HOW TO BOOK YOUR TRIP
Booking a trip should be exciting.
Often though, it can feel daunting with so many things to consider. Flights to book, accommodation to choose, transport to arrange, the list of jobs can overwhelm you. Which booking sites should you use, should you book tours before you go ….. the list of jobs can take all the fun out of what should be, a fun part of your trip.
This page shows the companies and services that we personally use in our travel planning process and which we can recommend to other traveLlers. Having planned and booked numerous trips over the years, we know that if you want value for money then it is vital to use good travel resources.
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PICK A DESTINATION
First the exciting part of choosing a destination, and pinning down where you actually want to visit. Do you fancy an epic road trip, city architecture and history, or perhaps a safari?
For some ideas, our post How to easily choose your travel destination is a great place to start. Then head over to our Destinations page.
FLIGHTS
Flights will often take up a large portion of your budget, so finding the cheapest price is imperative.
We start our flight search with Google Flights. The site is easy to use and navigate, with departing and arriving airports, with applicable dates. You are given a list of best departing flights to choose from. Here you can see flight times, any stops, the airline and prices. By clicking on any option, you are provided with extra information such as legroom measurements.
ACCOMMODATION
Booking.com is our first choice when booking any type of accommodation.
The site is easy to navigate, there are no booking fees, and you can make changes or send a request within minutes. Offering over a million properties worldwide to suit every budget, including reviews and a 24/7 customer service help centre, they provide the user with a reliable and fast service.
The site offers a best price guarantee and free cancellation on most rooms, up to a few days before the date of your booking.
VISA
It is important to check any visa requirements for entry to your destination, before you book any travel arrangements. While some visas can be purchased on arrival, others have to be organised before you leave home.
For UK residents, check gov.uk for the Government’s foreign travel advice.
TRANSPORT
RentalCars is one of the world’s leading car rental agencies.
Offering a comparison of all the major brands including Avis, Hertz and Enterprise, they offer great prices on all car types, including luxury cars, people carriers, minivans and automatic cars. With a multilingual call centre open 7 days a week, they can find you the best rental prices whenever you want – wherever you’re going.
ACTIVITIES
It is a good idea to sometimes book activities and tours in advance. A local guide who will show you the best sights on a walking tour is a great way of discovering an area in more depth. Popular sights can be extremely busy, so booking ahead saves time queueing up.
We use Get Your Guide, who are a trusted partner for attractions and tours. The site is easy to use and navigate around the huge range of attractions. You can check out reviews and also have your tickets sent directly to your phone.
Search your destination, and discover a wealth of choice for day tours, sights and more.
INSURANCE
Trailfinders is the largest independently owned travel company in the United Kingdom. With 29 travel centres in the UK and three in Ireland, they provide a range of travel arrangements, and we have often used them for great discounted flight deals. An added bonus is that they do not charge credit card fees.
Covid-19 cover is included for cancellation prior to departure, person specific quarantine both prior to departure and whilst overseas, curtailment of a trip and overseas medical expenses.