Getting out of the house for an outing with friends comes with many many moments that are all carefully aligned with the use of many apps that help us plan for an eventful day. Starting with an idea and discussion using ‘WhatsApp’, scrolling through ‘Zomato’ for restaurants near me, travel planning through travel planning apps like ‘Google Maps’, booking your ride on ‘Uber’ and finally a camera app to remember all the moments.

Starting from the alarm app waking you up in the morning to apps that help you go through your day smoothly and safely, we can safely say that with the advent of technology, people demand advancement in every arena that can make their tasks easy and trouble-free, the world of mobile applications is making that very possible.

The travel industry has also completely transformed due to the Mobile application evolution and as a result, there is a bounty of ingenious travel apps designed to make your trips easy to plan, cheaper, well-informed, enjoyable and more memorable. With all the travel gear available that helps us make our trips lighter warmer or safer so are these travel planning apps. Short of literally packing your own bags, there is pretty much an app for everything else.

It’s 2018 when travel planning to Mars is in progress, and all we ever need is our smartphones and travel planning apps to trip across this planet. So without further ado!

50 Travel Planning Apps You Must Hear About

Let’s start with the basics: The Must-Haves

50

Uber

Uber is one of the largest cab services in the world with 75 million users in over 785 metropolitan areas across the globe, Uber mobile app lets you book your ride hassle-free and is one of the top-rated apps. However, this isn’t the only cab service app available. Some countries have their own cab services such as Ola in India and Grab in Malaysia and Indonesia.

49

Skyscanner

Skyscanner is a travel fare aggregator which is available in over 30 languages to plan and make your flight bookings. They have over 1200 travel partners with over 60 million users per month making this app for travel planning and booking basic airfare. They also have a lovely feature for spontaneous travel that lets you search ‘anywhere’ and then gives you a list of destinations to visit starting from the cheapest rates.

48

Booking.com

Booking.com lets you choose and book your hotels in several destinations around the globe with hotel reviews from people who have actually stayed there. Over 40 languages, offer 28,943,869 total reported listings and cover 141,118 destinations in 230 countries and territories worldwide. You get to choose your options as well – hotel, hostel, homestay, budget, luxury etc.

47

Google Maps

Who hasn’t used google maps? (except maybe for those who use Apple Maps for unfathomable reasons). With over 2 billion users worldwide it pretty much provides you with everything you’ll require to reach from point A to B including navigation, traffic updates, ETA and street view.

46

Airbnb

Want to feel at home everywhere you travel?? Airbnb is the app for you. This accommodation booking app helps connect you with people around the world who are ready to rent out their entire homes, a single room or just a couch in their homes whether it’s a short-term vacation or a month-long stay. Airbnb provides options all around the world. And did you know Airbnb also provides experiences? Check out these experiences by Airbnb that you can try in Paris.

45

Zomato

Zomato, a crowdsourced site/app for restaurants and is one of the most popular used apps when it comes to planning a meal. It lets people upload images and reviews about the restaurant that gives you a preview of the restaurant’s menu and ambience and plating styles. BTW it also delivers.

Now that we’ve covered the must-haves, here are a list of travel apps useful for your every moment of travel – starting with that ‘WhatsApp message’:

Travel Apps For the Dreaming Moments

44

Lonely Planet

One of the largest travel guidebook publishers in the world, Lonely planet produces a heap of content on destinations you can choose from around the world. These sets of travel books are aimed at backpackers and other low-cost travellers mainly with a ton of suggestions for travel planning across countries. Lonely Planet gives insights on what to see in new exotic locations with an amazing collection of gorgeous photos.

43

Spot

Discover your next destination with the help of SPOT which helps you view photographs of other visitors to exotic locations and lists out destinations with information. You can explore destinations around the world by using recommendations via the experiences of fellow travellers.

SPOT is available only on the Apple App Store, you can also use it via the website.

Travel Apps For The Planning Moments

When you need to figure out what to take, plan a detailed itinerary, check out city guides, create a packing list and all and everything that goes into planning for a trip, the following travel apps will be your perfect aide.

42

TripIt Travel Organizer

A complete itinerary planner that eliminates the hassles of paper itineraries, Trip It links to your personal mail account and picks up travel confirmations of flights, hotels, and restaurants and organizes it into an itinerary all in one app.

TripIt is available on Apple App Store and Google Play Store, you can also use it via the website.

