How technology’s changed trip planning

With more online resources than ever, it can be pretty easy to get lost in a sea of open tabs to easyJet/Deutsche Bahn/Eurolines timetables and schedules. Multi-mode search engines now bring everything together on one platform, so you don’t even need to trawl the internet to find decent travel options. GoEuro’s search tool’s been around for the last year or so, and is essentially a bit like those flight comparison websites, but also includes trains and buses in its results, along with flights.

1. Book spontaneously

Planning a trip is no longer the drawn out process it used to be. Technology opens up the possibility to travel totally on a whim. One afternoon you might just get that urge to get out and go somewhere new, so you open up your laptop, check out some last-minute train deals or get in touch with a few drivers on Carpooling.com or Blablacar, and boom, you’ve got your travel organized in a matter of minutes.

2. Compare good transport options

With more online resources than ever, it can be pretty easy to get lost in a sea of open tabs to easyJet/Deutsche Bahn/Eurolines timetables and schedules. Multi-mode search engines now bring everything together on one platform, so you don’t even need to trawl the internet to find decent travel options.

3. Stay like a local

If you really want to get under the skin of a city and experience life the way locals do, it’s so easy to connect through online communities. People are more open than ever to sharing their home and hometown with travellers. If you’re after a more personal experience, Couchsurfing’s network is now so huge that you’re guaranteed to find like-minded people and spark up some interesting conversation, while Airbnb places give you that bit more freedom to come and go as you please – and it’s such a treat to be able to whip up a hearty breakfast to set you up for a day’s exploring!

4. Craft an informed itinerary

Planning out exactly what to see and do used to be a whole task in itself – you’d often find yourself ploughing through city guides and then feeling frustrated when you fail to see each and every point of interest listed. Some services like Get Your Guide even offer tailor-made guides, and even just a quick scan of recommendation engines and forums gives you an immediate feeling of whether something is going to be up your street or not. Obviously it’s easy to be deterred by that meager 2 star rating, or swayed by that glowing review, but it gives itinerary planning a lot of direction and helps you get the most out of your trip.

Thanks to writer Evan Thomas for this post!