What it does
Tripadvisor combines travel discovery with traveller reviews, opinions and forums. Its website and apps cover hotels, restaurants, attractions and experiences, with destination browsing, travel stories and routes to partner booking services.
Use an interest to narrow the first search. The activity discovery separates options such as food, culture, water and outdoor experiences, while destination pages provide another starting point when the place is already chosen. Forums and traveller contributions can add questions and perspectives to investigate around the itinerary.
Keep the booking provider attached to the selected offer. Tripadvisor states that it is not a booking agent or tour operator and directs travellers to partners for applicable fees. Displayed prices can have conditions or depend on travel dates. The site also links Viator for activities and TheFork for restaurant bookings. Reviews and discovery are therefore one part of the workflow; the chosen provider’s dates, inclusions and conditions determine the actual reservation. National and language editions are accessed through the same service.
Strengths
- Brings several travel categories together with traveller contributions
- Offers interest-based activity discovery and discussion forums
Best for
- Travellers comparing places and experiences before choosing a provider