best travel planner website

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best travel planner website

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Features to replace all your other travel tools, add locations from guides with 1 click, collaborate with friends in real time, checklists for anything, expense tracking and splitting, get personalized suggestions, import flight and hotel reservations, plan a trip like a pro.

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Optimize route planner, unlimited attachments.

4.9 on App Store, 4.7 on Google Play

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Get inspired from guides around the world, with expert tips, travel insight, and recommendations from our community for your next destination. See all Wanderlog travel guides. Or you can write a guide to share places you love with other travelers! Write your own guide.

Have tips of your own? Write a guide to share with other travelers like you!

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For every kind of trip and every destination, the best road trip planner, the best vacation planner, the best group itinerary planner.

A Solo Woman Traveling

Inspiring Destinations For Solo Female Travel

A Solo Woman Traveling

15 Travel Planning Websites For The Savvy Traveler

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I have been a solo woman traveling for 10 + years now! And when I first started to adventure around the world, travel planning websites were pretty basic. The internet has come a long way since 2010. And all this technology has been game-changing for women traveling independently! Use these 15 travel planning websites to create the trip of your dreams!

Why use a travel planning website? The answer to this question could be endless. But narrowing it down to why it is most beneficial, we can start with finding the best deals and travel recommendations!

This post may have affiliate links. When you click on a link we receive a small commission. This is at no extra cost to you. See Our Affiliate Policy for more info.

Often the travel budget is almost everyone’s major factor when booking a trip.

Using a site to help you find a flight or hotel can be so helpful when it comes to saving money.

Also, more inclusive sites provide suggestions for the best routes, restaurants, and attractions in the area.

When booking my trips, I use these 15 travel planning websites consistently. Once I have arrived at my destination, there is also 13 must-have travel app for solo females I use every trip.

I will start to break down each travel planning site and why these are vital in helping me in crafting my travel itinerary.

9 Travel Planning Websites

A trick to save money on travel is by getting a travel credit card and using those points or miles.

15 Travel Planning Websites

Of all the sites I find online planners, these are the ones I find most useful.

The best trip planning website will help you book any trip, whether a road trip, vacation rental, or just a little getaway off the beaten path! Some of these sites have membership reward programs!

Want me to plan your trip?

👩🏻‍💻 Need Help Planning Your Trip? Get a customized itinerary !

This travel planning website is gold! When using Skyscanner, I love getting inspired to choose where to go by setting my destination to “ Explore Anywhere .” A good starting point is to just put your departure city and the dates you want to travel, then add anywhere to your destination choice. Click search, and BOOM, a list of destinations will appear sorted by cheapest option first.

Who doesn’t love finding the best deals and discovering new cities? Using this feature, I have discovered a couple of “off-the-beaten-path” destinations. I can credit my trip to Bari, Italy , and Valletta, Malta, to using Skyscanner .

Kayak for Travel Planning

Booking.com

I love booking.com for so many reasons! It is not just a site to find cheap flights and hotel rooms, but vacation rentals booking site too!

You can also use this traveling planning website to book airport taxis! Your next travel adventure can all be booked within this platform. I feel like I am always finding the best deals on booking.com !

This site has a nifty loyalty program that saves you money the more you book with them. Genius level one, which is achieved with any two stays within two years, gets you 10% off your account’s life. And, when you complete 5 stays within 2 years, you are upgraded to Genius level 2. In level 2, you are bumped up to a 15% discount and complimentary breakfast and upgrades at some select hotels.

I should also mention the travel community forum on this site. It’s perfect if you plan to visit somewhere in the offseason and want to know if it’s worth it. This sort of travel forum is beneficial for solo females traveling and interested in safety advice . 

Booking.com for Travel Planning

Get Your Guide

As far as trip-planning websites go, Get Your Guide is highly rated and user-friendly! This site is wonderful for getting an overview of the city’s best tourist attractions and tours. The ease of using this site and helpful traveler reviews make it a winner.

Many people often don’t think of a traveler hack using a day tour to get from point A to point B. BUT LET ME BE CLEAR, you can only do this if you travel with a backpack . Showing up for your day tour to another city with your suitcase will not work. I would often travel with a small backpack to the destination city and stay after the tour.

Get Your Guide as a travel planning site has been really terrific. I recommend it over any other travel sites offering similar services.

Get Your Guide for Travel Planning

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!

Travel insurance is so important in today’s travel environment. Safety Wing provides the best rates for the most coverage. Get a quote in Seconds !

Discover Cars

Would I call a car rental company trip planner website? Probably not exactly, BUT, if you are planning to do driving on your trip its important.

I use Discover Cars for rental cars. What I also really love about Discover Cars is the customer service.

Find the best rates in your destinations by using the search feature. I really love being able to find all the information I need when renting a car abroad on their site!

best travel planner website

Ferry Scanner

There is something magical about traveling from island to island. For my trips via the open sea, no better site to use than Ferry Scanner . This travel planning website is a great tool to help shape your travel itinerary.

Search in your home currency and it will display search results for the cheapest and shortest duration. This way, you are finding the best deals with the optimal travel time.

Ferry Scanner has friendly customer service. I have used them most recently and had to make some changes to the travel dates.

I was able to do this easily on their site without hassle or fees. For ferry transportation options, you can’t go wrong!

Direct Ferries for Ferry Travel

A NEW and exciting travel planning app out there is Wanderlog. Wanderlog is especially cool if you are planning a road trip. Use this highly integrated app easily to keep all your travel plans organized.

Use Wanderlog on your desktop or on your phone with the ISO/ Android App. In addition to keeping all your travel plans organized, you can find loads of travel guides created by locals.

Easily export all your saved points of interest into Google Maps! I am very impressed with the overall ease of use and functionality of Wanderlog.

Travel Planning Apps. A castle edited to look like it's coming out of a phone screen.

United Vacations

One of the best vacation planning websites is United Vacations ! If you are someone planning to travel a lot in your life, do yourself a favor and align yourself with an airline.

For me, that airline is United Airlines. I have taken advantage of all the programs that United has to offer and racked up enough points to always fly business or first class !

United Vacations is a great site for travel planning and growing your mileage account while planning your trip effortlessly!

To get started building your mileage you need to set yourself up for free with an account. Then to take advantage of all the programs to grow your miles, get the United Credit Card!

This offer will start you off with THOUSANDS of miles! Possibly enough to actually fly business class to Europe!

✈️ How to Fly Business Class for Less than Economy

United Vacations for best travel planning app

Tours By Locals

Booking tour activities with Tours By Locals is a great way to support the city you are visiting. I just love their travel planning website! The platform is really easy to use, with many helpful filters.

You can just put in your travel days and choose the type of tour you would like to filter by. They have Multi-Day, Half-Day, and Full-Day. The reviews of the tour are also very helpful in making a choice on what to do.

Road Trip Planner- Roadtrippers

Roadtrippers is a fantastic travel planning site with some extra helpful features! It’s not just a road trip planner that gives directions. Roadtrippers is an app and a travel planning site that allows you multiple ways to organize trips.

Special features included with Premium Membership – Trip Guides, Voices, Trips Planner, and more! They are always adding partnerships and offering the best deals!

Speaking of Deals, use my promo code and save $5 on your next vacation! Code: BTR5QTP Visit the site HERE!

Multi-City Trip Planning

A new website has emerged for the best trip planner for a multi-city trip, and I am impressed! The company is called Inspirock . The inspiration to see the planet is their slogan.

I’ve had a lot of fun with this travel planning site! You can build multi-destination trips with a few clicks! How it works is you first put in your travel dates and then choose a few activities.

The site then plugs in tour activities and hotel booking recommendations. It will produce a whole itinerary with transportation options, etc.

Viator has some of the best-organized activities for traveling! For planning the best day trips and private tours I would highly recommend having a look,.

I find the platform so easy to use, and I love the customer service. It has been my experience that Viator offers the most options in some of the more remote locations!

When I am traveling in Europe , I always put in my destination city to see what they have to offer!

Check out the reviews from travelers and compare them to other sites, Viator will come out on top!

Google Flights

First, there was Google Maps, now there is Google Flights! Like Google Maps, Google Flights can be used as a multi-city travel planner website. I often start getting ideas for my travels with their search features.

Much like with Google Maps you put in a destination and it suggests several different routes to get there.

What I love most about trip planning websites like Google Flights is you can let it suggest places for you! I just put in my dates and where I am starting from and the trip planning starts to take shape from there.

I save money searching for future trips using Google Flights. The cheap flights stand out if you search with no destination set. I look to see what city comes up as the cheapest and then I research destinations from there. It’s free, it’s easy, and I just love it!

Triptile is an essential tool as a digital trip planner! It does all the trip planning work in minutes.

The homepage has a screen full of popular travel destination tiles to get the inspiration flowing. Then, you choose cities to add to your trip, and start the creation of the next adventure begins!

Get around from city to city by bus! Sometimes it is the fastest way to travel.

I like Flix Bus for the customer service and great website ideal for trip planning!

Google Maps (My Favorite Travel Planning Site)

Chances are you are very familiar with Google Maps. Used by travelers more often than not Google Maps is great when on vacation.

The off-line maps feature is very helpful if you are traveling abroad and don’t have WIFI. You can create your own custom map and save your itinerary-based attractions such as hotels, restaurants, etc.

It might not be an actual travel planner, but it will help you find the best route to your destination.

Looking for the Best Airport Transfer Service?

AirportTransfer.com has the best rates for arranging transportation to your destination!

More Travel Planning Websites for Dining Reservations

These days there are so many sites to use for travel planning. Now when it comes to dinner reservations I use many. Here is a list of the sites/apps I use for making dining reservations.

  • Open Table – A one-stop shop to use for making restaurant reservations
  • Happy Cow (find vegan restaurants)

Plan a Multi-City Trip to Europe

Planning a multi-city trip to Europe can be tricky. Luckily I made a bunch of mistakes and took notes! Learn all about how to plan a multi-city trip to Europe the right way!

This post talks about the importance of airport transfers and considering the time it will actually take from your day. I will give you pointers on what are the best travel planning do’s and don’t’s!

Free 12 Page

Solo travel digital planner, faq’s.

Google Trips (Google Travel) : This all-in-one travel planning tool allows you to explore flights, hotels, and things to do in a wide range of destinations. It integrates with other Google services, providing personalized recommendations based on your search history and saved places.

Stay In Touch

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Melissa Byron, a seasoned solo traveler since 2009, is the founder & visionary behind A Solo Woman Traveling. Drawing from her extensive personal experience globetrotting solo to over 40 countries, she has dedicated herself to a mission: crafting invaluable guides and itineraries for women who embark on solo adventures.

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I like the idea of checking on a website that has restaurants and attractions laid out for me to read about. Vacations are a way for me to escape my boring hometown. To try new food and experiences that I can’t get anywhere else.

It’s exactly why I travel! I love trying new places to eat.

Thank you for your comments, I’ve been looking for something that seems to be what you describe as Wanderlog, I’m going to check it out.

Also, only slightly off topic, I travel a lot on business and have been using Expedia but have never really been happy with the service. I see you recommend Booking and I just might move to their service but what I really need is a site that will allow me to organize various bookings into expense reports. With Expedia, preparing a travel expense report is miserable.

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The best trip planner apps to make your travels easier

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Booking a trip can be an exciting yet daunting task. As if booking airfare, hotel, and transportation weren't enough, you also need to consider food, sights, and attractions. As a travel lover myself, I often dread planning and preparing for a trip. Not only do I never have the time, but I often get oversaturated by the vast amount of information found online and the fear of getting scammed. 

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Over the years, I've found the best websites and apps to help smooth out the planning process. These apps help me keep track of all my reservations, send me booking reminders, and guarantee I always find the best prices -- because there is nothing worse than falling for tourist traps or overpriced offerings. 

Whether you are a spontaneous or a nitty-gritty planner traveler, ZDNET has tested and reviewed the best trip planner apps on the market. Our top pick for the best trip planner site and app is Booking.com due to its easy-to-use user interface, extensive booking capabilities, and pricing. However, since not every trip or traveler is the same, we've included several options to help you plan and stay organized during your travels. 

Keep reading to learn more about ZDNET's expert-tested and reviewed trip planner apps. 

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The best trip planner apps of 2023

Booking.com, best overall trip planner.

  • Multiple bookings
  • Great deals
  • Can earn points from bookings and reservations
  • Easy to use
  • No group planning
  • Can't organize bookings per trip

Booking.com features:   Platform: App and website |  Compatibility:  iOS and Android |  Pricing:  Free |  Booking:  Yes |  Group planning:  No

When planning my trips, I always make a stop at the Booking.com app, especially when reserving hotels. I find their user interface visually appealing and easy to use, and that it provides just the right amount of information I need when scrolling through hotel suggestions. Personally, I enjoy that I can add my top picks to my favorites with a quick tap of a heart, glance through reviews, look at cancellation policies, and even find out how far away hotels are from key spots. Through Booking.com, you can also book flights, car rentals, taxis, and city attractions, making it a great all-in-one place to plan and book upcoming weekend getaways or longer vacations. While I have personally never used the car rentals, taxis, or city attractions components of the app, I enjoy knowing that if I ever needed to, I can quickly hop on my phone and glance at the latest offerings. 

My favorite feature when using Booking.com to plan trips is the offers and promotions it displays for users. In the app, when you click your profile, you can see your "Genius" loyalty program status as well as discover the best deals around the world for your specific chosen dates. My only critique of Booking.com is that it does not enable group trip planning or let you organize your bookings per trip. This means if you are planning a trip with a friend, only one person can book and have access to reservations. 

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Best trip planner for organization

  • Synced with e-mail inbox
  • Organizes reservations no matter where you book
  • Works offline
  • Can't make any bookings
  • Need to pay for advanced features
  • UI could use an upgrade

TripIt features:   Platform:  App and website |  Compatibility: iOS and Android | Pricing: Free or $49 per year | Booking: No | Group planning: Yes

In terms of planning a trip, creating an itinerary, and keeping all your information in one place, TripIt is one of the best travel apps to keep yourself organized. When you first create an account, TripIt will sync with your inbox and automatically add all of your upcoming flights and reservations to your account. You can then modify each trip to include as little or as much information as you'd like. As someone who likes to be spontaneous when traveling, I usually only add the essentials: flight information, hotel reservations, and important documents. However, if you like to plan your trips down by the hour, you can also include activities, restaurant reservations, transportation, and more in your trip plan to share with fellow travelers.

As your trip approaches, TripIt will also send you packing reminders, give you COVID-19 travel guidance, and show transportation options. While you can get most of the essential features within the free version of the app (this is the one I use), you can also pay $49 a year to get advanced features such as check-in reminders, real-time flight alerts, point tracking, and even notifications for drops in airfare prices. 

Keep in mind that while TripIt gives you transportation options and finds places near your hotel, you cannot book or make any reservations directly from the app. The app is solely used to organize and keep track of all of your travel plans in one place, no matter where you book them. 

Best AI trip planner

  • Personalized travel itinerary
  • Hotel booking
  • Can modify recommendations
  • Group planning enabled
  • Only available as a website
  • No flight or restaurant booking

Guide features:   Platform: Website  Compatibility: all major browsers |  Pricing:  Free | Booking: Yes, but hotels only | Group Planning: Yes  Generative AI is everyone's favorite buzzword this year, and slowly but surely, it has been making its way across all industries -- including the travel industry. Guide is an innovative AI travel planning tool that creates personalized travel itineraries based on your preferences. (Full disclosure, it's also owned by ZDNET's sister company. It's currently in private beta, but you can join a wait list.) All you need to do is select your destination, the dates, whether you are traveling alone or in a group, your budget, and the types of activities you are looking for, and Guide will do the planning. 

After generating a trip itinerary for you based on your prompt, Guide then lets you modify and customize the itinerary to your liking. I recently used Guide to plan a six-day trip to Austin, Texas, and this was the feature I enjoyed the most, since I had specific restaurants and activities I wanted to incorporate into my trip, but I also needed some additional recommendations. While you can't book flights or restaurant reservations through Guide, you can book and find great hotel deals powered by Expedia on the platform. 

Guide will also give you an overall budget for your trip, a packing list, and a comprehensive list of things to know about your destination -- which may be helpful for some more than others. While my trip to Austin was a solo trip, Guide has a feature where you can invite other fellow travelers to collaborate in planning your trip through Guide's chatbot, GuideBot. This chatbot also works sort of like ChatGPT, where you can ask GuideBot questions about your trip, your destination, or recommendations. Keep in mind you can not ask GuideBot to directly modify your trip for you, and instead need to manually do it yourself -- believe me, I tried. 

Tripadvisor

Best trip planner app for reviews.

  • Countless reviews
  • Used by travelers worldwide
  • Variety of information
  • Booking capabilities
  • Great for local spots
  • Booking is not its strongest feature and you may not always find the best deals
  • Doesn't vet reviews

Tripadvisor  features: Platform:  App and website |  Compatibility:  iOS and Android |  Pricing:  Free |  Booking:  Yes |  Group planning:  No

Reading customer reviews is one of the most important steps when planning a trip. While you shouldn't base all of your decisions on reviews, you should consider past customer experiences to get a feel for the brand and company you are about to trust, or the experience you are going to pay for.  When it comes to travel reviews, Tripadvisor is the best trip planner app to rely on. Since the platform has so many reviews for restaurants, activities, accommodations, and locations all over the world, it is always easy and convenient to log onto the app or website to help you make an educated decision. (However, remember that not all Tripadvisor reviews are legit, since the platform does not independently verify customer postings.) Beyond reviews, TripAdvisor also lets you book hotels, restaurants, things to do, and more while also providing detailed insights into their offerings -- including cancellation policies, ratings, and features. 

Tripadvisor's "Travelers' Choice" best-of list is also a popular part of its platform, allowing visitors to see top-rated destinations, hotels, restaurants, and things to do around the world. With Tripadvisor, you can plan a trip yourself from scratch, hire a trip designer, or get a custom itinerary built by AI. 

Best trip planner app for transportation

  • Great multi-mode travel comparison
  • convenient and seamless transportation booking
  • Multiple currency and language availability
  • Flight deals and suggestions are not the strongest
  • Limited offers depending on the country or city of travel
  • Not the most reliable customer service

Omio features:  Platform:  App and website |  Compatibility:  iOS and Android |  Pricing:  Free |  Booking:  Yes, transportation only |  Group planning:  No

I first discovered Omio when a friend recommended it to me while I was studying abroad in Spain, and ever since I downloaded it, it has become my go-to app for booking the best deals and fares on transportation within Europe. The concept behind Omio is simple: You plug in your departure and arrival location, including the number of people you are traveling with, and add whether you are looking for a one-way or round-trip journey. Omio will then show you the best deals by train, bus, or plane to and from your desired destination, including how much time each option will take you and the number of stops. 

