Breaking Down The 21 Best Travel Apps Of 2018

Published in

Jubel.co

6 min readApr 26, 2018

In 2018, one of the best travel companions to have is your smartphone. By merely outfitting your device with the right apps, your trip or vacation can flow much more smoothly.

“But how do I choose which are the best apps to download when there are millions?”

Relax, you’re right — but don’t worry — after many years of travelling, we’ve tried and tested hundreds of apps to do the dirty work for you. So without further ado, here are the 21 best travel apps of 2018:

ACCOMMODATION

Finding a place to lay your head at night shouldn’t be hard work. Below are the best apps for booking accommodation at any price point. And yes, that means free too!

Hipcamp

Hipcamp is the Airbnb of private camping. Just set your check-in and check-out dates and search for the best campsites near you.

*Hipcamp is currently only offered in the US.

HotelTonight

If you’re more of the hotel type, then HotelTonight is the app for you. They offer incredible last-minute deals at top-rated hotels around the world.

Couchsurfing

Are you looking for a new, and free experience? Couchsurfing is a social network of travellers where you can arrange free accommodation. However, we recommend that you always have a backup plan if your Couchsurfing plans fall through — trust your instincts and be safe.

Hostelworld

If you’re trying to find a hostel, you don’t need any other app. Hostelworld is the absolute best at finding hostels around the world.

Airbnb

Whether you’re in search of a beautiful apartment or need a simple place to crash, Airbnb is a must for any traveller on any budget.

FOOD

You’ve arrived at your destination, and you’re hungry. Whether you have a place with a kitchen or not, you don’t have the time or energy to cook. When you need a little help, these are your best bets for finding great eats:

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor is the world’s best concierge. Use their “Best Restaurants Near Me” feature and filter by price and various preferences to find your next meal. Generally, TripAdvisor will give you an honest review of the restaurant — be sure to read the comments.

UberEATS or similar

If you want to hang out and not leave your place to get food, UberEATS, or a similar service (JustEat, Postmates, etc.), provides a fantastic delivery service for both those restaurants that typically wouldn’t deliver as well as those that do.

NAVIGATION

Whether you’re in a place for the first time or not, it can be easy to get lost. If you’re not trying to get lost on purpose, here’s how to stay on track. And the best part? You won’t use any data.

Google Maps

Use the “Download Offline” feature of Google Maps to access a specific areas’ maps without using data. It’s the best app for finding directions to where you’re going, whether you’re walking, biking, driving, or taking public/private transportation.

*No access updated traffic information while using Google Maps offline.

Rome2rio

Are you unsure about the best way to get from point A to B? Rome2Rio will help you find the best route, whether it’s by plane, train, bus, ferry, or automobile.

SECURITY

No matter where you are in the world, it’s always a good idea to be on the safe side. Here are some apps to help ease your mind, so you can focus on the things that matter most.

Prey

Prey is a mobile security app that lets you track your devices to help you find them if they get stolen or go missing.

Hotspot Shield

Using this free VPN while browsing the internet on a stranger’s, or even public, Wi-Fi ensures your privacy and security. The app also gives you the ability to access blocked content should you need to.

TRANSPORTATION

Here are our favourite ways to get from point A to point B safely, without burning a hole in our wallets.

MyCape

MyCape is changing the way we book air travel. Although there isn’t worldwide availability yet, users can use this app to bid on ultra-affordable standby tickets.

Google Flights

Google Flights is all of the best flight booking apps out there combined into one. Because, well, it’s Google, they’re able to access an incredible amount of data and show you the cheapest flights at any time, anywhere in the world.

TRAVEL HACKS

These are the apps that will take you from Clark Griswold to a pro traveller in no time.

LoungeBuddy

Wouldn’t it be nice to use those exclusive airport lounges? Well, you’re in luck — the LoungeBuddy app allows you to purchase airport lounge access, worldwide, at low prices. Given the overly expensive food and drink prices at some airports these days, access to exclusive lounges with buffets can be almost equal in price, plus there are loads of other fantastic benefits that come along with it.

Airbnb Experiences

Are you looking for a real local experience instead of a tacky or touristy one? Airbnb Experiences connects you with locals who offer incredible experiences in Arts, Concerts, Classes & Workshops, Nature, Food & Drink, Sports, History, Entertainment, Music, Health & Wellness, Social Impact, and Nightlife.

Instagram & Snapchat

There’s a good chance you already use Instagram or Snapchat, but are you wondering how it helps with travel? Simple. Type in a location on Instagram to look up photos and videos of what people in your area are doing. Alternatively, use the “Snap Map” feature on Snapchat.

Facebook Find Wifi

Use the Find WiFi feature on the Facebook app to see which businesses around you offer free WiFi.

Visa Travel Tools or similar

Do you need to convert currency quickly? Or maybe find an ATM abroad? Visa Travel Tools is an essential app to find ATM machines that won’t charge you extra.

When you start travelling to places outside Canada and the US, you’ll find that more and more people are using WhatsApp for free messaging and calling rather than standard SMS and calling. Download it now, connect your mobile phone number, and be prepared.

Google Trips

Google Trips will scrub your email to find all of your travel-related activities and will plan and organize your day in a simple, user-friendly app.

PackPoint

If you’re like us, packing can take a lot of time and brain power. Use Packpoint to save time and ensure you don’t miss that one crucial thing. Input your destination, time of travel, length of stay, and type of trip, and PackPoint will use smart technology to provide you with the best packing list.