Planning a trip should feel exciting – not overwhelming. This guide brings together my favourite travel resources, tools and tips to help you plan with confidence.
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Accommodation Resources
Finding the right place to stay can make or break a trip, and with so many booking platforms out there, it helps to know which ones are trusted and offer great value. Below is a simplified breakdown of the most reliable accommodation sites, plus a few tips to help you get the best deal every time.
Booking platforms and when to use them
- Agoda: Excellent for Asia, often with the lowest rates and regular discount coupons.
- Airbnb: Ideal for home‑style stays or long trips. Just watch out for high cleaning fees, strict cancellation policies and their restrictive app (Airbnb is my least favourite booking platform, and I only use it when necessary as I like to filter my options and not have to sift through thousands of options).
- Booking.com: A favourite for its huge inventory and the Genius loyalty programme, which can unlock real savings.
- Google Hotels: Perfect for comparing prices across all booking agents in one place.
- Hostelworld: Best for budget travellers and solo travellers. Shows prices per person for dorms, private rooms, and some guesthouses.
- Hotels.com: Good for frequent hotel stays thanks to its rewards programme.
- HotelHops: Lets you upload a reservation and alerts you if the hotel price drops so you can rebook and save.
- HotelTonight: Great for last‑minute deals, especially in major cities.
- Roomer: Useful for picking up discounted, non‑refundable hotel reservations from travellers who can no longer use them.
- Trip.com: Strong for Asia and long‑haul travel, often with competitive rates.
- Trivago: A comparison tool that helps you quickly scan prices across multiple booking sites.
Tips for booking
- Always compare prices on Google Hotels. Enter your dates and destination, then scroll all the way down, the best prices aren’t always at the top, as those spots can be paid ads. This is one of the easiest ways to avoid overpaying.
- Check the hotel’s own website. Sometimes hotels offer free breakfast, free upgrades, price‑match guarantees, and better cancellation terms. It’s always worth a quick look.
- Collect points where you can. If you collect Avios, check the Avios app before booking. Many major booking agents (like Agoda and Booking.com) are listed, meaning you can earn Avios on stays you were booking anyway.
- Look beyond the headline price. Cleaning fees, resort fees, taxes, and deposits can add up. Compare the final price, not just the nightly rate.
- Review cancellation policies carefully. Flexible vs. non‑refundable can make a huge difference if plans change. Airbnb in particular varies widely by host.
- Switch to map view on booking sights to check how close you are to transport, restaurants, and key sights. It’s great for spotting hidden gems just outside the main tourist zones.
- Airbnb monthly discounts can be good, but Booking.com apartments often have fewer fees. Compare platforms for longer stays, the price difference can be huge.
- Many platforms now highlight eco‑certified or low‑impact properties. Look for filters like “eco‑friendly,” “sustainable stay,” or “green certified.” A simple way to make more conscious choices.
UK stays, glamping, luxury and unique accommodation
For UK‑based trips, staycations, or something a little more special, these platforms are great:
- Boutique Retreats: Luxury cottages and stylish UK escapes.
- Campsites: A large directory of campsites, glamping spots, and holiday parks across the UK.
- Canopy & Stars: Unique glamping spots focusing on nature.
- Cool Places UK: Curated, character‑filled stays across the UK.
- Cool Stays: Quirky, design‑led properties and unusual stays.
- Glamping Hub: Wide range of global glamping options, from treehouses to safari tents.
- Glampsites: A simple way to browse and book glamping sites across the UK.
- Kip Hideaways: Small, beautifully curated UK hideaways.
- Love Glamping: A curated collection of stylish glamping sites across the UK.
- Mr & Mrs Smith: Boutique and luxury hotels worldwide, with lots of UK options.
- Pitchup: Find and book campsites, glamping spots, and holiday parks across the UK and beyond.
- Plum Guide: High‑quality vetted homes with strict standards.
- Skye’s Holiday Cottages: A huge range of holiday cottages across the UK and Ireland.
- Staycations Scotland: Scottish campervans for road‑trips (my fave) – use prettyplanet10 for 10% off.
- Unique Home Stays: Luxury design UK properties.
- VRBO: Great for family or group rentals.
Flight Resources
Airline loyalty programmes
If you haven’t already joined an airline loyalty programme – now is the time. To learn more about air miles, upgrades, and point‑hacking, The Points Guy is one of the best resources online. Whether you fly long haul, short haul, or just once a year, signing up is one of the easiest ways to earn free travel, upgrades, and perks. Just some of the ways you can collect points are flying with the airline or its partners, using their branded credit cards, shopping through their online portals and booking hotels, car rentals, or experiences via their partners to name a few.
