16 Incredibly Useful Apps You Need While Travelling

There's more to life than Apple Maps.

1. TripIt

TripIt

TripIt syncs all the flight/hotel/transport booking information from your email into one master itinerary list, so all your plans are in one, easy-to-access place. It's also available offline for when you're in remote, no-Wi-Fi places.

2. WhatsApp

WhatsApp

Whether you prefer Viber, WhatsApp, or just Messenger, an internet-based messaging app is essential while travelling. If you need to keep in contact with people, but don't want to buy a SIM, you can use these apps to send messages, photos, and make voice calls.

3. Rome2Rio

Rome2Rio

Rome2Rio

Rome2Rio is essentially a trip planner, which will tell you how to get from point A to point B, anywhere in the world. It searches planes, trains, buses, ferries, and driving options to give you the shortest trip, and the cheapest trip. There's also a web version here.

4. Foodspotting

itunes.apple.com

itunes.apple.com

While apps like Yelp and UrbanSpoon can find highly-rated restaurants near you, this app lets you search by dish. If you've got a big craving for spaghetti bolognese, but have no idea where to find it, this app will let you know. It's based on user submissions, so you'll obviously get better results in big cities than random towns in the middle of nowhere.

5. Maps.me

maps.me

It's just like the Google Maps we all know and love, but you can access them offline. Just download the city, town, or country that you need, and you'll be able to see them in full resolution, without an internet connection. And while it sounds like it'll take up a lot of memory on your phone, a whole country is only around 100MB.

6. Duolingo

itunes.apple.com

This is more of an app you'd use in the lead-up to your trip. You can use it to either learn a basic level of a new language, or you can use it to brush up on your almost-forgotten high school French skills.

7. Google Translate

itunes.apple.com

itunes.apple.com

You can translate words in Google, just by typing "what is dog in spanish" into the search bar. The mobile app is even better though, with 52 languages available offline. You can also use your camera to take photos of text that you need translated.

8. Inquire

itunes.apple.com

While this isn't exactly a travel necessity, Inquire is great if you want to know a bit more about the areas you're visiting. The app will link you to a bunch of Wikipedia pages, based on wherever you are in the world. They can be anything from local landmarks, tourist attractions, historical information, or random facts. It will also curate trending topics so you can read up on what's happening in the area.

9. Rail Planner Eurail

itunes.apple.com

If you're planning a trip around Europe, you need this app. It'll give you timetables for every train line across the continent, and information on how to get from one city to another.

10. Here WeGo

itunes.apple.com

itunes.apple.com

Here WeGo is perfect when you're visiting a big city. It'll help you navigate your way around without getting lost, with options for walking, driving, train, bus, and bike. You can download certain maps to use offline.

11. Hopper

itunes.apple.com

itunes.apple.com

Tell the app where you want to fly to, and you'll be given tips on the best time to buy for a cheap ticket. It'll also alert you to deals and what times of the year is best to fly for cheaper. You can book tickets straight from the app, though a few users have commented that you can often find cheaper flights on SkyScanner. Just use Hopper for the inside intel on when to book.

12. Toilocator

Toilocator

You know that feeling when you're in a foreign country, you're busting for the toilet, but there's not a Starbucks in sight? Well, this app will help you locate the nearest public toilet. That's it. Easy.

XE Currency

itunes.apple.com

This app will give you up-to-date exchange rates for literally every currency in the world. You can store the latest rates when you have Wi-Fi and then use it offline while you're on the go.

13. AroundMe

itunes.apple.com

Whether you need an ATM, a petrol station, a cinema, or a taxi rank, this app will help you find one close by. You need internet to use it, so it'd be perfect in a big city with Wi-Fi hotspots.

14. Skiplagged

itunes.apple.com

This simple app basically just rounds up cheap last-minute flight and hotel deals, for whichever destination you choose. There's also a desktop version if that's more your thing.

15. Hostelworld

itunes.apple.com

itunes.apple.com

This is a great app if you're planning to stay in hostels. It'll give you a run-down of all the hostels in a certain city, listing their amenities and room types. The best part is the user reviews, so you can make sure you're not going to be staying in a bedbug's haven with dirty toilets.