Every day, a dozen new travel websites start up in hopes of making your trip planning easier, help you meet locals, crowdsource your advice, or save money.
And with equal speed as many travel websites fail each day. A lot of travel start ups try to fill a void where none exists. There are just some things that people don't want, need, or desire. There many are with innovative ideas, but are poorly executed and end up floundering.
Then there are the ones that stick around, grow, and catch on because they are truly useful and not some fad. I want to share nine websites that can (or have the potential to) help make your planning easier and help you save money:
Busbud
Busbud is a unique website that makes bus travel, especially in developing countries where information is not always online, a lot easier. You can search routes, compare prices, and book tickets online.
According to their website, Busbud lists routes for 10,463 cities in 89 countries. I don't know of another website as comprehensive as this one.
They do a really good job. I highly recommend this site.
TripExpert
One of the downsides to TripAdvisor and other crowdsourced review sites is that everyone can leave reviews. We've all heard about people who threaten to leave bad reviews or complain their shower couldn't fit multiple people. Throw in businesses who buy favorable reviews and it's no wonder hardly anyone I know trusts TripAdvisor reviews.
One site that is aiming to change that is TripExpert. This site aggregates reviews from dozens of guidebooks, magazines, and other trusted travel media to give the hotel property a score based off the average. Of course, it works on the assumption that travel experts are better judges of quality, but I think this site has a lot of potential.
The site is relatively small right now, but if it grows and catches on, it would be a better alternative to TripAdvisor.
AirHelp
Few travelers have any idea about their airline rights (and there are actually a few). Airlines like it that way because it reduces the compensation they have to give.
Airhelp seeks to change that by helping passengers secure compensation from delayed, cancelled, or overbooked flights. Most people who try to get compensation simply get tired of the airlines dragging everything out and give up.
AirHelp does everything for you. For a small percentage, they will work on your behalf to secure you the legal compensation you are owed. They do all the work.
For anyone with something better to do than argue with the airlines (i.e. all of us), this website is for you. Highly recommended.
See the rest of the story at Business Insider