Susan Michelle's Compass
The Latest Sites For Web-Savvy Travelers
By travel lifestylist Susan Michelle
Jul 6, 2008 - 7:37:19 PM

Travel via the web has come a long way since Travelocity and Priceline started.  Now, a decade-plus since folks began booking online, the internet offers a lot more for travelers than just flight search engines; there’s meta-search engines, user-opinion/review sites to compete with traditional travel guides, MySpace-mirroring social sites for travelers, and more pages starting every day.  If you haven’t kept up with the latest internet-based help for journeyers, here’s a few of my newest favorite web pages: 

( Note: Unless otherwise indicated, add a “.com” to all names below when typing them into your browser .)

FLYING/BOOKING

Farecast : If you’re not sure whether to buy an airfare because of uncertainty over the price going up or down, Farecast will help forecast that fluctuation and tell you, “Yay,” or, “Nay,” on pulling the purchase trigger.

Zicasso : Still attached to the idea of a travel agent?  Plug in your desired trip details, and let several travel agents bid for your business.

WorldAirportGuide : Not sure which airport to fly into, or how to maneuver once you land?  Check here for everything you might ever need to know about the airports of the world. 

RIDING/OTHER TRANSPORTATION

1800CabRide : Ever scramble for a cab, only to find yourself without cash to pay for it once inside?  Use this site (or phone number) to reserve a taxi ahead of time, and pre-pay via credit card.

FuelCostCalculator: This AAA-sponsored page tells you how much it’ll cost you, in today’s gas dollars, to drive from Point A to Point B.

GasBuddy : Find the cheapest places to fuel up on your next road trip.

PublicRoutes : A mapquest for public transportation, this site will spell out exactly how to get somewhere without a car--i.e., using the subway, train, bus, and/or your own two feet.

LODGING

GlobalFreeLoaders : If you have money for the flight, but not the hotel, look here for a good Samaritan to open up their home to your sleeping bag.

VRBO : Vacation rentals (condos, apartments, homes) by owner.

DESTINATION INFORMATION

Boo and Yelp : Think TripAdvisor, but better.  More nightlife listings reviewed by locals than hotel reviews by visitors just passing-through.  Yelp’s best for U.S., Boo for abroad.

Kango : A meta-search engine for user-opinions/reviews on lodging and tourist activities in the States.

TRAVELERS UNITED

PairUp and Dopplr : Both sites help lonely business travelers find other travelers (strangers or friends) who will be on their flight, in their destination city, or at the specific conference they’re attending.

TravBuddy and TripConnect : Social networking for travelers.

TRIP PREP

Minimus.biz : Travel-sized product superstore.

TripPrep : Find out about health concerns, what vaccinations to get, and from whom to get them, before your next trip overseas.

MISC.

MizPee : Wherever you go, when you have to go, MizPee can tell you where the nearest, cleanest bathrooms are.

CarbonFund.org : Whether you fly or drive, offset your carbon usage here.

TSA.gov/blog : Annoyed by security regulations and restrictions?  Complain directly at the Transportation Security Administration’s new blog. 

Yes, even the gov’s gone 2.0, just for us web-savvy travelers.