Many people aren’t aware that most of the best vacation rental websites are owned by a handful of large companies—so you could find yourself wasting time searching the same inventory on multiple sites.

The Best Vacation Rental Sites

To help you sift through the options, I tested more than a dozen top vacation rental sites to figure out which ones offer the best combination of plentiful inventory, useful filters, informative listings, and fair prices, without too many hidden fees. I discovered that there’s no single best vacation home rental site, but that each one has pros and cons to suit different types of travelers.

For example, some of the top vacation rental websites are better if you’re open to both hotels and rentals, while others are more specialized to suit those who already know they want a vacation home, rental apartment, or private room in someone else’s space. Some vacation rental sites make it easier than others to browse properties on a map or to contact the owner of a property to ask questions before your stay.

The following are the best vacation rental sites I found in my testing. Scroll down for more in-depth analysis of each.

• Airbnb
• Booking.com
• Expedia
• HometoGo
• Hotels.com
• Tripadvisor
• Tripping
• Vrbo
• Plum Guide
• Sonder
• Marriott Homes & Villas
• Agoda
• Getaway
• FlipKey

Airbnb

The name of this site is almost synonymous with short-term rentals these days, and its reputation as one of the best vacation rental sites is well deserved: Airbnb offers abundant listings in most popular travel destinations, and its site is cleanly designed and easy to use. There’s a prominent map of properties accessible from the main listing page, so you can quickly browse by location. The main listings page offers useful filters right off the bat, including the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, price, key amenities, and type of accommodation—such as “entire apartment” or “private room in house.” You can also scroll through a listing’s photos right on the initial results page.

Once you click into a given listing, there’s more than enough information to help you decide whether to book, including house rules, bed configurations, cancellation policies, amenities, reviews from past guests, and a full price breakdown (which typically includes things like a cleaning fee and Airbnb’s own service fee). You can also contact the property’s host through the platform if you have questions before you book.

Best feature: The site makes it easier to sort through hundreds of properties by identifying Superhosts (“experienced, highly rated hosts who are committed to providing great stays for guests”) and Airbnb Plus listings (“a selection of places to stay verified for quality and design”). Because standards can vary so widely from one vacation rental to another, choosing properties with one or both of these designations can help travelers feel more confident in their selection.

Cancellation Policy: Airbnb offers several cancellation policies for property managers to choose from. They include:

• Flexible: Cancel up to 24-hours before check-in for a 100% refund
• Moderate: Cancel up to 5 days before check-in for a 100% refund
• Firm: Cancel up to 30 days before check-in for a 100% refund; cancel between 30 and 7 days before check-in for a 50% refund
• Strict: Cancel within 48 hours of booking and more than 14 days before check-in for a 100% refund; cancel after 48 hours and more than 14 days before check-in for a 50% refund; cancel between 7 and 14 days before check-in for a 50% refund

Airbnb offers similar cancellation policies for long term rentals (28+ days) that can be found here.

Check out Airbnb

Booking.com

Booking.com lists just about every type of accommodation imaginable, from hotels and B&Bs to vacation rentals and apartments. This is a perk for travelers open to a variety of lodging options, while those who know they want a vacation rental will have to take the extra step of filtering out extraneous search results. (That’s easily done via a “Homes and Apartments First” dropdown option at the top of the results page or searching by property type.)

Property listings offer plenty of information, including amenities, guest reviews, house rules, and an option to contact the host through the site. The site clearly labels whether your booking is nonrefundable or you can cancel without penalty up to a certain date. (In some cases, you’ll pay less if you’re willing to make a nonrefundable booking.)

Keep an eye out for extra fees, which can be significant depending on the property. For example, one property’s listed price was a seemingly affordable $689 for seven nights in the Outer Banks—but when I clicked “book,” the site added a 12.75 percent tax, $63.11 tourism fee, $105 resort fee, $130 cleaning fee, and $260 property service charge, taking my total charges to $1,406—more than double the original quoted price. However, none of these were Booking.com’s own fees; unlike Airbnb, Booking.com does not charge guests a service fee.

One annoyance: The site sometimes clutters up the search results page with sold-out properties, complete with a little “You missed it!” message. These are probably meant to spark a sense of booking urgency, but many travelers will find it irritating to see options that aren’t actually available.

Best feature: The sheer breadth of offerings on Booking.com means you’re almost guaranteed to find something suitable, even if it doesn’t end up being a vacation rental.

Cancellation Policy: Cancellation policies on Booking.com are dependent on the specific partner or property. Pay close attention to the policy when booking, or check the property’s website (if applicable) for more information.

Check out Booking.com

Expedia

Like Booking.com, Expedia offers a variety of accommodation types, but it has a dedicated vacation rental search page so you can skip the filtering step. The site offers a good selection of results, though for certain searches I got some listings that really didn’t seem like vacation rentals (TownePlace Suites by Marriott, Outer Banks Motel).

Expedia also features a map to browse through listings in an area, which can be toggled on and off from the results page. Filters are also available while in map mode, so you can set your preferences without going back to the results listings.

Once you click into a listing, you’ll find photos, amenities, policies, reviews, and a list of nearby attractions. However, there does not appear to be a way to contact the owner of a given property. The total price is not visible until you click “reserve,” at which point you’ll see an additional amount listed vaguely as “taxes and fees,” with no detailed breakdown. On many properties, the site notes that you can save on the booking if you log in as an Expedia member.

Best feature: The site has useful filters such as “Business friendly,” to help you find properties with Wi-Fi and breakfast, and “Family friendly,” for listings that have “in-room conveniences and activities for the kids.”

Cancellation Policy: Vacation rental cancellations are subject to specific property policies and must be canceled directly with the property host through the itinerary page in your Expedia account. Expedia allows travelers to filter search results by “fully refundable property” so guests can book with greater peace of mind.

Check out Expedia

HometoGo

The prime advantage of HometoGo is that it’s a hybrid marketplace, which means that you can book onsite or search through deals from many of the best vacation rental sites (including most of the others on this list) with one click. Persistent pop-ups and offers to sign you in with Google or Facebook are annoying, but once you’ve cleared them away you can view tons of properties, visible in a clean listing format or on a map. Each listing features photos you can scroll through as well as user rating, type of lodging, and where you can book the property (such as Airbnb, Hotels.com, Vrbo, or directly on HomeToGo).

One handy feature: You can toggle the price filter to show you either the nightly rate or the total cost of your stay, and then adjust your price range accordingly. Other filters include accommodation types (including an “instant booking” option), location, user rating, and amenities.

In most cases, when you click on “view deal,” you’ll be taken to the site where the property was originally listed. However, there are occasional properties where you will go to a HometoGo listing page and fill out a booking request that will then be fulfilled through one of the site’s partners.

I occasionally found that when I clicked over to a deal (particularly on Airbnb), I was not taken directly to the property I was interested in but rather to a list of other rentals in my destination. Unfortunately, travelers will be familiar with this from other meta-search sites; sometimes a given deal simply isn’t available anymore. I also sometimes discovered that the price on HomeToGo didn’t match what was advertised on the original listing site.

Best feature: Despite the occasional pricing glitches, this site is the closest thing the vacation rental industry has to a one-stop shop, as it lists inventory from hundreds of other short-term rental websites.

Cancellation Policy: Cancellation policies vary by property and can be found in the “Terms and Condition” section of the property details page.

Check out HometoGo

Hotels.com

Like Booking.com, Hotels.com lists a wide array of accommodation options, so travelers who know they want a vacation rental have to use the “Property Type” filter on the search results page to weed out hotels, hostels, and other options. I appreciated the honesty of the note at the top of the page: “How much we get paid influences your sort order.” That said, you can sort your results by star rating, distance from a given landmark, guest rating, and price, and refine the list with a variety of other filters.

There is a map view available, though I didn’t find it very useful; it shows properties that don’t meet your criteria by default, and by the time you screen those out, you’re often left with just a few options (even if the site is showing hundreds of listings on the main results page).

The list view of results is better, displaying both the nightly rate and the total price for your stay, as well as guest rating and location information. Note that you may need to weed through occasional “fully booked!” listings.

Once you click into an individual listing, you can see amenities, policies, photos, guest reviews, and a list of attractions within walking distance. One drawback: There’s no way to contact the owner or property manager directly. While there is a phone number given for “more info” about the listing, this does not put you in contact with the owner but rather takes you to a general Hotels.com corporate phone number. Taxes and fees aren’t visible until you click the “Let’s book” button, and there’s no detailed breakdown of where your money is going.

Best feature: Many vacation rental bookings are eligible for OneKeyCash (formerly Hotels.com Rewards), so you can count your stay toward a future free night at either a hotel or a rental.

Cancellation Policy: Cancellations are subject to individual property policies and guests who wish to cancel a reservation must contact the property owner through the itinerary page in their Hotels.com account. Like Expedia, Hotels.com offers a “fully refundable property” search filter so guests can weed out stricter policies at the start of the booking process. 

Check out Hotels.com

Tripadvisor

Although it’s best known for hotel reviews, Tripadvisor also provides vacation rentals thanks to its acquisitions of FlipKey and HolidayLettings. (The sites share inventory, so searching Tripadvisor will turn up properties from the other two sites.) There are plenty of listings, which you can filter by price, number of bedrooms/bathrooms, distance from a landmark, and many other factors. The site also lets you change the order of your results based on traveler reviews and number of reviews, making use of its large base of user generated content.

