Last Updated: December 29, 2023
We live in a digital world and our mobile phones have become a necessity. So much so, that we can’t imagine our lives without them. When travelling, we rely on our phones for most of the things such as GPS, booking our flights, our accommodation, saving our boarding pass and so much more.
I will never forget that one time when I travelled to Greece to visit my family and my phone got stolen in the metro. As I was exiting the underground I realised that my phone was missing and I literally had a panic attack!
Although nowadays, I’ve learned my lesson and always try to keep a hard copy when it comes to important travel documents; the truth is that having the below travel applications has been extremely convenient for me.
Some of these apps will save you time, some will save you money. Even better, most of them, will save you both.
Here are the best travel apps in my opinion that will make your travel planning effortless.
BEST TRAVEL APPS THAT WILL MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER
SKYSCANNER
I’m sure you are very familiar with Skyscanner but I still think it deserves a place here. This is honestly the best flight comparison app out there! What I love most about this application, is that you don’t even need to have a specific destination in mind. You can simply choose “everywhere” and the app will show you the cheapest flights from your destination. Not sure about the dates? You can even filter by choosing a whole month. Brilliant!
EXPEDIA.COM
Expedia.com is one of the most essential travel apps you will need to download! I love how easy it is to navigate and filter according to what I’m looking for. All I have to do is insert the location and my dates. Then I refine my search by choosing from the filters on the sidebar my preferred budget. The app is so advanced, it allows you to filter by any requirements you might have; property type, review score and even room facilities to name a few.
AIRBNB
Airbnb is an excellent app to book a local home rental. You can book a room or an entire apartment which gives you the opportunity to experience a local’s house. The app allows you to apply filters according to your preference; an entire home, self-check-in or number of rooms for example. What I find great about AirBnB is that, once you choose a property that you like, you can not only read reviews from past guests but you also get to learn about the hosts.
Once your booking is confirmed, you can also check out recommendations about what to do and see in the area. You can even book a local experience, such as boat tours, watersports or wine testing. One of the best experiences I had with AirBnB was when we booked our Airstream in Joshua Tree!
HOTEL TONIGHT
Travelling can sometimes be hectic and we don’t always stick to a plan, especially during a road trip. Applications such as Hotel Tonight can be a real lifesaver when you need to find a deal for a hotel room at the eleventh hour. Hotel Tonight is one of the best apps for searching for discounted last-minute room rates! The hotel options are categorized into basic, luxe, charming and high-roller so you can filter accordingly. Making a booking is very simple, which is great when all you want is a shower and a good night’s sleep.
UBER
This is a fantastic app to use not only when travelling but even in your hometown. Uber is extremely convenient when you decide to have a night out and don’t want to risk driving after you’ve had a couple of drinks. It is even more convenient when you are in a foreign country and you don’t feel comfortable catching the local bus or you’re afraid that you’ll get scammed by a taxi driver. As soon as you open the app, you will see how many cars are located near you. Choose your destination and your ride option and the app will show you an estimated price for your route. This way, you won’t have to worry about the language barrier or ending up spending more than you should.
GOOGLE MAPS
Travelling guarantees that you will get lost at least once (in my case more times than I can count). Google Maps is the best travel app to download on your phone that will save you so much time if you get lost. During our road trip to the USA, we were using it constantly to navigate in big cities such as Los Angeles and San Diego. It was even more handy when we would make constant detours to check the roadside attractions and I could never seem to remember how to find my way back to the interstate.
CITYMAPPER
CityMapper is the ultimate app to have on your phone that can help you find your way around when you opt to use public transportation. Set the city you’re in (if it’s not already set by default) and simply type your location and your destination. The app will then calculate your route showing all available public transportation options such as underground, bus, tram etc. What makes Citymapper one of the best travel apps, is the extended information that you get in the palm of your hand. Citymapper will show you how much your ticket will cost, how long it takes to reach your destination and even if there are any disruptions.
XE CURRENCY CONVERTER
Being in a country where they use a different currency than the one we’re used to, transactions can be quite stressful. Especially when you want to use cash at a market or simply pay for your taxi. Xe Currency is a fantastic app that allows you to convert instantly into any currency you want. Be sure to set your preferred currency when you download the app. Also, don’t forget to update it while you’re online so you ensure you have the latest updated exchange rate whilst offline. It is a great tool and one of the best travel apps to have on your phone.
TRIPADVISOR
Tripadvisor is probably the app I use the most (right after the hotel booking apps) when I travel. I usually spend an entire day exploring and I get so excited, sometimes I forget to eat. So, when the time comes to choose a restaurant, more often than not, I don’t want to risk it. Here is where Tripadvisor comes in handy so I can make a quick research before I choose a restaurant. This app allows you to search by name your preferred restaurant or simply filter by location. You can then check the reviews and look at the pictures to help you decide where to eat. Tripadvisor has evolved so much that now you are able to book hotels; check for things to do in the area you are and use their forum for any travel-related information you need.
GOOGLE TRANSLATE
We travel not only to explore new places but also to get to know new cultures and meet people from around the world. Imagine how cool it would be if we could exchange a few words in the local language! Well, Google Translate can help with that. If you want to translate even when you’re offline, you’ll have to download your preferred language first. So next time you visit Greece for example and you hear the locals greeting you with a warm “Geia sas”, you’ll know what it means (google it up).
I have been using WhatsApp for years and, to be honest, I never thought of it as a travel app up until a couple of years ago. I did change my mind, however, when I realised that Whatsapp is great for when you need to contact your host, especially when you book through Airbnb. Another great example could be in case you’re travelling as a group and you want to stay in touch, share pictures or even share your location.
AIRHELP
Travelling unfortunately doesn’t always go smoothly. There are times when our flight gets delayed or cancelled and when that happens most of us will feel at a loss. AirHelp is one of the best apps that can help you claim back any compensation you’re entitled to in a seamless way. The process is straightforward, just follow the steps indicated on the app and let Airhelp do the rest. It is worth noting that if your claim is successful, they are entitled to 25% of the total amount.
