The Best Travel Resources (That I Actually Use and Love)

Over the years, I’ve tested a lot of travel tools, gear, and websites. We’ve been traveling for several decades now with and without kids and are always on the hunt for travel resources that make planning or traveling easier. I’ve gathered the absolute best travel resources in this post – the things I personally use to plan trips, pack smarter, find great tours, and save money while traveling. Whether you’re booking your first international flight or looking for a solid set of packing cubes, these are the travel resources I turn to again and again.

Flight Search & Booking Travel Resources

There are several websites I use when I start planning our family trips. There are a lot of great apps out there, but personally, I like doing the bulk of my research on my laptop. I’m old like that. 😄

I search several websites to compare price points and airlines, and I like to check the travel points value to make sure we’re getting the best deal. I also try to take advantage of any travel credits we may have. A few times we’ve scored great deals on bundles through sites like Expedia, so I always check those at the end to see if it’s the best option for our family.

Google Flights

Google Flights is my starting point for any trip, especially if I haven’t chosen the destination yet. You can search with wide-open criteria and explore trip ideas around the world. It includes most major airlines in its results (though not all), so if you’re loyal to a specific airline, double-check on that airline’s website too.

Explore Anywhere: Set your departure airport and search for a “1-week trip in the next 6 months,” and Google Flights will show you destinations across the globe.

Month View Calendar: See flight prices for an entire month at a glance. On our Banff trip, flying on a Wednesday instead of a Monday saved us hundreds of dollars in airfare.

Price Alerts: You can set alerts to track specific routes and get notified when prices drop either for specific dates or for an open-ended timeline.

Google Flights is completely free to use and ideal for flexible travelers. It’s one of my favorite travel resources.

Skyscanner

Skyscanner is another powerful tool we use often, especially when we’re looking for the absolute cheapest flights. Like Google Flights, you search through their site but book through the airline or a third-party site.

Flexible Search: Skyscanner also has an “Explore Anywhere” feature and lets you search by cheapest dates across an entire month.

Nearby Airports: You can add nearby airports in your search which might help you save money. We once scored $36 roundtrip tickets by flying into Chicago Midway instead of O’Hare.

If you’re open to flying any airline and want to stretch your travel budget, Skyscanner is worth checking every time.

Hotel & Accommodation Booking Tools

There are so many great housing options when you’re booking a family vacation. We’ve stayed in houses in Garden City Beach, South Carolina, beachfront hotels in Jacksonville Beach, and rented condos in Canmore, Canada. We also love to camp when we’re visiting National Parks.

Where we stay depends on the trip: I love having a house or condo with our own washing machine for beach or ski trips, but we’re also happy in simple cabins or hotels when we don’t have as much gear that needs to be washed often. No matter where we stay, these are the top hotel booking tools and travel resources I use to plan our family stays.

Expedia

Expedia is one of my go-to platforms for hotel deals, and sometimes flight + hotel bundles if they save us money. You can search using family-friendly filters and often find hotel options with free cancellation or free breakfast.

They also have a great rewards program called OneKey, where you earn cash back (OneKeyCash) from your stays. You can apply these credits toward future travel, which adds up quickly if you book through them often.

Expedia is the one time I always use the mobile app. They often offer deeper discounts on stays through the app than on the website!

Booking.com

Booking.com is great for international travel and smaller properties like guesthouses or apartments. It is very popular in Europe because it includes a wide variety of accommodations beyond just big hotel chains. Many properties offer free cancellation and no upfront payment, which gives flexibility when plans might change.

You can filter by family-friendly stays, specific amenities, or even by guest rating. Their Genius loyalty program also gives you extra discounts and perks after just a few bookings, which is a nice bonus.

VRBO

For longer stays or trips where we want more space, VRBO is a great option. We used it to rent a condo in Canmore, Canada, and it was perfect for our family. I always read reviews carefully and look for “Premier Hosts” to make sure it’s a smooth experience.

VRBO is ideal for finding whole-home rentals, and it tends to be more family-focused than Airbnb, at least in the US. Many listings have kitchens, laundry, and multiple bedrooms, which is perfect for longer trips or traveling with kids. Just be sure to check cancellation policies, as they vary by host.