The site has a mix of properties, some of which can be paid for online and others that require direct arrangements with the owner. (The former is generally preferable, as paying with a credit card is the safest way to go—and you’ll be backed by Tripadvisor’s Payment Protection guarantee.)

I found that photo quality could vary widely from one listing to another on Tripadvisor, whereas some other vacation rental sites have more consistently glossy images. Otherwise, Tripadvisor’s listings are generally informative, with traveler reviews, house rules, and an owner profile. Prices and fees are spelled out in detail.

Best feature: The price on the listing results page is the final price you’ll pay, including taxes and fees—rather than the base rate, which is what most vacation rental sites list. Tripadvisor also lists both the nightly rate and the total cost.

Cancellation Policy: Cancellation policies are not as clearly stated on this site as on some others. There is an option to send a message to the owner through the site. Tripadvisor also gives property owners the option to waive their policy and offer a refund to guests who cancel their stay, so try kindly explaining your situation to your hosts if your trip is disrupted by extenuating circumstances. 

Check out Tripadvisor

Tripping

Acquired by HometoGo in 2019, Tripping is another meta-search site for vacation rentals that turns up listings from hundreds of different sites, including many on this list. When I searched HometoGo and Tripping side by side, I found a lot of overlapping properties, but the results did not appear to be completely identical. (A Rome search turned up 8,800+ properties on HometoGo vs. more than 14,000 properties on Tripping, for example.) So even though the two sites are owned by the same company and offer virtually identical layouts and filters, it may be worth your time to check both.

Tripping offers a prominent map view alongside the listings on its main results page. Like HometoGo, Tripping shows hotels and hostels in addition to apartments, homes, and other types of properties, so you can use the “Accommodation types” filter to trim your results. You can toggle between “per night” and “per stay” options for pricing, specify a minimum number of bedrooms, and filter for amenities such as internet, air-conditioning, and washer. And you can scroll through listing photos right from the results page.

Clicking on “view deal” takes you to an external site for information and booking. As with HometoGo, there were occasional snafus in this process; prices didn’t match, properties weren’t available, or (in one case) I got a dead-end error page. But in most cases the listings were as advertised.

Best feature: Both Tripping and HometoGo have a flexible dates feature that lets you search with a date parameter of “anytime” to see when the best deals are available.

Cancellation Policy: Cancellations are subject to the policies found on the booking sites surfaced by Tripping’s search results. Tripping frequently populates deals from its parent site, HomeToGo, who’s cancellation policies (as noted previously) vary by property and can be found in the “Terms and Condition” section of the property details page.

Check out Tripping

Vrbo

Acquired by Expedia Group in 2015 and then merged with its sister site HomeAway in 2019, Vrbo (originally stylized as VRBO, which stands for “vacation rentals by owner”) offers the strongest features of both sites. You can browse by property type, from condos to cabins, through their catalogue of over 2 million vacation rentals. If you have an idea of the type of trip you’d like to take but aren’t attached to a destination, you can check out their curated lists of properties by vacation type and nearby activities. The search results are displayed alongside a convenient interactive map to show how far your rental is from your target destination. While this is a great visual, if you move the map even slightly the site will recalibrate your search to show you new properties, which can be a bit of a nuisance.

The search results display the number of bedrooms and bathrooms at a glance for each property along with both the nightly price and total price of the stay for the selected dates. Click into a result to see an in-depth and easily navigable description of policies and amenities, along with star ratings and traveler reviews.

Best feature: Vrbo highlights Premier Partners that offer great guest service. The Premiere Host program is invite-only, designed to ensure guests of a track record of success of its members. The program requires that all properties managed by members have an average rating of at least 4.4 stars, a booking acceptance of at least 95%, owner-initiated cancellation rate of less than 1%, at least 3 VRBO reviews, and at least 5 books or 60 booked nights.

Cancellation Policy: Property managers can choose from a list of pre-drafted cancellation policies provided by Vrbo, which include:

• a no refund policy
• Strict: 100% refund if canceled more than 60 days before check-in
• Firm: 100% refund if canceled more than 60 days before check-in; 50% refund if canceled between 30-60 days before check-in
• Moderate: 100% refund if cancelled 30 days before check-in; 50% refund if cancelled between 14-30 days before check-in
• Relaxed: 100% refund if cancelled 14 days before check-in; 50% refund if cancelled between 7-14 days before check-in

Property owners are also permitted to create custom cancellation policies. Make sure to review the property page before booking. 

Check out Vrbo

Plum Guide

Aimed at taking the hit-or-miss guesswork out of vacation home rentals, Plum Guide has dedicated itself to what it refers to as “the science behind the perfect stay.” This site is extremely selective in its properties, with only 3 percent of homes at any given destination passing its 150 criteria Plum Test conducted by their seasoned Home Critics. 

With a real person team of Plum Experts available seven days a week to assist with any questions and an easy to navigate, highly visual website, the Plum Guide’s people-centric approach to booking will make your vacation rental experience easy and pleasant.

Best Feature: Plum Guide’s best feature by far is their selective criteria. You can be sure you’re getting what you see online. While this can be a blessing if you want the peace of mind that comes with knowing your accommodation has been given a professional seal of approval, it may restrict your options if your travel dates don’t allow for flexibility. 

Cancellation Policy: Plum Guide featured a wide spectrum of cancellation policies, with seven options ranging from SuperFirm60, in which guests receive a 50% refund for cancellations made 60 or more days from check-in, to Premium Relaxed, in which guests will be fully refunded for cancellations made up to 24 hours before check-in.  See their full list of options here.

Check out Plum Guide

Sonder

Focused on eliminating unnecessary steps in the rental process, Sonder is a streamlined way to book your next vacation rental. Guests can check in, make requests, and ask for recommendations all through their phones. The site’s layout is remarkably easy to navigate—the search results are clean and simple, populating next to an interactive map that displays the rental’s approximate location. Key amenities, such as in-unit laundry, parking, and access to fitness equipment, are highlighted directly on the search results page so travelers can compare at a glance without clicking into the details of each property.

The streamlined designed carries into the details pages, with clearly marked amenities for each property and information on parking, accessibility, and house rules readily available. The pages feature a brief description of the surrounding neighborhood and there’s an easily accessible phone and email contact for any further questions about each property.

Best Feature: Sonder’s totally contact-free process is perfect for travelers who want flexibility during check-in and to have all their communications with their host neatly handled by a dedicated system.

Cancellation Policy: Guests can select their cancellation policy at the time of booking. Choose between the Economy Rate, in which the rental costs less per night but the booking is nonrefundable, or the Flex Rate, which is more expensive but allows you to cancel for a full refund up to three days before check-in.

Check out Sonder

Marriott Homes & Villas

If you want the quality assurance of a big hotel brand without the big hotel feel, then Marriott Homes & Villas may be the right site for you. All accommodations come with 24/7 guest support, kitchen essentials, in-unit washer, bathroom amenities such as shampoo and soap, wi-fi, linens and towels, and a television.

The site has the same easy user interface you expect from Marriott. The search function allows you to filter by destination, with travel dates being optional criteria to narrow the search. This is great for those early in their trip planning process or travelers who like to let deals dictate their itinerary. No destination in mind? You can click the “near me” option to see what weekend getaways are available right down the road. Properties on this site typically have upward of 30 photos in their galleries so you’ll be able to see exactly what you’re booking.

Best Feature: Marriott Homes & Villas ties into the larger Marriott Bonvoy rewards program. You can earn points when you book or redeem existing points on a vacation rental. Just set the results to “Show in Bonvoy Points” in the Filter & Sort menu to see how many points a booking costs.

Cancellation Policy: Cancellation policies vary by property, so make sure you review the policy outlined in your reservation. Marriott Homes & Villas 14-day policy outlines the refund travelers can generally expect to receive depending on the time of cancellation. Reservations made 10 days or less before arrival or booked 11 to 14 days before arrival but canceled after a 48 hour window has elapsed will not be refunded. 

Check out Marriott Homes & Villas

Agoda

Agoda allows you to book both hotels and vacation rentals through its online services. With over 2 million hotels and rentals available, at first glance booking through Agoda can seem overwhelming (my cursory search for an August week in Kuala Lumpur returned just shy of 3,700 results). 

Luckily, Agoda allows you to refine its catalogue with highly specific search criteria. Travelers can filter by the typical destination, trip dates, and number of guests, but they can further narrow their search through options such as 

• Deals and discounts
• Number of stars
• Payment options
• Guest rating
• Specific amenities
• Property type
• Proximity to local attractions 

This is great for whittling down your options as well as sparking some inspiration for how to fill your days at your destination.

Best Feature: Agoda will match any competing online price for their properties or refund the difference (in AgodaCash credited to your account). Once you know where you want to stay, do your comparison research to make sure you’re getting the best deal.

Cancellation Policy: Cancellation policies for each property are outlined on the details page under the Payment & Cancellation section. During search, you can filter by properties that offer free cancellation.

Check out Agoda

Getaway

If a break from your hectic day-to-day is calling your name, there’s no better option than Getaway. Getaway makes it their mission to give people the “time, space, and permission to be off.” Their thirty Outpost locations—focused mostly in the eastern and central parts of the country with a few options on the West Coast—are made up of minimalist cabins that range from about 140 to 200 square feet. The mini-kitchens at these properties provide only the bare necessities, but you can supplement your supply by opting for a $35 Sustenance Box, which includes some nonperishable meal and snack options. Other camping essentials, such as insect wipes and log bundles, are also available for purchase.

