15 Essential Travel Apps Every Traveller Needs

Whether we like to admit it or not, living in a technology era has made our lives so much easier. Everything we need is just a click away from us on our phones. This includes travelling. There are more travel apps than we can count, and each has its unique purpose. From booking accommodation to finding the cheapest flights to exchanging currency and translating. So, forgetting your phone when travelling is as bad as forgetting your passport. Since you can’t download every app on the market, we did the research for you and carefully curated the list of 15 essential travel apps every traveller needs. Therefore, if you’re a person who travels a lot, keep reading to find out how to make your life much, much easier! 

TripAdvisor

Let’s start with travel planning apps. The first one of the 15 essential travel apps every traveller needs is TripAdvisor. Even though it’s an app everybody has heard about, we cannot stress enough how great it is. TripAdvisor, which has millions of reviews, evaluates hotels, bars, restaurants, and attractions on a five-star scale. Users have collectively provided TripAdvisor with a crowdsourced list of everything you should try and do in a place you’re visiting. It’s a traveller’s safety net when planning a trip. 

TripIt

This app organizes all of your reservations into one itinerary. Simply forward all hotel, airline, car rental, and restaurant confirmations to TripIt, and the software will create a master itinerary for you. The itinerary may be seen at any time, even when you are not connected to the internet. Also, feel free to add to or change your plans and share them with your travel buddies. Furthermore, users may search for other flights, receive ticket refund alerts, manage their reward-program points, and more with the Pro version of the TripIt app. 

WorldMate

WorldMate, like other travel-planning and organization applications, allows you to save your itineraries and bookings in one place and then add new locations, appointments, meetings, and activities as you go. WorldMate’s automated travel briefings and warnings are a handy tool that every serious traveller should have. It sends reminders when there’s something important to know about your destination, your scheduled activities for the day, connecting flight details, and more. In addition, paying customers can access extra services such as flight status alerts. Besides, everyone receives a real-time currency converter, weather predictions for their trip, world clocks, and other helpful tools.

This app can also help you decide what and how you want to pack for a holiday. After all, you’ll know everything from weather predictions to events you visit. So, when packing, look for the best packing tips from packing experts, and you’ll find the most efficient ways to do it! Apply the same principles when packing on the way back home.

Hipmunk

Hipmunk got your back if you’re searching for more than just airlines and big-chain hotels. The software scans thousands of travel websites, including Amtrack, Airbnb, and over 1.2 million hotels and holiday rentals, and compares flight fares. Furthermore, after you’ve booked everything, the app visualizes your plans using graphs and heat maps. It’s almost as simple as if you want to join the travellers club.

SkyScanner

SkyScanner has over 35 million downloads and compares airfare rates across millions of routes and hundreds of airlines, from legacy carriers to charter and low-cost flights. Users may then book flights straight from the app using the links supplied to travel agencies or airlines. Flights may be sorted by airline, cabin class, price, or departure and landing timings, with weekly and monthly chart views available to track pricing changes over time. Additionally, this app provides tools for hotel search and car rental for your travel destination.

Airbnb

We can’t talk about essential travel apps every traveller needs and not mention Airbnb. The vast database of user-provided accommodation is also available for your smartphone, with an app that effectively functions as a smaller website version. So, whether you’re searching for a romantic villa in french vineyards or a long-term rental in the Eternal City, this is where you’ll most likely find both among 600,000+ other listings.

Uber

Now, let’s talk about transportation. Uber, a car-service app, will help you order a car and instruct the driver where to pick you up by putting a pin on a map. The software estimates the fee for a journey, and the driver can also see it on the map. When your commute is complete, Uber charges your credit card the appropriate amount, and you are not required to tip or exchange money. Uber operates in over 50 countries. Users may even choose between cheaper standard vehicles and more expensive luxury ones.

Lyft

Lyft is Uber’s number one competitor. It provides three services: Lyft, Lyft Plus, and Lyft Line, and they all function the same way – launch your app and make a vehicle reservation. A driver will arrive and transport you to your destination. There is never any cash involved because payment is handled by credit card, and customers can also tip the driver through the app. Lyft transports one to three passengers, while Lyft Plus carries up to six passengers. Lyft Line (available exclusively in select U.S. locations) offers a discount for sharing a journey with other passengers travelling in the same direction. Even if no other passengers are present, Lyft Line will still provide you with the discounted cost.

Google Maps

Speaking of essential travel apps every traveller needs, let’s mention Google Maps – the king of mapping. Enter an address to see a map of the region and driving instructions from Point A to Point B (in addition to estimated driving times according to real-time traffic info). However, it does more than merely display maps: the software includes voice control and navigation. View photographs of your location and the surrounding region using the Street View tool. Google Maps also shows summary information about a site and lets you know whether it is busy using the “Popular Times” feature. With the Open Table integration, you may also book a seat at your favourite restaurants.

The best part is you can use this app offline as well. Download the map of your destination and use it even if you’re not connected to Wi-Fi. All in all, Google Maps is not your average mapping app. 

Citymapper

Citymapper, which claims to provide A to B directions that people really use, gives detailed journey planning, including real-time departures and disruption warnings, Uber integration and cycle routes. It is now offered in about 30 places globally, with ambitions to grow. Citymapper searches all public transportation options to discover the optimal route for you. Do you want to know how long your jetpack trip will take? The app will tell you even that!

Waze

Waze is a traffic and navigation app that is user-generated. Drivers in your area contribute real-time traffic and road info, allowing you to plan the shortest or quickest route. Users receive notifications concerning speed monitoring, accidents, road hazards, and traffic delays. Since people provide updates regarding new roads, closed roads, and other changes, the maps are more up-to-date than those from databases. You may also see your friends driving to your destination if you connect to Facebook. Users may also save money by informing about the cheapest gas stations in their region.

XE Currency

We talked about travel planning, booking, and transport apps. Now, let’s see what travel apps you should use once you arrive at your destination. XE Currency is a popular online currency converter, so it’s no wonder its app is also popular. It has many business features, such as precious metals rates and historical currency charts, but tourists will appreciate its ability to convert any international currency. It also works offline by storing the most recently updated prices. It’s free, but a Pro edition removes third-party adverts and allows users to track twice as many currencies as the free version.

Free Wi-Fi Finder

Keep an eye on your data plan, or you may face overage fees from your phone provider. JiWire’s Free Wi-Fi Finder tells you where you may discover free Wi-Fi connections in places all around the world. To find the nearest hotspots, go through a list or use the Wi-Fi scanner. The software displays the hotspot to which you are connected and open and stronger networks in your surrounding. Since Wi-Fi is a sore spot when we travel. this app can be a true life-saver. 

Google Translate

Everybody knows about Google Translate. This app can be handy when travelling to a destination where barely anyone speaks English. With Google Translate, you can avoid miscommunication and having to explain with your arms and legs what you want to say. Select the language you want to translate and type or dictate what you want to say. In a matter of seconds, you’ll have a translated sentence in front of you. This will save you so much trouble!

GasBuddy

Are you up for a road trip? Save money by using GasBuddy to locate the cheapest gasoline. The app tracks the most affordable gas stations in your region. To get driving directions, tap on a petrol station. Users report pricing, and they are rewarded for doing so by accruing points, which they may later redeem for free rewards.

Conclusion

Now that you have a list of 15 essential travel apps every traveller needs, you can pick any destination you want and travel with peace of mind. All we have to say is have a nice trip and enjoy your life. Oh, and don’t forget your phone!