6 best apps for travel

When you’re planning the trip of a lifetime there’s a lot to think about before you leave. Whether it’s a solo adventure, couples retreat, girly weekend or family-friendly fortnight, your smartphone holds all the answers – book flights, rooms and even check out the best places to eat, all from the palm of your hand.

Here are some of the best apps to help you plan your next trip and keep the stress levels down…

Skyscanner

Looking for a great deal on flights, hotels and rental cars? Skyscanner searches a wide range of travel sites and airlines to find you the best flights at the best prices. Plus, if you’re not sure where you want to go, Skyscanner lets you explore deals from your closest airport, as well as suggesting some of the cheapest destinations on your chosen date. The Skyscanner app is available on Android and iOS.

KAYAK

As your personal pocket travel planner, KAYAK not only searches across various sites to give you the best prices for flights, hotels and rental cars – users will also find exclusive KAYAK deals that can’t be found elsewhere. The app gives you important updates at a glance, such as airport gate numbers or hotel booking confirmations, and you can access all this information from your smart watch. The KAYAK app is available on Android and iOS.

Booking.com

Whether you’re backpacking across Asia or looking for the ultimate 5* luxury, Booking.com (booking.YEAH) has got your back. Search for your chosen location, apply some filters and browse the thousands of rooms on offer. For many of the listings, you can cancel for free up to 24 hours before checking in – ideal if you’re winging your way across the world. The Booking.com app is available on Android and iOS.

Hotel Tonight

For those last-minute plans, unexpected layovers or cancellations, Hotel Tonight partners with top hotels offering decent discounts for filling up their empty rooms. 24/7 customer service means they’re always on hand to deal with anything that should occur at any time of the day or night. Plus, their ‘Daily Drop’ feature showcases a super discounted deal of the day for the more spontaneous traveller. The Hotel Tonight app is available on Android and iOS.

TripAdvisor

Everyone loves a review (or two). With TripAdvisor, you can discover what people liked and loathed before making a decision about where to eat, what to do and where to stay. Share your own experiences, post pictures and give recommendations, plus ask questions in the app’s in-built forums, find friends and save travel ideas for future trips. The TripAdvisor app is available on Android and iOS.

Google Translate

Bonjour. Ciao. Guten Tag. Going to a city where you don’t speak the language can be pretty scary, but with Google Translate you can type what you want to say and translate it into 103 different languages. Ideal for when you don’t have the time to learn a new language before your trip. The Google Translate app is available on Android and iOS.

So, with your phone packed full of all the best travel apps, a great deal on your flights, hotels and hire car, and 103 different languages in your back pocket, you’re finally ready to take on the world.

Arrive derci!