18 Essential Apps for the Solo Traveler
A selection of travel apps to aid your solo travels around the globe
There is little doubt, that the modern-day solo traveler has far more information at their fingertips than the unaccompanied traveler from even 15 years ago.
With a smartphone in almost every pocket, there is a temptation to walk around a new city, looking at the screen, rather than the sights themselves.
Some, or perhaps, many of the apps covered in this article you may have already installed and used.
Solo Travel Life has selected a number of smartphone apps, with perhaps a suprise or two as well.
In no particular order . . . let the downloads begin!
1. Hostelworld
The largest single app covering hostels from all corners of the globe.
Details of each hostel will be found and accompanied by reviews from previous travelers. There should be photos showing the inside and outside of many hostels. Look for lists of accommodation from individual rooms to dormitories with sometimes 15 beds.
Hostels are rated for value, location, and security.
It is unusual with Hostelworld not to find a bed for the night pretty much anywhere.
Solo Travel Life’s authors have made good use of this app on three continents over the years.
2. Skyscanner
This is probably the best app to find the cheapest flights to your destination.
There are filters to help with dates, destinations, and green flights. You can set up alerts to let you know when a special offer is opened or prices are reduced. Skyscanner can also be used for hotels and car hire.
3. Flightradar 24
This app is useful for checking on flights around the world to keep you aware of what’s going on in the skies.
You can keep a watch on delays and cancellations, as well as see whether the incoming flight is running on time.
4. WhatsApp
We would be surprised if you don’t already have this one installed.
Given a solid internet connection or smartphone data, it is easy to keep in touch with family and reminds wherever you are. You can send and receive text, voice recordings, and pictures either to individuals or to pre-defined groups of people.
And, of course, the family can send you a picture of that new family member who was born yesterday that you have yet to meet.
5. Airbnb
Covering over 100 countries worldwide and the best part of six million locations, Airbnb has become the solo traveler’s friend in recent years.
You can tailor searches based on location and price, as well as the type of accommodation you are seeking.
6. Couchsurfing
Here, you are staying in someone’s house, generally at zero cost. And the house owner is there with you. This may not suit all solo travelers, especially if you are female and find the host is an ‘interested’ male.
See our full article on Couchsurfing.
7. Google Translate
An invaluable app if your grasp of languages is a little light.
The app allows several ways to translate. The first is typing words in your own language and seeing the result in one of 100 other tongues. This can be useful, for instance, to translate a street sign from French into English.
If you want to communicate with a local verbally, then you can speak into the app and it will translate both into text and into audio, which you can play. The locals can then speak in their language and you can listen to it in your own native language.
Another great use is when you are in a cafe or restaurant with a menu and have no idea what any of the dishes are. Here, you use the camera option in the app, hold over the menu and you will see your own language appear on your smartphone screen.
Well over 100 languages are supported, from Afrikaans via Korean and Samoan to Zulu.
8. Google Maps
If you need to find your way from A to B via C, then this app is essential.
Search filters can be set for walking, driving, bus, and train, giving you plenty of travel options. The app can be used with live data, or you can download maps ahead of arrival and save data as you move around.
There are many other apps for maps, including Wase and Map.me. Some are better than others and the Solo Travel Life team has several loaded at any one time.
9. Booking.com
Different from Hostelworld, Booking.com includes hotels of all ratings, together with homestays through to vacation cabins.
Searches can be narrowed down by date and price to help you select the ideal spot for the night or the week.
Other apps in this field include Hotels.com
10. Trip Advisor
Trip Advisor now covers many countries across the globe. It started principally as an app for travelers to leave reviews of hotels, hostels, and places to eat and it still does that.
Check the restaurant you like that looks good from the outside and see what others think. Remember to leave your own reviews so others can benefit.
The app can also show you nearby attractions and be used to plan and book accommodation and travel plans.
11. Rome2Rio
You know where you want to go, but are unsure of the best route of transport option.
Rome2Rio is your savior. Imagine an app that includes 190,000 train lines, 905,000 bus routes, 13,000 ferries, and 54,000 flight paths and you will see the power of this app.
The Trip Planner option will provide you with multiple ways to travel from where you are now, to your next destination.
12. Skype
Skype has fallen out of favour in receipts years, but is still a useful app for your phone.
WhatsApp may have overtaken Skype in voice calls, but not everyone has WhatsApp on their phone.
Download Skype and add a fixed-value call package, one that can just sit there until needed. With an internet connection, you can then call pretty much any landline or mobile number on the planet.
You may not use Skype much, but is useful insurance and for an emergency.
13. XE.COM
The perfect app to check currency exchange rates. You may not be familiar with the rates for local currencies and xe.com is a good guide.
The rates shown and bank rates, so you may not find them exactly where you are, but the app can help you not to be ripped off.
14. AroundMe
This app may not work everywhere, but where it does, provides some great information.
You need to ‘allow location’ and the app will show you everything from Bank ATM locations to coffee bars, hotels, hospitals, and plenty more.
15. Substack
Not a travel app as such, but an easy way to read Solo Travel World while on the move.
16. Flush - Toilet Finder
We all need to, err, well you know what we mean!
With over 200,000 toilets, and restrooms, call them what you like are listed,.This is a useful addition to any smartphone at home or away.
17. Airline Apps
All airlines have their individual apps and downloading the ones you need is almost a requirement today.
Some budget airlines only allow you to check in using their apps and asking for a manual/paper boarding pass at an airport can cost upwards of $50 - per person.
Most airline apps include bookings and can sometimes be the only way that delays and cancellations are advised.
18. City & Local Guides
As you approach a new city or country, search your App Store for local knowledge.
Too numerous to mention, so take a potluck pick and then delete the app as you leave the city or town.
And Other Travel Apps
What are your favourite travel apps?
Enjoy your downloads.
Stay safe!