5 Must-Have Travel Booking Sites Europeans Swear By

We all know the classics—Expedia, Kayak, good ol’ Google Flights—but when it comes to booking travel in Europe, sometimes you need something a little more… specialized. After all, navigating Europe’s vast train networks, quirky bus routes, and budget airlines can feel like solving a Rubik’s Cube. So, I did what any curious traveler would do—I asked some of my friends who live in Europe what they actually use to book their trips. Turns out, there are a few gems out there that make booking trains, planes, and everything in between a whole lot easier. Here are a few.

Omio: Your One-Stop Travel Shop

First up, Omio. Several friends raved about this one. It’s kind of like having a personal travel agent who does all the hard work for you—but without the fancy fees or that awkward, overly polite small talk. Omio lets you search and compare trains, buses, and flights all in one place. You just type in where you are and where you want to go, and it spits out the best options for your route. It even compares prices across different providers, so you don’t accidentally blow your whole weekend budget on a train ride from Paris to Berlin.

Omio covers 35 countries across Europe, which is a major win because each country has its own quirky booking system. If you’ve ever tried booking a train in Italy versus Germany, you know things can get a bit… complicated. Thankfully, Omio handles that for you—no need to brush up on your Italian.

Trainline: For When You’re All About That Rail Life

Now, if you’re someone who loves the idea of traveling by train (I mean, who doesn’t love a scenic train ride?), Trainline is your new best friend. One of my pals from London swears by it. With just a few taps, you can book train tickets across 45 countries in Europe, including the UK. Plus, Trainline throws real-time train updates and mobile tickets so that you can skip the whole paper ticket situation.

What’s extra cool about Trainline is it remembers your discount cards—like the UK Railcard or France’s Carte Avantage—and automatically applies them when you book. So, no more fumbling around for your discounts while rushing to catch a train. One friend even told me she managed to book a spontaneous train ride from Paris to Amsterdam with it—just because the app made it look that easy.

Skyscanner: Flights, Hotels, and a Little Bit of Everything

Another favorite? Skyscanner. You might know this one as a flight comparison tool, but it’s way more than just flights. It also lets you book hotels and car rentals, so it’s kind of a one-stop shop for travelers who need a little more flexibility. One of my friends said it’s her go-to for booking flights, especially because of the “Everywhere” feature. You can literally type in your departure city and search for flights to anywhere—perfect for when you’re in the mood to go wherever the wind (or budget airlines) take you.

Skyscanner’s app is super easy to use, and it won’t surprise you with hidden fees at checkout. What you see is what you pay. So if you’re prone to booking flights at 2 a.m. after scrolling through Instagram travel pics (no judgment), Skyscanner’s got your back.

FlixBus: The Budget-Friendly Option

FlixBus is another recommendation that came up, especially for those long-haul, budget-friendly trips across Europe. You’ve probably seen those neon green buses zipping around everywhere. FlixBus connects over 2,500 destinations in 40 countries, so if you’re looking for a dirt-cheap way to get from one country to another (or just from one city to another), this is the way to go. One friend said she scored a bus ticket for just five euros and used the extra cash to splurge on dinner.

And if you’re worried about being trapped on a bus for hours, fear not. FlixBus has a surprisingly flexible booking system, frequent departures, and an app that keeps you updated on arrivals and delays, so you’re not left wondering if you missed the bus.

Rome2rio: Map Out Your Entire Journey

Finally, if you’re the kind of person who likes to have all your options laid out in front of you, Rome2rio is a must. A friend in Italy said this site is perfect for piecing together complicated journeys—like when you need to take a train from London to Paris and then catch a bus to some remote French town. It gives you a full breakdown of every transportation option, from trains and buses to flights and even ferries.

Rome2rio also estimates the travel time and cost, which is great if you’re juggling different transport methods and need to know how much of your trip will be spent sitting in transit. It doesn’t handle the booking itself, but it gives you direct links to all the relevant sites, so you’re never far from securing those tickets.

Whether you’re a rail enthusiast, a spontaneous flyer, or just looking for the cheapest way to get from point A to point B, these travel booking websites have your back. So, give these platforms a whirl next time you’re planning a European adventure (or just a weekend escape).