The German-based travel booking site is great at aggregating travel information from multiple sites, allowing you to view all of your transportation options in one place. This is incredibly beneficial when planning trips within Europe since there are several ways you can cross each border and often various languages and regulations to keep in mind. Omio is set in English but has multiple additional languages available, as well as currency options. During my time abroad, I solely used Omio to book all of my transportation, including planning a 17-day trip across seven different European countries. Overall, using Omio was not only convenient and seamless but also helped me save hundreds of dollars by helping me maximize my travel time by switching between flights, trains, and buses. 

However, since returning from Europe, I have not used Omio as much as I thought I would -- maybe because I have a car and take most of my trips by plane. And Omio's flight deals and suggestions are not the strongest compared to Booking.com or Skyscanner's, which heavily focus on flight deals. I have also found they have some limitations depending on the country or city you are traveling in. Be mindful of the deals and tickets you buy through Omio since some tickets are non-refundable, and some customers complain their customer service is not the best -- although I have yet to have any issues with them. 

What is the best trip planner app?

Booking.com gets our vote for the best trip planner app due to its wide selection of accommodations, its points and promotions offerings, and its easy-to-use user interface. Not only does Booking.com help you find the best deals throughout your trip, but it will also help you stay organized throughout your trip by keeping all of your reservations in one place. To determine which trip planner app or combination of trip planners is best for you, check out this comparison chart below. 

Which is the right trip planner app for you?

The best trip planner app ultimately depends on your travel and planning style. If you like booking and planning everything in one place while also earning points and getting great deals, then Booking.com is your top app. However, if you are looking for a place to keep all of your accommodations, reservations, and activity details organized, then TripIt is a better app for you. Check out the following chart to help you find the best trip planner app or a combination of apps for you to plan your next adventure. 

How did we choose these trip planner apps?

To find the best trip planner apps, we drew upon real-life experiences and tested their performance and capabilities during our latest trips. Ultimately, we weighted the following factors when choosing which trip planners to include on our list: 

  • Features: Each app can vary significantly with the features it offers, whether it is solely to book flights and hotels, help you plan your next trip using AI, or help you find the best deals and booking information, each app on this list can help you address several common inconveniences that present themselves while planning that next adventure.  
  • Compatibility: An app is of little use if it does not work with your devices, so we look to see what compatibility each trip-planning app offers and which platforms you can access it from. Personally, I enjoy apps that combine an app and website component since this quickly helps me switch between my wide computer screen and my tiny yet portable iPhone screen. 
  • Customer reviews: We study real customer reviews and ratings to evaluate customer satisfaction and service. This is incredibly important since most times when you travel, you visit an unknown city or country, and you should be mindful of past experiences others have had. 
  • Cost : Most trip planner apps are free, but you may have to upgrade to receive special access to exclusive features or deals. If your app is already free, it means you only have to pay a small amount (often unnoticeable) when you book your accommodations. 

What is a trip planner app?

A trip planner app is an app that provides organizational features for your upcoming trip. It is often free and incorporates trip planning tools, whether you are traveling by ground, water or air.   

How does a trip planner app work?

A trip planner app can incorporate special features, like an itinerary, calendar, reservation and booking hub, and map assistance. Depending on the app you choose, there is even trip-sharing with friends and family to simplify the entire trip planning process.  

How much does a trip planner app cost?

Most trip planner apps are free, but some may offer in-app purchases to upgrade or enhance your experience. Within this list, only Tripit costs money, but only for their advanced features version, which costs $49 a year. However, you can get access to most if not all, trip-planning features, through their free version. 

Are there alternative trip planner apps worth considering?

As I mentioned earlier, trip planning heavily depends on your personal style of travel and preferences. However, whether you like to plan your trips down by the minute or prefer to just have the basics, there are several apps that can optimize your planning. Here are a few apps worth considering that almost made it onto our list: 

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Proper planning prevents poor purchasing. Get ready for your trip the right way!

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Planning the perfect trip can be almost overwhelming enough to take the fun out of what should be an exciting experience. Thankfully, many travel planning apps are available to help you organize your next getaway, right down to the smallest detail.

Best for Predicting Lowest Flight and Hotel Prices: Hopper

The Watch feature sends push notifications about good deals when it's time to commit.

Some fairly large airlines aren't included in Hopper's analysis.

Hopper's proprietary algorithm tries to predict where flight and lodging prices are headed shortly, letting you wait until the right moment to spring into action and book your trip at the lowest price. The app analyzes billions of prices per day and claims to predict what the cheapest one will be with a 95% accuracy rate.

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Best Overall Trip Planner: Kayak

The Explore feature helps you decide on a destination, suggesting getaways all over the globe based on your maximum budget.

Doesn't always show all available flights on a specific route, potentially causing you to miss out on the best deal.

One of the top all-in-one apps for setting up a trip, Kayak searches hundreds of travel sites instantly to provide multiple deals on a flight, hotel, or rental car in the same location. Kayak also organizes everything in one place and includes up-to-date details on security wait times, along with airport terminal maps.

The app also measures your luggage using your phone's camera, informing you of potential fees and carry-on rules for most airlines.

Best for Helping You Remember the Essentials: Packing Pro

An impressive group of sample packing lists provides a good starting point if you don't want to make your own.

In-app purchases are inappropriate for an app you purchased.

Packing Pro is well worth the $2.99 if stuffing your suitcases isn't your favorite pre-trip activity. The app creates customizable packing lists considering essential factors like the trip duration, destination, expected weather conditions, food preferences, and more. Packing Pro's robust item catalog ensures that even the most unique dietary or religious restrictions are satisfied.

Best for Car or RV Trips: Roadtrippers

The hidden gems that can be discovered with this app.

GPS coordination isn't as good as it is in apps like Waze.

If dealing with long lines at the airport isn't your idea of fun, then Roadtrippers may be the app for you. Whether you're hitting the highway or off-roading, enter your starting and destination points and let Roadtrippers provide everything you need.

From campsites and outdoor attractions to unique adventures that are off the beaten path, this app is the perfect companion for planning an excursion, no matter if your mode of transportation is a small-sized rental car or a giant RV.

An optional yearly subscription unlocks advanced features, including live traffic monitoring and different map styles.

Best for Finding Bargain Flights: Skiplagged

Frequent travelers can save a significant amount of money.

Airline baggage fee policies can be murky, so read the fine print before booking.

By showing fares to connecting cities that are sometimes cheaper than a direct flight to that city, Skiplagged lets you book flights where you stay at the layover location (your destination) rather than continuing with the connecting flight. When it works, you spend less to reach your desired destination. Skiplagged also lets you book last-minute hotel deals.

Best for Avoiding Hidden Fees: Skyscanner

Offers protection to ensure car rental providers don't overcharge for fuel.

In rare instances, flight prices shown in the app are outdated.

Skyscanner should be included in some of the bigger all-in-one planning and booking apps. Offering reliable price alerts, integrated frequent flyer miles, and no additional or hidden fees like you might find elsewhere, Skyscanner usually follows through on its promises and is easy to navigate.

Best Itinerary Planner: Sygic Travel

If you don't want a planned itinerary, Sygic is useful for finding nearby attractions on-the-fly.

Access to Sygic's offline maps requires a paid upgrade to the Premium version.

Sygic Travel lets you plan a detailed itinerary for each day of your trip before you leave home, down to the last detail, like walking distances between attractions.

With over 50 million places included, many with 360-degree videos that make you feel like you're there, the app's smart search filters help you narrow things down to the perfect daily schedule. Collaborative city guides provide an easy-to-use snapshot of the most popular locales around the globe.

Best for Customer Reviews: TripAdvisor

The forums are a great resource for getting specific travel-related questions answered quickly.

Default rankings don't always correlate with customer reviews, so you often need to take a deeper dive to discover the best value.

A stalwart in the travel industry, TripAdvisor isn't unique in providing a one-stop-shop for booking good deals on flights, hotels, and restaurants for your upcoming trip, though it does a dependable job of each. The app sets itself apart with its customer feedback on airlines, lodging, food, and activities. By offering over 500 million opinions from real travelers who've been there and done that, TripAdvisor helps you make informed planning decisions based on others' past experiences.

Best for Organizing Confirmations and Reservations: TripIt

Send information manually, forward confirmation emails, or have the app automatically fetch itineraries from your inbox.

The default notification setting is for an annoying number of alerts.

When you plan a trip, it's not uncommon to receive multiple confirmation emails and itineraries from airlines, hotels, rental car companies, or other sources. Keeping all these details organized can be a hassle.

TripIt solves this problem by taking all your scattered information and organizing it into an easy-to-use main itinerary. This basic functionality is free of charge, while an annual subscription provides the ability to upgrade your seat on upcoming flights and track reward miles, among other perks.

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An easier trip, each time

Imagine checking one place for your travel details and getting a heads up as things happen throughout your trip. See why life without TripIt is a distant memory for millions of travelers.

mobile phone in hand

You handle the booking, we'll take it from there

Unlike other travel apps, TripIt can organize your travel plans no matter where you book. Simply forward your confirmation emails to [email protected] and in a matter of seconds, TripIt will create a comprehensive itinerary for every trip.

“I’m on the road 100 days a year and TripIt is my go-to-app. It’s such a powerful tool in the hands of a traveler. There’s simply nothing like it on the planet.”

Helpful reminders and alerts so you don't miss a beat

Packed with features that give you a leg up on changes and help you make the most of all your trips, TripIt Pro is where the magic happens.

“I love knowing exactly when my flights are, when they are delayed, what gate to leave from, and all the other amazing TripIt Pro features.”

person using mobile app

Know where to be and when

Need a reminder when it's time to leave for the airport? Not sure where to eat in the airport or near your hotel? TripIt has you covered.

“My favorite business travel app so far is TripIt. Carrying all of my itineraries, it saves me during my ‘Where am I, what do I do next?’ panic attacks.”

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Experience what it's like to travel with the TripIt app.

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Try the travel app that keeps up with you.

So many trips, so little time. Let TripIt worry about the details, so you don't have to.

best travel planner website

Plan Your Perfect Trip!

Planapple helps you create , organize , access and share all your vacation plans, what's planapple (watch this short video & see).

Play Video

How Planapple Simplifies Travel Planning

Organize ideas.

(Jotting a list of vacation ideas)

Collect your vacation ideas in an online trip notebook, and keep everything organized in one place.

Planapple is like a travel binder that organizes your vacation plans, with sections for where to stay, eat, play, and more.

That's where Planapple comes in. A web travel binder of sorts, Planapple helps you collect your ideas, possibilities, and plans — and saves them all in one place, organized and manageable.

Save things into your Planapple travel binder directly from sites like TripAdvisor, HomeAway, VRBO, Yahoo Travel, Yelp, and even email.

Planapple even creates a custom map tailored to your plans, so you can actually see which hotel is closest to your daily destinations!

Plan Together

(Friends giving the thumbs-up sign)

Discuss and decide your ideal itinerary with your tripmates.

Planapple helps you discuss things like which hotel to book

Planapple eliminates the communication challenges and email negotiations, making group planning far simpler.

Planapple's itinerary includes a day-by-day calendar, showing where you're staying, what you're doing, and even a countdown to your departure

And, as your burgeoning itinerary comes together, it's all captured in your Planapple binder for you and your tripmates to see, so no one misses out on one juicy detail.

Carry Your Plans

(Planapple smartphone app with your current trip to Hawaii)

Carry your plans on your mobile device —  or access them anywhere.

The Planapple mobile app, running on an iPhone, shows your travel plans grouped into categories like Lodging, Dining, Attractions, and Transportation

Planapple's mobile app puts your plans right in your pocket. Access your entire trip: itinerary, bookmarks, addresses, phone numbers, emails, even discussions with your co-travelers. (And Planapple can download it all to your phone before you go, avoiding scary international data charges.)

A woman lounging at a beach resort is checking her Planapple plans on her iPad

And, if you're a paper person, you can print your plans just as easily and take them anywhere you go. We get it.

Share With Friends

(Family and friends excited about your travels)

Create recommendations to share on Pinterest and Facebook.

A Planapple user's favorite places in San Francisco, complete with photos and a map

Planapple makes it easy to share what you did, where you went, and what you liked (or didn't!). Offer up your entire itinerary or just a few highlights — either way your friends will marvel at your travel-planning prowess. After all, what good is finding something wonderful if you can't scream it from the tippy top of the World Wide Web?

For family vacations, holidays abroad, or group trips of any sort… from a weekend getaway to an adventure across countries and continents… it's easy to plan your perfect trip with Planapple.

Ready to get going?

What is planapple.

best travel planner website

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10 Best Travel TRIP PLANNER APPs To Have in 2024

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In a fast-paced world where the stress of work and school is overwhelming, we all need a break to de-stress our minds. Traveling is one good way to take your mind off of stressful things – a breather. And a scheduled vacation gives you something to look forward to.

Whether it’s a local trip alone, a family holiday, or a getaway with your best friends, it just excites you to wish the day would come faster. 

10 Best Trip Planner Apps in 2024

The freeform app.

  • TripIt: Travel Planner

Hopper – Flight & Hotel Deals

  • Sygic Travel Maps Trip Planner

Roadtrippers: Trip Planner

Tripadvisor, travelspend: track travel expense & trip budget, tripcase – travel organizer app, travel planning apps for your next trip.

best travel planner website

The Freeform app is an endless whiteboard that lets users add information from a variety of websites, photos, videos and files.

Because the boards are kept in iCloud, they can be accessed from any device anytime inspiration hits. While you and your travel companions plan your dream trip, the specifics can be shared with several individuals working together on the same whiteboard, making them an ongoing work in progress.

The Freeform app is free to iPhone users on iOS 16.2, iPad users on 16.2, and Mac users on Ventura MacOS Venture 13.1. 

Download the brand-new app here .

Read our full post: Apple Launches New Travel App Freeform – What to Know

Wanderlog Trip Planner App

wanderlog - best travel planning app

Wanderlog is your all-in-one destination for planning future trips, sharing travel guides, and blogging past trips.

Its trip planning features are incredibly flexible: you can research destinations and activities, organize reservations by connecting your email, and map out a day itinerary with start/end times. You can also add notes and links all throughout.

Everything is stored offline so you can access your itinerary when traveling abroad. For road trips, it calculates the time and distance between places and exports them to Google Maps (and there are no limits to the number of stops you have on a trip!).

Plus, there’s a fun social component: collaborate with friends on itineraries, write your own travel guide, and blog about past trips. Wanderlog is available on the web and on your smartphone, so you can seamlessly plan while at home and on-the-go.

iOS  /  Android

TripIt: Trip Planner App

TripIt - Travel Planning App

If you need any help organizing the dozens of itineraries, TripIt is the app for you. Users simply need to forward your flight, hotel, restaurant, and car rental confirmation emails to [email protected] and the app will create a free master doc for each of your trips. The best thing about this app is that you can get access to your itinerary anywhere, even without an internet connection. 

In addition, the Pro version will find you alternative routes for canceled flights and send out notifications for delayed flights, cancellations, and more from the airlines. 

iOS / Android

best travel planner website

Rome2rio is a versatile travel planning app that simplifies the process of finding and booking travel options. It’s a handy tool for travelers seeking to explore various transportation choices between destinations. Rome2rio offers users a comprehensive view of travel options, including flights, trains, buses, ferries, and even driving directions.

Key features of Rome2rio include:

  • Route Information: The app provides detailed information on different routes, including estimated travel times, costs, and the number of transfers required.
  • Booking Integration: Users can book flights, train tickets, and other transportation options directly through the app, streamlining the booking process.
  • Map Integration: Rome2rio integrates with maps, allowing users to visualize their travel routes and explore nearby attractions.
  • Multi-Modal Travel: It offers options for combining various modes of transportation, making it easy to plan complex journeys.
  • Accurate Pricing: The app provides real-time pricing information, helping users make informed decisions based on their budget.
  • Offline Access: Rome2rio offers offline access to previously searched routes, which can be handy when traveling without a data connection.

best travel websites

Hopper is an amazing trip planner app to have on your phone. The app predicts airfares up to 1 year in advance, with 95% accuracy. It analyzes over billions of flight prices and hotels within the day – telling you whether to book your trip now or wait for just a little longer.

Here’s how it works: Key in your destination and a color-coded calendar will display the cheapest and most expensive date to fly. The app will then recommend you to either book the flight now or sit it out and wait for airfare to get cheaper. Also, you can filter predictions to custom-fit your trip – remove long layovers, extra fees, restrictions, and more. 

And if you worry about missing out the cheap flight bookings, don’t be! Hopper will send you a notification when fares have dropped to its lowest point.

SYGIC Travel Maps Trip Planner

Sygic Travel Maps , the new version of Sygic Trip Planner, is the first travel app to display all of the attractions and places a traveler needs to see and visit on a single map.

Sync your trips with the Sygic Travel app and find hidden gems in all cities you visit. The app boast a large database that allows you to find the best hotels, tourist attractions, museums, restaurants, bars, and stores wherever you go.

This mobile app also let you download offline maps and guides, which come in helpful when traveling to remote locations with poor or non-existing Wi-Fi.

It also has a dedicated section to worldwide places of interest for travel business. Get location information for individual cities, countries, continents, or the entire planet.

The app is available in 18 languages.

iOS / Android iOS

Roadtrippers - Travel Planning Mobile App

Planning on a cross-country road trip ? Roadtrippers is the app for you! Not everyone is fond of waiting long hours at the airport while sitting through your red-eye flight. Hit the road with your friends instead.

Roadtrippers provides everything you need to know on your road trip. Just enter your starting point, destination, and let the app do its work for you! From camping sites to rest stops, outdoor activities, exciting adventures along the way that you didn’t know existed. This app is the perfect buddy for your road trip regardless of your mode of transportation – a sedan, a rental car, or a huge family RV.

best travel planner website

Most of us dream of going to places! But planning an amazing trip to places we have not been to is pretty hard as you don’t know where to stay, what to do, places to eat, and adventures to try. We mostly rely on recommendations, most of which are not even right, that we find online. 

TripAdvisor has over millions of travel recommendations on hotels, top dining spots, must-do experiences, and treasured gems to over 8 million destinations at your perusal. It is an all-in-one app that lets you book tables at restaurants and compares low prices on hotels and flights.

You can also follow friends and travel experts for advice that match your interests, watch videos, and read articles. In return, you can share your experiences, reviews, and helpful guides for other users too!

best travel planner website

Setting up a budget for your trip is easy, however, sticking to it is hard. TravelSpend will help you with that. It starts with entering your budget and expenses over multiple days so you don’t go overboard. The app helps you in sticking to your budget effectively.

Being in another country is not a problem at all: enter your expenses in any currency and the app will automatically convert it to your home currency.

Track your travel expenses whether going on a solo around-the-world trip or backpacking holiday with your best friends. The app allows you to share your trip with your friends and track your expenses together. Pay debts, split bills, and check your balances – all in the app!

best travel planner website

TripCase, a comprehensive travel organizer app, has emerged as a popular choice among travelers seeking a streamlined and efficient way to manage their journey details.