You may also find this blog post helpful: Understanding Avios: How To Earn, Use & Maximise Them
Cheap fares and flight deal clubs
If you’re flexible with dates or destinations, flight deal clubs are a great way to grab a bargain fare. These sites aren’t booking agents, they scan the web for flash sales, unannounced discounts, fare errors, technical glitches and partner‑airline pricing mismatches. Airline pricing systems are complex, so mistakes happen more often than you would think. Most error fares are honoured, but not always, so they’re best for travellers who can be flexible. Top flight deal sites are Going, Jack’s Flight Club and Secret Flying. For last‑minute or flexible trips use Cheap Flights, Deal Checker and Flights Finder. For even more strategies, the Money Saving Expert Cheap Flights Guide is packed with practical tips.
Flight comparison websites
These tools help you compare prices, track trends, and find the cheapest dates to fly.
- Google Flights: The best place to start. Search your route, then click the “prices are currently” bar to see whether fares are typical, high, or low and how likely they are to change.
- Hopper: Uses data‑driven predictions to tell you whether to book now or wait. You can “watch” a trip and get alerts when prices drop.
- ITA Matrix (by Google): A powerful flight search tool used by travel pros. ITA Matrix doesn’t sell flights, but it’s brilliant for finding the cheapest dates, comparing routes, and spotting fare patterns you won’t see on airline websites. It’s ideal for researching before booking elsewhere.
- Skyscanner: Set price alerts, use the month‑view calendar to find the cheapest days, and search “Everywhere” for the best‑value destinations. The app also has Drops, which highlights sudden price reductions on routes, and Perks, a section offering discounts on holiday extras like airport lounges, parking, transfers, and more.
- Other useful comparison websites: Kayak, Kiwi, Momondo & Travel Supermarket
Flights, seats and layovers
- Aerolopa, SeatCompare, SeatLink, SeatMaestro and SeatMaps: Explore aircraft layouts, compare seat pitch, and read seat reviews before choosing your spot.
- FlightConnections: One of my favourite route‑planning tools. This website shows every direct and connecting flight between airports worldwide. It’s great for checking alternative routes, finding hidden connections, and planning multi‑stop trips more efficiently.
- Skytrax: Check airline ratings for service, safety, and airport quality.
- Sleeping in Airports: Perfect for planning long layovers, find info on sleep spots, lounges, showers, and airport facilities.
Low‑cost carriers
Great for budget travel, but always check baggage fees, seat selection costs, and airport locations (some “city” airports are far out). Make sure to also check out Ryanair’s Cheap Flights Finder.
Extra flight tips
- 24‑hour cancellation: Some airlines offer a free 24‑hour cooling‑off period, giving you time to double‑check plans or grab a better deal, it’s worth checking for this before making a booking.
- Aircraft type: Newer aircraft like the A350 or 787 are quieter, more comfortable, and more fuel‑efficient. They also have better cabin pressure, humidity, and air filtration, which can reduce dehydration and jet lag. Check which aircraft is operating your flight, as choosing a flight with a newer model can make a noticeable difference to your comfort.
- Before you book checklist: Compare prices on Google Flights, check baggage rules, review cancellation terms, check the aircraft type, and confirm the fare directly on the airline’s website.
- Check baggage rules: Always check luggage allowances before booking. If you find a good fare through a booking agent, always check the airline’s website before booking as sometimes the direct price is cheaper or includes luggage. Some airlines add extra fees at checkout, so always check the airline’s fee page.
- Layover rules: If you’re transiting through another country, check whether you need a transit visa as requirements vary.
- Mix and match airlines: Flying out with one airline and back with another can be much cheaper, especially in Europe.
- Positioning flights: If long‑haul fares are high from your home airport, check nearby airports or take a cheap positioning flight to a bigger hub.
Trips, Tours & Travel Deal Resources
Organised small group tours
Organised group tours are perfect if you want a ready‑made itinerary, expert guides, and a group of like‑minded travellers. Great for solo travellers, first‑timers, or anyone who wants the planning done for them. Always check what’s included (meals, transport, entrance fees etc), read recent reviews and check their cancellation policies. Take a moment to browse our upcoming Pretty Planet Tours – your next adventure might already be waiting.
Package holidays
Package holidays are ideal for stress‑free travel where flights, accommodation, and transfers are bundled together. Often great value, especially for beach breaks and family trips. If you’re booking a package holiday, look for ABTA or ATOL protection for extra peace of mind.
Travel deal websites
These platforms highlight flash sales, last‑minute bargains, and curated travel offers, perfect for flexible travellers or anyone looking for a good deal. Some favourites are Lastminute.com, Lucky Trip and Travelzoo etc.
