Last year created a big slump for the global travel and tourism industry. Now that most governments are relaxing travel restrictions, the tourism sector has started to flourish again. As it grows, so does the need for essential apps for travel.
Of course, it is still crucial to maintain the necessary precautions when you travel, especially if you might come in contact with other people. But this is just one more reason travelers need easy, quick, real-time access to travel information and updates.
The travel demands are starting to increase worldwide, which has led to the development of new technologies to help the industry. Since most of us rely on smartphones for almost everything these days, here is a list of essential apps for travel that can prove useful to you in 2021.
Essential Apps for Travel
Weather
Checking out the weather conditions at your travel destination is one of the first things you should do while planning your trips. Climatic conditions can make your trip most enjoyable or ruin it completely. That is why I always check the weather conditions at my destinations when I plan my trip as well as before I start.
I use ClimaCell because it offers several useful features that most weather apps do not. Apart from the usual temperature and precipitation details, I can also check humidity, visibility, air quality, and wind details. People with seasonal allergies can check out the pollen index to prevent an attack.
There are several weather apps available that you can use to find out the climatic conditions before planning your travel. Weather apps are also useful to plan the routes for road trips.
Travel Ticket
Even if you are using your own mode of transportation, it is still wise to have a good travel ticket app on your phone. I prefer Omio because it allows me to find the fastest and cheapest tickets. People can use Omio to book train, bus, or flight tickets that include destinations across the United States, Canada, and Europe.
Travel ticket apps ensure that travelers can find all the available options and choose one with ease. You can take care of your travel ticket needs with a single search on the application in more than 35 countries.
Accommodation
Choosing accommodations right now can be a bit tricky. You have to ensure that the hotel, B&B, or homestay you choose is taking all the necessary measures for sanitation and hygiene. I like using Agoda and Airbnb to take care of my accommodation needs.
Both of these essential apps for travel offer the best possible prices for different types of lodgings. You can find amazing deals for thousands of lodging options all over the world. I have often booked my hotel rooms through Agoda and received complimentary upgrades on arrival.
Bike Rental
If you want to avoid public transportation in the current circumstances but do not have a budget for car rentals, bikes can be the perfect option for you. Plus, you will be able to save a lot on travel costs and leave a smaller carbon footprint at your travel destination.
There are several bike rental applications on both the App Store and the Google Play store, so choose one that has a rental system at your destination. Some bike rentals also offer E-bikes for people who are not fond of sweating while traveling.
Luggage Storage
Luggage storage apps have a network of places that can store your bags for a short-term, allowing you a baggage-free experience at your destination. Think of it as an Airbnb for your suitcases or backpacks.
Different luggage storage apps have networks in various cities, so make sure you choose one that includes your destination. For example, I choose LuggageHero whenever I’m traveling to New York, London, or Paris. I can look at the storage points nearby and choose one that is the most convenient for me.
Airline Compensation
Disruptions in flights are quite common everywhere in the world. Many travelers often feel helpless due to cancellations or overbooking while trying to catch a flight. Apps like AirHelp can help passengers get adequate compensation for flight delays or cancellations.
These apps can put the power back in an air passenger’s hand. If you have experienced a disrupted flight, you can provide your flight details to AirHelp through the app.
They will follow up with the airline and make sure that you receive optimum compensation for your team. AirHelp has been operating since 2013 and has helped millions of travelers get their money back from airline companies.
Home Swapping
If you do not feel comfortable staying at a hotel in the present circumstances, you can also look for home swapping or sharing apps. I love using HomeExchange because it has one of the world’s biggest home exchange communities with more than 400,000 members in 187 countries.
I often use the app to find sanitized and comfortable accommodations for my travels. You can use the app to create your free listing and search for houses at your destination. If you like one of the homes, you can send an exchange request to the owner.
There is an annual membership fee that you have to pay before finalizing your exchange. If you do not find any exchanges during your first year, you would not have to pay for membership the following year.
Several other apps can make your travel more comfortable and enjoyable in 2021. If you know of any other essential apps for travel that you use regularly for your trips, please let us know so that we can include them in the next article.