Here’s a breakdown of its key features and functionalities:

Centralized Itinerary Management : TripCase allows users to consolidate all their travel details, including flights, hotels, and car rentals, into a single, easily accessible itinerary.

Real-time Flight Alerts : The app keeps travelers informed with up-to-the-minute notifications on flight statuses, including delays, cancellations, and gate changes.

Itinerary Sharing : TripCase offers a sharing option that enables users to send their travel plans to friends, family, or colleagues.

Travel Directions and Maps : To aid navigation in unfamiliar locations, the app provides directions and maps.

Nearby Recommendations : TripCase offers recommendations for restaurants, attractions, and other services close to the traveler’s location.

Document Storage : For added convenience, the app allows users to store essential travel documents digitally, ensuring that important information like passport details, visas, and insurance policies are readily available.

Customizable Notifications : Users can customize their notification preferences, choosing what types of alerts they receive and how they are notified, tailoring the app to suit individual needs and preferences.

iOS / Android 

Hi, great List. I couldn’t travel without my Apps! I have one App you could check out =) Its called ” ATM Fee Saver” and it gives a list with all ATMs and their fees and limit. I found it super helpful and it really helped me to save some money. Best regards, Charlotte

Thank you for your suggestions! Those apps are very useful and various

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Sue Where? Why? What?

INSPIRATION FOR WOMEN TRAVELLING ALONE

The Best 24 Trip Planning Websites & Apps

A blonde woman sitting on a sofa looking at an apple laptop

Table of Contents

Updated on June 6th, 2023

There are now so many travel planning websites & apps to choose from, it’s hard to decipher which are the most useful. I scour the internet regularly on the lookout for how I can use technology to make my travelling life easier. As a result, I have compiled a list of all the trip planning websites & apps that I cannot leave home without.”

The Best 24 Trip Planning Websites & Apps

I am hoping that Sue Where? Why? What? will develop into the go-to place for women over 40 looking for ideas, inspiration & everything else you need to embark on your first adventure alone. As a result, it felt important to share my favourite ways that the internet & apps can help to make our lives on the road easier. Therefore, I have compiled my list of the 24 best travel planning sites & apps. Many are well known, some less so. Most I use regularly; some I have only discovered recently & will be invaluable on future trips. I hope to help you uncover a few unknown gems too.

Where to go?

The Best 24 Trip Planning Websites & Apps

Now I’ve got that out of the way…on to the technology…

The Best 24 Trip Planning Websites & Apps

Keeping organised.

Tripit   for me is the ultimate in trip planning websites. It keeps all your planned trips in one place, either online or on the free App. It scans your email to pick up any future bookings, or you can simply forward messages & it automatically adds your activity to the plan. I believe it is an essential tool for those of us who love independent travel , pulling bookings from all sorts of providers together for you.

Tripit keeps everything in order, which makes it easy to see when you have an issue… Please tell me I’m not the only one who sometimes books for the wrong month by mistake?”

When I spent 6 months exploring the Caribbean , I was regularly asked to show evidence of my onward journey on arrival at immigration. Countries often need to know that you are not planning to outstay your welcome. Tripit was always accepted. It allows me to share plans with others, be they travelling companions or friends & family back home. In addition, I recently discovered is that it even adds up your mileage, cities & countries for those of us who like that sort of thing. Currently, my total since starting with Tripit is 50 countries & over 760,000 km…that’s pretty mind-blowing!

Where to stay?

Booking.com is my go-to for all my accommodation needs. It offers a bed for the night at all levels of budget & includes hotels, hostels & homes, as well as flights, car rentals, attractions & handy airport taxis. The website also has a loyalty program (Genius) which gives you a 10% discount just for signing up. After that, all you need to do is book 5 stays within 2 years & you have lifetime access of up to a 15% discount, free breakfasts & room upgrades. The app is really user friendly too!

The Best 24 Trip Planning Websites & Apps

Or how about free accommodation if you’re a pet lover?

The Best 24 Trip Planning Websites & Apps

What about flights?

Skyscanner   is an excellent resource for flight information, airlines & routes. It searches for the quickest & cheapest routes which cuts out a lot of site juggling when you are looking for the best deal. Skyscanner also offers hotels & car hire, however, I have only ever used it for flights.

What I especially love is the option to choose to fly “Everywhere”. It gives you a list of destinations & prices that are available from your starting point & can be a great source of inspiration.”

A new discovery for me is Jacks Flight Club . They search the internet constantly for discounts, hidden offers & error fares which could mean saving a lot of money on your flights. Once you sign up you get regular emails with flights they have found & how much you could save through booking now.  For example, recently their searches found London to Tokyo for £261 or Glasgow to Toronto for £142, both return trips.

Getting Around

The Best 24 Trip Planning Websites & Apps

Bookaway is also a new discovery for me as an online ground transportation booking system for bus, train & ferries across the most popular routes around the world. Their activity is mainly focused on travel in Europe, Central & South America & Southeast Asia. If you’re planning on exploring these areas more, then it will be a valuable trip planning website at your fingertips.

The Best 24 Trip Planning Websites & Apps

Meeting people

The Best 24 Trip Planning Websites & Apps

Wanderful embraces women across the ages (their oldest member is over 90) with all levels of travel experience. It encompasses women from the well-worn nomads among us to those just embarking on their journey.”

They also organise trips (currently on offer is a very tempting one to Antarctica), events (such as the first outdoor travel festival (in 2022), webinars & local groups (chapters) for you to get involved with. Since joining I have found the group an excellent resource. It is welcoming, supportive & inclusive. You can even purchase a membership as a gift card  for fellow travel lovers.

The Best 24 Trip Planning Websites & Apps

Finding your way

The Best 24 Trip Planning Websites & Apps

It’s the Dominican Republic & I’m about to set off on a solo road trip. While checking the route, it seems straightforward enough. I get a flash of concern & decide to write down each part of the directions. I leave my hotel & my wifi connection only to discover that I can’t access the route…& that none of the roads has signposts, even highways.

Female intuition had served me well as I went to my notebook for directions & the distances between each stage. With several incidences of doubling back & the occasional need to drive over 40 kilometres before I could tell that I was headed in the right direction, I knew there had to be a better way!”

The Best 24 Trip Planning Websites & Apps

Planning your activities

The Best 24 Trip Planning Websites & Apps

Get Your Guide also offers vouchers that you can gift to other travellers, check out all the details and loads more in my 26 Travel Gift Ideas for Travel Lovers .

Staying Safe

The Best 24 Trip Planning Websites & Apps

On the site are over 30 sessions, involving 35 experts across 50 hours of content. Therefore, if safety is one of your concerns, signing up will gain you access to all of this resource.”

The Best 24 Trip Planning Websites & Apps

What3words   has divided the entire planet into 3-metre squares & given each one a unique combination of 3 words. It is now the easiest way to share & identify your exact location. Anywhere in the world.

For example, Machu Picchu sits at referred.grilled.folktales, the Tower of London is swift.blitz.funds & Uhuru Peak on Mount Kilimanjaro , repair.speeds.kilowatts.”

Communicating

If you don’t speak the language, then you could try taking lessons or use an app. The one I have been trying to boost my Spanish skills with is Duolingo . If learning an actual language isn’t accessible for you then there is always the genius of the Google Translate app which now even uses your phone’s camera to decipher menus or instructions. I have no idea how it works but it is genius!

Deciphering money

The Best 24 Trip Planning Websites & Apps

And finally…

Mark O’Travel is a fun app that tracks the countries, states, regions or even World Heritage Sites that you’ve visited. You can add areas to your wish list, keep an eye on your travel stats, & add photos or notes as you go.

So, there you have my top 24 trip-planning websites. Have I missed any that you feel are invaluable? If so, I would love to hear from you. I’m always on the lookout for anything that will make my travelling life easier. If some of them are new to you then I hope you enjoy making the most of your next trip, with all these tools at your fingertips.

Interested to read more?

You can also Subscribe Here to get regular updates & special offers from Sue Where? Why? What? along with a copy of my 201 Inspirational Travel Bucket List Ideas for FREE ! I hope you chose to join me on the journey.

This post may contain affiliate links. By using these, Sue Where Why What may receive a small commission. You will not pay any extra charges for this. My opinions, reviews & recommendations remain my own. For more information see my disclosure.

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Sue Cockell

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28 comments.

That’s a really exhaustive list, Sue! I’ve hosted on Couchsurfing but have never been a guest myself. Met some really interesting travellers that way, quite different types than guests that when I host as an Airbnb host.

I’d like to contribute my go-to airline booking site (well, at least back when travel was normal). I’m the first to admit it has a doubtful name, ‘Cheapoair’, but it’s actually good. Best rates (at least for the places I wanna go to) and if I need to make changes, the processes actually do work – there’s a person that gets back to you!

Thank you! Very interesting re your experience with Couchsurfing & Airbnb. Thanks for sharing. Also, I need to check out Cheapoair – always great to have recommendations. 🙂

I am a bit of a planning nerd. So I was interested to see your list of trip planning websites and apps for something new to add to our arsenal. We use AirBnB but have yet to try VRBO. Something we need to try as we look for alternatives to hotels in busy season. I must admit that Rome2Rio is one of my all time favourites. We use the transportation options and times to help plan the routes and travel times. Good to know that GetYourGuide is a good one for planning things to do. Might cut down on our research time. We put all our travel planning details in MS OneNote and share it. But are looking for options to that right now.

Thank you Linda – I’ve never used OneNote so will look into that too. It’s always good to share resources!

Like you, I love TripIt. But I didn’t know that it is often accepted as proof of onward travel, that’s really helpful. I also use many of these other tools–Booking, Rome2Rio, Uber, etc. There is so much great technology these days that really makes travel easier.

Thank you, Wendy – great to hear that we are on the same page 🙂

I love your list! I am aware and use some of the apps already but had not known much about What3words! There are so many travel apps and lists these days but your list really does top them all. Thank you for sharing.

Thank you! It’s always good to share these things – whatever makes our travel lives easier!

We use several of these for planning our trips, as well as use during our trips. Maps.me is a game changer for us, especially when we’ve been exploring Europe. We will check out more of these sites too – what a great resource!

Thank you! Maps.me is so useful!

This is awesome…a few on here I don’t know about so I’ll check it out. Thanks for all your research and insight. Always valuable.

Thank you Laureen – I hope you find something new & useful. x

A fantastic list to refer to. I have saved this for future use! Thanks for all this info.

Thank you Alma & I hope it’s useful for you!

These websites all look so useful! Id love to be able to travel again – this is making me jealous!!

Thank you Amy-Anne – fingers crossed we can all use them again soon!

This was so helpful! I will definitely need to check out Tripit!

Thank you, Elena, I find it invaluable, hope you do too.

This is a really helpful list! I often use Skyscanner for my flights, but haven’t tried out many of the other ones that you’ve listed. Thanks for the tips!

Thank you, Krista, I hope you find a few of them invaluable in the future too!

Good list, I used a lot of these apps myself. I’ve recently joined wanderful, looking forward to engaging in the community.

Thank you Cosette & hope you enjoy Wanderful too!

I love your list as I’m always looking for great apps to help my Uber planning obsession. I will use this in future and try some new ones.

Thank you Renee, I’d love to hear which ones stick for your future planning!

What an amazing resource Sue! Some of these I’ve used a lot, some I’ve never heard of and am glad I finally did. Excellent!

Thank you Alison, I hope you find them as useful as I do!

I couldn’t find the empowerdul or wanderdul apps are they still in use??

Sorry, Kerrie. Both are websites with info & connections as opposed to Apps. The links are below for you: Wanderful – https://sheswanderful.com/join/?sc_ref=Y0ebgPJ4ltTz7Cff Empowerful – https://learning.solofemaletravelers.club/courses/empowerful?ref=3c6d4a

I hope that helps & apologies if it wasn’t clear enough from the post. Safe travels

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Trip Planner | Travel Itinerary Planner | Plan a Trip

Are you looking for an itinerary planner to plan your next trip? We know creating a customized travel itinerary manually is an overwhelming task. You have to put a lot of time into selecting destinations, booking hotels, flights, and comparing prices. On top of that calculating budgets & booking hotels and flights is another challenge that makes itinerary planning tough.

But what if all of this is done within a few minutes for you? Yes with TripHobo trip planner you can do this smartly. We have observed that many travelers end up spending more time in researching information than enjoying the actual trip. Not only first-time travelers but also experienced travelers struggle in creating perfect travel plans.

Even though it is a tedious task to create a customized itinerary, everyone agrees on the importance of itinerary for an enjoyable holiday. So Triphobo came up with this easy to use automatic itinerary planner.

How Trip Planner Works / Steps to Plan a Trip

Do you want to create your travel itinerary quickly & easily? Are you ready to use this tool now? TripHobo's trip planner plays a major role to ease the itinerary creation process and helps you overcome the pain in the trip planning .  Follow these 4 simple steps to plan a trip & let us know your experience.

1) Choose Your Destination & Dates when you want to travel

Visual algorithmic trip planner lets you choose destinations you want to travel to. You have the freedom to choose the real dates from the calendar. After selecting travel dates, planner runs algorithms to optimize a trip. It starts suggesting activities, sightseeing spots, tours and transport options with the details. For every attraction, it suggests open/close timings, time to spend, and nearby restaurants.

You can drag & drop activities and complete your itinerary within a matter of minutes. You can book yourself a nice vacation once you are sure of all the details, making you plan your trip very easily.

2) Refer to User Created Itineraries

If you have a lot of travel ideas but confused about where to start? Don't worry. Thousands of other people have visited the same destination before and created itineraries with us. Choose from a pool of more than 1 million user-generated itineraries around the globe. You can view other travelers’ itineraries for any location and duration to inspire yourself and then customize them to suit your own preferences.

3) Book Hotels and Flights

TripHobo always tries to offer the best from the travel industry to our valued planners. It has formed alliances with Expedia , Skyscanner, Zomato and Booking.com. Its ratings and reviews come courtesy of TripAdvisor whereas Google (as well as other partners) powers its location data.

TripHobo aims to cater to travelers at every stage of the travel planning process. It provides one platform to create personalized itineraries and hassle-free bookings .

4) Get Ready with a Perfect Itinerary

Once you’ve created your customized itinerary, you can print it. Save your plan for future reference or share it with your friends. When you’re ready, you can finalize and have a perfect travel itinerary ready.

Why Is TripHobo a Smart Trip planner?

There are few things included in the Triphobo planner algorithm & app which builds itinerary within minutes.

  • A free virtual map-based trip planner with a smart algorithm
  • International trip planner with about 1,50,000 popular destinations
  • The largest repository of user-generated itineraries
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  • Provides local transit options like metro, rail, bus, and car
  • Calculates an estimated budget
  • Provides options to save, print and share itinerary
  • Strategic Partnerships with leading travel companies

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Great and genuinely wonderful website that makes a proper vacation plan simple, like it should. All reviews are 5 stars. The only suggestion I have to enhance this fantastic website is to include a mobile application. Even paying for a version without ads wouldn't bother me.

Every traveller should use this!

So much easier & more helpful than a travel agency, given lots of fantastic ideas, and was extremely helpful for planning the trip. Would strongly advise my family and friends to use this!

Great tool for trip planning. Impportantly it's free and automatically tailors travel plans to your preferences and is completely customisable. The integration with skyscanner and booking.com, and other OTA like priceline and expedia makes it very easy to plan the whole trip along with the bookings in one place.

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16 Best Travel Planner Apps for planning a trip in 2023

Simplify your travel plans and with the best trip planning app for travelers..

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Best Travel planner apps to plan a trip easily

Looking for the best travel planner app to plan a trip but don’t know where to start? With so many options out there, choosing the right trip planner app can be overwhelming. That’s why we’ve taken the guesswork out of it and have gathered up the very best available apps to make your vacation planning smoother than ever!

From budgeting and organizing your itinerary, to booking flights and finding locally recommended attractions, we’ve found the perfect trip planner app for any traveler.

What is a travel planner app and how do they work?

Trip planning apps or travel planner apps are great tools for travelers to use to make their trips easier, stress-free, and more organized. These handy applications allow users to create overall trip plans, detailed itineraries, and search for activities during the excursion. From finding the best flight prices, or hotel deals to discovering points of interest in a destination city or country, tripping planner apps provide a variety of services for travelers. You can also use these apps to plan a road.

Nowadays, most travel planner apps also have features that make trip plans automatically sync with your social networks and offer access to other travelers’ experiences with different locations around the world. They can even provide historical information about any place you may be visiting! Below we will go over some of the best trip planner apps.

What is the best travel planner app?

1. google trips – great for planning a trip from start to finish.

When planning a trip, Google Trips is one of the best trip-planning apps available. It can help you stay organized by giving you access to all your reservation and travel information in one place so it’s easy to find what you need.

You can plan your whole trip from start to finish with activities and guided tours personalized for you and choose from suggested itineraries curated by local experts. Since all of your details are in one spot, you don’t have to worry about lugging around printed documents or paper tickets – just open up the app when needed and go!

2. TripIt – helps you organize all your plans in one place

TripIt is one of the best trip planner apps available for those looking to make their travel plans a breeze. This app lets you organize all of your travel plans in one convenient place, including reservations, trip itinerary, and essential documents like passports or confirmation pages.

It will help you plan your entire trip. It even has features to help make your trips go more smoothly by giving you access to flight statuses, train timetables and more. You can easily check up on your travel details at any time or even share them with friends and family! With TripIt, organizing your trips has become simpler than ever before.

3. Trip advisor – find great hotels, restaurants, and things to do near you

Planning your next trip can be made much simpler with Trip advisor – the best travel planner app. It reveals the top rated hotels, restaurants and attractions near you, so that no matter what kind of travel adventure you seek, Trip advisor will help you find it all.

With this powerful, intuitive trip planning app, you know all the best spots to stay and dine anywhere in the world. Plus with things to do conveniently collected in one place, a whole world of exploration awaits. Whatever your plans are – business or leisure – let Trip advisor be your go-to travel companion!

3. Kayak – compare prices on flights and hotels easily

Planning a trip can often be incredibly stressful, but with apps like Kayak, the experience is much more straightforward. With Kayak’s user-friendly interface, it’s easy to compare flights and hotels so you can always get the best deal.

Whether you’re looking for somewhere within your budget or fancy splurging on something special, Kayak makes it effortless to plan out your trip.

It’s quickly become one of the best trip planner apps out there, allowing travelers of all kinds to swiftly find their perfect holiday destinations while getting great deals in the process.

4. Skyscanner – search hundreds of airlines for the best deals

Skyscanner is an ideal trip planner app for anyone looking for the best flight deals. This convenient app allows you to explore hundreds of airlines and find the perfect itinerary for your next adventure.