Each cabin has a firepit, grill grate, and picnic table. The neighbors are close enough to be seen but far enough away that everyone has their own outdoor space to enjoy. Check in starts at 3 pm with a personalized entry code sent to your phone, so it’s possible you may not see another soul your entire trip. The trade-off for some time in the great outdoors is that cell phone service may be spotty or unavailable. However, there is a landline for emergencies and to contact the Getaway team. There’s also no Wi-Fi (and “never will be” according to their FAQ) so make sure to download those Spotify playlists pre-trip. 

Best Feature: If you’re looking for the feeling of an off-the-grid escape but aren’t truly ready to pitch a tent in the middle of the wilderness, this is the right rental experience for you.

Cancellation Policy: Bookings must be canceled at least 15 days prior to check-in to be eligible for a refund.

Check out Getaway

FlipKey

FlipKey was founded in 2007 and acquired by Tripadvisor the following year. As such, booking through FlipKey gives travelers access to the same Book with Confidence payment protection guarantee found on Tripadvisor’s main rentals search. The homepage is clean and simple, with pre-populated lists of suggested rental destinations like Trending Destinations, Traveler Favorites, Hidden Gems, and Beach Getaways. FlipKey allows guests to filter by an extensive list of rental types like chateau, apartment, and yurt, so you can get highly specific with the type of stay you want.

The listing pages highlight “key information” along the top of the listing, then break down the details like amenities, access, and house rules further down the page. Each property displays a note from the owners about the level of interaction guests can expect to have with them during their stay and a graphic clearly laying out which cancellation policy applies to the property. A map shows nearby attractions and restaurants.

Best Feature: You can save rentals to “My Shortlist” and return to compare your favorites from a variety of searches side by side.

Cancellation Policy: Travelers who wish to cancel their accommodations within 24 hours of booking may do so for a full refund as long as the dates of their stay are at least 60 days away. Cancellations that don’t meet these guidelines are subject to individual property’s cancellation policies, as follows:

• Relaxed: full refund if a guest cancels more than 14 days prior to check-in; 50% refund if a guest cancels more than 7 days prior to check-in
• Moderate: full refund if a guest cancels more than 30 days prior to check-in; 50% refund if a guest cancels more than 14 days prior to check-in
• Firm: full refund if a guest cancels more than 60 days prior to check-in; 50% refund if a guest cancels more than 30 days prior to check-in
• Strict: full refund if a guest cancels more than 60 days prior to check-in

The timeframe within which a guest cancels their booking also determines the portion of booking fees they will be charged on their cancelled reservation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What vacation rental site is right for me?

The best vacation rental website for you will depend on your goals for your trip. Travelers looking for a chic city apartment near the best nightlife spots won’t have much luck on Getaway, while those just searching for the cheapest nightly rate may not need the extra vetting provided by Plum Guide. Determine your priorities—easy access to a nearby nature hikes, in a family-friendly neighborhood, by the best restaurants—and let them guide which sites you book through.

Is a hotel or vacation rental better?

Hotels and vacation rentals both have features that are suited to different travel styles. Those who want the convenience of housekeeping, concierge service, and onsite amenities like dining and fitness centers may prefer the all-in-one feel of a larger hotel. Travelers who value privacy, want to experience life in a local neighborhood, or are traveling with larger parties may do better with a rental. Investigate your travel style and find out what type of accomodation fits your trip with our ultimate hotel versus vacation rental guide.

What is the cheapest vacation rental site?

Sites that offer points eligible bookings, like Marriott Homes & Villas, will be the cheapest option for rewards members. Metasearch sites and OTAs like Booking.com and Expedia have a larger inventory with more chances to turn up a bargain. However, there is no single cheapest vacation rental site. Each option on the list will surface great deals—its all a matter of filtering and refining search results.

What is the best website for beach rentals?

Year after year, beach vacations remain one of the most popular types of getaways. Options for beach rentals will populate across all sites on this list (with Getaway being a notable exception). Larger sites like Booking.com, Hotels.com, Tripadvisor, Tripping, and HomeToGo make it easy to compare deals on beach rentals from across the web. However, if you have a specific destination in mind, its worth looking on some of the smaller sites to compare prices. There may be a hidden gem within the results.

Book Your Stay With SmarterTravel Hotels

While vacation rentals are great options for a little more privacy and living space, some travelers miss the perks and conveniences that a hotel can offer. If you’re dreaming of room service and a poolside bar, book your hotel stay for a great rate with SmarterTravel Hotels.

Book Now

Some of the links featured in this story are affiliate links, and SmarterTravel may collect a commission (at no cost to you) if you shop through them. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2019. It has been updated to reflect the most current information.

The post The 14 Best Vacation Rental Sites for Travelers in 2024 appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Below, we review 10 hotel alternatives and evaluate the pros and cons of each. Read on to see if these affordable alternatives to hotels are something you’ll dig or want to dump.

Short-Term Room Rentals

This is a popular and ever-growing trend in the travel world—a cross between vacation rentals and homestays. Using websites like Airbnb, Homestay, and 9flats, you can rent a room in someone’s house, a cottage, or a private studio apartment for low nightly rates—it’s not uncommon to see prices under $50 per night. It’s a way for hosts to open up their homes and make a little extra money while giving travelers a great deal and a local’s-eye view of a destination.

Dig It
Do you love the chance to meet people, see how they live, maybe play a midnight game of Scrabble or Call of Duty? Although you may score a cottage all by yourself, the cheaper options are usually a small bedroom with a shared bath. If that’s cool with you, a short-term room rental could be your thing.

Dump It
If uncertainty keeps you awake at night, you may sleep better at a chain hotel.

Religious Housing

Depending on where you’re traveling, there may be affordable lodging offered by religious organizations, such as convents and monasteries in Italy (check out Monastery Stays). An internet search or a visit to the local tourist board’s website can help you find these options.

Dig It
If you’re looking for a calm, quiet environment—perhaps even with a private bathroom, as Monastery Stays promises—religious housing may be for you. Many even welcome children with open arms and often have larger rooms set aside for families.

Dump It
Your room will be clean and functional, but if you want luxury, look elsewhere. The same goes if your kids are hellions, accustomed to running up and down halls screaming at the top of their lungs. Also, if you’re a night owl who likes to party into the wee hours, chances are you’ll miss curfew and be locked out. Finally, not all religious accommodations will accept unmarried couples.

Hostels

Though they’re commonly known as “youth” hostels, these can be an excellent hotel alternative for budget travelers of any age. Even if you’re not up for the cheapest option—a bed in a shared dorm—you can often get a basic private room at a hostel for significantly less than the cost of a low-end hotel.

Dig It
Hostels are perfect for the unscheduled traveler or backpacker, and for those who are up for an adventure—read: those who don’t mind plenty of company. They often have communal kitchens for those interested in making their own meals.

Dump It
Some hostels can be sketchy—lacking not only privacy but also safety. Consider checking sites such as TripAdvisor or Hostelworld for reviews and recommendations. Also, check whether the property is a member of Hostelling International, a U.K.-based nonprofit organization with thousands of properties worldwide that meet a minimum standard of cleanliness and safety.

Homestays

Sleeping in someone’s spare bedroom, or on a living room couch, is by far one of the cheapest ways to travel. In many cases, it’s free, and it’s also a great way to meet locals. You can organize a homestay through long-established hospitality networks like Servas International, or check out sites like Couchsurfing.

Dig It
If “life is an adventure” is your motto, then this mode of traveling is for you. You stand the chance of meeting interesting people and getting a close-up look at local life. Servas International is social and socially conscious, encouraging members to get involved in their hosts’ communities. Just super-social? Go with a Couchsurfing-type option.

Dump It
You must be trusting and trustworthy, flexible and friendly, for homestays to be an appropriate choice for you. You also have to be patient—the Servas interview process takes about three weeks. CouchSurfing is looser and much more in touch with social media, providing plenty of opportunities to connect with locals and other travelers.

Vacation Rentals

A Paris apartment, a villa in the Caribbean, a log cabin in Vermont … vacation rentals offer unique and affordable lodging around the globe. Because they tend to be more spacious than hotel rooms, they’re a particularly good bargain for families and groups who can divvy up the cost. And having your own kitchen can save you big bucks on restaurants. Sites to try to include TripAdvisor and Vrbo. And make sure to read up about whether vacation rentals are right for you.

Dig It
The many options in the vacation rental world mean that this choice is great for a variety of trips. If you appreciate the convenience and savings of having a kitchen and a laundry room during your trip, then a vacation rental could be for you. And if you’re traveling with a group of friends or family, having everyone gathered in one home can be priceless.

Dump It
If there’s going to be a fight over who gets the master suite, avoid holiday havoc by checking the floor plan of your rental and deciding ahead of time who gets which room. A rental agreement is a binding contract, so if there’s a chance your vacation plans may change, stick with a cancellable hotel reservation.

Academic Housing

When students go home for the summer, many colleges and universities open their dorms to visitors. Expect very affordable but very basic accommodations (bathrooms may be down the hall, for example). There are few central databases of these type of lodgings—UniversityRooms is one to try—but it’s worth calling a few local campuses directly to see if anything might be available during your trip. Your destination’s tourist board may also be able to help.

Dig It
Restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues often surround college campuses, so there should be plenty of action nearby.

Dump It
Most college kids are hard on their dormitories, so you shouldn’t expect shiny new carpets, furniture, or finishings. Elevators and air conditioning are uncommon in older buildings, too.

Farmstays

From rural B&Bs to working ranches and cattle farms, this type of stay can cover a wide range of accommodations—and you don’t necessarily have to be willing to milk a cow to take advantage of it. Farmstays are particularly popular in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.

