Technology continues to revolutionize the world and travel industry. Today there are many apps and websites dedicated to helping you achieve your travel dreams. There are many I enjoy using and have helped me in my travels both domestically and internationally. Here are my top 10 favorite travel apps and websites:
10. Airbnb
A great website and app to reserve your next accommodation is Airbnb. Airbnb has so many options including cabins, farms, castles, villas, rooms, apartments and houses with rentals throughout the world. I used Airbnb to book a villa in Spain and it was a very smooth experience. I paid a deposit to secure the property and paid the remaining balance when I arrived. The host was very hospitable and showed me around the villa and amenities. They also offered to help me book activities and transportation and continued to check in with me to make sure everything was going well during my stay. When it was time to leave, they provided guidance to make sure checkout was smooth and ensure I arrived at the airport on time.
In addition to rentals, you can also book "Experiences" which allows you to book activities at your destination. Some of the experiences include workshops, tours, photo shoots and art classes like painting and pottery making.
The app is free and available on Android and iOS
9. Skyscanner
Skyscanner is a legitimate travel app and website that makes searching for domestic and international flights, hotels and car rentals very easy. If you have flexible travel dates and undecided where to go for your next holiday, Skyscanner has an option to "Explore Everywhere" that provides discounted flights, popular and underrated destinations and more. Skyscanner also monitors flight prices and you can set up alerts to get notified if there are any increases or decreases in a flight that you're interested in keeping an eye on to get a great deal. Download this app for no cost with compatibility for iOS and Android devices.
8. IGLTA
A fantastic comprehensive LGBTQIA+ website is the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA). Founded in 1983, IGLTA provides free domestic and international travel resources and information listing LGBTQ+ welcoming accommodations, transportation, eateries, travel guides and activities including Pride events throughout the world. They also host conventions with their 2025 IGLTA Global Convention taking place 21-25 October at Palm Springs, California, USA.
IGLTA offers memberships to individuals and businesses directly or indirectly involved with LGBTQIA+ tourism. For businesses to become a member, the cost is $299 USD/year with a one-time admin fee of $200 USD. Businesses can also receive IGLTA accreditation that meet their comprehensive, evidence-based allyship.
7. Tripadvisor
One of the best travel apps and websites I've used is Tripadvisor. On its site, it states "Tripadvisor, the world's largest travel guidance platform, helps millions of people each month become better travelers, from planning to booking to taking a trip." You can search for hotels, things to do, restaurants, flights and vacation rentals and read legit reviews.
Tripadvisor has space information and reviews called "Destination Space." In partnership with the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Destination Space’s mission says "everyone deserves to experience the marvels of space, with or without a rocketship." Tripadvisor is revolutionizing the travel industry.
6. TourRadar
Want to have your travel plans arranged by tour operator...book through TourRadar. TourRadar provides the largest selection of multi-day tours with destinations throughout the world with over 50K adventures in over 160 countries including Antarctica. They have sales on a regular basis and some tours offer instant confirmation once deposit is paid. Tourradar has multiple payment options including one-time full payment, deposit with biweekly payments and deposit with remaining balance paid prior to tour commencement.
5. Ling
One of my favorite apps to learn a foreign language is Ling. Ling states they make "Hard Languages Made Easy" and has over 60 languages. They also include languages such as Malay that aren't offered on language apps such as Duolingo and Drops. Ling is suitable for all skills sets from beginners to experts. The app makes learning a new language fun by teaching you to speak, read and write using native speakers. You can choose how much time you want to spend on a day to learn a language.
The app is free, unless you upgrade to their Pro plan which starts at $14.99 USD for 1 month. Their Pro plan also offers a Lifetime subscription for a one-time payment of $199.99 USD.
4. Google Travel
Another favorite travel website I frequently use is Google Travel. This site has a search engine for airfares where you can compare flights and book using other travel websites such as Booking.com and Trip.com. Google Travel also has an Explore section for those whose travel dates are flexible where you can pick and choose destinations to book. This website has similarities to Skyscanner with Google Travel being highlighted for its user-friendliness and streamlined process for booking. I have used both sites to compare flights and accommodations as they are reputable sites.
3. Viator
A popular app to book activities and experiences is Viator, which offers over 300K activities throughout the world. They have tours that range from hours to multi-day that can be booked ahead of time and some same day. I have booked several activities with this site including cruises, landmark tours such as Eiffel Tower and side car motorcycle tours. They have excellent customer service and if an activity is cancelled, refunds are processed and deposited back within days. Viator also has a blog that provides expert guidance on destinations. The app is free and available on Android and iOS.
2. Trip.com
An excellent travel app and website I'm growing to love is Trip.com. Trip is a one-stop travel service provider that allows you to book flights, accommodations, tours, attractions, cruises, and transportation options including trains, car rentals and airport transfers to and from your accommodation. In addition, Trip provides packing guidance to ensure you have essentials such as travel documents, currency, electronics, health and wellness items, toiletries and clothes. They have a section called Creator Center that allows you to make posts, send messages and follow other users. Posts are very helpful where you can get destination tips, travel guides, hotel reviews and many more.
Tip: Trip.com also allows you to add bookings made on other apps and websites to keep all of your travel plans in one place. They also provide a countdown to the number of days before your trip.
1. Xe
An essential for international travel is Xe, a worldwide currency conversion and money transfers site. I have used this app every time I visited an international destination and has been extremely helpful by providing live currency exchange rates. In addition, money can be securely transferred to over 200 countries. The app also has charts that you can monitor and receive alerts when currency rates change. Xe can be used for business and personal uses and is a reputable app and website.
Downloading the app is free and available on Android and iOS systems.
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