Whether you’re planning a simple weekend getaway or a lengthy global journey, Skyscanner can help make it easier than ever to organize your detailed itinerary, car rentals and search for flights that meet your budget and preferences.

All you have to do is enter your destination, dates, and other details, and in seconds you’ll be presented with countless options. So take advantage of this easy-to-use travel planner today, and make booking your next vacation as stress-free as possible.

5. Hopper – get notified when it’s the best time to book a flight

If you’re planning a trip and want to find the best possible deal on a flight, Hopper is the perfect travel planner app for you.

As one of the best trip planner apps available, its features are particularly useful when it comes to finding the right deals.

Hopper notifies users when it’s the best time to book a flight so that they can get their desired results from their trip planning.

With options to track price changes and suggest cheaper alternatives, this travel app will enable you to track expenses, to book smarter and save more money for your dream vacation.

6. Wanderlog Trip planner app – Trip Planning Made Easier

Wanderlog travel planner app is one the best available travel itinerary apps. This popular travel planner app offers travelers an easy and user-friendly way to organize their vacation plans.

With Wanderlog Trip, you can keep track of flights rental car, and accommodation, create itineraries for your trip plan for each day of your trip plans offline on your journey.

you can also track of travel expenses and make notes about activities or other important trip details – all in one convenient location. It also has a built-in currency converter to help you stay on top of costs while abroad.

Wander Log integrates with popular travel websites like Expedia and Kayak to make sure you get the best available prices on flights, hotels and more.

Planning a trip with friends? Make it easy with this helpful app! Invite your tripmates by sharing a link to the itinerary or simply add their email address. It’s like Google Docs but for travel planning, allowing everyone to collaborate in real-time.

Set permissions to let people edit or just view your plans, and stay organized by accessing flights, hotels and attractions all in one app.

Import flight and hotel confirmations directly into your itinerary by forwarding emails, or save time by simply connecting your Gmail account. With features like these, Wander Log Trip App can make any trip easier and more enjoyable than ever before.

5. Pack Point Travel app – Makes packing an easy task

With more and more people venturing around the world, many travelers have quickly realized this also entails a level of planning and organization before departing. One app, Pack point, can make pre-trip packing a breeze.

By utilizing a user’s destination and length of stay, Pack point formulates personalized packing suggestions that include all necessary items for the upcoming journey.

And on top of these suggestions, the app also grants access to weather forecasts at the vacation spot while furnishing an editable checklist so there is no chance of leaving something behind.

With Pack point taking care of details such as what type of attire works best in certain locations, travelers can focus more on the adventure aspect versus stressing about what should be brought along.

So what are you waiting for? Make use of one of the most popular travel planning apps and start packing!

6. The Freeform Travel planning app – Get Inspired to Travel

Whether it’s a dream vacation in the Caribbean or a spur-of-the moment camping trip in the woods, it can be tricky to find the perfect place to travel. With The Freeform app, you’ll never be stuck for ideas again.

This intuitive, easy-to-use travel planning app connects users with relevant travel experts and unique destinations around the world.

Let yourself be inspired by user ratings, vibrant photo galleries and engaging videos that cater specifically to your needs.

Plan a fantastic vacation without all the effort—and take advantage of exclusive discounts when you book through The Freeform!

7. Roadtrippers – Best Road trip planning app

Roadtrippers is an app created to change the way you plan your road trips. It is designed to be a comprehensive and user-friendly road that takes the hassle out of planning your next road trip.

Quickly find the best road trips across the country, and customize any trip with drag-and-drop tools. You can easily see all attractions located along any route, including historic sites, roadside oddities, eateries, lodging, local culture and more.

Each browsable layer is interactive, so you can easily view what attractions are located near each other or plot multiple stops for your excursions. With Roadtrippers you can start planning custom road trips today!

8. Road trip Planner App

Exploring the open road just got better with Road Trip App! It’s the perfect travel companion for anyone planning a road trip – whether you’re going on an a cross-country adventure or just want to get away for the weekend.

This app offers detailed features, user-friendly visuals and turn-by-turn navigation to help plan trips quickly and easily. You can plot destinations on maps to get an overview of your journey.

Create multiple stops along the way, find scenic spots, attractions and other points of interest, and share your route with friends and family—all in one place! Road Trip Planner is one of the best trip planning apps for road a trip

9. Roadie Road trip and RV

. Roadie is the best trip planner app out there to help make your road trip tri[ adventure. It makes route and group travel planning simpler, faster and more interactive than ever before.

With reliable online and offline maps both, the ability to save points of interests in an organized list, and a search function for tourist attractions such, hiking trails and national parks. This app ensures that all of your needs for the perfect road trip are taken care of. Start your engines and hit the open road with confidence knowing you have Roadie on board guiding you through your epic journey!

10. Hotel Tonight – Last Minute Hotel Deals

Planning for a trip can be stressful – there are so many different elements to juggle and keep track of! But with Hotel Tonight, the task just got a lot easier. This app is designed to make last minute hotel deals more accessible and convenient than ever before.

With its fast booking process and seamless integration into your travel itinerary, you can book quality accommodation up to seven days in advance as well as score exclusive discounts. So stop stressing about where you’re going to stay on your next getaway and let Hotel Tonight take care of it for you!

11. Polarsteps – Keep Track of Your Journeys

Polarsteps is a trip planning app that lets you easily stay organized and on-track while travelling around the world. Whether you’re on a road trip or visiting multiple countries, this app provides the perfect platform to document and keep track of your journey.

Allowing you to share your experiences with friends and family along the way. It allows you to create interactive maps, share photos, plan trips and even calculate the distance traveled. With Polar Steps, every step is just a little bit easier, making it one of the best travel planning apps available today.

12. Rome2 Rio – Best Trip planner app for Complex Trips

Rome 2 Rio is a trip planning that helps managing all the moving parts of an upcoming trip plan anywhere in the world. Tour any destination around the world or cities in the united states. Not only can Rome2Rio provide the best route options for whatever mode of transportation. – buses, trains, flights, driving – but they also give you an exact cost estimation.

By knowing your cost, there are no surprises at checkout time. In addition to calculating your route, Rome2Rio gives detailed information about each stage of your trip duration of your journey and even reviews from other users who have taken the same trip, so you know exactly what to expect. It is great to plan an international trips. When I visited London , Paris , Amsterdam ; it made it easy to plan my multi city European Trip. Start planning with confidence knowing that Rome2Rio has you covered and ready for your next adventure!

13. SYGIC Travel – Best Trip planner app to explore the World

SYGIC Travel is the perfect travel companion for wanderlust seekers, offering a comprehensive set of innovative features to help plan and make the most of every trip.

It takes the hassle out of organizing an itinerary, allowing travelers to easily discover destinations, find places to visit and explore exciting attractions while on the go.

From mapping routes and saving favorite spots, to providing up-to-date information about points of interest and personalized recommendations.

SYGIC Travel provides all the tools needed to plan an amazing journey around the world. Enjoy a stress-free traveling experience with SYGIC Travel as your guide.

14. Google maps

Google Maps is one of the best travel planner apps for any traveler. With a comprehensive maps and accurate navigation, it can help you find your way anywhere in the world. It also provides turn-by-turn directions so that you don’t get lost on the road or in a new city.

Through satellite imagery and street view, you can explore a destination before even visiting it. Most importantly, Google Maps can help you avoid traffic jams and other problems, allowing you to get to your destination faster.

Whether you’re planning your own trip, a road trip or just visiting somewhere nearby, Google Maps is an essential tool for finding your way around and staying safe when on the go.

15. Travel spend-Best budget planning app

Travel Spend is the ultimate trip-planning app. With budgeting tools and helpful visuals, it gives travelers peace of mind by helping them stay within their budgets. Users can set a budget before leaving home and log individual expenses.

It also includes the date, type of purchase, merchant, amount spent and currency used. For an accurate overview of their spending habits. Plus, Travel Spend App also includes instant notifications when certain thresholds are met.

If exceeded so travelers can make quick adjustments without going over-budget. This way it helps travelers stay withing budget.

It is no surprise Travels pend is one of the best travel planning apps for budgeting. Travel Spend is the perfect for any traveler who wants to manage their finances and trip budget on the go!

16. Via Hero- Best Travel planner apps for solo Travelers

If you’re looking for the best travel planning app to help you get the most out of your vacation, look no further than Via Hero. Via Hero connects you to expert local trip planners who will craft a personalized itinerary based on your preferences and needs.

As part of this service, they provide a guidebook with all the essential information and insider knowledge, making it easy to explore the most interesting places. For those who want more support while traveling.

They offer an additional service for only $10 per day where travelers can reach out to that local via text or phone and get helpful advice throughout their journey. This app is also great for solo travelers looking to connect with locals. Use this travel planning app for exploring new cities or just seeking a fun beach vacation. Via Hero works with any trip.

Planning a trip can be overwhelming, but thankfully there are plenty of great apps to help you. From Google Trips, a one-stop shop for all your planning needs, to TripIt, an app that helps keep everything organized.

Skyscanner searches hundreds of airlines for the best deals – there’s an app out there that fits everyone’s needs.

Find best Hotels and restaurants near you with Trip advisor or comparing prices on flights and hotels easily with Kayak.

Use Hopper is a deal finder that notifies you when it’s the best time to make flight bookings – these trip planner apps provide the tools needed to plan a successful trip! So which is your favorite?

Comment below and subscribe to our mailing list to stay up-to-date on more helpful tips and tricks. Happy traveling!

What is the best trip itinerary planner?

Top travel plans apps for for 2023. Hopper flights & hotel bookings. Tripit: Travel Planners. Sygic maps travel planners. Packaging. Skyscanners. Road trips: Travel planning tool. Location Finder website. b.

Is Wanderlog or TripIt better?

Trips to the pros can be incredibly costly. Travel Planner software offers many more free features than ever. So paying 49 for the tripit pro service is expensive. The free version isn’t too bad. Wandering provides a number of advantages free of charge, such as itinerary design and activities suggestions.

Is there an app that will plan a trip for you?

Unlike other travel apps, TripIt organizes travel plans for you regardless of what you booked. Send the confirmation emails to [email protected]. In minutes TripIt creates a detailed itinerary for each of the trips. I travel 100 times a year, and TripIt is my favorite application.

Which map tool is best for trip planning?

Google Maps – Best in easy to navigate directions. The biggest route plan application is Google Maps. Almost anyone can use this program to travel to another city, but they haven’t even discovered it has the ability to plan routes for several stops.

Is Wanderlog worth it?

Wander Log is a travel planner’s favorite application. From solo travelers to groups and from well planned to those that just want to have one place to find out and offer activities. Wander log also offers an excellent interface that can be easily adapted for all your travel needs!

How do I plan a trip with friends app?

Wanderlog is the app that helps travelers plan trips on the fly or by plane, organized access flights and hotel reservations and show them the places to explore. Share a travel guide with others for inspiration before you leave.

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Grace Ashi is the founder and Editor of Metropolitan Girl.

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  • Flight Los Angeles - Honolulu (LAX - HNL) $194+
  • Flight Ontario - Honolulu (ONT - HNL) $239+
  • Flight San Francisco - Honolulu (SFO - HNL) $249+
  • Dallas Love Field Inn $55+
  • Super 8 by Wyndham Dallas Love Field Airport $70+
  • Comfort Inn Dallas North Love Field Airport $71+
  • Flight Chicago - Dallas (ORD - DFW) $54+
  • Flight Atlanta - Dallas (ATL - DFW) $62+
  • Flight Fort Lauderdale - Dallas (FLL - DFW) $65+
  • The STRAT Hotel, Casino & Tower $28+
  • OYO Hotel And Casino Las Vegas $35+
  • Four Queens Hotel and Casino $50+
  • Plaza Hotel & Casino $50+
  • Flight Oakland - Las Vegas (OAK - LAS) $37+
  • Flight Los Angeles - Las Vegas (LAX - LAS) $39+
  • Flight Santa Ana - Las Vegas (SNA - LAS) $40+
  • Flight Burbank - Las Vegas (BUR - LAS) $46+
  • Freehand Chicago $29+
  • Chicago Getaway Hostel $51+
  • Hotel Versey Days Inn by Wyndham Chicago $84+
  • Flight Orlando - Chicago (MCO - ORD) $51+
  • Flight New York - Chicago (LGA - ORD) $53+
  • Flight Dallas - Chicago (DFW - ORD) $57+

San Francisco

  • Hi San Francisco Downtown Hostel $53+
  • The Mosser $75+
  • Chancellor Hotel On Union Square $122+
  • Flight Ontario - San Francisco (ONT - SFO) $56+
  • Flight Los Angeles - San Francisco (LAX - SFO) $70+
  • Flight Denver - San Francisco (DEN - SFO) $73+

Washington, D.C.

  • Generator Hotel Washington DC $50+
  • Days Inn by Wyndham Washington DC/Connecticut Avenue $84+
  • Hyatt Place Washington DC/US Capitol $120+
  • Citizenm Washington DC Noma $122+
  • Georgetown Residences by LuxUrban, Trademark Coll by Wyndham $133+
  • Citizenm Washington Dc Capitol $137+
  • Morrison Clark Historic Inn $150+
  • Washington Plaza Hotel $153+
  • Arc Hotel Washington DC, Georgetown $156+
  • Beacon Hotel & Corporate Quarters $159+
  • Cambria Hotel Washington DC Navy Yard Riverfront $159+
  • Hotel Lombardy $159+
  • Flight Atlanta - Baltimore (ATL - BWI) $53+
  • Flight Fort Lauderdale - Baltimore (FLL - BWI) $63+
  • Flight Boston - Baltimore (BOS - BWI) $79+
  • Flight Dallas - Baltimore (DFW - BWI) $87+
  • Flight Chicago - Baltimore (ORD - BWI) $93+
  • Flight Los Angeles - Baltimore (LAX - BWI) $93+
  • Flight Minneapolis - Washington, D.C. (MSP - DCA) $103+
  • Flight Boston - Washington, D.C. (BOS - DCA) $113+
  • Flight Chicago - Washington, D.C. (ORD - DCA) $117+
  • Flight Atlanta - Washington, D.C. (ATL - DCA) $119+
  • Flight Chicago - Washington, D.C. (ORD - IAD) $119+
  • Flight San Francisco - Washington, D.C. (SFO - DCA) $127+
  • Hotel Boutique Casa Mallorca $68+
  • Avani Cancún Airport Hotel $87+
  • Suites Malecon Cancun $87+
  • Flight Fort Lauderdale - Cancún (FLL - CUN) $180+
  • Flight Chicago - Cancún (ORD - CUN) $181+
  • Flight Dallas - Cancún (DFW - CUN) $181+

United States

  • Flight New York - Miami (LGA - MIA) $54+
  • Flight New York - West Palm Beach (LGA - PBI) $54+
  • Flight Newark - Miami (EWR - MIA) $56+
  • Kauai Palms Hotel $189+
  • Tip Top Motel $194+
  • The Kauai Inn $262+
  • Flight San Francisco - Hawaii (SFO - USHI) $177+
  • Flight Los Angeles - Hawaii (LAX - USHI) $182+
  • Flight Ontario - Hawaii (ONT - USHI) $239+
  • Super 8 by Wyndham San Diego Hotel Circle $79+
  • California Suites Hotel $90+
  • Days Inn by Wyndham San Diego Hotel Circle $104+
  • Flight San Francisco - San Diego (SFO - SAN) $58+
  • Flight San Jose - San Diego (SJC - SAN) $59+
  • Flight Oakland - San Diego (OAK - SAN) $67+
  • Shared Living Not A Hotel $34+
  • Hometowne Studios by Red Roof Phoenix - Dunlap Ave. $62+
  • Plaza Inn & Suites Deer Valley Phoenix $66+
  • Flight Ontario - Phoenix (ONT - PHX) $48+
  • Flight Salt Lake City - Phoenix (SLC - PHX) $48+
  • Flight Dallas - Phoenix (DFW - PHX) $67+

Los Angeles

  • Boutique Hostel $34+
  • Freehand Los Angeles $39+
  • City Center Hotel Los Angeles $98+
  • Four Points by Sheraton Los Angeles International Airport $100+
  • The Dixie Hollywood $112+
  • Rotex Western Inn $114+
  • La Quinta Inn & Suites LAX $128+
  • Flight Salt Lake City - Los Angeles (SLC - LAX) $58+
  • Flight San Francisco - Los Angeles (SFO - LAX) $63+
  • Flight Denver - Los Angeles (DEN - LAX) $71+
  • Flight Oakland - Los Angeles (OAK - LAX) $75+
  • Flight Dallas - Los Angeles (DFW - LAX) $76+
  • Flight Atlanta - Los Angeles (ATL - LAX) $92+
  • Flight Detroit - Los Angeles (DTW - LAX) $92+
  • Selina Gold Dust $45+
  • Motel 6 Miami. Fl $89+
  • Miami Gardens Inn & Suites $96+
  • Travelodge by Wyndham Miami Biscayne Bay $100+
  • Days Inn by Wyndham Miami International Airport $107+
  • La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Miami Airport North $112+
  • Radisson Red Miami Airport $115+
  • Holiday Inn Express & Suites Miami-Kendall $127+
  • La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Miami Airport East $134+
  • The Palms Inn & Suites Miami, Kendall, Fl $134+
  • Holiday Inn Miami West - Airport Area $134+
  • Flight Atlanta - Miami (ATL - MIA) $43+
  • Flight Philadelphia - Miami (PHL - MIA) $49+
  • Flight Chicago - Miami (ORD - MIA) $53+
  • Flight Raleigh - Miami (RDU - MIA) $56+
  • Flight Baltimore - Miami (BWI - MIA) $57+
  • Flight Houston - Miami (HOU - MIA) $57+
  • Flight Houston - Miami (IAH - MIA) $57+
  • Flight Detroit - Miami (DTW - MIA) $61+
  • Flight Dallas - Miami (DFW - MIA) $68+
  • Hometowne Studios by Red Roof Denver - Glendale/Cherry Creek $65+
  • Super 8 by Wyndham Denver Stapleton $77+
  • Quality Inn & Suites Denver International Airport $97+
  • Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Denver Airport $100+
  • Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Denver International Airport $103+
  • Radisson Hotel Denver Central $105+
  • La Quinta Inn & Suites By Wyndham Denver Airport Dia $107+
  • Flight Minneapolis - Denver (MSP - DEN) $55+
  • Flight Ontario - Denver (ONT - DEN) $56+
  • Flight Houston - Denver (HOU - DEN) $66+
  • Flight Santa Ana - Denver (SNA - DEN) $68+
  • Flight Los Angeles - Denver (LAX - DEN) $73+
  • Flight Chicago - Denver (ORD - DEN) $77+
  • Flight Baltimore - Denver (BWI - DEN) $83+
  • Hi Boston - Hostel $43+
  • Found Hotel Boston Common $68+
  • Ramada by Wyndham Boston $102+
  • Flight Charlotte - Boston (CLT - BOS) $46+
  • Flight Philadelphia - Boston (PHL - BOS) $68+
  • Flight Miami - Boston (MIA - BOS) $70+
  • Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Atlanta Airport $57+
  • Country Inn & Suites By Radisson, Atl Airport N $100+
  • Sonesta Atlanta Airport North $103+
  • Flight Chicago - Atlanta (ORD - ATL) $39+
  • Flight Fort Lauderdale - Atlanta (FLL - ATL) $42+
  • Flight Baltimore - Atlanta (BWI - ATL) $44+
  • Generator Madrid $34+
  • C&h Aravaca Garden $35+
  • Toc Hostel Madrid $38+
  • Flight New York - Dublin (JFK - DUB) $364+
  • Tampa Inn - Near Busch Gardens $69+
  • Econo Lodge Airport at RJ Stadium $74+
  • Valuelodge Busch Gardens - Tampa $81+
  • Flight Chicago - Florida (ORD - USFL) $50+
  • Flight New York - Florida (LGA - USFL) $54+
  • Flight Philadelphia - Florida (PHL - USFL) $55+
  • Flight Baltimore - Tampa (BWI - TPA) $49+
  • Flight Detroit - Tampa (DTW - TPA) $57+
  • Flight Cincinnati - Tampa (CVG - TPA) $58+

New Orleans

  • Ramada by Wyndham New Orleans $92+
  • Wyndham Garden Hotel Baronne Plaza $109+
  • Maison Saint Charles by Hotel RL $111+
  • Flight Atlanta - New Orleans (ATL - MSY) $53+
  • Flight Chicago - New Orleans (ORD - MSY) $59+
  • Flight Dallas - New Orleans (DFW - MSY) $61+

Frequently asked questions about KAYAK

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Trippy

Road trip planner

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Get advice from people who have done the same trip.

