Over the past few years, online travel sites have multiplied like bunnies.  Picking the best starting point can be a bit of a daunting task; so by using a methodology similar to that used to develop the list of 15 Useful Job and Career Websites as well as the list of 16 Cool and Essential Real Estate Websites, I have compiled a list of travel booking and planning sites that can be used as a solid starting point for planning any trip or vacation.

1. TravelSearch.com – If you pick only one site off this list to remember, this is probably the one. While it is far from the largest site, it’s actually a travel “meta-search” engine that allows you to hit Orbitz, hotels.com, Travelocity, and a few other sites from one convenient location.  They’re small, but gaining traction quickly.
2. Expedia – The 900lb gorilla of the self-service travel booking industry.  Covers flights, hotels, cars, cruises, vacation packages, and more.
3. Travelocity – Similar to Expedia, Travelocity provides self-booking tools for flights, hotels, cruises, car rentals, and more.
4. Cheapflights.com – Airfare search engine that provides price comparisons from a number of different sources, including: Orbitz, jetBlue, Priceline, American Airlines, cheapoair, and others.
5. Orbitz – Similar to Expedia and Travelocity, Orbitz goes a step further by providing a guarantee that you will receive the lowest fare on a flight.
6. priceline.com – Travel booking site where you bid for airline tickets, hotels, and other travel services.  Much like eBay, there are some tactics that you can use to improve your odds of scoring a good deal.  BiddingForTravel.com provides information and forums to help priceline users get the most out of the service.
7. Citysearch – Looking for a recommendation for a local restaurant or bar?  Hit Citysearch for ideas.  Another up and coming site to consider for such suggestions is yelp.

8. TripAdvisor – Provides unbiased reviews of hotels, restaurants, and attractions.  In addition, they provide planning and price-comparison tools to help you set up your trip.

9. Lowfares.com – Similar to TravelSearch, Lowfares.com is a meta-search engine that searches across multiple sites (priceline, Expedia, Orbitz, Travelocity, and Kayak, to name but a few) in order to help you locate the best deals.

10. Smartfares – Similar to Expedia and Travelocity, provides self-service booking tools for flights, hotels, and rental cars.

11. Hotels.com – Provides deals on hotels, B&Bs, vacation packages, and more.  Named by Conde Nast Traveler as the Best Website for Booking Hotels in the US and Europe.

12. IgoUgo – Hotel and vacation reviews, photos, pictures, and travel deals.

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