Explore the World: Your Travel Guide to All 196 Countries

From ancient temples and vibrant cities to tropical islands and wild national parks, the world is waiting to be discovered. Our travel guides cover every country on Earth, with inspiring ideas, practical tips and the best ways to book tours, tickets and hotels online. Wherever your next adventure takes you, start planning it here.

Booking.com Ultimate Guide: How to Book Hotels, Flights, Car Rentals, and Airport Taxis

Planning a trip used to mean jumping between dozens of websites for hotels, flights, rental cars, and tours. Booking.com has grown into one of the world's leading all-in-one travel platforms, letting you book accommodation, flights, car rentals, airport taxis, and attractions in a single account and app. This guide covers every Booking.com service, explains how to save with the Genius loyalty program, and shows you how to plan a complete trip in one place.

Overview of All Booking.com Services

🏨 Accommodations

Booking.com is best known for its huge selection of places to stay, with millions of listings worldwide:

• Hotels, from budget chains to boutique design hotels
• Luxury resorts with spas, pools, and beach access
• Apartments and holiday homes with kitchens, ideal for families and longer stays
• Villas and chalets for groups, ski trips, and private getaways
• Hostels and guesthouses for budget travelers
• Unique stays such as treehouses, glass igloos, and farm stays

Powerful filters, a map view, and verified guest reviews make it easy to find the right place.

🛏️ Search hotels, apartments, and villas on Booking.com and compare prices for your dates.

✈️ Flights

Booking.com also lets you search and book domestic and international flights from a wide range of airlines. You can compare prices, flight times, and stopovers, and in many cases add a flexible ticket option that lets you change your travel dates for a fee difference. Flight bookings are saved in the same account as your hotel, so your whole itinerary is in one place.

✈️ Compare flight deals on Booking.com and book your next trip.

🚗 Car Rentals

Booking.com's car rental service compares vehicles from major international brands and local suppliers in thousands of locations. You can filter by:

• Car type: economy, SUV, estate, electric, or automatic
• Pick-up location: airport, train station, or city centre
• Fuel policy, mileage limits, and supplier rating
• Free cancellation on many bookings

Genius members also get discounts on select rental cars.

🚙 Find and compare rental cars on Booking.com for your destination.

🚕 Airport Taxis & Transfers

Skip the taxi queue and avoid surprise fares by pre-booking an airport taxi:

• Fixed price agreed in advance
• Flight tracking, so your driver adjusts to delays
• Meet-and-greet in arrivals with a name sign
• Options from standard cars to executive vehicles and minibuses for groups

🚖 Book a hassle-free airport transfer on Booking.com before you land.

🎟️ Attractions & Tours

Booking.com also sells tickets and experiences worldwide:

• Museum and landmark tickets, often with skip-the-line entry
• Day trips and guided tours
• Food tours, boat cruises, and local experiences
• Theme parks and attractions

🗺️ Discover attractions and tours on Booking.com at your destination.

The Genius Loyalty Program

Genius is Booking.com's free loyalty program. You join automatically when you create an account, and you move up levels by completing bookings, including stays, flights, car rentals, taxis, and attractions. Once you reach a level, you keep it for life.

Genius discounts apply only at participating properties, which are marked with a Genius badge in search results. They can often be combined with other deals to save even more.

Flexible Booking & Price Protection

Free Cancellation

Many properties offer free cancellation up to a set date. Use the "Free cancellation" filter to lock in a good price early while keeping your plans flexible.

Pay at the Property or Later

Lots of listings let you book now and pay at the property or pay later, which is ideal if you want to secure a room without paying upfront.

Price Match Guarantee

Booking.com offers a price match promise: if you find the same booking cheaper elsewhere under the same conditions, you can claim the difference according to Booking.com's terms. Check the current conditions and claim deadline on the website.

Instant Confirmation

Most bookings are confirmed instantly, and all your confirmations, messages to the property, and travel details live in the Booking.com app.

Smart Money-Saving Tips for Travelers

📱 Use Mobile-Only Discounts

Some properties offer mobile-only rates that are only visible in the Booking.com app. Always check the app before you book on desktop.

📅 Book in the Off-Season

• Shoulder seasons, such as spring and autumn, offer good weather with lower prices.
• Business cities like Frankfurt or Zurich are often cheaper at weekends.
• Beach and ski resorts are much cheaper outside school holidays.
• Book early for peak periods and major events.