Tours & Experiences Travel Resources

One of our favorite parts of family vacations is the special experiences and adventures we have in each destination. These moments are often the highlight of the trip for my kids—and something they look forward to from the moment we start planning. I use a few different platforms to find unique things to do, both in national parks and in cities with kids.

Google Maps

Google Maps might not seem like a “tour site,” but it’s one of my favorite ways to find hidden gems, especially small businesses or off-the-beaten-path experiences. I just type the destination into the search bar and then enter “things to do.” It pulls up parks, tours, museums, local attractions, and more. This is one of my favorite travel resources for finding unique things to do on our family vacations.

This is how we discovered Snowy Owl Dog Sledding on our Banff trip and the Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo near Mammoth Cave. Both were incredible, memorable experiences we wouldn’t have found otherwise. Once something catches your eye, be sure to check the photos and reviews to see if it’s a good fit for your family.

Viator

Viator is my go-to platform for booking tours, skip-the-line experiences, and outdoor activities, especially in national parks and cities. I love that it includes real traveler reviews, family-friendly filters, and mobile tickets. It’s also a great place to find last-minute bookings.

Viator is a great option to get tickets for popular activities like the Banff Gondola and white water rafting in New River Gorge. I usually compare prices with the official site just in case there’s a special offer (like Banff Gondola’s free kids promotion in the morning!), but many times Viator has equal or better pricing.

GetYourGuide

If you’re traveling internationally, GetYourGuide is a great option. It’s especially strong in European cities, where they offer everything from museum passes to small group walking tours. You can book with confidence because of their mobile tickets and generous cancellation policy, making it one of our favorite travel resources to use when planning a family trip.

We haven’t used GetYourGuide yet, but I’ve heard great things and plan to try it on a future Europe trip. One bucket list experience we’re considering is taking our kids to Paris in the fall, and GetYourGuide even offers Disneyland Paris tickets—yes, really!

P.S. If you sign up for their email list, you can get a 10% discount, and it often works on Disneyland Paris tickets. Talk about magic!

Must-Have Travel Gear

We buy a lot of our travel gear from Amazon. Not needing to drive to the store, being able to read helpful reviews, and getting free, fast shipping with easy returns make it a no-brainer for us. (Psst… you can get a free trial here!) They carry well-known brands and high-quality items too. Here are our favorite family travel finds:

Best Travel Backpack

We’ve gone through several travel backpacks over the years. We use them for personal items on planes, remote workdays at local coffee shops, and as daypacks on family hikes around the world. Our goal has always been to find one bag that can do it all—and we finally did with the Osprey Nebula Commuter Backpack.

It’s the perfect personal item: it fits easily under the seat, has a solid structure to protect your belongings, and is super comfortable to wear thanks to its thoughtful weight distribution. It opens wide in three separate sections so you can easily access your things, and it even has a padded laptop sleeve that fits a 16″ MacBook Pro.

I recently traveled to Europe for a week and only took this bag. Its large capacity held everything I needed. It’s great for hikes, too. There are plenty of loops for carabiners and extra gear, it’s relatively lightweight, and the double water bottle pockets make it easy to carry your kids’ things as well. We’ve taken it to four countries and on miles of hikes, and it still looks brand new.

Best Packing Cubes for Travel

We use packing cubes on almost every trip, whether it’s a family road trip, an international flight, or a beach getaway. These compression packing cubes are some of the best I’ve found. They keep your items organized, and the compression feature lets you fit more gear in less space.

This multi-pack comes with several sizes, the zippers are great quality, and the compression is easy to use—as long as you don’t overpack. Combining these with the Nebula backpack is one of my favorite ways to travel carry-on only. One of the best money-saving tricks we use when flying budget airlines as a family is to pay for a single checked bag and separate all of our stuff using these cubes. These are an excellent travel resource for this stage of life.

