Planning a trip can get overwhelming, especially when every blog lists dozens of different tools doing the same thing.
Instead of adding to the noise, here are the exact websites I personally use to plan my trips. They’re the sites I return to again and again because they’re reliable, easy to use, and genuinely helpful.
Note that some of the links below are affiliate links but I only recommend products and sites I truly use and trust.
🏨 Accommodation
Booking.com is my favourite accommodation platform. It’s intuitive, loaded with reviews, and lets me manage all my stays (and even transport) in one place. It has everything from hotels and hostels to resorts and even holiday rentals. I also love the Genius loyalty discounts and mobile-only deals.
Google Maps I sometimes start my search on Google to visualise where accommodations are located in relation to attractions. But once I’ve chosen, I always go back to Booking.com to actually book to keep everything in the same place.
✈️ Transportation
Skyscanner is my go-to flight search engine. It compares hundreds of airlines and booking sites to find the best deals. My favourite feature is the ‘Best’ tab, which balances price, flight duration, and layovers. It’s also great for flexible travel thanks to the ability to compare entire months or nearby airports.
💡Tip: I use Skyscanner to find the best route, then book directly with the airline for better customer service and seat selection.
Jetstar is the budget airline I book most often when flying within Australia. It covers major cities and regional airports with multiple flights per day. I usually go for the ‘Starter Plus’ fare, which includes checked baggage, seat selection, and a food voucher. You can also bundle flights and hotels for added savings.
Booking.com is well-known for hotels, but I also use it for:
- Rental Cars: Compare rental car prices from major providers. I book directly through Booking.com and usually add their insurance.
- Airport Transfers: Arrange airport transfers ahead of time. It’s much safer and less stressful than haggling on arrival. I learned this the hard way in Turkey!
🧭 Tours & Activities
Viator is my go-to for tours, day trips, and skip-the-line tickets, especially when I want something booked and confirmed in advance. They have everything from desert adventures in Morocco to snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. I also use Viator’s itineraries as inspiration when planning what to do.
GetYourGuide is similar to Viator and also excellent. I often compare both platforms for price and availability. In my experience, GetYourGuide tends to have slightly more options in Europe, but both are global and trustworthy.
Klook is the booking platform I often use when travelling in Asia as it often has experiences that aren’t on Viator or GetYourGuide.
🧳 Travel Essentials
Saily is a data-only eSIM service developed by NordVPN. Travelling with an eSIM is so much easier than trying to buy a physical SIM card when you arrive in a new. It’s much easier and often cheaper.
SafetyWing is my new go-to for travel insurance. If you’re travelling overseas, travel insurance is a must, but it can be a hassle. SafetyWing is easy to use, has great global coverage, and is excellent value for money.