There are many apps available at the Android and Apple stores. In this article I share the best travel apps I use often. I use them to be social, meet new people while travelling, book accomodation, check the real-time exchange rate, learn some basic words and phrases of the local language and for entertainment.

Follow the links in the text to visit the websites and click on the pictures for the link to the Google Play Store. Feel free to share your best travel apps in the comments below.

Internations

Internations is a huge international community. People joining Internations are mainly expats working and living abroad. But in the end everyone is welcome to join their events. It’s a great way to meet people when you settle down in a city or just visiting.

Each international and sizable city has an Internations community offering local events, networking opportunities, language tables, expat information events, monthly official events and much more. There is a paid subscription but you can also use the app without. Smaller local events are free to join. At the official Internations events you have to pay an entrance fee.

Couchsurfing

Couchsurfing also offers events to meet people at global cities around the world. Meet-ups via Couchsurfing are more low key compared to the Internations events. The events are free to join and popular with budget travellers and backpackers. I have stayed at a few couchsurfing places in Malaysia. I have had wonderful experiences and it’s a great way to meet new people.

Booking.com

In the past I used several apps to make bookings at hostels, guest houses and hotels. Using different booking platforms was confusing at some point and I forgot which platform I made a booking. These days I use one app, booking.com. Booking accomodation has never been this easy. They offer all kinds of accommodation; hostels, guesthouses, homestays, hotels, luxury resorts and at many locations around the world.

Hostelworld

Are you a budget travellers/ backpacker? If yes, I can recommend using the app Hostelworld. Some people still have this image of hostels as being unsafe and unhygienic. I can tell from personal experience it’s definitely not true. For most hostels anyway…! Staying in a hostel is a great way to meet fellow travellers. I find it easier to meet new people when I stay in a hostel compared to a hotel.

Many hostels have private rooms now so you don’t have to stay in a dorm room. To find a hostel meeting your requirements check the location, read the reviews and try to look past the photoshoped pictures. Use the filter to set your requirements. Don’t forget to check if the hostel has a 24-hour reception especially when you arrive in the middle of the night. In the global cities this is usually not a problem  but it doesn’t hurt to check.

Google Translate

Use Google Translate to learn local words and short sentences. It’s a free app and you are able to translate words and phrases. The phrases are not always translated correctly. Nevertheless, the app can be helpful when you are asking for help and the person doesn’t speak English.

Duolingo

When you prefer to learn phrases, grammar, how to write and speak, Duolingo is a good start to practice. Also a free app and you start with learning words and easy phrases. The more you practice the more levels you unlock. And the more difficult the phrases and grammar. It is a fun way to learn. I have practiced Hindi and Latin with Duolingo. My knowledge of Latin is definitely improving. Learning Modern Hindi is more difficult because it’s written in a Devanagari alphabet. They say practice is key to success.

Exchange rate

You know that feeling when you are an ATM in a foreign country and you realize you don’t know the exchange rate? Happened to me a few times know. There are many currency conversion apps available. I use a Dutch app for several years now; Desp Dev Exchange Rate (left green image below). A popular international app is XE Currency Coverter (right image below). So don’t forget to check the exchange rates before you go.

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Maps.me

Maps.me is the best travel app when it comes to using offline maps. After downloading the maps you can access them when you are OFFLINE. The three things you need to do is download the app maps.me, turn on your GPS and download the map of the city or region you are going to visit. Downloading this map is very easy. Once you open the app you the see a huge part of the world. Start zooming-in to your preferred location until the download pop-up shows up. After the download you can access the map offline.

Most countries have multiple maps. If you plan to travel around it’s best to see how many maps you need to download. Or download the maps along the way. To see how many maps there are for one country, go to the bottom-right icon and click Downloaded Maps. It’s a list of the maps you have downloaded, the size (MB) and how many maps are available. For example; India has 34 maps and Belgium 10 maps.

The most convenient data via maps.me are the walking trails and routes. It’s more precise compared to Google Maps. Often Google Maps does not show walking trails or they are not accurate. Maps.me is doing a much better job with this. This is one of the reasons why I use this app so much when I go for a walk. Another benefit is the offline and easy use of the maps. And like Google Maps, you can pin or save restaurants, shops, hotels and popular attractions. A lot of accommodations are linked to booking.com.

Get a ride

When I travel in India I always use the Ola cabs. It’s a save and easy way to go around, even for women travelling alone. In India the distances are huge, traffic is just terrible and the roads are horrible. By booking an Ola taxi you are certain they drop you off at the right place. The fee is a set price and most drivers speak English. And if not, the driver just has to follow their GPS. Using Ola in the Indian cities is the most convenient option.

Uber is also available in India. In other Asian countries like Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand they use Grab taxi. In some countries they also have share riding apps for scooters, like in Bali. Ask around which one the locals use. They are often most reliable.

Netflix

Do I need to say more about Netflix? When travelling by bus or train you can watch a movie or bing watch a new series. Don’t forget to download the movies or episodes on your phone before you leave.

Shazam

You like a song on the radio and you have know idea who’s playing? Try Shazam. I don’t use Shazam every week but it’s been helpful finding new songs I liked. And if Shazam doesn’t recognise it, you have to find out the old fashioned way: ask someone else around you…

Spotify

I use Spotify every day. When I am travelling but also when I am at home. I have a few favourite playlists but sometimes I am in the mood to try other genres, playlists or listen to the Spotify suggestions. Listening to music can help you relax at any given time.

Sudoku.com

Maybe not the best travel app because there are of course many nicer games available. But I have a Sudoku app to keep me distracted when I am waiting for a train, flight or bus. This game can be used offline. And when I am done staring a screen I read a book.

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