The 50 Best Travel Websites

2. Booking.com
With 15 million visitors a month, Booking.com is the big boy of the online-reservation market. Now in its 11th year, the site is available in 15 languages and offers over 30,000 hotels in more than 8,000 destinations. Because it’s such a behemoth, users can enjoy highly competitive rates on a vast range of accommodations, and even better, the site is totally free with no booking or cancellation fees.

3. Journeywoman.com
Specialising in advice for female travellers, Journeywoman.com also offers its readers the opportunity to sign up to a regular online newsletter for free. With posts on what to wear where, what a girl should do in Brussels, an international dim sum directory, tips on how to deal with loneliness and what to expect when travelling with children, this is a mine of good-humoured and warmhearted advice.

4. Direct.gov.uk
When it comes to seeking advice on visas and passports, go straight to the government’s website to get the cold, hard facts. The section entitled “travelling abroad” covers all the dull but important information that can make the difference between the holiday of a lifetime and a really bad trip. The “before you travel” section has lots of sensible checklists and info on insurance and the optimistically titled “if things go wrong” page gives crucial tips on what to do when things go pear-shaped.

5. Mrandmrssmith.com
Originally a series of super-slick guidebooks, Mr and Mrs Smith have gone online to spread their special brand of sexy travel. Billed as the definitive boutique and luxury hotel guide, this site will provide inspiration for a weekend – or more – away in a top-notch love nest. By becoming a Mr and Mrs Smith member (from £10 a year) you receive perks at recommended hotels (free champagne, extra spa treatments) and great offers. A recent offer is reduced rates at the divine Dylan Hotel in Amsterdam.

6. Noflytravel.com
With air travel in the line of fire for being ecologically unsound, it’s time to start thinking about other ways to see the world. This brilliant site gives realistic alternatives to flying based on boat, train and bus travel. One in six people currently choose to do without flying, but I’m sure that figure would soar if more checked out this site.

7. Hiphotels.com
Choose from ski, city, spa, beach and budget hotels on this too-cool-for-words hotel site. Based on the popular Hip Hotels series of coffee-table travel tomes, this slick site is a must-click for anyone who likes their accommodation to be high end and on-trend. Launched last year. Hiphotels.com takes the in-depth information and lush photography that make the books so good and turns it into a joyfully luxurious web experience.

8. Petsonthego.com
Petsonthego.com, a specialist site for people with pets, gives its users access to everything they need to know about taking their furry friends away on holiday. It lists pet-friendly accommodation, tips on travelling with animals and local vet details. Although it’s a US site, the information is useful for anyone travelling abroad with their wee beasties.

9. Fco.gov.uk
The Foreign Office homepage should be your first portal of call if you’re unsure about any aspect of travelling overseas. Advice is listed by country and there is also an extensive list of other vital information including services for British nationals, countries to avoid, which resorts offer sustainable tourism, where you’re at risk from hurricanes. Travel advice is also available by phoning 0845 850 2829. Check out the gap year version of the site too at www.gogapyear.com.

10. Wallpaper.com/travel
The spiritual home of trendy Wendys and hip travellers with deep pockets, the travel section of the Wallpaperwebsite will either inspire you to blow the savings on a boutique hotel stay or will make you envious as hell. Current dispatches include a report on shopping in Milan, a review of a seriously swish New Zealand hotel and where to go in east London. Wallpaper’s city guides are also available through the site.

12. Sleepinginairports.net
Sometimes all you can do is make the best of a bad situation – if your flight is delayed, your hotel is fully booked or you have a ridiculous stopover, this site could just make an inevitable night in the airport a little less uncomfortable. If you’re a total skinflint this site will show you which departure lounges are more comfortable than a local B&B. Travellers grade the airports and post recommendations on this irreverent and resolutely budget website.

11. Travelocity.co.uk
Chances are you’re already aware of this site. It may not be new and flashy, but it does a very good job of bringing together the business of finding flights, arranging car hire, getting hold of Eurostar tickets and booking into hotels in a simple-to-use, straightforward manner. Just enter the date your looking to travel and this site will provide you with all the details you’ll need to get away.

13. Virtualtourist.com
Check out this site for tons of top travel tips that are updated constantly. The members of the site have contributed 1,456,942 tips and 2,840,161 photos on over 22,000 locations across the planet. There are forums on almost every travel issue under the sun and guides (above) to anywhere you’re likely to want to go. Every tip is linked to the profile of the member who posted it, so you can check out where else they’ve been to and where they’re going next.

