Table of Contents
Introduction
After travelling to over 60 countries (and still counting), one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is having the right travel websites bookmarked saves you so much time, stress, and importantly money. From booking flights to finding unique food experiences, these are a few of the best travel websites I keep going back to, over and over. I would say that these travel websites are the ones I think every traveller should have saved on their phone, or just on a list as notes on their phone.
Here are my top 12 or more of my best websites for travel planning to make your next trip smoother, cheaper, and way more fun. This can be for European travel planning, Africa, Asia, South America and elsewhere. Worth noting that some of these travel websites may even want to save as a extension on Chrome, but check the list before you go ahead. As we always say on MBV’s Travel Weekly News –Let’s get into!
Related post: The Best Travel Apps for 2026
For Flights & Accommodation
1. Skyscanner
If Skyscanner was a social media app then I would be guilty for always being on this app! This has to be the first app you download today or at least book mark because it is the ultimate tool for comparing flights across airlines and dates.
I use it to find the cheapest times to travel and hidden routes I’d never think of and if you are stuck on where to go and just need an affordable country to fly out to then you can search ‘Everywhere’ and Skyscanner will give your a wide range of options with the cheapest. I love the flexibility of the app also. I used Skyscanner to book my flight to Serbia recently and my flights cost less than £60 RT!
2. Booking.com
Since purchasing my home (by myself may I add). I have always said that if where I am staying is not as nice as my home then I don’t think I can stay. Sometimes this has been an exception when I’m not booking the accommodation, but if I am booking the stay best believe I am booking a nice hotel, Airbnb, or even villa.
Booking.com is the ultimate tool you need to have and download for hotels, apartments, and flexible cancellations. I love that you can book now and pay later it makes the trip feel more affordable and allows you to space your costs out. There is also a Genius loyalty programme, which also unlocks discounts as you book more.
3. Expedia
Is another website that combines both Skyscanner and Booking.com in one site. I use freely use Expedia to book not just hotels but my flights, and sometimes holiday packages all in one place. Sometimes they bundle discounts you just can’t find elsewhere and if you want to look at a mulit-city (go to more than one country in one trip) route they can also help you with planning that too.
4. AirBnB
Airbnb is one of those travel websites for people who are looking for extra room. I sometimes love staying in an Airbnb to get more space and to feel like home especially when I am travelling around a lot. You can also book Airbnb experiences like a walking tour, cooking class or a session with a photographer. I do this a lot when I am travelling solo like I booked a photographer with Airbnb when I went on a trip to Florence.
For Tours, Experiences & Activities
5. GetYourGuide
GetYourGuide is one of the best websites for travel planning and another ultimate tool for you to use. It includes some niche tours, activities, cooking classes and more. I tend to use this more so when I am solo travelling or travelling with friends and family. It’s a good app also if you want to explore without stressing about logistics. And it has lots of reviews that you can also read to make you booking easier.
6. Viator
Viator is another app for book tours, cooking class, and activities for your travels. It has a huge network of local tour operators worldwide and is also great for city tours and cultural experiences. There is sometimes cash back credited to your account if you book frequently with them which is brilliant to knock off a few $ dollars or £ pounds on your next trip.
7. Eatwith
For me as a solo travel foodie, Eatwith has become one of my favourites. I think it’s great for foodie travellers because you can join a cooking class or dine with locals in their home. This is perfect for solo travellers. I recently booked this for my trip to Kenya which was my 60th country and 15th in Africa and had an amazing time.
For Transport & Planning
8. Omio
I have used Omio quite a lot when travelling around Europe. I used it recently for my train journey from Copenhagen to Malmö. Booking the train tickets where so easy and you can also book buses and flights across Europe. My only advise is book early to get the most cost-effective transport.
9. Social Media Platfroms = Instagram, TikTok & Facebook
Over the years social media has become a good for planning trips not just for me but for my peers too. I use some Instagram, for inspo TikTok for foodie gems and sometimes even Facebook to find group travel companies. All of which I would consider are some of the best websites for travel planning.
For example if you me travelling solo to somewhere like Albania, or Colombia and you see someone travelling there solo are you not going to be influenced to travel solo there too? Or for example you can literally use the search engine and type in the country, the food you want to explore or try and someone is likely to have done a post about it.
You can also type in ‘hashtags’ like #travelinIndia #Blackwomentravelsolo. The world is becoming more and more digital and honestly we have to use it to our advantage.
Travel Essentials
10. Quidco or Rakuten
You know when you’re planning a trip and suddenly you’re spending on flights, hotels, tours, and all the bits in between? What if I told you that you could get money back just by clicking one extra button?
I use websites like Quidco or Rakuten all the time, and it has paid for some of my European trips lol. You can therefore add this as an ultimate tool in your travel planning. How? It allows you to earn cashback on everything from Skyscanner to airport transfers, Iceland, Boots, Sports Direct and more. It’s literally free money for purchases you were already going to make. Just sign up, install the browser extension, and activate cash back before checking out.
11. Travel Insurance
Now I know there are lots of places to get travel insurance and please if you can afford to travel you certainly afford to get travel insurance. Personally if you don’t have travel insurance I wouldn’t personally even think about travelling. You can get affordable, reliable travel insurance for long or short trips with Insubuy or even VisitorsCoverage. I also have travel insurance with Safety Wing my bank Barclays and with my American Express.
12. XE Currency Converter / Monzo
I love to do a conversion when I’m out and about. In some countries, it’s easy to remember the rate, but in others not so easy. I use XE for exchange rates and then Monzo for managing travel money without extra fees. I use both when hopping between countries with different currencies.
13. iVisa
I have used iVisa a few times when I want to get visas for countries I am travelling to. It’s a private online platform that helps travellers get their documents like visas, eVisas, ETAs and arrival cards before travelling. I think it’s also good to use to check what visas you do need before booking to go to a country. It is worth noting that iVisa is not a government agency so you are not applying directly for the country. Instead, it acts as a middleman service to check, prepare, and submit forms for you. You can use it here.
Final Views on The Best Travel Websites for Travel Plannng
And there you have it, 12 or more of the best websites for travel planning. I gave you quite the list for the best travel website that you should download today. If I had a bit more time I would have also mentioned HostelWorld for my new starting out budget travelers, GoogleFlights for flight alerts, or Withlocals for those that love a foodie tour. And dare I say it ChatGPT can also help with your travel too. The list of best travel websites can go on and on for me and there are a few that are specific to a country.
Either way, whether you are travelling solo, with a loved one or with friends it is so much easier when you’ve got the right tools at your fingertips (I’m literally rubbing my fingers as I type this LOL) These 12 or more best travel websites (because I overdid it just a tad) have been the ultimate tool that has saved me countless hours (and pounds), whether I’m booking a flight, finding the best food experience, or simply making sure I don’t get ripped off on exchange rates.
If you’re planning trips in the future bookmark this list now, I have made it easier for you by creating a MBV’s Ultimate Travel Tools Cheat Sheet which you can download FREE here.
Now when you travel, you can do it stress-free with all these travel websites. Because lets be real you will certainly use at least one if not two of them. If you are able to book a trip without let me know. I am prepared to be challenged.
Are there any other best websites for travel planning that I may have missed? Let me know in the comments.
Speak soon,
MBV x
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