Dig It
If you think you might enjoy waking with the sun to feed a bottle to a lamb or cornmeal to chickens, a farmstay may be right for you. You could enjoy a hearty breakfast, learn to make cheese or spin wool. The quiet, bucolic setting is perfect for relaxation, catching up on reading, or finishing handicraft projects.

Dump It
It can get very quiet, especially in the evening—so if you’re a night owl, your only companions may be the mice. These types of lodging can vary widely, though if you’re traveling in Europe or Down Under, you’ll have more choice than in the United States. If you need to know exactly what you’re getting, then farmstays may not be for you.

B&Bs with Shared Bathrooms

Bed-and-breakfasts can often save you money over hotel rooms, especially if you’re willing to use a bathroom down the hall. And it may be less inconvenient than you think: Sometimes the room you’re supposed to share a bathroom with might not even be booked—giving you the facilities all to yourself.

Dig It
The coziness and camaraderie of a B&B appeal to many travelers—enough to overlook the possibility of having to share a bathroom. You’ll save not only on accommodations but also on meals since breakfast is covered.

Dump It
B&Bs, especially those with shared bathrooms, may lack modern amenities such as flat-screen televisions or multiple outlets for charging electronics. And for travelers who aren’t particularly social, having to show up at a group breakfast with strangers can feel like a chore.

Camping

Sleeping under the stars can be a magical experience, and it’s one of the cheapest options on this list, especially if you cook your own meals over a campfire instead of eating in restaurants every night. And don’t worry, you can opt for cabins or luxury tent camps (i.e., glamping) if you’d rather not be slapping mosquitoes away all night.

Dig It
Camping is a great choice for anyone seeking a digital detox. A campfire beneath the night sky can be relaxing and mesmerizing; you won’t miss your TV or tablet. And you can’t beat a perfectly toasted marshmallow as a bedtime snack.

Dump It
Cooking a meal over a camp stove or fire, washing dishes in a bucket, waking up to rain-soaked sleeping bags—those who choose camping should be open to doing without a few comforts and conveniences.

Home Exchange

Swapping houses with another traveler is an ideal way to enjoy the comforts of home while traveling, and it’s practically free. To become a member of a home exchange network, you’ll typically pay an annual fee that costs about as much as a night in a hotel room, so after the first couple of nights of your vacation, your membership has paid for itself and then some. Learn more in SmarterTravel’s how-to guide to home exchanges.

Dig It
All the conveniences of home—kitchen with all the gadgets, laundry with detergent, Wi-Fi—and usually, a location away from tourist traps and traffic. What’s not to love?

Dump It
There’s always a chance something might happen (power outage, burst pipe, the homeowner’s angry ex banging on the door at 3 a.m.) and there’s no one around to take responsibility except you. Home exchange isn’t for the worried traveler: Will I break something? Will they trash my house? Am I safe in their home? Is my grandmother’s china safe in my home? If these concerns keep you up at night, do yourself a favor and sleep in a hotel.

Jodi Thompson contributed to this article.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2017. It has been updated to reflect the most current information. All of the products featured in this story were hand-selected by our travel editors. Some of the links featured in this story are affiliate links, and SmarterTravel may collect a commission (at no cost to you) if you shop through them. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

The post Ditch the Hotel: 10 Cheaper Ways to Stay appeared first on SmarterTravel.

How to Avoid Caribbean Hurricane Season

Here are tips from meteorologists, a travel insurance agent, and other experts who offered advice on where to go, where to avoid, and how to hedge your bets once you’ve booked your trip during Caribbean hurricane season.

When Is Hurricane Season?

Each year, an average of 13 tropical storms whirl through the Caribbean, Atlantic, and Gulf of Mexico during hurricane season, which officially runs from June 1 through November 30. Six of those storms will become hurricanes, according to data from the National Weather Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Hurricane season peaks from mid-August to late October. During this intense period bands of thunderstorms near the Equator drift over the region’s warm waters, giving hurricanes the ability to develop.

If you’re willing to take the risk, the rewards are numerous. Sylma Brown, director of the Caribbean Tourism Organization USA Inc., says hotel savings are up to 50 percent, airfare is typically lower, beaches are less crowded, and temperatures stay in the mid to upper 80s.

Spots Most Likely to Be Hit

There’s a science to dodging the Caribbean hurricane season. The areas most likely to get hit are those where the ocean happens to be warming the quickest from late spring to fall.

Meteorologist Evan Duffey breaks it down below.

He offers an overview of the annual pattern: Early in the season the waters in the Gulf of Mexico warm more quickly than other parts of the Atlantic. By August and September the eastern Caribbean sees an uptick in storm activity. Later in the season the focus shifts west and north.

June and July: Gulf of Mexico

August and September: Northern Windward Islands (Martinique, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, etc.), Leeward Islands (U.S./British Virgin Islands, Anguilla, St. Maarten/St. Martin, Guadeloupe Islands, etc.), Greater Antilles (Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Jamaica, etc.)

October and November: Western Caribbean and Southeast U.S. coastline

It’s worth noting that with the warmer-than-usual waters in the Atlantic Ocean this year, the NOAA warns of a higher likelihood of an “above normal” hurricane season moving forward into the autumn months.

Spots Least Likely to Be Hit

If you’re planning a trip during Caribbean hurricane season, head for the southern Caribbean where there’s a lower chance of being disrupted by tropical systems.

The far southern Windward Islands (Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada) and the ABC Islands (Aruba, Curacao, Bonaire) are relatively free of tropical system impacts. The same goes for southern Central America (Panama, Costa Rica), says Duffey.

“These are too close to the Equator and generally south of a large percentage of historical hurricane tracks,” he says.

Considering cruising during Caribbean hurricane season? It’s a great option for a couple of reasons. Cruise ships have sophisticated onboard weather-monitoring technology that allows captains to track storms and, if necessary, reroute their ships to a different port with better weather.

Cruise ships can also typically “outrun” a hurricane. According to Cruise Critic, storms tend to move at about eight to 10 knots, while ships can attain speeds of up to 22 knots and beyond.

Your Chance of a Hurricane Hitting

When weighing the odds, NOAA and National Hurricane Center meteorologist Dennis Feltgen would be the first to tell you there are no storm-free guarantees during Caribbean hurricane season.

“Every island and coastline across the Caribbean region is vulnerable to a hurricane impact every year,” he says. “Whether one occurs at a specific location this season is impossible to predict.”

But the geographic span of the Caribbean is so vast that even when a hurricane is affecting one area, much of the rest of the region is likely enjoying beautiful weather, says Frank Comito, former director general and CEO of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association.

Travel Insurance

Is a hurricane season trip worth the risk? Meteorologist Evan Duffey says if given the opportunity, he’d go. So would Dennis Feltgen.

“You just need to be smart about it,” says Feltgen. “Traveling into any part of the Caribbean during hurricane season carries some risk. Those who do so should always have travel insurance and check in advance with the hotel or resort at which they are staying to learn its hurricane plan.”

According to InsureMyTrip.com, an online travel insurance comparison site, 75 percent of customers will choose a comprehensive travel insurance policy for hurricane season travel.

A comprehensive policy comes with extensive benefits: medical coverage, emergency travel services, baggage protection, and trip-cancellation and trip-interruption coverage. If you opt for trip-cancellation insurance, you’ll receive benefits in a number of different scenarios. Policies vary, but these are some typical cancellations that are covered:

• Weather: When your airline or cruise line ceases service due to weather
• Hurricane alert: When your destination is under a NOAA-issued hurricane warning or alert
• Storm damage: When your destination hotel, resort, or vacation rental is made uninhabitable by a storm
• “Cancel for Any Reason”: When you want coverage for canceling a trip for any reason (a time-sensitive option)

Before You Buy

Be sure to read the fine print on travel insurance, especially regarding unforeseen events and coverage for inclement weather. You’ll need to have your insurance purchased before meteorologists are talking about a storm in your destination.

“Travelers concerned about hurricanes should purchase travel insurance early,” says Julie Loffredi, InsureMyTrip’s news editor. “Once a storm starts forming, it’s considered a foreseeable event and insurance coverage will no longer be available to cover losses related to that storm.”

When comparing travel insurance policies, Loffredi suggests asking these questions:

• What will happen if my destination is made uninhabitable by a storm?
• What about delays and cancellations on both ends of my itinerary?
• Is there any insurance plan available to me that will allow me to cancel my trip because of a hurricane warning?
• Can I get “Cancel for Any Reason” coverage? Would it be wise for me to do so?
• If I have to interrupt my trip because of bad weather, what kind of insurance will cover the cost of my missed travels?

Hotel and Airline Cancellation Policy Basics

Take the time to clearly understand your airline, cruise line, or resort’s hurricane cancellation policy. Most airlines will allow you to rebook on a future flight. Most hotels in hurricane-prone destinations offer rebooking and refund options.

“Hotel cancellation policies typically don’t kick in unless there is an official storm watch or alert issued,” says Comito at CHTA. “Hotels generally will offer to rebook without penalty. Some hotels go as far as offering a full refund, while chains often offer a stay at one of their hotels in another destination. For guests whose stay may be interrupted, there is no cancellation fee.”

Hotel Hurricane Plans

Most Caribbean hotels are prepared for the worst: This isn’t their first rodeo. Hotel staff members are accustomed to weathering storms, attending hurricane response workshops, and serving on emergency response committees.

Before you travel, ask what your hotel’s hurricane plan entails. Generators, flashlights, backup supplies of food, water, first aid kits, blankets, and cots are all the norm, according to the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA).

