Luxury solo travel: your guide to high-end solo adventures
Explore the best luxury solo travel experiences with our ultimate guide.
15 apps for the savvy traveller
No matter where you are in the world, your smartphone is not likely to be far from your hand. So it makes perfect sense to use your phone or mobile device for all those apps which will help you save money, stay safe, and do more with your precious vacation days.
Check out this list of the best apps to download and use when you’re on the move. You can manage your money better when you’re abroad, find accommodation and entertainment, get government travel advice, and more — all from just a handful of savvy travel apps. Here you go.
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1. Wise
Get the Wise app to manage your Wise Multi-currency Account and card on the go. You’ll be able to cover all your travel money from one account — holding 50+ currencies, and sending or receiving international payments which use the real mid-market exchange rate with no hidden fees or sneaky markups. You’ll also get a linked Wise debit card which you can use for payments and ATM withdrawals — and add to Apple Pay or Google Pay for mobile transactions.
| Available on | iOS, Android, web |
| Price | Free |
| Category | Finance |
2. Uber
If you’re headed somewhere covered by Uber¹ it’s a must-have to get around and order food for delivery. Schedule your rides in the US up to 30 days in advance so you’ll know you’ve got a ride to the airport, with no risk of calling a taxi and discovering they’re all booked out already.
Uber is one of the most downloaded travel apps in the country for a reason — although it’s worth knowing that Uber isn’t available all over the world. If it’s not online wherever you’re headed it’s well worth checking out equivalent services in your destination country before you leave.
| Available on | iOS, Android, web |
| Price | Free |
| Category | Transport |
3. Airbnb
It revolutionised travel accommodation when it launched — and Airbnb² has kept on growing, with places to stay and unique experiences all around the world on offer. Checkout your next home from home, whether that’s a cabin in Canada or a penthouse in Paris — and schedule tours, cultural experiences and more at the same time. It’s free to download and the range of options on offer is pretty staggering.
| Available on | iOS, Android, web |
| Price | Free |
| Category | Accommodation |
4. Hopper
Canadian firm Hopper³ offers customers ways to book flights, hotels and cars through their smart app. Hopper predicts the flight and hotel prices which are likely to be on offer at different times, and can let you know immediately if there’s a deal to help you save on your trip. The team boasts that this technology can help customers save up to 40% — making this a must for the savvy traveler.
| Available on | iOS, Android, web |
| Price | Free |
| Category | Flights and hotels |
5. Smart Traveler
Smart Traveler⁴ ⁵ is the official US State Department app for travelers. Register an account to get fast updates about your destination, and any travel news or advisories you need to know. You’ll also be able to find the emergency contact details for your nearest US Embassy if you need support while you’re out of the country.
| Available on | iOS, Android |
| Price | Free |
| Category | Travel |
6. Maps.me
Maps.me⁶ lets Apple and Android phone users access offline maps — handy if you’re in a rural area and lose signal, or if you’re headed overseas and don’t want to run up excessive data bills. You can even download maps and get turn-by-turn navigation, no matter where you are. There’s no need to get lost ever again, even when you’re offline.
| Available on | iOS, Android |
| Price | Free |
| Category | Travel |
7. Google Earth
You can explore the entire globe with Google Earth⁷. From detailed satellite maps and 3D renderings of buildings, to time lapses showing how it’s all changed over time. Enter your destination and get to know it before you ever arrive. Or go on vacation without even needing to leave your own home — just get into the app or online and browse all the cool places on the planet.
| Available on | iOS, Android, web |
| Price | Free |
| Category | Travel |
8. Expedia
Check out cheap flights and accommodation deals all over the world with Expedia⁸. You can get the best deals available for your chosen dates, look at when a particular trip might be the cheapest, and get inspired with places to visit and stay. There are last minute trips, packages based on your personal preferences, and lots of handy hints and tips about how to get the best value for money wherever you’re headed.
| Available on | iOS, Android, web |
| Price | Free |
| Category | Flights and hotels |
9. Yelp
If you’re traveling within or outside the US and love to eat, grab Yelp⁹ ¹⁰ so you won’t be disappointed by any meals. Yelp has a staggering 199 million business and restaurant reviews worldwide, to find a cute local coffee shop or a high end restaurant near you. Browse and search on Yelp to eat in restaurants only the locals know about, no matter where you are traveling.
| Available on | iOS, Android |
| Price | Free |
| Category | Food |
10. Couchsurfing
Travel on a budget? Love meeting new people? Get the Couchsurfing app¹¹.
If you’re not familiar with the concept, the couchsurfing community exists to help connect people on the move with locals wherever they are. The locals then offer accommodation — and often a unique experience with someone who knows the place, in return for getting the same help whenever they travel. It’s the social network for people who love to travel and hang out with new friends around the world — give it a go.
| Available on | iOS, Android, web |
| Price | Free |
| Category | Accommodation |
11. Flight Radar 24
Flight Radar 24¹² is a live, real time flight tracking app. Check how flights to your destination are doing, look out for delays and watch rolling flight information 24/7 right from your phone. You can see 180,000+ flights, going to and from 4,000+ airports around the world.
| Available on | iOS, Android, web |
| Price | Free — subscription plans also available |
| Category | Travel |
12. Offbeat Attractions
If you’re traveling in the US, taking a road trip, camping or RVing, you’ll want ways to find cool things to do on the move. The Offbeat Attractions app¹³ brings you the best unique experiences near you, from a giant lemon in San Diego to glow in the dark golf in Las Vegas. It’s stuffed full of quirky places you have probably never heard of, and might not otherwise think to go to — and there are over 22,000 to choose from. Build your offbeat itinerary here.
| Available on | iOS |
| Price | 0.99 USD |
| Category | Travel |
13. Wise Currency Converter
When you’re traveling internationally, keeping an eye on the exchange rate is essential to make sure you’re sticking to your budget. A currency converter like the Wise Currency Converter¹⁴ ¹⁵ app can help. Monitor your favorite currencies to stay up to date, and get historic data to see trends. Then, compare payment providers whenever you’re ready to switch currencies.
| Available on | iOS, Android, Web |
| Price | Free |
| Category | Finance |
| Get a sneak peak with the currency converter below |
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14. NPS App
If you’re the outdoorsy type the National Parks Service app¹⁶ is one for you. Get park maps, accessibility information, suggested routes and itineraries, amenities, and things to do. You can even find out where the nearest restrooms, food and stores are when you’re in the parks and surrounding areas.
| Available on | iOS, Android, Web |
| Price | Free |
| Category | Travel |
15. Booking.com
Get the Booking.com app¹⁷ to find places to stay, flight deals, airport taxis, attraction tickets and everything you might need for your trip. Accommodation could be anything from a vacation rental apartment to a luxury resort hotel, so there’s something for everyone. Frequent users can also earn discounts and perks.
| Available on | iOS, Android, Web |
| Price | Free |
| Category | Accommodation, flights, rentals, attractions |
| 🚀 Got the Wise card? Save up to 10% when making your Booking.com reservation with Wise Rewards program |
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Enjoy your travel, no matter where you end up — and use your pick of these travel savvy apps to make sure you have an awesome break.
| 🌎Make your money go further when you travel, with Wise |
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Sources:
- Uber
- Airbnb
- Hopper
- Smart Traveler - iOS
- Smart Traveler - Android
- Maps.me
- Google Earth
- Expedia
- Yelp- iOS
- Yelp - Android
- Couchsurfing
- Flight Radar 24
- Offbeat Attractions
- Wise Currency Converter - iOS
- Wise Currency Converter - Android
- NPS
- Booking
Sources checked on 10.26.2021
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
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