41

Google Trips

Google without a doubt is the most trusted app for all smartphone users with its hand in maps, Gmail, calendar, and chrome, with the same its launch Google Trips. The app dives into your Gmail inbox and guesses where you’re going, how and when. With the help of google maps, it can also help focus on location-related information. Basically, if you are planning the details of your trip, this is your go-to app.

40

Hopper

When it comes to flight price updates, Hopper is the application for you. It gives you periodic updates about price increases and drops and also suggests the days it might likely rise in a manner of appreciable details.

Hopper is available on Apple App Store and Google Play Store, you can also use it via the website.

39

Trip Advisor

Trip Advisor has a huge community of active followers providing access to some rich information by travellers for travellers by uploading photos and providing reviews and ratings. This provides an honest glimpse of the hotels, restaurants, things to do and places to visit.

Trip Advisor is available on Apple App Store and Google Play Store, you can also use it via the website.

38

PlanChat

Solo tripping??? Get on PlanChat to connect with fellow travellers and construct itineraries. It’s an all-in-one app with restaurants, activities and sightseeing ideas, and you can also track your expenses and share pictures.

PlanChat is only available as an app on the Apple App Store.

37

Airmule

Wanna earn some extra cash? Sell that extra space in your luggage to someone who has a bit more to carry. Airmule also provides information about the package and its contents after verifying the cargo.

Airmule can be used via the website, at the moment, there isn’t an app version.

36

Packing Pro

Here’s a checklist app that categorizes everything you’ll need in your suitcase. Packing Pro collects information about the trip, such as duration, location, weather, activities etc. It gives you a detailed list of clothing, footwear and other items required for that trip including passport renewal and getting vaccines.

Packing Pro is only available as an app on the Apple App Store.

35

Trip Republic

Trip Republic gives you information regarding the different experiences available in your city of choice. It allows you to compare prices and book. The itinerary planner feature helps you keep organized and have a good time as well. It provides a good travel planning platform.

Trip Republic is only available as a website, an app version is not available as yet.

34

Travel Republic

Travel Republic, not to be confused with the above Trip Republic, helps you tailor your itinerary by helping you choose the best hotels, flights and other types of travel arrangements. They also provide recommendations on destinations, city getaways, family holidays etc.

Travel Republic is available on Apple App Store and Google Play Store, you can also use it via the website.

33

Travel Bank

Whether you are a business traveller or backpacker, we all know how difficult it is to keep track of bills and receipts while on a trip. The Travel Bank app and website help organize all your costs in one place. Work-related expense, mileage tracker, an estimate of the cost of the trip etc. You just take a snap of your bill and upload it, the rest is taken care of by Travel Bank.

Travel Bank is available on Apple App Store and Google Play Store, you can also use it via the website.

32

WorldPackers

Want to exchange your skills for free accommodation? Then WorldPackers is the place for you. It allows people to go on budget trips or backpacking trips by volunteering to work for the host or exchange skills such as helping them set up a website or teaching English. The options are endless. Search for a host who requires your skills and your accommodation is sorted.

WorldPackers is available on Apple App Store and Google Play Store, you can also use it via the website.

Travel Apps For The Booking Moments

Apart from websites like Skyscanner, booking.com, Airbnb and other options mentioned in the beginning, here is a list of other travel apps that you can use for various bookings. From flight bookings to hotel bookings and

31

Google Flights

With all the great travel search sites offering flight bookings, it’s never too late for a second opinion with Google. Google flights let you have a look at all the flights – one-way or multi-city flights – for a quick check on airfare and the best times to book.

30

Hotel Tonight

The perfect app if you are the kinda traveller who is all about the last minute, Hotel Tonight gives a platform for travellers the selling same-day hotel reservations to other travellers looking for discounts on their hotel stay. You can of course book in advance but why do if you’re getting amazing discounts now?

Hotel Tonight is available on Apple App Store and Google Play Store, you can also use it via the website.

29

Kayak

Kayak aims at being the world’s favourite Travel planning tool. It provides information about flights, hotels, rentals cars and holiday packages by browsing through thousands of other sites and providing a comparison between them.

Kayak is available on Apple App Store and Google Play Store, you can also use it via the website.

28

Roomer

If you’re planning a trip make sure to use Roomer to catch some insane discounts on Hotel Rooms that are cancelled by other travellers last minute. Roomer also provides a platform for vice-versa, if you have to cancel a pre-paid or non-refundable room at the last minute, then you can put it up on Roomer and get your money back.

Roomer is available on Apple App Store and Google Play Store, you can also use it via the website.

27

DayUse

With around 3000 hotels across the world, DayUse is for those extra-long layovers. With DayUse you can book a hotel room for just a few hours to take a shower or grab some shut-eye before your next flight or freshen up after a red-eye. It also has great discounts.

