Favorite tools for planning trips

I have been travelling since before I can remember. Since my parent's divorce, I've had to travel solo since the age of 6 years old between Finland and Canada. The first country that I went to by myself was Italy in December 2006 for New Years Eve, I fell in love right then and there. I had been travelling previously with my family but something about travelling solo just hits different. At this point in time, I've been to 33 countries and by the end of the July it'll be 35. I'll go through my favorite sites and tools that I use to plan my trips.

Sites/apps that I use for planning & brainstorming:

• Fly4free

• Fly4free.com: Cheap flights & money-saving tips from our experts (FB group)

• Secret Flying

• Skyscanner

• Momondo

• Google Flights

• Booking.com

• Agoda

• Google Hotels

• Google Sheets

• Google Maps

• Stippl

• Rome2Rio

• Some VPN

If you want to travel for cheap, you need to be flexible. You can get great ideas and discover deals from Fly4free and Secret Flying, they generally cover cheap flight deals and error fares (NOTE: airlines can and might cancel your tickets, so book with that in mind). Skyscanner, Momondo and Google Flights are great for finding cheap destinations from your home airport and finding the cheapest time to travel to a specific location or country.

Flexibility Tips for Cheap Travel:

1. Flexible Dates: Instead of sticking to specific travel dates, use flexible date search options available on Skyscanner, Momondo, and Google Flights. This allows you to see a range of dates and select the cheapest option.

2. Off-Peak Travel: Traveling during off-peak seasons can significantly reduce costs. Prices for flights and accommodations drop when the tourist demand is lower.

3. Mid-Week Travel: Flights are often cheaper mid-week compared to weekends. Try to schedule your departure and return flights for Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday.

4. Last-Minute Deals: If your schedule allows, last-minute deals can be incredibly cost-effective. Airlines and hotels sometimes offer steep discounts to fill remaining seats and rooms.

5. Alternative Airports: Consider flying into or out of alternative airports. Smaller or secondary airports can offer cheaper flights compared to major international hubs.

6. Open-Jaw Tickets: Booking open-jaw tickets, where you fly into one city and out of another, can sometimes save money and allow for more exploration.

For finding hotels, I generally use a combination of Booking.com and Google Hotels. I have been using Booking.com for a very long time and I've never had any issues with it; the prices are decent. However, it is a third-party booking site. This means that information on the site may not always be up-to-date or accurate, as it relies on data provided by the hotels and properties themselves. Despite this, Booking.com offers several advantages that make it a valuable resource for travelers.

Advantages of Using Booking.com:

1. Wide Selection: Booking.com has an extensive database of accommodations, including hotels, hostels, apartments, and vacation rentals. This variety makes it easier to find a place that suits your needs and budget.

2. User Reviews and Ratings: One of the key benefits of Booking.com is the user reviews. Travelers can read reviews and see ratings from people who have actually stayed at the property, providing real-world insights into the quality and service.

3. Ease of Use: The interface of Booking.com is user-friendly and intuitive, making it easy to search for and book accommodations. Filters and sorting options help narrow down choices based on price, location, amenities, and more.

4. Loyalty Programs: Booking.com offers a Genius loyalty program, which provides members with discounts, perks, and special offers. This can be particularly beneficial for frequent travelers.

5. Customer Service: Booking.com has a responsive customer service team that can assist with booking issues, changes, or cancellations.
   
   

Considerations:

1. Information Accuracy: Since Booking.com is a third-party site, there can be occasional discrepancies in room availability, amenities, or hotel policies. It’s always a good idea to double-check important details directly with the hotel.

2. Cancellation Policies: Cancellation policies can vary widely between properties and may differ from the terms offered if you book directly with the hotel. Be sure to read the cancellation terms carefully before making a reservation.

3. Additional Fees: Sometimes, taxes and additional fees may not be included in the initial price shown on Booking.com. Ensure you review the final price breakdown to avoid surprises.
   
