The Best Apps for Travellers
Introduction:
Nowadays there is an app for everything! It can be overwhelming by how many are out there. But I’m here to tell you the apps you actually need. These are best apps for travel planning, navigating, booking transportation, accommodation, tours, budgeting, downloading e-sims and more.
1. Travel Planning Apps
Booking.com: You can book flights, hotels, car rentals, taxis, tours and tickets to attractions. I usually book hotels through this app. They have a great loyalty program and the more you book the more discounts you get. I saved £400 in Kyoto using this app (as a level 3 genius on the reward program).
Trip.com: You can book flights, hotels, trains, tours, car rentals, vacation rentals and more. This is where I usually book all my flights. You can search for flights with or without checked baggage which is so convenient. I hate thinking I found a cheap flight to find out the bags are not included and have to pay way more! Which is why I love this app because it tells me how much I actually have to pay.
2. Navigation and Transportation Apps
Google Maps: Impossible for me to survive without it. Essential for navigation and directions! You can download an offline version of the maps you may need. I also love creating lists for every city I’ll visit so everything I want to do is in one convenient place.
Note: In some countries Apple Maps may be better but for the most part I think Google Maps is far superior.
Uber/ Lyft/ Grab/ Bolt: Ridesharing apps for transportation. Not available everywhere so look up what app is used in the city you’re visiting.
Rome2Rio: Amazing for booking trains, buses, ferries, rideshares and flights. Simply search your destination and it compares the prices between the different types of transportation.
Omio: Another great app for booking buses, trains and flights.
3. Accommodation and Stay Apps
HostelWorld: The best place to book hostels! Easy to compare prices, amenities and read reviews from other travellers. Also, it has a social feature to meet people who will be staying at your hostel before you even arrive. This is where I’ve booked all my hostels throughout my travels.
Airbnb: I love using Airbnb to book accommodations. Good communication between the host and it has flexible bookings. Also, a great place to book apartments if you are staying somewhere for a longer time period.
4. Local Experience and Activity Apps
GetYourGuide: I love this app for booking local tours and experiences. I book most of my tours through this app.
Viator: Good for booking local tours, activities and booking tickets in advance.
5. Translation Apps
Google Translate: This is the only translator app I use. I love that you can take photos of images and easily translate everything. Just great for general communication. I know it’s not always entirely accurate but it usually gets the point across.
6. Money and Currency Apps
TravelSpend: My favorite budgeting app. So easy to use and tracks all your spending by breaking it into categories so you know where your money is going. There is a free and premium version. I’ve used the free for years and it is perfect for me.
Calculator: Yes, the basic calculator app already on your iPhone. Just tap the left bottom corner, turn on convert and now you have a currency converter.
7. E-Sim Apps
JetPac: Great for downloading e-sims so you have data wherever you are. The data is great and the prices are amazing!
Airalo: I also love this app for e-sims. Easy to use and reliable data.
8. Miscellaneous Apps
Happy Cow: For all my vegans and vegetarians. Basically google maps for vegan/vegetarian restaurants! You can also search for ‘vegan options’ and ‘vegetarian options’ for a wider range of restaurants. Amazing if you are struggling to find good veggie food!
Surf Shark VPN: Great to use any websites or streaming services geo-blocked outside of your home region. Honestly, I mostly use it so I can watch shows that aren’t available where I am.
