Being a happy traveler is easier with the right resources. There are millions of travel websites; many are useful while many are not. While every traveler and trip can justify using different websites, the following are perhaps most likely to make you a happy traveler.
Websites That Will Make You a Happy Traveler
Yelp. One common theme for any trip — whether a road trip with an Airbnb stay or a flight with hotel — is eating. My favorite website for dining suggestions is Yelp, which houses reviews provided by people who have actually eaten there. Everyone wants to give their opinions. Right? It is not all about high ratings, either. I find that 3 star places are often more enjoyable than 4.5 star places.
Yelp travel website
Secret Flying. My latest guilty pleasure is Secret Flying. They uncover and report drastically reduced and mistake airfares. It is a window shopping dream. In the past 24 hours they listed $418 roundtrip fares between Los Angeles and Australia and $434 roundtrip between Chicago to Japan. Subscribe to their daily newsletter to automatically receive a recap or follow their Twitter account for convenience.
Secret Flying travel website
Travelzoo. I look forward to receiving my Travelzoo newsletter every Wednesday morning. Each newsletter is chock full of deals — all good and some unbelievable — on flights, lodging, activities, and tours. Travelzoo also sends out a Travelzoo Newsflash when there is an expiring deal. Today’s deal is $999 for an 8 night upscale vacation in China.
Travelzoo travel website
Airbnb. The sharing economy has transformed the travel industry and using Airbnb should definitely make you a happy traveler. While there are many advantages of Airbnb properties, my favorite is enjoying more space and amenities at a lower price compared to hotels.
Airbnb travel website
Skyscanner. While there are many travel websites for booking flights and hotels, the features of Skyscanner might be the most fun. Find lowest airfares on a specific date (boring) or ask Skyscanner to find the Cheapest Month. Search from your home airport to another airport (yawn) or have Skyscanner find the lowest airfare from an airport in US to Everywhere in the world in the next year. Fun stuff.
Skyscanner travel website
Autoslash. For the lowest possible car rental rates, I use Autoslash. Autoslash can track existing reservations made elsewhere (like at Hertz and National) or allows you to make new reservations. Autoslash can automatically rebook when rates drop, which should make you a very happy traveler since you do not have to keep rechecking your reservation.
Autoslash travel website
Which travel websites make you a happy traveler?
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