The Most Exceptional Travel Apps to Use in 2023
Heading into the New Year means planning out your next best trip in order to make this year, YOUR year. This new year is going to be your best one yet, the most exciting, the most adventurous and the most thrilling. One downside – you have to plan it. Although I love planning new trips, this is not the case for everyone and I do understand why. The time, frustration, and expense can be enough to make you say forget it and put your dream trip off until next year, again. So, why do I love planning my travel? It’s simple really. I figured out the easiest, fastest, and cheapest ways to find the best routes, accommodations, flights, and experiences all from my phone. The good news? You Can Too!
Without further ado, these are, in my opinion, the most exceptional travel apps to use in 2023:
The Most Exceptional Apps For Booking Flights:
Skyscanner
Skyscanner is a search engine that allows you to find the cheapest and easiest ways to get to your destination. You simply enter in to the app when and where you want to go, and boom – you have options. I have been using Skyscanner ever since I began travelling and it has made my travels as easy as ever. I no longer have to search on 10 different airline websites for the best price or compare prices for direct flights compared to lay-overs. On Skyscanner, you can filter flights by cheapest, fastest, or best categories.
Personally, I use Skyscanner to find flights but they do also offer the same search for hotels and car hire that are easy to use and find you the best prices every time.
Skyscanner is available for download on iOS and Android. It can also be used online here.
Have My Tips and Guides Sent Straight To You!
Expedia
Expedia is a great option again for looking at the best flights. They also have the options for booking accommodation, cars, vacation packages, cruises, and experiences. Simply enter in your destination, number of travellers, and dates. Expedia does the rest! It makes booking a trip so much easier and stress free.
Expedia is available for download on iOS (requires 15.0 or later), iPadOS (requires 15.0 or later), macOS (requires 12.0 and Apple M1 chip or later), and Android. It can also be used online here.
Find The Right Flight For Your Trip On Expedia
The Most Exceptional Apps For Booking Accommodation:
Booking.com
Booking.com is one of my favourites for booking hotels for my trips. They have some of the cheapest rates for the best hotels and also have options for free cancellation for a lot of their stays. Using Booking.com is far cheaper than booking directly from the hotel website and they are extremely reliable, I have never had a problem with them. Simply enter in your destination and the dates you are looking to stay.
Personally, I use Booking.com to find hotels but they offer the same search for flights, care rental and taxis.
Booking.com is available for download on iOS (requires 14.1 or later), iPadOS (requires 14.1 or later) and Android. It can also be used online here.
Find The Best Hotel For Your Trip on Booking.com
Airbnb
Airbnb offers home rentals as another option for accommodation. It is my favourite if I do not feel like staying in a hotel on my trip. I can not stress enough how amazing and easy to use this app is. Not only does it offer cheaper options for accommodation, but it allows me to feel as though I can experience a new city from a locals perspective.
Airbnb is available on iOS (requires 15.0 or later), iPadOS (requires 15.0 or later), macOS (requires 12.0 and Apple M1 chip or later), and Android. It can also be used online here.
The Most Exceptional Apps To Keep Track of Your Planning:
TripIt
TripIt is the best app to keep all of your travel plans in one place. It can be difficult and overwhelming to keep track of everything you have planned. Instead of ruffling through papers and last minute stress trying to find directions to your hotel, this app allows for an easy and seamless trip to really let you turn the switch on to vacation mode.
TripIt is available on iOS (requires 15.0 or later), iPadOS (requires 15.0 or later), watchOS (requires 7.0 or later), and Android. It can also be used online here.
Wanderlog
Wanderlog is another exceptional planning app to have all your travel plans in one place. You can easily import your flight and hotel reservations to the app, find the best places to eat or things to do, as well as collaborate with friends and make your perfect bucket list for the trip!
Wanderlog is available for download on iOS (requires 12.0 or later), iPadOS (requires 12.0 or later), macOS (requires 11.0 and Apple M1 chip or later), and Android. It can also be found online here.
The Most Exceptional Apps To Have On Your Flight:
Netflix
Netflix is a streaming service to prepare you for your long-haul flight with the best movies and tv shows. Some planes do not have tv screens or may have limited streaming options, Netflix is a great backup to have so you don’t end up sitting in your seat on the plane and realize there’s nothing to watch! Keep in mind a subscription is required to stream these services.
Netflix is available on iOS (requires 15.0 or later), iPadOS (requires 15.0 or later), and Android. You can find it online here as well.
Calm
Whether you are a nervous traveler or simply want to take the time during the flight to unwind, this meditation app will keep you calm during the flight. It will also help you sleep on that overnight flight! This app has some free services, with additional options to pay for further access to the app.
Calm is available for download on iOS (requires 14.0 or later), iPadOS (requires 14.0 or later), macOS (requires 11.0 and Apple M1 chip or later), watchOS (requires 8.3 or later), and Android. It can also be used online here.
The Most Exceptional App For Booking Experiences:
Viator
Viator is the perfect app if you are looking to book the best experiences either before you arrive or you can book the day of, it’s up to you! The app has an extensive number of experiences to choose from, simply enter in the destination you are looking for and pick from all the most trusted tours and experiences!
Viator is available on iOS (requires 14.2 or later), iPadOS (requires 14.2 or later), and Android. It can also be found online here.
Find The Next Best Experience For Your Trip on Viator
The Most Exceptional Apps For Car Rental:
Hopper
Hopper is the perfect app to save big on your next car rental. They offer the best deals and also include notifications straight to your phone telling you when it’s cheapest to book!
Personally, I use Hopper for my car rentals, but they are also great to use to book your next hotel and flights, all in one place!
Hopper is available on iOS (requires 14.5 or later) and Android. It can also be accessed online here.
Turo
Making for a great alternative, Turo is the world’s largest car sharing marketplace. Based on the same ideas as Airbnb and VRBO, Turo is perfect if you are looking for a car rental at a cheaper price.
Turo is available on iOS (requires 14.0 or later), watchOS (requires 7.0 or later), and Android. You can also find it online here.
The Most Exceptional Apps To Use During Your Trip:
OpenTable
OpenTable is my personal favourite for booking my restaurant reservations when travelling. It is easy-to-use and has several options available for whichever city you are in. All you need to do is enter in your destination, a time, and the number of people in your party!
OpenTable is available on iOS (requires 15.0 or later), iPadOS (requires 15.0 or later), and Android. It is also available online here.
Google Translate
Google Translate is perfect to use when in a foreign country and need some clarification on the local language! It is able to translate between up to 133 languages worldwide and is easy-to-use whether you are trying your best to understand a menu, needing help with directions, or just want to strike up a conversation.
Google Translate is available iOS (requires 14.0 or later), iPadOS (requires 14.0 or later), and Android. You can find it online here.
Globe Tips
Globe Tips was one of my favourite finds when travelling. It gives you peace of mind knowing you are leaving the appropriate tip at a restaurant, the app simply scans your bill and can calculate exactly how much is the appropriate amount to tip in the country you are in based on cultural norms.
Globe Tips is available for download on iOS (requires 12.0 or later), iPadOS (requires 12.0 or later), macOS (requires 11.0 and Apple M1 chip or later), and Android.
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