🧳 Bundle Your Bookings

Booking your stay, flight, car rental, and airport taxi on one platform saves time, keeps everything in one itinerary, and helps you climb Genius levels faster. In selected markets, Booking.com also offers flight + hotel packages, which can be cheaper than booking separately.

⭐ Filter by Verified Reviews and Total Price

• Only guests who actually stayed can leave reviews, so filter by review score (8+).
• Read recent reviews for details on cleanliness, noise, and location.
• Always check the total price including taxes and fees. Some cities add tourist taxes or cleaning fees that change the real cost.

Step-by-Step Guide: Plan a Complete Trip on One Platform

1. Create a free Booking.com account to unlock Genius discounts right away.
2. Search for flights. Compare airlines, times, and prices, and consider a flexible ticket if your plans might change.
3. Find your accommodation. Enter your destination and dates, then apply key filters: price range and review score, free cancellation and breakfast included, property type (hotels, apartments, villas), amenities like a pool, parking, Wi-Fi, or air conditioning, and distance from city centre using the map view.
4. Compare total prices, including taxes and fees, and check for Genius and Deal badges.
5. Book an airport taxi so a driver is waiting when you land.
6. Reserve a rental car if you plan to explore beyond the city, filtering by car type, location, and fuel policy.
7. Add attractions and tours. Buy museum tickets, day trips, and experiences in advance to skip queues.
8. Manage everything in the app. View confirmations, message properties, check in details, and make changes in one place.

Conclusion: Plan and Lock In Your Travel Deals

Booking.com is far more than a hotel website. It's a complete travel platform for accommodation, flights, car rentals, airport taxis, and attractions. With Genius discounts of up to 20%, free cancellation, pay-at-property options, mobile-only deals, and verified guest reviews, it makes planning a trip easier and often cheaper.

Note: Prices, availability, and program terms may change. Always check the latest conditions on Booking.com before booking.

Trip.com Global Review: How to Book Cheap Hotels, Flights & Trains Worldwide

Planning a trip usually means juggling several websites: one for flights, another for hotels, a third for train tickets and yet another for car rental. Each has its own account, payment process and customer service. Trip.com brings all of this together in one platform. Part of the Trip.com Group, one of the world's largest online travel companies, Trip.com lets you book hotels, flights, trains, car rentals, airport transfers, tours and attraction tickets in more than 20 languages and dozens of currencies.

Trip.com has grown rapidly outside Asia in recent years and is now a serious alternative to Booking.com and Expedia, especially for travellers who want competitive hotel prices, flexible flights and train tickets across Europe and Asia. In this Trip.com review, you'll learn how the Trip.com ecosystem works, how the Trip Coins loyalty programme and member tiers can save you money, smart booking hacks, which partner tools to combine it with, and a step-by-step guide to booking your hotel.

Search hotels, flights and trains on Trip.com

Overview of the Trip.com Global Ecosystem

Hotels and homes

Trip.com offers more than a million hotels and other properties worldwide, from budget hostels and apartments to five-star resorts. Many listings include free cancellation, pay at hotel or pay now options, verified guest reviews and detailed photos. Trip.com is particularly strong in Asia (China, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Singapore), but also offers competitive rates across Europe, the Americas and Oceania.

Flights

Search and book flights on hundreds of airlines, including low-cost carriers. Trip.com offers flexible fare options, add-ons like baggage and seat selection, and 24/7 customer support for changes and cancellations.

Train tickets

One of Trip.com's standout features is rail booking. You can buy tickets for:

• China's high-speed rail network, a key reason Trip.com is popular with international visitors to China.
• European trains, including Deutsche Bahn in Germany (Trip.com describes itself as an authorised DB ticket vendor), as well as routes in France, Italy, Spain, the UK and more.
• Trains in Korea, Japan and other countries, depending on availability.

Car rentals and airport transfers

Compare car rental companies at airports and in cities, and pre-book private airport transfers.

Tours, attractions and extras

Buy tickets for attractions, theme parks and tours, as well as eSIM data plans and travel insurance in some markets.

The app

The Trip.com app (iOS and Android) puts everything in one place: bookings, e-tickets, check-in information and customer support chat. Some deals are app-exclusive.

