The most effective journey apps of 2023 that will help you journey higher

A woman travels in Europe with a smartphone
Last updated: 05/22/23 | May 22, 2023

These days, everyone travels with a smartphone. In addition to the ability to take endless selfies and stay in touch with family back home, they give us an endless array of tools and apps to help us plan our trips and deal with any obstacles we encounter on the road.

Unfortunately, while there is no shortage of travel apps, most of them are terrible.

To help you avoid downloading (and possibly paying for) apps that aren’t worth your time, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite travel apps. These apps will save you time and money and help you make the most of your travels. They are the apps that I think every traveler should have on their phone before leaving home.

1. Get your guide

Screenshot of the Get Your Guide home page
Get your guide It is an online marketplace for all types of tours and excursions. From whale watching and food tours to hiking trips and vineyard visits, they have a great variety of activities in destinations all over the world. You can compare prices, read reviews, and learn about each activity before booking using their app (or website).

Whether you’re in the planning stages and looking for things to fill your upcoming itinerary or you’re already in a new country and want something to do later that day, GetYourGuide can help. I’ve used it a lot and always have a great time!

2. Buddy Lounge

Loungebuddy logo for travel app
I’ve flown on hundreds of budget flights with long layovers and poor connections, so dirty seats, overpriced Wi-Fi, and bad food are a regular part of my life. The only places that offer any comfort are the lounges – but travelers usually need to have status or pay for admission to enjoy them.

LoungeBuddy It takes the pain out of the process. After entering your credit card, airline status, and lounge membership, the app tells you which lounges you can access at any given airport. It makes for the longest layover possible so you can relax and enjoy your travels. If you do not have a case, you can book lounge access directly through the app. It’s easy to use and can be downloaded for free.

3. Hostel World

Screenshot of the home page of the travel website Hostelworld
If you’re traveling on a budget, you’ll likely be staying in a hostel during your trip. the Hostelworld app It is the biggest and best place to find hostels around the world. You can look at photos, read reviews, and compare amenities and facilities so you know exactly what to book. There is also a map so you can see the locations of the lodges in relation to each other as well as the main attractions of the destination.

You can also use the app to see other people staying at the hostel. You can join a hostel group chat and connect with travelers to make plans before you arrive. In short, it’s a must-download app for backpackers and solo travelers. The application is free to download.

4. Sky Scanner

Screenshot of Skyscanner home page
Sky Scanner It’s my favorite website for finding cheap flights (they also offer hotels and car rentals, too). Their mobile app It searches millions of flights from thousands of sources and then gives you the best options available. There are also plenty of filters you can use to sort by price, duration, number of stops, airline and more, ensuring you find the best flight to suit your needs.

However, the best feature of the app is the ability to search for flights to it Everywhere. Simply enter your departure airport and the dates you want to travel, and it will show you all the potential options — from cheapest to most expensive — so you can browse ideas without having to manually check each option.

If you want to save money on flights, this app is a must-have. The app is also free.

5. Trip It

TripIt screenshot of the site's home page
Trip it Helps organize your travel itineraries. All you have to do is send your hotel, restaurant, flight and car rental confirmation emails to Plan@tripit.com, and it will automatically transfer all the information to your main itinerary so you can easily view all your upcoming plans. If you upgrade to the Pro version, the company will find alternative routes for you when your flights are cancelled, as well as send you automatic notifications from airlines about flight delays, cancellations, and more.

The basic version is free while the pro version is $49 per year.

6. XE currency converter

Home page of the XE coin application
This application A must for every traveler. You can save and organize multiple currencies to make checking rates simple and fast. It works offline too, so even if you don’t have data or Wi-Fi, you can still get a rough price estimate while you shop and explore.

If you have to stick to a budget (and don’t want to get ripped off), download this app. It’s free.

7. Google Translate

Home page of Google Translate, a popular travel app
Another no-frills app google translator It allows you to easily enter text in your native language and then convert it to your destination language (or vice versa). You can also download languages ​​offline, giving you access without data or Wi-Fi.

The app can also read your text so you can hear how to pronounce it correctly, and you can also use your camera to take photos of text which it can translate as well (which is useful if you need to read ingredients while shopping, for example). The application is free.

8. The happy cow

Home of the GasBuddy travel app
Although traveling on a budget is an amazing and liberating experience, a lack of funds often means backpackers don’t maintain the best diet. From fast food to lackluster breakfasts at the hostel to overeating at happy hour, eating healthy on the road can be difficult. Fortunately, there’s a free app that can help you find places to eat with healthy food options. HappyCow It is designed to highlight vegan and vegetarian foods around the world. Since vegetarian restaurants are usually (but not always) healthier, this is an easy way to learn about healthy food options as you explore them. You can read reviews, see menus, and compare prices to find restaurants within your budget.

9. Gasbody

Home of the GasBuddy travel app
If you’re going on a road trip around the USA or Canada, this app can save you a lot of money. GasBuddy It shows you where the cheapest gas is near your location, so you’ll never pay more than you have to. The app also has a trip calculator so you can estimate the cost of your road trip. There’s also a gas price map so you can see prices, area by area.

The app is free but for $9.99 per month, you can upgrade to the premium version, which saves you 20 cents per gallon (up to 50 gallons) and provides 24/7 roadside assistance.

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Although it’s important not to spend your entire trip on your phone or social media, sometimes using your smartphone can easily improve the quality of your trip, keep you safe, and save you money. By downloading the apps above, you’ll be able to have a smoother trip, giving you more time, energy and money to invest in your next adventure.

Book your flight: logistical tips and tricks

Book your flight
Find a cheap flight using Sky Scanner. It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the world so you always know no stone has been left unturned.

Book your stay
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com Because it constantly displays the cheapest prices for guest houses and hotels.

Don’t forget travel insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft and cancellation. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it because I’ve had to use it several times in the past. Our favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

Do you want to travel for free?
Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodations – all without any additional spending. paying off My guide to choosing the right card and your current favourite To get started and see the latest best offers.

Are you ready to book your flight?
Check my Resources page For the best companies you can use when traveling. I list everything I use when I travel. They are the best in their class and you can’t go wrong with them on your trip.

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