18 Best Travel Resources and Tools to Bookmark

People ask me all the time, how do you travel so much? Well, if there is a will, there is a way – and a little travel hacking doesn’t hurt either. Travel is only as complicated as you make it. Just like anything, your life will be easier if you have the right tools at your disposal.

From personal experience, I know how something like Google Maps can simplify train travel or how a flexible cancellation policy can help you save hundreds. You never know when the best travel resources at your disposal will come in handy.

If one thing is always true: you need a few tricks up your sleeve to make travel more affordable and accessible. There are many excellent travel resources out there that help you find amazing travel deals. These are some of my favorites when looking to save without sacrificing a ton:

• Travel Credit Cards
• Travel Insurance
• Flight Search Engines
• Online Booking Travel Agencies
• Cheap Flight Newsletters
• Tour Operators
• Rewards Points & Loyalty Program

So let’s dive into the best travel resources we’ve tried that will make your trip planning much less onerous.

Best Travel Insurance

1. SafetyWing

SafetyWing is not your typical travel insurance – it’s a game-changer. It provides comprehensive coverage for medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost luggage, and unforeseen incidents during your next trip.

It also extends its coverage worldwide, making it great for spontaneous trips to another country or two.One outstanding feature of SafetyWing is its flexibility.

Whether you’re on a short vacation or a long-term digital nomad, you can easily purchase and extend your insurance from anywhere in the world, even after your trip has started. This real-time convenience sets SafetyWing apart as the best choice for travel insurance. Read our full SafetyWing review to see if it’s right for you.

2. VisitorsCoverage

VisitorsCoverage is another insurance marketplace with some subtle differences. Like InsureMyTrip and TravelInsurance.com, VisitorsCoverage asks the same questions about your trip and yourself to get accurate quotes.

VisitorsCoverage partners with reputable travel insurers such as Trawick International, Seven Corners, IMG Insurance, AIG Travel Guard, and John Hancock Insurance Agency so that you can expect a bankable insurance policy. Read our full VisitorsCoverage review for more information about the platform.

Cheap Flight Alerts & Newsletters

3. Going (Formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights)

Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) is a flight deals newsletter travelers can use to find and book incredible flight sales. This cheap flight newsletter is free to try, and members receive daily flight deal emails with discounted flights to destinations worldwide. For an extra cost, Going offers a premium membership, which gives members access to even more discounts, a personal travel consultant for trip planning, and exclusive flight deals.

Going.com has helped millions of travelers save money on their flights and is one of the best resources for finding cheap flights. But wait! Before you pay for the premium, use the coupon code VIA20 for 20% off your membership.

I’ve secured several cheap tickets thanks to Going, and I highly recommend it for future trips — especially if you love spontaneous ones. Sometimes, the flight options are very last minute.

4. Dollar Flight Club

Dollar Flight Club is a subscription-based service that helps travelers find and book airfare deals. For a monthly fee, members receive access to a list of flights significantly cheaper than the average fare. Dollar Flight Club offers several features to help travelers save money on their next trip, including fare alerts, price comparisons, and travel tips.

Whether you’re looking for a last-minute deal or want to save money on your next journey from Point A to Point B, Dollar Flight Club can help you find the cheapest flight possible. Please read our full Dollar Flight Club review for more information on how to use this platform.

See Related: Booking Sites for Cheap Flights and Hotels

5. Thrifty Traveler Premium

Are you looking to travel cheaply? As its name suggests, Thrifty Traveler Premium can help you save big on your next trip. With Thrifty Traveler Premium, you’ll get access to their team of travel experts who scour the web for the best deals.

They will send you customized alerts so you can book your flights at the perfect time.Plus, they will guide you on when to fly and how to maximize your savings. And if that’s not enough, Thrifty Traveler Premium members also get exclusive access to potential mistake fares.

This is where Thrifty Traveler becomes a particularly good resource, as you can often snag a great deal. Though it’s worth noting sometimes, the airlines don’t honor mistake fares — I learned that one the hard way with ultra-cheap tickets to Tokyo.

Flight Search Engines

6. Skyscanner

Skyscanner is among the comprehensive booking platforms for flights, hotels, and car rentals. Skyscanner’s flight search function allows you to compare airfares from different airlines, both direct and indirect flights.

You can also search by date and time to find the cheapest flights that fit your schedule.Their hotel search allows you to see prices from different hotels in your desired destination all around the world.

You can filter your results by price, star rating, amenities, etc. In addition, the car rental search provides a wide selection of rental cars worldwide.

See Related: Best Skyscanner Alternatives to Book Travel

7. Momondo

Momondo has been an incredible resource for travelers and digital nomads alike for over a decade. Momondo searches hundreds of different airlines to find the best travel deals, and it also offers a variety of features like booking train travel or bus journeys that make it an excellent choice for travelers.

Here, you’ll find a fare calendar showing the cheapest flying days to specific destinations. Momondo also has a price alert feature, which notifies users when the price of a flight changes.

This flight search aggregator offers an easy-to-use website with a clean design and is available in multiple languages. Overall, Momondo is a great option for travelers looking for a travel planning resource for multiple modes of transportation as well as hotel and car rental.

8. Google Flights

Google Flights is a Google search option that allows users to search for and book flights online. If you travel frequently, this is an essential cheap travel resource and is our go-to resource for airline booking. The simple interface makes it so easy to navigate cheap flights anywhere worldwide.