Add Ons & Other Helpful Resources
Airport lounges
Airport parking and car hire
Budgeting
Luggage storage
Maps and route planning
Organisation
Sustainability
- Carbon Footprint
- Co2nsensus
- Earth Check
- Ecologi
- Green Globe
- Green Key
- JustOneTree
- My Climate
- Responsible Travel Guides
- Seek Sophie
- World Land Trust
You may also find this blog post helpful: Sustainable Travel Made Simple: A Realistic Guide
Tours and excursions
Transfers and transport
Trip planning and inspiration
- Condé Nast Traveller
- Google Map Guides
- Lonely Planet
- Pretty Planet ♡
- Time Out
- Trip Kit
- Suitcase Magazine
- Tourism Board (search your destination followed by tourism board or search visit followed by your destination)
Volunteering, work travel and house-sits
- Air Tasker
- Grass Roots
- Mind My House
- Nomador
- The Great Projects
- Travelteer
- Trusted House Sitters
- Volunteer World
- Workaway
- Worldpackers
Find planning tools, digital guides, and travel must‑haves in the Pretty Planet Shop. Browse my Amazon Storefront for the best travel gadgets and accessories for your next trip.
Travel Essentials
Currency and travel cards
- ATM Fee Saver
- Monzo
- Revolut
- Starling
- The Currency Club
- Wise
- XE Currency (or use your phone calculator)
GHIC and EHIC
If you’re a UK resident travelling to the EU, apply for a free Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). It gives you access to state‑provided emergency medical care in EU countries. If you’re an EU resident, make sure you have a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). It provides access to state‑provided healthcare across EU countries (plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) under the same conditions as locals. Both cards cover necessary medical treatment, but neither replaces travel insurance – you should always travel with both.
Packing
Packing well can make your entire trip feel smoother and far less stressful. A few smart basics like versatile clothing, a universal adapter, a reliable power bank, and a small first‑aid kit are essential, and packing cubes are brilliant for keeping everything organised.
Find planning tools, digital guides, and travel must‑haves in the Pretty Planet Shop. Browse my Amazon Storefront for the best travel gadgets and accessories for your next trip.
You may also find this blog post helpful: The Ultimate Travel Packing Guide
Staying connected with eSIMs and portable Wi-Fi
Staying connected while you travel makes everything easier, from navigating new cities to accessing bookings, translating on the go, and sharing your location with loved ones. Instead of relying on patchy Wi‑Fi or searching for a SIM card at the airport, an eSIM lets you activate data instantly when you land. I recommend Airalo, which I’ve used for years, especially during my crew layovers. eSIMs also reduce plastic waste and packaging, making them a more eco‑friendly choice, and while they’re ideal for short trips, long‑term stays might benefit from local eSIM options. You can also use portable Wi‑Fi, a small, battery‑powered device that gives you your own secure connection on the go that works across multiple countries and you can connect several devices to it at once.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is a non‑negotiable essential. Always check what your policy covers, especially for longer trips or multi‑country itineraries.
- Frequent travellers: A worldwide annual policy can be more cost‑effective.
- Long trips (3+ weeks): Contact your insurer after booking to confirm you’re fully covered and pay any required top‑ups.
- Popular long-term travel providers: World Nomads is well‑known for flexible, extendable coverage, and SafetyWing is a common choice for digital nomads.
Travel Vaccinations
The Travel Health Pro website provides country‑by‑country guidance on recommended vaccinations, health risks, and travel precautions. It’s a great place to check before visiting any new destination.
Visas
Always check visa rules before you travel, requirements vary by nationality and destination. UK travellers stay up to date on the Foreign & Commonwealth Office which lists entry rules and travel advice for destinations worldwide. Non‑UK travellers check your own government or embassy website for accurate guidance. Once you know what you need, you can apply yourself directly or use a service like I‑Visa for a simpler, admin‑handled process (they charge a fee for this). Some countries require proof of onward travel for entry. If your plans are flexible and you don’t yet know your next destination, Onwardticket services can provide temporary proof of travel for visa or immigration purposes.
You may also find these other blog posts helpful:
- A Quick Guide To The Best Travel Apps
- Flight Tips & Advice: From Booking To Landing
- How To Plan & Book The Perfect Trip
Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this post, feel free to comment, subscribe, or follow along on socials for more travel inspo. Some links may be affiliate at no extra cost to you, helping support Pretty Planet and keep the free advice flowing. If you found this helpful, and would like to support this little corner of the internet you can do so here. Your support means the world. Happy travelling!
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