Web Resources Handout
Download as DOC, PDF0 likes335 views
This document provides a list of travel-related websites that were up to date as of July 2004. It includes websites for travel guides and resources, flight booking engines, European travel information, online travel communities, and general travel information sites. The document emphasizes that website URLs can change frequently and should be checked for updates.
Web Resources Handout
- 1. Please note that URLs change frequently and quality websites are updated regularly. The URLs listed here are up to date as of July 2004. Travel Resources: Websites The internet is slowly but surely replacing many hard copy travel book functions—while travel guides are far from obsolete, the web is certainly indispensable in researching your travel destinations, making flight arrangements, etc. We strongly recommend visiting the websites of your preferred travel guide publishers as well as other travel-focused sites. Keep in mind that many of these are commercial sites, and selling products is one of their goals, so some information may not be available for free. Many sites now offer downloadable updates to the print versions of guidebooks and most offer travel and destination-specific information through their websites. Lastly, don’t forget to regularly access our links to travel-related websites at www.hiusa.org. Note: HI-USA bears no responsibility for the content of any non-HI site to which we provide a link or listing. A link does not imply endorsement, recommendation or agreement with any views expressed on outside links. HI-USA Related Sites: HI-USA www.hiusa.org HI booking engine/online reservations www.hihostels.com FreeNites & More member loyalty program www.freenites.com Newspaper (Sunday) Travel Sections on the Web (in order of circulation): USA Today, www.usatoday.com/travel New York Times, www.nytimes.com/pages/travel LA Times, www.latimes.com/travel Washington Post, www.washingtonpost.com Chicago Tribune, www.chicagotribune.com/travel Dallas Morning News www.dallasnews.com Philadelphia Inquirer, www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/living/travel Houston Chronicle www.chron.com/content/chronicle/travel SF Chronicle, www.sfgate.com/travel Miami Herald, www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/living/travel Denver Post, www.denverpost.com/travel Flight Booking Engines: www.bestfare.com www.orbitz.com www.qixo.com www.sidestep.com www.travelocity.com www.lastminutetravel.com www.priceline.com www.expedia.com www.hotwire.com General tips when using these sites: You can often get your best price from sites like Sidestep or Qixo because these don't charge fees the way the major search engines do (Hotwire, Expedia). Instead, they get their money from the airlines. They also search the search engines so often they come back with the best price. Try to book midweek as sales often start at midnight on Wednesdays. Try to book just after midnight as any reserved but not yet purchased tickets will be released at midnight.
- 2. Please note that URLs change frequently and quality websites are updated regularly. The URLs listed here are up to date as of July 2004. If you find a cheap flight on a booking site (Expedia, Hotwire) - go directly to the airlines webpage and chances are it is just as cheap if not cheaper. Discounted inter-European flights: www.ryanair.com, www.easyjet.com, www.skyeurope.com European railpass information: www.eurail.com or www.raileurope.com European coach (bus) information: www.nationalexpress.com, www.radicaltravel.com, www.busabout.com, www.eurolines.com Online travel communities: With the rise of the internet, there are many online travel communities where travelers post questions and tips for other travelers to respond to—these sites include advice from travelers who have been there recently, with tips and warnings that are usually up-to-date. thorntree.lonelyplanet.com www.travelpunk.com www.letsgo.com (Forums) www.bootsnall.com roughguides.atinfopop.com/4/OpenTopic Courier travel sites: www.courier.org International Association of Air Travel Couriers; $45 one time membership fee, www.couriertravel.org/gcthome.asp Courier and standby flight search engine. www.aircourier.org the Air Courier Association General Travel, CountrySpecific and other tourist info: Country-specific info from CIA World Factbook: www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html Currency conversion: www.xe.com/ucc as well as www.oanda.com US Customs information: www.cbp.gov Euro FAQs europa.eu.int/comm/economy_finance/euro/faqs/faqs_main_en.htm European travel commission’s site, updated weekly: www.visiteurope.com Worldwide health information and vaccination recommendations: www.cdc.gov/travel Independent online resource focusing on the impact of travel: www.responsible-travel.org/index.html International Driver’s License forms: www.aaa.com Great links and good travel writing; www.worldhum.com Commission-free money exchanging for HI-USA members: www.travelex.com Passport information: travel.state.gov/passport/index.html Passport office locator: iafdb.travel.state.gov International Institute for Peace Through Tourism: www.iipt.org Personal experiences/photos from travelers by country: www.travel-library.com Student ID & discounts: www.isic.org Student-focused travel information: www.sta.com and www.istc.org US Dept. of State travel information, including travel warnings: www.state.gov/travel Visa information (the world’s embassies): www.embassyworld.com Visa requirements (summary of many nations’ requirements on State Dept. website): travel.state.gov/visa/Americans1.html. Weather reports, including 15-day forecasts: www.accuweather.com Award-winning online travel resource for women: www.journeywoman.com