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Tripadvisor Alternatives

About this tripadvisor alternatives grid, how we score and rank tripadvisor competitors, how to find more information on brands like tripadvisor.

We compared 7 travel-booking sites to show you what each is best at

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Planning a vacation or trip is undoubtedly stressful. You're bombarded with seemingly endless options for flights, lodging, and things to do, and it can be difficult to figure out where to start. Many travel aggregators strive to present you with the best deals, but they all end up looking very similar to each other.

These similarities make it easy to know what to do and expect when you first visit a site. Typically, you enter your destinations, dates, and number of travelers. After you click search, you can further filter based on price range, airlines, and departure times for flights; amenities, hotel stars, and location for hotels; and type of car and rental car company for cars. 

So what makes one site better than another?

It all depends on your priorities and preferences. Everyone travels and plans for that travel differently. Here are seven travel sites and the factors you should consider when choosing a site. 

Booking.com

Booking.com is a huge bank of information, offering more than 1 million properties in 117,000 destinations in 225 countries and territories. Wherever you'd like to go, you'll find it through this site. It offers booking for flights,  hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars.  Clicking  restaurants will take you to OpenTable. 

Highlights:

I found their desktop homepage to be cluttered and a lot to look at compared to the homepages of other sites, but their app experience was noticeably simpler, which makes sense as travelers increasingly turn mobile. 

One feature on the homepage that stood out to me (shown above) was the "Are you traveling for work?" option. Clicking "Yes" will present popular business travel options like WiFi and breakfast.

Another feature was its flexible date suggestions if your chosen destination is a popular choice and accommodations are more than 50% reserved during your selected dates.

Best for: 

• Wide variety of options, including hostels, homestays, and bed and breakfasts
• Easy access to your plans and searches by syncing your account across your devices 
• Getting the best deals with their Price Match offer 
• Destination travel guides and articles 

Lacking or not the best for:

• Bundling hotel, flight, and car packages

Book a trip with Booking.com

Expedia offers booking for  flights, hotels, vacation rentals, rental cars, cruises, and things to do. 

You can bundle flight, hotel, and car deals so you don't have to go through the headache of looking separately and trying to coordinate all the deals. 

The "My Trips" section is helpful for managing your entire itinerary in one place, so you don't have to search through endless emails and accounts to figure out your vacation plan. 

If you sign up as a member, you can earn Expedia+ points to use toward future trips. Use the mobile app to earn 2x Expedia+ points. 

Like Booking.com, Expedia also offers suggestions for date shifts, date extensions, and route changes to get you to the cheapest deal. 

• Hotel, flight, and car bundles 
• Coordinating your whole vacation itinerary 
• Reward points system
• Single bookings. The site is best utilized for its bundle packaging.

Book a trip with Expedia

Tripadvisor.

TripAdvisor offers booking for flights,  hotels, vacation rentals, restaurants, and things to do.

It's well-known for its user-generated reviews, so as you're booking, you get the added benefit of reading reviews all in the same place. While I'm partial to Yelp for food recommendations and believe it to be better for US destinations, TripAdvisor is much more widely used in the international community. 

TripAdvisor is the most experience-driven travel site. You are not just booking somewhere to live — you're signing up to experience and explore a destination. 

• Detailed filtering (e.g. style for hotels and distinctive features for vacation rentals) 
• Comparing deals across aggregators 
• Strong user-generated review community 
• Bundling hotel, flight, and car packages 

Book a trip with TripAdvisor  

CheapOair offers booking for  flights, hotels, and rental cars.  Clicking on its cruises  tab takes you to another site, Cheap Cruises.  

The "Travel by Interest" section offers special deals for senior , military , student , and last minute travel . The military and student discounts emphasize keeping costs low, while the senior discount focuses on senior friendly destinations at an affordable price. 

Whether you're coordinating a reunion, wedding, or corporate event, a Group Travel Request is a good option. You can work with an agent on your travel needs. 

• Specific travelers like senior citizens, military, students, and large groups
• Higher than usual service fees (e.g. $32 per night per room for hotel bookings)

Book a trip with CheapOair

Hotwire offers booking for  flights, hotels, and rental cars.

Hotwire gives you all the filters and options you need but maintains the balance of not giving you too much. It keeps its sections simple, so you don't need to worry about something you may be missing out on. 

Thanks to partnerships with other travel sites like Hotels.com and Expedia, Hotwire can offer extremely low prices. There is also a free 24-hour cancellation policy on most flights. 

• Focused searchers who do not want to be distracted or overwhelmed by too many options, things to do, and city guides. Destination guides and inspiration can be found on a separate blog page. 
• Travelers on a budget
• Travelers with very specific preferences like hotel brand or car brand

Book a trip with Hotwire

Travelocity.

Travelocity offers booking for  flights, hotels, vacation rentals, rental cars, cruises and things to do.  And no, you're not seeing double. Expedia owns Travelocity, which may explain why the two homepages look almost exactly the same. 

From what we can tell, the most noticeable difference is Travelocity's Roaming Gnome, which represents the inspiration and wanderlust of traveling. The "Inspiration" section contains interesting articles like "Best Foodie Finds in Airports Around the World" and themes like "Luxury" or "Romantic." Expedia's travel blog, on the other hand, is relegated to an easy-to-miss link near the bottom of the page. 

• All the benefits of Expedia but with a more exploratory inspiration angle 
•  Single bookings. The site is best utilized for its bundle packaging.

Book a trip with Travelocity

Priceline offers booking for  flights, hotels, rental cars, and cruises.  

The " Express Deals " option rewards flexible travelers with up to 60% savings on hotels. The site will give you the location and star rating, but not the name of the hotel. You can still choose the bed type for many of the options. 

Another way to save is the Name Your Own Price feature where you input the location, star rating, and price bid for a hotel. 

For car rentals, you can also Name Your Own Price and bid for a car. If you don't have big preferences on the car brand, you'll be able to find a car for a price less than the search listings give you. For example, I was able to get an economy car with unlimited mileage for $30 a day, while the general search yielded cars that were all at least $37 a day. 

The cruise section is clear and easy to navigate. The search option is similar to searching for flights, with more dropdown selections than other sites. This feature is ideal for travelers who know exactly what they want for their cruise experience, and are not merely shopping around. 

• Travelers with low hotel and car brand loyalty who want to find a great deal
• Having a more focused cruise search process 
• Travel inspiration or destination guides
• Low risk takers who like to know exactly what they're getting

Book a trip with Priceline

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60 Best travel websites for researching & planning a trip

Researching and planning a holiday is like decorating a room. It’s all about the preparation. (Yes, you can have a great spontaneous holiday, but there’s a lot of luck involved in that…).

In the good old days, before the internet, we relied on travel agents, but in today’s digital world, a wealth of online websites and apps are on-hand to help.

But too many. The choice is overwhelming and the quality and trustworthiness variable.

So which ones are the best? Which ones should you use and for what purpose?

Planning a holiday – even before you book it – involves several steps. We’ve broken down this process and recommended the best tools to use at each stage, to make your research and planning process as simple, painless, fast –and enjoyable – as possible.

Where to go & what to do

1.1 ideas & inspiration.

Discover new places you never thought of going to, wonderful things to see & do on your travels. Add them to your travel bucket list.

Bucket List Travels

Concept: This specialist travel inspiration site works with an impressive list of leading travel writers around the world to recommend the world’s greatest travel experiences. It also offers destination guides, simple itineraries that link the top attractions together, and recommends the best places to stay while you’re there. You can search and filter through the recommendations e.g. to find recommendations by price, or that are suitable for kids. You can also save your ‘finds’ to your travel bucket list.

Pros: the search and filtering is unique amongst travel inspiration sites, and it allows you to sort through the thousands of expert recommendations to find what you want quickly – a huge time saver. The destination guides have curated, not comprehensive recommendations, so they’re effectively handing you a list of great recommendations for when you visit a new destination, i.e. the ‘bucket list’ experiences not-to-be-missed. The adding to favourites is also unique – great for ‘saving for later’ those brilliant experiences or places to stay you come across.

Cons: coverage is limited to only 100 or so destinations, which mainly centres on the UK and western Europe. Non-Europe content is limited (but being added in the near future).

When to use: Use it before any other site to decide on where to go or what to do next, and to get an outline list/itinerary of what you want to do there. Then supplement that with tours & activities from other inspiration sites listed here, especially the ones with the local authentic experiences.

Website : https://www.bucketlisttravels.com/

Concept: Instagram is a social media platform that allows users to share photos and videos with their followers. It’s popular among individuals, influencers, and businesses for promoting their personal brands or products.

Pros: Insta is a great source of travel inspiration, as it allows you to discover new destinations, attractions, and experiences through visually appealing and engaging content. You can follow travel influencers and bloggers for tips and recommendations, discover lesser-known destinations and experiences, find out about local events and festivals, and see how others experience a particular destination, which can provide ideas for your own itinerary.

When to use it: Day-to-day inspiration and idea generation for your next trip. Bookmark your favourites, or save your ideas to your travel bucket list for the next time you do want to go somewhere special.

Website : https://www.instagram.com/

Concept: Pinterest is a social media platform that allows users to discover, collect and share images and videos on virtual pinboards. Users can create boards on any topic and save Pins from other users or external websites, as well as search for inspiration and ideas. The platform has over 400 million active users worldwide.

Pros: Like Instagram, it’s a great visual travel inspiration tool, for discovering what to do in the world and specific destinations.

When to use it: For visual searches of potential destinations, and saving ideas (pins) for future trips.

Website : https://www.pinterest.com

Travel & Leisure

This high-end, luxury travel magazine covers a range of topics including hotels and resorts, airlines, cruises, food and drink, and various travel destinations around the world. Being a magazine, it focuses on the new and topical, so it’s a showcase of the latest and greatest in travel if novelty is your thing.

Pros: It’s top-quality content and genuine expertise from leading journalists and travel writers, with selective, curated recommendations. They have tonnes of round-ups of the ‘world’s best’ too.

Cons: Recommendations can be a bit too curated, missing lots of smaller experiences, and are often outside of the budget of most travellers. It’s primarily a magazine with an online afterthought, so recommendations tend to get buried in long pages of text. The site search turns up articles/posts that you then have to read further, rather than specific recommendations, and you can’t filter anything which is the big time saver.

When to use it: Sign up for their social feeds and newsletters, which often feature great round-ups like: “Best place to…”. Great for day-to-day inspiration and idea generation for your next trip. Bookmark your favourites, or save your ideas to your travel bucket list for the next time you do want to go somewhere special.

Honourable mentions: other great magazines for this include Conde Nast Traveller (featured later) and Wanderlust .

Website : https://www.travelandleisure.com/

Travel blogs

Concept: Travel blogs (too many to mention, but pretty much all the same in format) feature personal experiences, advice, and recommendations, usually written by an individual traveller or group of travellers who share their travel stories, photos, and tips with their audience.

Pros: You can’t beat personal experience when it comes to travel recommendations, and often these experienced author-travellers offer good insights and tips. They’re also usually an interesting, engaging read.

Cons: for planning a trip, blogs are hit and miss. They are written from the perspective of the blogger i.e. where they have just been or what they have just done, so it’s pot luck if that coincides with where you want to go or do next. They are also flat, text articles – you can’t search or filter their recommendations.

When to use it: Follow the ones you like if you enjoy reading such things. Once you have your list itinerary roughly planned out, they’re worth a quick scan for additional tips and insights (if you can find something relevant).

1.2 Top attractions, activities, tours & events

If you’re ready to start planning your trip, and nothing on your travel bucket list fits the bill, take a look at one of these sites to decide:

Concept: See listing above.

When to use: Head to their search results that shows all 100+ destination they cover, then use the filters to select a destination based on cost (cheap v expensive), or theme  (e.g. Science & Nature, Art, History & Culture) etc. You can also handily filter the list according to the best month of the year to visit.

FlightsFrom

Concept: this handy website lists all of the destinations you can fly to from every airport, on what days and with what airline.

When to use it: great for identifying where you can fly to from your local airport, and planning multi-destination trips.

Website : https://www.flightsfrom.com/

Google Flights

Google’s flight aggregator and comparison service consolidates flight schedules from all of the world’s commercial airlines in one place. By entering your dates and departure/arrival airports, you can quickly see who flies there, on what dates and at what times, and the price of the fare. Prices and availability are updated in real-time, and you can sign up for price alerts.

How to use it: The ‘Explore’ function allows you to specify a departure airport and see the cheapest flights to any destination you can fly to from that airport, for certain dates and trip durations – so great if you don’t have a fixed destination in mind. You can also handily add more than one departure airport if you have more than one departure option. (NB FlightsFrom shows you all available flights; Google Flights shows you available flights and their prices). NB Skyscanner has a similar ‘Explore everywhere’ feature, however, it is only available on the app and you can only enter one departure destination).

Website : https://www.google.com/travel/flights

This travel inspiration website provides a wealth of travel content, including destination guides, hotel and restaurant recommendations.

Pros: there’s loads of decent quality content, and their network of experts worldwide have good credentials and specialise in the destinations they write about.

Cons: The recommendations feature in text-heavy pages, making it hard to use for planning. You can’t filter, or save your favourites, and if you site search, you then have to wade through lots and lots of article posts. The content can also be quite random – as if it’s what someone felt like writing at the time, rather than being structured.

When to use it: Once you have your main list drawn up from the other sites listed here, it’s worth a quick scan for additional tips and insights.

Website : https://www.tripsavvy.com/

This global deals site specialises in providing exclusive offers and one-of-a-kind experiences to its 30 million members worldwide (membership is free). They partner with over 5,000 travel suppliers to source cut-price inventory.

When to use it: Sign up for their newsletter, then sit back and let the deals roll in. If you’re price-conscious, or just love a deal, then use their offers to decide on where to go and what to do next. Works best if you’re flexible on dates – most deals will be for when demand is lower i.e. in winter and/or outside of school holidays.

Website : https://www.travelzoo.com

1.3 What to do when you get there: attractions

Now you’ve decided on a destination, what should you do there? What are the top attractions, the must-see-and-dos, and the ‘bucket list experiences not to be missed?

How to use it: Navigate to the destination guide webpage. Our expert writes not only curates the top travel experiences – attractions, activities, tours & events – for you, but also further splits them as either ‘bucket list’ i.e. the not-to-be-missed, or ‘other’ experiences – nice to know about, but only for if you have time/interest.

Also, be sure to scroll through the destination page photo gallery for a pictorial summary.

Google Travel

Concept: Google’s travel planning platform offers a range of tools to help users plan their trips. It includes Google Flights (see later), a hotel aggregator and holiday rentals

For deciding what to do when you go somewhere, type your destination into the search, then click on the ‘Things to do’ side icon for full listings. It tries to list in order of priority/popularity, which mostly works, though it is an auto-generated list. The written descriptions come from Wikipedia, so it lacks that human expertise and it all feels a bit soulless (to me anyway). The interface however is easy to use, and you can add favourites to a trip list.

How to use it: After you’ve been to Bucket List Travels for the curated, expert list, if you feel you need more in your itinerary, and/or you’re worried we may have missed something, then use Google Travel to check the full comprehensive listings and see if there is anything else you want to do.

Website : https://www.google.com/travel/

Lonely Planet

Concept: The original ‘guidebook’ company, they have destination guides for pretty much every place on the planet. Their expert writers, who must specialise in the destination, provide comprehensive listings and recommendations for sightseeing, accommodation and food & drink, plus very detailed logistical and practical information.

How to use it: They’re comprehensive, not curated. They include a lot of minor attractions that the majority of travellers would not want to bother with, and there’s not a lot of imagery, just text. I use them as a cross-check once I have outlined what you want to do. It’s too detailed/comprehensive for researching and planning – unless you’ve got days to spare. Handy to take the book with you, though, for the in-depth local tips when you’re there.

Honourable mentions: all of the guidebooks are broadly similar. Also try Rough Guides , Fodor’s , Frommers’ , Rick Steves (Europe only) and DK Eyewitness .

Website : https://www.lonelyplanet.com/

Tourism Associations

Concept: A local government body, tasked with promoting tourism to the destination, that will provide comprehensive information, advice and recommendations for visitors to both attract and facilitate their visit. Being the local specialist, they should know better than anyone what to see & do, and they often include many smaller, high quality attractions and tours that others will miss. However, the quality of websites is highly variable (best in the most developed, richer nations as you’d expect), and they have to be impartial so there is no curation and little opinion.

How to use it: A great resource when it’s done well. If you’re going to a developed nation, I would say they are a must-visit. Use them to start drafting up your list.

Concept: A video-sharing website where users can upload, share, and view videos on a variety of topics. It attracts billions of monthly active users. There’s a digital tonne of travel content on there, covering every aspect – from destination recommendations to videos on how to book flights.

When to use it: if you’re a visual person, YouTube is a great resource for travel inspiration. It’s jammed packed these days with ‘What to see in X’, with video and image slideshows showing you the top sights. It tends to be top sights only, but a good place to start drawing up your shortlist. It’s also great for travel advice and tips.

Website : https://youtube.com

1.4 What to do when you get there: local experiences

‘Authentic’ experiences enable you to experience the real destination, to experience its culture, to meet its people, and to live like a local. Indeed, many travellers prefer them to crowd-thronged, tourist-spoiled ‘big ticket’ attractions. Here are some resources I use to discover them in my chosen destination:

Air BnB experiences

Concept: This service allows individuals and small businesses to offer unique activities and tours to travellers in over 1,000 cities around the world. Experiences can range from food tours to pottery classes to wildlife safaris, and are designed and led by locals who have expertise in their field.

Pros: Coverage is extensive, and the experiences can be a more immersive and authentic way for travellers to connect with the local culture and community.

Cons: Some of the experiences listed I feel are more for locals than tourists, and it’s tours/classes, so not really attractions you visit like museums.

When to use it: If you’re a first-time visitor wanting to tick off the main attractions, use a site like Bucket List Travels first to find those out and make a preliminary list, then complement what they give you with these experiences to add some local flavour and insight to your itinerary.

Website : https://www.airbnb.com/experiences

Atlas Obscura

An online travel guide that features unique, offbeat and even bizarre travel experiences – be it unknown/obscure destinations or little-known experiences within well-known destinations. It also offers tours and experiences to some of the destinations featured on the website.

Pros: Once again, this is a site for those seeking off-the-beaten-track, authentic and unusual experiences.

Cons: It’s very niche, aimed at the truly intrepid traveller. If you’re a mainstream tourist, wanting to tick off the main sites, this is not the site for you.

When to use it: If you want to avoid the big tourist sites and experience something unique and different in a destination. If you’re a first-time visitor wanting to tick off the main attractions, use a site like Bucket List Travels first to find those out and make a preliminary list, then complement what they give you with the Atlas Obscura experiences to add some local flavour and insight to your itinerary.

Website : https://www.atlasobscura.com/

Spotted by Locals

Concept: A travel website/blog that provides insider city tips from locals. Each city ‘guide’ is curated by a team of handpicked city residents, featuring their favourite local spots for food, drinks, culture, and entertainment.

Pros: it’s a great source for finding those authentic local experiences, away from the tourist hoards.

Cons: Recommendations/articles are quite random in subject – and you have to scroll through pages and pages of blog posts. You can’t search or filter by interest for example. Coverage is also limited to only 80 cities.

When to use it: They also don’t cover the big-ticket attractions first-time visitors will want to see, so use this for filling gaps in your itinerary or for second visits once the big ones have been ticked off.

Website : https://www.spottedbylocals.com/

1.5 What to do when you get there: tickets & tours

Get Your Guide

Offers a very similar proposition to Viator (see below). GyG though is Europe-based, so it has much stronger tour options in Europe than the US-based Viator, which conversely has a better US inventory.

Website : https://www.getyourguide.com/

Concept: An online tour ‘aggregator’ combines and lists multi-day organised tours, both small and large group, from all the leading tour operator brands like Intrepid , G Adventures and Exodus. They are to guided tours what Booking.com is to hotels. Search is by destination, so you need to know where you want to go first.

Pros: Listings are comprehensive and up to date, giving you a window on all of the options available that you can search and filter to your specific need.

Cons: Always beware the pricing on aggregators. Operators have learned to use low pricing to get you to click through to them, then load that up with expensive extras and upgrades once you are on their site (or they lie about the price in the first place).

When to use: If you want to go on a guided tour, this is a great place to start. It will tell you who the best tour operators are, what are your tour options, and the prices.

Website : https://www.tourradar.com/

Concept: A ‘tour aggregator’ offers a wide range of tours and experiences in destinations worldwide, through local third-party tour operators. (Think of them as the Booking.com or Expedia of tours). Tours can be anything from 1-hour walking tours to 10-day organised tours. A US-based company (owned by TripAdvisor), it’s much more comprehensive in the US than in Europe.

Pros: They partner with the best local tour operators, so the tour quality is good, and you have someone to complain to if things go awry. The site search allows you to sort through the extensive catalogue quickly.

When to use it: Work out where you want to go, and get a feel for the top attractions, somewhere else, then come to Viator to book tickets and tours.

Website : https://www.viator.com/

1.6 Draft an outline itinerary

Now you know what you want to see & do in your destination, work out a rough day-by-day itinerary to ensure you get to do everything you want to do, with minimal travelling around.

Concept: see listing above.

How to use it: For most destination guides (where it makes sense to do so), our writers have set out simple itineraries of what to do and where to go on each day of a trip. For cities, they are usually 3- and 5-day itineraries (the 5-day version has the same first 3 days, then two additional days on top). They link all of the top attractions together in the most logistically convenient way, minimising travel, and including recommendations for lunch and dinner while you’re there.

Rick Steves Europe

Rick Steves is a travel guidebook author and television personality who specialises in European travel. His guidebooks offer practical advice and recommendations for budget travel, including tips on accommodations, dining, and sightseeing. His approach emphasises cultural immersion and connecting with locals, and his guides often include suggested walking tours and off-the-beaten-path destinations.

Pros: Rick’s guidebooks offer much more in-depth expertise than the others for Europe, with high-quality, well-researched recommendations based on experts with years of experience. The website has great travel forums for asking fellow travellers questions.

How to use it: It’s not a site for researching where to go and what to do. It’s better once you know where you want to go, and really want to drill into the fine detail. However, like Bucket List Travels , the site does have helpful itineraries that set out where to go and what to do day-to-day.

Website : https://www.ricksteves.com/

1.7 Specialist travel

Cruise Critic

The world’s leading online cruise review website and community provides comprehensive reviews, ratings and forums to help you assess cruise vacations. It’s the TripAdvisor of cruises (and not surprisingly, it’s owned by them), so just like with TripAdvisor, don’t believe everything you read.

When to use: We would personally recommend finding recommendations elsewhere e.g. from cruise travel journalists writing for newspapers, magazines or even Bucket List Travels. Then come to this site to check out the reviews of your shortlist.

Website : https://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/

Euan’s Guide

Set up by wheelchair user Euan MacDonald MBE, this disabled access review website is the go-to tool for many disabled people wanting to travel in the UK and beyond. It shares accessibility information for venues and the experiences/reviews of other disabled users.

Pros: Helps to solve some of the challenges disabled people face, and gives them the confidence to travel.

Cons: the coverage is mainly UK and Europe, but thankfully is widening to the rest of the world at a pace.

