November 18th, 2021 | Updated on September 25th, 2023
While going on a trip is definitely fun, the same cannot be said when planning it. Not everyone enjoys organizing an outing, like having to look up online boat rentals, seeing how it can often be time-consuming and stressful. This is where smart travel planning applications come in handy.
Mobile apps are becoming more popular than travel websites these days, thanks to the convenience they offer. After all, apps are generally easier to navigate and provide a more personalized user experience. Plus, they are designed with features that can make different aspects of planning simpler.
Hence, if you want to save time, money, and effort when arranging a trip, it’s best to arm yourself with top travel apps!
With that, we have put together a list of the best travel apps you can use to plan your next adventure. From mapping your itinerary to booking accommodations, these mobile apps can simplify a variety of tasks.
1. Pack Point
Unpacking a suitcase only to realize that you forgot to bring something is quite a bummer. Pack Point can prevent inconvenient situations like this by helping you create a detailed, personalized packing list.
It uses a special weather integration feature to suggest items based on the weather in your destination. This intelligent app can also advise you on what to pack depending on the length of your trip and the activities you intend to do.
2. Trip It
If building itineraries is not your cup of tea, TripIt will be your new best friend. This app provides an overview of all your trips so you can track them regardless of how many you’ve got planned.
Additionally, TripIt can organize travel information in a matter of seconds. All you have to do is forward the booking confirmation emails to TripIt, and it will handle the rest.
You will receive a master itinerary from the app, and you can immediately add plans to your calendar or share them with whomever you wish.
3. Wander Safe Beacon
Wander Safe is an app that helps you cautiously navigate the environment of the place you’re visiting.
This personal safety concierge delivers pertinent advice and warns you if you enter a potentially dangerous area using interactive and versatile location-based maps.
Wander Safe allows you to discover new neighborhoods, cities, and countries without compromising your safety.
It also shows you where there have been incident reports and suggestions from verified local users. Moreover, in case of an emergency, you can quickly track, alert, and call your loved ones through the app. They will be informed via SMS and given a detailed map with your exact current location.
4. AirHelp – Flight Tracker & Delay Compensation
Delays, cancellations, and overbookings are common occurrences that cause a lot of trouble and incur additional expenses. In fact, any disrupted flight you’ve had in the last three years could have cost you hundreds of dollars.
AirHelp can help you gain compensation for flight delays. They follow up on your claim with the airline to ensure that you get your money back with no fuss.
Since 2013, AirHelp has assisted over two million travelers in getting refunds from airlines. They can win cases on behalf of airline passengers and help them get the money they are entitled to by leveraging cutting-edge technology, real-time flight data, and unrivaled industry knowledge.
5. Hotel Tonight
Hotel Tonight enables tourists to book hotel accommodation at the last minute, providing the best prices on all types of hotels. They’ve got you covered with incredible offers from thousands of top hotels in cities and countries all over the world.
You can save money on unoccupied hotel rooms when you make bookings via Hotel Tonight. Also, you can get great rates and deals, whether you book at the last moment or ahead of time.
You no longer have to scour the web for bargains because Hotel Tonight can find them for you almost instantly.
6. Kayak
KAYAK is an all-around travel app that focuses on finding cheap flights, hotels, and auto rentals through private offers and mobile-only pricing. Price estimates reflect trends from the previous 90 days to help you get better booking selections.
The app can also help make your airport trip as smooth as possible by providing live gate updates and step-by-step guides to shops, lounges, bathrooms, and restaurants. These updates even include detailed photos of the actual locations.
7. City Mapper
Navigating a new city can be difficult and intimidating if you are unfamiliar with the local transit networks. With City mapper, you can explore and appreciate your new surroundings like a local in no time.
All you need to do is choose your city, then your preferred location or mode of transportation. City mapper provides detailed instructions on how to get to your destination, whether you’re walking, taking an Uber, boarding the train, or using other modes of transportation.
8. XE Converter
When traveling abroad, it is vital to know the currency values of the country and to have a reliable currency converter in your hands. This currency converter and money transfer tool allows you to determine exchange rates quickly and conveniently.
Enter a value in one currency and see the results in as many different denominations as you desire. Tap the editing symbol and look for the currency that corresponds to the location you’ll be going to.
The app even has a chart feature that you can use to observe how the exchange rates between currencies change during the day. Moreover, you can send and receive money all over the globe with the app’s worldwide transfer feature.
9. Babbel
Traveling will be more meaningful if you immerse yourself in the local culture. One way to do this is to learn its native language so you can communicate better.
Babbel is an online language learning app that can help you get familiarized with a new language before or during your travels. Through the app, you can access and stream language classes. They also offer web-based courses if you prefer them.
Their classes are incredibly practical and immersive, with less emphasis on grammar or other aspects that normally bore students when learning a language. If you want to learn a foreign language for your next vacation, this is an excellent option.
Traveling Smartly
Today, not only are means of traveling more efficient; there’s also a wide range of tech-forward tools that can be used to plan trips. This being said, the mobile apps discussed above can help you make the most of your excursions.
Apart from planning apps, it’s also important to take your transportation into account. Look up available transportation modes such as car rentals online before your trip. Working out an arrangement can help you avoid running into hiccups and enjoy a smoother travel experience.