Trip Coins Loyalty Program & Member Discounts Explained

Trip.com Rewards tiers

Every member joins Trip.com Rewards automatically. According to Trip.com's published rules, the tiers are:

Higher tiers earn more Trip Coins and unlock perks such as member discounts, upgrades and, at top tiers, extras like airport lounge access and transfer upgrades. Benefits vary by market.

How Trip Coins work

Trip Coins are earned on completed bookings and can be used as a discount on future bookings. According to Trip.com:

• 100 Trip Coins = US$1 off eligible bookings.
• At the Silver level, hotels earn around 50 Trip Coins per US$100 spent, flights and trains around 20.
• Higher tiers earn bonus coins: Gold +20%, Platinum +50% and Diamond +100%.
• You can also earn coins by writing reviews.
• Coins from bookings expire 18 months after being credited; coins from reviews after 6 months.

In practice, Trip Coins work like a cashback of roughly 0.5% (or more at higher tiers) on hotels. It's a nice bonus, but not the main reason to book.

Member and app discounts

Members often see lower "member prices" on selected hotels, and the app regularly offers promo codes and flash sales. New users may receive welcome discounts.

Smart Booking Hacks

1. Check app-exclusive deals

Compare prices on the app and the website. App-only discounts and coupons are common.

2. Use the hotel price match

Trip.com runs a hotel price match in selected regions. If you find a lower price for the same room on the hotel's own website or on eligible platforms like Booking.com, Agoda or Expedia after booking, you can submit a claim, usually before 11:59 pm (hotel local time) the day before check-in. Approved differences are refunded as Trip Coins, up to US$1,500 per booking. The service isn't available in all regions, so check the rules for your market.

3. Bundle flight + hotel

Flight + Hotel packages can be cheaper than booking separately, especially for city breaks and beach holidays.

4. Choose free cancellation

Book refundable rates early, then keep checking prices. If the price drops, rebook and cancel the original reservation.

5. Collect coupons

Look for coupons on the Trip.com Deals page and in the app before paying. Combine them with Trip Coins where allowed.

6. Compare currencies

Pay in the local currency of your card to avoid conversion fees.

7. Watch the total price

Check whether taxes, city taxes and resort fees are included in the displayed price.

The Best Tools to Combine with Trip.com

Trip.com is a great all-rounder, but specialist tools can save you even more on specific parts of your trip.

Aviasales for cheap flights

Aviasales compares hundreds of airlines and agencies, including Trip.com itself. Use its price calendar and low price map to find the cheapest dates and destinations, then book where the deal is best.

Omio for European rail and buses

Omio compares trains, buses and flights across Europe in one search. It's ideal for multi-country trips, such as Paris to Amsterdam or Munich to Venice, where you want to compare rail with FlixBus and low-cost flights.

GetYourGuide for local tours

GetYourGuide offers thousands of tours, activities and skip-the-line tickets worldwide, with free cancellation on many experiences. It's a great complement to your Trip.com hotel booking.

The smart strategy: Use Aviasales to find the cheapest flight dates, book your hotel on Trip.com with Trip Coins and price match, plan trains with Omio, and fill your days with GetYourGuide experiences.

Step-by-Step Guide to Booking Accommodation on Trip.com

1. Search your destination: Go to Trip.com or open the app. Enter your destination, check-in and check-out dates, and number of guests and rooms.
2. Apply filters: Filter by price, star rating, guest rating, free cancellation, breakfast included, property type and location. The map view helps you find hotels near attractions or transport.
3. Compare hotels: Read guest reviews, check photos and amenities, and compare the location.
4. Choose a room and rate: Compare room types and rate conditions: refundable or non-refundable, pay now or pay at hotel, breakfast included or not.
5. Apply discounts: Log in to see member prices, then apply coupons and Trip Coins at checkout.
6. Enter guest details: Use names that match the ID you'll present at check-in, and add special requests, such as early check-in or a quiet room.
7. Pay and confirm: Pay with a credit or debit card, PayPal or other local methods, depending on your market. You'll receive a confirmation email and see the booking in the app.
8. Before your stay: Check the hotel's check-in time, address and any local taxes. If you find a lower price, consider submitting a price match claim before the deadline.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Trip.com legit and safe?