Website : https://www.euansguide.com

We Love 2 Ski

This excellent online resource provides skiers and snowboarders with up-to-date and comprehensive information on ski resorts, conditions, accommodation, equipment, and more. The website features detailed reviews, insider tips, and expert advice on everything related to skiing, as well as an active forum for the ski community to share their experiences and knowledge.

It’s managed by 3 ski experts, with a wealth of expertise between them and who really know their stuff and take pride in keeping the information up-to-date. It’s one of those more genuine sites that care about their advice and is not trying to constantly do the hard sell.

When to use: if you want to go skiing, start here. If you’ve already found somewhere to go or stay, be sure to check what they say about it here before you go.

Website : https://welove2ski.com/

Getting there & around

2.1 flights.

Concept: a flight deal finder service that sends you price and deal alerts on flights. You enter your preferred departure airport and they send you notifications of great deals, and price movements. Tickets are discounted 40-90%, for flights 2-6 months out in Economy, Business and First classes.

How to use it: If you’ve got flexible travel dates, or have a bucket list destination in mind. Sign up and wait for a deal.

Website : https://www.going.com/

Google’s Flights is a flight aggregator that allows you to find and compare flights. It enables you to find the airlines that fly between your destinations, and available flight times.

Prices and availability are updated in real-time, and you can sign up for price alerts. The pricing can sometimes be inaccurate, however, and when you click through, it’s usually for a basic fare without any luggage.

When to use it: Start your flight search here. You may have to add in the extras, then compare prices, or you may not get the cheapest option.

Honourable mentions: Skyscanner and Kayak offer similar services. In my experience, they pretty much have the same inventory. It really comes down to which interface you prefer.

Hopper is one of the US’s most successful travel apps, selling over $4.5B of travel each year. It helps you find the best deals on flights, hotels, home rentals, and car hire by analysing trillions of data points to predict when prices will rise or fall. When you set your dates, you see a helpful calendar showing when prices are highest and lowest, and you can sign up for price alerts.

Their second big USP is their ‘price freeze’ option, where you pay a small fee (5%-15% of the price) to freeze the price for a limited duration (options range up to 3 weeks). If the price goes up, you pay no more; if it goes down, you pay the lower price (like insurance). They also offer Flight Disruption and Cancel for Any Reason Guarantees.

Pros: Simple to use, the most accurate predictor of prices, really helps you get the best deal (if your dates are flexible). The insurance options have been a godsend to many in the recent years of travel disruption and inflating prices. Unlike other flight aggregators like Kayak or Skyscanner they show the different airline fare options within the app, so you don’t get caught by the artificially low basic fare enticing you to click through (see Skyscanner summary).

Cons: None that we can see! It really is an excellent service.

When to use it: Once you know where you want to go, come to the site to get the best deal on flights, car hire and accommodation. Simple as that.

It works best if you’re dates are flexible, so you can pick the cheapest travel dates, and/or if you have time before you book – take out the freeze option and you can be assured that the price will only come down, or sign up for the price alert.

Website : https://hopper.com/

Concept: This flight aggregator, owned by Chinese-backed Trip.com and based in Edinburgh, does the same thing as Google Flights. . It enables you to find the airlines that fly between your destinations, and available flight times.

Prices and availability are updated in real-time, and you can sign up for price alerts.

When to use it: I’ve not found much difference in pricing to Google Flights, though I much prefer Skyscanner’s user interface. It really comes down to personal choice.

Honourable mentions: US-based Kayak , originating in the US, offers a similar service to Skyscanner.

Website : https://www.skyscanner.net/

The Points Guy

If you’re someone that loves to save on travel using reward points, check out this advisory site by Brian Kelly. As he puts it, it’s ‘your go-to source for all things travel, points, miles, credit cards and more’. His advice covers both where best to earn points, and how best to spend them. There’s both a US and a UK website , with custom advice based on where you reside.

He gives up-to-date advice and tips in this ever-changing, evolving space that cuts through all of the confusion, and helps you find the best deals in the market, and explains how to take advantage of them.

How to use it: Visit here first if you’ve got points to burn, or will have and want to know the best scheme to sign up for.

Website : https://thepointsguy.com/

2.2 Car hire & taxis

Rentalcars.com

A global car rental booking platform that provides customers with access to over 60,000 rental locations in more than 160 countries worldwide. The site enables you to compare prices and features from a wide range of rental companies. Customers can also benefit from 24/7 support and free cancellation on most bookings.

I’ve regularly rented cars via them, and never found a cheaper deal. The customer service and support are also very good. There’s not really a reason to start looking anywhere else.

Website : https://www.rentalcars.com/

It doesn’t really need any introduction… but just for completeness. Founded in 2009, Uber is a ride-hailing service that connects riders with drivers in most major cities around the world. Through the app, you can request and pay for rides, track your driver’s location, and rate the experience.

Uber’s meteoric rise to a global brand can be attributed to solving several customer issues with then-taxi firms: they would find you a ride tell you how long it would take to arrive, how much the fare would be upfront, and sort payment automatically through your account, thus avoiding the need to have enough cash on you.

Other leading ride-sharing apps include Lyft (US and Canada) and Cabify (Spain & Latin America).

2.3 Rail, Bus & Ferry

Concept: Omio is a comprehensive travel search and booking platform that helps users find and book the best deals on trains, buses, and flights across Europe. The website offers a user-friendly interface, with real-time price comparisons and flexible search options to suit individual needs and preferences.

When to use: It’s a great tool for planning and booking multi-modal trips.

Website : https://www.omio.co.uk/

Rail Europe

Concept: Rail Europe is a one-stop-shop for planning and booking train travel in 33 European countries. The website offers a wide range of tickets, passes, and packages for different destinations and budgets, as well as information on train schedules, routes, and stations. Note, they don’t cover local trams and metros, it’s intercity trains only (that includes Eurostar). Enter the destinations you want to go to and they’ll recommend the best value ticket/pass.

For multiple trips, you’ll likely be recommended a Eurail pass. This brilliant invention allows you to travel on over 30 European railway operators and some ferries too. Kids under 11 travel free with an adult.

Website : https://www.raileurope.com/

2.4 Route planning

Google Maps

Who hasn’t used google Maps? And for good reason. Its coverage is comprehensive, it’s simple to use, and it’s is invaluable when you’re trying to figure out how to get from A to B in an unfamiliar place. It shows travel times and distances in multiple transport modes: on foot, bike, by available public transport and by car.

How to use it: use it to help plan upfront your transportation from point to point in your itinerary.

Website : https://www.google.com/maps

Hands down the best service for planning and booking journeys within and between countries. It combines and compares transport options from over 5,000 transportation providers across 160 countries, then recommends the cheapest, fastest, and most convenient routes for different modes of transportation including flights, trains, buses, and car rentals. The website also provides comprehensive travel information. It will quote prices, distances, times, mileage, route numbers, and which companies to book.

Their slogan is “Discover how to get anywhere by plane, train, bus, ferry & car – and it does exactly what is says on the tin.

Website : https://www.rome2rio.com/

Where to stay

3.1 'best' hotels - curated selections.

Whatever you go, there are always thousands of hotel options. These sites do the research work for you and use experts to curate a list of the best, based on location, quality and quality.

How to use it: For all the destinations we cover, we provide you with a curated list of the best hotels – for all budgets, from the mainstream to the unusual.

The selections are made by our writers, who must not only be leading travel journalists, but also specialise in that destination (either living there or visiting frequently). The writers have at least inspected and usually stayed in the properties they recommend.

Conde Nast Traveller

Similar to Travel & Leisure above, this high-end, luxury global travel magazine covers a range of topics including hotels and resorts, airlines, cruises, food and drink, and various travel destinations around the world.

When to use it: They do great round-ups of the ‘best’ hotels to stay in a destination – but obviously at the top end. If you’re not that price sensitive, start with their shortlist.

Honourable mention: Travel & Leisure, their great rival, also does destination hotel round-ups.

Website : https://www.cntraveller.com/

In my view, it’s the best ‘guidebook’ website for researching and planning a trip online – once you know where you want to go. They simply and helpfully list out a reasonably long short list of things to see & do and places to stay, and rate them each from 1-3, depending on how good they are.

However, like all the guidebooks online, coverage is comprehensive at times, requiring a lot of time and effort to research through it. The website is also swamped with banner ads that are off-putting and annoying.

How to use it: A good place to start your hotel search. They generally do select good options, though it’s more aimed at budget travellers.

Website : https://www.frommers.com/

The Telegraph (Travel)

This long-standing British newspaper does a fine job of curating and rating (out of 10) the best hotels in destinations around the world, for all budgets. The reviews tell you what you want to know – style, location, key amenities – without being overwhelming.

As for Bucket List Travels , selections and reviews are written by top travel writers who have inspected and usually stayed in the property. The number of hotels they recommend is a lot more than Bucket List Travels – and includes ones we certainly wouldn’t include – but it does give you a longer list to start with.

When to use it: if you care about where you stay, and really want one of the best places, this is a great place to start your start for somewhere to stay.

Website : https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/

TripAdvisor

The original hotel review site, it has since expanded to become the global platform for reviews (and information) on hotels, restaurants, attractions, and other travel-related businesses. It also offers a variety of travel-related content and resources, including travel guides and forums.

Over the years it has, sadly become increasingly corrupted with fake reviews, but they can’t fake all of them and as long as there are at least several hundred reviews, the score should be reasonably reflective.

When to use it: I personally like to start drawing up a shortlist of places to stay on other sites listed here, then do a quick check of the reviews of each on TripAdvisor. I also filter to see only the negative comments, then look at 1) how recent they are 2) if it is a one-off complaint i.e. someone had a refund request refused and 3) if it is something that can and probably has been fixed e.g. a rude receptionist. Small room sizes, traffic noise from road proximity, and so on – these issues are not easily fixed.

Website : https://www.tripadvisor.com

3.2 Boutique hotel collections

If it’s a boutique hotel you’re after, try one of these specialist sites. They only list high-quality properties that meet their individual criteria.

Design Hotels

As the name suggests, this website offers a curated selection of over 300 independently owned and operated hotels and resorts around the world, each chosen for its unique design and aesthetic. The site emphasizes design and architecture and offers a range of luxury and boutique properties.

Pros: It’s a brilliant resource for finding unique and interesting stays, especially with modern and/or minimalist interiors.

Cons: if you’re not that worried about hotel design, then it doesn’t offer a lot of value other than a list of interesting hotels.

When to use: if you’re interested in design, and prioritise that in your accommodation, then this is a great resource. If it’s not that important, you’re better off elsewhere with a greater selection and better prices.

Website : https://www.designhotels.com/

This boutique hotel booking website offers a carefully curated selection of stylish, unique and independently-run hotels and vacation rentals around the world. They offer in-depth reviews of each property, personalised recommendations, and a friendly, 24/7 booking service.

Pros: The curated selection of unique and stylish properties is exceptional and of a consistently high quality that you can rely on. Each property has been personally inspected by staff. The reviews, from both customers and staff, are honest and in-depth and tell you who it is and isn’t for, rather than pretend everyone’s going to love it.

Cons: There’s a limited number of properties in many destinations, and it is property, not destination, led – meaning is easier to find the place, then decide on the destination rather than the reverse (which may suit).

When to use: if their style of property i.e. unique, high quality, small and independent, is what you like/are looking for, there’s no better resource to use. If they don’t have something in your preferred destination, then look elsewhere, but check first.

Honourable mention: Sawdays offers a similar service, but they’re UK & Europe only.

Website : https://www.i-escape.com/

Mr & Mrs Smith

This first-rate, UK-based hotel booking website curates handpicked, boutique hotels around the world, each personally inspected to meet their high standards of facilities, service and location. The website has in-depth reviews of each property, with insider tips like what are the best rooms to book, without being overwhelming.

There are also exclusive benefits for members like gifts on arrival, or late checkouts, and a 24/7 booking service.

Pros: The standard of hotels is consistently high, so much so that the brand has become a trusted stamp of quality. The booking service and post-sales support is efficient yet very personable, and hotel staff genuinely care about ‘Smith’ customers so you feel very welcome when you arrive.

Cons: They have limited or no options in many destinations. They also can’t match the benefits of the OTA reward schemes like Booking.com .

When to use: The site is great if this is your style of hotel, and you want to be looked after at every step. Limited coverage is only an issue if you are dead set on a destination. If you’re not really that bothered where you go, or at least are open to suggestions, check this excellent site first.

Website : https://www.mrandmrssmith.com/

Secret Escapes

A members-only hotel booking website that offers exclusive deals and discounts on luxury hotels and vacations around the world. The site negotiates special rates with hotels and resorts, available to their members only.

Pros: There some great deals and genuine exclusive discounts to be had, though max discount tends to be 30% (and average of 15%-20%), but still not to be sniffed at. They also do a good job of curation, so you know you’re getting a decent hotel.

Cons: You still need to compare prices to other sites like Booking.com and the hotel’s own website, as there are lots of sneaky tricks and breaking of agreements that going on behind the scenes and you never really know where the best deal is until you check.

When to use: if you know where you want to go, it’s well worth checking in for a deal.

Website : https://www.secretescapes.com/

Small Luxury Hotels of the World

This website has personally visited, verified and vetted every single one of its 520 hotels in more than 90 countries. The criteria for inclusions I small (<50 rooms, non-chain and offering the highest standards of luxury and service.

Pros: it’s an exceptional collection of outstanding hotels, and the brand guarantees a high-quality, luxury stay. Members get 10% off and extra (tiered) benefits like upgrades and late checkouts. Hotels welcome their members with open arms, as they usually spend well, and SMH look after their customers.

Cons: things this good come with a price tag. Many hotels are out of reach of most travellers’ budgets.

When to use: if you’re a discerning, occasionally demanding, traveller, that specifically wants a smaller hotel, this is a great place to start your search. Check other websites though for better prices – even with the 10% off – but if you’re not that price sensitive, it’s nice to book with someone who cares, as opposed to a hotel production line like Booking.com.

Website : https://slh.com/

Tablet Hotels

This New York-based brand, founded in 2000 and well-known across the US, has curated over 3,500 boutique & luxury properties around the world. In 2018, it was purchased by and merged with Michelin.

Similar to Mr & Mrs Smith, they curate a selection based on criteria, offer a full booking service, and exclusive benefits for ‘Tablet Plus’ members like VIP upgrades and free valet parking.

Pros: the curated selection guarantees a measure of quality, and some of the VIP benefits are really nice ones to have and make you feel a bit special.

Cons: You inevitably will pay more than on other sites, and sometimes they overpromise and underdeliver on the VIP experience – much depends on the attitude of the hotel. The criteria for selection is much broader than a Mr & Mrs Smith, so you’re not getting that real consistency of accommodation, and the personal relationship that Smith has with its properties.

When to use: If you want to feel like a VIP and value those benefits over saving a few pennies or cents, then they are worth a look.

Website : https://www.tablethotels.com/

3.3 Home rentals & stays

Launched in 2008 and needing no introduction, this global accommodation powerhouse forever altered the holiday market. Now with more than 300,000 listings in over 190 countries, it has expanded from its original core offering of ‘spare rooms to rent’ to include apartments, treehouses, villas – whatever you can stay in, it’s likely to be on AirBnB.

Pros: the sheer number of options and global coverage means you’re highly likely to find something you want. The site is simple and easy to use, with lots of photographs, user reviews and star ratings.

Cons: The product and website is great, but they don’t really care about customers, and customer service if something goes wrong can be challenging to find.

When to use: whenever you’re looking for something other than a hotel, and/or something more authentic or with a local feel. It’s especially good for families and groups wanting to stay together in one place.

Website : https://www.airbnb.com

Couchsurfing

This global hospitality exchange enables you to stay with a host for free for a few nights – be it sofa or, if you’re lucky, a bed. You simply create a profile, search for hosts, and request to stay with them. Surprisingly, perhaps, it works, and over the years the site has built a loyal following and a strong community of ‘couchsurfers’ who help and support each other, and even organise events around the world.

When to use it: When budget is tight and you just really want somewhere to crash, and/or you’re looking to connect with other travellers and the local community.

Website : https://www.couchsurfing.com/

This upscale holiday home and apartment rental specialist has a large catalogue of privately-owned places to stay, which you can filter by key criteria like price, location, number of bedrooms etc. Each listing is vetted by their team to ensure it meet minimum standards. It’s owned by the Expedia Group.

The quality of homes for rent is exceptional and varied, from lake houses to treehouses, and the search and filtering makes it quick and simple to find something that suits. Customer service is good, much better than AirBnB for example.

Website : https://www.vrbo.com/

Villas of Distinction

Villas of Distinction is a luxury villa rental company that offers an extensive portfolio of properties in over 50 destinations worldwide. They provide personalized service to help clients select the perfect villa for their vacation, and offer a range of amenities such as private pools, chefs, and concierge services to enhance the guest experience.

When to use it: When you’re looking for an independent, self-catering stay in an uber-luxurious villa. It’s top-end, with a price tag to match.

Honourable mention: One Fine Stay offers a similar service.

Website : https://www.villasofdistinction.com/

3.4 Campsites & Hostels

HostelWorld

The hostel specialist is the go-to place for booking budget accommodation in over 170 countries – both dormitory beds and private rooms. The website and mobile app allow you to browse and book from a wide range of hostels, hotels, and guesthouses, with a focus on affordable and social options. There are also offers travel guides, reviews, and a loyalty program for frequent users.

Pros: The UX is really smooth, the inventory (number of options) is much is larger than on the major hotel search engines (OTAs), and it does a much better job of setting out dormitory bed pricing and deal options. There are a number of ‘community’ features that encourage you to connect with fellow travellers.

When to use it: If you’re on a budget or want to meet people when you’re travelling, start here with your accommodation search.

Website : https://www.hostelworld.com/

If you’re looking for something off-grid, preferably unique and unusual – but don’t want to compromise too much on luxury, this website is for you. It’s a directory of for luxury campsites and stays, with various accommodation options ranging from tents to tipis, log cabins to vintage caravans. Coverage is mainly Europe & UK, though they have plans to expand beyond.

Website : https://campaglam.com/

3.5 Price comparison

Concept: This Expedia-owned hotel search engine allows you to compare prices from various booking sites for over 1.8 million hotels in more than 190 countries. You can search & filter to discover hotels matching your criteria, then each hotel listing shows the price of a room on the various OTA sites. The site also offers user reviews, ratings, and filters to help you decide.

For all aggregators, the prices are often inaccurate, and not the cheapest option when you click through. The OTAs (like Expedia, Booking.com) have learned over the years how to manipulate them to ensure their listing comes up first with the cheapest price.

When to use it: It’s a good place to start your hotel search, especially when you have specific requirements such that you can use the on-site filters to narrow down the options quickly. If you discover a hotel you want somewhere else, always come and check the prices here before booking.

Note – it doesn’t always include the hotel direct price (so make sure you check separately), and sometimes the prices are inaccurate when you click through.

Honourable mentions: HotelsCombined , owned by Booking.com and the main rival to Trivago, is known for having better deals as they search lesser-known booking sites (though that can come with risks). Both I suspect of bias, however, in pushing Booking.com and Expedia products. Skyscanner also now offers accommodation price comparison, and they have the advantage of being independent and unbiased of the leading OTAs. Kayak also offers price comparison – but they are owned by Booking.com too. I prefer Trvago above the rest purely because they also helpfully show you show the lowest price depending on the ‘deal’ type i.e. cancellable or non, including breakfast etc. which obviously makes a big difference to the ‘cheapest’ price.

Website : https://www.trivago.com

3.6 Accommodation booking

Booking.com

The world’s largest accommodation online booking service that lists over 28 million hotels (and now rentals, B&Bs and hostels) from around the world. They offer a tiered loyalty program called ‘Genius’ The three levels offer 10%, 15%, and 20% discounts (respectively) on bookings at hundreds of thousands of participating locations. They also include priority customer service help, and free breakfast packages or room upgrades when possible.

Pros: The website is easy to use, with excellent filter options, and once you have created an account, you can book within a few clicks. Their inventory is phenomenal, with most hotels in the world signed up. The loyalty program is accessible and with great benefits.

Cons: The loyalty program only applies for a limited number of participating hotels, so you won’t always get the benefits. Hotel websites often still have a better deal, and some don’t release all of their room types to Booking.com so you can’t see these rooms.

Booking.com may also confusingly say ‘sold out’ when there are rooms available still on the hotel website. So always check the hotel website before booking.

When to use it: Start your accommodation search here, and then once you’ve narrowed down the options with the filters, check other sites and the hotel website for a better deal.

Honourable mention: Agoda is essentially a carbon copy of Booking.com – they are owned by the Bookings Holdings Group. Agoda has it’s roots in Asia, and is based in Singapore, so it has more comprehensive Asian content. If that’s where you’re going, it’s worth using.

Website : https://www.booking.com

Concept: same as for Booking.com, with a similar tiered loyalty program, though at time of writing, the tiered benefits are not lifetime like they are with Booking.com. You need to be a regular customer to benefit from the higher tiers – not the case with Booking.com.

Their famous loyalty program of stay 10 times, earn one free reward night – now the basic tier – requires you to book at least once every 12 months or your reward night expires.

Honourable mention: Expedia is essentially a carbon copy of Hotels.com. They’re owned by the same group, and effectively have the same hotel inventory and pricing. There are slight differences in the reward program – I think Hotels.com’s one is better, hence why they got the nudge.

Website : https://hotels.com

HotelTonight

Owned by AirBnB , this mobile app and website offers last-minute hotel rooms at discounted rates. Inventory ranges from budget to luxury, and you can use the filters to specify your location and preferences. There’s also a ‘Rate Drop’ feature that discounts same-day prices after 3pm.

When to use: if you need a last-minute room, it’s definitely worth checking for a deal. However, in my experience, their deals weren’t especially good compared to other standard booking sites – though the ‘Rate Drop’ does deliver discounts.

Website : https://www.hoteltonight.com/

Food, drink & entertainment

4.1 food & drink.

A food and dining news website that provides reviews, guides, and information on restaurants and food trends in various cities across the world. The site offers articles on topics such as dining culture, chefs, industry news, and more. They also feature videos and podcasts related to food and restaurants. The quality of content and recommendations is excellent, and they’ve regularly won awards to their food & wine journalism.

When to use it: Officially it only spans 23 US cities, and if that’s where you’re headed, it’s a good place to check. However, that’s for detailed coverage. For most cities, however, they have a round-up of ‘the best restaurants in X’, covering all price ranges. Just search for it on their site.

Website : https://eater.com

Foodie blogs

Local foodies blog about anything from food trucks to Michelin-starred restaurants. In any destination, especially cities, the food scene changes so fast that almost any corporate website will not keep up. Local foodies are out testing daily, and take pride in keeping their blogs up to date with the latest and greatest. They also cover the smaller, more niche places that only a local would know about.

There are too many to mention, but search for ‘food blogs in X’ by Googling (or Binging) and see who you can find.

When to use: When you want to discover some insider foodie experiences in a destination, and get some good restaurant tips that are not Michelin-starred.

