You can use the companies and resources below to better plan and book your trip.
All the companies listed here are the ones I use when I travel. I consider them the best companies out there and the ones that continually offer the best deals.
Airfare
1. Kayak
A good flight search engine for fares leaving from the United States. They search a wide variety of airline and other flight brokers (Kayak is what is known as a meta search engine). I think they are a great starting point for searching for cheap airline tickets, especially if you are based in the U.S.
2. Vayama
A great flight search engine, especially for international flights outside the U.S. It’s one of my main starting points for when I book international tickets, and I’ve found fares on their site hundreds of dollars cheaper than I’ve found elsewhere.
3. Skyscanner
This great website searches a lot of different airlines, including many of the budget carriers that sites like Kayak miss. This site should be involved in your search for cheap flights.
4. Momondo
This is one of my all-time favorite search engines. They always seem to find airlines that offer the best deals. I tend to make this my starting point for all international flights.
This website monitors airline ticket prices and will alert you when deals occur. They find a lot of unadvertised fares, and I highly recommend signing up for their newsletter. This is one of the best websites on the internet to find airfare.
Accommodation
6. Agoda
An amazing website for accommodation in Asia. This should be your primary accommodation website for guesthouses and hotels in Asia. They have the most robust inventory and offer the best rates. When I travel around Asia, I don’t use anyone else.
7. Booking.com
A great resource and booking site for cheap hotels and other accommodation. I like their easy-to-use interface, too.
8. Hotwire
This is probably the hotel site I use most. I really enjoy their blind booking process. They essentially say “we have a super rate on a 3-star hotel in New York’s Times Square,” and you book it without knowing the hotel. While that sounds scary, I’ve never ended up in a bad hotel and have saved a ton of money in the process. Highly recommended site.
9. Hostelworld
The best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and availability. I use them for my bookings, and they are an official sponsor of my website.
10. Couchsurfing
This website allows you to stay on people’s couches or spare rooms for free. It’s a great way to save money while meeting locals who can tell you much more about a city than you will find out in a hostel/hotel. I have used this website dozens of times, and the site also has groups where you can meet up for events in your city.
11. Expedia
Not my favorite website, but they show really good deals on cruises and hotels and sometimes on flights. Better flight-booking sites include Kayak and Vayama. However, for cruises and package deals, you really can’t beat Expedia. They also have a really good loyalty program.
12. Priceline
One of my favorite hotel sites because it allows you to bid on hotels and save a lot more money than by booking directly. When used in conjunction with the bidding site Better Bidding, you can substantially lower the cost of your hotels by as much as 60%.
13. Airbnb
Another good accommodation alternative, this site connects you with homeowners who rent out their homes/apartments. You’ll get all the comforts of home and the chance to stay in a local, non-touristy part of where you are going while often paying a fraction of the cost of a hotel room.
Tours/Agents
14. STA Travel
A good company for those who are under 26 or a student. They offer discounted airfare as well as travel passes that save on attractions. I don’t use them that much anymore as I’m way over 26, but if you are not, make sure to check them out.
15. Airtreks
This company is a leader in RTW tickets. They offer some very good deals, and, if you are interested in purchasing a round-the-world ticket, it’s best to call and get a quote from them first. They know their stuff.
This website is the ultimate guide to train travel anywhere in the world. They have the most comprehensive information on routes, times, prices, and train conditions. If you are planning a long train journey or some epic train trip, consult this site.
17. Go Today
A great website showcasing highly discounted last-minute tours and hotels. Great for the last-minute planner.
If you are looking to volunteer when you travel and want to support good organizations, use this website. It compiles a list of good local volunteer organizations that keep the money within the community. This is a tremendous resource for anyone wanting to volunteer overseas.
Travel Gear/Products
19. World Nomads Travel Insurance
I buy all my travel insurance from World Nomads. They have great customer service, competitive prices, and in-depth coverage. I’ve been using this company since I started traveling in 2006 and think they are the best. They are also recommended by Lonely Planet and National Geographic.
20. Rail Europe
If you are going to visit Europe and plan on taking a lot of trains, get a rail pass. You will save a lot of money. I’ve used a rail pass three times and saved hundreds of dollars each time. The math just works. I use the company Rail Europe and suggest that you do, too. They even ship passes for free. You can read about my experience using rail passes and a breakdown of my savings here.
If you are looking for a good TEFL class, check out I-to-I. They run online courses and are cheaper than their competition and widely recognized, and they will help you find a job. I highly recommend them over any other company if you are looking for to get a TEFL to teach English overseas.
SEE ALSO: The Actual Cost Of An International Trip