14. Gapyear.com
Voted the best website at this year’s Britain Youth Travel Awards, Gapyear.com has everything a would-be adventurer needs to plan the trip of a lifetime. The ethos behind the site is that “life is short so remember to live it, and enjoy it”. As well as ideas of what to do – teaching in Thailand or camping in Russia – this is a great place to meet travel companions or find out about how to do a TEFL course. Travel, backpacking and volunteering are all covered so there should be something for every gap year wannabe.

15. i-escape.com
Aimed at “discerning independent travellers” looking for “exciting and unusual places to stay in some of the world’s most beautiful and fascinating locations”, i-escape.com is total travel eye candy. You can book through the site as well as getting inspiration for a dream holiday and each place that is recommended is unique in some way, whether in its design, its natural setting, its owners or the activities on offer. Aworld away from the average travel agent.

16. Carhiresearch.co.uk
Trawling through hire-car sites is one of the depressing but necessary realities of going on holiday. Make it less of a schlep by going straight to this site that does the searching for you. It looks at all the usual suspects, plus some third-party hire firms so you won’t find a better one-stop shop for hiring a car. Check out the product reviews to read how other users fared with various car models.

17. Bedbreak.com
Anthony Teasdale, the editor of new lifestyle and travel magazine Switched On, recommends this site for anyone looking to go on French leave. “It may not boast flashy graphics or trendy music, but this website is a must for people looking to book a B&B in France. With rooms in countless guest houses, farms and even the odd vineyard to choose from you’ll be sure to find something you like.”

18. Wikitravel.org
Wiki sites are the kings of user-generated web content – everybody gets their say on the topic at hand. Wikitravel.org brings together guides to nearly 15,000 locations, from Yemen to Yosemite (above), written by the site’s users. While the information on the site may not always be totally comprehensive, if you see something you want to edit you can dive in and update it yourself. A neat feature is a section on phrasebooks, which allows users to print out useful words rather than having to shell out on a whole book.

19. Roamingfox.co.uk
Stuffed with things you never knew you needed, this is one website that makes packing light seem like torture. How to choose between the £4.99 micro-pillow and the £9.99 aromatherapy travel neck-rest? Or between the gel-filled disposable urinal, a must for long journeys, and the slashproof security pouch? There’s guaranteed next day delivery if you spend over £35 – and with so many useful things it may be tough not to – so even last-minute buys should arrive in time for your departure.

20. Gridskipper.com
With graphic design par excellence, Gridskipper.com describes itself as a decadent travel guide. Unashamedly urban, it features articles on everything, from chic Parisien hotels to Tokyo nightlife (above), to where to find the “beautiful people”. This isn’t your average travel site, thanks to pieces on a Japanese Hello Kitty airline, luxury ladies’ loos in London and the best music shops in Philadelphia. Asite for “hipsterific” – their word – explorers.

21. Seatguru.com
Sick of being seated next to the toilets on longhaul flights? Longing for luxury legroom but only willing to pay economy? This is the site to check out. Seatguru.com has a comprehensive guide to most airlines’ seating plans and inflight amenities, complete with diagrams to show you how to request the best possible seat and sit in the right place to get your plane food first. The diagrams even point out good seats in green and bad seats in red.

22. En.venere.com
A great hotel and apartment site that consistently comes up with good value offers on everything from budget boutiques to luxury lodges across the globe. What’s especially good about it is the way every partner hotel is comprehensively detailed with loads of reviews – the site boasts over 350,000 unbiased reviews – pictures and maps. Great for beginners.

23. Travel-rants.com
Dedicated to naming and shaming bad travel experiences, this site is run by Darren Cronian who started writing his travel blog in April 2005 after a nightmare booking experience with a high-street travel agency. The visitors to the site have taken up his baton of woe and run with it. It’s worth logging on before booking anything to check that your tour operator hasn’t enraged anyone recently, and if you’re not going away this year, read the tragic tales with a sense of schadenfreude.

24. Tourismconcern.org.uk
Before you book a holiday, log on here to find out everything you need to know about ethical tourism. While it can sometimes be an uncomfortable read, it’s worth exploring how the average holiday can have an impact on world poverty, trade and working conditions worldwide. The site produces an annual report on issues in tourism, runs a number of campaigns to highlight and improve issues within the industry and gives information on the Ethical Tour Operators’ Group.

25. Whygo.com
Not a question but a website devoted to reasons to go. This site is a daily source of travel inspiration – the team behind it and travellers who use it upload pictures, short stories and quotes designed to “inspire, encourage and foster travel”. If you’re feeling like you’re chained to a desk, set this as your homepage and remember that you’re working to live and not the other way round.