Even if a storm hits during your vacation, it might not be all doom and gloom.

“Some hotels have reported that guest satisfaction levels actually increase during a storm because staff go above and beyond to ensure their comfort,” says Comito. “And if a storm does strike, typically, the next day the weather is brilliant and guests are enjoying the beaches and facilities across their respective destinations.”

Jamie Moore is a regular contributor to SmarterTravel. Her articles have appeared on USA Today, Yahoo Travel, Huffington Post, and WestJet.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2017. It has been updated to reflect the most current information.

The post How to Avoid Caribbean Hurricane Season appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Some of the links featured in this story are affiliate links, and SmarterTravel may collect a commission (at no cost to you) if you shop through them.

Check for Hidden Cameras: How to Look for a Camera

I interviewed a Technical Surveillance Countermeasures and Intelligence expert from Advanced Operational Concepts who goes by the anonymous nickname “The Monk” (he declined to be named due to the sensitive nature of his work). The Monk has searched for hidden devices in conflict zones for the highest levels of the U.S. military’s Special Operations community. Here’s his advice for looking for a hidden camera.

“There are essentially three primary methods for checking for a hidden camera: scanning of radio frequencies (RF), lens detection, and physical search. Many handheld devices that do RF scanning and lens detection are available on the commercial market, with most costing less than $100. However, no single method is going to be 100 percent accurate.

“RF scanning, for example, will only help in identifying a device if that device is actively transmitting. If it is a store-and-retrieve device, where the collected data is held on an SD card to be physically recovered later when you’ve left the building. If the data is transmitted only at intervals, then an RF scanner will be fairly useless.

“Lens detection is very effective if used properly, but it requires patience and proper technique. If you are too far from the lens, sweep the room too quickly, or are just standing at the wrong angle from the lens, then you’ll likely miss seeing the lens when it reflects the light from your own light source.

“Physical inspection can be the most thorough method, but this requires both patience and access that you may not have. If you can’t get away with prying open smoke detectors, opening the backs of paintings, and possibly opening a section of a wall to see if anything is inside, then you won’t be able to complete a full and proper physical search.

“When faced with these types of limitations, often it is best to utilize a hybrid of all three search methods to whatever extent you find possible. You may not be able to achieve 100 percent confidence that the space is clear of hidden devices, but you’ll be a lot closer than you were when you first walked into the room.”

Check for Hidden Cameras: Where to Look for a Camera

The first step is to think logically about what someone would be interested in capturing on a hidden recording device. “Cameras typically need a clear view of the subject to get the best images,” explains Jack Plaxe, a hotel and lodging security professional and Founder and former Managing Director of the Security Consulting Alliance. “A visual scan of the room in key areas such as sleeping rooms, bathrooms, et cetera, may reveal clues that lead to the discovery of covert devices. For example, an unusually positioned object in the room may warrant a closer inspection. This was how an Airbnb guest found a camera concealed inside a motion detector that seemed out of place in a bedroom.”

It could be helpful to familiarize yourself with what hidden cameras can look like. They are easy and inexpensive to purchase (check out some on Amazon here).

The Monk says, “Bathrooms, bedrooms, and office space/desks are very common targets. Areas where computer screens are going to be visible are especially sought after, as the camera may capture login passwords, bank account information, personal browsing habits, and all sorts of other valuable information. A properly installed device will leave little to no outward sign that it has been put in place. Most off-the-shelf hidden cameras are now so small that they can come prepackaged in commonplace items that would appear innocuous in most settings.

“Smoke detectors, alarm clocks, even electrical outlets and power strips can have a complete audio/visual monitoring suite built in with room to spare. But even if the device itself is hard to detect, the activities of those responsible for the device may be more telling.

“In hotel rooms, for example, if items continue to be placed in a particular location after a room is serviced, then that could be a sign that the item needs to be positioned that way so that a camera has a good angle of view. Of course, this could also just be the maid tidying up, so don’t immediately jump to full paranoia.”

What to Do if You Find a Hidden Camera

Hiding hidden cameras in hotel rooms or vacation rentals is illegal and also a violation of most rental companies’ policies.

For example, Airbnb’s rules about electronic surveillance devices states that they do not allow “concealed and undisclosed devices monitoring common spaces” or “devices located in or monitoring private spaces.”

So make sure you check a vacation rental listing carefully for any mention of a nanny cam in the living room before you make a reservation. If you do find an undisclosed recording device in your vacation rental, leave immediately and report it to the company.

If you encounter a hidden camera in a hotel room, immediately ask for a room change. “If that doesn’t work,” says Ernie Naran, Director of Special Projects for Focus One Consulting Group, “turn objects  [with suspected hidden cameras] such as radios, clocks, et cetera, around so that they face in a different direction. If that is not possible, cover the items with a towel.”

When You Shouldn’t Check for a Hidden Camera

Depending on where you’re traveling, checking for hidden cameras might not be such a great idea. Mike O’Rourke, a former Special Forces soldier and Green Beret and current CEO of Advanced Operational Concepts, advises: “In certain countries (Russia and China top the list), it is highly likely the government intelligence services actively monitor hotels frequented by business travelers. Anyone they observe using search techniques to find hidden devices in their accommodations is likely to be branded as a hostile intelligence operative and treated accordingly. Bringing even the least expensive search devices into these countries is likely to land the traveler in hot water, sometimes before even leaving the airport.”

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2018. It has been updated with the most recent information.

Follow Caroline Morse Teel on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline for travel advice and inspiration from around the world.

The post How to Check for Hidden Cameras in Your Hotel Room or Vacation Rental appeared first on SmarterTravel.

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Frequently Asked Questions: Bedbugs

• Can you bring them back to your bed at home?
• What is the first thing you do when you enter a hotel room?
• What should you do if you find evidence of bedbugs in your hotel room?
• What are the most unusual places you can find bedbugs?
• How do you get rid of them once you have them?
• How long does it take to completely eradicate them?
• What is the financial impact if you bring them home with you?
• Is there anything you can buy to protect yourself from bedbugs?
• Can they make you sick? Do they carry diseases?
• How long do they live?
• How big can they grow?
• How many hotels on average have reported cases?
• Is it true that upscale hotels are just as likely as budget motels to have bedbugs?
• What’s something you don’t expect when you have bedbugs?
• What do hotels do to get rid of bedbugs?
• What other pests beyond bedbugs should people look for in their hotel?
• Are there ways to check in advance if a hotel has or has recently had a bedbug problem?
• Is there any type of lodging that has fewer incidents?
• Can you catch lice from an airplane headrest?

If you stay in a hotel room with bedbugs, can you bring them back to your bed at home?

“Bedbugs are relentless hitchhikers, and their primary method of transportation is humans and their belongings. Bedbugs can latch onto our suitcases or clothing if we stay in an infested hotel room, and hide until we reach our final destination—home. The best way to prevent bedbugs from becoming your unintentional roommates is to conduct thorough checks at the hotel and all your personal items when you get home. “

What is the first thing you do when you enter a hotel room?

• The first thing you should do when you arrive in a hotel room is thoroughly inspect it for signs of bedbugs.
• Put your luggage in the bathroom to start, as this non-carpeted room is the most unlikely place for bedbugs to linger.
• Inspect your bed by pulling the comforter and sheets back and checking for any signs of bedbugs. Lift and check underneath the mattress and box spring and at the top and bottom of the bed. These critters are small but visible to the naked eye, so a careful examination will reveal adult and nymph bedbugs, along with their eggs. You may also see dark or red fecal spots and leftover molted skins.
• Carefully check all other furniture in the room. Bedbugs can crawl behind hanging picture frames, hide in corners of the nightstand and disappear inside drapes.
• Once your room has been checked, store your luggage on a hard surface or luggage rack rather than a bed, couch or fabric chair for the smallest chance of contamination.

What should you do if you find evidence of bedbugs in your hotel room?

• “If you see signs of bedbugs in your hotel room, contact the front desk immediately so they can call a qualified pest management professional to resolve the problem. Leave the area and properly examine all of your clothing and belongings, and request a new room.
• If you do suspect you’ve encountered bedbugs, leave your suitcase and belongings in the garage or another separate area when you return home. The luggage can be vacuumed and wiped down to reduce the chances of bringing bedbug or their eggs inside. Remove and examine your shoes for bedbugs and eggs before bringing them into the house.
• For an extra level of protection, wash travel clothes immediately when you return. Items that cannot be washed can usually be run through the dryer for 20 to 30 minutes, as the heat from the dryer alone is enough to kill all stages of bedbugs and their eggs. If you are unsure of the severity of your situation, call a pest control professional for an inspection.”

What are the most unusual places you can find bedbugs (e.g. On a plane? Airport lounge?)

“Bedbugs aren’t found just in beds—they can thrive in any location where there is a human host. The most unusual place we discovered bedbugs was inside prosthetics. Some other unexpected places bedbugs have been found are in court rooms, healthcare facilities, and on public transportation, as well as chairs in movie theaters and restaurants. No place is a guaranteed bedbug-free zone; any place humans sit, rest or sleep gives bedbugs the opportunity to feed and multiply.”

How do you get rid of them once you have them?

