Best Travel Apps To Download

With so many different applications out there, it can be hard to know which ones are really useful and which ones you can do without.
Aside from your social media accounts and your camera, here are my top 10:

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1. Maps.me

Availability: Android, iOS, BlackBerry
Cost: free

Pros:

• great for rural regions
• best for walking, hiking and biking

Cons:

• can be sometimes difficult to find places in the city
• a bit tricky to use while driving a car

Google Maps is certainly useful and great, but if you travel off the beaten track like I do, Maps.me will be your best choice.
You can download the map of the country as well as a specific area, and once you’ve done that, you don’t need to be online.
I’ve used it everywhere (except South Korea: Naver Map is the best) without any problem and it was a lifesaver when I was in the countryside.
When I was in Nong Khiaw in Laos, it was the only map that showed me a path for a hike.

2. Skyscanner

Availability: Android, iOS
Cost: free

Pros:

• you can also compare hotel prices and rent cars

Cons:

• the Web version is still better with more options available

Looking for your next flight but on a budget? Skyscanner helps you compare flights and find the right one for you.
And if you’re not sure where to go, you can choose the option “explore everywhere”. It will give you the estimated lowest prices from your country of departure.

3. Booking

Availability: Android, iOS
Cost: free

Pros:

• you can save and share properties
• easy to use and navigate
• you can usually change your dates of your booking without fee
• membership bonuses

Cons:

• search doesn’t save your preferences
• not always easy to reach the customer service

Finding an accommodation may prove to be frustrating or time consuming, but Booking makes it easier.
Plenty of choices, filters and reviews will help everyone to secure the right deal.
Free cancellation is also available at some properties, which is a nice advantage if you need to cancel your trip because of an unexpected event.
They even have a membership program called Genius with different levels that will help you get discounts, room upgrades, free breakfast….

4. Xe Currency Converter

Availability: Android, iOS
Cost: free

Pros:

• live updates
• usable offline

Cons:

• Widget issues

This application is very practical, especially if you intend to travel all over the world. I get confused when I travel to 3 or 4 different countries, each with a different currency.
Xe helps me convert money on the spot and makes shopping easier.
And if you don’t have data or Wi-Fi, the app works offline too!

5. Google Translate

Availability: Android, iOS
Cost: free

Pros:

• 133 languages
• can use offline (59 languages)

Cons:

• apart from the Western language, the translation in other languages is sometimes far from accurate

This one is a must-have. From restaurant menus to understanding the locals, it was a lifesaver on my trip to Taiwan. Without the app, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t have been able to try out some food or simply eat anything other than fast food.
In some countries, English isn’t spoken at all, or only in the big cities, so having this kind of application can really help you make yourself understood.

6. Zomato

Availability: Android
Cost: free

Pros:

• delivery option
• coupons

Cons:

• more expensive to order online
• some countries are not available

Easy to use, worldwide and with the possibility to order in, Zomato is one of the best applications when it comes to food.
You can browse according to your favorite cuisine and even directly book a table.

7. WikiCamps

Availability: Android, iOS
Cost: AUD$7.99, otherwise free in other countries

Pros:

• trip planner
• works offline

Cons:

• only available in Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada and UK

A lot of filters are available so it can be a bit confusing at first. But once you deactivate them or learn to use the application at its best, you’ll see that you can’t live without it.
Reviews and photos are a big plus too to help you choose. Of course, remember that it’s a camping application so don’t expect a 5-star camping spot.

8. Wise

Availability: Android, iOS
Cost: free

Pros:

• reliable
• 50 currencies
• best exchange rate

Cons:

• customer service

Banks will sometimes charge you a huge fee when you want to transfer money abroad. With Wise, you will get your transfer of money at a “real” exchange rate (using the true mid-market rate).
It’s fast, convenient and totally secure.

9. Grab

Availability: Android, iOS
Cost: free

Pros:

• don’t have to rely on the taxi meter
• cheaper
• different payment methods available
• reliable
• you can order food as well

Cons:

• can take time to get a car in some places
• ordering food can be tricky

Grab is for me the indispensable application to have in Southeast Asia. Cheaper than a taxi, more secure and reliable, it’s my go-to app.
You can even choose the type of vehicle, the prices are set and I feel like the drivers are not here to scam me.
All in all, it makes the ride more enjoyable.

10. Google Photos

Availability: Android, iOS
Cost: 15GB free

Pros:

• automatically sync and backup on multiple devices
• you can share photos

Cons:

• 15GB or you can pay for more
• not a lot of options for editing

A space where you can save your memories is probably one of the most important applications to have when you think about it.
Google Photos backups everything quickly and easily on the cloud. No need for a bulky hard drive with this application!

While I love getting lost and finding gems by chance, the applications I have help me save money and time while traveling safely.
Thanks to them, planning is easy and I can focus on enjoying my trip.

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