Booking Your Trip

I know how difficult it can be picking the best travel booking sites and travel companies to book with. The list of options is growing with new booking aggregators and tour companies popping up all the time as world travel and online booking increases in popularity.

That’s why I’ve created this Booking Your Trip page, so you have a TRUSTED resource to refer to when it comes time to book your trip. 

All of the companies listed below I use myself when booking my travel and I consider each of them to offer the best deals, the best quality and the best range. I hope you’ll take my TRUSTED advice and book your next trip using the links below.

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All In One

Expedia – Flights, accommodation, cruises, package deals; there isn’t much that Expedia don’t do these days when it comes to helping you book the best travel deals. What I love about Expedia is that their search tool is easy to use and gives you lots of options to narrow the search with the things you do and don’t want.

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Transport 

Skyscanner – My go to airfare research tool. Skyscanner’s global search tool allows you to search for flights with lots of airlines (including budget airlines) and compare prices from both direct with the airline and online booking websites. It then directs you to that site to make your purchase. A feature they offer that I love is you can search to go ‘anywhere’ and it gives you the best deals from your departure city for your travel dates.

Rail Europe – Booking and researching train travel and rail passes for travel in Europe has never been so easy! Not only does Rail Europe have an abundance of route information and an easy to use booking tool on their website, they also have a team of consultants who can help you piece together a complex itinerary or just answer a few simple questions.

The Man in Seat 61 – A comprehensive guide to train travel in Europe and beyond. This website is a massive resource for anyone researching train travel, tickets and itineraries.

DB Bahn – The most reliable European train timetables you will find on the web brought to you by the ever reliable Germans at Deutsche Bahn.

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Cruises

Carnival – Hit the waters and take yourself on a fun-packed holiday. Whether you’re travelling as a family, or if Mum & Dad are whisking away to re-connect, Carnival has options to suit each family member. The best thing about Carnival is you have everything there, ready to go and so much is all-inclusive from accommodation to most dining options like 24/7 pizza & ice cream, 45+ daily activities featuring waterslides, trivia, Broadway-style shows and more. Booking is easy – select your destination and accommodation preferences and off you go!

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Accommodation 

Booking.com – Find and book accommodation ranging from hostels and small B&B’s to luxury resorts and everything in between. There are over 500,000 properties listed on Booking.com so you are almost guaranteed to find something that suits your budget and needs. Plus they have a Best Price Guarantee, saving you money, and verified reviews so you can rest assured you are booking a property that is of the standard you are looking for.

Airbnb – The latest accommodation craze taking the travel world by storm. This website allows people with a spare bed, room or whole property to list it for others to rent on a nightly basis. The great thing about staying in someone else’s home in another part of the world is that you are getting more of an authentic local experience you just can’t find in most hotels. And if you have a spare room at your place, why not rent it out to travellers to make a bit of extra cash for your next trip! Just by signing up to Airbnb using the link provided above, you get up to $AUD45 credit to use on your first booking. 

Accor Hotels – When I’m not staying in hostels, you’ll find me usually in an Accor Hotel. The thing I love about Accor is you always know before you arrive, what you’re going to get; a good quality, world class hotel room. Accor cater for just about all budgets with locations all over the world. For a budget friendly stay, try an Ibis Hotel or for a bit of luxury check out the Sofitel or Pullman Hotels.

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Tours

Intrepid – My go to multi-day tour operator. Intrepid offer a vast array of tour options to regions all over the world with trip styles and budgets to suit every kind of traveller. What I love about Intrepid is that their tours are run by local guides, using local transport and supporting local communities.

GetYourGuide – A one stop website for day trips, sightseeing passes, overnight trips, multi-day excursions and unique experiences around the world. Tours available range from half day city introductions to three night regional discoveries. I’ve booked through GetYourGuide on dozens of occasions and have never been disappointed with my experience.

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Travel Gear 

Kathmandu – If you’re looking to get kitted out in the best outdoor and backpacking gear on the market, then check out Kathmandu. I’ve been shopping with them for many years and have very fond memories of buying my very first backpack there before I left for Europe the first time.

Lonely Planet – The most famous guide book company in the world is famous for one reason, they provide the most valuable and informative guide books out there. Whether your after information guides or just some inspiration, the Lonely Planet range is vast and comprehensive with both hard copy and digital books available. The trusty Lonely Planet guides are the first place I go for travel planning information.

Sketches – If you’re planning to pound the pavement in big cities around the world on your next trip then you will want a comfortable and good quality pair of shoes on your feet. I personally can’t go past Sketches. Their supportive and cushiony soles make them the perfect shoe to help you avoid aching feet. Plus they come in a whole bunch of styles, colours and fabrics that will suit most tastes, they don’t take up valuable weight in your bag and they go with just about anything

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Disclaimer: This page contains affiliate links. If you found this article helpful, please consider using them to book your trip. It costs you no extra and helps to keep The Trusted Traveller running.

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