“There are several steps you can take to eliminate bedbugs:

• Immediately wash infested bedding according to the manufacturer’s instructions – the soap and heat can help eliminate bedbugs at any stage.
• However, if you suspect you might have an infestation, the best thing to do is to call a professional. Pest management professionals have the best methods for treating a bedbug infestation in its entirety. At Terminix, we employ a range of treatments for residential and commercial infestations, including a fast, non-toxic treatment called RapidFreeze^®. RapidFreeze uses carbon dioxide (CO₂) converted to a dry ice ‘snow’ to freeze insects, including their eggs and nymphs, after contact. RapidFreeze is perfect for homes, hotels, apartments, food processing plants and organic industries. After treatment, if bedbugs are found within 30 days, Terminix will re-treat at no additional cost.”

How long does it take to completely eradicate them?

“Eradicating bedbugs is tricky and the length of time to resolve the problem varies on a case-by-case basis. Some infestations can be persistent. Time to control depends on the severity of the problem, where they are hiding, and the type of treatments performed. “

What is the financial impact if you bring them home with you?

“Addressing a bedbug problem immediately is the best way to keep associated costs down. The financial impact of an infestation in a home can vary, and costs can include more than just the expense of inspection and treatment.  Some infestations may require structural repair or alteration. Sanitizing, or even replacing some infested items may be required. Depending on many factors, the total cost of curing an infestation can run from hundreds to thousands of dollars.”

Is there anything you can buy to protect yourself from bedbugs?

“Regular self, luggage, and room inspections are the most effective way for someone to protect themselves from bedbugs. Some companies market luggage encasements that help prevent bedbugs from entering your bag. Investing in hard-sided luggage, instead of fabric, can also help prevent bedbugs from creeping in.”

Can they make you sick? Do they carry diseases?

“While bedbugs have not yet been shown to transmit diseases through feeding activities, there may still be health risks associated with exposure to these pests. The most common health issue is the result of itching or excessive scratching of the bites they leave behind, which can cause damage to the skin and introduce infection. In rare cases, individuals may have severe allergic reactions to bedbug bites. “

How long do they live?

“The average lifespan of a bedbug is typically around ten months. A bedbug life cycle includes multiple stages. A female bedbug lays eggs singly or in small groups and they take anywhere from six to seventeen days to hatch. By the time she dies, a female may have laid hundreds of eggs.”

How big can they grow?

“Bedbugs can grow to be about the size of an apple seed—approximately 3/16 to 1/4 inch long.”

How many hotels on average have reported cases?

“There is no way for us to know the percentage of hotels with bedbug cases, though there’s a chance that any hotel you’ve stayed in is at risk of infestation—reported cases are on the rise across the nation. In 2016, Terminix observed a 19.9 percent year-over-year increase in bedbug-related calls.”

Is it true that upscale hotels are just as likely as budget motels to have bedbugs?

“All hotels are equally susceptible to contracting bedbugs, as they are primarily introduced and spread by hotel visitors. However, hotels that conduct more thorough room inspections can often detect problems sooner and engage a pest control professional before the issue spreads from room to room. “

What’s something you don’t expect when you have bedbugs?

“Some people experience psychological side effects after experiencing a bedbug infestation. Bedbugs can cause a great deal of anxiety with people fearing another infestation, or concerned about the social stigma associated with bedbugs. “

What do hotels do to get rid of bedbugs?

“Most hotels rely on pest management professionals to create customized treatment plans to remove any signs of bedbugs. This can include a variety of methods, from the use of heat and cold to bringing in bedbug-sniffing dogs.”

What other pests beyond bedbugs should people look for in their hotel?

“Ticks and fleas are an often unexpected pest in hotels – most guests are not expecting to encounter these parasites, but many properties allow pets in rooms that can harbor unwanted hitchhikers. Unlike bedbugs, fleas, and ticks can be vectors of pathogens that cause disease.”

Are there ways to check in advance if a hotel has or has recently had a bedbug problem?

“A common method of vetting properties for bedbug activity is to check online bedbug registries or to check online reviews to see if anyone has reported bedbug incidents in their destination. “

Is there any type of lodging that has fewer incidents? B&Bs, etc.?

“Unfortunately, the type of lodging has little impact on its susceptibility to bedbugs. Bedbugs aren’t picky, and can thrive in a five-star resort or a truck-stop motel.”

Can you catch lice from an airplane headrest?

“It is possible to catch lice from an airplane headrest. However, most airlines have sanitation programs to keep seats clear of pests. It can be difficult to prove the exact location of origin of lice contact, as many people don’t realize they’ve contracted the pest until four to six weeks after exposure. Anyone suspecting they have contracted lice should consult a medical professional for treatment advice. “

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The vast majority of Airbnb rentals go smoothly, but do you know what to do when they don’t? What happens if your host cancels your booking two days before you arrive, or the spacious bedroom shown in a listing turns out to be the size of a closet?

Airbnb problems like these don’t have to ruin your trip. Below we explain how to resolve seven common Airbnb issues, from lost keys to illegal listings.

An important note: These problems aren’t unique to Airbnb, which is one of countless vacation rental sites on the web. However, each site has its own unique policies, so we recommend reading the terms and conditions carefully if you encounter any of the following problems when booking a rental through a different company.

The place isn’t what I expected.

Maybe your host forgot to mention that she owned two cats, leaving you sneezing throughout your stay. Or he optimistically described his neighborhood as “up and coming” when it was actually half a block from a seedy red-light district.

If you show up to your rental and find that it isn’t what was advertised, reach out to your host to see if it’s something that they can resolve. If it isn’t, and you don’t feel that you can continue your stay, you might be eligible for a refund from Airbnb as long as you contact the company within 24 hours of check-in. Take photos to support your claim, be responsive to questions, and be sure to use Airbnb’s messaging function to notify the host of the issue (so the company has documentation that you and the host have discussed the problem).

Claims that are eligible for refunds generally fall into one of the following categories, according to the company’s Guest Refund Policy:

– The host fails to provide reasonable access to the booked listing.

– The listing booked is misrepresented (ex: number of bedrooms, location, lacks promised amenities).

– The listing isn’t generally clean, is unsafe, or there’s an animal in the listing that wasn’t disclosed prior to booking.

You’ll either receive a full or partial refund (amount depends on the travel issue) or be placed into another Airbnb property comparable to the one you originally booked.

Something isn’t working during my stay.

If the dishwasher goes on the fritz or you can’t get the Wi-Fi to work, contact your host directly to get it fixed or arrange for a partial refund. If the host doesn’t respond or isn’t able to resolve the issue within 72 hours, you can ask Airbnb to step in and mediate. You even have up to 60 days after your reservation’s checkout date to submit a Resolution Center request.

Unhappy with the final resolution? Share your experience in a review after your stay. Will it help solve your problem? No, but it may help future guests avoid a similar headache.

I don’t like my host (or another guest).

This might not affect you if you’re renting an entire house and never see your host except to pick up your keys—but if you’re staying in someone’s spare room, the close quarters can magnify even small personality conflicts. (See Toilet Paper Tussle at the Airbnb: How I Survived a Homestay for an example of how things can go wrong.)

Some of these problems can be avoided with a little advance research and communication. Read reviews from previous guests to see what they say about the host. Then read the host’s profile thoroughly and reach out to him or her to ask questions about the listing before you book. Does the host respond quickly and in a friendly tone? You can’t tell everything about a person from a few messages, but you can at least watch out for red flags (such as rudeness or a lack of response altogether).

If conflicts come up during your stay that you can’t resolve, you can reach out to Airbnb for help mediating. Keep in mind, though, that there’s not much the company can do if the issue comes down to “I just don’t like this person.” In these cases, your best recourse is to minimize contact (most hosts will respect a closed door) and to have a backup plan (such as an inexpensive nearby hotel where you can go if your Airbnb stay becomes unbearable).

I’m not sure if my rental is legal.

Airbnb has made headlines for legal challenges in cities like Paris, New York, and San Francisco. So how do you know if your rental falls afoul of the law?

It’s almost always okay to rent someone’s spare room if your host is present during your stay. What’s not legal in many cities is renting out an entire apartment on a short-term basis. (This is because cities are trying to preserve the availability of longer-term housing for local residents.)

As a guest, you’re unlikely to be penalized if you stay in an illegal rental. But while the host will take any legal heat, you could be turned out of your rental if the place is raided during your stay. Before you book, do a quick Google search to see what the local laws are in the destination where you’re considering renting. For more tips, see Airbnb and Beyond: Tips for Safe, Legal Vacation Rentals.

The host canceled my reservation at the last minute.

If your host’s plans change, you could be left scrambling for a place to stay just a few days before your trip. Once the host cancels your reservation, Airbnb will let you apply your payment to a new place to stay or give you a full refund. According to the Airbnb site, you automatically get a refund and you’ll receive an email confirming the full refund, with a link to check on the status.

Recently, stories of recent travelers experiencing cancellation nightmares have been coming out of the woodwork. Read more about one editor’s personal experience with this and what to do.

The Hotel Tonight app can help you book last-minute hotels if you’re unable to find another Airbnb rental that you like.

I lost my key (or locked myself out).

Call or text your host as soon as you realize that you can’t access the property. Most experienced hosts will have a spare key readily available, though if they’re at work or otherwise occupied they might not be able to get it to you right away. Note that the cost of a new key and/or changing the locks may come out of your security deposit (if your host charges one).

The host wrote me a bad review.

Airbnb is unique in that it allows both guests and hosts to write reviews of each other after a stay. If you disagree with what the host says about you, you can share your side of the story in a response that will be posted publicly under the host’s review. Note that you have 30 days to respond to a review.

For more common Airbnb problems, questions, and solutions head to the company’s extensive Help Center.

