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Travel Planning Made Easy: Best Travel Planning Apps in 2024
- Name
- Ryan K
- @thefabryk
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Clearly we have a bit of an obsession with travel if this website doesn't give it away, but sometimes we end up down a rabbit-hole of planning how to get from Point A to Point B. While this isn't necessarily a bad thing, it can be overwhelming and sometimes after hours of opening up a thousand tabs in Chrome and comparing, we don't come to a decision, and it feels like precious time wasted.
That's why I've developed a foolproof system that involves some of my favorite travel tools: Rome2Rio, FlixBus, Omio, Trip.com, and Skyscanner.
Step 1 - Rome2Rio: The ultimate travel lust, multi-mode transportation planning tool
When I get into my planning mood, first up comes [Rome2Rio], the ultimate travel planning tool. This website is what happens when Google Maps and a travel agent have a baby, giving you detailed information on different modes to get from point A to point B. Whether you want to travel by plane, train, bus, ferry, or teleportation, Rome2Rio has got you covered. You can also book directly from the site, but I usually move onto one of the next tools to accomplish that.
Features of Rome2Rio:
- Multi-modal travel planning
- Price comparison
- Real-time travel updates -Integration with Uber and Lyft
- Ability to book directly from the app
Pros of Rome2Rio:
- Comprehensive search options
- User-friendly interface
- Provides detailed information on travel options
- Offers suggestions for alternate routes
- Offers transportation options beyond flights
Cons of Rome2Rio:
- Some users report inaccurate information
- Limited booking options for certain routes
- Ads can be intrusive
Rome2Rio gives you many modes and options of transportation and their costs
Step 2 - Omio, FlixBus, 12go: The go-to train and bus ticket booking sites
Once I've figured out how I want to get there, I generally turn to Omio of FlixBus (more for Europe) and 12go (for Asia) to book my train and bus tickets. I always prefer these options, as I like slow travel, have ridiculous flight anxiety, and there is no denying that they are a bit better for the environment.
Omio is like a genie in a bottle, granting my transportation wishes with just a few clicks of its super sexy interface. It's user-friendly, affordable, and saves me from having to navigate the murky waters of foreign public transportation systems.
Features of Omio:
- Multi-modal travel planning
- Real-time price and schedule updates
- Ability to book directly from the app
- Integration with popular travel providers, such as Deutsche Bahn, Renfe, and Trenitalia
Pros of Omio:
- User-friendly interface
- Comprehensive search options
- Provides detailed information on travel options
- Offers suggestions for alternate routes
- Offers transportation options beyond flights
Cons of Omio:
- Some users report issues with booking and payment processing
- Limited options for certain routes
- Can be more expensive than other travel planning apps
Omio gives you hot deals on trains! Favorite design here
I also am a major fan of FlixBus for booking flexible bus travel. This is more of a thing in Europe and the US, but again they make it so easy to book, and the best part about this is you cancel your bus just 15 minutes before your trip and just pay a small cancellation fee. Since we are quite spontaneous, this is a savior.
Features of FlixBus:
- Bus travel planning
- Real-time price and schedule updates
- Ability to book directly from the app
- Integration with popular travel providers
Pros of FlixBus:
- Comprehensive search options for bus travel
- User-friendly interface
- Provides detailed information on travel options
- Offers affordable travel options
Cons of FlixBus:
- Limited travel options beyond bus travel
- Some users report issues with customer service
- Can be less comfortable than other modes of travel
FlixBus is flexible (it's in the name)
Finally, there is 12go if we are traveling around Asia. Most of the continent seems to be plugged into this site, so if you are in Asia, this one is a savior and viable alternative to FlixBus and Omio.
Features:
- Bus travel planning
- Train travel planning
- Even flight planning
Happy bussers!
Step 3 - Trip.com and Skyscanner: Your flight booking online epicenters
Sometimes traveling across and ocean is just not possible in this day and age with a train or bus, so if I need to book a flight, I hit up Trip.com or Skyscanner. These websites are like the fairy godmothers of air travel, magically whisking me away to my dream destinations. They offer a wide range of flights at competitive prices, so I can always find a deal that fits my budget. Plus, their search filters are so precise, I feel like a ninja warrior when I use them (hang tight for an article with master tips on how to navigate these sites).
Let's start with Skyscanner.
Features of Skyscanner:
- Flight search
- Hotel search
- Car rental search
- Price alerts
- User-friendly interface
Pros of Skyscanner:
- Comprehensive search results
- Price alerts
- User-friendly interface
Cons of Skyscanner:
- Limited booking options
- Hidden fees
Now, let's move onto Trip.com.
Features of Trip.com:
- Flight search
- Hotel search
- Car rental search
- Travel guides
- Personalized recommendations
Pros of Trip.com:
- Comprehensive search results
- Personalized recommendations
- User-friendly interface
- They have a nice loyalty program. For example, after booking with them a few times (flights, hotels), I became a Diamond member and got 2 airport lounge passes.
Cons of Trip.com:
- Hidden fees
- Limited booking options
Trip.com is an absolute godsend for flight bookings along with Skyscanner
In short, my travel planning process involves using Rome2Rio to figure out how to get where I'm going, Omio and FlixBus to book my train and bus tickets, and Trip.com or Skyscanner to book my flights. These tools have saved my sanity (and my wallet) on countless trips, and I highly recommend them to anyone who wants to travel smarter, not harder.
If you want to give these travel tools a try, I've included affiliate links below. By using these links, you'll help support our blog and subtle caffeine addiction. Much love ❤️.
- Trip.com
- Omio
- Skyscanner
- FlixBus
- 12go
Bonus picture of Ryan sleeping:
