Making travel reservations to go to Europe isn’t as difficult as you may think. Over the last decade more travelers book their travel online than go through travel agents. There is controversy as to what benefits travel agents may offer over using the web sites. Travel agents can monitor prices allowing them to know when prices drop. However, if you do not want to spend the time shopping online and are more confident using a travel agent, that may be the best thing for you to do.
What Can You Do Online…
What can you do online. You can look up, find general information, read reviews and book for;
- Booking Flights with Airlines
- Reserve Accommodations for Hotels, Resorts, Hostels and other overnight accommodations
- Transit and Rail passes
- Restaurant reservations
- Tours for Day Trips, Free Walking, Small Group, Exclusive entry,
- Pre-planned and inclusive trips
- Cruises, Ferries and Boat excursions
- Tourism cards for Cities, Museums and Attractions
- Documentation for Visa’s, ID’s, etc.
- Travel Insurance
Shopping online for these services can save you money by using some of the tools on their web sites. Some will offer the lowest prices when you book at their sites. Booking directly with the provider will show you discounts and additional services as well as, important up front information that could save you time and money.
When shopping make sure you know the price is in US dollars and not Euro’s, Pounds or other foreign currency. If the services are only sold in another currency make sure you know if they will charge you an additional foreign transaction fee when using your credit card. This will be more common when booking tickets directly to local attractions that only do business in their local currency. You should find this a problem when booking flights, hotels or car rentals, especially from travel web sites.
DAYS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE AMERICANS MAKE THE DECISION TO TRAVEL
Same Day
1 – 3 Days
4 – 7 Days
8 – 14 Days
0.2%
3.6%
5.5%
8.0%
15 – 30 Days
31 – 60 Days
61 – 90 Days
91 – 120 Days
23.0%
21.3%
12.7%
9.2%
Source: U.S. Department of Commerce: International Trade Commission, Air Travelers (SIAT) Survey Data on U.S. Residents Visiting Overseas Countries.
The Types Of Web Sites…
Many companies that offer travel services own and operate their own web sites. The airlines, hotels, car rental companies, rail lines, bus operators, tour companies, etc., run their own web sites where you can shop for and make reservations. You’ll find many of the these web sites listed under our group page for that category. If you are a frequent customer you may find additional benefits in participating in their traveler programs. Some of these benefits may only be passed on to you by using and booking through their web reservation system. You find many company web sites listed on the appropriate travel pages.
There are three primary forms of travels sites to book your travel through.
- Direct with the service provider
- OTA (Online Travel Agent)
- Aggregate or Metasearch Sites
DIRECT: When you purchase direct from a provider you will go to the company’s web site and book your ticket. When booking a ticket on United Airlines, you are booking it at the United Airlines web site, not a non United site. When you book a reservation at the Hilton site it will be the only site you’ll need to guarantee your reservation and your rewards.
OTA . Online Travel Agencies sites perform just like a travel agent, searching multiple airlines, hotels, car rentals, etc., to find and locate services for the lowest price. This allows you the opportunity to comparative shop multiple web sites at one time. Want to search for the cheapest fare, just a non-stop flight, a 3 star hotel in the city center, some sites will allow you to search for your specific requests by using filters.
You might not be able to use your mileage or points to book free flights or rooms at these sites. You’ll need to redeem those directly at the issuing company’s web site. In some instances you will not receive your miles or credits with your reward programs when booking through these sites. Check and verify the information so you know if you’ll receive credit or not. Some of these sites also have their own rewards programs so, you’ll receive credits or cash on their rewards program when booking through their web site. You will only be able to redeem those credits or cash with future bookings through their web site.
Aggregate or Meta Search Engines: These sites can scan data from multiple OTA web sites and will display prices and availability for you view in one place. This gives you the opportunity to comparative shop for airlines, hotels, rental cars and more, without going to multiple web sites. The main difference is they search not only company sites but, travel agency sites for the best pricing, location or recommendation.
Once you make a selection these sites take you directly to the company or travel site where you do the actual booking. Make sure you know who you are actually booking through so you can confirm all bookings are complete and legitimate.
NOTE: It is becoming more common for some of these web sites to charge for a membership. They will have a free trail period but, you must cancel before the free trail period expires otherwise you will be charged for a years membership fee.
Web Site Directory…
Listed are web sites for searching and booking flights, hotels, car rentals, trains, cruises, tours, activities and more. Many are OTA (Online Travel Agencies) and others are the direct providers where you can book and reserve directly with Airline, Hotel, Car Rental agency, Railway, etc. Also listed are Meta Search Engines for scanning data from mulitple sources. You may sort the data from several fields.
| Provider Name | Services/Reservations/Tickets | Provider Type |
|---|---|---|
| Uber | Auto Transportation | Transportation / Direct |
| getbybus | Bus Lines | Online Travel Agent |
| busbud | Bus Lines | Online Travel Agent |
| busradar.com | Bus Lines | Online Travel Agent |
| Check My Bus | Bus Lines | Online Travel Agent |
| Business Class | Business Class Flights | Aggregator/Meta Search Engine |
| auto-europe | Car Rental | Online Travel Agent |
| easyCar.com | Car Rental | Online Travel Agent |
| EEQ.com | Car Rental | Online Travel Agent |
| HolidayCars.com | Car Rental | Online Travel Agent |
| Rentalcars.com | Car Rental | Online Travel Agent |
| auto europe | Car Rentals | Online Travel Agent |
| Directferries.com | Ferries | Online Travel Agent |
| Ferries in Greece | Ferries | Online Travel Agent |
| ferryconnection.com | Ferries | Online Travel Agent |
| go-ferry.com | Ferries | Online Travel Agent |
| isferry.com | Ferries | Aggregator/Meta Search Engine |
| Jack’s Flight Club | Flights | Aggregator/Meta Search Engine |
| ita Matrix Airfare Search | Flights | Meta Search Engine |
| BookAirfare | Flights | Online Travel Agent |
| Dollar Flight Club | Flights | Online Travel Agent |
| Exploretrip | Flights | Online Travel Agent |
| make MY trip | Flights | Online Travel Agent |
| Travel Merry | Flights | Online Travel Agent |
| Amadeus | Flights Search Engine | Meta Search Engine |
| Air Fare Watchdog | Flights, Airline Deals, Blog, Alerts | Aggregator/Meta Search Engine |
| Omio | Flights, Bus, Train & Ferries | Online Travel Agent |
| Ladybug | Flights, Cars Hotels | Online Travel Agent |
| AAA Travel | Flights, Cars, Packages, Cruises, Activities | Online Travel Agent |
| Travel2be | Flights, Hotels, Blog | Online Travel Agent |
| last minute travel | Flights, Hotels, Car Rental | Aggregator/Meta Search Engine |
| Skyscanner | Flights, Hotels, Car Rental | Aggregator/Meta Search Engine |
| FlightHub | Flights, Hotels, Car Rental | Online Travel Agent |
| flight network | Flights, Hotels, Car Rental | Online Travel Agent |
| justfly.com | Flights, Hotels, Car Rental | Online Travel Agent |
| Kiwi.com | Flights, Hotels, Car Rental | Online Travel Agent |
| Travelocity | Flights, Hotels, Car Rental, Cruises, Things To Do, Trip Packages | Online Travel Agent |
| bookingbuddy | Flights, Hotels, Car Rental, Cruises, Vacation Packages | Aggregator/Meta Search Engine |
| CheapOair | Flights, Hotels, Car Rental, Cruises, Vacation Packages | Online Travel Agent |
| Expedia | Flights, Hotels, Car Rental, Cruises, Vacation Packages, Activities | Online Travel Agent |
| Fly | Flights, Hotels, Car Rental, Deals | Aggregator/Meta Search Engine |
| MyFlightSearch | Flights, Hotels, Car Rental, Deals | Online Travel Agent |
| farecompare | Flights, Hotels, Car Rental, Deals, Blog | Aggregator/Meta Search Engine |
| eurocheapo | Flights, Hotels, Car Rental, Ratings & Recommendations, Travel Advise & Blog | Online Travel Agent |
| eDreams | Flights, Hotels, Car Rental, Shuttles, Transfers, Activities, Vacation Rentals | Online Travel Agent |
| Hophs.com | Flights, Hotels, Car Rental, Taxi, Transfers, Activities | Aggregator/Meta Search Engine |
| Trip.com | Flights, Hotels, Car Rental, Trains, Tours, Attractions, Trip Packages | Online Travel Agent |
| Kayak | Flights, Hotels, Car Rental, Trains, Vacation Packages, Activities | Aggregator/Meta Search Engine |
| BudgetAir.co.uk | Flights, Hotels, Car Rental, Transfers | Online Travel Agent |
| ebookers.com | Flights, Hotels, Car Rental, Vacation Packages, Activities | Online Travel Agent |
| One Travel | Flights, Hotels, Car Rental, Vacation Packages, Visas | Online Travel Agent |
| Flight Guru | Flights, Hotels, Car Rentals | Online Travel Agent |
| skiplagged | Flights, Hotels, Car Rentals | Online Travel Agent |
| bravofly | Flights, Hotels, Car Rentals & Vacation Packages | Aggregator/Meta Search Engine |
| CheapTickets | Flights, Hotels, Car Rentals & Vacation Packages | Online Travel Agent |
| AirTickets | Flights, Hotels, Car Rentals, Activities | Aggregator/Meta Search Engine |
| priceline | Flights, Hotels, Car Rentals, Cruises, Deals | Online Travel Agent |
| Hopper | Flights, Hotels, Car Rentals, get notifications, freeze prices | Online Travel Agent |
| Student Universe | Flights, Hotels, Car Rentals, Group Travel, Blog | Online Travel Agent |
| HOP2 | Flights, Hotels, Car Rentals, Tours, Activities | Online Travel Agent |
| WOW Fare | Flights, Hotels, Cars, Activities | Online Travel Agent |
| Costco Travel | Flights, Hotels, Cruises, Car Rental, Vacation Packages | Online Travel Agent |
| rehlat | Flights, Hotels, Deals | Online Travel Agent |
| Travel Zoo | Flights, Hotels, Deals, Vacations, Things To Do | Online Travel Agent |
| Google Travel | Flights, Hotels, Explore, Activities, Vacation Rentals | Aggregator/Meta Search Engine |
| faredepot | Flights, Hotels, Rental Cars | Online Travel Agent |
| faregeek | Flights, Hotels, Rental Cars, Vacations | Online Travel Agent |
| asap tickets | Flights, Hotels, Special Offers | Aggregator/Meta Search Engine |
| Travel Pirates | Flights, Hotels, Vacations, Cruises | Online Travel Agent |
| fareboom | Flights, Rental Cars | Online Travel Agent |
| Globehunters | Flights, Special Offers | Online Travel Agent |
| Momondo | Flights, Stays, Car Rental, Trains & Buses, Activities, Packages | Aggregator/Meta Search Engine |
| combigo | Flights, Trains, Buses | Online Travel Agent |
| AIRLINES | Go to our Airline Directory to book directly with Airlines | Airlines / Direct |
| CAR RENTALS | Go to our Auto Directory to book directly with Rental Agencies | Car Rental / Direct |
| RIDESHARE SERVICES | Go to our Auto Directory to book directly with Rideshare providers | Rideshare / Direct |
