My Top 6 Apps and Websites to Plot the Trip of Your Dreams on a Budget
Planning a vacation can be overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to stick to a budget. But luckily, we live in an age where technology can simplify this process significantly. From finding the cheapest flights, to discovering unique local experiences, there are numerous apps and websites that can help you plan your dream trip without breaking the bank. I often get asked how I manage to travel on the cheap – Here are my top five picks:
#1 – Hopper
If you have 6-12 months to plan your trip, the travel app Hopper is your best friend. This app is perfect for monitoring flight prices and predicting the best times to book. Once you’ve decided on your destination, set up alerts on Hopper to notify you when a flight’s price drops or is about to increase significantly. This real-time feature helps you decide the optimal moment to book your flight at the best possible price. I like to put in a few different options to keep an eye on if my travel dates are flexible. https://www.hopper.com/
Why I Love This Travel App:
- Price Alerts: Get notifications that pop up when flight prices drop.
- Real-Time Predictions: Know the best time to book. This hasn’t failed me yet!
- User-Friendly: Easy to set up and use.
#2 – GoCity Passes
Exploring a large city and want to do all the things? GoCity Passes are a game-changer. These passes offer access to multiple attractions, events, museums, restaurants and rides for one flat fee.
You can choose passes ranging from one to five days, and they typically cover up to 50 different attractions. I’ve saved thousands of dollars using GoCity Passes during my travels. It has two pass styles, so choose what works best for you – an All-Inclusive, which is great for when you want to see how much you can cram in, or a Select 2-3-4-or-5 attraction pass, for when you know exactly what you want to do, and nothing more, or want to spread it out over several days at a slower pace. https://gocity.com/en
Why I Love This Travel Site:
- Cost-Effective: Save money by bundling attractions.
- Flexibility: Choose passes that fit your schedule.
- Wide Range of Attractions: Access to numerous activities and sites. Also, this is a great tool to see what attractions reside in the area for your planning purposes, even if you don’t book a pass 😉
- Pro Tip: Check out Groupon, as they often have deals for GoCity Passes.
#3 – Airbnb
Airbnb has been my go-to resource for finding unique and affordable places to stay. Whether you’re looking for a cozy cottage tuck in the mountains or a chic city apartment, Airbnb offers options that feel more like home than a hotel, especially for extended stays, and for a better price point. This has become more and more important for our family, now that I need access to a kitchen for my celiac-friendly meals.
Now, Airbnb has elevated the game, by having an Airbnb Experiences feature that lets you book tours and activities led by locals. For example, in Venice, Italy, I had a private tour with an ex-gondolier who showed us hidden gems of the city and even got us into a Michelin-star restaurant. In Dublin, Ireland, a local musician took our group on a pub crawl following authentic music throughout the city. In Nice, France, a professional photographer toured us around the sites of the Cannes Film Festival and up to a beautiful view of the city. Need I go on? https://www.airbnb.com/
Why I Love This Travel Site:
- Home-Like Feel: More comfortable than hotels for long stays – who doesn’t love a couch? Allows for all the snacks, drinks, and food you’d need to save some $$.
- Local Experiences: Small group or private tours and activities led by locals.
- Variety of Options: Diverse range of accommodations to fit any budget.
#4 & #5 – GetYourGuide & Viator
For larger tours and pre-purchasing tickets to popular museums in Europe, I frequently use GetYourGuide and Viator. These platforms offer a wide range of tours and activities, from guided city tours to skip-the-line museum tickets.
They are perfect for those who prefer less personalized but still high-quality experiences. Although, you might just luck out like we did, and book a private tour, get to know your guide, become friends, and then book directly with him next time in town. https://www.getyourguide.com/ https://www.viator.com/
Why I Love These Tour Guide Apps:
- Convenience: Easily book tours and activities.
- Variety: Wide selection of tours and experiences.
- User Reviews: Read reviews to ensure quality.
#6 – Alaska Airlines App
Living in Seattle, Alaska Airlines is my go-to for most domestic flights. I highly recommend joining one or two airline miles programs and sticking to them to accumulate points quickly. Alaska Airlines offers excellent deals and their credit card can help you earn miles faster. Use it for your daily purchases, pay it off monthly, and you could find yourself flying for free with just a few dollar fee, like I did coming back from Madrid!
Alaska Airlines is part of OneWorld Alliance, so you can use your points to fly within their sister airlines all over the world. And just recently, they joined with Hawaiian Airlines, so you know I’m going to take advantage of that! https://www.alaskaair.com/
Why I Love this Airline:
- Mile Accumulation: Quickly earn miles for free flights.
- Convenience: Easy to book and manage flights.
- Exclusive Deals: Access to special offers and upgrades, and free baggage.
Bonus Tip: Going (formerly known as Scott’s Cheap Flights)
If you’re open to spontaneous adventures, Going is an excellent tool to find unexpected travel deals. With a small membership fee, Going sends you email alerts for error fares, special deals, and the best times to fly to various destinations. It considers your preferred local airports and helps you discover deals you’d never find on your own.
Why I Love It:
- Unexpected Deals: Find unique travel deals via email alerts.
- Airport Customization: Tailored deals based on your preferred airports.
- Cost-Effective: Worth the small membership fee for significant savings.
Conclusion
Planning a trip doesn’t have to be stressful or expensive. With these travel apps and websites, you can organize your dream vacation while staying within your budget. From finding the best flight deals with Hopper to exploring cities with GoCity Passes, and discovering unique local experiences through Airbnb, these tools will help you make the most of your travels. Don’t forget to check out Going for spontaneous travel deals and maximize your miles with airline apps like Alaska Airlines.
Ready to start planning your next adventure? Download these travel apps and begin plotting your dream trip today!
Now that you have some new tools, where are you off to next? Check out my posts on Death Valley – this one will get you started: A Perfect Weekend in Death Valley National Park, or maybe San Francisco is more your speed?: 21 Unforgettable Things to Do in San Francisco.
Do you have a favorite app or website that helps you plan a great trip? I’d love to hear your experiences.