Concept: Increasingly the go-to resource for vegan and vegetarian dining around the world, run by vegans, as the popularity of the movement continues to gather a welcome pace and momentum. The site is also becoming a thriving community hub, with active forums and listings of fellow vegans in local cities that you can message for tips.

When to use it: to discover the best vegan and vegetarian dining options in your destination, or to get tips/advice from the local community.

Website : https://www.happycow.net/

This stalwart former magazine is still the place to go in the digital era for local listings of ‘what’s on’. It provides comprehensive listings, information and reviews on cultural events, concerts, theatre performances, film screenings, and other entertainment in cities around the world.

When to use it: If you’re wanting to book in some entertainment on your trip, this is the best place to start looking.

Website : https://www.timeout.com/

Yelp is a platform that allows you to search for and review local businesses, including restaurants, bars, shops, and other services in 220 cities in 32 countries . It’s best known for restaurant reviews, however – some of the other business listings can be fairly light. As with all review sites, it suffers from fake reviews,  but the volume is sufficient to give you an overall sense of what’s worth a try.

How to use it: I use it to draft a short list of places to try, then cross-check that with other sources and/or my hotel if I’m staying in one. Concierges will give good restaurant tips, but in my experience, the options they give are limited.

Website : https://www.yelp.com

Before you go

Centre for Disease Control

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a national public health institute in the United States. The website provides comprehensive information and resources on health and safety topics, including infectious diseases, vaccines, travel health, environmental health, emergency preparedness, and more.

When to use it: before you go to a new destination, stop here to check any disease risks and vaccination requirements (you can search by country from the home page). It also has helpful advice for people with special health conditions , and/or doing specialist activities.

Website : https://www.cdc.gov/

5.2 What to take

This global online store is a specialist in all things travel accessories, with over 200 products covering everything from adapters, to travel pillows and luggage security.

How to use it: have a skim before you go. I always end up seeing/buying things I never even knew I needed!

Website : https://go.travel

Packing List Checklist App

A handy app to create packing checklists – a godsend for people like me who always forget their sunglasses. A plethora of packing list apps, I like and use this one before it’s simple, quick – and free. No upgrades needed.

You manually create your own list(s) – you can create multiple different ones, for different holiday types for example – then select from a list of a fairly comprehensive list of suggested items to start you off. Most of the time that will do it, though you can add your own if needed. When it comes to packing, you can tick things off as and when they’re in the case.

How to use it: Next time you get a few free moments, create a packing list. Add to it as and when things pop into your head. Tick them off when you pack.

Website : https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/packing-list-checklist/id1235121075

5.3 Travel planning

TripIt is another travel organising app that allows you to store all of your travel plans in one place. Users can forward their confirmation emails for flights, hotels, and rental cars to the app, which will then create a master itinerary for their trip. The app also provides real-time flight alerts, directions, and travel recommendations.

Website : https://www.tripit.com/web

Jun 3rd, 2024

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Compare flights from 100s of sites.

Big names, great deals, filter for what you want, track prices, more than flights, start your travel planning here, search flights , hotels & rental cars.

• Hi New York City Hostel $58+
• West Side Ymca $105+
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• Radio Hotel $159+
• Pod Times Square $167+
• The Gallivant Times Square $174+
• The Washington $175+
• OYO Times Square $179+
• Pod 39 $179+
• Paramount Times Square $192+
• Westgate New York Grand Central $200+
• DoubleTree by Hilton New York Downtown $203+
• DoubleTree by Hilton New York Times Square West $205+
• The Manhattan at Times Square Hotel $207+
• The New Yorker A Wyndham Hotel $210+
• Flight Fort Lauderdale - Newark (FLL - EWR) $33+
• Flight Atlanta - New York (ATL - LGA) $39+
• Flight Atlanta - Newark (ATL - EWR) $39+
• Flight Chicago - New York (ORD - LGA) $50+
• Flight Dallas - Newark (DFW - EWR) $55+
• Flight Miami - Newark (MIA - EWR) $56+
• Flight Dallas - New York (DFW - LGA) $60+
• Flight Fort Lauderdale - New York (FLL - LGA) $62+
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• Flight Los Angeles - New York (LAX - LGA) $146+
• Monumental Movieland Hotel $51+
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• Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Orlando Resort & Suites Intl Drive $68+
• Flight Atlanta - Orlando (ATL - MCO) $40+
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Fort Lauderdale

• Red Carpet Inn Airport Fort Lauderdale $66+
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• Flight Philadelphia - Fort Lauderdale (PHL - FLL) $34+
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• Flight Baltimore - Fort Lauderdale (BWI - FLL) $40+
• Green Tortoise Hostel Seattle $64+
• Coast Gateway Hotel $174+
• Travelodge by Wyndham Seattle By The Space Needle $177+
• Flight Los Angeles - Seattle (LAX - SEA) $61+
• Flight Phoenix - Seattle (PHX - SEA) $82+
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• Katriya Hotel & Towers $33+
• Flight Newark - Mumbai (EWR - BOM) $378+
• Flight New York - New Delhi (JFK - DEL) $399+
• Flight New York - Mumbai (JFK - BOM) $403+
• karaksa hotel Sapporo $33+
• Smile Hotel Premium Sapporo Susukino $39+
• Best Western Sapporo Odori Koen $44+
• Flight Los Angeles - Tokyo (LAX - NRT) $570+
• Flight San Francisco - Tokyo (SFO - NRT) $632+
• Flight New York - Tokyo (JFK - HND) $775+
• Kuhio Banyan Club $106+
• Royal Grove Waikiki $115+
• Ohia Waikiki Studio Suites $130+
• Flight Los Angeles - Honolulu (LAX - HNL) $186+
• Flight San Francisco - Honolulu (SFO - HNL) $209+
• Flight San Jose - Honolulu (SJC - HNL) $238+
• Super 8 by Wyndham Dallas Love Field Airport $51+
• Dallas Love Field Inn $52+
• Wyndham Garden Dallas North $60+
• Flight Miami - Dallas (MIA - DFW) $41+
• Flight Fort Lauderdale - Dallas (FLL - DFW) $50+
• Flight Atlanta - Dallas (ATL - DFW) $57+
• The STRAT Hotel, Casino & Tower $16+
• OYO Hotel And Casino Las Vegas $25+
• Harrah's Las Vegas Hotel & Casino $27+
• Silver Sevens Hotel & Casino $35+
• Flight Burbank - Las Vegas (BUR - LAS) $24+
• Flight Los Angeles - Las Vegas (LAX - LAS) $29+
• Flight Oakland - Las Vegas (OAK - LAS) $39+
• Flight Seattle - Las Vegas (SEA - LAS) $49+
• Freehand Chicago $46+
• Chicago Getaway Hostel $56+
• Travelodge by Wyndham Downtown Chicago $127+
• Flight Atlanta - Chicago (ATL - MDW) $37+
• Flight Boston - Chicago (BOS - ORD) $40+
• Flight Denver - Chicago (DEN - ORD) $48+

San Francisco

• Hi San Francisco Downtown Hostel $48+
• The Mosser $68+
• Axiom Hotel $125+
• Flight Ontario - San Francisco (ONT - SFO) $46+
• Flight San Diego - San Francisco (SAN - SFO) $53+
• Flight Los Angeles - San Francisco (LAX - SFO) $68+

Washington, D.C.

• Generator Hotel Washington DC $46+
• Days Inn by Wyndham Washington DC/Connecticut Avenue $101+
• Citizenm Washington DC Noma $132+
• Motto by Hilton Washington DC City Center $136+
• Citizenm Washington Dc Capitol $137+
• Henley Park Hotel $140+
• Omni Shoreham Hotel $143+
• Washington Plaza Hotel $144+
• Beacon Hotel & Corporate Quarters $150+
• Hyatt Place Washington DC/US Capitol $151+
• Morrison Clark Historic Inn $152+
• Georgetown Residences by Luxurban $158+
• Flight Atlanta - Baltimore (ATL - BWI) $51+
• Flight Boston - Baltimore (BOS - BWI) $61+
• Flight Dallas - Baltimore (DFW - BWI) $68+
• Flight Los Angeles - Baltimore (LAX - BWI) $86+
• Flight Houston - Baltimore (HOU - BWI) $87+
• Flight Houston - Baltimore (IAH - BWI) $87+
• Flight Chicago - Baltimore (ORD - BWI) $111+
• Flight Boston - Washington, D.C. (BOS - DCA) $133+
• Flight Boston - Washington, D.C. (BOS - IAD) $139+
• Flight Denver - Baltimore (DEN - BWI) $144+
• Flight New York - Washington, D.C. (LGA - DCA) $162+
• Flight Atlanta - Washington, D.C. (ATL - DCA) $169+
• Hotel Casa Mallorca $56+
• Wyndham Garden Cancun Downtown $69+
• Suites Malecon Cancun $80+
• Flight Dallas - Cancún (DFW - CUN) $182+
• Flight Fort Lauderdale - Cancún (FLL - CUN) $183+
• Flight Houston - Cancún (HOU - CUN) $192+

United States

• Flight Newark - Fort Lauderdale (EWR - FLL) $41+
• Flight Newark - Miami (EWR - MIA) $47+
• Flight Fort Lauderdale - Newark (FLL - EWR) $51+
• Tip Top Motel Cafe & Bakery $153+
• Kauai Palms Hotel $189+
• Kauai Inn $241+
• Flight Los Angeles - Hawaii (LAX - USHI) $186+
• Flight San Francisco - Hawaii (SFO - USHI) $191+
• Flight San Jose - Hawaii (SJC - USHI) $238+
• Stay Classy $56+
• Super 8 by Wyndham San Diego Hotel Circle $98+
• California Suites Hotel $100+
• Flight San Jose - San Diego (SJC - SAN) $40+
• Flight San Francisco - San Diego (SFO - SAN) $53+
• Flight Oakland - San Diego (OAK - SAN) $58+
• Shared Living Not A Hotel $32+
• Super 8 by Wyndham Phoenix West $49+
• HomeTowne Studios by Red Roof Phoenix - Black Canyon Highway $54+
• Flight Ontario - Phoenix (ONT - PHX) $48+
• Flight Dallas - Phoenix (DFW - PHX) $53+
• Flight Salt Lake City - Phoenix (SLC - PHX) $53+

Los Angeles

• Boutique Hostel $34+
• Freehand Los Angeles $48+
• City Center Hotel $100+
• Four Points by Sheraton Los Angeles International Airport $108+
• Rotex Western Inn $108+
• The Dixie Hollywood $124+
• USC Hotel $125+
• Flight Oakland - Los Angeles (OAK - LAX) $40+
• Flight San Jose - Los Angeles (SJC - LAX) $51+
• Flight San Francisco - Los Angeles (SFO - LAX) $53+
• Flight Seattle - Los Angeles (SEA - LAX) $55+
• Flight Portland - Los Angeles (PDX - LAX) $63+
• Flight Houston - Los Angeles (HOU - LAX) $73+
• Flight Houston - Los Angeles (IAH - LAX) $73+
• Selina Gold Dust $51+
• La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Miami Airport North $69+
• Motel 6 Miami. Fl $78+
• Miami Gardens Inn & Suites $79+
• La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Miami Airport East $83+
• Days Inn by Wyndham Miami International Airport $87+
• Holiday Inn Miami West - Airport Area $96+
• Holiday Inn Miami-Doral Area, An IHG Hotel $102+
• The Palms Inn & Suites $107+
• Staybridge Suites Miami International Airport $108+
• Holiday Inn Express & Suites Miami-Kendall $108+
• Flight Newark - Miami (EWR - MIA) $36+
• Flight Philadelphia - Miami (PHL - MIA) $38+
• Flight Baltimore - Miami (BWI - MIA) $40+
• Flight Detroit - Miami (DTW - MIA) $40+
• Flight Dallas - Miami (DFW - MIA) $50+
• Flight Atlanta - Miami (ATL - MIA) $51+
• Flight Chicago - Miami (ORD - MIA) $51+
• Flight Charlotte - Miami (CLT - MIA) $55+
• Flight New York - Miami (LGA - MIA) $59+
• Flight Boston - Miami (BOS - MIA) $62+
• Flight Raleigh - Miami (RDU - MIA) $68+
• Hometowne Studios by Red Roof Denver - Glendale/Cherry Creek $68+
• Super 8 by Wyndham Denver Stapleton $81+
• Baymont by Wyndham Denver International Airport $88+
• La Quinta Inn & Suites By Wyndham Denver Airport Dia $106+
• Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Denver Airport $106+
• Renu On Wazee $120+
• Renaissance Denver Central Park Hotel $126+
• Flight Houston - Denver (HOU - DEN) $53+
• Flight Houston - Denver (IAH - DEN) $53+
• Flight Chicago - Denver (ORD - DEN) $55+
• Flight Ontario - Denver (ONT - DEN) $55+
• Flight Baltimore - Denver (BWI - DEN) $61+
• Flight Minneapolis - Denver (MSP - DEN) $69+
• Flight Austin - Denver (AUS - DEN) $78+
• Hi Boston Hostel $66+
• Ramada by Wyndham Boston $151+
• The Revolution Hotel $170+
• Flight Chicago - Boston (ORD - BOS) $48+
• Flight Newark - Boston (EWR - BOS) $49+
• Flight Charlotte - Boston (CLT - BOS) $54+
• Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Atlanta Airport $63+
• La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Atlanta Airport North $97+
• Sonesta Atlanta Airport North $98+
• Flight Fort Lauderdale - Atlanta (FLL - ATL) $33+
• Flight New York - Atlanta (LGA - ATL) $40+
• Flight Newark - Atlanta (EWR - ATL) $40+
• Generator Madrid $25+
• Toc Hostel Madrid $33+
• C&h Aravaca Garden $39+
• Flight Newark - Barcelona (EWR - BCN) $261+
• Rodeway Inn Fairgrounds-Casino $66+
• Econo Lodge Airport at RJ Stadium $69+
• Tampa Inn Near Busch Gardens $70+
• Flight Newark - Florida (EWR - USFL) $36+
• Flight Baltimore - Florida (BWI - USFL) $40+
• Flight Philadelphia - Florida (PHL - USFL) $44+
• Flight Atlanta - Tampa (ATL - TPA) $44+
• Flight Raleigh - Tampa (RDU - TPA) $51+
• Flight Baltimore - Tampa (BWI - TPA) $57+

New Orleans

• Super 8 by Wyndham New Orleans $51+
• Maison Saint Charles by Hotel RL $87+
• Hampton Inn and Suites New Orleans Convention Center $91+
• Flight Fort Lauderdale - New Orleans (FLL - MSY) $39+
• Flight Dallas - New Orleans (DFW - MSY) $40+
• Flight Tampa - New Orleans (TPA - MSY) $40+

Frequently asked questions about KAYAK

How do i find travel deals on kayak.

Simply use one of our travel search engines to scan for prices gathered from hundreds of travel sites. KAYAK’s search results pages have loads of filter options to help you find deals, discover exactly what you’re looking for and make booking seamless. Plus, there’s no extra fee from KAYAK.

What makes KAYAK a great travel app?

On the KAYAK app for iOS and Android you’ll find all the great travel offers found on the website and much more. There are special mobile rates and app only deals that allow you to save even more money. Plus, you can get notifications straight to your phone letting you know when prices for your next trip have dropped. But the KAYAK app is much more than just a travel app. Use the Trips function to manage your travel itinerary and get up to date status alerts on flights, check-in changes and to store your boarding pass. Even if you’re in the middle of nowhere on your travels, you can still access your travel notes via Trips, as no internet connection is required.

How can I use KAYAK to manage my travel bookings?

KAYAK Trips creates a travel itinerary for you that will give you flight status alerts, can be shared with friends and more. Simply forward your booking confirmations to [email protected] or use the KAYAK app and sync your email account to keep all your travel plans organized in one app, even if you didn’t book with KAYAK. You can share your holiday plans with friends and family and also check out your travel stats for past vacations, like how far you’ve traveled, your most popular cities and how many times you’ve traveled around the world. Even if you don’t have signal, don’t worry, as you can access Trips to check out your itineraries whilst on the road. Your data is safe and secure with us and you won’t have to re-enter credit card info when booking future trips. If you want to make changes or cancel bookings, then you should contact the travel provider, which is provided on the booking confirmation.

What are KAYAK Price Alerts?

Instead of manually checking back in on the price of your next flight or stay, let KAYAK do the hard work for you with KAYAK Price Alerts. Once you’ve saved your search, our data will determine how the price will rise or fluctuate over the coming days. You’ll then get a push notification letting you know when’s the perfect time to book.

Search flights , hotels , rental cars , travel guides and more with KAYAK. KAYAK searches hundreds of other travel sites at once to get you the information you need to make the right decisions.

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The 8 Best Travel Package Sites for Booking a Cheap Vacation

Sarah Schlichter

Deputy Executive Editor Sarah Schlichter's idea of a perfect trip includes spotting exotic animals, hiking through pristine landscapes, exploring new neighborhoods on foot, and soaking up as much art as she can. She often attempts to recreate recipes from her international travels after she gets home (which has twice resulted in accidental kitchen fires—no humans or animals were harmed).

Sarah joined the SmarterTravel team in 2017 after more than a decade at the helm of IndependentTraveler.com. Sarah's practical travel advice has been featured in dozens of news outlets including the New York Times, the Chicago Tribune, USA Today, Budget Travel, and Peter Greenberg Worldwide Radio. Follow her on Twitter @TravelEditor .

The Handy Item I Always Pack: "A journal. Even years later, reading my notes from a trip can bring back incredibly vivid memories."

Ultimate Bucket List Experience: "Road tripping and hiking through the rugged mountains of Patagonia."

Travel Motto: "'To awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world.'—Freya Stark"

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat: "Aisle. I get restless on long flights and like to be able to move around without disturbing anyone else."

Email Sarah at [email protected] .

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Booking a flight, hotel, and rental car together doesn’t just save you time—it can often save you money, too. But before you make such a significant purchase, it’s important to find the best travel package sites for booking your vacation.

I tested more than a dozen vacation package sites to see which ones had the lowest prices and best user experience. I discovered that many of the best vacation package websites allow you to book any combination of flight, hotel, and rental car, while others are more limited (flight + hotel is often the default). Fortunately, some sites will let you add a car onto a hotel+flight package, even if a car isn’t listed on the initial booking page.

It’s also important to compare the price of a vacation booked as a bundle to that same trip booked a la carte as separate components. Booking a package isn’t always cheaper, and sometimes you’ll get  better flight options to choose from if you search for your airfare separately. In some searches, I discovered that the flight options included by default with my vacation package had ridiculously long layovers or undesirable departure times (4:30 a.m., anyone?).

The Best Car Rental Booking Sites

Keep a sharp eye out for resort fees; many of the best vacation booking sites don’t count them in their initial per-person price estimate because they’re collected separately by the hotel, but they can drive up the final cost of your trip. Similarly, optional airline baggage fees can also increase your total bill, especially if you book a flight in basic economy, and some vacation package sites don’t disclose these fees as clearly as others.

Finally, it’s important to know that many of the best sites for vacation packages are owned by the same parent company, so you’ll often find similar inventory and prices from one to the next. Knowing which sites are mostly interchangeable can save you some research time.

The Best Travel Package Sites

We put them to the test to compare prices, inclusions, and more. The following are the best websites to book vacations, listed in no particular order. Scroll down for more in-depth analysis of each one.

• Expedia’s sister sites: Travelocity , Orbitz , and CheapTickets

CheapCaribbean.com

Funjet vacations.

This well-known site is one of the best travel package sites for a reason. Expedia offers a full complement of bundle options (flight/hotel, flight/car, hotel/car, and flight/hotel/car) as well as trips to just about every corner of the globe. It’s reliable when it comes to pricing, too: Expedia offered the lowest price in two of my five tests, and was cheaper than average in all but one test booking.

That said, the amount the site said I was saving on a given package didn’t always match up to the actual price difference when I added up the cost of the trip’s individual elements. In one of my test cases, it was actually cheaper to book my flight, hotel, and car separately. So take those supposed savings with a grain of salt (or even better, price out the components separately on your own to be sure you’re getting the best deal).

Expedia has plenty of useful filters to help you find what you need. You can sort hotels by price, distance from a city’s downtown, guest rating, package discount, and property class, while flight options can be filtered by general departure and arrival times (for example, morning vs. evening), airline, whether carry-on bags are included, and more. You can also sort flight options by duration (longest or shortest), price (highest or lowest), departure time (earliest or latest), and arrival time (earliest or latest). There’s also a map view so you can check out the location of each hotel.

Best Feature: The breadth of choice and consistency of pricing make Expedia perhaps the best site for vacation packages. You may not always get the absolute lowest price here, but chances are you’ll pay a fair rate and have plenty of options to choose from.

Check out Expedia

How Far in Advance Should You Book a Vacation Home?

Expedia’s Sister Sites: Travelocity, Orbitz, and CheapTickets

Many travelers don’t realize that Travelocity , Orbitz , and CheapTickets are all owned by Expedia Group, and typically have very similar inventory and pricing to Expedia. Each of these sites has similar layouts and filter options, too. Like Expedia, these three sites offer every possible vacation package combination involving a flight, hotel, and/or rental car.

It was rare for any of these sites to beat out Expedia’s prices in my tests; in general, the rates were identical (especially on Travelocity, where I didn’t find any deviations from Expedia) or a little bit higher. However, Orbitz and CheapTickets did offer slightly cheaper packages on one flight/car itinerary.

Because the pricing is so similar, it’s probably not worth searching all three of these sites in addition to Expedia unless a difference of a few dollars will make or break your travel budget.

Best Feature: Travelocity, Orbitz, and CheapTickets offer a checkbox on their main booking page to specify “I only need accommodations for part of my trip”—a feature that allows user to select a subset of their trip dates and search for travel packages only within that period. This feature is also reflected on Expedia’s search page.

Note: Expedia Group also owns Hotwire , which I didn’t find quite as reliable as the other three in my tests. For one itinerary, a nonstop flight that the other sites offered was not available when booking a Hotwire package (though it was available when booking a separate flight on Hotwire), and the pricing on some searches was a little higher than on the other sites.

Check out Expedia’s sister sites below:

Like Expedia and its partners, Priceline also offers every possible combination of flight, hotel, and rental car. Its search results pages are easy to navigate, with plenty of filter and sort options, plus a map view for hotels. Priceline offers numerous hotel options in popular vacation destinations at every price point.

One quirk to prepare for: Priceline’s flight result page lists departure and return flights together as a pair rather than letting you choose each one separately. This cuts down on the number of screens you have to click through but could mean extra scrolling while you try to find the exact two flights you want. Not all flights that are available when booking airfare separately on Priceline seem to be accessible to those booking a package—so it’s worth checking both.

Priceline was in the middle of the pack as far as pricing was concerned. It won one of my tests but was the most expensive option in two others; overall, it offered cheaper-than-average prices 60 percent of the time. To help you save money, the site offers “Express Deals” for rental cars, an opaque option in which you don’t know which rental car brand you’ll get until after you’ve booked. If you’d rather choose which company you’re renting from, standard car rentals are also available.

Best feature: Once you’ve selected your flight and rental car preferences, the site will keep them the same as you click through alternate hotel possibilities—saving you the hassle of having to select them over and over again.

Check out Priceline

What Happens If You Don’t Turn Your Phone to Airplane Mode?