The Trippy road trip planner automatically calculates the optimal itinerary including stops recommended by Trippy members, favorite restaurants and hotels, local attractions and things to do based on what people who live in the area have suggested, and more.

Once you have a quick trip planned, you can customize every detail, adding or removing stops, or changing what time you leave in the morning or how long you stay at each stop. Then you can save your custom trip and share it with friends and family.

Let us know if you have requests for more features you'd like to see in the trip planner!

Groups Are A Trip

18 Group Travel Planning Apps That Make Life Easier

P lanning a group vacation with a number of different people can be a fun yet challenging endeavor. It requires effective coordination, communication, and savvy budget management. Whether you’re the group leader or just a member of your traveling group, you should check out the best group travel planning apps that will make the process smooth and simple.

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Group Travel Planning Apps to Organize Your Next Trip

There are a variety of mobile apps that are designed to simplify vacation planning and help while you’re traveling on the trip. In this comprehensive guide, we have the top-notch mobile apps that are the very best for group travel planning, whether it involves accommodating different budgets, organizing an unforgettable friend group getaway, or discovering expert tips for the best deal on anything from train tickets to hotel rooms.

1. Wanderlog

​Wanderlog is the ultimate travel companion when you’re planning for a diverse group of friends, each with their own unique budgets and preferences. Whether you have a smaller group or you have a lot of group members in your travel party, this comprehensive travel app empowers every member to contribute their preferences and financial constraints. Hopefully this will ensure a smooth, fun trip for the whole group. 

From finding budget-friendly hotel choices to meticulously mapping out the best time for spa appointments, Wanderlog covers every aspect of your adventure. It can even create a detailed itinerary to help you get started.

With its seamless integration with Google Maps, you can easily chart your course and discover the hidden gems that will make your group trip the best thing you’ve ever done together.

Wanderlog offers a free version with basic features, but it also has a premium paid subscription plan called “Wanderlog Pro” for advanced features. Download on App Store or Google Play

2. Shared Notes (iPhone)

​ Communication is key when coordinating a group adventure, and Notes on iPhone helps you maintain clear and concise group texts and notes. From hashing out travel dates and sharing to-do lists to keeping track of key things to remember during your journey, this feature keeps the whole group informed and organized.

Shared Notes is a built-in feature on iOS devices, and it’s free to use. All you have to do is create in your Notes app and then select that you want to share.

​ Handling expenses for a large friend group can be a challenge, but Tab simplifies it by helping you keep track of who owes what. This app’s seamless functionality makes sure that everyone enjoys the whole trip without any financial hiccups, allowing your group to focus on the fun of your adventure.

Tab is a free app for  splitting expenses . Download on App Store or Google Play

4. Trip Splitter

The mobile app Trip Splitter is an indispensable tool for meticulous expense management. Its ability to maintain a comprehensive record of spending is particularly valuable when dealing with different budgets and a variety of preferences. 

Whether you’re tracking expenses for a long-term trip or ensuring that everyone contributes their fair share at dinner, this app has got you covered.

Trip Splitter offers a free version with basic features, but it also has a premium paid subscription plan for additional features. Download on App Store or Google Play

5. Splitwise

Managing expenses — even with a large group of people — becomes a breeze with Splitwise . This free travel planning app is designed to create fairness and financial transparency. No one wants to be bogged down with financial worries during a trip, and Splitwise ensures that everyone enjoys their vacation without worrying about budget disparities. 

It’s a reliable tool for tracking who owes what, making sure your friend group’s budget remains intact throughout your adventure.

Splitwise is a free app for expense splitting and management. Download on App Store or Google Play

6. Facebook Group (FB Group)

​ Creating a private Facebook Group is a great way to facilitate communication about trip plans within your friend group. It’s also one of our favorite platforms to use when  planning a family reunion . This is a versatile platform for discussing everything from the tourist attractions you want to visit to organizing group conversations and answering questions from your fellow travelers.

The platform allows for discussions, event planning, and real-time updates. This is a great free travel app for keeping everyone in the loop.

Creating and using private Facebook Groups is free. Download on App Store or Google Play

7. WhatsApp

​ Using WhatsApp is the perfect way to coordinate a travel-based group chat instead of working your way through texts with everyone’s phone number or email threads when planning. It’s an ideal platform for coordinating plans and sharing arrival times with your friend group. 

Stay connected, share travel ideas when planning, or meet up locations when at your destination. You can make the most of your adventure with this reliable messaging app that ensures everyone is on the same page. This app uses your device’s data or wifi to send the messages, so it doesn’t charge you any international rates. 

WhatsApp is a free messaging app. Download on App Store or Google Play

​GroupMe elevates group messaging with advanced features like event planning and location sharing. It is perfect for keeping everyone informed and connected during your friend group’s journey. Using the app is a simple way to ensure that every member of the group can be a part of the process of working out travel details, and helps you stay connected while traveling.

GroupMe is a free messaging app. Download on App Store or Google Play

​ Streamlining the planning process for your group of friends is effortless with TripIt . This sophisticated app automatically generates a master itinerary that includes hotel bookings, real-time flight alerts, and key things to do during the trip. 

This trip planner app also keeps all of your confirmation numbers for hotel reservations, flight information, and rental cars all in one spot. It’s a must-have tool for ensuring everyone in the group is well-prepared and informed.

TripIt offers both a free version with basic features and a premium paid annual subscription plan called “TripIt Pro” for enhanced features. It’s great for keeping all of the important details in one place. This is one of the best travel planner apps out there. Download on App Store or Google Play

​Band is a fantastic communication hub for friend groups, offering document sharing via Google Docs, creating shared photo albums, and maintaining group chats for discussions.

This is the best way to keep everyone engaged and informed about the latest developments and ideas throughout the planning process and the journey.

Band is a free communication app. Download on App Store or Google Play

11. Coordle

​ When coordinating activities for groups with varying preferences, Coordle shines by simplifying the process of finding the best time for group activities and excursions and allowing all planning to happen in one centralized app. It ensures a good time for everyone, making it easy to have an unforgettable adventure. 

Coordle offers a free version with basic features, but it also has a premium paid subscription plan for additional features. Download on App Store or Google Play

12. Family Album

​ Preserving cherished memories is easy with Family Album, a private photo-sharing app that lets you create dedicated photo albums to relive the highlights of your adventure with your friend group. Share expert tips and insider knowledge through images and captions that encapsulate your experiences.

Family Album offers a free version with basic features, but it also has premium paid subscription plans for more storage and features. Download on App Store or Google Play

13. Shared Photo Albums

​ Capture every moment of your adventure by using Shared Phone Albums, available for use on both iOS and Android devices. Ensure that each member of the friend group contributes their photos to create a complete visual narrative of the experiences from your trip.

This feature is available on iOS and Android devices, and it’s part of the phone’s functionality. It’s one of the best free travel planner apps for organizing your group’s memories.

​Troupe makes decision-making easy within smaller groups by facilitating the process of selecting activities and planning excursions together. It ensures that the travel itinerary aligns with the diverse preferences and expectations of your friend group, guaranteeing a well-rounded adventure that everyone will love.

Troupe offers a free version with basic features, but it also has premium paid subscription plans for additional features. Download on App Store or Google Play

15. Tripline

Tripline introduces a creative quality to your group travel experience by enabling the creation of captivating interactive travel maps. These maps serve as an engaging showcase of your journey’s route and highlights. This makes it easier for your friend group to relive the adventure and share their travel tips with others.

Tripline offers a free version with basic features, but it also has premium paid subscription plans for more advanced features. Download on App Store or Google Play

16. TravelSpend

​TravelSpend is great for streamlining expense management. It simplifies the process of splitting costs among friends or family members with real-time expense tracking, and it converts currencies automatically. TravelSpend empowers group travelers to stay on top of their financial commitments, making it easier for everyone to enjoy the trip without financial stress. 

Thia app also offers analytical data about your spending so that you can track what you’re spending the most (or the least) on. 

TravelSpend is a free app for tracking travel expenses. Download on App Store or Google Play

17. Google Maps

​ Google Maps has a function called My Maps that can be used to create personalized maps for different destinations. It’s a great addition to your next trip with family and/or friends. 

You can drop pins on the best places to visit, separate maps by different cities, pin the must-try restaurants, landmarks, and museums, and navigate to the nearest transportation hubs. Everyone can share this travel map, making it essential to have it on everyone’s phones.

It also works as a typical map app showing the best routes and travel time between destinations. You can also get offline access if you don’t have phone service.

Google Maps is a free application that works on Android and iOS. Download on App Store or Google Play

18. SaveTrip

SaveTrip is another app that can be used by family members to plan trip itineraries together. You could work together on each day, or split your trip days between family members and let everyone plan a day. 

After you have planned your days you can present your ideas to the group. The next step is to vote on things, set a budget, and agree on travel. You can even make a vision board using the notes tool. 

Once you take the trip, you can manage a budget, share costs, and use the integrated Google Maps feature to get around. 

This app is free to download and use. Download on App Store or Google Play

Mastering the art of group travel planning with different budgets and varying preferences can be challenging. With these indispensable mobile apps, it can be an easy experience that allows everyone to relax and have fun. With apps like these, you can be your own travel agent. Use these travel apps to put together a successful trip with all of your friends and family.

From expense management to communication and itinerary planning, these apps cater to every aspect of group getaways. So, gather your favorite people, download one of these great travel tools, and get ready to easily make some amazing travel plans!

The post 18 Group Travel Planning Apps That Make Life Easier appeared first on Groups Are A Trip .

Looking for a way to organize your group trip or family reunion? Be sure to use some of these apps that are sure to make the planning easier!

AAA Travel Services

Planning a vacation can be exciting but also a bit overwhelming. That's where AAA Travel comes in! Our team of knowledgeable and friendly AAA Travel Agents are here to help you every step of the way. Plus, as a AAA member, you will enjoy exclusive savings and discounts on everything from passport services to cruises, tours and vacations. Whether you're looking for a relaxing beach getaway or an adventure-packed trip, AAA can help you plan the perfect vacation that fits your needs and budget. So, sit back, relax and leave the planning to us. We are here to make your dream vacation a reality.

AAA Hotel Search

Aaa flight search, aaa rental car search, aaa cruise search, trip canvas.

Are you seeking the ultimate vacation planning tool that will bring your travel dreams to life? Look no further than AAA Trip Canvas, where you can plan your dream getaway with ease. With a wide variety of travel inspiration at your fingertips, you can plan exciting road trips, luxurious cruises and memorable vacations. From hand-picked hotels and restaurant suggestions to expert travel advice, you will find all the resources you need to ensure an unforgettable vacation experience. With AAA Trip Canvas, your next adventure is just a few clicks away.

Ready to plan your next adventure? Look no further than the AAA TourBook®, your ultimate travel guide. With just a few clicks, you will gain access to valuable information and expertise from the trusted source in travel, AAA. Browse through a hand-selected collection of AAA Diamond designated hotels and restaurants, read expertly written articles on top travel destinations and discover new experiences. Start planning your next journey today and let the TourBook® be your trusted guide along the way.

Looking for an easy way to plan your next road trip? AAA's TripTik® has got you covered! You can easily map out your route, get turn-by-turn directions and even find stops along the way for hotels, restaurants and attractions. And the best part? AAA's travel expertise means you'll have access to exclusive discounts and recommendations to ensure your trip is the best it can be. Whether you're a seasoned road-tripper or a first-time explorer, TripTik® is the perfect tool to make your journey smooth and stress-free. Hit the road with confidence — start planning your next adventure!

Cruise Partners

Looking for an incredible vacation experience on the water with amazing ports? Look no further than AAA to book your next cruise. Our cruise partners are the best in the industry and offer affordable prices and exclusive benefits and savings. Whether you're looking for a relaxing voyage through the Caribbean or an adventure-filled Alaskan experience, AAA cruise partners have the perfect vacation for you. Don't miss out on this opportunity to embark on the cruise vacation of a lifetime.

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Hotel Partners

AAA members get exclusive access to hotel discounts and AAA Hot Deals with AAA Preferred hotel partners. You won't find rates like these anywhere else. Whether you're planning a family vacation or a weekend getaway, AAA has you covered. Don't wait — book your next hotel stay with one of our trusted partners and start saving today.

Vacations Partners

If you are searching for a vacation that is tailored for your needs, book a AAA tour package. These vacations offer member benefits that cannot be found elsewhere. Our tour partners offer the perfect vacation experiences for your choice of travel style. With guided tours, independent travel, and carefully selected destinations, you can trust that your vacation will be enjoyable and stress-free. Don't wait any longer to plan your next trip — book today and start making memories!

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Take advantage of the benefits of being an AAA member. Our partnerships with Hertz, Dollar, and Thrifty offer exclusive deals and discounts to help you save on your next rental car. Don't miss out on these incredible deals and savings. With the ease and convenience of online booking, securing a rental car at a special rate has never been easier.

AAA Vacations ®

When it comes to your dream vacation, you want the best of the best. With AAA Vacations®, you'll get just that. Experience unique adventures with our guided tours or take the reins with independent travel — either way, you'll be sure to have a memorable trip. And as a AAA member, you'll receive exclusive benefits and savings that will enhance your vacation, whether it's a family getaway or a solo adventure. We partner with top-tier travel companies to provide you with the best possible experience, so don't wait any longer. Book your dream vacation now.

AAA Diamonds

When it comes to travel planning, one thing you don't want to overlook is the AAA Diamond designation for hotels and restaurants. These Diamond designations are not handed out lightly — they are bestowed only on the cleanest and most well-run establishments. After all, they've been inspected by professional AAA Inspectors who take a detailed look at each property’s level of quality, cleanliness and condition. If you want peace of mind, make sure you check out the AAA Diamond designations for the places you'll be visiting. It could make all the difference in your trip.

Travel Articles

Need travel advice that will inspire you to pack your bags and hit the road? Our AAA Travel Editors carefully curate a wide variety of travel articles that provide tips, information and inspiration for your next adventure. From insider destination information to expert planning advice, AAA has everything you need to experience the world like a pro. And the best part? AAA members enjoy exclusive benefits and discounts on travel. Experience the best things to see and do with AAA.

AAA Road Trips

Planning an unforgettable road trip? Let AAA be your go-to source. Our team of experts has handpicked the best hotels and attractions along the way to ensure that your journey is both comfortable and remarkable. Whether you want to venture off the beaten path or stick to the tried-and-true, AAA's recommendations keep members’ needs and expectations in mind. Let AAA take care of the details so you can fully enjoy the adventure.

Member Benefits

Find aaa office.

AAA is always here to help, and it's easy to get the support you need in-person or online. Simply go to our website and use the office locator tool to find a nearby AAA office. Whether you're at home, work or on the go, you're never far from a friendly and knowledgeable AAA travel professional who can answer your questions and help you with all your travel needs. Experience the peace of mind that comes when you Travel With Someone You Trust®.

Travel Insurance

Securing travel insurance can give you peace of mind knowing that you and your loved ones are protected in case of unforeseen circumstances. AAA can be your resource when travel delays, emergencies and even cancellations occur. Whether you are traveling domestically or internationally, AAA offers numerous comprehensive options tailored to your needs. Don't let unexpected circumstances add to your mental load, get your travel insurance through AAA and travel with confidence.

International Travel

International driving permit.

Venturing out in the world? Make sure you have your International Driving Permit from AAA before you go if you intend to drive during your trip abroad. Obtaining your International Driving Permit (IDP) is well worth the peace of mind. Available online or at your local AAA office.

Expedited Passports

According to AAA booking data, the number of people going abroad has increased by more than 200% over the past year. Make sure you give yourself a sufficient amount of time to obtain your passport before your trip. Expedite your passport with aaa.rushmypassport.com.

Be Prepared

If you're visiting an international destination, ensure you're fully prepared for anything that might come your way. AAA provides essential services like passport photos, International Driving Permits and travel insurance. Plus, receive expert insights and recommendations from travel professionals like AAA Travel Agents, inspectors and editors. When you travel with AAA, you can truly Travel With Someone You Trust® — giving you peace of mind before, during, and after your international trip.

TSA: Before You Go Information

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Register your trip to allow the State Department to assist you in the event of an emergency abroad. 

TSA Prohibited Items

Can I bring that on the flight? Find out here

TSA PreCheck

With a 5-year, $78 membership, you can speed through security and don't need to remove your shoes, laptops, liquids, belts, or light jackets.

Disabilities and Medical Conditions

Access important information and resources for travelers with disabilities and medical conditions.

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How to Find the Best Travel Insurance

Elina Geller

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

Table of Contents

What travel insurance covers

How much does travel insurance cost, types of travel insurance, how to get travel insurance, what to look for in travel insurance, best travel insurance comparison sites, which insurance company is best for travel insurance, when to skip travel insurance, travel insurance, recapped.

Travel insurance can cover medical expenses, emergencies, trip interruptions, baggage, rental cars and more.

Cost is affected by trip length, pre-existing medical conditions, depth of coverage, your age and add-ons.

