Before the pandemic, tourism was a booming industry. Propelled by that often hashtagged wanderlust, people visited the world’s most popular tourist destinations every chance they got. Some brave souls even went off the beaten track to Instagram travel photos beyond the basics. And then COVID happened, bringing everyone to a standstill.
Now that COVID’s virtually over, it’s time for revenge travel, where you can go to your favorite places and make up for the lost time.
Make sure to consider all the nitty-gritty to scratch your itchy feet sufficiently and make the most out of your wanderlust vengeance. And you can do so with the help of these travel apps.
9 Apps to Help You Plan Your Next Trip
1. Wanderlog
This travel app allows you to research destinations, organize activities and reservations, and create daily itineraries. That last feature is handy, especially since you can be as detailed as you want with your plans, giving you exact timetables accompanied by notes. You won’t miss anything. But there’s more to this app than just planning your travels.
You can also maximize its social component. You can start travel blogging on the app itself or even come up with your travel guide. If collaborating with friends on itineraries is your cup of tea, you can do that, too. Lastly, these features are all offline-ready. In other words, you can use the app even when you’re off the grid, which is a must-try travel experience.
2. Mint
One of the most foolproof financial tips out there is to budget. That applies to when you’re planning your personalized take on revenge travel. Unless you’ve got instant cash available for your travels, you likely have to plan your trip according to limited resources. In that regard, it pays to commit to a strict budget with the help of an app like Mint.
Mint is free to use. It’s highly rated on Google Play and the App store. The app allows you to categorize travel expenses and set their limits. For example, if you’ve spent too much on food, Mint alerts you that you may want to eat more affordably if you don’t want to starve at the tail end of your trip.
3. Citymapper
There’s an upside to riding taxis or Uber when exploring new cities. You get to and from your destinations quickly and conveniently. However, those options may be too safe and uninteresting for more adventurous travelers. If that last statement resonates with you, you’re Citymapper’s target market.
This app is your ultimate guide for using public transport in different cities. It also alerts users about line disruptions, so you’ll know if the train or bus you’re waiting for is out of commission.
4. Skratch
Many have that itch to document their travels as much as possible. It’s a way of showing their journey to the world or memorializing the experience. With Skratch, you can whip out the app and easily share your traveling memories with friends and loved ones. You can pin photos from your favorite destinations and immerse the people in your travels.
Skratch lets you build your travel bucket list as well. Consider that one of the clever tricks to manifest your travel plans better.
5. Expedia
If you’re a seasoned traveler, you’ve probably heard of Expedia. In all likelihood, you have it on your phone. But if not, now is the best time to download the app on your phone. Consider it your go-to app for bookings and reservations. From hotel rooms to flights, Expedia curates the best deals for you. It can also recommend things to do on your vacation.
6. Hopper
Perhaps Expedia’s a little too mainstream for you. You want a booking app that aligns with your alternative vibe. And that’s where Hopper comes in. This app boasts 95% prediction accuracy of flight fares for up to a year ahead. So, if you’re preparing early for a trip, you’ll know when to best book a flight and land the finest deal price-wise.
You can also filter flight recommendations based on your preferences for layovers, restrictions, and extra fees. The app also alerts you when flight fares have peaked in affordability, signaling you to book a ticket. And to top it off, Hopper gives the ultimate convenience as it lets you book hotels too.
7. Guides by Lonely Planet
You’ve probably seen one of those backpackers with a Lonely Planet travel guide in book form before. If you’re not the type to enjoy lugging around a book while traveling, you can have that same travel guide in app form, thanks to Guides.
Rest assured that this app is the brainchild of expert travelers. They know what they’re talking about. All recommendations about where to eat, sleep, or party comes from first-hand experiences. With this app, it’s safe to say that you won’t be misGuided.
8. TripIt
You may already have an approved vacation leave. But you don’t have it in you to organize your travel plans. All you know is when you want to leave and come home and your destination.
You can count on TripIt to create an itinerary based on those details. All you have to do is send your booked flights and accommodations to [email protected], and they will gladly recommend the best itinerary for your vacation.
9. FLIO
The creators of this travel app specially made FLIO for travelers with multiple cities in their itineraries. In other words, they target those who have numerous stops at different airports. If you’re one of them, FLIO allows you to get the best experience from those layovers and more.
Plan Your Next Trip with Ease
People have different reasons why they love traveling. The most obvious is how fun it can be, especially after months of devoting hours upon hours to work and not much else. It’s also an excellent bonding activity between families and friends. Moreover, there’s the privilege of sharing social media-worthy photos of the best life we can live, even for a while.
However, you may need some affinity for organizing to make your travel glitch-free. But even if you don’t have the right skill set, you can still go on a worry-free vacation with the help of travel apps. These apps can make you a responsible revenge traveler who comes home with only the best memories.