Essential Travel Apps for 2024

This article will help those who are just starting to travel, while also reminding experienced tourists of all the functions and advantages of familiar services.

1. Booking.com

This service helps you find and book accommodations anywhere in the world, including hostels, hotels, apartments (houses and flats available for rent).

A screenshot of Booking.com

You enter your search parameters: destination, dates, number of people, preferences regarding the area, amenities, price range, and so on.

Each accommodation has a rating based on the experiences of previous visitors and reviews. After your trip, you can also leave your own review.

Payment may be required immediately, partially (10-30% upfront, the rest on check-in), or in full upon check-in (for hotels).

If you book accommodation for the price of X a month before your trip and see that the price has increased a week later, don’t worry: the price you booked will be secured for you.

You receive confirmation via e-mail.

Tips:

  • If your budget allows, choose options with a rating of 8+ or higher (on a 10-point scale).
  • Carefully check photos and read reviews.
  • Also explore options on the second service on the list, Airbnb.com: there are often more offers and better prices for apartments and houses there.

2. Airbnb.com

This service connects landlords with renters. It is similar to booking.com but specifically for apartments, houses, and has its own set of features.

Also offers convenient filters for selecting accommodations, a rating system, and reviews.

A screenshot of Airbnb.com

Feature: You won’t see the exact address of the accommodation until you book it, just the location on the map (but that’s usually sufficient).

Airbnb charges a 10% commission. In any case, the options are competitively priced, even after this fee, but if you cancel your booking, the commission is non-refundable.

Additional features: Airbnb has recently added an events calendar and local offers. After booking accommodation, you’ll be offered interesting events, excursions, photo sessions, workshops, and other entertainment at your destination.

Tip:

  • Do not book accommodation immediately. Browse the site, look at options, save them. It’s quite likely that the next day they will offer you to return and complete your booking with a 15% discount.
  • Carefully check what is included in the accommodation by default (hairdryer, iron, crib, etc.). You can easily contact the host and clarify the availability of specific items.

3. Foursquare

The app has already experienced a boom when all users simply checked in at every place visited in pursuit of points.

However, when you arrive in an unfamiliar city, it is the best guide to restaurants, cafes, and attractions. No matter where you find yourself, check the app and you’ll find the best establishments, entertainment, and museums near you.

For each location, you’ll find user ratings, photos, operating hours, pricing policies, reviews, and tips.

A screenshot of Foursquare

It’s convenient to search, for example, for cafes open in the morning, which restaurant is best for a delicious and affordable lunch, which bar to visit in the evening, etc.

You can search ready-made lists compiled by users for cities: best attractions and so on.

4. Google Travel

This service combines all your tickets and bookings from your calendar (provided that you use a Google account and Google Calendar), creating a travel plan without the need to search for anything: everything is in one place.

You can find here ready-made daily itineraries, recommendations on where to go (by categories and interests).

The app collects a ton of coupons, discounts, offers for purchasing passes, tickets to museums, and excursions. It shows how to get there, transportation options, travel times, and costs.

A screenshot of Google Travel

You will also find life hacks, ratings of places, and reviews from travelers.

Conveniently, it has OFFLINE access (download and use without the internet).

Tip: If you don’t plan to use Google Travel, at least download the city/area map you plan to visit from Google Maps. Even if there’s no internet, you won’t get lost.

5. TripAdvisor

This is similar to Foursquare but is more suitable for preliminary preparation.

Here you can create a plan for visiting attractions and events, select the best restaurants and cafes, and again, familiarize yourself with reviews from other travelers for each place.

A screenshot of TripAdvisor

Other Useful Apps

Travel Money

A convenient app for tracking expenses, especially if you are traveling in a group.

Cons: it does not track cash expenses, you need to enter them manually.

Pros: it calculates everything for you. You mark who paid, who to split it with throughout the trip. In the end, you get a balance showing who owes how much to whom.

Flight Booking Services

For example, skyscanner.com, tickets.ua, and similar sites.

Tip: use services to get an estimate of your budget and the average cost of offers. Then go to the specific airlines’ websites and check there: you will often find better deals.

A screenshot showing flight deals

Often, such aggregators do not show offers from low-cost carriers, so research them separately.

Low-Cost Carriers: for Russia—on sites like loukosterov.ru and flightsearchdirect.com; for Ukraine—Wizzair, Ryanair.

Endomondo

You turn on tracking and at the end of the day, you receive a nice image with your route, mileage, and other data.

Cons: you need mobile internet, and it drains your phone’s battery quickly.

A screenshot of Endomondo

Google Translate or another translator

Make sure to download the language of the country you are going to. It will come in handy at least in cafes and restaurants for ordering food (not everywhere will there be menus in English, and even less so in Russian). Also, in complicated situations, the app will help you ask locals for assistance.

Duolingo

An excellent free app that will help you quickly learn basic phrases in any language or brush up on your knowledge before traveling if you’re already somewhat familiar with the language.

It alternates simple exercises and questions, providing knowledge in blocks by topic.

A screenshot of Duolingo

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About Blogger Man 96 Articles
Nomadic Notepad : Nomadic Notepad is a passionate traveler and storyteller who finds joy in exploring the world’s hidden treasures and sharing them with fellow wanderlust enthusiasts. From uncovering the best-kept local secrets to reviewing futuristic accommodations, their blog offers a unique blend of travel guides, culinary adventures, and cultural insights. As a tech-savvy creator, Nomadic Notepad also dives into innovative travel trends, ensuring readers stay ahead of the curve while planning their next adventure. Every post is a window into a new journey, inspiring others to discover the extraordinary in the ordinary.Whether it’s strolling through animal-themed streets in Helsinki or unraveling the mysteries of Balinese traditions, Nomadic Notepad combines personal experiences with practical advice to craft immersive narratives. Join them to embrace a world of wanderlust, and let every story spark your own path to adventure!

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