it easy to find the perfect living space to use on your next trip. At AirBnB, you’ll explore a large variety of accommodation options. These range from urban apartments and condos to sprawling estate homes, unique treehouses, and more. The global coverage makes it easy to use AirBnB for all your travel accommodation needs. The extensive photographs, reviews, and amenities descriptions will help you narrow down your options. In addition to providing more space than a typical hotel room, one of the biggest advantages of using AirBnB is that you’ll be able to live like a local. Related: Need Help With Your Trip? Here Are 5 Travel Apps to Make Planning Easier! Google Maps It’s crucial to know where you’re going during your trip, especially if you’ll be flying somewhere new. That’s where Google Maps reigns supreme. Google Maps is recognized as a trusted site to provide directions when you’re traveling through unfamiliar territory. In addition to basic maps, the site offers travel times and distances for multiple modes of transportation. This makes it easy to piece together all the moving parts of the travel experience once you arrive at your destination. You can even use Google Maps to help with public transportation details. Other Useful Sites Here are some other sites than can prove very useful indeed when your planning and enjoying your trip: Couchsurfing: This website allows you to stay with locals for free. Hostelworld: This website is a great resource for finding hostels around the world. Inspirock: This website helps you create personalized travel itineraries. Roadtrippers: Helps travelers find interesting stops along their routes, from landmarks to quirky attractions. Atlas Obscura: Lists unusual sites and attractions from around the world. The Points Guy: While it’s known for advice on credit card points and airline miles, the site also offers travel news, reviews, and guides. SeatGuru: Provides detailed airplane seating charts, reviews, and other information to help you choose the best seat for your flight. Rome2rio: Shows you how to get from point A to point B the best way possible. It provides various transport options, schedules, and estimated costs. Culture Trip: Offers articles and tips on local culture, food, and points of interest for numerous destinations. FAQ: Q: Are these travel websites free to access or do they charge fees? A: Most of these travel websites are free to access, but certain services or bookings made through them may have associated fees. Q: How can I make sure I’m getting accurate info on these sites? A: Engage actively by reading a variety of reviews, asking questions in forums, and cross-referencing information. Remember, experiences are subjective, so be sure to gather a broad perspective. Q: What precautions should I take when booking through online travel platforms? A: Always ensure the platform is reputable, read multiple reviews, and double-check booking details before finalizing. Secure online payments and clear cancellation policies are also indicators of trustworthy platforms. Q: How can I determine if a travel website is offering the best deal? A: It’s recommended to compare prices across multiple websites, consider the total cost — including fees and taxes — and check for any special offers or discounts that may apply. Q: Are there any risks associated with using free accommodation platforms or staying with locals? A: While many have positive experiences, potential risks include safety concerns or discrepancies in listing accuracy. Always research hosts, read reviews, and trust your instincts. Q: Will I be able to access these sites when I’m touring my destination?? A: It’s advisable to assume that, at least at some point, you won’t necessarily have internet access. Consider saving PDFs of essential information, maps, or guides on your device for offline use. What other helpful travel websites have you used? Tell us about your experiences in the comments below!
