Finding the best travel deals can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack, but it doesn’t have to be. Many people believe travel is inherently expensive, but amazing deals pop up all the time. The key is knowing where to look and acting fast. While some deals might require you to hop on a plane at a moment’s notice, most offer a window of opportunity to plan your schedule.
I often book a flight when I see a great deal and then figure out the logistics.
Since many airlines allow cancellations within 24 hours without a fee, I secure the deal first and then determine if it works for me. This strategy has allowed me to snag incredible deals, like a $1,200 business-class round-trip flight from Los Angeles to Stockholm.
I’m constantly on the lookout for travel deals, and I want to share my go-to resources, tips, and expert advice. These resources specialize in finding the best travel deals, making them invaluable tools for budget-conscious travelers. Consider me your general practitioner for travel; I can point you to the specialists!
Here’s a quick overview of the top companies I use and suggest:
Quick Overview: Best Travel Deals
- Best Hostel Website: Hostelworld
- Best Hotel Website: Booking.com
- Best Cheap Flight Website: Skyscanner
- Best Travel Insurance: SafetyWing
Let’s dive into the details of where you can find the best travel deals for flights, points & miles, cruises, transportation, accommodation, tours and travel insurance.
Where to Find the Best Flight Deals
When searching for cheap flights, I rely on these websites to find last-minute deals. These sites consistently offer tempting flights for a fraction of the usual price.
My top recommendation for finding cheap flights is Going.com (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights). This is an excellent resource for discovering flight deals from the US. They offer free flight alerts, and with a premium membership, you gain access to even more deals as soon as they are discovered. New users can often find discounts with specific codes.
Three other excellent websites to consider are:
- Google Flights: Google Flights is a powerful tool for comparing flight prices and exploring destinations.
- Momondo: Momondo is known for finding unique flight combinations and often unearths hidden deals.
- Kiwi.com: Kiwi.com specializes in finding connecting flights from different airlines to create cheaper itineraries.
If you’re simply looking to book a flight, explore the search engines below. Remember that no single online booking website is perfect. All search engines have their blind spots, so it’s crucial to check multiple sources before booking.
Generally, the BEST booking sites are the following:
- Skyscanner: Skyscanner is my favorite because it searches websites and airlines worldwide, ensuring you leave no stone unturned.
- Kayak: Kayak offers price alerts and explores various booking options.
- Google Flights: Google Flights is a great starting point for understanding price trends.
Where to Find the Best Points & Miles News
Keeping up with the ever-changing landscape of airline and frequent flier programs can be challenging. These websites provide the latest news, industry updates, and points and miles information:
- The Points Guy: The Points Guy offers comprehensive coverage of points and miles, credit card rewards, and travel deals.
- One Mile at a Time: One Mile at a Time provides in-depth analysis of airline loyalty programs and travel trends.
- View from the Wing: View from the Wing offers insights into airline industry news and frequent flier strategies.
For specific regions, consider these resources:
- Australia and New Zealand: Points Hack
- Canada: Prince of Travel
- UK: Head for Points
As a frequent traveler myself, I understand the difficulty of staying updated on all the changes. These sites help me stay in the loop.
Where to Find the Best Cruise Deals
When it comes to cruise deals, two websites stand out:
- CruiseSheet: CruiseSheet consistently offers some of the lowest rates and has a user-friendly interface.
- Vacations to Go: Vacationstogo.com is a solid second option for double-checking prices and finding additional deals.
Where to Find the Best Transportation Deals
For budget-friendly transportation options like cheap buses, trains, and rideshare apps, check out these websites:
- Busbud: Busbud compares bus prices from various companies to find the cheapest options.
- Rail Europe: Rail Europe offers train tickets and rail passes for travel in Europe.
- BlaBlaCar: BlaBlaCar connects drivers with empty seats to passengers looking for affordable rideshares.
Where to Find the Best Accommodation Deals
From hotels and hostels to camping, numerous websites can help you find deals and save money on accommodation:
- Booking.com: Booking.com consistently offers the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.
- Hostelworld: Hostelworld is the go-to website for finding hostels around the world.
- Couchsurfing: Couchsurfing connects travelers with locals who offer free accommodation.
Note: I’ve stopped recommending Airbnb for a few reasons but like their Experiences!
Where to Find the Best Tour Deals
For tours and excursions, keep an eye on these companies by subscribing to their emails:
- GetYourGuide: GetYourGuide is a large online marketplace where you can find walking tours, excursions, and skip-the-line tickets.
- Viator: Viator offers a wide variety of tours and activities worldwide.
- Intrepid Travel: Intrepid Travel specializes in small group tours with a focus on sustainable travel.
Where I Find the Best Travel Insurance Deals
I never travel without travel insurance. After experiencing injuries and emergencies abroad, I always ensure I have comprehensive medical and travel insurance before leaving home. These are my recommended companies:
- SafetyWing: SafetyWing offers affordable and comprehensive travel medical insurance for digital nomads and long-term travelers.
- World Nomads: World Nomads provides travel insurance for adventurous travelers, covering a wide range of activities.
- Allianz Travel Insurance: Allianz Travel Insurance offers various travel insurance plans to suit different needs and budgets.
While my site is excellent for on-the-ground tips and advice, use the companies above for the best travel deals to get you where you want to go. They’re what I use, and they’ve never steered me wrong! They’ll save you the most money!
Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks
- Book Your Flight: Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner. It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.
- Book Your Accommodation: You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.
- Don’t Forget Travel Insurance: Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are listed above.
- Want to Travel for Free?: Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals.
- Need a Rental Car?: Discover Cars is a budget-friendly international car rental website. No matter where you’re headed, they’ll be able to find the best — and cheapest — rental for your trip!
- Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip?: Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more.
Ready to Book Your Trip? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip.