As its name suggests, CheapCaribbean.com has a more limited scope than other sites on this list, but it’s worth checking if you’re planning a trip to the Caribbean, where package trips such as honeymoons are particularly popular. The site turned up cheaper-than-average prices for both of my Caribbean tests.

CheapCaribbean.com is one of the best vacation websites for all-inclusive packages. Once you’ve entered your trip information, you can also filter your results by “adults only,” “children’s amenities,” and “luxury.” Each hotel-specific page includes a list of active promotions, on-site activities, and the property’s Tripadvisor Traveler Rating.

In some ways CheapCaribbean.com isn’t quite as sophisticated as other travel package sites. There’s no map available to compare locations of the listed hotel options. Also annoying: not being able to group Houston’s two airports into a single search, though you can select “all airports” for New York City and Washington, D.C. But the affordable deals are worth a few snags, as long as you’re only looking for a flight/hotel package—there’s no option to add a car or create any other package combinations, though you can add travel insurance and transfers, at least for the destinations I checked.

Best Feature: The “ Deals of Fortune ,” or bookings where you know the destination but not the exact resort until about a week before the trip. This is a fun feature for value-conscious travelers who aren’t set on a particular island or property.

Check out Cheapcaribbean.com

A popular meta-search site, Kayak saves travelers time by searching many of the best travel package sites with a single click. Unfortunately, you can’t specify which elements of your trip you’d like to bundle; it searches flight + hotel by default. You can add a car later on some of its partner sites, but if you’re looking for a flight/car package, you’ll have to go elsewhere.

Results list the cheapest available packages from sites such as Priceline (Kayak’s sister company), Expedia, and CheapCaribbean.com. There’s a map view available, and the results page shows both air- and hotel-related filters to make it easy to find nonstop flights, free breakfast, or a specific hotel.

I found that the prices listed on Kayak didn’t always match the price on the source site when I clicked over to find the deal—a fairly common problem with meta-search sites. But I also occasionally discovered that I got a different price after clicking from Kayak than I did when searching the same itinerary from the booking site’s home page. For example, a Las Vegas package was $819 per person on Priceline when I clicked over from Kayak, but just $783 when I booked the same package from the Priceline home page. Another test offered the opposite result, with the price being cheaper after clicking from Kayak than it was when booking directly on Priceline. The lesson: Test both options when using a meta-search site.

Best Feature: Being able to search some of the best vacation booking sites in a single place is a major time saver. Though Kayak doesn’t always find you the lowest possible price, it’s a good place to start your search and get an idea of what’s out there.

Check out Kayak

The Essential Caribbean Packing List

The Funjet home page gives you a single package option: flight/hotel. However, you can work around this by adding a rental car on at the end of a flight/hotel or individual flight booking. There are plenty of sort options for your results, including price, hotel name, rating, points of interest, and location.

One annoyance: Similarly to CheapCarribbean.com, there is no option to select “all airports” for certain cities like Houston or Chicago. And Funjet’s prices aren’t the most consistent, ranking as the cheapest in one test and the most expensive in another. Still, the site is worth comparing to others when booking your vacation.

Best Feature: Rather than making you scour the web for coupons, Funjet automatically applies any relevant promo codes to your search.

Note: If you’re headed to the Caribbean, Central or South America, Hawaii, or Mexico, try your search on Funjet’s sister site, Apple Vacations . The destinations it covers are more limited than Funjet’s, but I found that the prices were often a little better. CheapCaribbean.com is also owned by the same parent company, Apple Leisure Group.

Check out Funjet

Book Your Stay With SmarterTravel Hotels

If you’re ready to book your next adventure but don’t want to commit to a prepackaged bundle, you can still save big by booking your hotel stay with SmarterTravel Hotels.

All of the products featured in this story were hand-selected by our travel editors. Some of the links featured in this story are affiliate links, and SmarterTravel may collect a commission (at no cost to you) if you shop through them. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Follow Sarah Schlichter on Twitter @TravelEditor for more travel tips and inspiration.

You Might Also Like:

We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

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Tripadvisor Reviews

We have 6 reviews for Tripadvisor. The average overall ratings is 2.0 / 5 stars.

Overall Opinion: Once a valuable tool, TripAdvisor now steers users to commercial sites. While this benefits the company, the app no longer is of value to me. Now searching for a replacement that provides the original functionality of TripAdvisor.

Pros: Unfortunately it no longer provides the original features which made it so great

Cons: Going commercial had made this app no longer valuable to me

Overall Opinion: I used to use Tripadvisor as a way to evaluate hotels before booking a hotel, but lately have given up on sifting through endless commercial reviews, where the person has obviously not visited the hotel. Also there are no updates on premises which have closed, and their algorithm automatically discards your review if you try to alert travelers of the closure of a place. Now I only look at reviews which are average, or below, in rating. These tend to be the most useful, and give a realistic view of how a stay would be in a hotel. The flight comparison function is now useful however to see different alternative for routing.

Overall Opinion: TripAdvisor is terrible today,when they started they gave reviews and A lot of great local information and it was not as blatantly commercial. now days whenever you ask for a few it’s associated to a product that they are trying to sell I have little regard for TripAdvisor in the new configuration

Overall Opinion: 1 - Constantly trying to get me to login with a barrage of pop ups 2 - Hides properties it cannot sell a reservation at 3 - forces you to pick a date to check availability - just show the darn hotels 4 - The photos in full view mode is actually smaller than the regular display. wtff? Fire your user interface designer now

Cons: See above

Overall Opinion: I booked the Antelope Lower Canyon Tour through Tripadvisor on October 1st, 2021. I believe that I have selected October 3rd, 2021 as the date for the tour. Together with my family I drove down to the Ken's Tour site for 5 hours. And when I got there it turned out that the booking was actually for the next day - October 4th, 2021. The Ken's Tour manager Zack Welch offered me the full refund, because the reservation was made less than 72 hour ago. However, when he saw that I had booked through the third party, he said to talk to them. Tripadvisor forwarded the case to Viator and they said that they need the written consent by email from their supplier for the full refund. The Ken's Tour manager said that they will be looking for the email and will reply immediately. It turned out that they never received the email, because Tripadvisor's or Viator's supplier was not the Ken's Tour, but some other aggregator by the name Wannar Travel. So, in summary, Tripadvisor accepts payment online for the service they do not provide, Viator receives payment for the service they don't provide, Wannar Travel impose the policies for the service they don't provide and the tour operator that actually provides the service can't follow their own customer service agreements because booking has been done through a third party. The word of advise - you can use Tripadvisor for search, however, never pay through Tripadvisor but rather go directly to the actual service provider site and buy there. It will be cheaper and you'll receive better customer service.

Pros: Easy to search

Cons: Expensive, terrible customer service

Overall Opinion: Tripadvisor is the service many people turn to when they need a review of a hotel or restaurant. The company has become very popular since its inception in February 2000, and more than 300 million people use its services. Most of them use the Tripadvisor mobile app to post and read reviews. This company was one of the first to be built on the premise of user-generated content. People can join Tripadvisor and then contribute their own reviews of hotels, restaurants, and local attractions that they have visited. It has become, to some extent, a social media platform, but this is not the intention with which it was designed. The best manner of using the app is to search out reviews of places that one intends to visit. It can be helpful to see the opinions of others. Many reviews accessed by the app are very detailed. They describe things like cleanliness, customer service, and price. It is even common for reviewers to mention specific employees of a hotel or restaurant by name when they receive good or bad service. The app can also be used to make hotel reservations, but these are carried out by a third-party which has partnered with TripAdvisor to offer such services. Tripadvisor itself it not responsible for the rates that may be given when making such a reservation. The biggest drawback of the Tripadvisor app is its user-generated aspect. It can sometimes be difficult to sort through reviews and find one that is fair. There are too many reviews which devolve into the airing of personal grudges or gushing over good service. Unbiased reviews can be found, but they have to be sought out.

Pros: Free to download and use More than 300 million users Millions of reviews of hotels and restaurants in many parts of the world

Cons: Reviews are all user-generated Some reviews are little more than a proclamation of good or bad service

• Free to use
• Available for the Android and iOS platforms
• Make hotel reservations

Screenshots

Tripadvisor Videos

Here we explain what happens when a review is submitted to TripAdvisor, and the steps we take to ensure reviews are genuine and useful. For more information about how TripAdvisor moderates...

About This Article

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Expedia Competitors: 11 Of The World’s Largest Travel Sites

Expedia is a travel-related metasearch engine on which users can search and book accommodations, activities, cars, cruises, and flights.

The company, which is headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, was founded in 1996 by Rich Barton and Richard Bangs.

Expedia.com is part of the Expedia Group, which entails web properties such as Hotels.com, Vrbo, trivago, Hotwire, and more.

However, what many don’t know is that Expedia was launched as a sub-division of Seattle-based software giant Microsoft.

At the time, a young Rich Barton was working in Microsoft’s CD-ROM department where he created CDs for travel guides. He eventually transferred to Microsoft’s multimedia division where he would begin conceptualizing the idea for Expedia.

Every year, Microsoft employees would present promising product ideas to then-CEO and founder Bill Gates who immediately liked what he saw. Expedia would eventually be launched on Microsoft’s web portal MSN in October 1996.

Microsoft even bought a full-page ad on The Wallstreet Journal and promoted Expedia as the same reservation system that your travel agent would use. Three years later, after growing into one of the world’s biggest travel agencies, Expedia was spun out of Microsoft and went public on the Nasdaq stock exchange – the first company in the firm’s history to do so.

Berry Diller’s IAC, in 2003, acquired Expedia after investing $1.5 billion into the business two years earlier. Co-founder Barton, as a result, stepped down from his CEO role. He would go on to launch the real estate site Zillow just two years later.

Expedia, in the meantime, was spun out of IAC in 2005 to create what is now known as the Expedia Group. The combined holding company generated $8.6 billion in annual revenue for 2021. Earnings for Expedia.com are unfortunately not broken down.

Gross bookings for the same year were equal to around $72.4 billion. Over 25,000 people are now employed by the group.

The methodology with which competitors of Expedia are ranked is based on publicly available information. Data points such as revenue, number of listings and bookings, funding and valuation, the number of employees, and anything else that might be relevant will be considered.   

This article only looks at booking site competitors who either aggregate listings from other platforms or directly work together with property owners, airlines, and such. As a result, indirect competitors, such as hotel chains (who actually own the locations they advertise on their websites), will be excluded.

We also consider Expedia-owned properties, such as Hotels.com or Vrbo, as competitors since they continue to operate as separate brands.

It has to be noted that this analysis should not be seen as an endorsement of either service. It is merely a summary of the competition that Expedia faces as of today.

So, without further ado, let’s take a closer look at the top 11 competitors of Expedia.

1. Booking.com

Booking.com is one, if not the world’s largest travel-related site. It is available in 43 languages and offers and boasts 28 million accommodations. Additionally, customers can book cars, flights, and activities via the platform.

Booking.com was launched by university graduate Geert-Jan Bruinsma who derived the inspiration for launching the platform after visiting Hilton.com for the first time. His home country of Holland, at the time, simply didn’t offer any local options to book hotels online. His site, Bookings.nl, therefore became the first in the country to offer such options.

In 2000, he agreed to merge with another site called Bookings Online. The dot-com crash had wiped out many of the funding opportunities previously available to startups like his.

They then acquired the Booking.com domain name soon after. Priceline, after failed acquisition talks with Expedia, acquired Booking for $133 million in 2005 – a huge bargain in hindsight. Booking Holdings is now worth over $70 billion.

For most of its existence, Booking.com had been part of Priceline. However, in 2018, it rebranded into Booking Holdings, which now owns sites such as Kayak, OpenTable, RentalCars.com, Agoda, and many more.

The platform now lists over 860,000 hotels and apartments, respectively. In 2021, Booking Holdings, which unfortunately doesn’t break down income figures for its namesake site, generated $11 billion in revenue. Gross bookings were equal to $76.6 billion over that timespan. Booking.com itself employs over 15,000 people across the globe.

Source: Booking.com , Booking Holdings , Skift

Airbnb is the world’s largest apartment booking platform. It now boasts six million listings, has four million hosts on the platform, and is available in 100,000 cities and towns as well as 220+ countries across the globe. Customers can book anything from cabins to tree houses. On top of that, Airbnb also has a separate events section.

Part of Airbnb’s success lies in the platform’s user-centric focus. Customers can, for example, complete a booking within less than three clicks. The user experience itself has largely stayed the same as well throughout the years.

However, Airbnb has also faced dozens of legal battles with cities across the globe. Those municipalities claimed that hosts were running illegal hotels and were thus liable to pay taxes. In 2018, for example, a couple in Manhattan was hit with a $1 million fine for illegally listing seven properties on sites like Airbnb.  

Additionally, some have argued that Airbnb’s mere existence has led to higher rental costs (especially in popular destinations such as Barcelona or New York City), pricing out locals in the process. Trashed Airbnb rentals are certainly not uncommon, either.

Investors didn’t seem too worried, though. They have poured a combined $6.5 billion into the company, which went public in December 2020 and is valued at over $60 billion. In 2021, Airbnb has generated close to $6 billion in revenue. It currently employs over 6,000 people worldwide.

Source: Airbnb , Crunchbase , Curbed New York

3. Google Travel

Google’s Travel product enables consumers to compare prices and book all types of travel-related items, including flights, hotels, and vacation rentals. Travel is now an integral part of the Google Search experience and oftentimes featured prominently across all types of customer queries.

Its advances in travel have begun as early as 2004 when the search giant launched Google Maps. The location data and reviews now inform a large part of the product, more precisely the Things To Do section. And since exploration is a huge part of travel, this certainly provides Google with a significant competitive advantage.

In 2010, Google acquired flight information software company ITA for $700 million. The purchase enabled them to launch Hotel Finder and Flights just a year after. In 2016, Google launched its Trips mobile app, which it rebranded into what we now know as Google Travel back in 2019.

Google does currently not publicize any traffic or revenue figures for Travel – with good reason. In the past, sites such as TripAdvisor and Yelp have called out Google for its allegedly anti-competitive practices of favoring its own products.

On top of that, many of the most popular travel platforms now heavily rely on Google’s ads for traffic. It is estimated that Booking and Expedia spent almost $3 billion on Google ads in 2021 alone. Meanwhile, Google can acquire all that search traffic for free, simply by featuring its Travel products more prominently.

Source: Redeam , Yahoo

4. Trip.com

Trip.com Group is China’s largest travel site with close to 34,000 employees. Travelers can book anything from accommodations (hotels, houses, apartments, etc.), flights, trains, cars, tours, cruises, activities, and much more.

In fact, over 1.2 million accommodations are available on the platform on top of the 480 bookable airlines. The holding company behind Trip.com also owns other sites, most notably Ctrip as well as Skyscanner (which it purchased for around $1.75 billion).

In fact, Trip.com actually began life as Ctrip but rebranded into its current name in 2019 to emphasize the firm’s international ambitions. It had purchased Trip.com just two years prior. What’s even more impressive is that the founders have built the business with only $500,000 in venture funding before going public on Nasdaq in 2003.

In 2021, Trip.com generated $3.1 billion in revenue. Recently, the firm became the first publicly-traded company in China to implement a hybrid work-from-home policy.

Source: Crunchbase , Trip.com

Agoda offers two million properties (also including hotels) in 200 countries across the globe. Additionally, users can compare prices across activities and flights as well. And just like on many other platforms, including Booking or Expedia, travelers can earn points for purchasing via the platform.

The firm’s founder, Michael Kenny, first arrived in Southeast Asia in 1994 to work for the Arcadia Hotel Group (now Hilton). As the internet began to take shape, he launched various travel-related sites such as PlanetHoliday.com (1997) and PrecisionReservations.com (2003).

Those sites were eventually merged and led to the creation of agoda.com. To help him get the business off the ground, he recruited long-time friend and experienced online entrepreneur Rosenstein as a co-founder. A mere two years after launching, Agoda was acquired by Booking Holdings for an undisclosed amount.

Booking does currently not disclose revenue numbers of Agoda, which employs over 4,000 people in 30 countries.

Source: Agoda , Skift

6. Hotels.com

Hotels.com, as you’ve probably guessed, is primarily accessed to book hotels across the world. However, owners can also list their properties on Hotels.com. The site itself is available in 85 countries and 35 languages.

The company began as the Hotel Reservations Network (HRN), enabling customers to book hotels via free-of-charge phone calls. Since 2005, Hotels.com is owned by Expedia but has already been in the hands of IAC for four years running.  

Apart from its super valuable brand domain (for which the company allegedly churned out $11 million back in 2002), Hotels.com has also been a marketing juggernaut. Captain Obvious, as portrayed by actor Brandon Moynihan, has amused hundreds of millions of people for portraying Hotels.com as “the obvious choice.”  

Expedia, just like all the other firms on this list, chooses to not break down revenue figures for Hotels.com. The company itself currently employs over 1,000 people, most of whom are based in the United States. This probably indicates that the firm’s annual revenue is somewhere in the lower billion range.

Source: Hotels.com

Vrbo , which stands for “vacation rentals by owner,” became one of the first platforms where people could put up their vacation properties to be booked. The firm’s founder David Clouse actually launched the site to simply find people who’d be willing to rent his ski house in Colorado for when he wasn’t around.

While Airbnb has initially attracted apartment owners, customers had always known Vrbo as a platform to book vacation homes. These days, both platforms work in a similar fashion, allowing travelers to communicate with hosts, offering various insurances against damage and theft, and largely offering the same types of properties. In fact, many owners now list their homes on all kinds of platforms, including Expedia, to maximize exposure.

Vrbo itself was acquired by HomeAway in 2006. Nine years later, Expedia paid $3.9 billion to purchase HomeAway. In 2020, Expedia decided to merge the HomeAway brand into Vrbo, which is now considered to be one of the holding company’s most valuable web properties. Vrbo had just rebranded from ‘VRBO’ a year prior.

Today, there are over two million properties, such as cabins or beach houses, listed on the platform. Expedia went out of its way to promote Vrbo and even publicly disclosed that it expects the site to reach $2 billion in annual revenue some time in 2023.

Source: Expedia , PhocusWire , Vrbo

8. TripAdvisor

Users on TripAdvisor can rate anything from hotels to airlines and destinations, which is what the company is primarily known for to this date. Not only that, having a TripAdvisor sign displayed on your restaurant or hotel is often seen as a significant sign of approval – and can lead to significant additional business.

In the early days, TripAdvisor started out as a search engine of searchable travel information for other internet businesses such as AOL. However, many businesses didn’t want to touch anything travel-related due to the ramifications of 9/11.

TripAdvisor itself had been created as a demo to show interested B2B customers what a consumer-facing travel search engine would look like (the original product was aimed at business customers). After some time, the website began taking a life of its own, attracting more and more visitors every week. The rest, as they say, is history.

The firm was acquired for $210 million by Expedia in 2004. Seven years after, TripAdvisor spun out from Expedia and became an independent company listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange.

What many don’t know is that customers can, furthermore, book hotels, flights, or vacation rentals directly on the platform. This is made possible by TripAdvisor’s Instant Booking feature, which was launched back in 2014.  

TripAdvisor is now one of the biggest travel-related websites. It generates $902 million in annual revenue (most of it from advertising). The platform, which employs over 2,500 people, offers reviews on almost 9 million accommodations, restaurants, experiences, airlines, and cruises.

Source: TripAdvisor , Statista

trivago is the last Expedia-owned company on this list. In 2012, Expedia spent $632 million in cash and common stock to acquire 61.6 percent of trivago.

It is yet another metasearch engine that works together with booking sites, travel agencies, as well as the service provider (e.g., airline or hotel) itself. Its various partnerships have allowed the company to list over five million properties on its platform. Most of the revenue that trivago generates comes from click-based advertising.

Travelers, apart from a place to stay, can also book flights and rent cars on trivago. However, those listings are not always accurate.

In April 2022, the Australian government fined trivago $32.6 million for misleading consumers over hotel room rates on the site. trivago, despite those issues, is now Europe’s second-biggest metasearch engine, only trailing Booking.com.

In 2016, trivago became the first Germany-headquartered company to list on the Nasdaq stock exchange. The firm currently generates €361 million (~ $378 million) in annual revenue. Lastly, trivago employs over 1,000 people.

Source: Crunchbase , Reuters , trivago

Hurb, formerly known as Hotel Urbano, is South America’s largest travel-based metasearch engine. The platform boasts over 20 million registered members and has 12 million people following it on Facebook alone.

This is a particularly impressive feat considering that many of the companies on this list have been scooped up by the big two holding companies. Hurb, instead, has raised $135 million in venture funding to help the firm stay independent.

Hurb’s strong suit is the firm’s vast selection of hotels, especially in its home country of Brazil. Customers can, furthermore, book activities via the platform. The company currently employs close to 2,000 people.

Source: Crunchbase , Facebook , Hurb

KAYAK , despite its name probably indicating otherwise, is the world’s most popular site for booking plane tickets. All of the firm’s founders, prior to launching KAYAK, had been involved in the creation and sale of tech- and travel-related startups such as Orbitz.

Their experience and pedigree enabled the founders to raise close to $230 million in venture funding. Eight years after its founding, they took KAYAK public but ultimately delisted the company in 2013 after it had been acquired by Booking for $1.8 billion.

In 2019, KAYAK expanded into featuring properties as well. On top of that, customers can also book cruises, cars, and activities. KAYAK even launched its own branded and physical hotel (in Miami) back in 2021.

Just like the many other companies on this list, Booking does not disclose specific revenue numbers. KAYAK itself employs over 1,000 people and has previously acquired over a handful of companies such as Swoodoo or HotelsCombined.

Source: Crunchbase , KAYAK

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Hi folks, Viktor checking in! Years of experience in various tech-related roles have led me to start this blog, which I hope provides you with as much enjoyment to read as I have writing the content.

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Last Updated on December 8, 2022 by Viktor Hendelmann

21 BEST Airbnb Alternatives for Your Next Trip [2024 Guide]

* This article contains affiliate links, which help run this site at no extra cost to you.

Short on time? My top pick for the best airbnb alternative is Vrbo .

If you’re tired of dealing with bad hosts and paying too much in fees, check out my picks for the best Airbnb alternatives.

Airbnb has changed the travel industry for better and for worse since it was established in 2008. 

Most notably, it has helped travelers get a more unique experience when visiting a new location. 

When staying in a hotel, you don’t get as full of a picture of what it’s like to live in a specific place. 

But Airbnb has also increased fees and the commoditization of housing, which has negatively affected locals in many cities. 

It has even created ghost towns in some downtown areas where locals can no longer afford to live. 

In the past, when I would travel throughout Europe or Latin America, I would always find some of the best deals on Airbnb. 

These deals coupled with staying in a new destination around other locals truly made Airbnb different than the other alternatives. 

Living like a local is how I fell in love with travel. 

However, it’s hard to find cheap deals anymore in a lot of places, and with the negative connotation that Airbnb has these days, I’m not as into using them. 

Over the years, I’ve had to use many different vacation rental sites to find the best deals while traveling. 

It can be overwhelming with the number of new websites similar to Airbnb that exist today, which is why I wrote this article. 

