Planning travel can be fun, and it can also be a big stressful project, especially when you don’t know where to start. I love traveling and planning and have spent an unbelievable amount of time refining the process and finding the best travel resources.
The list below includes the top travel companies and resources for planning a trip, getting ready to go, and to use while traveling. These companies have the best reputation out there and are great for saving money and time, and helping to ensure that you have the best vacation possible!
Please note that some of the links below are affiliate links. There is no additional cost for you, but if you make a purchase, I receive a little commission. It’s very important that you know that I only recommend companies that I use. I have access to hundreds of affiliates but only recommend the best of the best- to save you money and make your travels better!
♦♦♦♦♦
The best websites to buy airline tickets
A great resource for the map feature, if you aren’t sure where you want to go, but want to see the lowest price to any destination (from any given departure airport).
Read more about these top travel booking sites on 8 Ways to Find Find Cheap Flights
Click here to sign up to get cheap flight notifications from Going.com
This is one of the best and most recommended airline booking sites. It’s super easy to use and to narrow down your search criteria. You will see that it pulls in rates from many different booking sites, which will give you the best deal out there.
♦
The best website for learning about flying on points
I know a lot about points and have been booking my flights (and sometimes hotels) on miles since I got my first travel credit card in 1995! But, this guy, is a genius in all things related to points.
♦
The best website to help choose the best seats on a plane
Don’t leave your seats up to chance, especially on an international flight. Just do a quick check on seat recommendations, before you choose your seats online!
♦
The best hotel booking websites with reviews
One of the most popular booking sites, with good reason. Most accommodations, even small and off the beaten path, are on Booking.com and the reviews are reliable (you receive an email after your stay), and they offer low prices. There are many search features so you can refine your search results (location, review score, type of accommodations, amenities…)
Another popular hotel booking site with some of the lowest prices out there as well as reliable reviews.
It’s always fun to see which accommodations are the top-rated for where you are going. I also like to use their Travelers’ Choice Awards lists for reference (then search for the best prices through sites the above).
One of my favorite way to find hotels on a map and see the price comparison for specific dates is using Google hotels. You are also able to refine the search by top ratings, price… and move the map around to the area you want to be in.
Read more about these top travel booking sites on How to Find the Best Accommodations for the Lowest Price
♦
The best websites for renting a house or apartment
A favorite for booking apartments and houses while traveling, because sometimes you need a little extra space and a kitchen.
Though there can be fewer options than Airbnb, some owners and property managers prefer listing on VRBO, so it’s always good to check here. I like it better because I can tick the box to only see listings that have a 4 rating or above (never a good idea to stay at a place that has a lower rating than 4 out of 5!)
Lots of options for houses, apartments… with reliable reviews.
♦
The best website for booking a car or other transportation
Find the best price on car rentals around the world with this Booking.com company.
Book your airport pickups, transfers, day trip and city tours (private and group options) through this Trip Advisor owned resource.
Use this super resourceful site to find out your options on getting from point A to point B…
The place for train tickets in Europe (kids or student fares may be available)
♦
The best website to get travel gear, accessories, and luggage
Click here to get your Travel Gear
Click here to read reviews on The Best Carry on Luggage
♦
The best websites to book travel experiences
A Trip Advisor company that offers lots of options for different types of tours and experiences.
Lots of fun options to have an experience with the locals of the place you are going (dinners, cooking classes, adventures, and other activities)
♦
The best travel insurance
The only travel insurance I use is by booking my trip on my Chase Saphire Reserve Visa. There are limitations here so it’s always a good idea to look into trip cancellation insurance and make sure you are covered by your medical insurance if you are in another country.
For more information, you can read this Forbes article.
♦
The best travel credit cards
This is one of the best cards out there! I got this card when it first came out and used it for a few years (I went back to using the card below). It comes with a big annual fee, but the first $300 you spend on travel each year, is automatically deducted from your bill. They give 1-3 points per dollar spent, a Priority Pass membership (+ a guest) for airport lounges around the world, travel insurance, and more. The Chase Ultimate Reward points also have a higher value when booking travel.
This is the other best card out there! It’s one of the most recommended and is almost the same as the Reserve, but with the lower fee of $99 per year, you don’t get the lounge club membership (or credit back).
♦
The best website for maps
The best way to plan out a trip!
♦
Other top travel resources
Lonely Planet, Travel and Leisure, Forbes Travel, Travel Channel, Conde Nast Traveler, Huffington Post Travel,
♦♦♦♦♦
Make sure to get the Best Travel Apps for your trip!
Pack Carry On Only! Get my Packing List for Carry On
Sign up to get my top tips by email and FREE download of my Carry On Packing Checklist!
Want to save time and skip the planning process? Get detailed travel itineraries with everything you need to book your next trip!
