Traditionally, we have travel agents to help you plan travels. Travel agents are still there but smartphones are now the real weapon for planning and booking travels throughout the world. Right now we have apps that are easy to install on your phone and help you book flights, hotels, and learn about the attractions, for the destination you’re visiting.
Being a world-traveler, I have traveled to several destinations and utilized the power of smartphones every time.
Here are some of the best apps that can help you travel the world:
#1. Skyscanner
Wherever you’re traveling, you can find flights, hotels, and rental cars right from Skyscanner. The app is capable to find the most affordable and best deals (with the help of travel partners). If you’ve not finalized your next destination, you can head over to the “Top Deals” tab to find the nearby attractions and deals.
You can find the cheapest dates to fly and receive alerts as the prices change. This feature is similar to that of Google Flights. Skyscanner allows you to monitor and save your bookings with frequent updates on the go. This ensures that your details are saved and easily accessible. It is available for both; iOS and Android.
#2. Hopper
Hopper is an award-winning app that claims the cheapest possible prices for a plane ticket. Similar to Skyscanner, you can monitor a route for cheap tickets and get notified when the fares go down.
The team claims that their systems are so powerfully built that after tracking billions of flights, users can save up to 40% on the next flight. I’ve used Hopper a few times and it worked effectively.
The friendly user-interface lets you book a flight in 60 seconds or less. In the recent update, you can monitor a specific you want to stay and a push notification will popup when the best deal goes LIVE. No doubt when it comes to booking flights instantly, Hopper was always there to cover me!
#3. Airbnb
Sometimes, you can’t find an affordable hostel/hotel for accommodation, right?
It used to happen in my early days of travel. Later when I started using Airbnb, the wait for saving money for accommodation was over. With Airbnb, I was able to stay with locals for cheaper prices. I used to travel once or twice a month then as accommodation is a major expense and it was reduced many times with this local connecting app.
At the moment, the app is packed with features like “Trips” with which you can choose experiences during your stay. This feature is amazing as you can find your perfect spot to stay within a few searches.
#4. Hotel Tonight
If Airbnb isn’t working well for you, Hotel Tonight is the way to go. The app is partnered with hotels to offer exclusive discounts on empty rooms. The user-friendly interface lets you book a room in less than 10 seconds.
Just like a normal stay in the hotel, you’ll have access to most of the facilities by paying less. HT recently launched the ‘Daily Drop’ feature that passes you a super-economical deal daily.
They’re truly proving their “Last minute Hotel Deals at Great Hotels” tagline at the moment with the cheapest accommodation rates!
#5. Uber
Wherever you go, Uber lets you move. The app is active in 80 countries and operates in several metropolitan areas. It basically connects you to the cabs and lets you reach destinations conveniently.
As you install the Uber app, you require your current location to book your ride. You can add the destination on spot or later during the ride. It is the global king of ridesharing apps and allows you to pay cashless with secure credit card payments. So whenever you travel, rather than looking for a taxi or taxi stand, go for Uber!
#6. CityMapper
Citymapper is a tracking app for public transport and subways. The app is operating in 59+ urban areas and the list is growing simultaneously.
It lets you check LIVE bus locations and departures (routes). You can set up alerts for specific routes and services. Other than the bus, it has got access to subways and lets you track their routes and locations instantly.
If you are looking to move cheaper with public transport or subway, install Citymapper and reduce transport expenses.
#7. Packpoint
This is a very simple yet most important app to have when you’re up for travel. Before you depart, you can make a checklist of items you need to carry and pack accordingly. This makes sure that you don’t miss any item while packing.
Other than that, Packpoint allows you to schedule your travel routine including meetings, attending events. As you add an event in your schedule, it will ask you to add the required items for the specific event. This way, sub checklists are made.
PackPoint monitors the weather and notifies you for the dates you’ve chosen for a move. The weather forecast is quite helpful when you’re moving to a rural area where facilities are not much.
#8. Google Maps
Last but not least, the globally used Google Maps is a must app for any traveler. You get access to the most accurate navigation across the globe with directions for car, bike or public transport. Just like CityMapper, GMaps has started offering details for public transport. If you’re not up for public transport, you can book a cab (in affiliation with Uber or Careem) right from the route selection.
Features like offline maps have been a lifesaver for me. Best of all, you get updates about the rush on the routes to help you save time with an alternative route. Maps now have a wide database for restaurants, hotels, attractions, ATMs, gas stations, etc to provide you with the most convenient traveling experience.
Takeaway:
These are my best-picked apps to help you travel the world. Most of them are award winners and operates in most of the tourist destinations. Make sure to have them on your phone so that you can get help instantly by just doing taps!
Written By Boyan Minchev
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