The Best Travel Planning Tools for Getting to your Destination
Here are some of my tried and true travel planning tools that I’ve used throughout my travels in Europe, Asia, South America, and of course, the US!
Where to Find Cheap Flights + Get Cashback
The day I was introduced to WayAway was the day I ditched all other flight search engines. WayAway is truly the best flight aggregator, and as someone who has used Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Momondo for years, that says a lot. It has helped me score amazing flight deals such as $18 flights from SFO to PDX, $70 flights to BNA from LAX, and more!
WayAway was built to provide travelers the best rates on airline tickets and give cash back on all purchases. It scours through offerings from major US and international airlines as well as travel agencies to find the most cost-effective flights for specified travel dates. The one thing to love about them is that the prices presented by WayAway are transparent, displaying the full cost upfront without any concealed charges. Don’t you hate when you book a flight and head to checkout and find all these hidden fees?! WayAway doesn’t do that!
You can also become a WayAway Plus member if you love the app and use it often. This offers users premium travel assistance, insider content crafted by locals, and cash back on flights, hotels, car rentals, and more travel services. It includes a free 7-day trial to explore all the features! You can use NICAFLIGHTS to get 10% off the WayAway Plus membership.
Check out WayAway for yourself right here and see all the amazing flight deals!
Where to Find Great Deals for Car Rentals
Car rentals can be super pricey, however I’ve found the best platform for great deals on car rentals. DiscoverCars is pretty hard to beat, and once you start to use it, you really can’t justify using any other platform because of how much money you save!
DiscoverCars is an online car rental booking platform that aims to make renting a car seamless, affordable, and convenient for travelers around the globe.
The platform emphasizes transparent pricing, a wide range of options, and customer support, making it easier for travelers to book the right car with confidence. Whether you’re taking a family vacation, a solo trip, or a business trip, DiscoverCars provides a seamless booking experience, from initial search and comparison, to reservation, vehicle pick-up, and return.
Try it for yourself below!
Where to Find Super Affordable Bus Tickets
FlixBus is a no brainer for those that like to travel via bus. I’ve used it countless of times in Europe, as it offered THE best and cheapest bus tickets. Tickets literally start at $2.99 and it has the most extensive bus network worldwide. There’s free Wi-Fi, extra legroom, charging ports, on board entertainment, and you can modify your booking up to 15 minutes before departure.
It’s so convenient and again, such a no brainer!
For Great Deals on Train, Bus, and Flight Tickets
Omio is a travel platform that allows you to conveniently book tickets for trains, buses, flights, and ferries all in one place, catering to various transportation needs across Europe, the U.S., and Canada. This is the go to especially if you’re in Europe, as it’s literally an all in one platform. During my 6 week trip to Europe, Omio was all that I used to book my flights from London to Copenhagen, train tickets all throughout Scandinavia, and bus tickets!
If you’re searching for great deals on transportation for this summer, Omio is the one for you. They gather the latest information on timetables and tickets, providing you with options to search, compare, and book travel in the language of your choice. Plus, you can have your tickets delivered straight to your phone via the Omio app, making the whole process smooth and streamlined.
You can try it for yourself here!
The Best Tool for Planning Hotel Stays
Plannin is the go to for hotel bookings, personalized hotel recommendations and experiences curated by experienced travelers, bloggers, and writers! This platform showcases various hotels and hostels from all over the world, each with detailed reviews and insights from creators who have personally experienced the places! This is great as it helps you build trust with the accommodation that you want to book this season.
If you’re looking for great deals on hotels this summer, Plannin provides you so much value by connecting you with real recommendations from seasoned travelers + deals. If you become a member, you can unlock exclusive member discounts, which is a great way to access special deals tailored to your travel interests!
The Tools You Need to Travel Better for Experiences and Explorations
Beyond booking transportation and a place to stay, booking experiences is also a must for your summer getaway. I find experiences to always be worth all the money, because this is a great way to fully immerse yourself into the culture of the destination you’re in and to meet locals/tourists. I’ve always had the best memories when booking experiences, so here are the platforms that I recommend using!