Yes. Trip.com is part of Trip.com Group, one of the world's largest online travel companies, listed on the Nasdaq and Hong Kong stock exchanges. It offers secure payments and 24/7 customer support.

What are Trip Coins worth?

100 Trip Coins equal US$1 off eligible bookings. You earn them on completed hotels, flights, trains and other bookings, as well as by writing reviews.

Does Trip.com have a price match guarantee?

In selected regions, Trip.com offers a hotel price match. If you find a lower price on eligible sites before the deadline, the difference is refunded in Trip Coins, subject to conditions.

Can I book European train tickets on Trip.com?

Yes. Trip.com sells train tickets in many European countries, including Deutsche Bahn tickets in Germany, as well as China's high-speed rail.

Is Trip.com cheaper than Booking.com?

Sometimes. Prices vary by hotel and date. Trip.com often has competitive member prices, coupons and Trip Coins, so compare both before booking.

Note: Prices, availability, and program terms may change. Always check the latest conditions on Trip.com before booking.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Hotel Treats Review: Booking Exclusive Hotel Day Passes, Spa Deals & Luxury Gift Vouchers

Luxury hotels aren't just for overnight guests. Imagine spending a sunny afternoon by a rooftop pool in Barcelona, enjoying a couples' massage and thermal circuit in Mallorca, savouring a champagne brunch in Lisbon, or sipping afternoon tea in an elegant Paris hotel, then heading home without paying for a room. These "hotel treats" have become one of the most popular ways to enjoy five-star luxury for a fraction of the price of a full stay.

Hotel Treats is a platform dedicated to exactly this: it sells day passes, spa packages, dining experiences, romantic escapes and gift vouchers at luxury and boutique hotels. In this Hotel Treats review, you'll learn what Hotel Treats is and how it works, which regions and experiences it covers, how to buy and redeem vouchers, which partner tools complement it, and answers to the most common questions.

Discover hotel day passes, spa deals and gift vouchers on Hotel Treats

What Is Hotel Treats & How It Works

Hotel Treats is an online marketplace for experiences at luxury hotels, rather than overnight bookings. Hotels list their spa, dining, pool and leisure offers, and you buy a voucher online, either for yourself or as a gift.

The main experience categories

• Day passes: Access to pools, beach clubs, rooftop terraces and leisure facilities for the day.
• Spa & wellness: Massages, treatments, thermal circuits and spa access.
• Spa & dining: Combined packages, such as a spa circuit followed by lunch or dinner.
• Dining: Brunches, tasting menus, romantic dinners and afternoon tea.
• Romantic escapes: Experiences designed for couples, sometimes including an overnight stay.
• Getaways and staycations: Packages for those who do want to stay the night.
• Adults-only and family experiences.

How it works

1. Choose an experience on the Hotel Treats website.
2. Buy a voucher online with secure payment.
3. Receive your voucher digitally by email, ready to print, save or forward as a gift.
4. Book your date: For Instant Reservation experiences, you choose your date and time at checkout. For open-date vouchers, you contact the hotel by email or phone with your voucher number to arrange a date, subject to availability.
5. Enjoy your experience: On the day, the hotel redeems your voucher.

No overnight stay needed

Most experiences don't require a hotel room. That makes Hotel Treats ideal for locals, staycations, travellers with a few hours to spare, or anyone wanting a taste of luxury without the cost of a night.

Key Benefits & Regions Covered

Regions

Hotel Treats is particularly strong in Spain, where it's based, and features experiences in destinations such as:

• Spain: Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, Mallorca, Ibiza, Tenerife and more.
• Portugal: Lisbon and Porto.
• France: Paris and Nice.
• Italy: Rome.
• Netherlands: Amsterdam.
• Caribbean and Mexico: Punta Cana, Cancún and the Riviera Maya.

Coverage keeps growing, so check the website for your destination.

Key benefits

• Luxury at a fraction of the price: Enjoy five-star facilities for a few hours instead of paying for a full night.
• Curated hotels: A focus on luxury and boutique properties.
• Instant digital vouchers: Delivered by email, perfect for last-minute gifts.
• Personalised gift vouchers: Add a message and send directly to the recipient.
• Gift cards: A flexible Hotel Treats Gift Card, available in values from €15 to €200, lets recipients choose their own experience.
• Instant reservation options: Book a specific date and time when buying.
• Offers for local residents: Special deals for people living nearby.