These are the best Airbnb alternatives so you can travel stress-free on your next vacation.

Table of Contents

Main Pros and Cons of Airbnb

Unique experience living like a local

Unlike a hotel, you’ll get to stay in someone’s house with all of the amenities that you’d have if you were an actual resident of that area. 

This creates the feeling that you’re living in the place you’re visiting or at least in a spot that feels like home. 

Other Airbnb alternatives might not be able to give that exact same feeling.

Good deals for long-term stays

I’m in love with slow travel and you can find many great deals on Airbnb.

Last year, I stayed in a three-bedroom apartment in Medellin for $900 a month. I could’ve easily split this four ways.

Hosts usually give you an automatic discount if you’re staying for 30 days or more. 

You can also private message hosts to try to get a cheaper deal, which is often possible with how much they prefer long-term stays.

More space than a normal hotel room

One of the biggest reasons to get an Airbnb over a hotel room is the amount of extra space you get. 

This is especially great if you’re traveling with family and need that extra room for everyone to stay comfortably. 

Sometimes hosts excel at making you feel at home

My favorite stays at Airbnbs have been when the hosts go above and beyond to make you feel at home. 

They aren’t just simply a property owner but your personal tour guide. 

They’ll give you recommendations for the area and if you have any concerns, they’ll answer back in a timely manner.

Airbnb is destroying neighborhoods with rent increases 

Airbnb has become a massive business worldwide and people with money are buying up apartments for the sole purpose of renting them out. 

This has caused rent and home prices to increase in these areas, which drives out locals.

There are more people on Airbnb looking for a rental than there are rentals available for residents in some places.

May not be the cheapest option

I remember when Airbnb was always the cheapest option. 

This is usually the case with early startups when they’re trying to get a user base (case in point: Uber/Lyft), but all good things come to an end. 

Airbnb has grown in popularity so much over the years that they’ve been able to increase their fees a ton and not lose many users.

Looking for better travel deals for your next trip? Read our guide to the best travel deal sites .

Airbnb is heavily regulated by the government

To combat the issue of Airbnb taking over neighborhoods, governments have started regulating listings heavily. 

This has caused prices to increase even more over time and has made it difficult for solo travelers to afford an Airbnb on their own.

Hosts will sometimes treat it too much like a business 

The business side of Airbnb has gotten to the point where your host might not live in the location you’re staying in. 

Instead, there will be lock boxes with the key and instructions once inside the house. 

I’ve also noticed an increase in hosts who are more strict about everything. 

This could include not allowing any kind of early check-in/late check-out to hosts expecting things to be spotlessly clean while still adding on a $300 cleaning fee. 

There’s been a shift in general with hosts treating it too much like a business and less about empathizing with tired travelers who want a welcoming place to stay. 

I miss the friendly hospitality that used to come with Airbnb and the genuine feeling you used to get about staying at someone’s house.

Best Airbnb Alternatives

Vrbo is the best Airbnb alternative as well as their biggest competitor. It was founded way back in 1995 as a way to rent out extra rooms in your apartment.

Because it has been around for over 25+ years, they clearly know what they’re doing and do a good job of it. 

They cater to large families or groups of people who are looking for a vacation rental.  

And Vrbo offers a lot of great filters to search with. You can search specifically for beachfront properties, villas, apartments/condos, or houses with a pool! 

This will help narrow down your search for the best rental properties on the site. 

Vrbo might not specialize in as many smaller accommodations as Airbnb does but that doesn’t mean you can’t still find those types of apartment rentals on the site.

• Lower average fee percentage than Airbnb
• Catered for large groups and villas
• Easy-to-use filters to help find your perfect vacation home
• A comparable amount of listings as Airbnb
• Fewer listings than on Airbnb
• Not as many apartments/smaller rental properties

#2 HomeToGo

HomeToGo is a great search engine when wanting to compare multiple vacation rental properties from around the world. 

Not only do they have their own selection of houses to choose from, but they will also search other websites such as Vrbo, Booking.com, Hotels.com, and many others.

With so many options to choose from, you can save a favorite of yours to your ‘wish list’ for future travels so you won’t forget it.

And depending on what location you search for, it will be different sites popping up for you. 

For example, when researching for my upcoming Puerto Rico trip, I received a lot of Vrbo options. 

But when looking at New York City, I get a mixture of Expedia, HomeToGo, and Agoda.

This makes me feel like it gives me the best deals by destination and highlights which sites have better options in certain destinations.

• Able to compare houses from multiple sites in one search
• Straightforward searching tools
• Ability to save your favorite houses for later use
• There are a lot of signatures you must sign before getting your vacation rental space
• Since it is a 3rd party site, getting issues resolved about a booking can be more difficult

#3 Homestay

Homestay is what Airbnb first started out as. It’s a way to stay with a local and to get that local experience in a location. 

It can sometimes be harder to find places to stay on Homestay. This is due to the lack of hosts in certain areas, but it’s always worth a search. 

I have stayed at Homestays in a few Latin American countries, and the biggest benefit for me was the ability to practice more of my Spanish. 

A downside for travelers is that you’ll always be living with the host instead of having the house all to yourself, so it just depends on your style of travel.

• Live with a local and get a more local perspective
• Some hosts offer meals
• Can be cheaper than hotel rooms
• Practice the local language
• Will always be living with the property owners instead of having the entire place to yourself
• It’s not for those looking for luxury villas

#4 Booking.com House Rentals

A lot of people know that Booking.com is a great way to find hotels. It’s also one of the best sites if you’re looking to rent out apartments or entire properties. 

Booking tends to have the best deals for hotels and apartments, which makes it great for budget travelers. 

An added perk if you frequent Booking.com is that you’ll increase your ‘Genius Level’ with each booking on their website. 

Unlike Airbnb, this loyalty program will give you a percentage off certain stays, which helps make these affordable accommodations. 

The percentage depends on what Genius level you are at. Level 1 will unlock 10% off, level 2 unlocks 15% off, and level 3 unlocks 20% off. 

Booking.com also has hundreds (if not thousands) of reviews for many accommodations, so you can find lots of details and know you made the right choice.

• Trusted hotel and vacation rental giant
• Thousands of reviews throughout the site
• A rewards program that gets better the more you use their site
• Possible payment delays for hosts

#5 Agoda Homes

Agoda is a popular hotel booking website, but it’s also a player in the vacation rental marketplace as well as homes. 

There’s a new feature on their website where you can search specifically for long-term rentals. Their booking process is simple and straightforward too!

According to Agoda, they have 150k+ apartments on the site as well as 500k+ vacation rentals. 

Just note that they’re a better option if you’re planning to travel in Asia since that’s where they have the biggest footprint. 

When visiting their site, you will notice a unique tab at the top titled ‘coupons & deals’. These will change daily and is a great way to get a better price on an accommodation you’re eyeing. 

All of these features are simple and easy to figure out on your own.

• One of the best vacation rental websites for Asia
• Offers secret deals and coupons to its customers
• Specific search tools for your specific wants and needs
• Easy-to-use website
• You don’t know the person behind the house until after the booking
• Can sometimes have higher prices than the same houses on Airbnb

#6 Facebook Marketplace/Rental Groups

Facebook can be used for more things than to solely keep up with your friends from high school.  

There’s a whole other world out there in Facebook groups and marketplace . 

I have met many people who have had a lot of success in finding great vacation homes and long-term rental properties through Facebook. 

Because of the number of people that use Facebook on a daily basis, their marketplace will always be extremely active. This helps hosts/landlords out too!

Sites like Airbnb make it more difficult to negotiate prices (although it’s still possible), but here it’s fair game. 

Facebook Marketplace is most similar to Craigslist, but with added security because people’s identities are shown (though there’s still some risk of scamming here, too).

• Can find great deals as you work with the owners directly and pay no service fee
• Possible to find more unique accommodations
• Great for monthly sublet options or even some long-term options 
• More eyes on your property as a host because of how many people use Facebook
• Fewer options to choose from in most locations
• Scams are more likely than on other vacation rental sites
• Unlike Airbnb, payment isn’t through their platform

#7 Expedia Vacation Rentals

If you’re looking for short-term rentals, Expedia Vacation Rentals is another great option. 

On this vacation rental platform, you’ll be able to choose from a variety of stays ranging from beachfront villas, mountain cabins, and apartments in your favorite cities.

Why use Expedia for vacation rentals? This is one of the most trusted rental companies on the market today. 

Since this is a 3rd party site, if a problem occurs, it can sometimes be difficult to get it resolved. But even with that fact, there are still plenty of reasons to use Expedia.

You’ll have a variety of options to choose from, as well as potential discounts from their loyalty program.

There are three different levels to Expedia’s loyalty program , which are blue, silver, and gold. Once you sign up to be a member, you’ll automatically get 10% off on select hotels. 

Once you collect 10 trip elements (one trip element per night of a booking), you’ll be upgraded to silver, and after 25 trip elements, you’ll be in the gold tier.

If you want more than a hotel room, I would suggest using Expedia Vacation Rentals for your upcoming trip.

• Great last-minute deals
• Has bundle discounts available for certain properties
• A rewarding loyalty program that gets better the more you buy
• Sometimes booking direct will be cheaper
• Trying to get problems resolved can be difficult

#8 Plum Guide

Plum Guide is a great Airbnb alternative because it’s also a peer-to-peer booking site. 

What makes this site stand out from the others is its unique vacation rental market. 

Unlike other major sites, Plum Guide is very selective about who they allow to put their property up. 

So, you know you’re always going to be getting quality properties when looking at the accommodation options. In fact, each home must pass a test with over 500 data points. 

Unfortunately, this means Plum Guide is only available in more popular locations throughout the world, and their properties are definitely on the expensive side. 

It’s ideal for a romantic getaway that you want to be certain is perfect for that special someone. 

Overall, Plum Guide is a fantastic alternative to Airbnb if you’re looking for quality and not quantity. 

I would also consider it one of the best Airbnb alternatives for hosts because you’ll get high-quality guests who are willing to spend more money.

• Only high-quality properties that pass their test will be on their site
• Many filters available to narrow your search
• If you’re awarded a full refund, they’ll also give the service fee back in full
• More expensive bookings due to the higher-quality properties
• No private rooms are available

#9 Tripadvisor Vacation Rentals

Tripadvisor vacation rentals are loaded with options to choose from for your trip. 

This website started out solely as a website that gave reviews for businesses, so the new-age traveler could make educated decisions. 

Today, Tripadvisor is a great all-in-one website where you can book rentals and other activities for your trip and read through their popular forum section.

The website is also easy to navigate, and there are usually a decent amount of reviews for each accommodation. 

The one downside is that there’s a booking fee between 8% and 16% for their rentals.

Note: the vacation rentals on their site are all affiliated with Flipkey.

• Easy-to-use platform
• Known for a large number of reviews across their site
• Trusted website to book accommodation on
• Customer service for both renters and property owners isn’t good
• Affiliated with Flipkey, which can make getting problems resolved tricky

#10 Couchsurfing

Couchsurfing is a unique experience and a great alternative to Airbnb if you’re truly on a small budget and don’t mind shared spaces. 

Similar to Homestay, you’ll stay with a local in their home. Unlike Homestay, however, Couchsurfing is free (besides the yearly membership)!

There’s a massive community of travelers who love to Couchsurf when traveling. 

Our editor, Mimi, used Couchsurfing a lot to travel around Australia and the US as a solo budget traveler in her early 20s and found it to be a great resource. 

There aren’t as many options to choose from as some vacation rental websites; Couchsurfing has many filters that can be used when searching for spots to stay. 

These include options like wanting to stay with a family. 

Also, although the name sounds like you’d be sleeping on a couch, a lot of the stays include a guest bedroom for you to sleep in or at least an air mattress. 

I wouldn’t consider this a part of the vacation rental industry, but it can be used as a good Airbnb alternative if you’re open to other types of accommodations. 

And unlike Airbnb, Couchsurfing is great for sustainable tourism!

• Practically free and great for budget travelers
• Live like a local with a local
• Get helpful tips on the best things to see where you’re visiting from your host
• You don’t get the entire house to yourself
• Some people might feel unsafe staying with a stranger

#11 Trusted Housesitters

Trusted Housesitters is another way to travel for cheap and meet new friends (dogs and cats) in the process! 

I’ve used this website to travel around the United States for free, and it works especially well for those who want to slow travel. 

There are multiple properties in the US, Canada, and Europe. I’ve found some places in Latin America, but those are far and between. 

The whole concept is that you get to stay in someone’s house for free in exchange for watching their house and/or pets. Sounds perfect, right?! 

Trusted Housesitters has advanced search filters that you can use to find certain houses where you don’t even have to watch pets at all. 

My favorite filter is where you can search for houses that allow you to use their car. 

What’s great about a lot of these houses compared to Airbnb and Vrbo is that they’re set up for actual living and not as a business. 

And if you choose some of the higher yearly payment plans, they have great payment protection if your host decides to cancel last minute.

• Free accommodation (besides yearly payment plan)
• Opportunity to meet locals (humans and pets)
• No shared spaces with other travelers
• Good filters when searching for properties
• Can be difficult to get your first house to sit
• Might not be your #1 desirable location
• You might have the responsibility of watching someone’s pet (this could be a pro or con depending on what you’re looking for)

#12 Hopper Homes

Hopper Homes is part of the Hopper travel app that’s extremely popular in the United States. 

If you’re traveling through the US, this is one of the best Airbnb alternatives to check out. 

Most notably because other alternatives to Airbnb don’t have the rewards programs that Hopper offers. 

With Hopper, you receive ‘Carrot Cash’ in their app. You can earn up to 5% back in Carrot Cash from your booking. 

Sites like Airbnb simply don’t offer their customers any kind of loyalty program. Hopper even gives you the opportunity to freeze a price if you aren’t ready to purchase yet.

If you’re in the United States, this is a perfect vacation rental platform that you should add to your list when doing your research.

Check out our full review of the Hopper App .

Use the promo code “theatlasheart” at checkout to get $25 off your first hotel booking.

• One of the best rewards programs among rental platforms
• The app is set up similarly to Airbnb to show the amenities of the house and what the bedrooms contain
• Ability to freeze price until you are ready to purchase
• Fairly new in the vacation rental industry
• Best deals in the US only

#13 Travelstaytion

Travelstaytion is a high-quality Airbnb alternative that’s primarily used in the United Kingdom. 

This is one of the best short-term rental sites in the area if you’re looking for some of the best vacation rentals. 

There might be better alternative sites to Airbnb out there, but Travelstaytion has been growing in popularity and will soon be an option to book from around the world.

What makes Travelstaytion even more unique is its filters under the section of ‘host reception’ as well as each host being an expert in the hospitality field. 

The ‘host reception’ section is where you can find things like shuttle service and luggage storage that can help make the rental options more appealing. 

If you’re looking to try a new vacation rental platform while visiting cities like London, then I highly suggest taking a look at Travelstaytion.

• High-quality stays with multiple amenities
• Simple searches for those looking to not only find a private room
• Offers great services with each booking
• Minimal search results in other locations besides the UK
• No shared spaces if you’re looking for more of a local experience

#14 Uniplaces

Uniplaces is an Airbnb alternative for those looking to live in a place for at least a month. 

Contrary to the name, you don’t have to be a student to rent out one of these rooms. 

Case in point–our editor, Mimi, rented a room in Lisbon through Uniplaces back in 2018 for two months and had a great experience. 

Two of her housemates were grad students, but she and another housemate were just working remotely in Lisbon for the summer. 

I wouldn’t say this is one of the big Airbnb competitors, but if you’re looking to live in an area for a longer time than normal, then this might be a good choice for you.  

What sets Uniplaces apart from other sites is that some of these homes have been visited by a professional photographer of the company. 

This ensures the location and authenticity of the room you’re looking at booking! 

I hope that more companies in the short-term rental industry start doing something like this with all of their properties. 

A feature that I love is when looking at the rental details; you can individually select each room and see a list of what that room has. 

This is something you don’t often see from other Airbnb competitors.

• Housing options specifically for those looking to rent long term
• Gives detailed descriptions of what each room has
• Affordable prices
• Not your typical vacation homes
• Minimum stays of 27+ days for a lot of houses

#15 Hotels.com

Hotels.com has more than just hotels you can search for. Whether you want just a room or something more, you can find plenty of options on the site. 

Although Hotels.com is owned by the same company (Expedia Group) as Expedia Vacation Rentals, it’s not the same type of marketplace.

Instead, their search engine is more standard in having verified locations like Booking.com. 

How Hotels.com truly separates itself from the other Airbnb competitors, though is through its reward program. 

You’ll get one night free after staying ten nights at any accommodation on their site!

Hotels.com can have an overwhelming amount of search results when you look up a place. Luckily, their filtering options let you specify many details when you search.

• Loyalty vacation rental program to save you more money
• Thousands of options to choose from
• Good filtering options when searching
• Not one of the cheapest Airbnb alternatives
• There are sometimes customer service problems

Sonder is another one of the best Airbnb alternatives if you’re looking for quality over quantity. 

If you’re a host, then there are great benefits for you too!

Sonder only rents out entire units, so you know what you’re getting. 

There might not be as many units to choose from compared to Airbnb, but sometimes less is more.

They specialize in hospitality as you’ll be assisted by Sonder staff instead of the host. 

All of the prices are a flat fee as well, so no surprises! This also means great customer service.

One of the downsides is that Sonder currently doesn’t offer reviews on its platform. 

This might not be a big deal for some, but it’s something I hope they change in the future.

If you’re a host who wants as little hands-on as possible, then this is the perfect platform for you. 

Sonder signs multi-year leases for your property and takes care of the rest–you’ll always know there will be 100% occupancy on day one!

• They offer instant booking
• Specializes in private rentals
• Hands-off approach for hosts looking to make easy money
• Only in popular tourist destinations
• No reviews on the properties

#17 Top Villas

Top Villas is a great alternative to Airbnb if you’re looking for, you guessed it, villas. 

Other booking sites have a variety of selections, but if you’re looking for villas, why not go to a site that specializes in just that? 

If you’re looking for help when planning your dream vacation, then try out Top Villas’ travel planner! They will help you find your perfect stay and give you everything you need. 

These aren’t affordable accommodations by any stretch of the imagination, but they’re certainly luxurious! 

The variety of locations isn’t as vast as you might want it to be, but it has villas in many of the popular locations throughout the world.

• Specializes in villas and vacation rentals
• A luxury Airbnb alternative that has a guest experience team to help with anything you might need
• Has a travel planner team to help you with your perfect vacation
• Expensive vacation rentals
• Only in select locations

#18 Glamping Hub

Glamping Hub is a different style from other Airbnb competitors because it’s a glamping site as opposed to offering traditional accommodation options. 

You might be wondering what glamping is. Glamping is camping but in a more luxurious way. 

I’ve been to many festivals where this type of accommodation was offered and it’s hard not to want to try it out at least once.   

They not only have luxurious cabins and glamping tents to choose from, but they also have houses.  

These accommodations are normally on the outdoorsy side, though.

• Perfect for those looking for accommodations in the outdoors
• Search for glamping cabins, tents, caravans, domes, and cottages 
• Offers unique places to stay in the wilderness
• Not for those who don’t like the outdoors
• Glamping accommodations can be pricey

#19 HipCamp

HipCamp is another one of the Airbnb alternatives for those who truly enjoy the outdoors, but usually with cheaper options than Glamping Hub. 

Their website makes it easy to book camping sites with tents in some of the most secluded locations. 

If camping in a tent isn’t your thing, they also have glamping or cabin options. 

Additionally, they’re an excellent source of information regarding the national parks and some of the best places to camp within them. 

The property owners on this site also seem to really love HipCamp because it’s truly a one-of-a-kind community.

• Great community of like-minded travelers who love the outdoors
• Excellent customer service
• Wide range of price ranges–from camping to glamping options
• Not for those who don’t love the outdoors
• Mostly in the United States

#20 Furnished Finder

Furnished Finder is one of the best sites, like Airbnb, for long-term stays. 

In fact, I think it has qualities that are better than Airbnb for those looking to slow travel or move to a new location. 

For instance, when staying in a new location long-term, you’ll want to make sure you truly love the property. 

Furnished Finder lets you arrive at the house before renting it to see if it passes the eye test. 

My girlfriend is a travel nurse, and this is what we’ve used this site for–and it’s what the site was originally started for. 

It’s perfect for a 3-month stay in a new location. 

And in the right circumstances, Furnished Finder can be a cheaper alternative to Airbnb.

• Price is negotiable before booking
• Possible to find cheaper long-term rentals than Airbnb
• Save on 30+ day rentals like Airbnb
• Payment policies vary due to you paying the host and not the website
• More paperwork is involved than going through Airbnb

#21 Marriott Homes & Villas

Marriott Homes & Villas is a trustworthy company in the accommodation space that offers a wide variety of places to stay. 

This is a huge Airbnb competitor due to the name and how they’re run. 

Each property is run by a managing company that ensures each stay is up to your standards.

Like many popular rental platforms and hotel chains, you can earn points the more you stay with them if you’re a member. 

Plus, you’re able to enjoy a wide range of villas and homes around the world on their easy-to-use website.

• 24/7 customer service
• Get reward points for each stay if you’re a member of their loyalty program–Marriott Bonvoy
• Easy-to-use interface with many filters
• Customers have had deposit issues in the past
• The managing companies don’t always do a perfect job inspecting the house
• Can be expensive

Conclusion: Our Pick for the Best Airbnb Alternative

Alternatives to Airbnb are on the rise with the growing demand for cheaper and better accommodations in the travel space. 

With that being said, Vrbo is my pick for the best Airbnb alternative and a website you should also use alongside Airbnb.

It’s difficult to compete with this juggernaut as they dominate a large space in this niche. 

Like Airbnb, Vrbo has a variety of options to choose from worldwide and sometimes better options than Airbnb.

Airbnb has had issues in the past of taking the side of the host when they shouldn’t have and has received worse reviews about customer service in return. 

This is where an Airbnb competitor like Vrbo can stand out amongst the other giants. 

Plus, Vrbo is really the site most like Airbnb if you’re looking for the closest alternative. 

Overall, if you’re looking for more niche alternatives to Airbnb, this list is a great starting point for finding your perfect accommodation.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Phillip Anderson

Phillip Anderson is a freelance travel writer, personal trainer, and adventure enthusiast. With years of travel experience under his belt, Phillip is an expert in finding the best deals through travel apps and websites. He knows how to find cheap domestic and international flights, like a flight to Peru for as low as $350.

When looking for cheap accommodations, Phillip combines his knowledge of websites like Airbnb, Booking.com & Hostelworld with more unique sites like TrustedHousesitters, for even more savings. Whether it’s flights, accommodations, or local experiences, he teaches travelers to make informed decisions, ensuring their adventures are both memorable and economical. For more from Phillip, check out his website, JaywalkTheWorld.com.

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Hi, I'm Mimi! I'm an outdoorsy Californian who has spent over 28 years immersed in the incredible natural beauty that California has to offer. My goal is to inspire others to get out and find their next adventure in California. Whether it’s escaping to an alpine lake in the Sierras, finding peace among the giant redwoods, or road tripping down the PCH, there’s always more to explore in this beautiful state.

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Top 10 Travel Guide Websites [2024]: Time to Get Inspired!

