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Smartphones have utterly transformed the way we do vacations. Going abroad (or to the beach) used to be a kind of private pilgrimage where you had to have your wits about you. Parents would pack tatty road atlases into the back of the car, knowing that, at some point, they’d need them.
But today, thanks to apps, it’s both simpler and more connected. In this post, we run through some of the travel apps you should absolutely download right now. Check them out below:
Google Flights
For years, flight app developers tried to create apps that included all the information people traveling by plane needed. But it was only when Google muscled into the game that the real value of such a service became apparent.
Google Flights is a great tool if you’re the sort of person who likes to travel on a whim. It shows you where flights are departing and landing, how much they cost, and whether there are any stop-offs along the way. And the best bit? It’s totally free.
Lonely Planet
Lonely Planet is one of the world’s leading travel magazines, providing an astounding quantity of information on destinations across the planet. The company knows, however, that tourists have a problem – they don’t always know how to use their time when they’re abroad.
Lonely Planet provides detailed guides for around 219 major cities around the world. Each guide contains information on where to eat, what to see, where to shop, and where to play. It’s pretty comprehensive and comes with a handy map so you can check your progress.
The great thing about the app is that it helps you avoid getting sidetracked. The app directs you to sites that other users enjoy, thereby protecting you from disappointing experiences.
ProCamera
Among iPhone camera apps, ProCamera has to be one of the best. It provides additional functionality above and beyond Apple’s standard camera app and allows you to treat your phone a bit more like a DSLR.
For instance, you get the ability to stabilize images, choose file formats, and adjust the focus, even if you don’t have an optical lens. You can also geotag your pictures quickly within the app, instead of having to do it manually afterward.
Rome2Rio
Rome2Rio is a clever little app for people who love to travel cheaply. The way it works is incredibly simple. You just type in your current destination and where you’d like to go. Then the app spits back the cost and time it’ll take for you to complete the journey.
So, for instance, let’s say that you want to go from Addis Ababa to Timbuktu. The app collects information on bus times, ferries, flights, and taxis to tell you how much it’ll set you back, and how long it’ll take. You’ll then get a list of options, plus estimated costs. You can then select the options and book your route.
Airbnb
It would be difficult to talk about travel apps without mentioning the ubiquitous Airbnb. This clever little tool allows you to book accommodation anywhere and everywhere, all over the world. And it brings the cost of travel down considerably. In some locations, you pay less than $20 per night, which is quite remarkable.
Airbnb also has a feature called “experiences” which allows companies to advertise activities, such as lamb petting or paintballing via the app. So if you’re ever bored on vacation and need some entertainment, just fire up the app, book, and then show up.
Pruvo
If you’re sick and tired of paying more than other people for hotel stays, then Pruvo might interest you. This clever little app allows you to rebook hotels later for a lower price.
Hotels regularly drop their prices after you make a reservation. So Pruvo automatically tracks these price drops and then alerts you if the cost goes down. All you need to do is cancel and then rebook.
Citymapper
Citymapper is a public transport app that shows you how to get from A to B in a variety of major cities around the world by bus, train, and tram. The app also integrates with the company’s own services, allowing you to book bus-like taxis in various US cities.
Google Translate
Lastly, where would any of us be without Google Translate – one of the most incredible apps on the market right now. The app connects to Google servers which use deep learning to translate meaning between languages precisely. So you can ask basic things like “where can I find a restaurant?” in any language you like. And you’ll get a true-to-life output.
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