   
   

Using Google Hotels:

In addition to Booking.com, I also use Google Hotels for comparison. Google Hotels aggregates listings from various booking sites, including Booking.com, and displays them in one place. This allows for:

1. Price Comparison: By seeing prices from multiple booking sites, you can ensure you're getting the best deal.

2. Comprehensive Search: Google Hotels provides a wide-ranging search that includes different booking platforms and direct hotel prices.

3. Integrated Reviews: Google Hotels integrates reviews from Google users, adding another layer of feedback to help make informed decisions.
   
   

Best Practices:

1. Double-Check Details: Regardless of which platform you use, it's always wise to confirm details directly with the hotel, especially for critical information like check-in times, room specifications, and special requests.

2. Use Multiple Sources: Combining searches on Booking.com and Google Hotels can provide a broader perspective and help you find the best deals and most accurate information.

3. Look for Direct Booking Perks: Sometimes, booking directly with the hotel can offer additional benefits such as room upgrades, better cancellation policies, or loyalty points. Use third-party sites for comparison, but consider the potential advantages of booking directly.
   
   

What I use for planning

I generally like to use Google Sheets so I can easily lay out my itinerary in an organized, clear way. You can see below in the gallery how I have designed the format of the spreadsheet. Another app that I recommend is Stippl, it can be used on both mobile devices and in a browser. For those who prefer a more visual and interactive approach to travel planning, the app Stippl can be a game-changer. Stippl is a versatile tool designed to help travelers organize their trips with ease and clarity, offering features that cater to both detailed planners and spontaneous adventurers.

Key Features of Stippl:

Visual Itinerary:

1. Map-Based Planning: Stippl allows you to create a visual itinerary by pinning destinations, accommodations, and activities on an interactive map. This makes it easy to see the geographic layout of your trip and plan your routes efficiently.

2. Timeline View: Organize your travel plans on a timeline, providing a clear overview of your schedule day by day. This helps in ensuring that you make the most of your time at each destination.

Collaborative Planning:

1. Shared Itineraries: Invite friends, family, or travel companions to view and edit your itinerary. This collaborative feature ensures everyone is on the same page and can contribute to the planning process.

2. Real-Time Updates: Any changes made to the itinerary are updated in real-time, keeping everyone informed about the latest plans.
   
   

Activity and Accommodation Booking:

1. Integrated Bookings: Stippl integrates with various booking platforms, allowing you to book flights, hotels, and activities directly through the app. This centralizes your travel arrangements, reducing the need to switch between multiple apps and websites.

2. Recommendations and Reviews: Access recommendations and reviews for accommodations, restaurants, and activities, helping you make informed decisions based on real user experiences.
   
   

Customizable Trip Planning:

1. Personalized Notes and Tags: Add notes and tags to different entries in your itinerary for easy reference. This can include packing lists, special instructions, or reminders for each activity.

2. Photo Integration: Upload photos related to your plans, such as snapshots of booking confirmations, maps, or places of interest. This visual element can enhance your planning and keep important information handy.
   
   

Offline Access:

1. Download Itineraries: Download your entire itinerary for offline access, ensuring you have all your plans available even without internet connectivity. This is particularly useful when traveling to areas with limited or no internet access.
   
   

Benefits of Using Stippl:

1. Enhanced Visualization: Stippl’s map-based and timeline views provide a comprehensive and easy-to-understand layout of your trip, making it simpler to plan and adjust your itinerary.

2. Improved Collaboration: The ability to share and collaboratively edit your itinerary ensures seamless communication and coordination with travel companions.

3. Streamlined Planning Process: By integrating bookings, recommendations, and customizable features, Stippl centralizes all aspects of travel planning in one user-friendly platform.

4. Increased Flexibility: The app’s offline access and real-time updates allow you to adapt your plans on the go, catering to both meticulous planners and those who prefer spontaneous adventures.

Making the Most of Google Maps and Rome2Rio

When planning the logistics of your travel, Google Maps and Rome2Rio are indispensable tools.

