This blog post was updated on July 16, 2024.
In an age when even the less tech-savvy generations have smart phones, getting the right app when you travel has become a crucial before-you-depart decision. When making your way abroad, make sure you have all the apps that you’ll need on the road.
This is especially true if you like to travel alone. Solo travelers not only do they have to go through the sometimes frustrating process of trip planning and execution, but they have to do it…well, alone. To lessen the stress of the process, we’ve picked out some of the best apps that every solo traveler should have in their back pocket.
Planning Your Getaway
Whether you need to find a place to stay, learn basic conversational phrases, or pack like a pro, these apps are an absolute must for any solo traveler to board the plane feeling fully prepared.
The Guestbook
The Guestbook, an innovative hotel booking app, caters to a niche market with its network of over 500 boutique hotels worldwide. This platform is designed for those who prefer the charm and distinctiveness of smaller independent hotels over brand-name options. By eliminating the costly intermediaries often associated with larger hotels, The Guestbook not only supports local businesses but also rewards its users. With an enticing offer of 5% cash back or 10% trip cash usable on the site, it’s an ideal choice for solo travelers looking to maximize their budgets.
Memrise
While you may not achieve fluency in French before your journey to the Côte d’Azur, enhancing your basic language skills for a smoother experience is certainly achievable. Duolingo often comes to mind for many as a go-to app for refining foreign language skills. However, another noteworthy option is Memrise. This app blends scientific methods, engaging content, and a sense of community, empowering users to learn and teach simultaneously. It’s an excellent tool for solo travelers, equipping them with essential phrases and linguistic confidence. Before you embark on your travels, exploring Memrise could be a valuable addition to your preparation.
TripIt
Have you ever wanted a single, streamlined itinerary instead of having to juggle multiple emails? TripIt offers a solution. By forwarding your confirmation emails to this app, you can take advantage of its sophisticated technology to organize and present the information in a clear, accessible format. This master itinerary includes time schedules, directions, confirmation numbers, contact details, personal document storage, and more, all consolidated in one place. What’s more, it’s accessible offline, which is a boon for the solo traveler on the move. With no need to sift through countless emails and papers, TripIt becomes an essential tool for an organized and stress-free travel experience, especially for those heading abroad solo.
Hostelworld
For solo travelers seeking budget-friendly accommodations or a more social travel experience, Hostelworld is an invaluable app. It offers an extensive selection of affordable hostels across the globe, catering to different preferences and budgets. Hostelworld makes it easy to find and book hostels, with detailed descriptions, photos, and reviews from fellow travelers. The app also includes features like interactive maps and filters to tailor your search by price, location, amenities, and available activities. Whether you’re looking for a quiet retreat or a vibrant community atmosphere, Hostelworld provides a platform to connect with other travelers, discover local events, and even join group activities. This makes it an excellent choice for those who want to stretch their budget further while enjoying a rich, communal travel experience.
Pack Point
Traveling to a new place solo can pose a serious packing problem. If you’re going to the beach, the mountains, and the opera all in one trip, it’s hard to know what you should pack to keep yourself stylish and comfortable. Enter Pack Point. Users select their gender, length of trip, destination, activities and time of trip, and this nifty piece of software creates a personalized list of things to pack by pulling from weather forecasts and popular activities around the area.
Discovering Amazing Places
So, let’s say that now you’re at your destination and you’re wondering what to do. The following apps will help you plan your activities from urban attractions to road trips to outdoor adventures, providing you with plenty of opportunities to partake in cool things to do and explore hidden locals-only knowledge.
Roadtrippers
Roadtrippers helps travelers plan the ultimate road trip. All you need to do is enter your dates, starting point, and destination, and the app gives you a map dotted with hotels, natural wonders, weird things to see, and landmarks to check out on your road trip. Once your map is created, you can get even more specific, focusing in on things like camping spots, types of restaurants, shopping options, and more.
Culture Trip
Culture Trip is a great travel app and website for those seeking more than just the usual tourist attractions. It delves into the heart of local culture, offering a wealth of articles, guides, and recommendations curated by a global community of travelers and local experts. Whether you’re interested in discovering local art scenes, sampling regional cuisines, or uncovering hidden historical gems, Culture Trip provides insightful and engaging content tailored to a wide range of interests. It’s an ideal companion for travelers eager to explore the unique cultural aspects of their destinations, offering a deeper, more authentic travel experience.