26. Bikeaccess.net
Astripped-down, non-commercial site that has been created by cyclists for cyclists to share information about transporting your bike with you worldwide. It’s a mixture of travellers’ tips, links to airline and train web pages and journeys thatwork – or don’t – with a bike in tow. There is even a poem on the joys of packing for a bike trip. A jolly useful portal for bike fans.

27. CouchSurfing.com
Networking sites aren’t just confined to swapping photos or finding like-minded Lily Allen fans online. CouchSurfing.com is a network where members looking for a sofa to sleep on in a distant country can get in touch with people willing to let them kip on their soft furnishings. The site says, “It’s not about the furniture, not just about finding free accommodations around the world; it’s about making connections worldwide.” The free accommodation helps, though.

28. Babygoes2.com
Babygoes2.com, created by working mothers fed up with travel information that ignored the realities of going on holiday with your children, is dedicated to helping parents find and book the perfect family holiday. As well as being able to book through the site, users get access to special offers and there is comprehensive advice on where to go, what to pack and what to expect when taking the anklebiters away with you.

29. Travelhealth.co.uk
Find out what jabs you need and what illnesses you need to worry about on this UK-based independent health website. It gives tips on how to prevent diseases – recommended reading if you’re going anywhere further than the end of the road – and what vaccinations you’ll require for various destinations, be your trip for business or pleasure. With checklists on staying healthy when away and what to do before you go, it’s a travel must-click.

30. Cntraveller.co.uk
Conde Nast Traveller’s glossy site is worth checking out if you’re feeling at a loss on where to head on holiday. With a section specifically aimed at the undecided traveller – “let us inspire you” – there’s everything you need to guide you to your dream holiday destination. If only the best will do, consult the awards board for the best spas and travel info, or look at the hot list of recommended hotels to back a winner.

31. Cheapflights.co.uk
The name gives it away really. If you’re yet to start worrying about the impact of flying on your carbon footprint and are still keen to bag as cheap a flight as possible, this no-frills websites will search for the cheapest flights it can find. Great for last-minute jaunts, not so hot for the environment.

32. Homebase-hols.com
A good way to get to know another country is to spend time living there. While an apartment swap is a purely temporary affair, it’s the quickest way to get an insight into what life is really like in your chosen destination. Homebasehols.com lists would-be exchangers from around the world and offers detailed advice about what to expect from swapping homes for a holiday. You have to be a member to use the site and membership will cost you from £29.

33. Thorntree.lonelyplanet.com
The forum section of Lonelyplanet.com is where globetrotters get together to share travel secrets, advice and snaps. Discussion topics range from how to catch a cargo ship, crew a yacht or jump on a ferry to how older travellers can best spend their children’s inheritance. Specific destinations are also discussed to death so you’ll never have to fear visiting uncharted territories again – this lot got there first and lived to tell the tale.

34. Millets.co.uk
Even if you’re not a camping fan, it’s always worth having a tent to hand for spontaneous outdoor events or spur-of-the-moment holiday festivals. Millets has everything a happy camper needs to stay that way, including a “paint your own festival tent” for arty types and clothing, cagoules and cooking equipment. Outdoorsy types should check out their selection of walking and skiing kit, too, and now is a good time to buy ski stuff for next season as many retailers mark down prices at this time of year.

35. 360travelguide.com
Whether you’re planning a trip or just being an armchair traveller, this fun site is a must-visit. Simple enter a location of your choice and then gain access to a virtual tour of a city – or even a hotel – via 360 degree photographs. A great way to explore possible destinations without leaving the house and a top way to avoid dingy hotel rooms – forewarned is forearmed, after all.

36. Airsafe.com
It’s hard to say whether this US website is a good thing for nervous fliers or a really bad one. It exhaustively lists airline safety records and answers vital questions like “how hard is it to fly a 757 or 767 plane?” The site also shares information on the airlines that have had no fatalities, the world’s most recent air crashes and how to file complaints. Wisely, there’s also a section dealing with tips on conquering the fear of flying.

37. Tablethotels.com
Look beyond the irritatingly smug motto “Unique Hotels for Global Nomads” to find a site that offers a different service to the slew of hotel pages that simply list thousands of accommodation options. Tablet Hotels sorts the wheat from the chaff to independently choose hotels that have personality and something special about them. There’s also a page devoted to real-time customer ratings, so you can find out who thinks what about where.

38. Insideragency.com
Make new friends and see new places through the eyes of the locals through this clever site. Insideragency.com hooks up visitors with local people willing to advise on how to get the best out of any destination. The “insiders” don’t charge for their expertise, but be polite and cover their expenses or they may be tempted to give you the wrong directions home.

