When you plan a trip to, say, Mexico or the Maldives, you probably picture yourself relaxing by the pool, boogieing, or running free through the hills.
You don’t picture yourself flipping through old travel guides, hunched over your laptop, sifting through accommodation options or comparing flight deals.
Without further ado, here are 10 of the most essential travel apps you should have before your next holiday.
1. Booking.com
This online accommodation service lets you book hotels, homestays and hostels. In addition to competitive rates, Booking.com also offers Genius, a rewards system that gives you discounts and other perks the more you travel.
Booking.com is a very convenient app as it allows you to book your accommodation and communicate with the hotel or host on the go. Best of all, you can get discounted rates at some hotels if you book on your smartphone.
2. Skyscanner
Want to fly on a budget? Look no further than Skyscanner. This app offers thousands of flight deals from all airlines. It also lets you customise your trip.
Whether you’re looking for the cheapest flights from where you live to anywhere in the world, want to travel to multiple destinations or have flexible travel dates, Skyscanner has it all.
Skyscanner’s filters will help you find what you’re looking for or suggest dates and destinations. The app will then give you a list of airline booking sites where you can buy your ticket.
3. XE Currency Converter
XE Currency Converter is an essential travel app. It helps you store and organise multiple currencies so you can check prices quickly and easily. It also works offline so you don’t have to worry about running out of data or Wi-Fi.
If you want to stay within your budget (and avoid getting ripped off), download the XE Currency Converter. It’s totally free!
4. Spotify
Yes, it’s not technically a travel app. But it can be an absolute godsend during those dull travel moments. I couldn’t survive without it when travelling!
Spotify has various premium plans that allow you to download your favourite content offline so you can listen when you don’t have access to data or Wi-Fi, or during long road trips or flights. Just plug in your noise-cancelling headphones and enjoy your favourite podcasts, meditations, audiobooks, music and more!
5. Uber & Lyft
Downloading a ridesharing app is sometimes better than taking a taxi alone. In some cities around the world, ridesharing apps are often a safer option than regular taxis. They also have the advantage of calculating the cost of your journey in advance.
In most countries, there’s at least one ridesharing app for you to choose from. The most popular ridesharing apps are Uber and Lyft, with the former available in around 90 countries worldwide as of January 2023.
6. Google Translate
If you’re looking for a translation app that does it all, Google Translate is the answer. With Google Translate you canTranslate your query into over 100 languages,Get offline access to 59 languages,Translate bilingual conversations,Translate using photos,Translate using the handwriting tool.
Google Translate is also easy to use, with clickable icons at the top that let you type, speak, take a photo or draw.
7. WhatsApp
WhatsApp is a handy messaging service that helps travellers stay in touch abroad without paying for SMS. All you need to do is download the app and use an internet connection to communicate.
WhatsApp works in the same way as most messaging apps. You can send messages, video chat, make voice calls, send pictures, gifs, voice memos and other files just like other messaging apps.
8. GasBuddy
GasBuddy can save you a lot of money when you’re travelling by road in the US or Canada. It shows you the cheapest gas station nearby so you never have to pay more.
This app also has a mileage calculator to help you estimate the total cost of your trip. It also features a gas cost map so you can see the price of gas in each location.
9. Grab
Grab lets you check out food options near the airport if you don’t have much time. You can use the app to pre-order your food and pick it up at the airport.
Grab is currently available in more than 60 airports worldwide, giving you plenty of options for your next international trip.
10.Busuu
One of the first things you need when travelling abroad is the language. Busuu is the app that will help you learn the essentials in just a few lessons. You can even take short lessons when you are already on your way to your destination.
Top travel apps for travellers
Using travel apps can make your travel experience much more manageable, fun and safe.By downloading and using these travel apps, your next trip can go much smoother, saving you more time, moneyand energy for your next holiday.