Citymapper
Citymapper is an essential app for urban explorers, renowned for its accuracy and user-friendly interface in navigating complex city transport systems. It integrates data from various transport modes, including buses, trains, subways, and even bikes and ferries, offering real-time updates and the best route options. What sets Citymapper apart is its detailed guidance — from the fastest route to the exit to use at a subway station. It’s incredibly useful for reducing travel time and stress, especially in unfamiliar cities. For those looking to navigate a city like a local, Citymapper is an indispensable tool.
Meeting New Buddies
Yes, you’re flying solo, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy sharing your own experiences with someone else every once in awhile. Check out these apps if you’re more than eager to explore your new exciting destination with some locals or a buddy that has the same itinerary as you.
Meetup
Meetup, founded in 2002, is a well-established app that connects people through local events and group activities based on shared interests. It’s particularly beneficial for solo travelers, offering an array of categories from outdoor adventures to cultural workshops. This platform enables travelers to immerse themselves in the local community, engage in shared hobbies, and meet like-minded individuals. Whether it’s for a short visit or an extended stay, Meetup allows travelers to explore new cities through the lens of local experiences and connections, making it a valuable tool for enriching travel experiences and creating lasting memories.
Adventurely
Have you ever traveled solo to a new place and really wanted to do something…but maybe not alone? Adventurely solves that problem. Here you can create your profile and set up events that you’d like others to join in on. When users see your itinerary, they can get matched and chat in the app to arrange a possible time to meet. This app can be quite handy for both adventurous daters or solo travelers who’d like a roaming buddy to explore a new city with.
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Keeping Yourself Safe
When traveling alone, you might find yourself in a situation where you might have to sleep with one eye open. With these apps you can rest easy knowing that, if something goes wrong, someone will have your back.
LogMeIn
LogMeIn is a highly useful app that provides users the convenience of remotely accessing their home computers and laptops via a mobile device. This functionality is particularly useful in scenarios like losing your passport, needing quick access to important documents, or retrieving forgotten information while traveling. With LogMeIn, travelers can access their home document library, ensuring they have all necessary information at their fingertips, no matter where they are.
Sitata
Sitata is a comprehensive travel app designed to keep solo travelers informed and safe during their journeys. It delivers real-time alerts about health risks and safety concerns in various destinations, such as outbreaks of diseases or civil unrest. Additionally, the app provides valuable information about nearby medical facilities, which is crucial in emergencies. A standout feature is its ability to let travelers share their location with friends and family, ensuring loved ones are always in the loop about their whereabouts.
And, of course, let’s not forget the OneTravel App, our own mobile gateway to savings on flights, hotels, and care rentals around the world. We offer mobile-exclusive deals to keep money in your pocket as you make travel plans, and we also have a rewards program to earn points for future trips. If you’re looking for resources to plan your dream getaway, download OneTravel!
FAQs:
Q: What are some general tips for using travel apps effectively as a solo traveler?
A: When using travel apps, ensure you have sufficient storage space on your phone. Download offline maps for areas with limited connectivity. Regularly check for app updates to access new features and improvements. Consider having backup apps for essential functions in case of technical issues. Lastly, read user reviews to gauge the reliability of apps and get insights from fellow solo travelers.
Q: How can I be sure that my phone’s battery lasts throughout my solo travels?
A: Optimize your phone’s battery life by adjusting settings like brightness and background apps. Carry a portable charger or power bank for on-the-go charging. Consider enabling power-saving modes on your device to extend battery longevity.
Q: Are there specific security measures I should take when using travel apps for solo trips?
A: Use secure and unique passwords for your travel apps. Enable two-factor authentication when available. Avoid accessing sensitive information on public Wi-Fi. Install reputable antivirus software on your device to enhance cybersecurity during your travels.
Q: What’s the best way to organize my travel apps for quick access during solo journeys?
A: Group similar apps into folders on your phone’s home screen. Prioritize essential travel apps on your main screen for quick access. Utilize app widgets for instant information. Create a travel folder to house all relevant apps, making navigation seamless during your solo adventure.
Q: What precautions should I take when meeting new people through travel-related apps?
A: Prioritize meeting in public places. Inform a trusted friend or family member about your plans. Use apps with safety features, like Adventurely, where you can create events and chat securely within the platform. Trust your instincts and avoid sharing sensitive personal information with strangers.
Do you use any other must-have apps while solo traveling? Let us know in our comments section below!
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