If someone could pay me to travel, I’d do it as a job. I’m kidding, but only a little. Anyway, since I’ve traveled quite a bit in the past, and have been traveling even more lately (at the end of this year I would have been to four countries!!), I have become quite familiar with travel apps. Over time, I’ve narrowed down the best travel apps – or at least those that make my travels much easier.
I’ve used each and every one of these travel apps in the past and I’ll be using them on my upcoming trip (I can’t believe I leave in less than two weeks). Let’s get to it.
Generally speaking, when you travel you need somewhere to stay, places to eat, ways to get around and if you’re traveling out of the country you may need a way to convert currency and translate languages. These 9 travel apps address all of these things.
1. Booking.com
Just about everyone knows this app. You can book hotels and flights and even rent cars on this app. What I love about this app is the option to book and reserve rooms without immediate payment. Theres also a GPS function so you can find the nearest hotel to where you’re going to be. I personally use this app to find cheaper hotels and actually booked my last trip to Barbados on booking.com.
2. Tripadvisor
Tripadvisor is honestly pretty similar to booking.com, but what I love about Tripadvisor are the reviews and candid guest photos (I may or may not also love the fact that Hotel owners / managers tend to jump on and defend their places). Its not only good for booking hotels, restaurants though, you can find tons of recommendations for activities and things to do on the app. In fact, while on our trip to Guyana, Danny and I had a day to explore and like I said in this post, we used Tripadvisor’s recommendations to find things to do.
So I really love this app. If you’re a last minute traveler, you will likely love this app as well. If you use this app, you can not only find hotels available on a whim but you can get discounts on hotel rooms, even though you book late. Perfect. Danny and I actually haven’t booked our hotel for the two nights we will be spending in Germany on the way back, and if we don’t get our act together and book something soon, we’ll likely be using this app to find a discounted hotel room at the last minute.
4. Airbnb
The Airbnb app is perfect if you prefer a bed and breakfast / non-hotel stay. We have been checking this out for options in Frankfurt (we spend two days there on the way back from Germany). It’s also, in my opinion, a very user friendly app.
So I’ll likely be using this app a lot in the upcoming weeks. It’s very self-explanatory – its a translator. But one of the most underused features of this app is the scanner. The scanner is hands down the best feature!! The app gives you the ability to scan over words using your phone camera and you can read it translated on your phone. Its pretty cool. Download it just so you can see how that works!
If you’re like me, you like to know how much you’re spending in your own currency. I always use this when I leave the country. While I typically can convert some currencies in my head, I have no concept of others. Take for instance the Romanian Leu, I don’t know the conversion to US or TTD (my currency) so I’ll be using the app to make sure I’m not overspending on things I can get home for cheaper.
7. Google maps
If you rent a car, you will probably need google maps to get around. I mean, I even use this home. Since most people know how to operate this app, there’s not much to say here.
8. Uber
I’ll be honest, for reasons I won’t mention on the blog I don’t particularly trust Uber as a company. That said, if you need a way to get around, this is a service available in many countries and so its probably the most reliable in terms of a quick and easy way to get from point A to B.
9. Yelp
While I love this app, its last because it isn’t available in many countries. Its mainly in major cities in the US and some European countries (don’t even try to use Yelp in the Caribbean). Still, if it is available where you are traveling and you need good recommendations for restaurants etc, then its such a great travel app.
I have two bonus travel apps that aren’t essential but that I personally love:
Hopper – If you’re looking for good deals on a flight this is the app that will help you find it. We love it.
Been – This is one of my favourite apps. You can log all the countries you have been to and the app will calculate how much of the world you have seen. If you’re on a mission to see the world like I am, its such a cool app to have. Although Ive been to the a few states US, South America (Guyana), Europe (UK), India (Hyderabad and Mumbai), several Caribbean islands and Australia, according to Been, based on the places I have been, I’ve only seen 3% of the world!!! I’m hoping to improve on that in the coming years 😉 .
Do you travel a lot? What apps do you use? Have you ever used these apps?
Have a great Wednesday guys!!