39. Solio.com
Dragging batteries and chargers with you on holiday is the downside to taking hi-tech cameras, mobiles and MP3 on holiday. This nifty gadget is just the thing to pack in lieu of a nest of cables – it’s a solar-powered charger that works on most mobile devices. One hour of sun equals 45 minutes of music or 15 minutes of talk time and the Solio has an internal battery that can be charged up by the sun – or the mains – during the day and then used at night.

40. Patriciawells.com
For a personal approach to Paris, visit the chef, the cookery teacher and restaurant reviewer Patricia Wells’s website. As well as listing the cookery courses she runs in Paris and Provence, this site has sections on getting around Paris, where to stay and plenty of restaurant recommendations to suit most budgets. For any web surfers inspired by Patricia’s page, check out her book, The Food Lover’s Guide to Paris, for further inspiration.

41. Skyscanner.net
There are any number of flight price comparison sites, but the ease of use of Skyscanner.net, recommended by Anthony Teasdale, makes it one of the best. Type in your chosen destination (in our case, Cleethorpes) and the site will showyou all the flights available on your chosen date. The site aims to show you as many prices as possible to make choosing as one as easy as possible.

42. Hostelworld.com
There are youth hostels, guest houses and budget accommodation galore on this US site. While many people travelling on a shoestring just turn up at hostels and hope for the best, this site allows you to check availability and book online. Prices depend on where you stay and whether you want to sleep in a private room or dorm, but whatever your requirements you should be able to find a low-cost roof over your head anywhere in the world.

43. Travelaloneandloveit.com
Based on the book of the same name by the former flight attendant Sharon B Wingler, this site’s aim is to show people how to travel the world alone “safely, economically and with the travel savvy of a pro”. Thanks to Wingler’s former career, she knows a huge amount about travelling solo and her site shares what she has learnt on her globe-trotting jaunts, plus there is a resources section that lists links to other useful sites.

44. Safariquip.co.uk
SafariQuip.co.uk was set up in 1982 to help explorers find the right gear for their expeditions. Since then the company behind the site has supplied major firm with everything, from mosquito nets to water treatment kits. The website stocks tons of useful travel gear – they’ll also track down specific items you need for your travels. There’s also a free interactive kit list, created because around 28% of travellers leave something behind.

45. Yogaholidays.net
A holiday that involves going to bed early and becoming more bendy may not inspire everyone, but if you fancy going on a yoga retreat, this no-frills site is a treasure trove of information. From advice on choosing the right kind of yoga holiday to listings of what’s on when across the world, Yogaholidays. net is the place to go if you’re after inner-peace rather than two weeks on the beach.

46. Petairuk.com
Taking pets away on holiday may seem like more trouble than it’s worth, but this specialist website can make the process a straight forward affair. From booking flights for Fido to providing a passport forPuss, arranging blood tests to providing travel containers, Petair takes the stress out of travelling for you and your pet. Veterinary consultants are also on hand to offer advice prior to booking.

47. Camping.ukdirectory.com
For finding out the best places to spend the night under canvas, this no-nonsense directory of campsites in the UK and Europe should be the first place to look. It also has a comprehensive list of caravan sites, too. Expect reviews of all locations listed, as well as info on whether pets are allowed, if there’s a pool, what the disabled access is like and how many hot showers there are.

48. Holidayaccessdirect.com
For disabled travellers fed up with the rigid offerings and pricing of “disability specialist” tour operators, this site is a welcome respite. It offers links to the best value flights, accommodation, transfers and mobility services the web has to offer, as well as vital information, which can mean the difference between having a holiday or not. As well as a Holiday Access blog, users can ask the experts by emailing the site to get tailor-made advice.

49. Stanfords.co.uk
Plan your route with a map from Stanfords, cartographers to the stars for more than 150 years – previous customers include Ernest Shackleton, Florence Nightingale, Ranulph Fiennes, Bill Bryson and the lovely Michael Palin. Stanfords.co.uk sells maps of pretty much everywhere and offers road maps, sailing charts, atlases and walking guides. Also available are globes, travel accessories and maps on CD ROM and DVD. You’ll never be lost again.

50. Whatsonwhen.com
A mind-bogglingly comprehensive online events guide, What’sonwhen.com is the fastest way to work out what to do on holiday. Search for events by country and date, then narrow down the options by choosing what you fancy attending from festivals to food markets (above), art exhibitions to archery competitions. Each listing has full contact details for the event, plus price details and a brief overview of what to expect.