Travel has transformed over the last decade thanks to the constant advancement of technology. Nowadays there seems to be an app for almost everything and it sure does make travelling a lot easier.
If you’re looking to have the right travel apps downloaded on your phone regardless of where you’re going, how long you’re going for and whom you’re going with, you’ve come to the right place.
There is such a thing as too many apps, which is why we’ve narrowed it down to seven of the best travel apps you’ll need in 2023.
Google Maps
Google Maps has undoubtedly become one of the most used apps for travellers. It’s estimated that over 70% of map users rely heavily on Google Maps, and for good reason! It’s updated regularly, you can download an offline version of an area, you can get traffic updates and so much more. But I think the best part has to be when you’re looking to get from one place to another. Not only will it show you how to drive from A to B, but it will also tell you how to move around using public transport including things like the name of a bus/train company, how much it costs and how much a taxi would cost instead! With all this information in one app, it’s no wonder why it’s so heavily relied upon by millions of travellers around the world. With information about businesses, reviews of thousands of restaurants, and a search function that is super smooth and fast, Google Maps is a must-have app when travelling.
XE Currency Converter
Instead of relying on hearsay about a country’s exchange rate, explore the XE Currency Converter app instead. With reliable exchange rates, charts and live rates for every world currency (including BITCOIN!), you can use the XE app to find out the latest exchange rate well before you touch down at your destination! You can also add up to 10 currencies at a time (more on the Pro version) which will allow you to keep track of several currencies at one time. Dealing with currency exchange can be a difficult one, especially if you’re travelling to countries that give you so much for your pound. With the XE app, you can avoid getting ripped off with poor exchange rates simply by checking your app before exchanging money.
Google Translate
You can try all you want to explain something using broken English or through hand gestures, yet sometimes all you need to do is use a translator. Language can be one of the biggest barriers to a successful and meaningful conversation, which is why Google Translate is here to help. Pop in the language to translate to and voila! Type in what you want to say and it translates it for you. It can even read out loud what has been translated which can then be listened to by the person you’re speaking to. You can also scan menus, price lists and so much more when out and about and the picture will be translated for you within seconds. Point your camera at something that needs translating and the app translates it into 38 different languages. It’s as easy as that!
Booking.com
According to the latest review of accommodation booking sites, booking.com ranked second place, just after Airbnb. With a customer score of 74%, customers particularly loved the site thanks to its friendly interface, flexible cancellation policies and comprehensiveness. Regardless of where you want to go in the world, booking.com will have a property listed in that destination. The prices are very transparent and clear and there are no hidden fees when looking to book with them. What’s more, with a very generous loyalty reward scheme, it’s easy to build up travel credit and other discounts. The customer service is also great, so when you find yourself in a sticky situation, you won’t find yourself waiting for hours at the other end of the phone. With genuine reviews, a clear layout, flexible cancellation policies and transparent prices, booking.com is the way to go when booking accommodation.
Flightradar 24
Keep a track of your flight the right way with the Flightradar 24 app. Instead of trying to find information about your flight online – which can or can not be reliable, the Flightradar app simply asks for your flight number after which it will show you exactly where your plane is. Whether your flights have been delayed, or cancelled, a gate change has been announced or there has been some sort of diversion, the Flightradar 24 app will keep you notified about all of this. The interface is pretty cool as you look over the map of the world which shows thousands of flights going in multiple directions every minute. Whilst many of us rely on our airlines for information about our flights, Flightradar 24 is a proactive and awesome solution for those looking to be more informed about their flight.
Airbnb
Whilst most people look on booking.com for hotels, many of us also resort to Airbnb for private rooms, apartments, lodges, huts, villas and everything in between. Airbnb can be a great option for those looking for something more cosy, intimate and personal. In a recent report exploring the best and worst accommodation sites, nearly 90% of users Airbnb users said they didn’t encounter any issues with their booking, which is reassuring. With a wide range of choices when it comes to holiday rentals anywhere in the world, it’s no wonder why many are now leaving hotels for apartments, private villas and lodges. What’s more, in many destinations, hotels are non-existent or very expensive, which is when Airbnb comes into use. Take for example Barbados. Hotels range between £200-£300 a night, yet users will find private villas for only £100 a night!
TripAdvisor
Whilst TripAdvisor is great for looking at reviews for restaurants, landmarks and more, it also has a super useful forum feature. If you have any questions before or throughout your trip, simply find the right country forum and send off a question to millions of like-minded travellers. Within hours (sometimes minutes), you’ll receive answers from people from around the world. What’s great about this is that you get to ask people who have experienced what you’re experiencing and the information that you’ll receive will be from real-life people who are there to help (as opposed to bots!). Remember that TripAdvisor forums were created to exchange advice and not to advertise anything, which is great as you know that the advice you receive will be just that and nothing more.
Juber Ahmed is our Digital Editor and travel enthusiast with a keen interest in Islamic history and heritage. He travels with his wife to various places around the world and writes about his experiences.
Juber's favourite Quote...
"The World Is a Book and Those Who Do Not Travel Read Only One Page" [Saint Augustine]