With the overwhelming number of travel guides that exist out there, it's hard to find one that'll satisfy your wanderlust or inspire your next travel. Luckily for you, we've found all of the best places to look for travel inspiration. Keep reading to see all of the best travel guide websites that'll help guide your next travels!

Travel guides help us plan our trips better. But, with thousands of sites claiming to be travel wizards, it can be hard to pick and choose the best travel guide sites that fit your requirements. 

While some like to travel with a paperback guide in hand, others prefer to outsource well-detailed itineraries tailored to our preferences. The pundits, perfectionists, and ardent travelers want to take matters into their own hands and plan trips by themselves. They also need guides and recommendations to help with their research and planning.

Well, folks, worry not because our list of best travel guide websites covers it all. Regardless of where you fall on the travel planning spectrum, you'll find a travel guide that'll inspire and prepare you for your next trip. Use these fantastic travel guides and start planning your trips with Pilot!

10 Top Travel Guide Websites for travel inspiration!

10. lonely planet .

Lonely Planet  is a dominant brand in the travel industry, offering both travel guides and other resources on destinations worldwide. It is mainly geared towards backpackers on a budget. 

Its travel guidebooks, available in both digital and print form, come under a variety of categories such as regions, countries, cities, hikes, treks, etc. They include itineraries, maps for navigation, insider tips from experts, off-the-beaten-path attractions, and other helpful information. 

You can subscribe to their services for a monthly fee of $4.99 or a yearly fee of $39.99. It will give you access to resources on their website and app. You can purchase Lonely Planet books individually too.

Although Lonely Planet is not as resourceful and updated as it used to be, it's still one of the best travel sites to get an overview of destinations. You can also book accommodation and dining options via the website. Check out our full review of Lonely Planet  here . 

• A collection of over 825 guides
• Phrasebooks to learn the local language 
• Covers a lot of destinations worldwide 
• General travel information about countries is free
• Complaints on outdated information
• Unreliable customer service 
• Travel forum "Thorn Tree" is no longer available 

9. Fodor's Travel

Fodor's Travel  is another popular website offering travel guides for destinations around the world. Their specialty is the guidebooks available in both print and eBook versions. They have over 300 travel guides covering more than 7000 destinations. The website also has plenty of information, insider tips, and appealing visual content on different destinations. It's great for inspiration and general information. 

Fodor's forum is a great place to get recommendations, tips, and insider advice that will be useful for your trip plans. It has an active community, so it's more likely that you will receive prompt answers. You have to be a member to access all of its features. 

You can access Fodor's Travel website and forum free of charge. But, the guides have to be bought either from the website or sites like Amazon. On average, prices range from $10-$20. You can read our in-depth review of Fodor's Travel  here . 

• Helpful forum to seek advice
• Good recommendations
• Covers a lot of destinations 
• Incomplete guidebooks (complaints of missing pages)
• Lack of localized recommendations   

8. Rough Guides 

Initially,  Rough Guides  was solely focused on selling travel guidebooks in paperback and eBook formats. These books are still a popular choice among travelers today. They provide:

• Itineraries.
• Background information.
• Maps to help you find the way around.
• Independent recommendations of the writer.
• Detailed regional coverage.

Books are available at varying prices.

At present, Rough Guides also specializes in providing tailor-made travel guides to suit your personal preferences. You can connect with a local expert to create a special itinerary for you by entering your budget, destination, accommodation and dining choices, preferred activities, and other details. Depending on what you need, you can get everything planned and booked by a local expert or only resort to insider tips. The prices vary based on the kind of service you need.

Besides this, you can also find articles on travel advice, top destinations, and other travel-related subjects on the website. So, even if you are planning the trip by yourself, Rough Rides is a good place for inspiration. 

• A wide range of travel guidebooks 
• Personalized itineraries 
• Local knowledge and recommendations 
• Not very user-friendly 

7. ViaHero 

If you are more inclined towards personalized travel guidebooks by locals,  ViaHero  is one of the best to consider. The platform also promises to take the hassle of planning by outsourcing a day-by-day traveling guide from an expert, aka a 'Hero.' The good thing, however, is that you will be updated about every step of the planning.

You can select the destination and review the Heroes available there. Each Hero has a detailed bio outlining their personality, travel specialty, and expertise. You can also check the reviews left by past travelers about them. All you have to do is pick a Hero and specify your requirements. The cost of a customized itinerary is $40 per day. 

The Hero won't be accompanying you, although you will be in touch via email or messaging. ViaHero also posts travel articles for users to read and be informed about the destination(s) they plan to visit. If you want to learn more, check our ViaHero  review . 

• Convenient 
• Travel guides focus on local and uncrowded attractions 
• Quality, well-detailed itineraries 
• Service is available only to limited destinations

6. Frommer's 

Frommer's  remains one of the best travel sites because it is very resourceful for travelers. Frommer's offers guidebooks, podcasts, and the latest travel-related information for wanderlusts. They're also one of the oldest travel guide publishers. 

Its titles cater to a range of travel styles, covering every major destination around the world. Its travel guidebooks are available in both eBook and paperback formats. The books are pretty similar to others in the market.

Frommer's website has a treasure trove of travel content, and you can browse them by 'Destination' or 'Trip Ideas.' There's also a separate section dedicated to travel 'Tips and News.' It is especially helpful as travel rules and restrictions are constantly revised and updated on the pandemic. 

There's also a 'Deals & Bookings' section to help you grab great discounts on accommodation, airfares, cruises, and car rentals. Even if you don't want to purchase travel guides, Frommer's is a good website for updated travel information. 

• Updated travel information 
• Over 350 travel guidebooks 
• Good choice of accommodation
• Guidebooks cover only major highlights 
• Website looks outdated 

5. Tripadvisor 

Obviously, you know  Tripadvisor , famed for both its usefulness and weird reviews. It is a one-stop place to read travel guides, get advice and tips, make reservations, and plan trips.

Tripadvisor is one of the most  popular travel apps  travelers use to seek advice and recommendations from locals or other travelers. It's a great place to find and read reviews – just about any restaurant, hostel, attraction, or different travel experience anywhere in the world. If you can't find a review or discussion about the topic, you can start a discussion in their forum! 

You will also find a lot of content for travel inspiration, including travel guides from ardent travelers and 'Things to Do' lists on different destinations. Besides guides from experts, you can use Tripadvisor to book hotels, tours, activities, accommodation, etc. It's one of the best travel deals websites .

You can also save your favorite places and experiences in a destination and view them on a map. However, if you are looking for a planning tool, we recommend trying a  better travel planner .

• Active travel forum for trip guidance and tips 
• Plenty of user reviews to help your decisions 
• Loads of travel content
• Attractive travel deals 
• A mobile app for convenience 
• Infamous for  fake or biased reviews  
• A glorified checkout cart, not great for inspiration
• Reserving and managing bookings is not always streamlined

4. Localeur 

Localeur  is one of the best travel websites for travelers who want to avoid tourist traps and enjoy local and authentic experiences. It offers useful insights and recommendations from local insiders as opposed to tourists. At present, it covers over 200 destinations and has a user base of 5 million worldwide.

You can find recommendations on everything from road trips to places to eat to shopping tips on the platform. Their local expert base consists of writers, artists, foodies, and other specialists from different fields. It's great to plan your trip and want to cover the best attractions in your itinerary. 

Localeur's main features are only offered to its subscribers. You can go for a lifetime subscription of $150 or a monthly subscription of $10. You get recommendations, personalized travel guides, and two weekly emails for travel inspiration.

But, you can still check out its travel content, featured guides and recommendations, and 'localeurs' for free. Subscription to their newsletter is also free of charge. Read our full review of Localeur  here ! 

• Reliable and quality recommendations 
• Information of local experiences
• Wide range of choices
• Costly subscription 
• Limited destinations
• Recommendations could be biased

3. Atlas Obscura 

Atlas Obscura  is about intriguing people to travel with its attractive and quirky guides and travel content. It publishes stories focusing on nature, science, culture, history, food, and hidden wonders. If you love sights that are hidden, weird, or rare, this travel guide is the perfect choice for you. 

It has an extensive collection of content on unusual attractions and cool dining places in destinations worldwide. They seem to be very informative and attractive to add to the itinerary. The community forums under each destination help you discuss travel-related topics with fellow users. 

Another specialty of Atlas Obscura is their guided tours to amazing places described by them. Most of them are adventure trips to less-traveled places, so there's no doubt that travelers are in a for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The traveling guide website also offers virtual travel experiences. 

Although you can browse travel content for free, membership is mandatory to access experiences and events hosted by Atlas Obscura. There are both monthly and yearly plans to choose from. 

• Amazing and high-quality travel guides 
• Focuses on unique attractions 
• Availability of virtual experiences and guided tours
• Not so much of a place to get travel guides and tips 
• Not ideal if you are looking for guidance on usual tourist spots 
• Paid membership 

2. Travel + Leisure 

Of course, no list of best travel sites is perfect without mentioning this leading travel and leisure magazine. While  Travel + Leisure's  focus is primarily on an exotic holiday destination, high-end vacations, its high-quality content is worthy for every traveler. From best places to travel to best gadgets to carry, it is a very informative source that educates travelers on how to best prepare for an upcoming trip. 

Travel +Leisure provides unique accommodation, dining, attractions in different destinations. You will also find content on the latest travel news, deals, tips, accessories, and inspiration on the site. In the 'Travel Guides' section, you can filter guides based on location, language, the best time to visit, and activities.

Last year, the magazine launched its trip booking and subscription features. The Travel + Leisure Go platform lets you book trips to destinations published on the website and other exclusive itineraries. The travel and leisure magazine's subscribers ($9.95 per month) can enjoy discounts on accommodation and other services. 

• Very informative and updated content 
• Covers a wide range of travel-related topics 
• Convenient trip booking feature
• Travel deals 
• Limited destinations under 'Travel Guides' 
• Doesn't offer detailed travel itineraries 
• Expensive subscription fee

1. Condé Nast Traveller

Condé Nast Traveller is another magazine & travel guide website that caters to luxury travel experiences. The website is a ripe source for travel inspiration, albeit for quite pricey staycations. On the plus side, there's some focus on budget travelers as well. Nevertheless, we think it's one of the best travel guide sites out there with up-to-date information. 

The articles on this travel leisure magazine cover a wide range of topics from best pizza places to shooting locations of famous films to activities for kids while traveling. On the Condé Nast Traveller, you can browse for the best accommodation and dining choices and travel content on style and art. It's a good website for you to get travel ideas from experts in the industry.

You will also find travel news and tips to help you plan and navigate. For those interested, Condé Nast Traveller also offers subscription plans to get its digital and/or print magazine copy delivered to you. The cost varies based on your country.

• Great, informative content 
• Promptly updated travel news
• Focus on unique destinations and attractions 
• Not for budget backpackers 
• No trip booking feature

Pair the best travel guide websites with Pilot.

We hope our list of the best travel websites has satisfied your wanderlust or has inspired you to travel! 

If you are looking for a reliable trip planner, try Pilot!

Disclosure : Pilot is supported by our community. We may earn a small commission fee with affiliate links on our website. All reviews and recommendations are independent and do not reflect the official view of Pilot.

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6 Best Airbnb Alternatives: Book Better Vacation Rentals

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Table of Contents

1. Vrbo: Best Airbnb alternative with a loyalty program

2. booking.com: best for stays abroad, 3. vacasa: best for professional management yet hometown flair, 4. hipcamp: best for glamping on a budget (or just plain camping), 5. marriott homes and villas: good for marriott members seeking more space, 6. local vacation rental management companies: best for supporting small businesses, best credit cards for booking airbnb alternatives, how to choose the best airbnb alternative.

Airbnb holds a monopolistic grip on the vacation rental industry, making it hard for travelers to find good competitors. Unlike the hotel industry, which enjoys healthy competition, the vacation rental world is dominated by Airbnb — and everybody else.

Yet some of these competitors offer meaningful Airbnb alternatives to travelers with specific needs. Those looking for glamping options might consider Hipcamp, while those looking for high-quality urban rentals should consider a site like Booking. Each has its own limitations and drawbacks.

Here’s a closer look at six sites that have some parallels to Airbnb, but ultimately might offer a far better experience for certain travelers. If you're familiar with these alternatives and want to know the best way to earn rewards when booking accommodations, head over to this section .

Good: Powerful search tools and a loaylty program called One Key.

Bad: Confusing cancellation policies. Only standalone houses (no shared spaces).

Use it when: You want to comparison shop.

Vrbo, in many ways, is the Lyft to Airbnb’s Uber. Think of Vrbo as Airbnb's slightly nerdier cousin. And hey, Vrbo plays second fiddle for a reason .

It offers similar features (houses, apartments, even unique stays) but lacks the ubiquitous brand recognition. It also offers far less selection in most markets, though its hidden gems can be delightful bargains.

A big differentiator between Airbnb and Vrbo is that Vrbo has a loyalty program, called One Key . Whats more, you're not committed to tons of Vrbo stays just to earn points. One Key encompasses multiple travel companies within Vrbo's parent company, which is Expedia Group, meaning you can earn and redeem rewards for travels booked through Hotels.com , Expedia and Vrbo.

Upon joining, you'll receive 2% in OneKeyCash for every dollar spent on eligible hotels, vacation rentals, activities, packages, car rentals and cruises. From there, you can apply the OneKeyCash you've got to your next trip. So even if you booked a $500 Vrbo and only have $10 in OneKeyCash to your name, that's at least $10 off your next Vrbo. Not bad.

So what should you beware of when booking a Vrbo? Watch out for user-unfriendly cancellation policies, lesser customer support. In addition, you can only rent standalone accommodations, unlike Airbnb, which offers hotel rooms and shared spaces.

Use Vrbo's "total price" filter to avoid hidden fees and compare costs accurately.

It’s always a good idea to check Vrbo and comparison shop when searching for a standalone rental home. Some listings are available on both platforms and are sometimes cheaper on Vrbo. Plus, Vrbo’s search function includes a “total price” option that lets you compare the real cost of a rental, including cleaning and other fees.

In most cases, it makes sense to check Vrbo as an Airbnb alternative, especially during peak travel dates when Airbnb listings might be scarce.

» Learn more: What is Vrbo and how does it work?

Good: More professionally managed properties. Loads of international properties.

Bad: Limited portfolio. Little charm or personality.

Use it when: You’re looking for hassle-free accommodation when traveling internationally.

Booking.com is known internationally as a major flight and hotel search tool, yet it also offers vacation rentals.

Booking.com properties tend to be run by management companies.

Many of the properties, especially in major international cities, are for apartments in professionally managed buildings. Like Vacasa, the professional management increases your likelihood of a drama-free trip. For travelers, that means booking and checking into these apartments is less of a hassle.

In general though, Booking.com accommodations tend to lack the charm and character of some of Airbnb’s (or even Vacasa's) more colorful listings.

Good: High-quality standards, local expertise, diverse portfolio.

Bad: Limited availability compared to giants like Airbnb or Vrbo.

Use it when: You prioritize excellent property condition, local knowledge, and unique finds.

Vacasa takes a different approach to vacation rentals. Instead of solely listing individual properties, it acts as a full-service vacation rental management company, partnering with homeowners to professionally manage their properties.

A Vacasa in Wilmington, North Carolina boasts a massive bedroom (plus plenty of other space throughout the living room and kitchen). (Photo by Sally French)

Guest can expect:

High-quality standards:  Vacasa properties undergo rigorous inspections and adhere to strict cleaning protocols, ensuring a consistent and comfortable experience.

Ability to book on points:  Vacasa has formed some pretty unique partnerships with platforms like Homes and Villas by Marriott International, Wyndham Rewards and American Express Travel, which makes it possible to book vacation rentals on points.

Diverse portfolio:  With 40,000 homes across the U.S., Canada, Belize, Costa Rica and Mexico, Vacasa manages a wide range of properties, from cozy cabins to beachfront condos. For example, a rental we tested in Wilmington, North Carolina came in a charming Neo-renaissance style (it was built in 1902 though had since been fully updated), making for a welcome contrast to the generic Hilton and Best Western properties nearby.

Robust app: Throughout the rental experience, Vacasa's web and mobile app experience is seamless. It's easy to get check-in instructions both via text and within the app, and the in-app process for checkout is intuitive. If there is a problem, Vacasa promises 24/7 customer support.

However, Vacasa's got one big drawback, and that's limited availability. Sure, Vacasa is considered the largest vacation rental management platform in the U.S., but its 40,000 vacation home listings are still puny compared to Airbnb's estimated 7 million active listings worldwide. Additionally, Vacasa is primarily only operational in North America. If you're seeking a vacation rental in, say, Europe or Asia, don't bother with Vacasa.

Vacasa is a strong contender for travelers seeking a professionally managed, high-quality rental experience with a touch of local charm. Its emphasis on quality and personal touch makes it a good alternative for those who want to avoid the potential pitfalls of individual listings on other platforms.

Good: Cheap, quirky.

Bad: Rustic. Quality control might be an issue.

Use it when: You’re looking for a cheap and interesting crash pad on the road.

Hipcamp is, as the name implies, a camping reservation platform. If you're seeking four real walls, go ahead and scroll on.

For the crunchier among us, Hipcamp may be the right choice.

But for people open to getting in touch with the outdoors, Hipcamp is compelling. On Hipcamp's site, you'll find listings for simple camp sites where you can pitch your own tent, as well as “glamping” options like quirky Airstream trailers and yurt rentals.

In general, it's a solid, cheaper alternative to Airbnb for travelers seeking a rustic experience. It can be a great option for budget travelers looking for a bare-bones place to rest their heads or adventurous travelers looking for something especially offbeat.

Just remember, rustic comes with its own charms and challenges.

Marriott Homes and Villas is a solid choice if you've got points to burn.<br>

Good: Earn and redeem Marriott Bonvoy points, high quality standards.

Bad: Very limited portfolio, low point value for redemptions.

Use it when: You want to use Marriott points .

The hotel mega-brand Marriott launched a home rental business in 2019 that has quietly gained popularity among frequent travelers. The biggest draw is the ability to earn and redeem Marriott Bonvoy points for vacation rentals, which can be helpful if you've accrued a bunch of Bonvoys through past hotel stays, or maybe you earned a massive amount of Marriott points through a Marriott Bonvoy credit card .

Because Airbnb and most of its competitors lack rewards programs, that makes it difficult (or impossible) to book a vacation rental for “free” using points . But because Marriott Bonvoy points are relatively easy to earn through credit cards and transfer partnerships, Marriott Homes and Villas offers an option to book a vacation rental without handing over any cash.

That said, the redemption value for using Bonvoy points to book through the Homes and Villas program isn’t always the best — and can often be pretty bleak. First, understand what a Bonvoy is worth (NerdWallet conducts an extensive annual analysis of hotel loyalty programs and believes Bonvoys to be worth 0.8 cents each. With that, compare the cash and point costs of booking a rental. Even if it's a "lesser" value, you might still book just to spend down your points (NerdWallet doesn't recommend hoarding hotel points).

And also consider if you can save your points for a standard hotel room, which can often (though not always) offer better redemption value. Especially if you can take advantage of the Marriott hotel redemption sweet spots , it might be worth saving your points for that. If you have Bonvoy points and a plan to book a Marriott hotel room sometime soon, that's generally a better bet.

Good: Supports local businesses and hosts.

Bad: It’s a crapshoot.

Use it when: Local laws regulate vacation rentals.

Have you ever checked into an Airbnb and been asked by a host to avoid talking to neighbors? That’s likely because the vacation rental is forbidden by local law or the property’s homeowners association.

Local rental companies tend to be on the up and up with the community in ways Airbnb might not be.

Popular vacation towns often sport their own local rental management companies. For example, the town of Seabrook, Washington, is composed primarily of vacation rentals that are rented and operated by the town itself.

If you’re having trouble finding vacation rentals through the platforms listed above, it’s worth doing a quick internet search to see if any local operations exist.

Regardless of which option you go with, using the right payment method could also help you earn rewards points. Here are some popular credit cards that offer additional points for booking travel.

on Chase's website

• 2 points per $1 spent on travel.

• 3 points per $1 spent on travel.

• 2 miles per $1 on every purchase.

• 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on select categories including travel.

Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,125 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠.

Airbnb might be the vacation rental king, but its crown isn't glued on. For travelers seeking specific features, loyalty programs, budget options, or unique experiences, consider these alternatives – and don't underestimate the value of comparison shopping.

But if you’re dissatisfied with the cost, functionality or safety of Airbnb, good alternatives to Airbnb do exist. None can match the big fish in terms of pure size, but each satisfies a particular travel niche. Always consider the final cost, including taxes and fees, when comparison shopping among sites like Airbnb (e.g., Booking versus Vrbo) as the extra fees can add up in a hurry.

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 2023 , 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-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1.5%-5% Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Up to $300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

19 Rental Sites like Airbnb, Ranked for 2024

Like vrbo, sonder, plum guide and vintage travel.

PureWow editors select every item that appears on this page, and the company may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story. All prices are accurate upon date of publish. You can learn more about the affiliate process here .

If the idea of staying in a cozy cabin , luxurious multi-bedroom house or sleek city apartment while on vacation is infinitely more appealing to you than checking into a classic hotel, then it’s likely you have Airbnb bookmarked and ready to peruse any time wanderlust hits . But the app isn’t the only option for booking non-traditional accommodations—there are plenty of sites like Airbnb that cater to all types of vacations. Our best overall pick is Vrbo for its wide range of offerings, from beach cottages to magnificent mansions. Meanwhile, Plum Guide is known for its meticulous vetting process and luxury properties across the U.S. and U.K. Whether you’re visiting a big city or want to go way off the map, here are 19 other sites to check out before your next trip for interesting rentals.

The Top Ten Rental Sites Like Airbnb at a Glance

Best Overall

Best for Quality Control

Best for Big City Vacations

Best for Nature Lovers

Best for Multi-Stop Trips

How we chose the best sites like airbnb.

PureWow editors produce travel content all year long and are regularly scanning the internet for the best deals across different trip-booking sites including Airbnb, Vrbo, Tripadvisor, Expedia and more. To create this list, we looked at various perks of Airbnb, such as prices, accommodation for large parties, personal host experiences, property locations and more to find other sites like Airbnb that deliver excellence on one or more of the qualities that make Airbnb great, and then researched dozens of companies to bring you the 19 best sites like Airbnb.

Want to know which buzzy products are *really* worth buying? Sign up for our shopping newsletter to uncover our favorite finds.

The Best Sites Like Airbnb

What We Like

• wide selection of properties
• accommodates all budgets
• great for long-term stays

What We Don’t Like

• only lists entire residences, so not ideal if you only want a room

Much like Airbnb, Vrbo (ver-boh)—originally an acronym for Vacation Rentals By Owner—has a wide range of offerings, from tiny two-person beachside cottages to enormous mansions that can fit the whole family and then some. There are both domestic and international options available, and many homes also allow pets —though there are plenty of accomodations for those who are allergic, too. You may be wondering, “Is VRBO cheaper than Airbnb?” It depends on what you need. Prices range greatly, from less than $100 a night to well over $2,000, and some offer discounts for longer stays or off-peak seasons. One thing to note is unlike Airbnb, Vrbo only lists entire residences (there are no individual rooms for rent) guaranteeing you and your travel buddies will have the place all to yourselves. PureWow Fashion Editor Abby Hepworth often books through the site and notes that it’s user friendly. “I’ve had nothing but good experiences working with the hosts,” she says. “I find it has more options than Airbnb and doesn’t have nearly as many bizarre additional fees (the kind that make your total inexplicably go from $500 to $1,200).”

