Travel apps can be tremendously valuable when planning your vacations! They can aid in finding deals on places to stay, and navigation while in a new place. There are many travel apps out there to help you on your journey. I’m here to share the ones that I currently use most often. They are all free to download and use!
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Airbnb is a great website for finding affordable places to stay during your travels. The Airbnb app is free and compatible with Apple and Android phones. Whether you’re staying alone or with the whole family – you can find something to accommodate the size of your party. I use this app often when booking stays overseas and across the United States. There are some beautiful and unique places to stay, offering an array of prices. You can use airbnb.com without the app. I like to have the app on my phone so that I can easily save places that I’m interested in staying. Use the app to book your stays and keep in touch with the Host of your stay for any questions or concerns. I have used Airbnb to book a $49/night stay in a lovely apartment with heated floors outside of Paris, a $65/night Italian themed apartment in Cleveland, OH, and a $48/night stay in a cottage-like apartment in Inverness, Scotland. Make sure that you read the listing completely to be positive on what they offer and what they do not offer before you buy. And, when vacationing internationally, make sure that you have a Universal Travel Adaptor.
Hostels are a perfectly affordable way to experience a different country like a local! On the Hostelworld website or app, you can find and compare different stays. If you’re nervous about the social experience of staying in a hostel, or believe it to be reserved only for young and hungry college backpackers; you are mistaken. It is my personal understanding that hostels are great for everyone! My husband and I have stayed in some wonderful hostels for cheap. You can choose from a shared dorm-like room, or a private room. Most hostels do have a shared living space, kitchen, and bathroom. You can easily find private rooms that have their own bathroom. I have stayed in hostels with private bathrooms and showers, multiple times. These rooms are normally quite small, and if you’re planning on spending all day out and exploring a new place, you may feel that you only need enough space to sleep, and to keep your things! The app is free and available on Apple and Android devices. The Hostelworld App allows you to book stays, get discounts on stays, free cancellations, and the opportunity to connect with people staying in the same place. When staying in hostels, I always pack a Micro Fiber Towel because you never know if towels will be provided. Micro fiber towels take some getting used to because of their texture, but they dry super quickly and are especially lightweight and thin for packing!
Some of the most practical apps that I use are free airline apps. They are all compatible with Apple and Android devices. Getting some Airpods is a great addition to your travel essentials when flying so that you can enjoy the free in-flight entertainment offered by many of the following apps.
Fly Delta
With the Fly Delta app from Delta Air Lines you can find your flight and check-in from your phone. You can save your boarding pass to your apple wallet, or view your boarding pass from the app whenever you need it. You will be able to get notifications on any delays or changes to your gate. You can also check on your flight status, track bags, view airport maps, learn about your aircraft, get on the in-flight Wi-Fi, and much more! This app is always free and I use it every time I fly with Delta.
Alaska
I use this app when flying Alaska airlines to check-in to my flights, view my boarding pass (or save it to my apple wallet), get updates on my flight status, and more. You can also book a trip, look at flight schedules, check out the free in-flight entertainment, and get information on car rentals and hotels.
American, Southwest, United, and other airlines, have similar apps that are beneficial for the same accommodations while flying with them. Book flights, check-in, change or cancel flights, check your flight status and boarding position, gate information, mobile boarding pass, find your luggage, and travel alerts.
This app is specifically for viewing bus routes in Edinburgh, Scotland and for purchasing tickets. If you’re visiting Edinburgh; this app is a lifesaver! You will undoubtedly be utilizing Edinburgh’s 24-hour Public Transportation System to get around. It is cheap, and paying ahead with the app will make your explorations throughout the city a breeze! Edinburgh is an exceptionally walkable city, but if you wish to get from one end to the other quickly, or if you don’t want to walk 5-20minutes; the bus is perfect! You can buy tickets in person once you get on the bus if you wish, with no problem. This app will make it quicker for you to board by purchasing tickets ahead of time and scanning it when you board. Most of the buses are double decker; offering a memorable tour of the city. There are most often seats available, but make sure to be courteous to elderly or handicapped peoples, and give up your seat if necessary!
This is the app for navigating through Paris, France! When visiting this bustling city, you will most likely get around using the metro system. There are ticket boxes in the metro station to purchase a one-time ride, day pass, or rechargeable “Navigo Pass”. Using the app can help you purchase digital tickets in advance, so that you’re ready to board as soon as you get there. Add tickets onto a physical Navigo Travel Card or validate tickets directly to your phone. You can purchase tickets with your phone and avoid queues quickly and easily amidst the rush of Parisians and tourists! Use the app to find the best train, metro, tram, bus, and car routes. You can also view real-time traffic information, check departure times, and find nearby bus stops, train stations, and metro stations.
Have fun utilizing these useful apps! They have been invaluable to me in my travels, and I wish you safe, fun, and hassle-free adventuring!
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