Spring break is right around the corner, and after weeks of researching and planning (and lots of perservating), I officially have spring break plans! Planning the perfect spring break trip can feel overwhelming and exhausting, but with the right travel apps and booking sites, it’s much easier to find great flight deals, lodging, and excursions. Here are the top 5 apps/sites that I recommend when planning your spring break trip:

1. Airbnb

If you’re looking for a unique stay that is not a hotel, I highly recommend Airbnb! I love using it to find cozy cabins, beach villas, and apartments in great locations. When using Airbnb, make sure that you do the following:

• Check reviews carefully – I usually opt for homes with 4.5+ star rating, and it’s a plus if the host is a guest favorite.
• Watch out for any hidden fees – Cleaning fees can sometimes be outrageous!
• Analyze the posted pictures – Make sure there are enough beds/bedrooms to fit your party.
• Don’t be afraid to reach out to the host if you have questions.

2. Booking.com

If I’m considering a hotel instead of an Airbnb, Booking.com is my go-to. It’s one of the best hotel booking sites for finding discounts and flexible payment options. I recently found a hotel that had top of the year discounts, which was perfect for my upcoming spring break trip! When using Booking.com, make sure that you do the following:

• Choose properties that offer free cancellation – You never know what could happen!
• Filter properties by guest ratings – 4+ stars are important!
• Be on the lookout for deals – depending on the day, you could save money on pricey hotels

3. Viator

No trip is complete without fun activities, and Viator is my favorite app for booking tours, excursions, and local experiences. When I visited Puerto Vallarta back in 2017 (you can read about my adventure here), it was super helpful for finding things to do. I will be using the site again for my upcoming spring break trip! When using Viator, make sure that you do the following:

• Read the reviews – many excursions sound fun until you read that others didn’t favor it.
• Look for flexible cancellation policies – Plans change, and I like having the option to cancel.
• Compare similar tours – Sometimes, the same tour is listed at different prices by different companies.

4. Skyscanner

Flights can be one of the biggest expenses of a trip, but Skyscanner helps me find the cheapest flights by comparing fares across multiple airlines.When using Skyscanner, make sure that you do the following:

• Check flight durations – Just because the flight is cheap, it doesn’t mean it’s reasonable. Your travel 4-5 travel day shouldn’t take 14+ hours
• Consider how many stops your flight may have.
• Be aware that there’s a possibility that your arrival and departure could be through different airlines.
• Set price alerts for your selected dates!

5. TripAdvisor

Whenever I want second opinions about a hotel, excursion, or just need more ideas for things to do in a particular city, TripAdvisor is my go-to. When using Tripadvisor, make sure that you do the following:

• READ THE REVIEWS!!! I’ve said that several times in this post. It’s very important!
• Review real photos from travelers – Sometimes they show the “real” hotel experience, not just marketing photos.

These travel planning apps/sites have made planning for my spring break trip easier, and I hope that they’ll be just as helpful for you! I can’t wait to share where I’m going for spring break in the coming weeks!

What are other apps that you use for planning your travels? Please share them!