FREE travel apps? Music to a budget traveler’s ears! And even better: These 13 apps will help you save money and time on every trip. Some are fun, some weren’t originally designed for travel–but all are useful.
Depending on where you travel, as well as your “style” when it comes to trips, you may want to download a few of them–or all–on your phone or tablet before you go. If you like the free version, there is usually an inexpensive “upgrade” available. But why not start with free?
Free Travel Apps: Before you go
Countdown+: This is just fun. Put in your date of departure and watch the time fly! You can also track holidays, birthdays, or any event after you’re back home…or set it for your next adventure!
PackPoint Travel Packing List: Never forget an item again! Choose the destination, season, event, activity, travel mode, etc. Make your own custom template to include your favorite items. This app even reminds you to pack business cards…if you want…
Skyscanner: How popular is this among free travel apps? Number 8! Got big wanderlust, but a small budget? Click on the “everywhere” feature that finds cheap flights from your local airport…you’ll find someplace affordable. I promise!
Free Travel Apps: Finding your way
AroundMe: Simply fantastic! Perfect for finding your way around in a new city. Want to find the nearest grocery store? Need gas? ATM? Coffee? Wine? Concert? ANYTHING? You can even make your own list of favorites.
Gate Guru: CNN named this one of its Top Five travel apps. If you tend to stress over things like where your departure gate is or where to grab a fast meal between connections, this ones’s for you. Just pick the airport and let the magic happen.
iExit: Roadtrippers will love this! Actually, anyone who drives will appreciate knowing where the next exit, gas station, or restroom is. iExit tells you what services and amenities are at each exit. Need caffeine or a hotel? It’s all here.
Moovit: THE public transportation guide for more than 250 cities. Bus, train, subway, metro…if it’s public, Moovit has you covered. Schedules, delays, and how-to-get-there instructions will have you getting around like a local.
Free Travel Apps: What should we do?
Groupon: Of course you know Groupon and probably already use it. When you travel, do the same! Enter your destination and scope out the same bargains you would buy at home. Why pay full price for attractions and restaurants?
TripAdvisor: Another old friend…we’ve all started planning a vacation with TripAdvisor. Find food, accommodations, and the best places to visit, all recommended–or not–by other travelers. You can book through the website, too. But you already knew that!
Viator*: One of the first things I do after I’ve decided where to go is check out the tours and cooking classes. Viator gathers all the options into one handy place, making it easier to find local companies that couldn’t afford to advertise. I use them all the time!
Free Travel Apps: This ‘n That to round out your trip!
Convert Units Plus: Imagine being able to instantly change inches to centimeters, dollars to rubles to pesos, Fahrenheit to Centigrade, miles per hour to kilometers per hour… Well, now you can! This app will allow you to leave the U.S. with confidence!
Trail Wallet Travel Budget: Make a budget and track expenses? Sounds boring and time-consuming, right? Wrong! Organize by month, set a daily limit, then just add expenses as you go. Spend too much? The app will help you figure out where to cut back. Nifty! (Sorry, iOS only)
WhatsApp: If you have Internet, you can call, text, or message for free! This app is so popular, that over 1 billion people around the world have downloaded it. Businesses use it where phone service is sketchy. Messages are encrypted, so it’s secure, too.
What are your favorite FREE travel apps? Tell us in the comment box below!
*Disclosure: This post contains an affiliate link, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that I have endorsed. I only endorse products that I use and trust. While clicking this link won’t cost you any extra money, it will help me keep this site up and running. Please check out TravelSmart Woman’s disclosure policy for more details.
Want to know more about affiliate marketing?? Click here.
