In today’s digital age, smartphones have revolutionised the way we travel, making trips more efficient and enjoyable. From booking flights and hotels to navigating unfamiliar cities and managing expenses, travel apps can simplify every step of your journey. In this guide, we’ll explore the best travel apps that will transform your adventures into seamless, stress-free experiences.
Table Of Content
Flights and Hotels
Skyscanner
Skyscanner is my go-to app for searching flights. It’s a must-have for travel lovers seeking great deals. Skyscanner compares prices from various airlines for any destination and date, making it perfect even if you’re unsure where to go next. You can select a rough month and see outbound and inbound prices for any date within that month.
I use Skyscanner to plan multi-city trips based on price. For example, I recently flew into Munich and out of Berlin because it offered the best price. The app provides filters for price caps, departure times, airlines, and number of stops, making it easy to find the best options.
Skyscanner’s website works brilliantly and is available on the App Store and Google Play.
Airline Apps
In today’s travel landscape, airline apps have become essential tools for travellers. My most used airline apps are EasyJet and Ryanair, which offer a range of features from searching flight prices to checking in for your flight.
For my upcoming trip to Greece, EasyJet alerted me when I could check in, and the entire process took just five minutes. This convenience helps avoid chaos at the airport by having your seat and boarding pass ready on your phone.
Most major airlines offer similar apps, making the flying process much smoother. These apps provide features like flight status updates, boarding pass storage, and easy seat selection. They are widely available online, on Apple’s App Store and Google Play.
Hostelworld
Hostels may not be everyone’s first choice, but for budget-conscious travellers, Hostelworld is a gem. Booking hostels through this app is seamless and rewarding. Once you book, you can join a chat with other travellers visiting the same destination.
Your profile is customisable, making it easier to connect with fellow travellers, even if you’re less extroverted. Hostelworld only requires a deposit upfront, with the balance paid upon arrival, perfect for flexible planning.
A great feature is the record of countries and accommodations you’ve booked, letting you reminisce about past trips. Hostelworld’s app is available on the App Store and Google Play, with a functional website to match.
Booking.com
You don’t have to be a frequent traveller to know about Booking.com. This app offers a vast array of accommodations, flights, car rentals, and attractions. It’s a reliable backup when other apps fall short.
Booking.com’s large international user base ensures you’ll find well-reviewed options. The variety of accommodations caters to any destination, with user reviews providing clear insights. Specific features include last-minute deals, a user-friendly interface, and flexible booking options.
I find Booking.com a good benchmark for comparing offers from other travel apps. It’s available on the App Store and Google Play.
Airbnb
A relative newcomer in the online booking space, Airbnb excels at linking you to stays that suit all your needs. It’s a great app for finding unique accommodations and comparing them to other hotel booking apps.
Although prices have increased, Airbnb’s massive customer base and unique options make it worthwhile. Whether you’re looking for a villa on a Greek island or a treehouse in Norway, Airbnb offers countless unique choices.
Airbnb also features user reviews, easy host communication, and the ability to book local experiences. Available on the App Store, Google Play and their website.
Navigation and Transportation
Google Maps
If there’s one app you must have, it’s Google Maps. This app can alleviate numerous travel concerns by providing real-time navigation, whether you’re walking, driving, or using public transport.
With live data, Google Maps offers real-time train schedules, road conditions, and estimated taxi fares. It also includes reliable reviews for businesses and locations, helping you choose the best places to visit.
Personally, it’s the app I use most when travelling. You can save your favourite spots in custom lists for easy reference later. Google Maps is available on the Google Play Store, App Store, and online.
Trainline
Trainline is one of my favourite apps for finding train times. It provides reliable live data and allows you to purchase tickets via the app. While Google Maps is great for international train times, Trainline excels at providing detailed schedules up to a year in advance.
The app’s layout is user-friendly, making it my go-to for domestic travel in Europe. It also offers real-time updates on train statuses and platform information, which is incredibly useful when navigating busy stations. However, it’s worth noting that Trainline isn’t supported outside of Europe.
Trainline can be accessed via its website, the App Store, and Google Play.
Uber/Lyft/Bolt
These ride-booking apps are internationally renowned and offer a cheaper alternative to taxis. They provide an easy way to pay and travel to any destination, whether you’re heading to your hotel from the airport or getting home after a night out.
Different apps dominate different regions. For instance, during my visit to Krakow, Bolt was the only available option. Regardless of which app you choose, you’ll benefit from features like ride-tracking, fare estimates, and safety measures. These apps also offer the ability to review rides and contact support if needed.
Available on all major app stores.
What3Words
Founded in 2013, What3Words is an innovative app that pinpoints exact locations using a 3-meter square. This app can be invaluable for navigating tourist sites or in emergencies where you need to share your precise location.
You might not use it every day, but having What3Words can be a lifesaver. It works offline, making it reliable even without an internet connection.
Available online, on the App Store, and Google Play.
Utilities
Splitwise
Planning a trip with friends? Splitwise is a must-have app for tracking group expenses. It allows you to add receipts and allocate who owes what from each payment. At the end of the trip, Splitwise calculates the total ingoings and outgoings, giving a final amount to be settled.
This app eliminates the hassle of using notes and stockpiling receipts. The free version offers all necessary functionalities, including record-keeping of all bills, making it easy to stay organised.
Splitwise is available on the App Store and Google Play.
Google Translate
Google Translate can be a game-changer for understanding and engaging with the local culture. While you may not have full conversations immediately, this app helps translate restaurant menus, train timetables, and exhibit labels.
Native English speakers often find locals who speak English, but translating local languages adds cultural enrichment. For the more extroverted, Google Translate’s real-time voice conversation feature can be both thrilling and practical.
Additional features include offline translation and camera translation for text. Available on the App Store and Google Play.
Currency
When travelling, I like to understand the value of a local currency compared to that of back-home currency. This currency converter app is one of my favourite travel apps due to its easy-to-view layout. Type any amount in your chosen currency, and it instantly shows the value in multiple currencies.
This is especially useful in places like Egypt, where locals switch between the Egyptian Pound and the US Dollar. Unlike many other converters, this app works offline, making it reliable anywhere. It’s fast, responsive, and perfect for on-the-spot conversions.
Downloadable from the App Store and Google Play.
Tripadvisor
TripAdvisor is my go-to app for finding honest and reliable reviews for accommodations, businesses, and experiences. When visiting a new place, I always use this app to discover top attractions and activities.
The extensive ratings by real users provide valuable insights, whether you’re looking at hotels, hostels, or local tours.
TripAdvisor also allows you to book experiences directly through the app, ensuring safety and reliability. With features like “Best of the Best” awards and user-generated photos, you can make informed decisions.
TripAdvisor is available on the App Store, Google Play, and online.
Conclusion
To summarise, there are many apps that can enhance your travel experience. From essentials like Google Maps to specialised tools like What3Words, these apps make planning and enjoying your trip easier.
While some apps might shine in specific situations, having a variety of these tools on your phone ensures you’re prepared for any travel scenario.
Remember, the key is to choose the apps that best suit your travel style. I hope this guide has been helpful.
Safe travels!
