Travel sites: what ages well and what does not

Travel content has a shorter shelf life than almost anything else on the web, and the date on the page matters more here than in any other category. Opening hours change, routes are cut, visa rules move, and a guide that was accurate two years ago can now be actively misleading.

The distinction worth drawing is between inspiration and logistics. Inspirational travel writing ages gracefully; a well-written piece about a place is still worth reading a decade later. Logistical content, which is most of what people actually search for, does not age at all. Treat any practical detail on a travel site as a starting point to verify, not as fact.

For anything involving money or entry requirements, go to the primary source: the operator, the airline, or the government. Travel sites carry affiliate relationships with booking platforms at a rate higher than almost any other category, and a recommendation that routes you through a booking link is not a neutral one.

The subcategories cover hotels, flights, destinations and travel guides. Where a site publishes review content, check whether reviews are collected from verified stays or open to anyone, because the two are not comparable.