DayUse is available on Apple App Store and Google Play Store, you can also use it via the website.

26

Couchsurfing

Couchsurfing is the ultimate accommodation option for the budget traveller or backpacker. Couchsurfing supports the ‘meet and stay with locals’ theme where individuals can put up a room, a shared bed or even a couch or spare mattress on the floor for wandering travellers. While Airbnb also allows you to meet locals and have your hosts play your local guide, with Couchsurfing the payment isn’t always monetary. Both hosts and travellers get to rate their experiences with each other.

Couchsurfing is available on Apple App Store and Google Play Store, you can also use it via the website.

25

AirHelp

AirHelp is here to help you get that reimbursement for that cancelled or delayed or overbooked flights. Helping disrupted travellers worldwide AirHelp takes a small cut of 25 percent.

AirHelp is available on Apple App Store and Google Play Store, you can also use it via the website.

24

Hotels.com

It’s your all-in-one app that helps you not just book hotel rooms but book your Uber ride or your table on delivery.com, open table or Groupon. Hotels.com allows you to order food, book activities, make reservations etc, thanks to its concierge services with a variety of partner companies.

Hotels.com is available on Apple App Store and Google Play Store, you can also use it via the website.

Travel Apps For The Experiencing Moments

There are things you can do that make your travel experience a whole lot better, such as reserve a table at a good restaurant, find unknown trails for a hike or convert currency on the go so you know exactly how much you’re spending. Here are some travel apps to enhance your travel experiences.

23

NORTH FACE’s Trailheads

This location-based app lets you scroll down your options for hiking and biking trails around your location. It lists out all the outdoor activities, helps you track your speed, distance, and route and calculates elevation. North Face’s Trailhead also helps you locate the nearest North Face store.

North Face’s Trailhead is only available on Apple App Stores at the moment.

22

AllTrails

AllTrails allows you to explore the great outdoors by providing you access to 50,000+ trail maps around the world. You can use the trails to walk, run, bike, hike, trek and more. The GPS option allows you to follow the trail without getting lost. You can also save your favourite trails, track your record, share pictures etc.

AllTrails is available on Apple App Store and Google Play Store, you can also use it via the website.

21

Gaia

Gaia is another popular app for trails. It allows you to get access to trails for hiking, hunting, off-roading etc. You can record your trips, sync your data across devices, share pictures and reports and more.

Gaia is available on Apple App Store and Google Play Store, you can also use it via the website.

20

Open Table

Open table is an International restaurant app that helps locate restaurants and make instant reservations and view reviews too.

Open Table is available on Apple App Store, Google Play Store, Windows Phone App, and Windows 8 App and you can also use it via the website.

19

Flio

Flio is your layover buddy. This travel app provides a traveller with all the required information about airports and services offered, wi-fi networks available, transit options and also suggestions on where to catch a bite.

Flio is available on Apple App Store and Google Play Store, you can also use it via the website.

18

GasBuddy

As the name suggests, Gas Buddy makes it easier to locate the nearest gas stations in a new location and provides information on the price based on your location.

GasBuddy is available on Apple App Store and Google Play Store, you can also use it via the website.

17

RoadTrippers

Road Trippers will draw out your travel map and shares an interesting list of offbeat attractions, campsites, restaurants, museums and more. All you have to do is fill in your destination details and dates of travel and road trippers will map out the rest of the journey for you.

Roadtrippers is available on Apple App Store and Google Play Store, you can also use it via the website.

16

Rideways

By entering your trip details and the type of transportation you’ll require to get to your destination, Rideways provides you with options of booking reliable cab rides, trains, buses and even airport rides. This travel app is all an one transportation solution in a new city.

Rideways is only available as an app on the Apple App Store, you can also use it via the website.

15

XE Currency

XE Currency is a robust currency converter app. It is constantly updated on the exchange rates for every currency and even metals, you can use this app to access the information even offline with just a click to save.

XE Currency is available on Apple App Store and Google Play Store, you can also use it via the website.

14

Nord VPN

VPN or Virtual Private Network helps you access sites like Facebook and Google if certain countries you’re travelling to have blocked the same, you can even catch your favourite shows from back home. Nord VPN also protects your privacy when you connect to public or hotel Wi-Fi on your travels.

Nord VPN is available on Apple App Store and Google Play Store, you can also use it via the website.

