Are you planning your next adventure and wondering how to make your travels smoother and more organized? Look no further than your smartphone. With these 10 smart travel apps, you can keep track of all your plans in one place.
Navigate unfamiliar places, find great deals, communicate with locals, and plan your trip with ease. We cover everything from the must-have navigation and accommodation apps to more unique options you may not have heard of. So, let’s get started and make your next trip a breeze.
Apps for Search and Booking
1. Skyscanner
Skyscanner is an excellent app for finding cheap flights to your destination. This app compares prices from various airlines and travel agents to save money on your flight. You can also set up price alerts and track the price changes over time. Skyscanner even has a feature that shows you the cheapest months to fly to your destination, which can be handy for advance trip-planning.
2. Airbnb
Looking for a unique and affordable place to stay? Airbnb has you covered. This app offers a wide range of lodging options, including apartments, houses, and even treehouses! You can filter your search results by price, location, and amenities, with ease of booking directly through the app. Airbnb also has a feature that allows you to save your favourite listings for future reference.
There’s also an ‘Airbnb Experiences’ feature that offers local tours and activities hosted by knowledgeable guides. You can find unique experiences for every interest, from food tours to street art walks, all available to book through the app. It’s a great way to immerse yourself in the local culture and meet other travellers.
Check out this blog on Best Practices for Guests when renting an Airbnb for more tips!
3. Hotel Tonight
If you’re a spontaneous traveller or need a last-minute booking, Hotel Tonight is the app for you. This app offers great deals on same-day bookings at hotels worldwide; they partner with hotels to provide discounted rates on unsold rooms. Rooms booked through the app can be filtered by location, price, or amenities, with a “favourite” feature that allows you to save your favourite options to revisit when needed.
Travel Apps for Navigating on Location
4. Google Maps
No travel app list is complete without mentioning Google Maps. It’s the go-to app for real-time navigation, traffic updates, and directions for walking, driving, or using public transportation. Plus, you can use Google Maps to search for nearby restaurants, cafes, and attractions. The best part? You can save maps offline, so you can navigate at your destination, even when you don’t have an internet connection.
5. Uber
Getting around in a new city can be a hassle, but Uber makes it easier. This app offers a reliable and convenient ride-sharing service. You can use the app to request a ride, track your driver, and auto-pay through the app. Uber also has a feature that allows you to split the fare with your travel companions, so there’s no hassle when group-travelling. When travelling in another country, it’s hard to know which taxis are secure to use, so Uber sometimes offers safety and peace of mind due to the platform’s features and protocols.
6. AllTrails
AllTrails is a popular hiking and outdoor activity app that allows users to explore and discover new trails around the world. The app offers a database of over 100,000 routes, making it easy for users to find the perfect path for their skill level, interests, and location. It also offers access to the maps offline and records your hikes while tracking progress.
7. XE Currency
XE Currency is a currency conversion app that makes it easy to convert currencies on the go. The app provides real-time exchange rates for over 180 currencies; you can even set up alerts to notify you when a particular currency reaches a specific exchange rate. The app also offers historical charts and graphs, making it easy to track exchange rate trends over time.
Apps for Language and Translation
8. Google Translate
Overcoming language barriers can be a significant challenge when travelling to a foreign country. Google Translate makes communication much easier by translating text, speech, and images in over 100 languages. You can even save translations for offline use, so you can communicate without an internet connection when travelling!
Apps for Communication and Airport
9. Airalo
Airalo is an app that allows you to use an electronic SIM card (eSIM) for your travels instead of a physical SIM card. This means you don’t need to swap SIM cards every time you travel to a new country, as the eSIM can be programmed with multiple carrier profiles, and you can switch between them as needed.
There are several different apps for this, but Airalo works with many local telecom companies worldwide, so there’s less chance of you being out of service in more remote areas. With the convenience and flexibility of eSIM apps, you can enjoy a stress-free and seamless travel experience.
10. LoungeBuddy
If you have a long layover or want to escape the chaos of the airport, LoungeBuddy can help. LoungeBuddy is a great, user-friendly app for frequent travellers who want to relax in airport lounges during layovers. The app allows you to search and book lounges in airports around the world, providing information about amenities, hours of operation, and entry fees. Talk about easy breezy layovers!
There you have it, ten of our favourite smart travel apps to help make your trips more organized, cost-effective, and enjoyable. From finding the cheapest flights to seamless transportation and on-the-go translation, these apps have you covered. Download these apps today to start planning your next adventure!
Happy travels,
Monique