You can get it through credit cards or third-party companies, & can shop on travel insurance comparison sites.

Before buying, evaluate risks, know existing coverage, obtain quotes online and review policy details warily.

Skip it if you buy flexible airfare and hotels, already have coverage or only book refundable activities.

Booking travel always carries some degree of uncertainty. Travel insurance provides a safety net so you can step out with confidence. You may not need travel insurance for inexpensive trips, but it can provide a sense of security when you prepay for pricey reservations, a big international trip or travel during cold and flu season, which can be unpredictable.

According to insurance comparison site Squaremouth, travelers in 2023 spent an average of $403 for comprehensive coverage, compared to $96 for medical-only policies. Comprehensive plans typically cost between 5% and 10% of the insured trip cost.

Since that price tag is no small amount, it helps to know how to shop smart for travel insurance. Here's how to find the right travel insurance plan for you and your next adventure.

Depending on the type of coverage you’re looking for, the chart below will help you determine what to look for when selecting a policy:

Depending on the policy, travel insurance reimburses you or offers services when something goes awry. There’s even coverage for the worst-case scenario: if you die in an accident while traveling. Accidental death coverage pays your beneficiary a lump sum in that case.

Before you buy, take a little time to get familiar with different types of travel insurance products, how it’s priced, and what it covers and excludes. If you’re traveling during these uncertain times, you’ll want to make sure that the policy you select covers coronavirus-related emergencies. Usually, the more thorough the coverage, the more it will cost.

Travel insurance costs vary depending on:

Length and cost of the trip: The longer and more expensive the trip, the higher the policy cost.

Cost of local health care: High health-care costs in your destination can drive up the price of trip insurance.

Medical conditions you want covered: Conditions you already have will increase the cost of travel insurance coverage.

Amount and breadth of coverage: The more risks a policy covers, the more it will cost.

Your age: Generally the older you are, the higher the price.

Any optional supplement you add to your policy : Cancel For Any Reason , Interrupt For Any Reason and more.

Keep these factors in mind when considering different travel insurance options.

You’ll find a wide selection of travel protection plans when you shop for a policy.

Typically, travel insurance is sold as a package, known as a comprehensive plan, which includes a variety of coverage.

Here are seven of the most common types of travel insurance:

Travel medical insurance

These plans provide health insurance while you’re away from home. Although in some ways these policies work like traditional health plans, generally you cannot use travel health insurance for routine medical events. For example, a routine medical checkup is usually not covered. In addition, these policies often include limitations on coverage and exclusions for pre-existing conditions.

Although most travel insurance plans cover many recreational activities, such as skiing and horseback riding, they often exclude adventure sports, such as skydiving or parasailing, or competition in organized sporting events. You may need to buy a special travel policy designed for adventure or competitive sports.

International travel insurance

Most likely, your U.S.-based medical insurance will not work while you’re traveling internationally, and Medicare does not provide any coverage once you leave the United States outside of a few very specific exemptions. If you plan on traveling abroad, purchasing travel medical insurance could make a lot of sense.

» Learn more: Travel medical insurance: Emergency coverage while you travel internationally

Trip cancellation, interruption and delay

Trip cancellation coverage reimburses you for prepaid, nonrefundable expenses if the tour operator goes out of business or you have to cancel the trip for one of the covered reasons outlined in the policy, such as:

Your own illness.

The illness or death of a family member who’s not traveling with you.

Natural disasters.

Trip interruption insurance covers the nonrefundable cost of the unused portion of the trip if it is interrupted due to a reason outlined in the policy.

Trip delay coverage reimburses you for expenses such as lodging and meals if you’re delayed during a trip (e.g., your flight gets canceled due to weather ).

Many package policies cover all three. These policies are different from the cancellation waivers that cruise lines and tour operators offer, the Insurance Information Institute says. Waivers are cheap, ranging from $40 to $60, and often include restrictions. For example, according to the institute, waivers might not refund your money if you cancel immediately before departure. Waivers are technically not insurance policies.

Some companies offer additional layers of coverage at extra cost. “Cancel For Any Reason” coverage will reimburse a large part of the trip cost, no matter why you back out. And some companies let you pay extra to cover pre-existing conditions if you cancel for medical reasons.

Some insurers and comparison sites let you customize a policy by choosing types of coverage a la carte. For example, TravelInsurance.com is a comparison site that provides quotes from different providers.

Baggage and personal belongings

How does lost luggage insurance work? This coverage reimburses you for baggage and personal belongings that are lost, stolen or damaged during the trip. Some plans also reimburse you for extra expenses if you experience a baggage delay for more than a certain period, such as 12 hours.

Your renters or homeowners insurance may cover personal belongings while you are traveling. It’s best to review your homeowners insurance policy to determine the level of coverage it provides so you do not end up paying for a benefit you already have.

» Learn more: Baggage insurance explained

Emergency medical assistance, evacuation and repatriation

This coverage pays medical expenses if you get sick or injured on a trip . Medical evacuation coverage pays for transporting you to the nearest hospital, and medical repatriation pays for flying you to your home country.

» Learn more: Can I get travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions?

24-hour assistance

This service is included with many package plans. The insurer provides a 24-hour hotline that you can call when you need help, such as booking a flight after a missed connection, finding lost luggage, or locating a doctor or lawyer.

Generally, travel insurance companies do not cover sports or any activity that can be deemed risky. If you’re thinking of incorporating adventurous activities into your vacation, choose a plan that includes adventure sports coverage.

Most travel insurers cover a wide array of services, but the specific options vary. Some plans include concierge services, providing help with restaurant referrals, tee time reservations and more. Many services also offer information before the trip, such as required vaccinations. The only way to know what’s included is to read the policy.

» Learn more: Should you insure your cruise?

Accidental death and dismemberment insurance

This coverage pays a lump sum to your beneficiary, such as a family member, if you die in an accident while on the trip. Accidental death and dismemberment insurance policies also pay a portion of the sum to you if you lose a hand, foot, limb, eyesight, speech or hearing. Some plans apply only to accidental death in a plane.

This coverage may be duplicative if you already have sufficient life insurance, which pays out whether you die in an accident or from an illness. You may also already have accidental death and dismemberment insurance through work, so it's best to check your policies to ensure you’re not overpaying.

» Learn more: NerdWallet's guide to life insurance

Rental car coverage

Rental car insurance pays for repairing your rental car if it’s damaged in a wreck, by vandals or in a natural disaster. The coverage doesn't include liability insurance, which pays for damage to other vehicles or for the medical treatment of others if you cause an accident and are held responsible.

Ask your car insurance company whether your policy will cover you when renting cars on the trip. U.S. car insurance policies generally don’t cover you when driving in other countries, except Canada.

Car insurance requirements are complex because they vary among countries. You can usually purchase liability insurance from the rental car company. Learn about car insurance requirements by searching for auto insurance by country on the U.S. Embassy website .

» Learn more: Best credit cards for rental car coverage

A note about single vs. long-term policies

Single trip insurance plans are a great option for those going on a single trip for a specific length of time (e.g., a two-week vacation) and then returning home. The price of the policy is usually determined by the cost of the trip.

Long-term travel policies cover you for multiple trips, but there are limitations to how long you can be away from home, if you can return home during your travels and how many trips you can take. In addition, trip cancellation and interruption coverage is either not offered or capped at a dollar amount that can be significantly below the total cost of all the trips taken during the covered period.

Long-term travel insurance plans — often called 'multi-trip' or 'annual travel insurance' — are a suitable option for those who travel often and are satisfied with the amount of trip cancellation coverage for all the trips they take over the duration of the policy.

» Learn more: How annual (multi-trip) travel insurance works

Below, we include how to obtain travel insurance, along with the pros and cons of each option.

Some credit cards offer trip cancellation and rental car insurance if you use the card to book the trip or car.

When you book a trip with your credit card, depending on the card you use, you may already receive trip cancellation and interruption coverage.

» Learn more: 10 credit cards that provide travel insurance

Here are a handful of credit cards with travel insurance benefits.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card

on Chase's website

Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card

on American Express' website

Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 12 hours.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.

• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.

• Baggage delay: Up to $100 per day for five days.

• Lost luggage: Up to $3,000 per passenger.

• Travel accident: Up to $500,000.

• Rental car insurance: Up to $75,000.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 6 hours.

• Travel accident: Up to $1 million.

• Rental car insurance: Up to the actual cash value of the car.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per trip for delays more than 6 hours.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.

• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.

Terms apply.

Pros: Coverage is free.

Cons: You can’t customize the insurance to meet your needs. Most credit cards offer secondary car rental insurance, which pays for the costs not covered by your regular car insurance plan.

Travel agents and travel reservation sites

You can buy travel insurance when you book your flight, hotel and car rental.

Pros: Buying is as quick and easy as clicking “yes” when you book reservations. Coverage is inexpensive.

Cons: You can’t customize the coverage.

» Learn more: Airline travel insurance vs. independent travel insurance

Travel insurance comparison sites

You can compare different policies and review quotes at once based on the trip search criteria you’ve input into the search form. Examples include marketplaces like Squaremouth or TravelInsurance.com.

Pros: You can choose a policy that fits your needs and compare policies and pricing in one place.

Cons: Comparing multiple policies takes time.

Travel insurance companies

You can purchase travel insurance directly from an insurance provider.

Pros: You can choose a policy that fits your needs. Many travel insurer websites also offer information to help you understand the coverage.

Cons: You’ll need to go to multiple websites to compare coverage and pricing.

» Learn more: The best travel insurance companies right now

Keep these tips in mind when you’re considering a trip insurance policy.

Evaluate the financial risks you face when traveling. Can you bear those costs yourself, or do you want insurance?

Examine what coverage you already have: Does your credit card offer travel insurance? Do you have renters or homeowners insurance to cover belongings? What is the deductible? Will your health plan cover you in all the locations where you travel?

Get quotes for trip insurance online. Choose a package of the benefits you need and compare prices for similar coverage among carriers.

Narrow your choices and then read the policy fine print to understand what’s covered, what’s excluded and the limits on coverage. You may find that the lowest-priced policy is too restrictive and that paying a little more gets you the coverage you need. Or you might find that the cheapest, most basic policy fits the bill.

If you don’t know which provider to go with, it makes sense to browse a list of plans on a travel insurance comparison site. These online marketplaces will often include plans from the best travel insurance companies along with customer reviews.

Squaremouth

best travel planner website

Compare plans from more than 30 providers.

Over 86,000 customer reviews of insurers.

Under its Zero Complaint Guarantee, Squaremouth (a NerdWallet partner) will remove a provider if any customer complaint isn't resolved to its satisfaction.

Has a filter option to see policies that provide COVID-coverage.

TravelInsurance.com

best travel planner website

Compare plans from 13 providers.

See good and poor customer ratings and reviews for each insurer when you receive quotes.

“Learning Center” includes travel insurance articles and travel tips, including important how-to information.

Quotes provided from each provider include a link to COVID-19 FAQs, making it easy for customers to review what’s covered or not.

InsureMyTrip

best travel planner website

Compare plans from more than two dozen providers.

More than 70,000 customer reviews.

“Anytime Advocates” help customers navigate the claim process and will work on behalf of the customer to help with appealing a denied claim.

Includes a link to plans that offer COVID coverage.

best travel planner website

Compare plans from 11 providers.

Search coverage by sporting activity, including ground, air and water sports.

Many types of plans available for students, visiting family members, new immigrants, those seeking COVID quarantine coverage and more.

best travel planner website

Compare different insurance plans from 35 providers.

Over 5,600 customer reviews on Trustpilot, with an average 4.9 stars out of five.

Formerly known as AardvarkCompare, AARDY includes a “Travel Insurance 101” learning center to help customers understand various policies and benefits.

Quote search results page includes COVID-coverage highlighted in a different color to make it easier for customers to review related limits.

Whether you’re looking for an international travel insurance plan, emergency medical care, COVID coverage or a policy that includes extreme sports, these providers have you covered.

Our full analysis and more details about each organization can be found here: The Best Travel Insurance Companies Today .

Allianz Global Assistance .

Travel Guard by AIG .

USI Affinity Travel Insurance Services .

Travel Insured International .

World Nomads .

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection .

Travelex Insurance Services .

Seven Corners .

AXA Assistance USA .

There are a few scenarios when spending extra on travel insurance doesn't really make sense, like:

You booked flexible airline tickets.

Your hotel room has a good cancellation policy.

It's already included in your credit card.

You haven't booked any nonrefundable activities.

» Learn more: When you don't need travel insurance

Yes, especially for nonrefundable trips and travel during the COVID-era. Whether you purchase a comprehensive travel insurance policy or have travel insurance from your credit card, you shouldn't travel without having some sort of travel protection in place to safeguard you and your trip. Travel insurance can protect you in case of an unexpected emergency such as a canceled flight due to weather, a medical event that requires hospitalization, lost luggage and more.

There are many good travel insurance policies out there and a policy that may be great for you may not be good for someone else. Selecting the best plan depends on what coverage you would like and your trip details.

For example, World Nomads offers a comprehensive travel insurance policy that has excellent coverage for adventure sports. Allianz provides coverage for trips of varying lengths of time through its single trip plans and multi-trip plans. Some providers offer add-on options like Cancel For Any Reason travel insurance. If you’re not sure which plan to go with, consider looking at trip insurance comparison sites like Squaremouth or Insuremytrip.

Yes, you can. However, it's better to purchase it sooner rather than later, ideally right after booking your trip because the benefits begin as soon as you purchase a policy.

Let’s say you’re going on a trip in a month and a week before departure, you fall and break your leg. If you’ve purchased a travel insurance policy, you can use your trip cancellation benefits to get your nonrefundable deposit back.

Most comprehensive travel insurance plans offer trip cancellation, trip interruption, emergency medical and dental, medical evacuation, trip delay and lost luggage coverage. Many plans offer COVID coverage, but you’ll always want to check to ensure that the policy you choose provides that benefit if you’re traveling during these times. Some plans may also allow you to add features like Cancel For Any Reason travel insurance.

It depends which credit card you have. Premium travel cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and The Platinum Card® from American Express offer travel insurance benefits if you book a trip using your card or points.

However, the coverage provided by the credit cards is usually lower than if you purchased a standalone policy. Review the travel insurance benefits on your credit card and check that the limits are adequate before foregoing from purchasing a separate plan.

Let’s say you’re going on a trip in a month and a week before departure, you fall and break your leg. If you’ve purchased a travel insurance policy, you can use your

trip cancellation benefits

to get your nonrefundable deposit back.

It depends which credit card you have. Premium travel cards like the

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

The Platinum Card® from American Express

offer travel insurance benefits if you book a trip using your card or points.

Unpredictability is one of the mind-opening joys of travel, but travel insurance should contain no surprises. The time you spend to understand your options will be well worth the peace of mind as you embark on your next adventure.

Whether you’re seeking a single or a long-term policy, each travel insurance option offers different strengths and weaknesses. Choosing the right policy depends on your trip needs, your budget and how important various benefits are to you.

Keep reading

If you want to dig in deeper to world of travel insurance, these resources will point you in the right direction.

What is travel insurance? How much is travel insurance? Is travel insurance worth it? What does travel insurance cover? Does travel insurance cover COVID?

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

1x-10x Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.

Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

1x-2x Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

30,000 Limited-time offer: Earn Companion Pass® good through 2/28/25 plus 30,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

50 Best Family Vacation Ideas on a Budget for 2024

From all-inclusives in the Caribbean to quick getaways in the U.S., there's something for every traveler in your group.

family running and splashing into sea together with body boards

It's not lost on us that travel, like everything else, is getting more expensive, so we focused many of our picks on properties that provide great value. When we feature splurgy spots, rest assured they're worth every penny.

Whether you're looking to chill out at an all-inclusive resort , get active in the great outdoors , check out new attractions at a theme park, hit the beach or cozy up at ski resort , there's a destination or experience here to match every vacation vibe and party size. After all, bringing the grandparents comes with so many benefits, not the least of which is babysitting so you can score some much-needed time for an interruption-free dinner, spa treatment or romantic walk on the beach.

Use this guide to help narrow down your options, and then check out the Good Housekeeping Institute 's tried-and-tested list of essential travel gear and accessories to get ready for your trip. You can also consult our guides on how to choose a family-vacation hotel as well as how to keep all ages entertained . Since the early bird gets the best deal, shore up your spring break and summer vacation plans now.

Mexico and the Caribbean

a slide with a shell that says"mexico and the caribbean"

Spend your days rolling in the waves, relaxing by the pool or enjoying quiet time (thanks to some superior kids' clubs) at these island resorts.

Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Riviera Maya, Mexico

nickelodeon hotels resorts riviera maya, mexico

With massive waterparks, daily slimings and Nickelodeon characters galore, the kids have it made at the all-inclusive Nickelodeon Hotels & Resort Riviera Maya, a Good Housekeeping 2024 Family Travel Award Winner. But grown-ups aren’t left out of the fun. Tequila tastings, spa treatments and romantic dinners can be on your agenda thanks to the supervised club for kids ages 4 to 12. And while you probably wouldn’t be booking a SpongeBob-themed room if you didn’t have the kids in tow, the decor is as mod and classy as it can be. All the accommodations are suites that sleep up to five and have two bathrooms. Suites have direct access to a pool from the balcony. (Yes, even on the top floor!)

RELATED: Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana Is the Best Place to Travel With a Baby and a Sibling

Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas

view of atlantis hotel in the bahamas, good housekeeping's pick for best family vacation destinations

Winner of a 2024 Family Travel Award, Atlantis is a top choice for families of all ages looking for a mix of relaxation and adventure. Its adrenaline-pumping waterpark features high-speed slides, including a one-of-a-kind tube slide down a Mayan pyramid. Animal encounters, like getting up close to a dolphin, are thrilling in a different way. But on the other side of the massive resort, the beaches are super chill. The gentle water is just perfect for toddlers and preschoolers. Supervised clubs for kids, tweens and teens truly wow, so adults can enjoy the casino and a meal at one of the resort's fine-dining restaurants.

EXPLORE NOW

Club Med Michès Playa Esmeralda, Dominican Republic

the sunset at club med michès playa esmeralda, a good housekeeping pick for best family vacation destinations

Movies under the stars, trapeze lessons, windsurfing — with cool activities like these, kids will never want to leave this newish resort in the lush, away-from-it-all part of the island. Supervised clubs for babies through teens keep the good times rolling while you’re at the adults-only Zen pool or doing treetop yoga. (Yes, that’s a thing.) Solar panels, recycling, plastic-free water bottles and other sustainable initiatives are part of the eco-minded resort culture.

Beaches Negril Resort & Spa, Negril, Jamaica

a sparsely attended white sand beach at beaches negril, a good housekeeping pick for best family vacation destinations

While this all-inclusive resort and 2024 Family Travel Award-winner caters to all ages, toddlers and preschoolers will be star-struck. Sesame Street characters entertain them with story times, dance parties and even puppet-making! That’s on top of the mini water slides, splash areas and a playground that makes little ones squeal with glee and wears them out, so they’ll hit the sack early.