13

Memrise

From China’s ethnic group to the mysterious Coptic in ancient Egypt, this app will help you learn about various cultures and languages around the world. The lessons are vast and fun to engage in. A unique way to gain knowledge of the cultures of your destination.

Memrise is available on Apple App Store and Google Play Store, you can also use it via the website.

12

Waze

This is your daily dose of traffic and road conditions updates in your specific locations, this app is not only just the google maps bit but also informs you about police traps and potholes. It is very popular among taxi drivers but yeah, of course, an equally useful travel app for travellers in new cities. Waze is a complete community-driven app. A fun app to help you navigate.

Waze is available on Apple App Store and Google Play Store, you can also use it via the website.

11

Sit or Squat

When you’re on the go but you’ve got to go, Sit or Squat lists out your nearest public restrooms. With over 100000 public restrooms along with ratings from fellow humans on the list, this app is here to relieve you.

Sit or Squat is available on Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

10

Circa

East or West, Circa is your travel app for time tracking. Travelling through multiple time zones and keeping track of time while being sleep-deprived can be quite a hassle. Circa is a simple time tracker and lets you check the time in your current location as well as back home or to the location you’re heading to.

Circa is only available on Apple App Store.

9

Citymapper

Travelling through cities got a whole lot easier with this Google Play awards-nominated travel app. City mapper is the ultimate transit app, this app allows you to check nearby departures, and find the fastest route be it bus, subway, train or ferry or even bike and car share. It is a simple-to-use app.

Citymapper is available on Apple App Store and Google Play Store, you can also visit the website.

For The Picture Perfect Moments

When you travel you have to take pictures. Whether it is to showcase them on social media or to just capture the moment so you can reminisce later, almost everyone loves taking photos. The following apps help you enhance your photographic travel moments.

8

Photosynth

Whether at  Machu Pichu or in the Alps, Photosynth lets you make the best of your camera by putting together your photos for that beautiful panoramic picture. You can even share your 360-degree view with your friends.

Photosynth is only available on Apple App Store.

7

Postagram

Wanna do a little bit of old-school travelling? Use this travel app to send a postcard to your loved ones. Postagrams can print your photo for 99 cents and by just providing the mailing address, Postagram also helps send your travel photos via mail.

Postagram is available on Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

6

Photo Pills

Photo pills is an all-in-one app packed with photography tools to help you capture those picture-perfect moments. From time lapses to exposure settings, you pretty much just need your smartphone to catch those colours of that sunset.

Photo pills are available on Apple App Store and Google Play Store, you can also use them via the website.

5

SnapSeed

Snapseed now owned by Google is the perfect photo editing app. From textures to lighting effects, glamour glow filters and even a wide range of frames to fit your travel clicks. This is one of the most user-friendly travel apps for photography.

Snapseed is available on Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

4

SquareDroid

Finding trouble cropping that perfect click to fit in your Instagram profile? No worries Squaredroid is here to help you crop those pictures fitting into a square for easy upload to Instagram and sharing on various other platforms.

SquareDroid is only available on Google PlayStore. iOS users can use Square Sized which is only available on the Apple App Store.

Travel Apps for Safe Travel

Travelling comes with its own risks. Sometimes we are in a place where we don’t know anybody. There are chances you’ll get lost or stranded. You might end you being alone in a relatively sketchy area. While such occurrences might be rare, it never hurts to be prepared. So you can ensure your safety with some of the travel apps below.

3

TravelSmart

The travel smart app is loaded with a lot of helpful features for anyone who is on the go. It can provide access to all your insurance policy information anytime, anywhere for easy reference. It also holds a list of emergency numbers in other countries and can contain a medication dictionary with international translations. So happy and safe travels all.

TravelSmart is available on Apple App Store and Google Play Store, you can also use it via the website.

2

Geosure

To be on the safer side, this location-sensitive app provides information about the environmental, health or political risks in your location letting you know the safety of the place to be travelling to beforehand. Since Geosure is crowdsourced, it also lets you know of thefts and assaults in the area making it one of the most reliable travel apps.

Geosure is available on Apple App Store and Google Play Store, you can also use it via the website.

1

My Panda

This safety travel app provides you with quick information about the level of security in the area and the nearest police stations with an option to call local authorities with a touch of a button. Keep an app like MyPanda handy for those just-in-case situations.

MyPanda is only available on the Apple App Store.

These are some of the best travel apps to make your whole journey smoother. We’ll keep updating this space if we find more such interesting apps you can use. Stay tuned.

The wonder of travel is in the sights and sounds of a new place, but if a tool could smooth your path and free up your senses then the world can be your oyster.