DIY Travel Booking – How to Plan & Book Your Holiday Online
DIY travel booking is your key to saving money and staying in control – no hidden fees, and no worries about small agencies closing unexpectedly. That’s why, at JourneyJoy.org, we love helping you plan trips mindfully and confidently, using only trusted booking sites. By doing it yourself, you not only save money but also feel secure, knowing every detail is in your hands. In the end, it’s one of the best ways to plan a holiday that’s truly yours – stress-free, safe, and exactly how you want it.
With the biggest travel brands, your flights, hotels and experiences are secure, so you never risk being left at the airport with no support.
Step 1: Free Travel Planner – Create Your Itinerary Online – DIY Travel Booking
Every great trip starts with a plan. Use Google My Maps trip planner – it’s free, easy and lets you plan what to see and do each day, without stress.
✔️ Pin cafes, local attractions, nature spots and hidden gems.
✔️ Organise your daily travel itinerary.
✔️ Save your map offline – no worries if Wi-Fi drops out.
Click HERE to Plan with Google My Maps
Take a moment to pause and explore our mindful destination guides. From Istanbul, and Cappadocia, to Palermo, Dubrovnik, Helsinki, Tenerife, Bangkok, and so many more, you’ll find gentle inspiration and practical tips to help you plan your next journey with care.
Need Inspiration?
If you’re wondering where to go next, start by exploring our Travel Blog. You’ll find ideas for cheap holidays, hidden gems, travel deals, and honest tips to plan your perfect break.
Step 2: Book Cheap Flights Online – Flexible & Trusted
To find cheap flights and the best flight deals, start by booking with trusted airlines and companies. Not only can you avoid hidden fees, but you can also easily compare flights online and book your tickets quickly. Plus, with Booking.com flights, you get the extra benefit of flexible payment options – including the ability to pay later in installments – making your travel planning simpler and more affordable.
Why Not Skyscanner Anymore? DIY Travel Booking
We used to rely on Skyscanner for finding cheap flights – it was quick and easy to use. But over time, we feel Skyscanner has lost its transparency. Prices often shift in unexpected ways: for example, if you pick a Wednesday flight out and a Sunday return, you might see £80 total – but change just one leg, and the other jumps up by £10–£30.
We still use it sometimes when we want to get a quick sense of what’s available. We usually do this in incognito mode to see prices without tracking.
Step 3: Book Hotels Online – Safe & Flexible Accommodation
When you book hotel stays directly through reliable booking sites, you get better support and clear cancellation policies. Avoid surprises, and if you’re not sure how to pick the right stay, don’t forget to check our honest guide: How to Choose Your Perfect Accommodation – HERE.
Step 4: Book Activities & Top Tours Online – Easy & Flexible
Add local colour to your DIY holiday by booking activities and tours online before you go. Trusted sites like GetYourGuide make it simple to book top attractions, skip the line tickets, or find the best day trips near you – all with secure payment and clear reviews.
Many tours offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before, giving you flexibility if your plans change. Booking early also means you can pick the best time slots and avoid long queues, so you spend more time enjoying your destination.
Read GetYourGuide reviews, choose the best guided tours, and buy tickets online in just a few clicks.
Step 5: Buy Travel Insurance Online – DIY Travel Booking
As frequent travellers, we use Revolut Ultra for our trips. This package includes travel insurance, unlimited airport lounge access through DragonPass, and several other benefits that make travel days smoother. The only downside is that Revolut Ultra is quite an investment, so we really only recommend it if you travel often enough for it to pay off. Unfortunately, we don’t have a discount code for you right now, but if we do in the future, we’ll add it here for you. You can read more about Revolut Ultra here.
Another simple option is Ekta Travel Insurance. It’s designed for flexible travel and, as a result, covers medical costs, trip delays, and more – all at reasonable prices for both short getaways and long journeys. Plus, it’s quick and easy to buy online, so you can arrange it in minutes. Even better, you can manage your purchases anytime and from anywhere, giving you extra peace of mind while you travel.
- Ekta Travel Insurance HERE.
Why DIY Travel Booking?
✔️ Save money – so you skip the agency mark-ups.
✔️ Compare cheap flights and book your hotel online without any hassle.
✔️ Then, plan a flexible, stress-free trip that fits your style.
✔️ And best of all, feel secure knowing you’re using trusted travel sites that millions count on.
Stay in Touch
Want real travel deals and DIY travel planning tips? Sign up for our newsletter – you’ll get honest advice and gentle inspiration straight to your inbox. Available HERE.
Quick Summary – Plan Your Trip Yourself in 5 Simple Steps
1️⃣ Create Your Travel Plan
Visit our Travel Blog for inspiration HERE and start planning HERE.
2️⃣ Book Cheap Flights
Book with Kiwi flights HERE or with Booking flights (where you can also pay with installments) HERE.
3️⃣ Find Hotels & Places to Stay
Browse Booking.com or Agoda for the best hotel deals worldwide. Many stays offer flexible booking, free cancellation, and the option to pay in instalments – great for longer trips planned.
Book your hotel with Booking HERE or with Agoda HERE.
4️⃣ Book Activities & Tickets in Advance
Add local colour to your trip by booking tours and tickets on GetYourGuide. Enjoy free cancellation on many activities, read real reviews, and skip the queues at top attractions.
Click HERE to find activities.
5️⃣ Protect Your Trip with Insurance
Frequent travellers might love Revolut Ultra, which covers insurance plus lounge access and extra perks. Or keep it simple with Ekta Travel Insurance – flexible, reliable, and easy to buy online.
Click HERE to check your insurance options.
Planning your own holiday doesn’t have to be complicated – it can actually be part of the fun. Use a free travel planner, book safely with the biggest names, and relax knowing you’re in charge of every detail.
Travel Booking made easy – Thank you!
Thank you for taking the time to read and plan your travels with us. As you move forward, we hope this guide inspires you to feel confident enough to book your own adventures, so you can save money and truly make the most of every journey. In the end, with a little planning and the right tools, you can travel and enjoy each moment even more.
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you choose to book through them. Your support helps keep JourneyJoy.org alive and growing, so we can keep sharing mindful travel tips with you and other explorers around the world.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being here with us. As you continue your adventures, we wish you safe travels and countless unforgettable moments along the way. Until we meet again, take care – and see you on the road!