The best new tools for booking travel

When it comes to booking travel, there are lots of tools to choose from. Here are some notable sites that can help you plan every step of the way.

When picking your flight, it’s not always about the cheapest option, it’s about scheduling and the on-board experience. Factor in your layover time, and whether the plane has Wi-Fi or power outlets. Hipmunk sorts flight options by the “agony” of the trip. A newer site, called RouteHappy, also measures flights by their happiness level.

You don’t necessarily have to book through these guys, but it helps to decipher what flights work best for you.

TravelNerd is a new site that gives information about your airport – like how much a taxi will cost versus public transportation, and whether the airport has free Wi-Fi. The site is a work in progress, but the information is valuable when you’re planning.

Then it’s time to think about your hotel. PointsHound is a hotel booking site that earns you frequent-flier points. Book through the site and you’ll collect more airline miles, and in some properties, you’ll earn additional points in your hotel loyalty program

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