Types of Experiences Available

Rooftop pool passes

On hot summer days, hotel pools offer an elegant escape from crowded beaches. Day passes often include sunbed access, towels, and sometimes a drink or lunch credit. Rooftop pools in Barcelona, Madrid and Lisbon offer city views, while beach resorts in Mallorca, Ibiza and the Canary Islands offer sea views.

Tip: Day passes sell out quickly on summer weekends, so choose instant reservation options for guaranteed dates.

Fine dining and Michelin-starred experiences

Many luxury hotels house acclaimed restaurants, including some with Michelin recognition. Hotel Treats offers tasting menus, wine pairings and romantic dinners, often at better prices than booking à la carte.

Brunch and afternoon tea

Weekend brunches with live music, champagne and lavish buffets are popular in Spanish and Portuguese hotels. Afternoon tea with pastries and sandwiches is a classic treat in elegant city hotels.

Wellness and day spas

• Thermal circuits: Saunas, steam rooms, hydrotherapy pools and relaxation areas.
• Massages and treatments: Individual or for couples.
• Spa and lunch packages: A relaxing half or full day.
• Beauty treatments: Facials and body treatments.

Romantic escapes and staycations

For special occasions, romantic packages may include spa access, dinner and an overnight stay, perfect for anniversaries and birthdays.

Family experiences

Some hotels offer family-friendly day passes with pools, kids' activities and lunch.

Cross-Linking & Partner Integrations

Booking.com for overnight accommodation

If your hotel treat inspires a longer stay, Booking.com offers a huge selection of hotels in the same destinations, from boutique city hotels to beach resorts, with Genius discounts for members.

GetYourGuide for city tours

Combine your spa day or brunch with sightseeing. GetYourGuide offers city tours, skip-the-line tickets and excursions in Barcelona, Madrid, Lisbon, Paris, Rome and beyond.

AirHelp for flight disruption cover

If you're flying to your destination and your flight is delayed or cancelled, you may be entitled to up to €600 under EU261. AirHelp checks your eligibility and handles your claim on a No Win, No Fee basis, so a disrupted flight doesn't ruin your treat.

Step-by-Step Guide to Buying & Redeeming Hotel Treats Vouchers

1. Browse experiences: Go to Hotel Treats and browse by destination or category (Day Pass, Spa & Wellness, Dining, Romantic Escapes, Gift Ideas).
2. Read the details: Check what's included, opening hours, days of availability, age restrictions, dress code and any extra charges.
3. Choose your voucher type: Instant Reservation (select date and time at checkout), open-date voucher (arrange later with the hotel), or gift card (recipient chooses).
4. Personalise (for gifts): Add a personal message and the recipient's details.
5. Pay securely: Complete your purchase online.
6. Receive your voucher: Your voucher arrives by email. Print it, save it on your phone or forward it.
7. Book your date (open-date vouchers): Contact the hotel by email or phone with your voucher number and choose an available date. Book early for weekends and holidays.
8. Enjoy your treat: Arrive on time with your voucher and ID. The hotel redeems your voucher on the day.

Tips for a great experience

• Book weekdays for quieter spas and pools.
• Bring swimwear and flip-flops if not included.
• Check the dress code for restaurants and afternoon tea.
• Note voucher expiry dates and book well before they expire.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long are Hotel Treats vouchers valid?

The Hotel Treats Gift Card is valid for one year. Experience vouchers show their validity on the voucher itself, so check the expiry date and book your visit well in advance.

How do I book a time slot with a Hotel Treats voucher?

For Instant Reservation experiences, you choose the date and time at checkout. For open-date vouchers, contact the hotel by email or phone with your voucher number to reserve, subject to availability.

Can I get a refund on a Hotel Treats voucher?

According to Hotel Treats, the gift card is non-refundable but works as credit for other experiences. For experience vouchers, check the terms and contact Hotel Treats about exchanges or changes.

Is there a dress code for hotel day passes and dining experiences?

It depends on the hotel. Pools and spas require swimwear, while fine dining and afternoon tea may require smart casual attire. Check the experience details.

Can I send a Hotel Treats voucher as a gift?

Yes. You can personalise a voucher with a message and send it by email, or choose a Hotel Treats Gift Card worth €15–€200 so the recipient can pick their own experience.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.