| BUS LINES | Go to our Bus Directory to book directly with Bus Lines | Buses / Direct |
| FERRY & SHIP Directory | Go to our Ferry & Ship Directory to book directly with Cruise & Ferry Lines | Ferries & Ships / Driect |
| HOTELS & ACCOMMODATIONS | Go to our Hotel Directory to book directly with hotels | Accommodations / Direct |
| RAILWAYS / TRAINS | Go to our Rail Directory to book directly with Train Lines | Trains / Direct |
| Get Your Guide | Guides, Tours | Online Travel Agent |
| Couchsurfing | Home Sharing | Online Travel Agent |
| HostelWorld | Hostels / Hotels / Bed & Breakfast | Online Travel Agent |
| Hotels Combined | Hotels | Aggregator/Meta Search Engine |
| Trivago | Hotels | Aggregator/Meta Search Engine |
| eurobookings.com | Hotels | Online Travel Agent |
| getaroom | Hotels | Online Travel Agent |
| Guest Reservations | Hotels | Online Travel Agent |
| Roomer | Hotels | Online Travel Agent |
| Tablet Hotels | Hotels | Online Travel Agent |
| Wyndham Hotels & Resorts | Hotels & Resorts | Hotels / Direct |
| Best Western | Hotels & Resorts | Hotels / Direct |
| Hyatt Hotels Corp. | Hotels & Resorts | Hotels / Direct |
| Hotwire | Hotels, Car Rental, Flights, Vacations | Online Travel Agent |
| Tripadvisor | Hotels, Flights, Activities, Insurance, Cruises, Car Rental, Forums | Aggregator/Meta Search Engine |
| Orbitz | Hotels, Flights, Car Rental, Trip packages, Activities, Cruises | Online Travel Agent |
| Hotels.com | Hotels, Flights, Car Rental, Vacation Rentals, Vacation Packages | Online Travel Agent |
| Travel Republic | Hotels, Flights, Holidays, Transfers, Attractions, Deals | Online Travel Agent |
| PaylessFlights.com | Hotels, Flights, Insurance, Cruises | Online Travel Agent |
| Snaptravel | Hotels, Flights, with messaging | Online Travel Agent |
| Agoda | Hotels, Homes, Apartments, Flights | Online Travel Agent |
| Booking.com | Hotels, Hostels, Homes, Apartments, B & B’s | Online Travel Agent |
| Cheapflights | Hotels, Hostels, Homes, Apartments, B & B’s | Online Travel Agent |
| LateRooms.com | Hotels, Last Minute | Online Travel Agent |
| Hilton Worldwide | Hotels, Resorts, Vacation Clubs | Hotels / Direct |
| Marriott Bonvoy | Hotels, Resorts, Vacation Clubs | Hotels / Direct |
| Vrbo | Houses, Condos, Apartments, Cabins, Cottages Rentals | Online Travel Agent |
| Eurail | Rail Tickets & Passes | Online Travel Agent |
| Airbnb | Rental-Rooms, Apartments, Homes | Online Travel Agent |
| Gett. | Taxis, Shuttles, Rideshare | Online Travel Agent |
| Viator | Tours, Events, Attractions | Online Travel Agent |
| Deutsche Bahn | Train & Buses | Railway / Direct |
| eurail | Trains & Rail Passes | Online Travel Agent |
| RailEurope | Trains & Rail Passes | Online Travel Agent |
| ACP Rail | Trains & Rail Passes | Online Travel Agent |
| HappyRail | Trains & Rail Passes | Online Travel Agent |
| RailPass | Trains & Rail Passes | Online Travel Agent |
| Rail.Ninja | Trains & Rail Passes | Online Travel Agent |
| railbookers | Trains & Rail Passes | Online Travel Agent |
| aferry | Ferries | Online Travel Agent |
| Ferriesonline | Ferries | Online Travel Agent |
| netferry | Ferries | Online Travel Agent |
| isferry.com | Ferries | Online Travel Agent |
| ferries.co.uk | Ferries | Online Travel Agent |
| mrferry | Ferries | Online Travel Agent |