Google Maps: This tool is perfect for visualizing your itinerary and navigating within cities. You can:

1. Save Places: Mark important locations like your hotel, tourist attractions, and restaurants.

2. Create Custom Maps: Organize your trip by creating custom maps with all your saved places.

3. Explore Nearby: Use the “Explore” feature to find nearby attractions, dining options, and more.

4. Public Transit Directions: Get step-by-step public transit directions in most cities worldwide.

5. Offline Maps: Download maps for offline use, which is especially helpful when you don’t have internet access.
   

Rome2Rio: This website and app provide comprehensive route information for travel between cities, including:

1. Multi-modal Routes: Find routes that combine flights, trains, buses, ferries, and driving options.

2. Cost Estimates: Get cost estimates for each leg of your journey, allowing you to compare and budget effectively.

3. Travel Time Estimates: See the estimated travel time for each route option.

4. Booking Links: Rome2Rio often provides links to book tickets directly through partner sites.
   
   

Staying Organized with Google Sheets
Travel planning can be overwhelming, but with the right tools, you can transform chaos into order. Google Sheets is a powerful, versatile tool that can help you keep your travel plans organized, detailed, and accessible. Whether you’re planning a solo adventure or coordinating with a group, Google Sheets offers numerous advantages to streamline your process and enhance your travel experience.

Advantages of Google Sheets:

1. Customizable: Tailor your spreadsheet to fit your specific needs and preferences.

2. Collaborative: Share your itinerary with travel companions and allow them to add their inputs.

3. Accessible: Access your plans from anywhere with an internet connection, and even offline with Google Sheets’ offline mode.

4. Automated Calculations: Use formulas to calculate budgets, travel times, and other important details.
   
   

Tips for Using Google Sheets for Travel Planning:

1. Create Tabs for Each Destination: Organize your itinerary by creating separate tabs for each destination.

2. Include Key Information: List flight details, hotel reservations, activity bookings, and important contact information.

3. Link to Maps and Documents: Add links to Google Maps, booking confirmations, and other important documents.

4. Use Color Coding: Highlight different types of information (e.g., flights, accommodations, activities) with color coding for quick reference.

By combining these tools and strategies, you can streamline your travel planning process, stay organized, and make the most of your trips.

Why should you use a VPN?

Using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) when searching for flights can provide several advantages related to privacy, price variation, and security. Here are the primary reasons:

1. Prevent Price Discrimination: Airlines and travel booking sites often use dynamic pricing, which adjusts the cost of flights based on various factors, including your location. By using a VPN to mask your IP address and appear as if you're browsing from a different country or region, you can potentially find lower prices. Different regions can show different prices for the same flight, so changing your virtual location might help you secure a better deal.

2. Avoid Tracking and Personalized Pricing: Websites track your browsing behavior through cookies and other tracking technologies. They can use this information to increase prices on flights you repeatedly search for, creating a sense of urgency. Using a VPN can help you avoid this tracking by hiding your browsing history and preventing these sites from recognizing you as a repeat visitor.

3. Enhanced Security: When you're connected to public Wi-Fi networks, such as those in airports, cafes, or hotels, using a VPN can encrypt your data and protect your personal information from being intercepted by malicious actors. This is especially important if you need to enter sensitive information, such as your credit card details, while booking flights.

4. Access to Region-Specific Deals: Certain deals and promotions are only available to users in specific countries or regions. By using a VPN, you can access and take advantage of these offers, which might not be available in your actual location.

5. Avoid Geographical Restrictions: Some booking websites and airlines might restrict access to certain fares or options based on your geographic location. Using a VPN can help you bypass these restrictions and view all available options regardless of where you are physically located.
   

Practical Tips for Using VPNs When Searching for Flights

1. Clear your cookies and browser cache before starting your flight search to ensure previous searches don’t affect current prices.

2. Compare prices by changing your virtual location using the VPN to see if there are significant differences.

3. Choose reputable VPN services that offer servers in a variety of locations and have strong security features.

By incorporating a VPN into your flight search process, you can potentially save money, protect your privacy, and enhance your online security.