More from SmarterTravel:

• Ditch the Hotel: 10 Cheaper Ways to Stay
• Is a Vacation Rental Right for You?
• How to Be a Good Guest: 14 Vacation Rental Tips

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2017. It has been updated to reflect the most current information.

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Carnelian Bay, California

Located in a quiet neighborhood just a few minutes’ walk from Carnelian Bay, This spacious cabin is perfect for a group getaway. The four-bedroom house sleeps up to 10 and has a large sunroom, patio, balcony, and private hot tub. A small free library provides books for guests to curl up with next to the fireplace.

Winhall, Vermont

This adorable A-Frame is a short drive from Bromley, Stratton, and Magic Mountain, making it the ultimate Vermont ski crash pad. Built in 1965 and decorated in a bohemian style, the cabin has retro vibes but modern amenities (like a new Kuma wood stove). Outside, there’s a firepit, orion telescope, and star guide, so you can stargaze all night long if you like.

Twin Peaks, California

Lake Arrowhead’s impeccably-designed mid-century A-Frame cabin is built for relaxation. The expansive backyard is outfitted with a hammock, grill, firepit, and even a timber fort that’s fun for guests of all ages. Inside, you’ll be comfortable with smart TVs, a wood-burning fireplace, and a modern kitchen.

Sevierville, Tennessee

Winter goals: soaking in a private hot tub while watching the sunset over the mountains. This stunning cabin in Sevierville, Tennessee makes vacation dreams come true with its private balcony, hot tub, and mountain vistas. When you’re bored of all that natural beauty, simply head inside where a pool table, indoor fireplace, and fast WiFi await. 

Asheville, North Carolina

Just seven miles outside of downtown Asheville, this cozy cabin feels a world away. Nestled in a quiet wooded area near a creek, the rental offers solitude and easy access to local hiking trails. A wood-burning stove, hot tub, and firepit all add to the coziness factor. 

Pownal, Maine

With one bedroom, a secluded location, and an upscale design, this post-and-beam cottage in Pownal, Maine is the ultimate romantic retreat for couples. Pull up a chair and cuddle by the fireplace, roast marshmallows on the outdoor firepit, or stargaze on the porch before retreating to your king-sized loft for the night. 

Stowe, Vermont

This classic Stowe cabin is the embodiment of the term après-ski. The airy two bedroom house was built in the 1850s and kept the best of its historic touches while adding in modern comforts. Wide pine floors, cathedral ceilings, and a wood stove mix with a modern kitchen, brand-new sound system, and hot tub to create a cozy retreat. 

Otis, Massachusetts

If you want to be out in nature (without actually being out in nature), this octagonal glass treehouse in Otis is for you. Floor-to-ceiling windows on all eight sides showcase views of the surrounding Berkshires, while a wood-burning fireplace offsets the coldness off all that glass. Despite being a treehouse, the rental feels like a luxury hotel, with a private bedroom, two full bathrooms, and a stocked kitchen.

Jackson, New Hampshire

This newly-built Jackson cabin offers unparalleled views of the Presidential Mountains. Take in the scenery while soaking in the hot tub, lounging next to the two fireplaces, or sunbathing on the deck. Hiking/snowshoe trails are right outside the front door, and lively North Conway is just a 15-minute drive away. 

Boone, North Carolina

Set outside Boone, North Carolina, this A-Frame cabin is described as a “grownup treehouse”. You’ll sleep tucked away in a loft bedroom under a peaked roof, gently rock on the porch swing overlooking the creek, and get lulled to sleep watching the flames in the wood-burning stove. 

More from SmarterTravel:

• The 9 Best Vacation Rental Sites
• The Ultimate Packing List
• 10 Important Items That Can Make Any Vacation Rental Feel Like Home

The post 10 Cozy Cabins With Fireplaces You Can Rent on Airbnb appeared first on SmarterTravel.

If you booked a trip between the mid-March start of the epidemic (now pandemic) and sometime later this spring, current travel bans and shutdowns mean you face the requirement to reschedule or cancel your trips. And future trips later in the year still might meet the same fate of a COVID-19 cancellation.

SmarterTravel has already shared the major airline and hotel players waiving fees for travelers who booked directly—but what if you booked through a third-party online travel agency (OTA) such as Expedia? The general recommendation is typically that you contact the OTA for rescheduling. But the situation is a bit more nuanced than that.

Two major parent companies, Booking Holdings (also known as Booking.com) and Expedia, control around 86 percent of the worldwide OTA business through their many subsidiaries. Here’s which company ultimately owns each of the following third-party booking sites:

• Agoda (Booking)
• Booking.com
• Cheapflights (Booking)
• Expedia
• HomeAway (Booking)
• VRBO (Booking)
• Hotwire (Expedia)
• Hotels.com (Expedia)
• KAYAK (Booking)
• Momondo (Booking)
• Orbitz (Expedia)
• Priceline (Booking)
• Travelocity (Expedia)
• Trivago (Expedia)

COVID-19 Cancellation Policies by OTA

Here’s a rundown of policy statements from OTAs that focus mainly on air travel and accommodations regarding a COVID-19 cancellation. Most start out with instructions to go to the OTA’s app or website and select the trip(s) you are canceling for more information about the conditions. Whether or not you’re eligible for a refund or credit will typically depend on both the third-party site in question and the company that the stay or service is with.

Agoda (Booking)

According to Agoda: “If your booking is eligible for free cancellation, you will see the message: ‘This booking may be affected by a current emergency or developing situation. Due to these exceptional circumstances, Agoda will waive all fees on cancellation for your affected booking.’ You may then proceed to cancel through this self-service option without contacting customer service.”

Booking.com

Booking.com states: “We understand you may need to change your travel plans. To get the latest info, contact the property you booked to check if they can accommodate you. You can also visit our Help Center for support with making changes to your booking.” The posted statement applies to accommodations bookings only; selecting “airfare” redirects users to Priceline (see more below).

Cheapflights (Booking)

Cheapflights says only that: “Airlines and travel providers are continually updating their policies and will be a go-to resource for up-to-date information regarding changing upcoming travel plans. Please contact them directly for the latest information. Many are waiving cancellations fees.” You can find a detailed airline-by-airline summary of COVID-19 cancellation policies here via Airfarewatchdog, SmarterTravel’s sister site.

Expedia

For air tickets, Expedia suggests that you first try to cancel online from within your trip record. If a fee applies, the website provides two airline dropdown menus: (1) links to the airlines you’re most likely to use and on which you can cancel through Expedia, and (2) a longer list of airlines less used that you have to contact directly.

Expedia contacted SmarterTravel with the following updated hotel cancellation policy on April 2: “For customers that booked and paid for a non-refundable rate prior to March 19, 2020 using Expedia for a stay between March 20 and April 30th 2020, an email will be sent their way providing them with an option to keep or cancel their existing booking. If the customer decides to cancel, they will be eligible for a full refund, or in some cases, a voucher allowing them to rebook the original property at later dates. There is no need to call Expedia, however you must cancel your booking a least 24-hours before check-in to be eligible for this offer. For customers who booked a property with a refundable rate, they can visit our customer service portal to change or cancel a reservation.”

HomeAway and VRBO (Expedia)

The Expedia-owned rental sites state: “To cancel or change an upcoming reservation due to travel restrictions, you can do so right from your traveler account. If you are making changes outside the cancellation policy window, please contact the property owner or manager to discuss their cancellation and refund policies. If you don’t see a button to cancel your reservation, please contact the property owner or manager directly for assistance.”

Hotwire (Expedia)

Hotwire states: “The fastest path to canceling your booking is through one of our self-serve tools” which can be found here. “Hotwire follows the policies of our partners, which means any credit, refund or change is at the discretion of the airline, hotel, cruise line or other travel provider. The quickest way to find out if travel plans can be changed without a penalty will generally be to check the airline, car, or hotel website directly.”

The site goes on: “Many of our partners are updating their policies to align with changing travel restrictions, so make sure to check back regularly. Note: Some suppliers, like American Airlines, are also providing self-serve capabilities on their website. If your booking qualifies and you are able to submit a self-serve claim through a supplier directly, you will not need to also cancel your booking through Hotwire.”

Hotels.com (Expedia)

The Hotels.com COVID-19 “travel advice” page states “we are waiving change fees for many hotels based on where you are traveling to or from. For international bookings in the following countries (and domestic bookings, where noted), you are eligible for a full refund. Please click the blue Contact Us button above to speak to an agent … Except for travel to/from the destinations listed below, we follow the policies of our travel partners.” The listed destination countries are many, and available here.

KAYAK (Booking)

KAYAK’s COVID-19 page generally points travelers to the individual airline or hotel where they have bookings. It also posts links to policies by individual airlines, hotels, and car rental companies.

Momondo (Booking)

The Momondo website simply states, “The COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak may impact your trip. Look for alerts on our site indicating certain destination-specific travel warnings.” The Momondo help page is here.

Orbitz (Expedia)

The Orbitz website duplicates the information posted by Expedia (see above).

Priceline (Booking)

For flights, Priceline urges you to complete your COVID-19 cancellation online if you can. “Your ability to change or cancel your ticket depends on the type of ticket you purchased and varies by airline. If a cancellation is permitted, you will see a link within your itinerary. Express Deals-Priceline deals, in which the full itinerary is revealed only after you book, are non-changeable and non-refundable.”

“Other reservations may be more flexible. You can view your flight’s fare rules on the contract before you book, and on your itinerary after you book. You can find your itinerary by going to check status on the Priceline homepage. If your flight’s fare rules allow changes and you’re ready to make a change, please refer to Exchange Guidance for additional information.”