Rental Recommendations

• Anchor’s Away Russell Island (from $230/night)
• Napeague Beach House (from $750/night)
• Laguna Beach Historic Cottage (from $275/night)

2. Plum Guide

• meticulous vetting
• beautiful properties
• reliable staff
• may have long-stay minimum

For those who prefer only the best of the best, Plum Guide is the way to go. Each home listed here has gone through an extensive and meticulous test with more than 150 criteria points examined—from WiFi speed to sociability of the space—all focused on increasing the odds of your having a “perfect” stay. The site also has a very reliable team of experts who can help answer any additional questions or address concerns with a quick phone call. As you might imagine, Plum Guide’s prices are a bit higher than Airbnb and start at about $196 per night. But the homes available, both in the U.S. and the U.K., are truly stunning (design aesthetics is one of the criteria measured in the Plum Test ) making them well worth the splurge, in our opinion.

• Golden Glades Enchanted Manor (from $1,669/night)
• Barnsbury Corner (from $1,284/night)
• Greenwich Oasis (from $941/night)

• all properties owned by Sonder
• no worries about communicating with a host
• choose from 30 major cities across the globe
• only apartments and condos available

While all the companies on this list have extensive measures in place to ensure hosts and homeowners live up to the expectations of renters, sometimes issues do arise. Sonder seeks to eliminate those worries by combining the fun of staying in an individualized location with the efficiency of a hotel. All the properties listed on the site are owned and operated by Sonder itself, so you never have to deal with a host who forgot to swap the towels or mixed up the key drop-off time. There are currently listings in more than 40 major cities, including Chicago, San Francisco, London and Rome, and almost all the accommodations are apartments or condos rather than houses, though you can also search solely for places with in-suite laundry, free parking or an adjoining outdoor space, if you want. PureWow Senior Editor Dana Dickey loves the site for its under-the-radar properties, saying she always recommends it to out-of-town visitors. “[The properties] offer more style and value than large chain hotels,” she notes. “For example, there are great options for cute accommodations in notoriously expensive Los Angeles for around $150 per night, and other cities also have great rates.” Gallery Media Group Audience Development Strategist Nicole Frazzini adds that it felt like “the ultimate combo of an Airbnb + hotel yet was somehow cheaper than both options. It’s the best travel hack!”

• Greektown (from $226/night)
• Commerce (from $103/night)
• Yelo Jean Médecin (from $81/night)

• great for nature-lovers
• off-the grid locations help you disconnect and relax
• uniform experience across locations
• limited locations

Getaway is best for those looking to truly escape their urban dwelling and embrace nature in all its simplicity. And we mean truly escape, as none of the tiny cabins have WiFi and, due to their remote locations, might have spotty cell service too, making them ideal for anyone looking to totally disconnect and refresh their mind and spirit. Rather than scrolling through endless listings of all sorts of accommodations, pretty much every Getaway location is the same and has been pared down to feature just the things you need—like comfy beds with fresh linens, hot showers and kitchens stocked with the essentials. Right now there are Outposts (cabin locations) near Seattle, Boston, Washington D.C., NYC, Atlanta, Portland, L.A., Dallas, Houston, Austin, Pittsburg and Charlotte.

• Getaway Big Bear, Los Angeles   (from $255/night)
• Getaway Homochitto, New Orleans (from $103/night)
• Getaway Machimoodus, Boston (from $159/night)

5.  Outdoorsy

• insurance and training provided
• 24/7 roadside assistance
• plenty of styles and sizes of vehicles
• you might need a special license depending on RV size

Like Getaway, Outdoorsy is geared toward folks looking for simpler, nature-focused vacations, only this time instead of renting a stationary cabin you can rent an RV, camper van or travel trailer so you’re not limited to just one destination. And like Airbnb, these campers are owned and maintained by individual people (i.e., they’re not part of a boring, identical fleet), so there’s a huge range of styles, sizes and levels of rusticity available to you. The owners can either meet at your doorstep or you can go to them, but either way you’ll get a full walk-through of the details of the vehicle before the key is handed over, so even those who’ve never driven an RV can feel confident hitting the open road. Outdoorsy also offers 24/7 roadside assistance so you won’t have to stress about breaking down or having to replace a tire while you’re on the go.

• The Rock Star (from $199/night)
• Vintage Custom Teardrop Camper (from $95)
• VANcent Van Gogh (from $170/night)

Best for a Splurge

6. marriott homes & villas.

• earn Marriott loyalty points
• easy to book tours and activities
• wide selection of domestic and international locations
• no personal connection with hosts

Marriott Bonvoy

Much like TurnKey, Marriott Homes & Villas bridges the gap between homeowners and renters to make things easier on everyone, with the added bonus that you can earn and redeem Marriott loyalty points as well. And, as part of the Marriott Bonvoy group, you can also easily book tours and activities in the surrounding area, as well as car rentals, all in one place. In the words of our idol Ina Garten, “how easy is that?” There are tons of domestic and international locations to choose from, with everything from cozy ski chalets to literal castles available to book. And while there are certainly many super-luxe, high-end homes, there are also plenty of more affordable options, too.

• Nantucket Retreat (from $300/night)
• Cassis Apartment (from $169/night)
• Mexico City Apartment (from $101/night)

Best for Combining with Car Rentals and Flights

• can find unique gems
• easy to bundle car rentals and flights
• can save money with travel packages
• non-hotel selection not as robust

You’ve probably used Expedia in the past to compare flight prices, book a hotel or plan a car rental, but did you know you can also book non-hotel accommodations there as well? When you search for your location and dates, just go over to the filters on the left and scroll to Property Type. There you can filter down to see only private vacation homes, cottages, townhouses and even house boats. There are often fewer options than with the other sites on this list, but there are some real gems hidden in Expedia’s listings, and if you book more than one element of your vacation together (i.e., a car and rooms) there’s the potential to save major moo-lah with a package deal. “The platform is so seamless to use and I like to save different lists to compare places,” shares Natalie LaBarbera , PureWow’s assistant commerce editor. “The Key Rewards (which are free to sign up for!) really add up fast to take money off your next trip, too.”

• Honey Comb Hideout (from $74/night)
• Sweet Home Georgia (from $124/night)
• Alberta Arts District Home (from $187/night)

Best for Building an Itinerary

8. tripadvisor.

• streamlined trip planning
• get assistance from a Trip Designer
• aggregation system pulls results from across the web
• doesn’t manage the properties

Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor is another great all-round vacation planning option, with tools to help you book a home and plan activities all in one place. You can also hire a Trip Designer through the site to help do the research for you if you’re not the planning type. Unlike the other sites on this list, however, Tripadvisor lists both its own rentals and aggregates listings from other places, like VRBO, to give you even more options. As such, there is a very wide range of prices, with a ton of affordable places mixed in with more luxe accommodations. And if you sign up for Tripadvisor Plus you can find even better deals, with exclusive savings on popular properties, museum tickets, dinner reservations and more. And that’s not even counting the automatic 10 percent discount on all Tripadvisor bookings made through Plus.

• Casa Mia (from $538/night)
• Comfortable Three-Bedroom House (from $216/night)
• Rainey Street Penthouse (from $249/night)

Best for Any Type of Lodging

9. booking.com.

• millions of listings
• available in 43 languages
• bundle flights, car rentals and activities
• no internal vetting process for properties

Booking.com

Whether you’re looking for a posh hotel or cool glamping site, Booking.com has got you covered. “They offer free cancellations up to a month before, which I love because things do come up (ahem, COVID),” notes PureWow’s Assistant Sales and Deals Editor Destinee Scott . “It’s a pretty straightforward process to secure hotel stays around the world. You can even book a hotel and flight together if you want.” The site offers a slew of lodging options—including hostel-style rentals—for whatever vibe you’re going for while on vacay. Like Expedia and Tripadvisor, Booking.com also allows you to look up flights, nearby activities and car rentals in addition to lodging, so you don’t have to worry about having to go to multiple sites. Available in 43 languages and hosting more than 28 million reported accommodation listings, this site makes sure you have your ideal vacation rental no matter where you are in the world.

• Surfside Beachfront Oceanfront Hotel (from $99/night)
• Smoky Mountain Chalet (from $260/night)
• Palm Springs Condo (from $797/night)

Best Villas with a Pool

10. vintage travel  .

• all properties have private pools
• other services like rental cars, travel insurance, flights
• properties across Europe
• can get pricey

Vintage Travel

The U.K. company Vintage Travel has one M.O.: finding you the perfect holiday villa with a private pool. Choose from countryside locations across Europe and the Mediterranean, including hilltop villages in Provence, olive-grove laden valleys in Umbria and the turquoise waters of Crete. In addition to scoring you the perfect vacation rental, Vintage Travel can also assist with other services, such as rental cars, travel insurance and flights. With recognition from the likes of Condé Nast Traveler and The Telegraph , it’s safe to say a vacation with them is going to go swimmingly.

• Tuscan Villa (from $2,227/week
• Provençal Villa (from $2,227/week)
• Andalusia Villa (from $1,227/week)

Best for UK Cottage Rentals

11. rural retreats.

• idyllic properties
• range of architectural styles
• over 600 homes across U.K. and Ireland
• not many activity options
• may have to rent a car

Rural Retreats

Get ready to channel your inner Jane Austen protagonist when you book a vacation with Rural Retreats. The company specializes in cottage rentals across the United Kingdom and Ireland—and that includes the locations of some of the author’s most beloved books, from Derbyshire and Kent ( Pride and Prejudice ) to Surrey ( Emma ) and Dorset ( Persuasion ). The platform’s portfolio of over 600 properties allows you to rent charming farmhouses, historical grand country homes, contemporary hideaways and quirky outposts like lightkeepers cottages.

• Park Cottage (from $384/night)
• Lakeview Oast (from $938/night)
• Aikwood Tower (from $781/night)

Best for Road Trips

12. rvshare.

• delivery available
• can accommodate larger groups
• long-term rental possibility
• no vehicle training

If you want to head on an old school road trip that’s sure to bring you and your loved ones closer together, then rent a mobile home courtesy of RVshare. You can book the vehicle for a weekend or an entire month. Those who aren’t able to go to the designated pickup location can also opt to have the RV delivered, which is super convenient. Vehicles come fully decked out with full kitchens, private bathrooms and sleeping areas, of course. The size of the RV is totally up to you—depending on how close you really want to get with your travel companions—with some vehicles housing three guests and others housing as many as ten.

• Minnie Dreamer (from $135/night)
• 2020 Thor Motor Coach Miramar 35.2 (from $500/night)
• Thor Motor Coach Freedom Elite (from $210/night)

For an Immersive Cultural Experience

13. homestay.

Remember what Airbnb used to be? A chance to meet someone in a different city, state or even country? Friendly, involved hosts? A cultural exchange? Now, it feels like the site is overflowing with beautiful short-term rentals owned by house flippers and investors. Homestay is taking the original concept and running with it in over 170 countries. The platform offers affordable accommodations (the average price is $38 per night) and the chance to connect with a local. Oh, and did we mention it’s been featured in National Geographic Traveler, Independent and Mail Online ?

• Beaugrenelle, Paris Apartment (from $41/night)
• 1920s Auckland Bungalow (from $34/night)
• Trastevere Apartment (from $64/night)

Largest Selection

14. hometogo.

• aggregates results from across the web
• operates local apps and websites in 25 countries
• fits a range of budgets
• no personable experience

House boats? Check. Farm stay? Check. HomeToGo is an amalgamation of results pulled from its partners, which include the likes of Tripadvisor, Vrbo and Booking.com. If you want to see all your options without toggling between a million website tabs, this is the site for you. Simply plug in your dates and destination to see your options across the web. When you find an interesting deal, HomeToGo will take you directly to the partner site. It also operates local apps and websites in 25 countries across the world.

• Orlando Westgate Towers Suite (from $99/night)
• Mammoth Lakes, California Vacation Home (from $244/night)
• Smoky Mountains Cabin (from $198/night)

Best for Travel Inspiration

15. flipkey.

• rentals available worldwide
• similar pricing to Airbnb
• Trip Ideas feature provides handy travel inspiration
• in some cases, must be over 30 to book

Run by Tripadvisor, FlipKey does worldwide vacation rentals, from Amsterdam and Rome to Telluride, Colorado and the Cayman Islands. The pricing and concept are similar to Airbnb, but where it really shines is its handy trip ideas feature. Choose from themes like a girls’ getaway, weekend trips, city inspiration, fall travel or National Park adventure, and the site will pull up top destinations and accommodations in the locale. The homepage also has a useful summary of trending spots, traveler favorites and hidden gems.

• Amsterdam 18 th Century Canal House (from $240/night)
• Nantucket Colonial Home (from $1,374/night)
• Barcelona Period Apartment (from $320/night)

Most Luxurious Vacation Rentals

16. oliver’s travels.

• will accommodate large groups and families
• luxury properties across the world
• minimum stay duration

Oliver's Travels

Oliver’s Travels features the top 2 percent of holiday homes, specializing in villa rentals. But here, luxury doesn’t necessarily equal stuffy. The British company is happy to accommodate large groups and children and has a whole section of its website dedicated to quirky villas with interesting architecture. Whether you want to vacation in a French chateau, head to the Lake District in England or host a ten-person party in Barbados, Oliver’s Travels will make sure you do it in style. Pricing can be anywhere from $700 to over $34,000 per week, depending on your location and amenities.

• La Maison des Fleurs (from $469/night)
• Maldonado Beach House (from $2,401/night)
• Villas Trojan (from $128/night)

Most Extensive European Portfolio

17. novasol.

• most accommodation options for Europe
• great for countryside getaways
• off-the-beaten path locales
• not ideal for people who want to visit a city

With over 50,000 villas, apartments and cottages throughout Europe, Novasol is essentially the European version of Airbnb. The Danish site features popular destinations like Greece and France, plus rentals in more off-the-beaten-path locations like Montenegro, Luxembourg and Cypress. Many of the options are homes and villas in countryside locations. When planning, Novasol gives you the option to search by theme, filtering locations by pet friendliness, whether or not the stay is all-inclusive or if you’re specifically searching for island getaways or winter travel.

• Domfront en Champagne Farmhouse (from $784/night)
• Argaka, Cyprus Villa (from $784)
• Zagreb Wooden Cottage (from $496 ; $347/night)

Best for Families

18. kid & coe.

• thoughtfully curated properties
• each home stocked with kid-friendly activities
• personalized service from staff (who are parents, too)
• limited destinations

Heading on a trip with a band of kids? Any parent knows that traveling with youngsters isn’t so much a vacation as it is a trip. Kid & Coe makes it easier to relax, keeping parents and kids satisfied with carefully curated vacation rentals in family-friendly destinations. With over 1,000 properties in 50 global locations, holiday homes are stocked with books, toys and other family amenities to make your stay seamless and keep the kids entertained.

• The Marblewood Place Residence (from $342/night)
• The Sandpiper Street Residence (from $472/night)
• The Sag Harbor Residence (from $1,475/night)

Best for Hotel-Level Service

• properties all managed by Vacasa
• over 44,000 rentals available
• only available in 35 states

Vacasa operates in a similar way to Sonder, with the company managing upkeep and turnover for its 44,000-plus home rentals. However, the homes themselves are still owned by individuals, which helps keep costs a little lower and allows for a great range of destinations. Vacasa has gorgeous houses, condos and apartments available in 35 states, and just like all three of the above sites it only lists full residences, no one-off rooms. Prices are typically higher than Airbnb, but for the ease of not having to deal with hosts (who have their own lives to lead) and the promise that your rental will always be freshly cleaned, stocked and up to snuff, it’s worth doling out a little extra.

• Relaxation Gem (from $323/night)
• Sprawling Private Santa Fe Manor (from $468/night)
• Sierra Nevada Serenity (from $289/night)

What to Look for When Choosing a Site Like Airbnb

When choosing a site like Airbnb, you’ll want to consider the features that are most important to you. When traveling, do you want interaction with the locals? Hotel-like service? Cool accommodations in a hip neighborhood? Is price a priority? Do you need access to far-flung locales? The qualities you’re looking for should guide your search. For instance, if you’re traveling with kids, Kid & Coe is a good option because it helps you plan vacations with children’s amenities and interests in mind. Those wanting an idyllic retreat in the English countryside might turn to Rural Retreats, known for their vast portfolio across the U.K. And travelers who need all-in-one deals will probably benefit most from Booking.com, where accommodations, activities, flights and transportations can all be managed from one portal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a better alternative to airbnb.

As mentioned above, a better alternative to Airbnb depends on what you need as a traveler. If you want lots of options in Europe, try a local site like Novalsol. Need to see *every* available option on the internet? Check out HomeToGo. Craving the “good old days” of Airbnb? Your best bet is HomeStay.

What Is the Difference Between Airbnb and Vrbo?

While Airbnb and Vrbo are similar, a key difference is that Vrbo tends to rent out entire properties, while you can still find private rooms and shared common spaces on Airbnb. Airbnb also lists hotel rooms.

Other differences: Vrbo has better search filters, while Airbnb has many more rental properties. The latter can also be more economical, depending on the scenario. Cancellation policies are clearer and more uniform on Airbnb, but Vrbo has a more reasonable cleaning fee.

Is Vrbo Owned by Airbnb?

No, Vrbo is owned by Expedia. The headquarters are in Austin, Texas. Airbnb was founded in 2008 and is based in San Francisco, California.

Are Airbnb Cheaper Than Hotels?

It depends on the property, location and type of accommodation. NerdWallet also points out that cost savings come into play depending on the number of travelers and length of stay. For example, Airbnb is actually more expensive if your vacation is short and you’re only traveling with a few people. This is because hosts are incentivized to offer long-term stay discounts, and cleaning fees are the same whether you rent for two days or seven. If you’re trying to accommodate a larger group, then Airbnb could be less expensive because you’re likely to find a property that can host seven, eight, ten or even 16 people, instead of needing multiple hotel rooms.

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The 6 Best Vacation Rental Sites of 2024

By Brie Greenhalgh , Sabrina Serani

Updated on Jun 3, 2024 9:20 AM EDT

20 minute read

Best Overall

Full-Service Booking

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It’s time to jump on the vacation rental bandwagon if you haven’t already. This growing market has exploded in popularity in the past several years, thanks largely to the ease and accessibility of the best vacation rental sites. Renting out part of a home—or the entire house—is fast becoming a source of pride and income for many homeowners eager to share their home with visitors who want to experience a local stay in a new city. For travelers in a group or family, having an entire house at their disposal is a great advantage that can make a long trip more convenient—not to mention the extra space is much appreciated.

Travelers can easily search for vacation rentals by using one of the top vacation rental sites. These vacation rental websites include pertinent information about the rental listing, guest reviews, amenities, expectations, and sometimes different experiences that can also be booked. And of course, there are plenty of filter choices to narrow down a selection with specific amenities or a minimum number of bedrooms. We evaluated several home rental options to come up with a list of the best vacation rental sites that will provide travelers with the top choices for booking a memorable vacation.

Editor’s Note: As of September 5, 2023, New York City implemented a law designed to alleviate the city’s housing shortage and encourage tourists to stay at hotels rather than short-term rental properties. This law, as well as similar ones in other cities, could be limiting for travelers looking to book accommodations in these areas. Travelers are advised to research their destination in advance of travel to see if there are any restrictions in place that would prevent them from booking a short-term rental through one of the sites mentioned in this article.

• BEST OVERALL: Airbnb
• RUNNER-UP: Vrbo
• FULL-SERVICE BOOKING: Expedia
• BEST HOME EXCHANGE: Love Home Swap
• BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Homestay
• ALSO CONSIDER: Booking.com

What to Consider When Choosing One of the Best Vacation Rental Sites

With more than 115,000 vacation home rental agencies globally, it can be overwhelming to decide where to book weekly rentals. When booking vacation rental houses, there are several factors to consider, such as the type of rental, amenities, fees, and cancellation policies. The most trusted vacation rental sites will make this kind of information readily accessible on their websites to avoid confusion. Travelers can use the following criteria to help guide the decision-making process for where to book private home rentals.

Availability and Guest Needs

When guests are searching for a vacation house rental in a less popular destination, larger sites for vacation rentals will have the most rentals available; however, any site will quickly book up when guests search for a place to stay during popular festivals or events. Travelers will want to plan ahead to reserve the ideal house to rent for the weekend when making arrangements to visit a city when a big event is happening.

The number of guests staying together is another criterion that is important to factor. Some vacation rental sites will have more options for larger groups, whereas others focus on individual bookings of single rooms in a house—sometimes just an available couch! The maximum occupancy will be an excellent place to start, but if the group has more children than adults (or vice versa), then ask the host about sleeping arrangements and maximum occupancy limits.

If special accommodations are needed, be sure to review the home’s accessibility, especially in the case of mobility limitations. In these cases, reviewing the exterior and interior photos is helpful, but it’s also wise to reach out directly to the owner with any questions to avoid confusion and disappointment.

Types of Rentals and Number of Listings

The best vacation home rental sites focus on various house vacation rentals to meet a range of travel needs. Some offer everything from private house rentals to shared rooms, while others focus only on renting out part of a home instead of the whole house. On rental websites, it’s possible to find whole homes, luxury vacation rentals, entire islands, private rooms, shared rooms, hotel rooms, guest apartments (perhaps with a mini kitchen but a shared bathroom), or just a bed.

Check the listing carefully to make sure the rental is exactly what’s expected to avoid any unpleasant surprises upon arrival. Booking a room in an occupied house is a great option for gregarious budget or solo travelers, but it’s not ideal for friends and families traveling together.

Ideally, there should be at least dozens of rental vacation homes or rooms listed on a short-term rental site, regardless of the room type available. This offers travelers many options for choosing a rental that meets their needs.

Choosing to stay in a cool old home is different from choosing a hotel that offers standard amenities. Still, some amenities can be expected depending on the type of rental. When renting a private house for longer than a weekend, check to see if there is a washer and dryer, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, a fully stocked kitchen, and entertainment of some kind such as games or a TV. Some condo rentals come with access to property amenities such as game rooms, gyms, pools, and laundry facilities.

Shared rooms will list any communal amenities available to guests, but they might also come with restrictions. For instance, the kitchen might be available for use only during certain hours of the day. When booking a room in an occupied house, review the available amenities to make sure the conditions are acceptable. Always be proactive by asking any questions before booking.

Though it’s not an amenity per se, checking the location and proximity to any public transportation is also essential when deciding where to book. Traveling without a car means it’s best to choose a rental near a bus stop or train station. On the other hand, staying in a popular, walkable tourist neighborhood could be more costly overall, even if it would save on transportation fees.

Deposit, Payment, and Fees

The best sites for vacation rentals do not hide information regarding the cost of a rental. Each host or rental agency is generally allowed to choose their own deposit requirements (often, there’s a limit that can’t be exceeded) and nightly rental price. Any fees collected by either the host or the rental website must be clearly listed in the listing or the subtotal before booking. This provides prospective guests with an accurate estimate of what they’ll pay at the time of booking or upon arrival.