Private childcare and supervised kids’ clubs (for babies through teens, including those with special needs) are an option when you want a spa treatment, a quiet dinner or just to read a book on the resort's idyllic 7-Mile Beach. All the rooms and suites got a glow-up in 2020, plus there are new villas with butler service (sign us up!)

RELATED: 20 Best Caribbean Resorts for Families to Visit

Fairmont Mayakoba, Playa del Carmen, Mexico

an aerial view of the beach at fairmont mayakoba, a good housekeeping pick for best family resort

When it comes to baby and kid gear, this luxury resort has you covered. Need a bottle warmer? They got it. How about a step stool for a toddler to reach the sink? Yours for the asking. With these worries aside, you can concentrate on the beauty of the surroundings (the resort is surrounded by a lush mangrove forest) and incredible bucket-list activities, like kids’ carnivals and night kayaking. All the rooms have received a glow-up and there's a sleek new beach club to boot.

Rock House Resort, Turks & Caicos

the infinity pool at the rock house resort, a good housekeeping pick for best family vacation destinations

Your family may never leave the water at this Mediterranean-inspired oasis , which opened in May 2022. In addition to a full kitchen and roomy living room, many of the villa-style accommodations feature a spacious private pool. (Yes way!) And if your crew ever tires of it, fun awaits at the resort’s oceanfront infinity pool and stretch of white sand beach, which is exclusively for resort guests. Just note that while a cliffside setting makes the resort incredibly picturesque, it’s impossible to navigate with a stroller — so bring the tweens, teens and even grandparents if they don’t have trouble climbing stairs.

Embassy Suites by Hilton Aruba Resort

embassy suites by hilton aruba resort

A brand that's popular with families because it offers separate sleeping spaces for kids and adults, Embassy Suites recently opened a location in Aruba. (Pinch us now.) The 330-suite hotel boasts a kids' pool and playground and is just steps away from the iconic Eagle Beach. A breakfast buffet (with made-to-order items) is included in the price, which is already a value. Rooms also feature a kitchenette, so you can stash drinks and snacks and save your budget for the island's many incredible water activities.

New England Cozy

a slide that says new england cozy with a whale tail

Lakes, lighthouses and hiking trails make New England a great place to visit in almost any season.

Quisisana Resort, Lovell, ME

two friends frolic in a lake at the quisisana resort, a good housekeeping pick for family vacation destinations

Kids will get a digital detox at this all-inclusive lakefront resort , but they’ll be too busy playing to miss their devices. Without TV or a Wi-Fi signal in the comfortable, air-conditioned rooms and cabins, they’ll be fully immersed in the slew of included activities — from paddle boating to tennis to sandcastle-building. They might even learn to kayak or catch their first fish.

At night, music fills the resort. Broadway-style shows, held in a new outdoor theater, entertain all generations. There’s something about the fresh air and a choice of lollipops that keeps most kids from getting too wiggly, and the caliber of the performances is at least on par with good community theater.

The three included daily meals — with menu items like lobster rolls and Maine blueberry pie — will leave your crew’s bellies happy and full. And if you do need Wi-Fi occasionally, you can pop in the main lobby for a signal. Shh: The kids will be fine without it.

Hidden Pond, Kennebunkport, ME

campfire at hidden pond in maine, good housekeeping's pick for best family vacation destinations

Open from May to October, this nature-focused retreat provides a refuge from city life. Yoga sessions in the garden, a shed filled with arts and crafts supplies for kids, guided nature walks and outdoor art classes are easy-going yet exciting at the same time. Cottages with fireplaces foster togetherness, and complimentary breakfast arrives at your door every morning so there's no need to rush out for coffee.

Smugglers' Notch Resort, Jeffersonville, VT

a family goes biking through green hills at smuggler's notch, a good housekeeping pick for best family vacation destinations

Nestled in the Green Mountains, this resort is just as fun in the summer months as it is during prime ski season. Besides eight heated pools (some with waterslides!), the action-packed lineup of family activities has plenty to do whether you’re traveling with a toddler, teen or both. Sing-a-longs, magic shows and scavenger hunts keep little ones entertained while older kids will welcome the chance to take a guided hike, design and launch a water rocket or play glow-in-the-dark volleyball. A GH 2024 Family Travel Awards winner, condos at this property accommodate up to five bedrooms, making it possible for extended family and friends to stay together.

Ocean Edge Resort and Golf Club, Brewster, MA

the boardwalk to the beach bar at the ocean's edge resort  golf club, a good housekeeping pick for best family vacation destinations

Beach, pool, eat, repeat — that’s how your crew will spend laid-back days at this Cape Cod gem . The private beach has gentle surf and at low tide, kids can spy little sea creatures in the tide pools. When the tide changes, head to the heated outdoor or indoor pools. Outdoor movies are the perfect wind-down to bedtime. And if you can pry the kids out of the water, activities like scavenger hunts, curated by the resort’s new director of fun (for real!) await. Just make sure to stay in the “mansion” section of the resort because that’s the part with private beach access.

Sebasco Harbor Resort, Phippsburg, ME

the kids' club at the sebasco harbor resort, a good housekeeping pick for best family vacation destination

Kids will never forget sleeping in a lighthouse next to the ocean. The resort’s 1945 lighthouse contains recently renovated guest rooms with amazing views, sea breezes and conveniences like a fridge and microwave. The lighthouse rooms are also near the resort’s iconic oceanfront saltwater pool, which recently got a makeover. A vintage bowling alley, weekly pirate cruise and old-school kids’ club add to the New England charm.

Bluebird Cady Hill Lodge, Stowe, VT

bluebird cady hill lodge

A fantastic value, this new '70s-inspired cozy lodge is perfect for families who want to explore Vermont's Green Mountains. The scenic trails of Cady Hill Forest are just steps away and downtown Stowe is about a 10-minute walk. Two- and three-bedroom cottages at Bluebird Cady Hill Lodge have plenty of space for families and a kitchen to boot. A game room, fire pits for s'mores roasting and a pool make hanging at the lodge a nice respite in between nature activities.

California Dreamin'

a slide that says california dreamin' with a picture of a palm tree

Choose your Cali adventure: You can find bustling cityscapes, tranquil trails, stunning beaches and even a fairytale castle.

Los Angeles, CA

morning scenery of griffith observatory and downtown la los angeles is good housekeeping pick for best family vacation destinations

Tweens and teens won’t roll their eyes if you suggest a vacay in L.A. — where, trust us, they’ll ask you to eat at In-N-Out-Burger (look cool and say you already had it on the list). Some more must-dos: Visit the Griffith Observatory for the out-of-this-world exhibits and a stellar view of the Hollywood sign, and if you're an outdoorsy family you can hike down from the observatory to the Hollywood Walk of Fame and famous TCL Chinese Theaters .

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures , where anyone 17 and under gets in free, is conveniently located near the classic La Brea Tar Pits and the cool LACMA ( Los Angeles County Museum of Art). Some outdoor shopping at The Grove L.A. and a beach day in Santa Monica with a spin on the iconic wheel at the Santa Monica Pier will get you more well-deserved parent cred. Or, you can take a trip to Universal Studios Hollywood , where, for now, you can find the only Super Nintendo World open in the United States. Stay at The Garland in North Hollywood, a Good Housekeeping 2024 Family Travel Awards winner. It has a swanky trolley that transports guests to and from Universal, as well as other kid perks like dive-in movies and a retro-chic family suite with bunk beds.

San Diego, CA

an overhead shot of the loews coronado bay over the water in san diego, a good housekeeping pick for best family vacation destination

Can’t decide between heading to the beach or exploring a big city? San Diego has the best of both worlds, with near-perfect weather to boot. Make your home base a beach resort like the Kona Kai San Diego Resort & Spa , San Diego Mission Bay Resort or, if you're bringing a big group, Shore House at Del, a Good Housekeeping 2024 Family Travel Award winner. Intersperse oceanside fun with short drives to the city’s famous zoo and museums in Balboa Park. Plan to spend at least a half day at Liberty Station , a cultural attraction that has many places to eat and shop. New stores and restaurants are open at Seaport Village , which has a classic carousel for kids to ride.

RELATED: The Best Things to Do in San Diego With the Whole Family

Monterey, CA

guests wearing face coverings and enjoying the kelp forest exhibit at the monterey bay aquarium monterey is a good housekeeping pick for best family vacation destination

The number one reason to book a vacation in this coastal town: the aquarium. Yes, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is that good. It levels up the typical touch tank experience by letting little kids crawl through tunnels surrounded by tropical fish displays and use squirt toys to learn how animals stand up to big waves. There’s even a padded zone with eye-level exhibits for toddlers! And the whole family will be wowed by the aquarium’s newish exhibition, "Into the Deep: Exploring Our Undiscovered Ocean." Some of the creatures in the 21 live exhibit areas are newly discovered and haven’t even been named yet. Mind blown! Stay at the hotel next door, InterContinental The Clement Monterey .

Disneyland Resort and California Adventure, Anaheim, CA

the ferris wheel at disneyland california adventure disneyland is a good housekeeping pick for best family vacation destinations

If you're looking for a Disney trip with young kids, Disneyland may have the edge over an Orlando vacay. Here are some reasons why: You can get on more rides without as much walking in California, so that means fewer tired and cranky kids. Summer weather is also usually better in Anaheim than in hot-and-humid Florida. And rides like Radiator Springs Racers, which looks like it’s right out of the movie Cars , are Cali-exclusive. The new Villas at Disneyland Hotel offer options that sleep up to 12 guests plus the decor is whimsical.

preview for Good Housekeeping US Section: Life

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  • Nationwide Travel Insurance
  • AXA Assistance USA
  • Travel Guard
  • Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection
  • Tin Leg Travel Insurance
  • WorldTrips Travel Insurance
  • Trawick International Travel Insurance
  • Travelex Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance Tips

  • Why You Should Trust Us

Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Travel Insurance

Our experts answer readers' insurance questions and write unbiased product reviews ( here's how we assess insurance products ). In some cases, we receive a commission from our partners ; however, our opinions are our own.

Traveling is an adventure, a leap into the unknown, a story waiting to unfold. But every story needs a safety net, and that's where travel insurance comes in. In this travel insurance guide, we'll embark on a journey to help you better understand travel insurance and uncover the benefits that make it an indispensable companion for any traveler.

Best Travel Insurance Companies

  • Nationwide Travel Insurance : Best Overall
  • AXA Assistance USA : Runner-Up
  • Travel Guard : Best for Cruises
  • Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection : Best Reputation
  • Tin Leg Travel Insurance : Best for Travelers with Preexisting Conditions
  • WorldTrips Travel Insurance : Best for Digital Nomads
  • Trawick International Travel Insurance : Best Low-Cost Option
  • Travelex Travel Insurance : Best for Road Trips

Compare the Top Travel Insurance Offers

Nationwide Nationwide Travel Insurance

  • Trip cancellation coverage of up to 100% of trip costs (for cruises) or up to $30,000 (for single-trip plans)
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Three cruise-specific plans to choose from
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Annual travel insurance plans available
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Strong trip cancellation coverage
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Cancel for any reason coverage available
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. CFAR insurance not available with every single plan
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Medical coverage is lower than what some competitors offer

Nationwide Travel Insurance offers many of the standard benefits you might see with a travel insurance policy. This can include things like trip cancellation coverage, so you can recover pre-paid costs or trip interruption in the event your vacation is interrupted by an unexpected event. There's also baggage delay coverage and medical coverage.

  • Cancel for any reason coverage available

AXA AXA Assistance USA

  • Trip cancellation coverage of up to 100% of the trip cost
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous medical evacuation coverage
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Up to $1,500 per person coverage for missed connections on cruises and tours
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Covers loss of ski, sports and golf equipment
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous baggage delay, loss and trip delay coverage ceilings per person
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage only available for most expensive Platinum plan
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. CFAR coverage ceiling only reaches $50,000 maximum despite going up to 75%

AXA Assistance USA keeps travel insurance simple with gold, silver, and platinum plans. Emergency medical and CFAR are a couple of the options you can expect. Read on to learn more about AXA.

  • Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans available
  • Trip interruption coverage of up to 150% of the trip cost
  • Emergency medical coverage of up to $250,000

AIG Travel Guard

Trip cancellation coverage for up to 100% of the trip cost and trip interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost

  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Trip cancellation coverage of up to 100% of the cost, for all three plan levels
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. CFAR covers up to 75% of total trip costs (maximum of $112,500 on some plans) 
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Medical coverage of up to $500,000 and evacuation of up to $1,000,000 per person
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Includes COVID coverage 
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Above average baggage loss and delay benefits
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. High medical evacuation coverage
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Premiums may run slightly higher than competitors

Travel Guard is a well-established and highly rated name in the travel insurance industry. It offers three main coverage options to choose from, and in general its policies have above-average coverage for baggage loss and baggage delays, plus high medical evaluation coverage limits.

  • Trip cancellation coverage for up to 100% of the trip cost
  • Trip interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost
  • Preexisting medical conditions exclusions waiver must be purchased within 15 days of initial trip payment
  • Annual travel insurance plan and Pack N' Go plan (for last-minute trips) available

Berkshire Hathaway Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection

Covers up to 100% of trip cancellation costs, a minimum of up to $750 in luggage losses, and 24/7 worldwide travel insurance

  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers up to 100% trip cancellation refund for eligible travel
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Plans are customizable with relevant add-ons
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Good customer service and easy sign up according to traveler reviews
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. More affordable plans offer low caps on medical and emergency coverage
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Premiums are on the expensive side relative to comparable competitor plans
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Claims may take longer during peak travel seasons

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection is one of the leading insurance brands on the market. It offers several plans with key add-ons for travelers.

  • This provider underwrites travel insurance policies for a number of other companies in addition to offering its own plans
  • Travelers can file claims directly from a smartphone by using the BHTP app

TinLeg Tin Leg Travel Insurance

  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Policy coverage includes most pre-existing health conditions
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous medical and evacuation amounts for peace of mind
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. COVID coverage included by default on all insurance plans
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers a wide range of plans for various budgets and travel needs
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Some plans offer CFAR, “cancel for work reasons,” financial default, and unemployment coverage
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Limited add-on coverage options
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Baggage loss and delay coverage is low compared to competitors

Tin Leg travel insurance offers eight travel insurance plans to meet the unique needs of travelers.

  • Tin Leg was founded in 2014 by the travel insurance industry experts at Squaremouth. Designed to meet the most common needs of travelers, these policies offer comprehensive Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption benefits, and a range of Emergency Medical and Medical Evacuation limits.

WorldTrips WorldTrips Travel Insurance

  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Affordable base plans that can be customized with add-ons including rental car, pet care, hunting and fishing, and vacation rental coverage
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Insurance plans available for international student travelers
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Trip delay coverage benefit that kicks in after just five hours
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Pre-existing conditions waiver can be purchased within 21 days of initial trip payment
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Lower medical, evacuation and accidental death limits
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Limited, secondary baggage loss coverage although baggage protection can be upgraded at a low cost
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. No special coverages for pets, sports equipment, etc.

WorldTrips has been a reputable travel insurance provider for more than 20 years. Unsurprisingly, it boasts an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and positive reviews from thousands of customers.

  • Travel medical insurance (Premium, Group, Annual, and International Student options)
  • Trip cancellation insurance
  • Trip protection insurance

Trawick Trawick International Travel Insurance

  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Useful for adventurous travelers headed to higher-risk destinations
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Affordable plans with varying levels of coverage
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. 10-day free look option
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous baggage loss replacement policy
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Trip delay coverage kicks in after just six hours
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Some policies allow a CFAR add-on
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Up to $1 million medical evacuation coverage limit
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Baggage and trip delay coverages don’t kick in until after the 12-hour mark
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. International student policies available for temporary stints abroad
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Complaints about claims not being paid or involving an intermediary to resolve claims

Trawick International travel insurance offers plans customized to diverse travelers' needs. We look at coverage options, claims processing, pricing, and other important factors for savvy travelers.

  • Travel medical insurance
  • Trip protection and cancellation
  • International student insurance
  • Visitor medical insurance (for traveling to the US)

Travelex Travelex Travel Insurance

  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Options to cover sports equipment
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Option to increase medical coverage
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Can cancel up to 48 hours before travel when CFAR option is purchased
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Affordable coverage for budget-conscious travelers
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Includes generous baggage delay, loss and trip delay coverage
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Optional "adventure sports" bundle available for riskier activities
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Only two insurance plans to choose from
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Medical coverage maximum is low at up to $50,000 per person
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Pricier than some competitors with lower coverage ceilings
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Some competitors offer higher medical emergency coverage

Travelex travel insurance is one of the largest travel insurance providers in the US providing domestic and international coverage options. It offers a basic, select, and America option. Read on to learn more.

  • Optional CFAR insurance available with the Travel Select plan
  • Trip delay insurance starting at $500 with the Travel Basic plan
  • Emergency medical and dental coverage starting at $15,000

Best Travel Insurance Reviews

Best overall travel insurance: nationwide travel insurance.

Nationwide Travel Insurance is of the largest players in the travel insurance space, offering nearly endless options for any customer on the travel spectrum, including annual travel insurance plans which can offer frequent travelers the flexibility to "set it and forget it" on their travel insurance coverage.

Nationwide Essential also offers some of the most affordable policies in the market compared to similar plans from competitors, which makes it a great pick for just about anyone. Buyers can discuss bundling options as Nationwide also sells homeowners, auto, pet, and other insurance products. Its travel insurance quoting is just as easy as it has been with other Nationwide insurance products.

Nationwide Travel Insurance Review

Runner-Up: AXA Assistance USA Travel Insurance

AXA Assistance USA  offers consumers a great option for no-stress travel insurance: low-priced plans, generous coverage limits on key categories including primary insurance on lost luggage, and up to 150% reimbursement for qualifying trip cancellations.

While add-ons are limited and rental car coverage is not included by default on cheaper plans, AXA is a perfect fit for travelers who don't plan to drive (or who already hold a travel credit card with rental car coverage), and don't need any additional bells and whistles.

AXA Assistance USA Travel Insurance Review

AIG Travel Guard Travel Insurance: Best Travel Insurance for Cruises

Travel Guard is well-known insurance provider, and a great fit for travelers who want to ensure that they can get their money back in the event of canceled or interrupted travel plans.

While the company's policies can be pricey compared to its competitors, the high medical and evacuation limits make AIG a solid choice for older travelers who value peace of mind and simplicity over highly customizable plans that may be bolstered with medical upgrades.

AIG Travel Guard Review

Best Travel Insurance for Company Reputation: Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection  helps travelers make the best of bad situations by simplifying the process of filing a claim down to a simple photo snap and some basic paperwork submitted directly through a dedicated app.

