When looking at the best travel websites, it is important to weigh the pros and cons. The line from good to great is thin, so it’s difficult to prioritize the best of the bunch. The ten websites and search engines below are standouts in the industry and continue to provide consumers with a reason to explore a new destination.
Related: Best Flight & Travel APIs
Top Travel Sites to Find Deals
10. Skyscanner
Skyscanner is a reliable website that provides solid deals for the patient buyer. It won’t replace any of the big boys on the list, but it still remains a nice option for all in one package. The unique comparison engine does its job without displaying unnecessary information.
Pros
- One of the hidden gems to find blockbuster travel deals
- Flight Search engine handles updates to other websites quickly
- Works great as a vacation research tool
- Sources data from multiple online travel agencies & travel agents
Cons
- Sparse results will limit its appeal for larger groups
9. Funjet Vacations
The limited options of Funjet Vacations is a turnoff for some, and a lifesaver for others. It sports a simple homepage that offers flight/hotel and hotel/car options. Funjet is the travel website people go to when they already have a heavy itinerary in place.
Pros
- A website that gets right down to business without wasting your time
- Options are limited, but clearly laid out for the buyer to see
- One of the easier websites to navigate on mobile
Cons
- Prices aren’t always consistent
8. Cheap Caribbean
This is a surprising inclusion on the list considering how limited the travel scope is. If you can look past that one flaw, CheapCaribbean.com delivers on its promise for deals on that side of the world. No other website on this list can match their all-inclusive packages to the Caribbean.
Pros
- Best packages available for the Caribbean
- A popular choice for honeymoon packages
- Beautiful location with a lot to offer
Cons
- Not much use if you don’t want to go to the Caribbean
7. TripAdvisor
Tripadvisor is known for its collection of reviews and articles. Believe it or not, you can actually create an entire vacation package on the website! Despite the sometimes-overlooked nature of this feature, Tripadvisor is still considered one of the best in the business.
Pros
- Best place to get a general idea of things to do in a particular area
- Moderation team does a good job of removing troll reviews
- Booking options are solid (for casual or luxury travel)
- Also provides car rental options
Cons
- Negative trip reviews are sometimes too personal, and not always reliable
6. Orbitz
It’s almost frightening how good Orbitz is since it is the sister site of Expedia. Despite the connection, Orbitz exists for a specific reason on this list- it caters to individual travelers better than Expedia. When you’re looking for one or two tickets, Orbitz is one of the better websites to browse.
Pros
- Excels at finding smaller deals
- Makes a good alternative to bigger websites that focus on groups
- Some of the deals are one of a kind
Cons
- Deals go fast
5. Hipmunk
Hipmunk joins a long list of travel websites that use a search engine spider to collect booking information from the bigger sites. The difference here is that Hipmunk organizes the information in a way that makes sense. Sometimes, it does a better job than the original website.
Update: Hipmunk is shutting down its operations per TechCrunch
Pros
- An almost perfect search engine that puts others to shame
- Filters are easy to manipulate and tabs are simple to search through
- Hipmunk organizes information intelligently so that you don’t get confused
Cons
- Some tweaking to the search engine is needed to make it perfect
4. Kayak
One of the forgotten greats in the travel website industry is Kayak. They peaked early by providing deals that not even the best travel websites could match. Once the competition caught up, Kayak went from being legendary to ‘great’.
Pros
- Still one of the better websites for travel information
- Prices are competitive during heavy travel times
- The search engine is solid, and most deals will contain accurate information
Cons
- The website is a nightmare on older Android/iOS devices. The Kayak Mobile app is strongly recommended
3. Booking.com
Seeing Booking.com at the #3 spot may irk some travelers. The website is known for having incredible deals, but with the worst customer service possible. Buyers that never have to deal with the company’s customer service are highly likely to use the online booking system for future purchases.
Pros
- A truly underrated all-world booking website
- Options extend beyond booking – Buyers can list their properties for rent
- A friendly close-knit community that provides more balanced reviews than Tripadvisor
Cons
- Customer service needs an overhaul
2. Priceline
William Shatner put Priceline on the map, adding a memorable face to one of the best websites in travel. Priceline has always been a top competitor, gathering deals from all over the web. Their best feature is accuracy, even when the website grabs last-minute deals.
Pros
- Huge focus on accurate booking information
Most recognizable brand on the list
The website stays updated and user-friendly for all devices
Cons
- Some of the deals are a little behind better ones on other websites
1. Expedia
Expedia is one of the most well-known travel websites for a reason. Their bundle options are extensive, with a nice set of customization features to fit every vacation type. It’s safe to say that Expedia covers the most ground when planning a large trip.
Pros
- Robust set of options for any vacation
- Deals are always up to date
- The easiest website to use
Cons
- Sometimes competitors would have slightly better deals
Wrapping Up
Booking a hotel, flight, or car is a lot easier when using a travel website. It is a time-saver, and with the right connections will also save you money. Enjoy your vacation package by ensuring you did everything possible to make it perfect.
What did you think about our list? Which travel sites are missing from our list? Let us know in the comments below.
Summary: Top Travel Websites for 2020
Website | Pros | Cons | API | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Hipmunk |
|
| Yes | Connect to API |
Orbitz |
|
| No | Browse Travel APIs |
TripAdvisor |
|
| Yes | Connect to API |
Cheap Caribbean |
|
| No | Browse Travel APIs |
Funject Vacations |
|
| No | Browse Travel APIs |
Skyscanner |
|
| Yes | Connect to API |
Kayak |
|
| No | Browse Travel APIs |
Booking.com |
|
| No | Browse Travel APIs |
Priceline |
|
| No | Browse Travel APIs |
Expedia |
|
| No | Browse Travel APIs |
Relevant and Related Resources
- Iata Codes API
- Best Sites for Frequent Flyers
- Best Travel Rewards Programs
- Best Travel Insurance Companies
Nafeesa says
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Shawn says
Vntrip is not English website, I have no idea what language is it