Top vacation rental sites make transactions easy to search, book, and manage by providing hosts and guests with mobile apps. These apps are handy ways to view a mobile-optimized booking on a phone compared to reading tiny print on a website.

The other advantage is that these apps make it safe and easy to communicate with the host or rental agency. Rather than exchanging phone numbers, all communication can be completed through the app. And in the unlikely event that a problem occurs that needs to be escalated to customer service, it’s enormously helpful to have the entire conversation recorded in the app.

Property and Host Reviews

It’s a badge of honor for property owners to have five-star reviews for their property, but it’s not an easy feat, especially when newbie home renters don’t understand what to expect and leave a negative review for something that was clearly stated in the listing. Some websites provide their top-reviewed hosts with badges that signify their superior ratings, which instills confidence in prospective guests. On the other hand, some hosts and rental agencies suffer poor performance reviews for repeated problems, so it’s worth checking their listing on other sites to verify their track record.

Reviews about a property are an essential and necessary tool that provide future guests with an accurate picture of what to expect about a property and the host. Reading reviews is an important responsibility of prospective guests.

Some home rental sites also allow hosts to review their guests. This is an advantage for hosts who can decline guests with a history of poor behavior in a rental, so it’s wise to treat a rental property with respect.

Cancellation Policy

Vacation home rentals should all have a cancellation policy readily available for guests to examine. However, there is no standard cancellation policy in the home rental market, so it’s best to review the website’s policy carefully. Most locations have a limited time frame for returning a deposit, and it’s sometimes determined by the host—but it often falls within criteria set up by the vacation rental site.

Customer Support

While it’s never fun to have to reach out to a website’s customer support, it’s best to book a rental on a site with a solid customer support system. Ideally, guests can reach out to customer support 24/7 and over a variety of media such as phone, email, and live chat. This affords guests the reassurance that any issues will be resolved quickly.

At-a-Glance Comparison

Our top picks.

We narrowed down our choices for the best vacation rental sites by reviewing key criteria such as the types of rentals, the listings available, cancellation policies, customer support, and other considerations that made these sites stand out.

Why It Made the Cut: Airbnb consistently ranks high on the list of rental sites due to its massive number and type of listings, easy-to-use website, and the ability to book experiences along with a rental.

Airbnb has become a household name as the biggest home-sharing platform. Though it began as a room-sharing site for budget travelers, this vacation rental site now offers entire home rentals (of every price range), private or shared rooms, and even some hotel rooms. There are 5.6 million listings available to search, which means guests are sure to find a great place to stay in nearly any city as Airbnb continues to expand its footprint in the world. Best of all, the company strives to inspect and vet rental locations in person to verify the accuracy of each listing. The properties that have been inspected are verified as Airbnb Plus, a listing that gives renters confidence they’re getting what they pay for.

The website is easy to use, and the side-by-side map and listings make it easy for travelers to see exactly where they’re booking. Airbnb has an impressive customer support system that makes it easy to get help when needed. However, in an effort to cater to many needs of guests and hosts, Airbnb’s cancellation policy has six tiers that can be confusing, so guests will need to pay attention to the fine print when booking. But one major win for travelers is that Airbnb offers guests the chance to book experiences along with their rentals to round out their vacation.

• Learn more with our Airbnb review .
• Check out some of the best Airbnbs in California and best Airbnbs in Florida .
• Types of rentals: Entire home, private room, shared room, hotel room
• Number of listings: 6 million
• Mobile app: iOS, Android
• Cancellation policy: Determined by host
• Customer support: Phone, in app
• Over 6 million listings worldwide
• Guests can book experiences through the site
• Side-by-side map and listings streamlined browsing
• Airbnb Plus listings assure quality
• Somewhat confusing cancellation policy
• Potential for relatively high fees

Why It Made the Cut: Vrbo offers travelers a collection of private rentals only, and its website makes it easy for travelers to organize (and coordinate) their favorite listings when planning a trip with a group.

Families and groups appreciate that Vrbo (which stands for “vacation rental by owner”) has made a name in the private home rentals niche. There are no shared or private rooms available on this site, which means guests don’t have to worry about tiptoeing quietly into the house late at night. There are over 2 million Vrbo vacation rental listings, and that number grows every year. A popular feature on its website and mobile app is the trip board. It’s an easy way for guests to organize and coordinate their favorite rentals as they plan a trip to any destination.

There are also a wide range of filters that can be used while searching, which makes it easy to narrow down to exactly the type of property that’s needed. And Vrbo’s customer support has an entire team dedicated to helping with cancellations, which is reassuring for guests who need assistance. Since the listings on Vrbo are for entire homes, there tend to be higher fees (including cleaning fees) than those on other websites, but the convenience of having an entire house overcomes the extra cost—especially since having a kitchen can save on meal costs .

• Types of rentals: Entire home
• Number of listings: 2 million
• Trip boards allow guests to save and organize listings
• Wide range of filters for customized searches
• Dedicated customer service team to handle host cancellations

Why It Made the Cut: Expedia offers full-service vacation bookings with hotel rooms or full house rentals in addition to other offerings such as flights, cars, and airport transportation.

Expedia has a long history in the vacation booking industry, so it makes sense that it would also offer house rentals. Guests can find 1.8 million private home rentals on Expedia in addition to over a million hotel listings. That means guests are sure to find a place to stay in many cities where there might not be a home rental available. Booking on Expedia also means guests can book flights and transportation at the same time as their accommodation to streamline the entire vacation planning process.

Since Expedia has been in the business since 1996, it knows the importance of offering travelers plenty of search filters to find the ideal property to rent. This long history in the business also ensures the company keeps customer needs at the forefront, which is why it offers travel experiences geared toward families, businesses, and LGBTQ+ travelers. Expedia’s filters also include extensive accessibility considerations for travelers with disabilities. Still, vacation rentals on Expedia might have a higher price point than others, and there might not be as many reviews for each property compared to other sites. But Expedia’s established business model and solid customer support program help ensure a great experience if a guest needs help with their booking.

• Types of rentals: Entire home, hotel room
• Number of listings: 1.8 million
• Customer support: Phone, live chat
• Guests can book flights, cars, airport transportation, and vacation rentals at the same time
• Extensive accessibility search filters
• Explicitly business-, family-, and LGBTQ+-friendly traveler experiences available
• Prices may be relatively high
• Fewer reviews available than on other sites

Best Home Swap

Love home swap.

Why It Made the Cut: Love Home Swap offers like-minded homeowners a chance to swap places with other homeowners in over 100 countries rather than paying for lodging.

Love Home Swap fills a need for homeowners who love the idea of opening their home to travelers in exchange for a chance to stay in someone else’s home in another part of the world. Guests can either swap homes at the same time, or they can offer the destination homeowner points that can be used at another time. This makes for flexible bookings so that everyone has a chance to stay somewhere they’d like to visit. The biggest advantage is that homeowners eliminate the cost of lodging completely since they’re willing to let guests use their homes.

Both guests agree to conditions regarding cleaning, pets, and exchanging keys, which is helpful so that homeowners address their unique concerns rather than following rules that might not apply to them. Unfortunately, there is no mobile app yet, but it’s still easy to communicate with international travelers using free apps or email. There’s also an active community platform so travelers can plan their vacations and connect with like-minded people. Love Home Swap users have 2 weeks to try the site for free, then they must sign up for a membership; however, it’s a small price to pay when guests could enjoy an entire house rental for free in a dream destination.

• Types of rentals: Home swap
• Number of listings: Not specified
• Mobile app: No
• Cancellation policy: Full points refund within 48 hours after booking
• Customer support: Phone, email
• Guests can choose between classic swap or points swap
• Swapping eliminates the cost of lodging
• Active community platform
• No mobile app
• Users must sign up for a membership after 2-week free trial

Best Bang for the Buck

Why It Made the Cut: Homestay offers students, solo travelers, and budget travelers a room in an occupied house for a great price.

Homestay has carved out a niche as a website that offers travelers rooms to rent in homes that are occupied by the owners. It’s ideal for travelers on a budget or who really prefer to stay with a local host who might become a great friend. Most hosts are friendly and helpful to guests, which can make the stay more enjoyable and fulfilling if a guest is interested in learning about the city and things to do and see. Since there are only single rooms available, the global average nightly rental rate is $38, which makes it a great way for cost-conscious travelers to see more of the world.

Homestay’s customer support is primarily over email; however, users can access customer support over the phone once they’re made an email query or booking. Having a live-in host usually eliminates any issues with a booking since you can communicate directly. It’s important to note that Homestay does not conduct any background checks on the hosts, so guests should check host reviews. The vast majority of guests enjoy quality experiences with local hosts, which is why Homestay is a growing and popular way to book a stay in a shared space.

• Types of rentals: Private room
• Number of listings: 37,000
• Cancellation policy: 7 days before arrival
• Customer support: Email
• Single-room rental available
• Global average nightly cost of $38
• Live-in hosts can address any issues or concerns
• Customer support only initially available over email
• No background check performed on hosts

Also Consider

Booking.com.

Why It Made the Cut: Booking.com offers total vacation packages, including home or hotel rentals, cars, flights, airport transportation, and even experiences.

Home rentals are a newer space for Booking.com, but the company is fast building up the number of rentals available on its site. It’s helpful to be able to search for a place to stay and see both home rentals and hotel rooms come up after a traveler has already booked their flight and rental car on the same site. Travelers who are more environmentally conscious will especially appreciate that Booking.com offers a Travel Sustainable search filter to book stays at locations that are eco-friendly. Since home rentals are newer to Booking.com, the site does not complete background checks on hosts, and there are fewer reviews available compared to other sites. Most rental properties on Booking.com require payment directly between host and guest, which eliminates Booking.com’s customer support as an intermediary if there is an issue, but it might also reduce costs without the excess middleman fees. The other feature guests will appreciate is that they can also book tours and experiences on the website to help get their vacation planned and ready to go ahead of time.

• Travel Sustainable badge awarded to eco-friendly rentals
• Unclear background check performed on hosts
• Many rentals require guests to pay hosts directly

Our Verdict

In terms of overall value and available listings, we recommend Airbnb and Vrbo as the best vacation rental sites. Airbnb offers the widest variety of home sharing listings and has a solid customer support system, while Vrbo is a popular choice for private home rentals and organizing a trip with other people.

How We Chose the Best Vacation Rental Sites

Our process of narrowing down the best vacation rental sites was driven by the need to ensure quality listings from brand-name companies, great customer support, and flexible options for guests. We conducted an in-depth evaluation of dozens of websites. We ensured user-friendliness and considered the availability of a mobile app as an appealing bonus.

Our selections include sites that have different rental niches that suit the needs of different travelers, whether they’re exploring in a group, family, or solo. This helps provide prospective travelers with an advantage as they begin their search for the perfect vacation or summer rentals . These rental sites aim to assist guests with a high-quality experience during the booking process and during the stay by making it easy to reach out to customer support, read property reviews, and leave their own reviews for future travelers.

Before You Book Through One of the Best Vacation Rental Sites

Home sharing isn’t for everyone, especially if you’re a private person and can’t imagine sharing a house with total strangers. Sharing a house isn’t the only way to enjoy a vacation rental, but it’s a great option for people who love to get to know local hosts. Otherwise, renting a private house is a great way to go when traveling with a family, but if there’s any concern about the kids being too rough with any of the home’s amenities, then a hotel might still be the best option.

And while some homeowners love the idea of swapping houses with total strangers, a home swap will not be for everyone. Strangers will exist in the house without the homeowner there, so all valuables need to be locked away and expectations set about heating and cooling, food, keys, cleaning, and more. But for people who don’t mind stepping into another person’s home for a week, it’s an ideal way to be immersed in a local neighborhood in a new city.

It’s also important to thoroughly read the listing and ask questions before booking. Going off photos alone is a sure way to end up disappointed about a listing upon arrival. There is important information about property rules, details, and location that should be read before booking. This also includes reading recent reviews to make sure the experience at the property remains top notch. And finally, make sure to understand the cancellation policy before booking to avoid undue frustration if a trip needs to be cancelled.

Cost of Booking Through One of the Best Vacation Rental Sites

The low nightly rates on some vacation rental sites are immediately appealing to travelers looking to score a deal. Unfortunately, those nightly rates are often only the starting price as there are several fees tacked on by the property owner and the booking site. If an instant quote is available to view the total price before booking, guests can immediately see a breakdown of what fees are included and the total price. In some unfortunate cases, the fees can exceed the cost of a short stay.

Be sure to check the total price and review the fees before booking. Some common fees that are included with most bookings are: owner/host fees (3 to 5 percent on Airbnb), booking service fees (under 14.2 percent on Airbnb), and cleaning fees. It’s possible for cleaning fees to reach $200 or more depending on the property.

Since hosts are using these rental sites as a way to advertise their listing, they also pay a small fee for their listing and each booking. Many hosts try to cover this cost, which is part of what the owner fees cover. The fees that owners pay could be as little as 3 percent or as much as 8 percent of the total reservation.

The Advantages of Booking Through One of the Best Vacation Rental Sites

The popularity of vacation rentals means there are plenty of advantages to booking these properties instead of traditional hotels. Here are several reasons it’s a great idea to book through the best vacation rental sites.

• There’s more space in a private home compared with adjoining hotel rooms.
• It’s a convenient home base to return to and relax as though you’re at home. If booking a shared space, it’s a unique way to connect with locals.
• These properties typically have kitchens or access to a kitchen, which can make eating cheaper and more convenient.
• Many properties also have pools, access to gyms, grills, or other amenities that might not be available at a hotel.
• Staying at a house can be easier for those with disabilities. However, guests with physical restrictions may want to ensure that the rental can accommodate their mobility needs.
• Searching for “vacation rentals near me” or “cheap home rentals near me” makes for a fun staycation in a nearby town.

Choosing the right place to stay is an essential part of vacation planning. Otherwise, it can make or break the trip. To help guide the decision-making process, use the answers to the following frequently asked questions to allay any further questions or concerns.

It depends on the site and the property owners. In most cases, yes, you’ll find that either a deposit or a full prepayment is required to reserve your rental. This protects homeowners against the loss of a booking if guests have to cancel and a new guest doesn’t book the property over the old reservation. Hotels follow the same practice. Be sure to check the listing’s details to understand if a deposit or full prepayment is required at the time of booking.

It depends on the property owner and the vacation rental site. There are cancellation policies available on every site, but some sites have multiple policies to accommodate a variety of situations. For instance, the top sites usually offer free cancellation for any reason within the first 24 hours of making the reservation. Otherwise, property owners might choose to state that they can only return 50 percent of the money up to a certain period of days before the reservation. In some cases of extremely late cancellation, there might not be any money returned. It’s best to read through the cancellation policies of the site and the specific listing before booking to avoid any surprises.

Yes. Fees vary from one rental site to the next, but they typically average around 15 percent. This fee is usually found in the subtotal before payment.

It’s the property owner’s responsibility to provide pictures of their listing, and they are required to have some. Occasionally, listings are managed by a sole homeowner and other times by a property management agency. It’s in an owner’s best interest to provide quality, accurate photos of their property to manage guest’s expectations. Some websites might allow guests to post photos in their reviews, so it’s worth checking those as well.

Some of the best rental listing sites specifically cater to pet owners and offer rentals that allow pets. However, most other sites leave that decision up to each property owner. It’s not terribly common to allow pets, as homeowners try to avoid having excess cleanup between guests and lingering dander for potential allergy sufferers. Still, it’s worth seeing if there’s a search filter to sort by properties that do allow pets on any of these sites.

Ukraine-Russia war latest: Kremlin 'trying to invoke memory of Cuban missile crisis' after Putin threat

The Kremlin is attempting to invoke historical memories of the Cuban missile crisis by announcing a naval visit to Havana, a leading thinktank has said. This comes after Vladimir Putin warned he could supply weapons to other nations to strike Western countries.

Friday 7 June 2024 08:22, UK

• Russian vessels to make port in Cuba in 'hopes of invoking memory of missile crisis'
• Biden to discuss $225m package with Zelenskyy in France
• More than 50 missiles and drones shot down over Ukraine
• Putin warns Russia could provide long-range weapons to attack West
• Ivor Bennett:  Why is Lavrov in Africa?
• Big picture:  Everything you need to know about the war right now
• Your questions answered: Are there any signs of an underground resistance in Russia?
• Live reporting by Andy Hayes and  Ollie Cooper

Vladimir Putin is beginning to "reap the whirlwind he's already sown" and is "getting some of his own medicine back", a former UK defence attache has told Sky News.

John Foreman, who represented Britain in both Moscow and Kyiv, was asked whether the Russian president had been angered by America's recent decision to allow some of its weapons to be used on Russian territory .

"I don't think it's just the US," Mr Foreman said.

"I think it's France, the UK and Germany," he added.

Washington said the use of its weapons on Russian territory was restricted to the area near Kharkiv in northeastern Ukraine.

The Russian offensive around Kharkiv - Ukriane's second city - has stalled, Mr Foreman said. 

Referring to comments Vladimir Putin made in St Petersburg yesterday about Russia potentially providing long-range weapons to other nations to strike Western targets, Mr Foreman said the president was "rambling" and his "demeanour wasn't great".

Mr Foreman continued: "He was rehearsing his greatest hits. 

"I think underneath the braggadocio and the boasting, I think there is a concern that [while] Russia has been able to attack Ukraine indiscriminately for two years, Putin is [now] reaping the whirlwind he's already sown and he's actually getting some of his own medicine back."

The European Commission will reportedly recommend this month that EU accession talks should begin with Ukraine.

It is part of an attempt to signal support for Kyiv before Hungary takes over the rotating presidency of the EU next month, the Financial Times reported, citing "three people familiar with the matter".

Earlier this year, the EU announced it was sending an additional £42bn in aid to Ukraine - but only after weeks of resistance from Hungary , which reportedly has concerns about minority rights in Ukraine. 

The deal included a yearly discussion of the package and the option to review it in two years "if needed".

Hungary takes over the rotating presidency of the EU on 1 July.

It is currently held by Belgium.

More than 50 missiles and drones were shot down over Ukraine overnight, the country's general staff has reported. 

It said Russian Tu-95 bombers released five cruise missiles - which were all shot down - while 53 Iranian-made Shahed drones were launched from Russian territory, of which 48 were downed. 

They were shot down over the Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, Kirovohrad, Mykolaiv, Kherson, Odesa, Kharkiv, Kyiv and Khmelnytskyi regions, the general staff said. 

Russia has not responded to the claims. 

Russian naval vessels that will be making port in Cuba next week is an attempt to invoke the historical memory of the 1962 Cuban missile crisis, according to a leading thinktank. 

The Cuban ministry of the revolutionary armed forces announced yesterday that four Russian northern fleet vessels would make an official visit to the port of Havana between 12-17 June. 

The US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said the move was "likely part of a larger effort to invoke the historical memory of the Cuban missile crisis as part of Russia's reflexive control campaign to encourage US self-deterrence". 

Reuters separately reported that a senior US official claimed that the Russian vessels may also stop in Venezuela on an unspecified date in Summer 2024.

The Russian ministry of defence stated that Russia's objective is to ensure a Russian naval presence in "operationally important areas of the far ocean zone."

The vessels include the Admiral Gorshkov frigate, the Kazan nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine, the Academic Pashin replenishment oiler, and the Nikolai Chiker rescue tug.

"Russian media noted that the Admiral Gorshkov is carrying Zircon hypersonic missiles, which the Kremlin has touted as capable of carrying a nuclear warhead," ISW said, although the Cubans specifically claimed that none of the vessels were doing so.

"The Kremlin likely hopes that the clear allusion to the Cuban missile crisis and the inclusion of a reportedly nuclear weapons–capable ship will force the West to engage in self-deterrence," it added.

"The Kremlin likely coordinated the announcement of the Russian navy's port calls in Cuba with Putin's threats to provide long-range strike capabilities to unspecified actors for strikes against the West, as both activities can instil fear in the West." 

Joe Biden will meet Volodymyr Zelenskyy in France to discuss a $225m (£175m) weapons package on the sidelines of D-Day anniversary events.

It will be their first in-person talks since the Ukrainian president visited Washington in December, when the two faced off with Republican opposition to more Ukraine aid. 

The pair will meet again next week at a G7 summit in Italy, as rich nations discuss using Russian assets frozen after the Ukraine invasion to provide $50bn for Ukraine.

Mr Biden yesterday drew a link between the Second World War battle against tyranny and Ukraine's war with Russia, calling Russian President Vladimir Putin a "dictator".

Hello and welcome back to our coverage of the war in Ukraine. 

We'll be bringing you live updates throughout the day, including a speech from Vladimir Putin later this morning. 

That's it for our live coverage of the war in Ukraine for today.

You can scroll through the blog below to catch up on the day's developments.

By Nicole Johnston, Asia correspondent in Beijing

Putin's St Petersburg summit comes right out of the same playbook as China's President Xi Jinping.

So how do you get a read on China's geo-political thinking? One way is by wading through the dry and detailed pronouncements of its president, that's where the nuggets are.

In 2022, Xi said: "The world today is undergoing major changes, unseen in a century.

"The most important characteristic of the world is chaos and the trend is likely to continue."

In the world according to Xi, the time is right to reorder global governance with China at its pinnacle, where it belongs. His view is that the US anchored world order is breaking down.

Many countries in the global south are on board with China, chaffing at the dominance of the US led international system and ready to countenance a shake-up.

Russia is in lock step with China. 

Both countries need each other. Though Russia needs China more, for trade and diplomatic cover.

In this great power rivalry, the China-Russian axis could draw in other regional disrupters like Iran and North Korea.

If that happens it will be a formidable alliance based on hostility towards the US, sympathy for Russia, a deep fear of subversion and in the case of China, a relentless goal to unify with Taiwan.

Ukraine's main hydropower company says it has initiated proceedings to secure damages for Russia's destruction of the Kakhovka dam and power station a year ago today.

State-run Ukrhydroenergo said it estimates the damage to be around €2.5bn (£2.12bn).

The explosion of the dam on 6 June 2023 - which sent huge amounts of water across swathes of southern Ukraine and left thousands of people without drinking water - was met with global outcry and accusations of a war crime.

"The company's actions aim to compensate for the losses caused by the destruction of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant," Ukrhydroenergo said in a statement. 

"The company believes that initiating international arbitration process is the most promising way to compensate for the losses." 

The firm said Vladimir Putin, his government and other authorised bodies had been informed.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska have arrived in Normandy for an event to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

French President Emmanuel Macron greeted the Ukrainian leader with a hug as he arrived, and the president was applauded as he went to take his place inside the event.

Several other political figures including UK defence minister Grant Shapps embraced Mr Zelenskyy as they greeted him.

Earlier, the Ukrainian president said he was "honoured" to participate in the anniversary event and said he would also take part in "important events and meetings aimed at strengthening our country".

"This event and day serve as a reminder of the courage and determination demonstrated in the pursuit of freedom and democracy," he said.

"Allies defended Europe's freedom then, and Ukrainians do so now. Unity prevailed then, and true unity can prevail today."

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