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Whether you are looking for that next spot to visit or just arrived at the destination of your choice, travel apps can improve the overall quality of your trip.
Apps provide the ultimate cheatsheet on everything you need to know about what’s popping wherever you are—or plan to go. Now, all apps aren’t coded equally. Choosing the right one is vital when it comes to deciding where to stay, what to eat or how to get there. Overwhelmed ? It’s cool, we’ve got you covered. We’re going to tell you what we like for planning a trip and getting around, finding local hotspots and balling on a budget.
Check out CASSIUS’ picks for top travel apps, and plan your next trip.
Getting There
1 Skyscanner
Skyscanner allows you to search millions of flights from over 1,200 airlines in seconds, giving you the best airfare on cheap destinations anywhere in the world. It also helps you chart the best days or months to fly and set up notifications for when the price of your dream trip changes.
2 SeatGuru
How many times have you booked a flight and chosen what you thought was the best seat on the plane, only to find out that the seat doesn’t recline, the leg room sucks or it’s a bit too close to the bathroom? SeatGuru provides you with seat maps and insights from over 45,000 flier reviews, so that you can always find the best seat before you fly.
3 LoungeBuddy
Gone are the days when comfy airline lounge access is reserved only for top tier loyalty members (though you should still log and load your miles)! LoungeBuddy monitors your airline status and credit card benefits to locate airport lounges you have access to all around the world. And if you happen not to have privileges at the current airport you are visiting, it allows you to purchase access using the app.
Staying There
1 Hotels.com
Nobody wants their vacation ruined by a crappy hotel with one surly maid and a molding breakfast buffet. With the Hotels.com app you can search thousands of hotels (filtered by your personal preferences), get exclusive last minute deals using the “Deals for Tonight” feature and even earn free nights on future stays with a rewards program.
2 Hostelworld
If staying in hostels are friendlier for your budget, then Hostelworld’s app is for you. Get everything you want. Search the app using preferences ranging from private rooms to communal spaces to fun events at over 33,000 hostels globally.
3 Dayuse
Picked up an extra-long layover with your flight deal? Dayuse allows you to book a room for a few hours— for up to 75 percent off regular nightly rates—at 3,000 hotels around the world. So now you can grab a quick shower, take a nap, or just relax and unwind without breaking the bank.
Organize it
1 Tripit
When it comes to trip planning, confirmations from all the moving parts can be hard to keep organized. That’s why Tripit helps you track your flights, hotels and plans all in one place. Automatically import confirmations and itineraries, track flight status, add loyalty rewards and passport info. You can even share your trip plans with friends and family.
2 Google Trips
Since Google pretty much rules your home life anyway, it only makes sense that it rules your travel life, too. Whether you are looking for things to do, places to eat, or even creating a flight itinerary, Google Trips can almost do it all. The app can even map out an itinerary for your trip with the wave of a “magic wand.”
Get Around Town
1 Lonely Planet
The digital version of the popular paperback, Lonely Planet gives guide access to over 100 cities in the U.S. and around the globe at your fingertips. You can even download information for viewing when you’re in “The Sunken Place”— somewhere without wifi.
2 Luxe City Guides
Luxe City Guides are for the bougie set who want butlers with their cultural immersion. It’s the go-to for highly curated, ultra-researched travel and lifestyle information covering everything from hotels and restaurants to spas, bars, boutique and bespoke shopping. The app’s offline feature will even pinpoint your location if you’re lost and direct you to the nearest guide recommended destination.
Make Friends
1 Google Translate
Traveling to another country where you don’t speak the language is awesome but it’s kind of hard to find out where the cool kids hang. With the Google Translate app all you have to do is type or speak what you want to say and the app automatically translates it into one of 103 languages (52 in offline mode). The app even translates text in images instantly by just pointing your camera (30 languages).
2 SoloTraveller
Globe hopping alone doesn’t mean you can’t make friends along the way. If you’re looking for a temporary turn up crew, someone to share a cab with or some locals to show you hidden gems in their city, SoloTraveller is a social network that can connect you with likeminded travelers.
Tracking Star
1 Been
As obnoxious as people can be about their travels, you would think there would be a ton of apps that help you stunt on others and show highlight reels of you doing it big. There aren’t many but…there is one popular app that showcases when you’ve been there and done that. The Been app allows you to keep track of countries and U.S. states that you’ve visited, and even includes more details to stoke the fire of jealously in your friends and followers.