Priceline provides further information here.

Travelocity (Expedia)

The Travelocity website duplicates the information posted by Expedia (see above).

Trivago (Expedia)

As a metasearch provider that only provides price comparisons and not bookings, Trivago advises users to check with the OTA that actually handled your booking. The same general wisdom goes for other price-comparison OTAs that don’t handle bookings, including Tripadvisor (SmarterTravel’s parent company).

General Information on OTAs and COVID-19 Cancellation Policies

Clearly, the general advice to get a refund through the OTA is not always correct. Although the final money transfer might come through the OTA, they urge travelers to use whatever online COVID-19 cancellation systems they have to deal directly with hotels and airlines.

If you’re booking a future trip rather than adjusting existing bookings, most major OTAs direct you to airlines and hotels with flexible refund policies. Keep in mind, however, that if you book a nonrefundable service (even with a company that has a liberal refund policy) the supplier has your money and the full-value refund or credit may limit your future choices.

All the OTAs suggest that anyone traveling within 72 hours can use the agency’s phone; other travelers should refrain from calling for now, and stick to the Internet or an app to get information and make changes. All OTAs also seem to recognize that the travel restrictions are a moving target, and travelers should therefore check often to make sure they have the latest information.

More from SmarterTravel:

• The 10 Best Hotel Booking Sites
• The Best Flight Booking Sites for Cheap Airfare
• The Ultimate Guide to Travel Insurance

Consumer advocate Ed Perkins has been writing about travel for more than three decades. The founding editor of the Consumer Reports Travel Letter, he continues to inform travelers and fight consumer abuse every day at SmarterTravel.

The post 14 Booking Sites’ COVID-19 Cancellation Responses appeared first on SmarterTravel.

The glories of vacation rentals are many. Even the smallest rentals tend to be a palace compared to a typical hotel room, and you get all sorts of vacation-simplifying extras like a kitchen, grill, or even a washer and dryer. But … for all their abundance, vacation rentals are often missing some of the most important aspects of home. Happily, most are easy to pack. Here are our top 10 items we throw in the car to transform any vacation rental into a true home away from home.

Knives

Vacation rentals are not known for the high quality of their kitchen knives. These tend to be the owners’ second-rate cast-offs (or cheap newer knives), which grow duller with each passing guest. At many rentals, you might have similar luck cutting tomatoes with a butter knife as you would with one supposedly meant for the job.

The solution is simple: Bring your own. Create your own travel set with just two knives: a chef’s knife and a paring knife. Victorinox makes inexpensive versions, and both of its chef’s and paring knives are longtime Cook’s Illustrated favorites, regularly beating out more expensive competitors. Just remember: You can’t pack knives in your carry-on; if you’re flying, they must go in your checked bag.

Victorinox Fibrox Pro Chef’s Knife

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Victorinox Classic Paring Knife

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A Great Pillow

We’ve all been there. After an amazing vacation day, you settle into bed looking forward to a great night’s sleep only to discover the vacation rental pillow feels like a burlap sack stuffed with tennis balls. If you’re driving to your rental rather than flying, sacrifice some car space to bring a pillow you truly love. If you’re not keen on the idea of dragging your clean pillow along on vacation, get a special pillow just to bring on trips. When you’re not using it, store it with your suitcases rather than in the linen closet to prevent any cross-contamination. Well-reviewed and affordable options include Five Star’s Down Alternative Pillow and the MLVOC, a four-in-one travel pillow.

Mastertex Down Alternative Bed Pillow 

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Tongs

In any kitchen, tongs get the job done. They’re masters of both the grill and the pan, and they make serving nearly anything—from pancakes and pasta to salad—a breeze. They’re also lightweight and portable, so they’re a perfect vacation companion. Bring some tongs and it won’t matter that the rental kitchen’s lone spatula has a melted corner and smells weird. OXO Good Grips 12-Inch tongs lock when you don’t need them so they’ll pack small and save space in your bag.

OXO Good Grips Tongs

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Cast Iron Pan

Perfect browning, even cooking, and no sticking—it’s the skillet trifecta that has made cast iron a favorite for generations. Vacation rental kitchens are notorious for warped aluminum pans just waiting to ruin the most foolproof vacation meals. Bring your own pan and you’ll up your culinary game in an instant. Lodge’s 12-inch pre-seasoned skillet has long been a kitchen and camping favorite, and is at home in any vacation rental kitchen.

Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet 

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Note that if you’re not a cast-iron loyalist (or recent convert), a vacation rental probably isn’t the best time to familiarize yourself with this cooking powerhouse. Instead, try it out in advance (and bring along a scrubber so you can clean it without soap).

Spice Kit

Even if your rental kitchen is stocked with spices, there’s no telling how many years they’ve been moldering in that dusty cabinet. Bring along a small kit with all your favorite flavors to ensure that every meal is a great one. Try a grab-and-go option like Coghlan’s Multi-Spice Pack, which comes pre-loaded with salt, pepper, cayenne, curry, paprika, and garlic salt. Or customize your own kit with ready-to-fill shakers like this six-piece kit from Wealers. Serious about salt? Then pack a salt sampler set, which includes sixteen salts including pink Himalayan sea salt, Hawaiian Onyx sea salt, and Cyprus flake salt, each in its own small tin.

Coghlan’s 9961 Multi-Spice

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Roku

The infinite variety of streaming video is yours wherever you go with the Roku Streaming Stick. With access to your Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, and other accounts, Roku makes it easy to stream your favorites to the HDTV in your vacation rental. It’s small, easy to use, and will save you from settling for the vacation rental’s dusty VHS set of Northern Exposure.

Roku Streaming Stick

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Coffee

Kindly vacation rental owners sometimes leave enough coffee to help you make it through that first morning, but from there on out it’s going to be up to you. So come prepared. Coffee drinkers are united by an unequivocal need for morning caffeine, but everyone has a slightly different approach to that perfect cup. If you prefer freshly ground beans, bring along a manual grinder like this one from Ice Coal, which comes with a travel pouch; pair it with the Brewologist Pour Over Coffee Cone, which requires no paper filter. And K-Cup junkies can pack this single-serve Keurig machine.

Manual Coffee Grinder

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The Brewologist Pour Over Coffee Filter 

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Clothesline

Even if you’re in a rental with a dryer, it’s still a good idea to bring along a clothesline for towels or bathing suits, items that need to be hand washed, or anything that needs a quick airing out. Travel clotheslines adapt well to a variety of environments, from bathrooms to balconies. Coghlan’s adjustable bungee clothesline is a clever option that packs small, strings up nearly anywhere, and eliminates the need for clothespins, since all you need to do to hang an item is tuck a corner of it into the twisted bungee cord line.

Coghlan’s Bungee Clothesline

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Temporary Hooks

Imagine: A place to hang your robe when you get into the shower, your towel when you head to the hot tub, or your coat when you come in from the snow. At home, you’ve got a hook for every need, but most vacation rentals are woefully short on convenient hanging spots. Enter: damage-free temporary hooks. Pack a set or two and you can create a hook in an instant, and leave no trace when you leave. Command’s Large Plastic Hooks come in sets of three and remove cleanly without surface damage, no tools needed.

Command Utility Hooks

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Corkscrew

It’s not that your vacation rental is unlikely to have a corkscrew. It’s that the corkscrew you’ll find in the vacation rental kitchen only has a 30 percent chance of being anything other than terrible. Here’s why: A corkscrew that’s good enough to use is good enough to be packed with a picnic lunch or an evening trip to the beach—and is unlikely to make it back. So it’s replaced with another, slightly less good corkscrew, and the process repeats itself until what’s in the rental kitchen is a corkscrew nobody wants to use. Go tried-and-true with a red metal affair, or class things up with the Amazon-favorite, wood-and-steel HiCoup corkscrew.

Professional Waiter’s Corkscrew by HiCoup 

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More from SmarterTravel:

• The Ultimate Packing List
• 15 Tiny Travel Products to Help You Stay Healthy on Vacation
• 10 Vacation Rental Hacks You Need to Know

Christine Sarkis is constantly honing her vacation rental bring-along list. Follow her on Twitter @ChristineSarkis and Instagram @postcartography for more advice about making every vacation the best vacation.

The post 10 Important Items That Can Make Any Vacation Rental Feel Like Home appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Not sure if that crazy deal you found is on a reliable booking site? We’ve rounded up the top options for every travel type and weighed their best (and worst) features. From getting a steal on a cruise to securing a vacation rental, here are the best travel booking sites.

The Best Booking Sites by Travel Type

• The 11 Best Flight Search Sites for Booking Cheap Airfare
• The 11 Best Hotel Booking Sites
• The 10 Best Sites for Booking a Cruise
• The 8 Best Travel Package Sites for Booking a Cheap Vacation
• The 17 Best Sites and Apps for Last-Minute Travel Deals
• The 9 Best Vacation Rental Sites for Travelers
• The 16 Best Car Rental Booking Sites
• The 5 Best Ticket Websites for Booking Day Tours and Travel Activities

Check out SmarterTravel’s roundup of the best in booking sites for 2020. Want more expert tips and vacation inspiration? Subscribe to SmarterTravel on YouTube.

Editor’s note: You can find more information here on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected cancellation policies for booking sites like the ones included in the above stories.

More from SmarterTravel:

• The Ultimate Guide to Travel Insurance
• Everything Travelers Need to Know About REAL ID
• The Ultimate Packing List

The post The Best in Travel Booking Sites appeared first on SmarterTravel.