How To Book A Trip Online

Whether you've set aside a weekend for a road trip to New York City or planned an all-inclusive vacation to the Caribbean, proper preparation is key to optimizing your time away. For many, this task can be both time-consuming and complicated -- it's never easy to book a flight and hotel and then buy tickets to an attraction when there are so many options to choose from.

Fortunately, just like in almost every other aspect of your life, the Internet has got you covered. To break down how easily your trip can be arranged via the right websites, read on.

the plane ride

Instead of relying on a travel agent to get you the quickest and best deal, you can get your hands on a really sweet bargain on the Web. Settling on a carrier, route and class is often not as easy as 1, 2, 3, so it's important to compare several deals. The most promising thing to remember is that someone, somewhere, is undoubtedly offering a discount for where you wish to go.

Through a site like
Hotels.com -- whose straightforward, user-friendly interface makes it a favorite for many -- you'll quickly find dozens of carriers who accommodate all of your requirements. In a few clicks, lists and lists of different flights await you, allowing you to compare prices and find the shortest travel time for your trip. Other benefits include the up-to-date discounts you'll be eligible for and the hassle-free "Internet tickets" you can purchase, which eliminate another (stressful) step at the airport.

the accommodations

Booking accommodations online could be one of the smartest moves you make. Like checking out flights, all it takes is a little comparative shopping to find the hotel, condo, motel, or even villa that's perfect for you. If you're computer literate, the procedure should be a cinch.

At Hotels.com, for example, after typing in the city you'll be visiting, as well as the arrival and departure dates, the site will drum up a list of hotels with the best rates. From there, you can read specific reviews on preferred hotels and even check out a map to see where it's located in relation to where you want to go. If you're traveling abroad, a currency converter is at your service too.

Instead of leaving room to doubt the quality of a hotel by checking out a pamphlet or using the phone (which can both be deceptive), the Internet can give you the whole picture. A site like
Hotels.com covers all the bases and leaves you with time to spend on more important things, like...

the restaurants

Find out where you want to spend that final romantic evening. Why go through the stress of roaming the streets of an unknown city looking for an ideal restaurant when, right after booking your flight and lodging, you can also browse around for the trendiest places to eat?

Through many online magazines, there will be pages of reviews at your fingertips. Not only can you discover what the critics think, but you can also reserve your table for two in advance. For example, if you're traveling to San Diego and wish to try out the restaurants that the Gaslamp Quarter has to offer, a quick perusal of the city's official site will provide a list of restaurants in that area with a description, telephone number and address attached. This saves time and eliminates stress; though you want to leave room in your travels for spontaneity, this sort of planning ensures that the most memorable nights are not left up to chance.

the car rental

For the trips you take that don't involve backpacking on a shoestring budget or staying on a beach resort for a week, getting an automobile could be very important. A car provides the freedom to explore at your own pace without relying on public transportation, which in some cases could be risky and unsafe.

Here to answer the call of securing a nice ride for your trip is, of course, the World Wide Web. Specifically, a large travel site can fulfill your car rental needs. Once again,
Hotels.com can help you out; by selecting your dates and destination, it tells you which cars are available according to your car rental company of choice. Via credit card payment, you can reserve a compact, intermediate or standard for any length of time.

If you want to compare rates before you commit, then you're a wise consumer with many choices laid out for you. Other rental companies have established the same type of online business as that of
Hotels.com, and if that doesn't suit you, many of the hotels offer online services for car rentals as well. With the increasingly efficient security systems on the Net, there should be nothing holding you back from making this sort of purchase, which helps you look like the man when coming off the airplane. There's nothing like seeing a shiny new rental (especially a stylish drop-top) awaiting you in the parking lot after a long trip in a cramped 737.

the attractions and guided tours

Though those vacationing to the remote Easter Island may not have to worry too much about crowds, others who wish to visit the historical sites in Europe will surely encounter problems. There's nothing worse than standing at the foot of the Eiffel Tower and being forced to wait two hours before you can go up.

For some of the world's greatest attractions, it's possible to avoid this type of strife. Many museums, for example, offer informative reviews of what they offer and, if your interest is piqued, tickets can be bought online. Discounts are often available, as this is a service many establishments wish to encourage. Even the legendary Louvre in Paris has taken advantage of technology and has made room on its website for online ticket purchasing. Students will find this mode of prepayment especially useful, as the discounts and "one-time offers" are often geared toward them.

All it takes is the name of the attraction you want to see to get you going. Click onto a search engine and find the location's official website, then browse through its pages to see if you can buy tickets in advance. If you can, then you've just saved yourself a long wait in line.

Guided tours have also become more prevalent thanks to the Internet. As always, it is imperative that you remain wary of the types of tours you see advertised, but, for the businesses that are legitimate, chances are you'll find bookings available on the Net. For instance, there is little doubt a boat trip along the Seine in France is an unforgettable experience, but, because it's so popular, it will surely be booked once you arrive in the country. A little searching will help you find a few companies offering this service and, lo and behold, you can save a seat for your woman and yourself months in advance.

it's just that easy

If you have been able to navigate your way to the end of this article, then you possess the computer skills necessary to book every aspect of an upcoming trip online. Comparative shopping is key, as a consumer can find what's best for his budget and time constraints by checking out several different carriers and flights, hotels, restaurants, and rental cars.

Remember to research properly before you commit to anything because, if done properly, planning your vacation on the Internet will save you time, money and stress, so that you can focus your energy on kicking back and having the time of your life.

Resources:
http://www.askmen.com/intermediate/fashion/travel_tips_68_hotels.html
http://www.hertz.com/adframes/special_offers/adframeset.jsp?ad=travelingabroad
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