We all have the travel booking sites that we rely on trip after trip. If you’re looking to shake things up a little — or just do some comparison shopping — there’s a plethora of platforms for train booking, navigation, hotels and more that are well worth checking out.
Enter the likes of Omio, which is perfect for booking transport options like trains and buses (especially if you’re nervous about navigating a new country’s transportation system). Another example is Mr. and Mrs. Smith, which offers sexy perks upon arrival for booking its design-driven luxury hotels.
Just one word of advice: Always check the terms and conditions before you book to be sure of cancellation policies or other guidelines.
Here are a few options of alternative travel booking platforms out there — and some inspiration for your 2023 trips.
Country houses, boutique wine resorts and Airbnbs in the middle of nowhere are very charming indeed — until you try to get there without a car. Rome2rio is one of the best sites for figuring out how to get from point A to point B, and unlike Google Maps, it’ll help you book it, too. Just plug in where you’re leaving from and where you’re trying to go, and this site will give you the best options arranged by time or cost. Keep in mind that flight prices change a lot, so if that’s the option you’re going for, it’s still worth shopping around — but at least you have a starting point!
If you’ve ever tried to plan a train trip using another country’s rail site or tried to marry two different countries’ services to make a cross-border trip, you probably have experienced some incredible levels of frustration. Omio is here to make train, bus and plane travel easier by finding you the best deals on the best routes. You just plug in where you want to go, and it’ll come up with your best options (and the best deals) in no time — each is easily bookable through its own platform. It’s fantastic for saving you the hassle of dealing with multiple sites and languages. (I used it recently in the United Kingdom, and everything went smooth as silk.)
Agoda should be right up there with Booking.com and Hotels.com when it comes to finding lodging — especially if you’re planning on a trip to Asia. The site got its start in Singapore and has competitive pricing and sometimes more options than other platforms if you’re heading to Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia or other regional destinations.
For anyone planning a romantic getaway (or solo travelers who want to treat themselves), Mr. and Mrs. Smith’s platform offers some of the best luxury boutique hotels — think top-tier design and great locations — at competitive or discounted pricing. Not only that, but the hotels come with sexy perks designed to make your trip a little more luxe: Think a bottle of Champagne upon arrival, signature cocktails for two at the bar, or a late checkout. Recently I nabbed a hotel in Paris for the same price as Booking.com, but got a box of boutique chocolates in the deal. There are also villas for rent and honeymoon offers if you’re going big.
Did you miss your train? Has a flight been canceled? This platform is great for finding last-minute accommodation at discounted prices — often when you need it the most. I recently used it to book a stay for a boyfriend stuck in western Germany on the way home from a tour, and it had the best deals (and selection) by far compared to other sites.
flexipass.travelstride.com
One of the travel innovations to come out of the pandemic, Travelstride’s FlexiPass is perfect for travelers who want to have an adventure but maybe not plan everything themselves — i.e. if a tour sounds like your kind of holiday, this is the site for you. Travelstride’s platform lets you browse destinations and itineraries for the trip you want, then purchase the FlexiPass value that aligns with your trip — from there, all you have to do is travel by the last day of 2023 to redeem your pass. A lot of vacations focus on private guided tours, cruises, small groups or other experiences where you might not be totally alone, so it’s best for those feeling a little social.
If you’re planning a trip and are looking to stay at a luxury property at a discounted price, Secret Escapes is a great place to check. The platform is best when you have some flexibility about dates and specific locations — and there are also vacation packages if you want everything sorted in one go. It’s a “club” so you’ll have to sign up to access the deals, but registration is free and you’ll get access to preferential pricing at some of the world’s coolest resorts, spa hotels and luxury-minded properties. Sort your trips by date, location and type of holiday to get the most out of the site’s options, which tend to be particularly strong in Europe but offer picks in great destinations like Bali, Sri Lanka and Nairobi, too.