WORDS OF WISDOM: 10 HELPFUL TRAVEL WEBSITES FOR YOUR NEXT BIG ADVENTURE
- larissajodee
- Mar 13, 2016
- 6 min read
A lot of planning and research goes into organising your travel, and it can be super confusing to plan a trip if you don't know where to start. I 100% believe that anyone can do plan a trip on their own without having to pay someone else, as long as you have the right tools and resources to help you. I am a big believer in writing everything down and creating lists. I always make lists for all of my adventures so I know all of the things to see and do and how I am going to fit everything in to my short time there.
I have spent the last two years understanding the travel planning process, and have put together a list of my go to websites that I hope you will use to plan your next trip. All you need now is a bit of time and effort to sit down and really take control of your adventure. And who knows, you many even enjoy it just as much as I do!
1. Trip Advisor
I know this one is boring but it needs to be included in this list! Once I have decided on a destination I will check out Trip Advisors Top 10 attractions for each place as a starting point in my research. Often there are things in this list I haven't heard of or are often not interested in, but it is still handy to know what others think are the best things to do there.
I discovered this website while looking for hotels, and despite its name, it provides a lot more than just a list of hotels. Europe Famous Hostels is a company that has selected what they think to be the best hostel in 51 cities throughout Europe and the Middle East. These hostels are quite often a bit more expensive but is a good indicator of the ideal location within a city. I use this as a starting point to then find cheaper hostels in the same area. This website also offers free city guides for each of their destinations. This includes a list of things not to be missed as well as what to eat and where to go out.
I have used The Trainline on numerous occassions. It is the easiest way to book your train travel throughout the United Kingdom. You can save up to 43% if you book you tickets online and in advance rather than turning up on the day and booking at a ticket booth. The website helps you to plan your journey and breaks down the trip so it is easy to understand. If you are planning on doing a few trips, it may also be worth investing in a 16-25 Railcard which gives you a third off all rail travel if you are between the ages of 16 and 25.
4. Topdeck
I always recommend Topdeck to first time travellers. It is a great way to introduce yourself to the world of travel in a safer environment where you are surrounded by likeminded travellers. Despite looking like it will cost you a lot, this upfront payment gives you the luxury of relaxing a lot more once you are on tour as all of your travel, accommodation, and in most cases food, are already taken care of. An added benefit of joining a tour is you will have a guide with you on hand 24/7 to answer any questions you might have. Even if you aren't interested in joining a Topdeck Tour, I would still recommend checking out some of their trips and seeing what they do in each city - it gives you another perspective of the best things to do there.
Both of these websites/networks are great for creating a bit of wanderlust. They can be helpful when deciding on which destination you are planning to visit. Scrolling through pictures can help you choose where it is that you are wanting to go on your next adventure and specific things that you want to see when you get there. It may also give you some inspiration of how to take your photos once you are there!
I found this website while looking into train travel throughout Europe. This website is perfect for understanding travelling by train between different European Countries. Train travel is often more practical and affordable than flying. I have taken a few overnight trains between countries, from Prague to Krakow and Krakow to Budapest. Not only do you save on accommodation, but you also don't waste time during the day, giving you more time to see each place. During the day you can see the landscapes and have a better understanding of the natural surroundings of the country then if you are flying. Eurail Train Passes in my opinion aren't worth it as they require a lot more thinking and organising. Quite often there are extra fees to be paid, and I found it to be more trouble than it was worth. If you are like me and like to be super organised, you will already have your travel dates decided. It is easier to buy your tickets direct from the company involved, such as Deutsche Bahn, Renfe or Tren Italia.
7. Skyscanner
This is the best website to look up the available flights to and from your destination on the relevant dates. I like that you can choose the show whole month feature to see the best dates for your travel if you have the option of being flexible. It always pays to check on the actual airline website though to ensure you are getting the best price with no hidden fees.
8. SANDEMANs
Sandemans is my absolute favourite city tour guide, and they offer free walking tours in 18 cities across Europe, the UK, the Middle East and the US. The free walking tours are generally twice a day, 11am and 2pm and you are only required to tip at the end how much you think it is worth. If you enjoy the tour, they also offer additional paid tours at a discount which often take you to other parts of the city that you were planning to visit anyway. If you only take one thing away from this list, please let it be SANDEMANs free walking tours. I promise you it is 100% worth it!
9. Google Maps
Google Maps should not be underestimated. I love just looking on Google Maps at a city and trying to get a feel for it. It shows the main attractions within the city, and links to the local websites where you can find out important information about the attraction. I use Google Maps to understand where the hostel is in relation to the main attractions and the airport/train station, which is a great way to plan your days to ensure you make the most of your time there. If you are like me, you won't pay more for internet while abroad and therefore will have to learn how to read a map so it is ideal if you have already looked at an interactive one.
10. Hostelworld
This is generally where I book all of my hostels. It is perfect for choosing the best hostel as it is easy to compare them all in one place. My favourite feature is the map view, where you can see the hostel locations in regards to the city centre and the main attractions. For me location is the most important factor when choosing a hostel as I like to walk everywhere and save money on transport. I recommend visiting the hostels website as well to ensure you are getting the best deal price wise. On Hostelworld, you can pay the deposit in multiple currencies, helpful if you are still in the planning stages of your trip.
When travelling in Europe it is important to understand the Schengen Area and how it effects you on your travels. The Schnegen Area consists of 26 European Countries that allow travel between them without the need for showing your passport. No official borders exist meaning you can travel freely between them. For New Zealand Passport holders, we are allowed to spend up to three months within a six month period travelling throughout this Schengen Area. To enter any of the Schengen Countries you generally need proof of an onwards ticket from the Schengen Area and your passport. There are a few countries however, including Germany, Italy and Spain, where you are allowed to spend three months in the country alone. This overrules the three months within a six month period, as you are then allowed to travel to another one of these countries for a further three months. This will only really effect you however if you have the funds to travel for more than three months!
"Don't let your dreams be dreams." - Unknown
I hope this has inspired you.
LARISSAJODEE x
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