These are the websites that I use for our visas and travel planning. These websites have helped me immensely in these 10 years of my world travel.
I highly recommend these websites for your visas and travel planning. These websites offer great deals and discounts from time to time. Keep in mind that when you use these links I earn a small commission without any additional cost to you. These commissions help maintain this website.
Disclaimer: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. I get a small commission if you click on them and make a booking or purchase but at no additional cost to you. These commissions help support this website.
VISA ESSENTIALS
FLIGHT ITINERARY FOR VISA
DummyTicket247 is a flight search engine to search and book flight itineraries for visas instantly. These flight itineraries are verifiable, valid for 2 weeks and come with a PNR number. You can also print these bookings directly from the airline website.
PROOF OF ACCOMMODATION
Booking.com has pretty much every hotel, hostel and guesthouse from every destination. It also offers “fully refundable” and “pay-at-check-in” options which are perfect for visas, that you can cancel in case your visa is refused.
INSURANCE FOR SCHENGEN VISA
VisitorsCoverage has insurance plans specially designed for Schengen visa. The insurance, coverage limits and embassy letter are all as per the Schengen visa rules. And, you will also be fully covered for any medical emergencies during your trip.
PROOF OF ONWARD TICKET
BestOnwardTicket provides verifiable proof of onward flight tickets. These are useful when you are entering a new country with a one-way ticket, or planning to leave by bus/train. Onward tickets are instantly downloadable. They cost $12 and are valid for 48 hours.
AIRFARE
Skyscanner is the best flight search engine out there. It includes every low-cost budget airline for a given route. You will most likely find the cheapest flight using Skyscanner.
Momondo is also an excellent flight search engine. I prefer Momondo for its association with new and upcoming booking sites which offer fantastic discounts.
Google Flights has unique search options such as map search, flight alerts, etc. I use its map search to figure out if flying to a different city is cheaper than the one I am planning to.
ACCOMMODATION
I have been using Booking.com for several years now. It’s my go-to website for all hotel bookings. Booking has excellent deals from time to time. Many refundable hotel options as well, which especially are helpful for visa applications.
Expedia runs great deals from time to time. Sometimes up to 50% off. I like their Expedia+ membership program, which gives a 10% discount on most bookings and cashback in the form of Expedia points.
Orbitz runs a 15% coupon discount on hotel bookings most of the time. You can find the coupon code on their home page. I also like their reward program where you get back up to 5% of the hotel and 1% of flight bookings in the form of Orbucks.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
HeyMondo is the best travel insurance for short international trips. Their policies are quite affordable and come with an app where you can chat with a doctor, call their customer service and submit claims. HeyMondo covers all medical and travel including COVID-19, so you are fully covered. Get a 5% discount using this link.
VisitorsCoverage has the best medical insurance plans for US travel. Healthcare in the US is quite expensive and it’s essential to have medical insurance when traveling to the US. VisitorsCoverage has plans that cover all kinds of medical needs and emergencies while you are in the US.
SafetyWing is the best travel medical insurance for digital nomads. You can buy SafetyWing insurance from anywhere globally and even while traveling. It also covers COVID-19, so you are fully protected. It also comes with a visa letter so you can use that for your visas too (except for the Schengen visa).