Booking Exceptional Travel Experiences
GetYourGuide is your go-to platform for uncovering exceptional travel experiences and securing great deals for your summer adventures. If you’re eager to make the most out of your travels, GetYourGuide offers up to 40% off on a wide variety of activities, making it easier for you to explore more for less. Whether you’re interested in cultural experiences at Europe’s top museums, going on a yummy street food exploration, reconnecting with nature, or seeking an adrenaline rush from adventure sports, GetYourGuide has curated some of the best deals to enhance your travel experience this summer.
Besides simplifying the process of finding and booking diverse sightseeing tours, attractions, and fun activities around the globe, GetYourGuide also enables you to save money by booking directly from local suppliers, ensuring you receive the best value during your travels!
I’ve listed a few popular destinations below, but feel free to check out GetYourGuide yourself to explore more!
Where to Book the Best Tours & Activities for your Summer Vacay
I feel like Viator is well loved among tourists and locals alike.
Viator is an online marketplace that specializes in providing travelers with access to a vast array of tours, activities, attractions, and excursions across the globe. If you’re on the hunt for great deals on travel experiences this summer, Viator is an excellent resource. It’s like an Airbnb but exclusively for experiences!
You can try it out for yourself below!
Where to Get Museums & Attraction Tickets for your Summer Vacation
Tiqets is another fun online platform that specializes in selling tickets to museums, attractions, shows, and various cultural events around the globe! It makes the planning, finding, and booking process so seamless and quick, helping you make the most of your summer travels with ease and convenience.
With a broad selection of experiences, great deals and offers, and skip-the-line access, you’re going to love using Tiqets this summer.
Try it out for yourself below!
This is Where to Book Culinary Experiences While Traveling
If you’re a foodie and want something more than just eating at a restaurant while traveling, I HIGHLY recommend Eatwith. You can also try Eatwith in your own home city to see what’s happening around your area and meet more people in your city!
Eatwith stands as the most extensive global platform for authentic dining experiences, connecting travelers with enthusiastic local hosts across over 130 countries. You’ll find both intimate and immersive culinary encounters in private residences and exclusive settings. Each host is meticulously selected by the Eatwith team, ensuring a rich variety of culinary adventures!
The community includes an eclectic mix of hosts, from home cooking enthusiasts and food aficionados to MasterChefs and chefs with Michelin stars. The common denominator? A desire to unite people around the dining table. Guests depart with enriched palates, a deeper understanding of new cultures and cuisines, and memories of newfound friendships.
Try it out for yourself below!
International Travel Planning Tools
Traveling internationally? Here are a few tools that you should use to ensure you have a memorable and safe trip out there!
Get the Best City Passes to Get to Know your Destination Better
For City Passes, I recommend using Go City. When using Go City, you can obtain a sightseeing pass that allows you to experience a wide variety of attractions, tours, and activities while saving a ton! You can simply select a destination and choose a pass that aligns with your travel dates and preferences, then easily access it through the Go City app!
You can enjoy discounts of up to 50% on entry fees and experiences!
The Best Travel Insurance You’ll Spend your Money On
With travel planning, there’s nothing better than planning to have a peace of mind, and that’s where Insubuy comes in handy. Insubuy is a platform that simplifies the process of shopping for and purchasing travel insurance, catering to travelers seeking protection for their summer adventures. They offer a variety of travel insurance options from multiple reputable providers, all in one place. This allows you to easily compare plans, benefits, and prices to find the insurance coverage that best meets your specific travel needs!
I always say, it’s better to be safe than sorry!
Try it out and check rates for yourself here!
Best Travel Planning Tools for your Summer Vacation
There you have it, the best travel planning tools to help you plan the best summer vacation yet. I hope this helps you out, and I am wishing you safe and happy travels!