Google Flights offers multiple features that can be helpful for travelers, including the ability to search by destination, date, and airline. Google Flights also provides a fare calendar that shows the cheapest days to fly and tips for saving money on airfare.

In addition, Google Flights allows users to track flight prices and be notified when prices drop. That is my favorite way to ensure the best price before booking.

Accommodation Booking Sites

9. Booking.com

Booking.com helps uncover the best rates and book tickets for hotels, flights, cars, and more. They offer a variety of features to make your travel planning less stressful.

Some of the helpful aspects include booking management to stay organized with all your hotel or hostel bookings and a rewards program that can be used for future travel discounts. You’ll find itinerary suggestions here, too. Please read our full Booking.com review to learn more about our experiences with the site and its companion app.

10. Hotels.com

Hotels.com, as its name implies, is a booking site that offers a wide range of hotel accommodations worldwide. You can search for hotels by location, price, amenities, etc.

It also offers a deals section where you can find discounts and a rewards program where you can earn points towards free accommodation .For budget travelers, Hotels.com is an excellent resource for finding cheap accommodation. You can often find rooms for significantly less than the listed price by being flexible with travel dates.

This is one of the best ways to find great deals on accommodation. Hotels.com also offers a Price Match Guarantee, so you can be sure you’re getting the best deal on your hotel room. Don’t forget to download the app to stay connected!

11. VRBO

VRBO is a popular website for anyone looking for vacation rentals. The website offers various rentals, from apartments and houses to villas and cottages. VRBO also offers multiple pricing options, making it an excellent choice for travelers on a budget.

One standout feature that sets VRBO apart in the vacation rental marketplace is its unique ability to connect travelers directly with property owners. This direct communication pathway not only saves you from unnecessary booking fees but also provides an invaluable opportunity to get first-hand insights straight from the owner.

Booking Rental Cars

12. RentalCars.com

RentalCars.com is a leading provider of rental car reservations for leisure and business travelers. This rental car booking website offers various car types, from economy to full-size SUVs, minivans, and more.

They promise the best prices on rentals all over the world. You can pay for your rental car upfront or at the pickup counter, whichever suits you.

If there’s a problem on the road, they’re ready with roadside assistance to help out — perfect for a road trip. Plus, their rewards program lets you collect points for free rentals in the future.

See Related: Rental Cars That You Can Take Out of State

13. KAYAK

KAYAK is a leading travel search engine that locates the best deals on airfare, hotels, car rental, and more. We particularly like KAYAK for its rental car search. It’s simple, sleek, and easy to use.

You’ll get the best car options from hundreds of sources, so you’ll likely find the best deals for a car during your trip. Additionally, KAYAK offers exclusive discounts on travel packages, further establishing its status as a leading travel resource. Lastly, booking directly with airlines and hotels, even through KAYAK, makes for a seamless experience.

See Related: Our Favorite Black Friday Travel Deals

Booking Tours

14. Viator

Viator is a website that helps travelers find and book the best tours. Viator offers a wide variety of attractions, sites, and tours from Europe to Australia and practically everywhere around the world. By partnering with tour companies directly, Viator offers the Best Price Guarantee, so you can be confident they are getting the best value for their money.

Viator is an essential resource for anyone planning a trip to another country, especially if you want to visit a lot of famous attractions and want to save on tickets. Simply enter your travel dates and destination, and Viator will show you a list of available tours and activities.

You can then read reviews, compare prices, and book tours or multi-day excursions. Keep track of your plans with the Viator app.

15. GetYourGuide

GetYourGuide also offers a wide range of tourist activities and attractions worldwide. What sets this platform apart from other travel websites is its focus on providing unique experiences that cannot be found anywhere else.

They partner with tour companies, both small group tours done by locals and global tour operators. In addition, GetYourGuide offers special discounts and promotions on many of its activities, making it an excellent option for budget travel.

Overall, GetYourGuide is an excellent choice for travelers and even for solo travelers, as it’s a great way to meet new people. This site also has a companion app to organize your adventures.

Best Travel Credit Cards

16. The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Platinum Card® from American Express is one of the best travel credit cards for its slew of unique perks and rewards. For starters, The Platinum Card® gives you access to over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide through the complimentary Priority Pass™ membership. This means you can relax in style at any number of airports, no matter where you’re traveling.

In addition, The Platinum Card® incurs up to $200 in Uber credits per year, which can be a lifesaver when trying to get around a new city. The card also offers a variety of other travel-related benefits, such as free membership to the Boingo global Wi-Fi network and a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. The annual fee may seem steep initially, but when you consider all the benefits and rewards that come with it, the card more than pays for itself, especially if you travel frequently.

Travel Planning Resources

17. ViaTravelers Printable Travel Planner

Planning a vacation can be overwhelming – so much to think about! This printable vacation planner will help relieve the stress of travel planning. This 24-page printable packet includes everything you need to find the right destination, find the best things to do, book your flights and accommodations, plan your itinerary, set a travel budget, and more.

• Keep your travel plans organized
• Record your flights, hotels, and packing list
• Plan your route and daily travel itinerary
• Set a budget and track expenses
• Journal through your trip for memories

18. Travel Hacking Spreadsheet

Anyone serious about travel knows that organization is critical. With so many details to keep track of, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when travel planning. That’s where travel hacking comes in. Travel hacking is all about using credit card points and miles on travel expenses.

And this travel hacking spreadsheet can help you do just that. It includes eight different tracking tabs, so you can be sure you’re on your way to success.

FAQ

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