7 Travelling Apps to Make Your Next Journey The Happiest One Yet

Well, the summers are here, which probably means you are busy planning your next holiday adventure right now.

But, the internet and your old travel planner can only go so far to help you make sure you have taken every potential hurdle into account especially those that have a habit of jumping up at you, right when you least want them.

Even a glancing look at the Play or App store will reveal a flood of options that you can try.

But, then again, no one will like to be stuck with an app that fails to live up to its sales pitch when you’re in the middle of the Amazon trying to get an anaconda off your tail.

So, without any further ado, here are 7 Travelling Apps that are a safe, reliable bet to make your next travel adventure your best one yet!

Here WeGo: The Hybrid Map Powerhouse 

• Cost: Free
• Platform: Android, iOS, Windows
• Cool Feature: Works both online and offline seamlessly.

If you’re looking for a more powerful GPS app, consider Here WeGo.

Created by Nokia (who also supplies map data to Garmin), Here WeGo is arguably the best hybrid map application available.

Users can navigate without an internet connection in offline mode, and then switch to a much more detailed online map (which rivals Google Maps) when connected.

Even its offline maps are richer in information than those from OSM. For comparison, the downloadable map for India in Maps.me is around 300 MB, while Here WeGo’s is 1.5 GB, showing its depth.

This navigation app also supports voice guidance, public transport information, bike routes, real-time traffic status, and even subway and bus ticket prices.

Google Translate

• Cost: Free
• Platforms: Android, iOS
• Cool Feature: The closest thing to a Star Trek translator for free!

One of the biggest hurdles for travelers in distant lands is the inevitable language barrier. But don’t worry, Google has a solution for you!

While not always perfect, Google Translate can help you understand what’s being said and make yourself understood.

This language translation app offers services in 103 languages, with 38 of them translatable by simply pointing your phone’s camera at a street sign.

Another 59 languages can be downloaded to your phone for offline use, translated with a simple type in the search bar.

Pro tip: If you’re looking to learn new languages or travel frequently, consider adding Google Pixel Buds (which only work with Pixel phones) for real-time listening and translation, or the IIi, an offline translator specifically for travellers.

WiFi Map: Find Free Wi-Fi Everywhere

• Price: Free
• Platform: Android and iOS
• Cool Feature: Shows you all freely available Wi-Fi networks nearby.

Every traveler knows the dread of realizing they have no choice but to turn on their mobile data, incurring costly roaming charges. WiFi Map aims to make that a problem of the past.

This crowdsourced Wi-Fi finder app boasts an ever-growing database of over 100 million free Wi-Fi networks globally.

Simply download the app, and when you’re near a free network in its database, you’ll get an alert.

Since it’s crowdsourced, you can even add networks as you discover them, and save/share passwords and comments for particular networks.

While the basic version is free, there’s a paid version with an even larger library.

Packpoint

• Price: Free
• Platform: Android and iOS
• Cool Feature: Generates personalised packing lists instantly.

Packing for a trip often feels like a tedious chore we want to get over quickly. But it’s also one of the most important tasks! That’s where PackPoint comes in handy.

This packing list app simply asks for your destination, travel dates, length of stay, and what activities you plan to do. Then, it automatically creates a customised packing list for you. Pretty cool, right?

While the lists it generates might not be absolutely perfect (since it’s not you thinking), it provides an excellent starting point that you can easily tweak to fit your exact needs.

Tinder

• Price: Free
• Platform: Android and iOS
• Cool Feature: Helps you meet new people or simply pass the time swiping profiles.

Part of the charm of visiting new places is meeting the people who live there.

If you’re looking for an easy way to break the ice or just don’t want to approach strangers directly in a new city, Tinder can be your go-to social app for travelers.

Already incredibly popular, Tinder shows you a list of registered users in your immediate vicinity.

You can show interest by swiping right (or left if not interested) or by tapping icons. If they reciprocate, you can start messaging each other.

Tinder also offers a paid version, Tinder Gold, which includes features like rewinding your last swipe, unlimited right swipes, seeing who’s “liked” you, and controlling who sees your profile, among others.

Google Trips

• Price: Free
• Platform: Android and iOS
• Cool Feature: Automatically organizes all your travel information.

Chances are you’re already using some Google services, like Gmail. If so, you should definitely try their Google Trips app.

This travel planning app can automatically pull all your travel reservations (flights, hotels, car rentals) directly from your email and organize them into easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions.

Trips highlights the most interesting places to see in your immediate location, suggests how to get around, lists things to do, and recommends places to eat.

It integrates seamlessly with Google Maps to plan your routes.

Plus, it has an interesting “Day Plan” feature that selects several activities and gives you a set amount of time to complete them, adjusting the itinerary if you add or remove items.

Final Thoughts on Enhancing Your Travels

Many of the most daunting travel stories you read online could easily have been avoided with a little planning (though some, admittedly, couldn’t!).

These top travel apps can significantly help with many of the more challenging aspects of traveling, making your journeys smoother and more enjoyable.

That said, remember there’s still no substitute for good old common sense, especially when you’re in a new and unfamiliar place. Always exercise caution and prioritise safety!

If you know of any other essential travel apps that have made your trips better, feel free to share them below. We’d love to add them to our list!