There is nothing worse than having your phone overcrowded with apps that you will almost certainly never use. I’ve narrowed down these 10 free apps you should not travel without, that are guaranteed to make your life so much easier when travelling.
1. Google Translate
It is no surprise that Google Translate is number one. This app is a lifesaver when travelling abroad. Struggling with language barriers is not fun for anyone, and Google Translate can help avoid those tricky situations with real-time translations. Furthermore, the app has several different ways to translate. For an instant translation, you can take a photo of text, type the text, speak into the phone, and even draw the characters.
2. Maps.me
Maps.me is one of the best free travel apps that I have ever used. The main difference between this and other apps used for directions, is that this one can be used offline. Simply select which city you want the map of, and download it beforehand. This is a massive advantage in a travel app. It can help preserve your data and battery life, as well as help you navigate in areas with little to no phone signal. Maps.me was a godsend whilst I was travelling in Ukraine!
3. TripIt
TripIt will make your travel experience so much easier. This app allows you to plan your itinerary in a remarkably easy manner, avoiding those haphazard schedules that are always so confusing! As if this wasn’t easy enough, you can also forward your travel confirmation emails to the app, and it will create you schedule for you. Once created, your travel information is available offline, and you can even view it on a map!
4. Uber
If you are like me and have a tendency to be lazy, Uber is definitely the app for you. Uber has saved my travel plans too many times, helping me travel to the airport so much quicker than asking a hotel to call a taxi. Moreover, this app has so much flexibility. You can schedule your trip in advance, see a digital profile of your driver beforehand, and decide whether to pay by card or in cash. You can also split your fare with your fellow travelers through the app.
5. Trip Advisor
This is basically one of my favourite apps of all time. Trip Advisor is my go-to for checking the honest reviews of attractions, hotels, and restaurants before I visit. I love to use this app alongside checking the Food Hygiene Certificate of places within the UK.
6. Airbnb
Airbnb is a fantastic way to find affordable accommodation in your area of choice. It can provide you with access to hidden gems that are more connected with local life, rather than the typical villas and hotels that are often located in built up commercial areas. You also have the option to rent individual rooms, sofas, or an entire apartment or villa.
7. Citymapper
Citymapper helps you find the best possible route to travel from A to B in a city. The app includes real time disruptions and departures, as well as cycle routes and Uber integration. However, Citymapper is not yet available in every city. You can check if your travel destination is listed here.
8. Skyscanner
Skyscanner is one of the leading apps for discovering the best flight details for my next holiday. You can use this app to find the cheapest option for your flight, and can discover the cheapest months and even the cheapest days to fly.
9. Duolingo
Duolingo is one of my favourite apps for both travel and learning a language. Before you travel, this app is perfect for helping you get to grips with basics of the local language.
10. Instagram
Last but not least, I really recommend travelling with the Instagram app. Instagram is perfect sharing your holiday snaps in real time, whether that be on stories or as a post. You can check out my travel pics on Instagram here.
Why Travel With These Apps?
Travelling with these apps will make your next vacation so much easier and more enjoyable. Get more from your next holiday with these 10 free apps you should not travel without.
37 Comments
Mrs d
Some great tips, people don’t often think about apps they should use whilst travelling. Thanks for highlighting these.
Blog of Sunshine
Thanks for the comment!
Lauren Kenny
Ooh I love skyscanner for looking at flights! Thanks for sharing these, so helpful! 🙂
Blog of Sunshine
Skyscanner is a godsend, isn’t it?
Chris - CJ Attractions Guide
City mapper is so useful when navigating a big city! Great apps, luckily I have most of them too 😊
Blog of Sunshine
Great minds think alike! 🙂
Rachel Jones
Such a great blog post! I absolutely love using Citymapper – I’ll definitely be trying Maps.me! 🙂
Blog of Sunshine
Thanks for the comment! Yes, Maps.me is really useful for travelling – definitely one of my go-to apps <3
Rachel Foy
Wow, this was really insightful! I’ll definitely download these for the next time I go traveling, which might be a long time haha! I loved the advice you gave, thank you!
Blog of Sunshine
Thanks for the nice comment Rachel, yes they really do save your life when travelling haha 🙂
Rachel Foy
Wow, this was really insightful! I’ll definitely download these for the next time I go traveling, which might be a long time haha! I loved the advice you gave, thank you!
Lisa
I had no idea Google Translate was so flexible, I’m going to download it shortly. And I love the sound of Maps.me too, that’s such a useful facility to use it offline. Fab tips, thank you so much for sharing 🙂 Lisa
Blog of Sunshine
Thanks for the sweet comment Lisa 🙂
Kalin
Wowww I really could’ve used some of these apps on my last few trips! I am TripIt and Maps.me sound SO useful!
Blog of Sunshine
They really are 🙂
Constance
Great posts, I love duolingo, am trying to learn a new language, thanks for sharing this.
Blog of Sunshine
Thanks for the comment 🙂
Single Mom Chapters
Great tips! I use most of these but I had no idea about Airbnb. It sounds so useful, definitely gonna use this one! Thank you for sharing 💕
Blog of Sunshine
Airbnb is definitely a hidden gem! <3
Rohan
Great post. I use Google translate all the time when I’m traveling. It’s such a life saver!
Blog of Sunshine
It definitely is!
Holly
I definitely need to save this post for next time I’m going on a trip, you’ve mentioned several apps that I don’t have on my phone and wouldn’t have thought of if you hadn’t posted this. Thanks for sharing!
Holly
http://www.adailydoseofholly.com
Blog of Sunshine
Thanks for the sweet comment 🙂
Harsimran Kaur
Loved maps.me and shy scanner! That’s a good list ✨✈️
Anna Jo
Totally agree with having Google Translate handy! It was very helpful for me while I was in Saigon, Vietnam. I remember it was when my friend and I had a hard time figuring out the menu.. so I brought out Google Translate and it helped us place our orders. So nostalgic, considering that we’re not able to go travelling out for a while.. thank you so much for sharing this with us, it’s truly helpful. 🙂
Anna Jo | http://helloannajo.blogspot.com
Blog of Sunshine
Thank you for the lovely comment, Anna!
Google translate has helped me out so many times, it’s great to be able to look back and laugh at those memories 🙂
Samantha
Love this post! So much helpful information! Thank you!
Sue Berk Koch
The map app is excellent and I love that it can be used offline. I’ll need to check out city mapper, too. Thanks!
http://www.susanberkkoch.com/blog
Blog of Sunshine
Glad to help! Let me know how you get on, Sue 🙂
Glen Parmenter
There are Apps I had never even heard of. Thanks for such great travel advice. Its appreciated.
Blog of Sunshine
I’m glad this post was useful to you 🙂
Mark Crone
All great apps and suggestions. I’ve used them all. Cheers,
Blog of Sunshine
Thanks for the comment 🙂
Travelogged blogs
I use TripIt, Duolingo and Skyscanner most of the times. These apps are very helpful. Thank you for sharing!
Blog of Sunshine
They’re life savers! Thanks for the comment 🙂
Gabby
What an awesome compilation! I LOVE Duolingo and Instagram. I’m currently trying to learn Portuguese on Duolingo and it’s going great so far. It’s definitely a great app and so fun to use! All of these apps sound great. I’m definitely going to have to check out Skyscanner! Thanks for sharing!
Much love always,
GABBY | http://www.gabbyabigaill.com
Lauren
Such a great list of apps. I have heard of a couple of these and of course I use Instagram. I can’t wait to go on holiday