Travel Tribe

Despite the ongoing debate that constantly being on your smartphone will ruin the authentic travelling experience, a smart traveller will know that certain apps that you pre-download before going backpacking will make your travel journey a lot easier and sometimes more enjoyable. Nowadays, you can get an app for almost everything. These are the top 7 apps I find to be most useful when backpacking, some I discovered myself, others I learned from other backpackers on my travels! Make sure to download these before starting your backpacking adventure, share them with fellow travellers, and no doubt you will learn about more essential apps along your journey.

1. Skyscanner

Skyscanner is by far the best flight app for backpackers. It allows you to search different flights from different airlines on a date of your choice. This lets you compare flight costs on a single platform, landing the best flight deal that suits your budget! When you look at the calendar, the dates highlighted green have the best flights, the yellow have average flights (possible 1 stop over), and dates highlighted red have the least preferred flights (2+ stop overs and higher prices). This app is great for booking last minute flights in a country that your unsure of the local airlines as it provides multiple different options on the one platform.

2. Maps.me

Maps.me is a navigation app which is quite similar to Google Maps, but has an extra touch. Most people already have Google Maps downloaded, however when it comes to using Google Maps offline, it become frustrating as you cannot search certain places that you have not previously downloaded and it looses your location at times. Maps.me is a much better navigation app for backpackers who need guidance when they don’t have WIFI.

3. Google Translate

Backpackers tend to end up in small villages or areas where the local people do not have any English (if this doesn’t happen to you, you’re doing it wrong!), so it’s always a good idea to have Google Translate downloaded just incase you get into any situations where you need to order a taxi or buy a bus ticket from a local bus station and the local people have no idea what you’re trying to ask them.

4. Hostelworld

Hostelworld is the top app for searching and booking hostels on your phone. It’s ideal for backpackers looking to compare numerous hostels on location, price, and ratings. The app allows you to search for as many beds as you may need and choose what kind of room you want either private, 4 bed, 6 bed, mixed, girls only etc. Hostelworld is great for backpackers travelling in groups and solo travellers looking to meet new people!

5. Booking.com

If you’re tired of staying in hostels and want a bit of privacy and comfort, be sure to have Booking.com downloaded and ready to use! This app offers the best deals on hotels, apartments, homestays, and hostels, all you have to do is enter you’re destination and dates and search what suits you best. The benefit of Booking.com is that if you book on it frequently, you will receive discounts on your next booking. Perfect for backpackers on a budget! When travelling in certain countries such as those in South East Asia, staying in a hotel rather than a hostel can almost work out cheaper if you’re travelling as a couple.

6. Xe Currency

Backpacking in countries that use a different currency to your home currency can be hard as some countries trade in thousands or even millions! Be sure to download Xe Currency so that you can easily convert currencies to see how much you’re spending. This app also allows you to store up to 10 currencies offline so you’ll have no issue using it when your at a local market buying whatever souvenir that you probably don’t need.

7. Netflix

You may think that you won’t be watching any shows or movies during you travels, but trust me, having a Netflix subscription is what every backpacker needs. Although you may have a tv provided on your long hall flights, the long train and bus journeys that are much more uncomfortable you will need something to keep you distracted and entertained. Make sure to download a few of your favourite tv shows and movies when you have WIFI as there’s nothing worse than sitting on a 6 hour bus twiddling your thumbs.

Any Apps to Reccommend?

If you have any other apps that you found helpful during your backpacking experience, let me know in the reply box below!