You probably know the feeling. You just want to check a couple of flight tickets, and suddenly three hours have passed. You have ten tabs open, four different comparison sites, and no idea what’s actually cheapest, safest, or most reasonable. What was supposed to be the start of something enjoyable ends in frustration. And we haven’t even gotten to the rental car yet.
Welcome to the digital holiday jungle. Here’s a guide to what you need to know when planning your trip, which websites are actually worth using, and how to avoid the most common pitfalls.
First: Flights
Flight tickets are usually the first thing people book. There are many search engines and comparison tools out there, but they vary a lot in terms of user-friendliness, price accuracy, and what they actually show.
- Skyscanner is my personal favorite for checking prices. Not because I book through them, but because they offer a fantastic overview – especially if you’re flexible on dates. You can see an entire month in one view, compare different routes, and set alerts for price changes. But once I find a good departure, I always book directly with the airline. The price is usually the same, but it gives me peace of mind not having to deal with a middleman if something goes wrong. It simply feels safer when I know who I’m dealing with.
- Google Flights is fast and easy to use, allowing you to see price trends, alternative airports, and compare over time. It also shows whether a price is lower than average.
- Momondo often offers a more playful interface and map view, but it can show results from more obscure sites. Here, you should be a bit cautious about who you actually book with.
Tip: Use these services to find the best travel dates, but consider booking directly with the airline. The price is often the same or even lower, and it’s easier to manage any changes or cancellations later.
Next: Hotels and Accommodation
The next step is accommodation, and this is where many start to feel overwhelmed. Should you go for a hotel, an apartment, or maybe a vacation home? And where do you find the best deal without falling into a trap?
- Booking.com remains the most widely used platform in Europe. It has a large selection, user reviews, and often flexible cancellation options. Especially useful if you like having control and want to be able to make changes along the way.
- Hotels.com offers a loyalty program where you get one free night for every ten you book. Handy if you travel often, but the prices aren’t always the lowest.
- Trivago and Kayak are meta platforms that compare prices across many sites, including Booking.com and others. They provide a quick overview, but they don’t always show the full picture.
- Airbnb has become more expensive in recent years, and the additional fees can make up a significant portion of the price. Many hosts have also implemented strict rules and high security deposits. Read the reviews carefully, and be aware that customer service is not always on your side.
Tip: If you find a hotel on Booking.com, it can be worth checking the hotel’s own website. Many offer lower prices or extra perks for direct bookings.nne seg å sjekke hotellets egen nettside. Mange tilbyr lavere pris eller ekstra fordeler ved direkte bestilling.
And Finally: Car Rental – The Real Test
Renting a car seems simple in theory. In practice, this is often where people face the most frustration. Vague terms, hidden fees, high deposits, and unexpected insurance costs can turn this into an expensive headache.
DiscoverCars, Rentalcars, AutoEurope, and even Skyscanner (which has a dedicated car rental section) are among the most commonly used comparison tools. They show prices from various providers, both large and local. Many users get a good first impression and are tempted by the lowest price, but forget to read the fine print. I’ve been there.
I recently booked a car myself through DiscoverCars, with extra insurance included, from a company called United Rent A Car. The price was around 200 euros for ten days – about half of what the big-name companies were charging. Naturally, I was skeptical. When something seems that cheap, alarm bells go off. But after thoroughly reviewing the terms and checking around a bit, I decided to take the chance.
This time, we’re also going on a site inspection and planning trip for a travel company, combined with a reporting assignment for a travel media outlet. So I doubt it would be particularly wise of them to try anything shady. Still, I’m prepared for the possibility that something unexpected might come up. That’s precisely what makes car rental the most unpredictable part of holiday planning.
Here are a few important things to watch out for:
- Insurance: If you purchase insurance through the comparison site, it doesn’t apply directly with the rental company. You’ll have to pay any damages upfront and request reimbursement afterwards. This applies, for example, to DiscoverCars’ full coverage. Some people prefer to buy full insurance directly at the counter. It costs more but often leads to fewer surprises and arguments.
- Credit card and deposit: Many companies require a credit card in the main driver’s name and will block an amount ranging from 500 to 2000 euros. This amount can remain reserved on your account for several weeks after returning the car. If you don’t have a credit card, you risk losing the booking altogether – even if everything else is in order. Not everyone is upfront about this in advance.
- Fuel policy: Full to full means you pick up the car with a full tank and return it the same way. Other options include prepaid fuel or fees if the tank isn’t completely full. Read the details carefully and take a photo of the fuel gauge before you drive off.
- Damage and photos: Always take photos of the car from all angles, both when picking it up and returning it. There’s often disagreement over small scratches, rim damage or dirt, and having photos can save you in case of disputes. I always do this now, just to be safe.
- Reviews: Check reviews of both the platform you’re booking through and the actual rental company. Trustpilot, Google, and Revdex can be helpful, but read more than one review and look for recurring complaints rather than isolated bad experiences.
Tip: If you’re unsure, choose a well-known company like Avis, Hertz, or Sixt. They’re usually more expensive, but you know what you’re getting. Big players tend to have clearer policies, better routines, and more responsive customer service if something goes wrong. That said, many small local companies do a great job too. The key is to do your homework and not base your decision on price alone.
Finding a cheap rental car is easy. Having a good experience with it takes a bit more effort. But once you’ve been through it a few times, you learn what to avoid – and sometimes, taking a chance works out fine as long as you’ve made an informed choice and keep a close eye on the details.
t faktisk helt fint å ta sjansen, så lenge du har gjort et informert valg og holder et våkent øye med detaljene.
Conclusion: Booking Chaos Is the New Normal
In the hunt for the perfect vacation, we’ve ended up with a paradox. Everything is available, and that makes it almost impossible to choose. It’s tempting to just go with the cheapest option and hope for the best, but it almost always pays to spend a little more time reading terms, double-checking prices, and being a bit skeptical of deals that seem too good to be true.
There’s no single right solution, but there are plenty of good ones – as long as you know what you’re saying yes to.
As for how the car rental turns out this time? That remains to be seen. I’m taking the chance, but staying alert. A follow-up article will come once I know how it all played out. Hopefully, it’ll be a lesson worth sharing – whether as a helpful tip or a friendly warning.