Approved claims are also paid out very rapidly, making it easier to carry through with a trip when luggage has been lost or alternative travel plans need to be made on the fly.

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Insurance Review

Best for Travelers with Preexisting Conditions: Tin Leg Travel Insurance

Tin Leg Travel Insurance is a great fit for travelers with medical issues in particular. Thanks to coverage for preexisting medical conditions as well as for potential COVID-19 infection while traveling, this company offers some of the best financial investment options for travelers who are or will be exposed to higher health risks and issues.

Tin Leg Travel Insurance Review .

Best Travel Insurance for Digital Nomads: WorldTrips Travel Insurance

WorldTrips Travel Insurance has affordable premiums, highly customizable add-ons, and generous coverage for core categories of travel insurance. All this makes it a great option for digital nomads, students studying abroad and backpackers.

However, travelers should keep in mind that plans are not particularly flexible, and coverage amounts are limited unless you plan ahead to pay for the areas and amounts that you need.

WorldTrips Travel Insurance Review

Best Low-Cost Travel Insurance Option: Trawick International Travel Insurance

Trawick International Travel Insurance  is another medically robust insurance provider that can help higher-risk and anxious travelers find peace of mind while on the road. This company offers one of the most generous medical evacuation policies in the market, although travelers will need to remember to add on rental car coverage if they need it.

Trawick Travel Insurance Review

Best Travel Insurance for Road Trips: Travelex Travel Insurance

Travelex Travel Insurance  offers three plans:

  • Travel Basic
  • Travel Select
  • Travel America

The Travelex American plan is meant for trips limited to the US, but it has the highest coverage limits in many areas compared to its other programs. If you're flying somewhere, the lost baggage limits are higher. Its natural strengths shine for road trippers, though. Travelex America adds coverage for roadside service and rental car coverage for unexpected accidents. It also covers pets should you be involved in an accident while on the road.

While your standard auto insurance does extend to car rentals within the US for a limited time, any accident would affect future rates. Travelex would eliminate the risk of reporting to your auto insurance provider for minor incidents within its purview.

Travelex Travel Insurance Review

Introduction to Travel Insurance

Why travel insurance is a must-have.

The unpredictable nature of traveling – from flight cancellations to medical emergencies – can turn your dream vacation into a nightmare. Travel insurance acts as a personal safeguard, ensuring that unexpected events don't drain your wallet or ruin your trip.

Understanding Different Types of Travel Insurance

Not all travel insurance policies are created equal. From single-trip travel insurance policies to annual travel insurance plans , from minimal coverage to comprehensive protection, understanding the spectrum of options is your first step in finding the right fit for your journey.

Key Features to Look for in Travel Insurance Coverage

Travel insurance for medical emergencies.

Imagine falling ill in a foreign country; daunting, right? A robust travel insurance plan ensures you don't have to worry about the financial aspect of receiving medical care while traveling , even in the most remote corners of the globe.

Trip Cancellation and Interruption Benefits

Life is full of surprises, some less pleasant than others. Trip cancellation and interruption coverage ensures that you're not left out of pocket if unforeseen circumstances force you to cancel or cut your trip short.

Coverage for Personal Belongings and Baggage Loss

Losing your belongings is more than an inconvenience; it's losing a piece of your world. Insurance that covers personal belongings and baggage loss ensures that you're compensated for your loss, helping you to rebound and continue your adventure.

Support and Assistance Services

In times of trouble, having a lifeline can make all the difference. Look for insurance that offers 24/7 support and assistance services, giving you peace of mind that help is just a phone call away.

Choosing Travel Insurance

Reputation and reliability of the travel insurance provider.

A provider's reputation is not just about being well-known; it's about reliability, customer satisfaction, and the ability to deliver on promises. Researching and choosing a reputable provider is a cornerstone in ensuring your safety and satisfaction.

Understanding the Policy's Fine Print

The devil is in the details, and understanding the fine print of what your travel insurance policy covers is crucial. Be aware of coverage limits, exclusions, and the process for filing a claim to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

Customer Reviews and Feedback

In the age of information, customer reviews and feedback are goldmines of insight. Learn from the experiences of others to gauge the reliability and customer service of the insurance provider you're considering.

How to Get the Most Out of Your Travel Insurance

Knowing your policy inside out.

Familiarize yourself with every aspect of your policy – what it covers, what it doesn't, how to file a claim, and who to contact in an emergency. Being informed means being prepared. 

Steps to Take When a Problem Arises

If you face an issue during your travels, knowing the immediate steps to take can make all the difference. Keep important contacts and your policy details handy, and remember, your insurance provider is there to assist you.

How to Pick the Best Travel Insurance Company for You

There isn't a one-size-fits-all policy that works perfectly for every traveler. Young, healthy solo travelers can opt for much cheaper plans that offer bare-bones coverage, while families juggling complex itineraries will do best by investing in a robust policy that can help defray any costs associated with lost baggage, delayed transportation or other trip-impeding obstacles.

That being said, you can't go wrong with a travel insurance provider that boasts a reputable history and offers a wide range of customizable plans. In some cases, you may be comparing plans that are only a few dollars' apart from each other. In such situations, you should generally opt for the insurance company that offers the strongest customer service. It's also worth considering whether or not the travel insurance provider has been reviewed by other travelers with similar itineraries to your own. 

An insurance aggregator like InsureMyTrip or Squaremouth is one of the best tools for searching travel insurance policies. Once you input the specifics of your travel itinerary, you'll be able to see hundreds of search results to compare the ones that catch your eye. If the options are too overwhelming, use the filters to the left of your search page to eliminate as many irrelevant plans as possible.

Yes, travel insurance typically offers some coverage of canceled flights, but if this benefit is important to you, make sure you read the fine print of your policy to make sure it offers adequate reimbursement. If you think you may need to cancel your travel plans, you should consider purchasing cancel for any reason (CFAR) travel insurance .

Travel insurance will pay out if you experience a covered event, such as a travel delay or delayed or lost baggage. If you're looking to get travel insurance for a specific reason, such as needing to potentially cancel your trip, make sure your policy will cover you in that situation before purchasing it.

Most comprehensive travel insurance policies include medical coverage that can come in handy if an emergency occurs and you need medical evacuation. Some travel insurance plans offer more specialized coverage for travelers with preexisting conditions, so shop around if medical coverage is a top priority for you. 

$100,000 should be a sufficient medical coverage limit for travel insurance. If you're planning on doing extreme sports or anything particularly risky on your trip, you may want to increase your coverage level. A high medical coverage limit is especially useful when you're purchasing cruise travel insurance, since medical evacuations are more involved at sea.

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Chose The Best Travel Insurance Companies

To come up with our list of the best travel insurance companies, we evaluated each insurer based on the following factors:

Guide Methodology: What We Considered

Policy Types

Travel insurance is essential, but often underused partly because people aren't getting what they want. Business Insider's 2023 travel study showed 10.65% of travelers surveyed bought cancel for any reason insurance. Cost may be a factor, but in many cases, the coverage is more affordable than you might think. Regardless, companies must offer a diverse range of coverage options. We award 5 stars to companies offering all standard coverages and additional options like pet and sports equipment protection.

Our 2022 travel study indicated the majority of purchases were made through the travel provider (ex: flight protection insurance when you're purchasing your airline tickets). While these may be sufficient for some customers, we look for companies offering a more comprehensive range of services.

According to the US Travel Insurance Association, the average cost of travel insurance will be between 4% and 8% of total travel expenses. Anything beyond that price point should include additional benefits beyond the standard inclusions, such as CFAR protection or upgraded medical coverage. Anything below that 4% threshold may leave you lacking important or sufficient coverage in an emergency.

Convenience and Flexibility

Whether you're an infrequent traveler or a suitcase warrior, a good travel insurance company should have you covered. In many cases, you might not even have to talk to a person in order to purchase your policy.

Many people think of travel insurance in context with specific trips, but most of these top contenders sell both single-trip and multi-trip policies, also known as annual travel insurance. Some companies also offer plans specifically designed for cruisers, students abroad, and business travelers. (Read our guide to the best cruise travel insurance companies for more details.) Finally, all of these providers offer multiple options for getting the specific areas and amounts of coverage that you want.

Claims Handling

Most travelers never have a large claim. Premiums are low, and it provides peace of mind for the just in case situations. So they leave reviews based on their reduced stress levels. But what happens if you lose your luggage or have to stay a few extra days due to an unexpected accident? Will your insurance carrier cover your claim without all the hassle? We check real customer reviews to sort this out for you.

Ease of Use and Support

When purchasing, during your trip, and throughout the claims process, you may need extra support. Does the company have a 24/7 help line? Does it have an online or mobile system allowing you to self-manage? Essentially, what are the options when you need help? We look at the big picture to evaluate the average customer experience with each company.

You can read our full insurance rating methodology for even more details.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

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31 Things to Do for the Big Eclipse This April

On April 8, the moon will blot out the sun along a roughly 4,200-mile-long, 115-mile-wide path across North America. Where will you watch it? Here are some ideas.

A young boy lying on the grass, with black-framed eclipse glasses on, wears a blue jumpsuit with NASA patches on it. He is pressing the glasses to his face with both hands.

By Danielle Dowling

Danielle Dowling, a Times editor with degrees in physics and science education, also reported on last October’s annular eclipse from Texas.

Wherever you go to catch the total solar eclipse on April 8, those three or four minutes of daytime darkness — no matter how spectacular — might not be enough.

You may want to build it out to a weekend’s worth of activities while staying somewhere fun or indulging in some self-care. Or maybe you would prefer to pair this bucket list event with another. After all, it will be about 21 years before another total solar eclipse of this magnitude returns to the contiguous United States.

With the path of totality starting on the Pacific coast of Mexico, heading northeast through 13 U.S. states and ending in Newfoundland, Canada, there are an overwhelming number of eclipse-oriented events to choose from, with something to satisfy just about any desire. Here are 31 options.

Hang out with NASA

Space nerds, kids at heart and actual children may appreciate a little guidance from NASA scientists, who will spread out across numerous celebrations along the eclipse’s path — at free or reasonably priced events in places like Mazatlán, Mexico; Austin, Dallas, Kerrville, Stonewall and Waco, Texas; Carbondale, Ill.; Cleveland; and Niagara Falls, N.Y. NASA has also teamed up with Purdue University and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for a day of track tours and STEM symposiums ($20) at the racetrack.

Get hitched

Among astrologers, a solar eclipse represents a new beginning, so it offers a rather auspicious backdrop for nuptials. At Total Eclipse of the Heart in Russellville, Ark. (April 6 to 8), you can come for the weekend of hot air balloons, barbecue and ax throwing, and stay for the mass wedding ceremony, which will be held minutes before the eclipse. Tickets are $100 for each day’s festivities (there’s no extra fee to get married); register for the ceremony at totaleclipserussellville.com/elope . At the Texclipse Music Festival in Junction, Texas (April 6 to 8), you can exchange vows en masse during the eclipse, as well as treat yourself to local entertainment and a chili cook-off. A weekend pass is $135, and the marriage fee is $100, which includes 10 photographs from the ceremony. For each festival, you will still need to apply for a marriage license beforehand (you’ll probably want to get on that as soon as possible).

Choose your soundtrack

Texas dominates the musical offerings with some big-name lineups. At the Texas Eclipse festival in Burnet (April 5 to 9), prepare to have your senses flooded. In addition to more than 100 acts, including Tiga , the Golden Dawn Arkestra and the Disco Biscuits , the festival will offer a dizzying array of entertainment, including an immersive experience by the arts collective Meow Wolf . A four-day general admission pass is $349, and accommodations range from car camping ($175) to a glamping tent ($1,750). In Waco, the Eclipse Over Texas festival will present free concerts, with Band of Horses on April 5 and Big Boi and Arrested Development on April 6. And over in Austin, at the Moody Amphitheater in Waterloo Park, Vampire Weekend will serenade the sun as it slips into shadow on April 8 (it’s also the frontman Ezra Koenig’s 40th birthday). The show is sold out, but resale tickets are available through platforms like StubHub and Ticketmaster .

Arkansas will also bring the noise. Fans of underground music may want to head to Hot Springs, where the Ecliptic Festival (April 5 to 8) will feature acts like Blonde Redhead , Sun Ra Arkestra , Mary Lattimore , Deerhoof and Quintron . A four-day pass is $385, and day passes start at $70. Glamping packages range from $1,350 to $1,650; if you bring your own tent, camping costs $85 a night, or $300 for the weekend. About 200 miles northeast, in Dyess, you can celebrate the Man in Black before the sky turns black at Johnny Cash’s boyhood home . The event’s full weekend primitive camping package ($400) will get you a 20-by-20-foot spot to park and car camp from April 5 to 9, as well as four tickets to the Arkansas Roots Music Festival, taking place there on April 6. It will also get you four tickets to the NASA Lunch and Learn event on April 7, and four pairs of Johnny Cash Boyhood Home eclipse glasses. Unfortunately, Dyess lies just outside the path of totality, so you’ll need to drive about an hour west to see the eclipse in its full glory.

With the bluegrass musician Ricky Skaggs as one of the top names on its lineup, the Solar Strings festival (April 5 to 8) will fill its 700-plus-acre site in the Missouri Ozarks with the sounds of guitars, banjos, fiddles and more. A four-day general admission pass that includes car camping is $145; glamping packages are also available.

Ride the rails or hit the slopes

A few spots are still available aboard the Solar Eclipse Limited , whose fully restored Pullman cars will leave Penn Station in New York on April 7, headed for Niagara Falls, N.Y. There, the train will serve as a mini-hotel, providing food and accommodations as you take in the celestial sights. If its more-than-$8,000 price tag is a little too rich, you can travel to the village of Arcade, in western New York, and take a trip on the vintage Arcade & Attica Railroad , which will leave at 2 p.m. on April 8 and make a stop to view the totality at 3:19 p.m. Tickets are $22 for adults, $19 for children. If you prefer zipping through the snow, Smugglers’ Notch in Jeffersonville, Vt., is holding a weekend-long celebration capped off by a Winter Eclipse Carnival from noon to 4 p.m. on April 8.

Make a run for the border

Since the eclipse will start in Mexico and wrap up in eastern Canada, you have the option to go in either direction. If you head south, you’ll most likely be blessed with great weather (the probability of cloud cover in most Mexican towns and cities along the path averages about 20 to 30 percent). Mazatlán is the safest bet. Hotel rooms are still available and there’s an expansive boardwalk where you and your fellow eclipse watchers can gather to view the totality, which will last 4 minutes 27 seconds there.

Up in Canada, the rainbow that hovers above Niagara Falls will turn red, as blue and green light waves are scattered during totality. Prime eclipse-viewing spots in the area include the SkyWheel , the butterfly conservatory and Queen Victoria Park , where the Niagara Symphony Orchestra will kick off a free rock concert as the eclipse reaches its peak. In Montreal, you’ll be able to pair skyline views with daytime darkness on an island in the St. Lawrence River. Parc Jean-Drapeau has teamed up with the Space for Life planetarium to offer an afternoon of education and entertainment before the sun has its moment, all at no charge. The only drawback is that Montreal is on the edge of the path of totality, which means it will be in darkness for just a little over two minutes. (On the plus side, you’ll be in Montreal .)

Entertain the kids

If you’re taking your children to see the eclipse, they will need distractions. What’s better than an indoor water park, like the one at the Great Wolf Lodge in Sandusky, Ohio? Near the centerline of the eclipse’s path, it’s well situated, and its viewing party will offer free wolf ears for the kids and moon pies for everyone. A family suite that includes unlimited access to the park averages nearly $330 a night. You can also find child-friendly activities if you’re willing to travel back in time. Kinmundy Log Cabin Village in Kinmundy, Ill., will open its grounds to visitors from April 6 to 8, and while you won’t be able to stay in one of its 19th-century log cabins, you can explore them, with some occupied by volunteers re-enacting pioneer life. There will be a bonfire each night, and food trucks will be on site on April 7 and 8. Camping and parking for all three days is $150. At the Genesee Country Village & Museum in Mumford, N.Y., the third-largest living museum in the United States, experience life as it was in New York State from the 1790s to 1900. From April 5 to 7, you can attend a magic-lantern show, write a celestially themed poem, and sample 19th-century eclipse-themed treats for $17. On the day of the eclipse, $250 will get you and a carload of friends into the viewing area; individual tickets start at $55.

Treat yourself

Add some aahs to your oohs with the Moon Shadow package at La Cantera Resort & Spa in San Antonio, which includes an opening-night reception, a complimentary bottle of bubbly and a viewing party, starting at $3,500 for a three-night stay for two. Or how about a 15-day cruise through the Panama Canal — with a chance to witness the eclipse at sea near Cabo San Lucas, Mexico? Interior rooms are still available for $1,199 on the Emerald Princess , departing from Los Angeles on April 5. Or perhaps you have always wanted to roll down the highway in a luxury R.V., which becomes an asset if the weather takes a turn for the worse and clearer skies lie just a few hours’ drive away. Spot2Nite.com offers packages starting at $625 a night that combine R.V. rentals with campground sites from Texas to Ohio.

Fly the darkened skies

The best thing about viewing an eclipse from an airplane? “You don’t have to worry about clouds because you’re high above them. And at 35,000 to 40,000 feet, you’re seeing the eclipse against a much clearer, transparent sky as opposed to being at ground level,” said Joseph Rao, an associate and guest lecturer at Hayden Planetarium and an avid eclipse chaser who has seen 13 totalities — five aboard an aircraft . Delta Air Lines has been advertising path-of-totality flights from Austin (sold out) and Dallas-Fort Worth to Detroit. Southwest Airlines (which is running a sweepstakes to win a seat) also offers scheduled flights along the path. The downsides of an air-clipse? “You’re experiencing the event in a sort of sterile environment,” Mr. Rao said. Also, the angle of the sun in the sky at the time of totality may not line up with the view from a typical airplane window, which could limit some passengers’ ability to see it unless the pilots bank or set a special course — as a few reportedly did during the 2017 total eclipse.

Know Before You Go

Mind the centerline: When picking the spot to view the eclipse, remember that the closer you are to the middle of the path, the longer the eclipse will last. As you plan your trip, consult an eclipse map for the prime spots.

Factor in traffic: In the United States, there are about 32 million people living along the eclipse’s path, and tons more will be heading toward it. Give yourself extra time.

Bring some cash: If you’re headed to a rural area, the hordes joining you there will most likely tax the infrastructure. If the internet goes down, your credit card will become just another piece of plastic, and your phone a shiny brick.

Have backup eye protection: Most festivals will be handing out free solar eclipse glasses, but if you lose them, you won’t be able to track the moon as it slides over the sun (during the brief few minutes of totality, you can safely look at it without protective eyewear , according to NASA). Check the American Astronomical Society’s list of trusted manufacturers and sellers, then place an order now. Like, right now.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

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