Must-Have Portable Fan

This portable fan is a lifesaver on every single trip. We use it on planes, in the car, on long hikes, in hotels, tents – you name it. It holds a charge for hours, has three power settings, and the flexible handle lets you stand it on a table or tuck it in a seat pocket.

It’s perfect for keeping kids cool and happy on planes or doubling as white noise in hotel rooms. It’s small enough to fit in a purse or backpack, and we loved it so much we bought four—one for each of us.

Travel Insurance – Essential Travel Resources

Travel insurance might not be the most exciting part of planning a trip, but it’s one of the most important travel resources. We’ve personally used Generali Global Assistance and had a fantastic experience. When we had to cancel a trip due to injury at home, our claim was processed quickly, and the refund came through without hassle.

We’ve also had medical bills covered after a snowboarding accident in Banff. It gave us huge peace of mind knowing we wouldn’t be stuck with thousands in out-of-pocket costs.

Especially when we travel with our kids, travel insurance is non-negotiable. Coverage is typically affordable and includes trip cancellations, emergency medical care, baggage issues, and more. We always compare plans and book coverage as soon as our trip is confirmed. That way, we’re protected from the beginning. Travel insurance is an essential travel resource we use on every trip.

👉 You can get a quick quote and compare options here.

Best Travel Credit Cards for Earning Points

One of the best ways we save on travel is by using credit card points, one of my personal favorite travel resources. We’ve tried a few over the years, and these three cards are our current favorites. They each offer strong travel benefits, points programs, and solid perks, whether you’re just getting started or looking to level up your rewards game.

Chase Sapphire Preferred®

This is a great beginner-friendly travel credit card. The points are easy to earn and redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards, and the card offers strong travel protections like trip delay reimbursement and rental car coverage. We’ve used this card to book flights, hotels, and even excursions. The annual fee is reasonable, and the welcome bonus can go a long way if you’re planning a trip soon. One of the best features? You can increase the value of your points by transferring them to Chase’s airline and hotel partners like Hyatt, United, or British Airways—giving you more flexibility and potentially more value than booking directly. Learn more about the Chase Sapphire Prefrerred.

Capital One Venture Rewards

The Venture card is a great everyday card for travelers. You earn 2x miles on every purchase, and the redemption process is super easy. One of our favorite features is that you can “erase” past travel purchases with points—no need to book through a specific portal. It also comes with a travel credit and a solid list of partner airlines and hotels. Learn more about the Capital One Venture Rewards card.

Capital One Venture X

The Venture X card has a steeper annual fee, but it’s packed with perks. You get access to Priority Pass lounges (great when you’re traveling with kids), $300 in travel credits through the Capital One Travel portal, and 10,000 anniversary miles each year, which alone offsets the annual fee. If you travel even just a couple of times a year, the benefits easily outweigh the cost. Learn more about the Capital One Venture X card.

If you’re looking for a more in-depth look at these credit cards, check out this post!

Travel Credit Card FAQ

What is the best travel credit card for beginners?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® is one of the most popular beginner-friendly travel credit cards. It offers strong travel protections, flexible redemption options, and great value when you transfer points to airline and hotel partners.

Can you redeem Capital One Venture miles for past travel purchases?
Yes! With the Venture or Venture X card, you can use your miles to “erase” eligible travel expenses you’ve already made—like flights, hotels, or even Airbnb stays.

Is the Venture X annual fee worth it?
If you travel at least a couple of times a year, yes the Venture X might be worth it for your family. The Venture X comes with $300 in travel credits, 10,000 bonus miles every year, lounge access, and other perks that more than make up for the annual fee.

Final Thoughts on Travel Resources That Make a Big Difference

Whether you’re planning an international vacation or a weekend family getaway, having the right travel tools can save you money and make your experience smoother, safer, and more fun. From trusted hotel booking platforms to travel backpacks, rewards credit cards, and reliable travel insurance, these are the exact travel resources we use and trust on every trip.

We hope this list of travel resources helps you feel more prepared and confident as you plan your next family adventure. Ready to start booking? Check out our go-to platforms like Viator, Expedia, and our Amazon Storefront for the best travel gear and experiences.