I think we can all agree that we yearn for travel more than ever before. Even if you were not the biggest fan of holiday adventures, now that we are deprived of such opportunity we want it more than ever. But there is no need to get frustrated about the things that are out of our power (well, mostly) and start whining. I can share one sure way to spend time wisely while waiting for the quarantine measures to drop.
Well, first of all, can you answer the question: “What is better than a long dreamed holiday?” “Nothing” you might answer. But the truth is that sometimes planning your holiday can be as good as the trip itself (or even better).
And what do we do to plan our travel?
Book the hotel?
No, before that.
Apologize to the cat for leaving?
No, but that’s a good idea (even though it wouldn’t be fully appreciated on the cat’s side).
Download some apps on your phone?
Bingo!
Yeah, actually downloading travel apps beforehand might not only be useful, it can be lifesaving. So I have chosen 30 to save you the trouble of going through hundreds of them to choose the ones that worth the space on your phone.
This app tracks all your loyalty points (hotels, airlines and others) and helps you find the best way to save money. It also manages your travel itinerary (that came as a surprise to me but it can actually transform booking confirmation emails into a personal travel plan).
Available for iOS and Android
- Booking
Probably one of the most well-known apps to book hotels, but it doesn’t make it any worse. With the app you can choose the property, filter the results and confirm the booking. Nothing jaw-dropping you would say, but I like the variety of filters/amount of offers ratio. So even if you are really picky, you will find something.
Available for iOS and Android
- Airbnb
Airbnb is a booking service as well, but it is probably the one to go to when you want to find something unusual like a treehouse in the middle of the woods or, say, a church (why not?).
Available for iOS and Android
- Travelzoo
Travelzoo helps you find the best deals on package tours, excursions, dinners, events and other things. What I really like about it is that all these discounts are found by real people (you can actually see their names). Makes it more personal, you know.
Available for iOS and Android
- Couchsurfing
If your purse strings are tied but the desire to visit new places is as strong as ever, Couchsurfing might be the way to go. It allows you to live rent-free at your host’s house. But everything comes at a price, and the price for free accommodation is apparently communication. So if you are an introvert, give it a second thought.
Available for iOS and Android
- Skyscanner
Skyscanner is a good flight search aggregator with a very friendly user interface and a lot of searching options. It is supposed to have the biggest choice of tickets available and I believe it.
Available for iOS and Android
- Skiplagged
Skiplagged is yet another one flight searching app, but it is renowned for its special flight searching algorithm which allows you to use layovers as final destination points, thus significantly reducing the price.
Available for iOS and Android
- Tiqets
The app helps you get tickets to museums, galleries, events and what not from the comfort of your own home.
Available for iOS and Android
- Omio
Omio is a nice app to use for searching bus and train tickets. The road map covers most part of Western Europe and North America.
Available for iOS and Android
- WiFi Map
I think the app becomes essential the minute you step out of your coverage zone. Because, let’s face it, most apps will be simply useless without the internet connection and the roaming options might be complicated or blatantly expensive. So the Wi-Fi map can save the day (and it works off-line, just in case you wonder).
*Available for iOS and Android *
- Yelp
Good old Yelp needs no introduction I suppose. Being famous for the variety of its restaurant reviews, it takes it up a notch and provides you with info about a range of services from plumbing to law counseling.
Available for iOS and Android
- Uber
You probably already have it on your phone, but if not, take your time to download it. It works in 85 countries, so there is a good chance that even when you are abroad you will get the service that you got used to at home.
Available for iOS and Android
- HappyCow
It’s not easy being green, it’s not easy being a vegetarian. HappyCow takes care of the right restaurant choice for people who keep to a plant based diets.
Available for iOS and Android
- Meetup
If you feel lonely while on holiday why not meet some other like-minded people. Maybe you’ll make lifelong friends, maybe you’ll fall in love or just find a date for the evening.
Available for iOS and Android
- Google Maps
Ok, I am not trying to reinvent the wheel and just stating the obvious but Google Maps is a must have on your phone. It has so much information that I am not going to describe it. In case you have it, you already know it, in case you don’t, check out the app.
Available for iOS and Android
- Tricount
Tricount comes in handy if you plan to travel with your family or friends and you would like to have separate budgets. It will help you split the check evenly and saves you the embarrassment of asking for money.
Available for iOS and Android
- Google Translate
If you have ever traveled abroad, you know how frustrating and awkward the situation might get when you don’t know the language. I don’t promise that it will act like your personal interpreter, but you’ll still find it helpful.
Available for iOS and Android
- FlightAware
This app shares the information about selected flights (the routes, the schedule, the delays) and allows you to track the flight live.
Available for iOS and Android
- LoungeBuddy
LoungeBuddy is the app that will help you find a way to spend time in airport lounges. It might be a good idea to download the app before the trip and find out what options you have got.
Available for iOS
- PackPoint
The app is intended to help packing. So if you have a habit of making a list of things to put in your suitcase, add a pinch of technology to it and use the app. It has some useful features and the design is nice and clear.
Available for iOS and Android
- Rebtel
Rebtel is another way to stay in touch with your friends or family. It doesn’t need a Wi-Fi because it uses the local phone lines to connect, so it might become an option if there is no internet around.
Available for iOS and Android
- Alltrails
Now that we have downloaded all the apps for airplanes, trains, public transport and taxi there is one way left to explore the world – with your feet. I think the app will prove its value even if we are at home, but it’s usually on holiday that we spend more time walking (not being too tired of 8 hour working day) and now you will know where to go.
Available for iOS and Android
- RV Parks & Campgrounds
Ok, I was lying, we have yet another way to explore the wild. Packing your RV and heading out on a family vacation is a whole other level of travel. It’s like you are at home, but not actually at home. And the camping adds more peculiarities to it. But anyways, it is good to know where you can park your RV and what to expect on the road.
Available for iOS and Android
- Eatwith
Eatwith is the app that combines communication and food. So if you are into both of these, you will get an opportunity to have a nice dinner and a pleasant conversation with the locals. To my mind, it’s one of the best ways to share experience and to learn more about local culture.
Available for iOS and Android
- Places Been
Places Been is a fun app if you have a bucket list of countries you want to visit or a strong desire to compete with your friends. In any case, if you travel a lot, it’s good to have a checklist.
Available for iOS and Android
- Withlocals
Withlocals is similar to Eatwith, but it’s less about food and more about atmosphere. It’s no secret that one of the best ways to immerse in the local culture is to talk to natives. So the app offers you a variety of activities that you can do together. You just have to choose.
Available for iOS and Android
- Flush
This app is a toilet finder. Yeah, not very fancy, but can you show me one person who has never been in “toilet emergency” situation? Probably not. So the task of the app is to lead you to the closest one.
Available for iOS and Android
- TheFork
TheFork is a restaurant app which provides you with a lot of services but its main focus is booking dinners at reduced prices. You can read the menu, see the prices, the reviews, the location and book a table.
Available for iOS and Android
- TripAdvisor
TripAdvisor is the boss of all the reviews on the internet, so if you need to check a hotel or a restaurant, you have to get this app. It will provide you with comprehensive information.
Available for iOS and Android
- Piper
This nice app will share advice on how to tip in different countries (how much, where, how often). You will be surprised how different the tipping traditions are.
Available for iOS
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