Best Travel Apps

September 24, 2019

Get a little stressed when planning travel and then forget to let it all go once you are actually traveling? Download these apps and let them do the heavy lifting for you, but also, pack light.

During the planning period, save a few pennies by using Hopper to know when the cheapest airline fares are available to purchase. Hopper is exceptionally helpful if you are a plan ahead type, if not, just stick with the Tuesday at 3pm EDT rule. It may be a myth but I’ll take it, even if it’s just for the feeling that I outsmarted those pesky airlines yet again and snatched up the cheapest airfare.

To start, do not sleep on Google Trips. Yes it sounds generic but it will keep everything in one easy breezy spot for you. It gathers flights, hotel bookings, purchased adventures, dinners, etc to manage your unique itinerary. Book away, confirm via your gmail address, and you will never forget a sunset cruise or ropes course you booked 3 months prior!

Before arriving at any airport make sure you download Loungebuddy. No matter where you are Loungebuddy can save the day by providing you with deals on nearby lounges, where the free lounges are located, or cheap lounge day passes. We all need that wifi and those tiny sandwiches every now and then. We all know that any long layover or frustrating delay is instantly made better by a comfortable chair and a free glass of wine.

Any new city can feel a bit daunting even if it is not your first time there, but with Citymapper the stress is curbed. Citymapper will show you exactly how long it will take from point A to point B via public transportation, car, or otherwise and utilize the most efficient route. Don’t be afraid to walk out the door and explore on your own, Citymapper is there to show you exactly how to get through it, all of it!

Tired of keeping track of who owes who what? Chad bought these tickets but Dane bought dinner the last two nights, sure sure, whatever. Instead create a group for your trip in Splitwise and add shared expenses there whenever you like. Totals can be split by exact figures or by percentage, so don’t worry James, we know you didn’t have any drinks. Any currency can be used and then converted into your currency of choice at the end of the trip, which is when Splitwise will calculate who owes who what without anyone handing money over just to have it given back. Venmo will also ease the pain of finding ATMs. 

UnitsPlus all day long! Americans do this very weird thing where we are the only country not using the metric system, but this doesn’t have to trip you up when abroad. UnitsPlus is there in a pinch to convert literally anything - temperature (thanks for nothing Fahrenheit), currency (clutch), distances (oh hey kilometers), power (no more voltage issues), etc. It is the best back pocket resource!

Have wifi will travel, right? Have wifi, will WhatsApp as well! You do not need to use your data to message and chat with travel mates and new friends met along the way when using WhatsApp. Including end-to-end encryption WhatsApp is the only international messaging app you will ever need.

Use those extra few hours before your flight home well by opening Culture Trip and finding that one place only locals go to. Culture Trip curates by city and has the normal landmarks to check out as well as the not-so-normal. Their 24-hour and 3-day itineraries are also great for the over-achiever traveler in the group. There is never a dull moment when you only have 72 hours!

Google Translate, because…duh.

Always download your airline’s app if they have one. This way you can check in, stay up to date on any delays, changes, or grab the ever-elusive available upgrade. Last but not least, VSCO or Snapseed will help up your photo game because let’s be honest, you did a lot of it just for the ‘gram!

Enjoy the trip!

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