The Ultimate Guide to Essential Apps for Trip Planning and Travel

I have been traveling for over 30 years and, just like most aspects of our lives, the internet has really changed things. The internet, wifi, and smartphones have definitely changed trip planning for the better.

Travel Before the Internet

Before we had access to reviews and all this information, I booked a day trip from Malaga, Spain to Tangiers, Morocco. How can you resist the opportunity to get a glimpse at Morocco when you’re on a trip to Spain! While it was still an experience, it is one of those things you laugh about for years because the tour was being taken from store to store, to sit there for a presentation and then they try to sell you everything from cream to carpets. At lunch someone asked what meat was on the skewers and the response was, “It’s meat. Just eat it.” We still have no idea what we ate but the mint tea was delicious. Today, I’m able to research activities and tours to avoid these tourist traps. On a trip to Siem Reap, Cambodia, thanks to the people who take the time to write reviews, I avoided a tour to a floating city where they scam tourists by charging an exorbitant rate to donate a bag of rice which they sell over and over.

While planning an upcoming trip, I opened my app travel folder on my phone. I thought it would be interesting to take a screen shot and ask people on Threads what apps they use which lead to a good conversation and inspired this post. In our increasingly digital world, numerous apps promise to ease the burden of travel planning, but which ones truly deliver? In this post, we’ll explore the best travel apps that can help you from the ideation phase of your trip all the way to your journey back home.

Overview

TL/DR: These are the apps covered in this post.

Flight Booking Made Easy:

• Google Flights: My go-to for initiating the search for affordable flights, offering a broad view of options without the need for a dedicated app.
• Skyscanner: Renowned for its exhaustive flight comparisons and flexible search options, Skyscanner acts as your digital travel agent, finding you the best deals from your desired airport.
• Expedia: A comprehensive app that combines flights, accommodations, and car rentals for an all-in-one booking experience.

Accommodation Options at Your Fingertips:

• Booking.com and Hotels.com: Preferred for their vast selection, user reviews, rewards programs, and user-friendly interface, these apps simplify finding your next stay.
• Airbnb and VRBO: Revolutionizing accommodation choices, Airbnb offers unique stays and local experiences, while VRBO specializes in private, full-house rentals for those seeking space and privacy.

Immersive Activities and Excursions:

• Get Your Guide: This app is my personal favorite for discovering and booking unique experiences and tours, ensuring memorable travel moments.

Travel Utilities for a Smooth Journey:

• Airalo Esim: An economical solution to avoid hefty roaming fees, providing reliable internet access for navigation and communication across the globe.
• Google Maps: An indispensable tool for navigation, offering detailed directions and the discovery of local gems, including restaurants and hidden sites.
• XE Currency: A real-time currency converter that demystifies foreign transactions, making it easier to manage your travel budget.
• Google Translate: The ultimate communication assistant when traveling. You can use the camera to translate signs, documents and menus, and typing or voice to communicate with people.

Trip Planning Apps

Trip planning usually starts with flights. In this post about finding cheap flights, my starting place is Google Flights. I don’t use an app for that but here are app options:

Skyscanner – The Flight Finder

Skyscanner is a comprehensive tool that compares prices across millions of flights and over a thousand airlines. What sets it apart is its flexible search options. Not sure where you want to go? Skyscanner can inspire you with options for the cheapest flights from your chosen airport during your selected dates. It’s like having a personal travel agent in your pocket, constantly on the lookout for the best deals.

Expedia Can Do it All

Expedia is one of my favourite apps because it has everything and you can get a good deal by combining services like flights, accommodation and car rental. This is an excellent overall trip planning and booking app.

Airline Apps

Most airlines have their own app. When possible I will book directly with the airline on their app but even if you book with a third party, you will need the airline app to check-in for your flight and for entertainment while on-board if there are no seatback screens. Downloading an app on free wifi can be slow, so I advise getting the airline app from home once you know who you’re flying with.

Hotel and Apartment Accommodations

Finding a hotel or a homestay is similar to finding flights. I outlined my process here. My favourite apps are Booking.com and Hotels.com because of the selection, reviews, incentive programs, and ease of use. If I want a larger accommodation, like an apartment, I use Booking, which offers more of these options alongside hotels.

VRBO and Airbnb – More Than Just Accommodation

Airbnb has revolutionized where we stay during our travels. Beyond offering unique accommodations that can often provide more value than traditional hotels, Airbnb experiences offer a way to explore local culture through activities hosted by locals. From cooking classes to guided tours, it’s a great way to dive deep into the local scene.

I also like to use VRBO because it is limited to full house rentals. If you’re travelling solo, a room may be a good economical option. I prefer space and privacy and with VRBO you don’t have to filter out shared accommodation.

Activities and Excursions

Experiences are my favourite part of travelling. I enjoy food but I am definitely not a foodie. I am all about the experiences! The app I use most often for researching and booking activities is Get Your Guide.

We like to explore and do a lot of things on our own when we travel, but there are times when a tour is the way to go. While planning a visit to Scotland, I really wanted to ride the Jacobite Steam Train which is featured in the Harry Potter films as the way to get to Hogwarts. The starting location of Fort William is a few hour drive from where we were staying in Edinburgh. It would have been possible but a very long day of driving so I decided to book this tour which included stops to see some Highland Coos, the highlands, the train, and we rode the bus back to the Glenfinnan viaduct to get pictures of the train going over on the return journey. I loved watching the train go back over. We would not have been able to do if we had done the trip ourselves because we would have taken the train both directions to get back to the car.

Apps While Travelling

Airalo Esim

Roaming fees add up really fast, especially if you’re Canadian where the cell service providers have increased the charges by over double in the last few years. I tried a couple of different esims when travelling and really liked Airalo. It costs a fraction of the roaming fees. We used it for google maps navigation when driving and walking all over Ireland and the UK, and in Fiji where we didn’t have free wifi from the hotel. You have to make sure your phone is compatible for an esim and be aware that you cannot use your phone or text messaging with an esim. I use WhatsApp to communicate with people. I had good experience when I needed help from customer service but a friend did not have a good experience so the level of service varies.

Google Maps – The Essential Navigator

Perhaps the most essential app for any traveler is Google Maps. Whether you’re navigating the narrow alleys of Venice or searching for a hidden beach in Bali, Google Maps offers detailed directions for walking, public transportation, and driving. I also use it to search restaurants and sites near me. In London I was using google maps to navigate a walk to Paddington Station when I saw we were near a Banksy graffiti installation, so we veered off to see it along the way. Its offline maps feature is invaluable for those moments when you’re without internet but still need to find your way.

XE Currency – The Money Converter

Dealing with foreign currencies can be confusing, but XE Currency makes it easy to keep track of exchange rates. It’s updated in real time, so you always know exactly how much you’re spending. I use this app all the time.

Google Translate

Language barriers are one of the challenges of international travel. Google Translate is a lifesaver. I have used the camera to translate menus at a few restaurants in Ukraine and signs in Japan. The type or voice translation is helpful for communicating with people. I still recommend learning some basic phrases to be able to say hello and thank you in the local language but Google Translate is one of the apps that has made travelling much less stressful than it used to be.

Conclusion

These apps are your digital companions, designed to make your travel planning as enjoyable as the journey itself. By leveraging these tools, you can focus more on the experiences ahead and less on the stresses of planning. So pack your digital toolbox with these apps, and embark on your next adventure with confidence.