6 Essential Travel Apps You Must Download For Your Next Vacation
It’s high time you scratch that travel itch and take off to your next holiday destination. You’ve worked hard for it, and now it’s time to round up a few friends and make that trip you’ve been dreaming about into reality. Or, you could always play the intrepid traveler and fly solo.
Either way, planning is an essential part of a holiday regardless of whether you’re crossing oceans or embarking on a local road trip.
Fortunately for us modern travelers, there’s an app we can download for every aspect of our trip. From soaking in the local culture to the nitty-gritty hassle of budgeting, here are 6 essential travel apps you must download for your next vacation.
Social Travel Apps
1. Airbnb
Many of us use Airbnb to source and book homestays to our desired destinations. We encourage you to go one further and explore the Experiences tab too.
Airbnb Experience is the way to go if you want to soak in the heart and soul of a place. It will introduce you to local tours led by locals themselves who know the place inside out. If you’re travelling to a place you’ve never been before, then this is one of the best ways to learn about its cultural touchstones.
In Malaysia itself, we have many Experiences such as Batik drawing workshops and walking food tours. Aside from that, you’ll also find hiking tours to hilltops and waterfalls.
Download Airbnb on: Android, iOS
2. Meetup
Meetup is another app which you can use to explore your holiday destination. It works similar to Airbnb Experience where you’ll have options to join interesting activities in your vicinity.
You will get more variety of activities in Meetup, though it might not be as cultural as Airbnb. This is because Meetup leans more towards a social platform app rather than a social travel app. As such, you’ll find activities such as exercise boot camps, support groups, and speed dating events, all alongside the usual hiking and cultural tours.
You’ll also come across a few webinars and seminars. Not the usual travel itinerary, but who are we to judge?
Download Meetup on: Android, iOS
Expense Tracking Apps
3. Currency Converter Plus
If you’re flying overseas, then you’ll need to catch the best time to exchange your money. There are a variety of currency conversion apps for you to choose from, but we recommend Currency Converter Plus. This app is simple and easy enough to navigate even for inexperienced overseas travelers.
You can select a list of currencies to track daily and receive up-to-date exchange rates. On the free version, you’ll have access to rate graphs for the last 3 months. The PRO version will give you extended history charts and an unlimited number of currencies to track.
Download Currency Converter Plus on: Android, iOS
4. Tricount
One of the most painstaking task when traveling with friends is keeping tabs on group expenses. Breaking down who owes money to whom is a whole task in itself, and in extreme situations can cause a strain on the friendship.
We recommend just avoiding the drama altogether with the help of Tricount.
Tricount is a great app for managing expenses on a group trip. Simply create a Trip on the app, and invite your friends via a link. From there, just key in your group expenses (eg. who paid for accommodation, who paid for petrol) and let the app do the calculations for you.
At the end of your trip, you’ll have a full summary detailing the balance everyone needs to pay accordingly. It’s easy, but most importantly, drama-free.
Download Tricount on: Android, iOS
Planning and Navigation Apps
5. Wanderlog
Spontaneity can be exciting, but itineraries provides structure and maximizes your holiday. Travelers who prefer to plan thoroughly beforehand will be thrilled with Wanderlog.
Wanderlog is an itinerary tracker to make sure your holiday goes smoothly. It’s as simple as keying in your desired locations and setting a time frame. Ideally, you’d already have done your research on the places you’d want to go. If not, you can always rely on what the app itself recommends. Wanderlog links travel guides from other apps such as TripAdvisor and Lonely Planet so you know you’re getting the best recommendations based on genuine reviews.
You can also add your friends to the Trip Plan to keep everyone in the loop.
Download Wanderlog on: Android, iOS
6. Google Maps and Waze
Navigation tools are essential when you’re in an unfamiliar place. Google Maps and Waze are the two most reliable navigation apps with global coverage, so it goes without saying you need to have them around.
We highly suggest downloading the offline map of your destination on Google Maps before embarking. This will allow you to navigate the area even without an internet connection. See how to download offline maps on Google here.
Plus, it’s always good to know if you are going in the right direction when you are hitchhiking or taking an e-hailing service.
Here’s a bonus tip. Many countries nowadays will have at least one e-hailing service as a way of transportation. It is always good to find out what e-hailing service is most popular in the area so you can familiarize yourself to the app. For example, most European countries will have Uber, where else Grab is more popular in Asia. Countries like Indonesia and Thailand on the other hand have motorbike taxi service like Gojek for swift transporting.
Download Google Maps on: Android, iOS
Download Waze on: Android, iOS
Live life to the fullest!
Off to chase that ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ life? Then make sure to download these travel apps to make your holiday a whole lot easier and enjoyable! We hope this article will provide you with some convenience on your journey and that you return with many happy memories.
Happy globe-trotting and road-tripping!
Remember to take lots of pictures for the memories! Not confident with your camera skills? Here are a few tips and tricks to take the best smartphone photos!
