The Best Apps for Travel That I Use While Abroad

AirBnB Home Page – Save $25 off your first booking by clicking the image.

I would like to imagine a time where traveler didn’t have smartphones, constantly having themselves connected to Instagram, Twitter, or for searching where to go in a new city. However, always being connected isn’t a bad thing. I’ll outline what apps I personally use and think are the best apps for travel.

• Airbnb’s App -AirBnB proved especially useful for me in Trieste, Italy when I landed at 9:00 pm without having any sort of accommodation. I really appreciate AirBnB because if you stay in a private room in your host’s house, you’ll learn much more about the culture than you could ever learn in a hostel or hotel. By using this referral link, you’ll get $25 off your first booking.
• Uber and Lyft – These are a must have before you travel anywhere. Using Uber or Lyft overseas might be the best bet to not getting scammed by a cab driver. Use the promo code – sawvv – for Lyft to get up to $30 off your first ride. Use the promo code – CORY305476 – to get a free ride up to $20.
• HotelTonight – Use referral code – CTRIMM – to get $25 off your first booking.
• Hostelworld and/or HostelRocket – Another couple of accommodation booking applications that I make sure I have properly set up before leaving on a trip. This allows me to make a last minute booking if need be or plan ahead if I don’t have my computer nearby. I’m impartial for both apps since they naturally include reviews, photos, and a map capability.
• Google Maps – I love having Google Maps. Being able to save city maps to my device to look at without wifi or data is one of the best features. For most of the cities I’ve been to in Europe, Google has had public transit directions.
• Waze – If you find yourself having to drive while overseas or on a road-trip in the USA, Waze is an amazing app that has definitely saved me from a few speeding tickets. Waze relies on other users to report accidents, traffic, and most importantly police.
• FourSquare – This app is fantastic for trying to find new places to go and creating lists of what all you want to do while in a different city. Coupling their web application with their phone app, it makes navigating and finding activities to do a breeze.
• Trip Advisor – Trip Advisor is fantastic for getting reviews from other travelers on tours, various sites, and more. If I am booking a tour, I won’t book it until I vet it fully on Trip Advisor.
• Skyscanner – Skyscanner’s website is great and their app mimics their website. Being able to have the flexibility to say Manilla to Anywhere in the next week makes it a powerful tool to get away from whatever city you are in.
• On The Fly – Matrix Mobile App – Just incase I need super powerful flight search capabilities in my pocket, I have On The Fly downloaded.
• Postagram –  Ever have a difficult time trying to send a postcard from around the world back to loved ones? Look no further, because Postagram is here to fix that issue. Simply download the app (I think your first postcard is free), select your photo, write your message, and send. The recipient will get the postcard within a week or so after you send it.
• Loungebuddy – Useful for finding airport lounges if you have a long layover and want to grab a quick shower. This app will tell you what lounges you have access to if you have Elite Status on any airline, as well as show you photos, reviews, and opening hours.
• TripIt Basic or Pro – Automatically be notified if your trip itinerary changes. This app will be able to tell you what gate your connection flight is at before you even get taxi’d to the jetbridge.
• Spotify – Having the capability to save music for offline access is awesome for traveling, especially if you’re traveling alone.
• Instagram – Pretty self-explanatory. A fantastic photo sharing app that connects with Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, etc to build an online following.
• Skype or Google Hangouts – Both of these apps allow you to video chat with friends and family back home. I’ve never had any problems with these apps, even when in countries with terribly slow internet.
• Word Lens – No network connection needed in order for this amazing app to work. Basically, this app turns the foreign language in front of you into your native tongue. I’ve only used it a few times, but it is a powerful app.
• WhatsApp Messenger – Recently acquired by Facebook and previously my messaging app of choice prior to getting T-Mobile, WhatsApp allows you to text other members over Wifi connection. Therefor, making your roaming/texting charges while abroad null.

This is in no way a comprehensive list of the best apps for travel, so, if you have another one, please leave it in a comment below and I’ll update this list.