How on earth did people cope before the digital age? (Rhetorical question.)
Everyone has their own preferences, but here are the apps I lived by on our RTW trip last year.
Trail Wallet
I wish I could be an affiliate for Trail Wallet. I sing their praises all the time and can’t believe not more people know about Trail Wallet.
Basically, it is a slick expense tracker, super easy to use while you’re out and about. It’s ideal for RTW travellers as you can switch between the 218 currencies as you move around. Enter your purchase in the local currency and it will also show you how much that equates to in your home currency. (Current exchange rates are automatically updated as long as you’re online; otherwise you’ll have to wait till you next get an internet connection.)
Categorise your purchases according to your own preferences. Set a daily budget and if you’re under, you’ll get a peppy congratulatory message, otherwise, a sombre but sometimes encouraging one. A running monthly total will keep you in the loop as to how you’re doing with your spending overall, and colourful pie charts are the icing on the app. IT IS ALL YOU EVER NEED.
TripIt
No need to be paranoid about missing your flight or forgetting the date you’re catching that train out of the country. Tripit compiles all those confirmation emails into one handy itinerary that you can access on your phone via the app.
Booking.com
Booking.com is my accommodation search engine of choice. It’s always upfront about taxes and fees, has the lowest prices, is user-friendly and rewards loyal customers. The mobile app is pretty nice, too. You might prefer another provider, though!
You might also want to download the Hostelworld/Hostelbookers apps (hostels for couples in many places are not all that cost effective, so I never did).
Triposo
If like me, you’re not a fan of guidebooks but don’t want to go into new countries totally blind, Triposo is the app for you. It’s based on crowdsourced info from the likes of Wikitravel, so don’t take anything here as absolute gospel, but for a free app it’s hard to beat.
As well as basic guides to countries and cities along with background on their history and culture, Triposo provides maps that can be accessed offline, displays the time zone and current exchange rates, and also includes a phrasebook of key words and phrases so you can learn to greet and thank people – and maybe decipher basic signs too.
Nice list! It’s not a travel app, but I love Google Maps. It has been indispensable when I don’t have data on the phone because it works offline.
I’m currently using Trip It for my big vacay and loving it! Will have to look into the other apps! Thanks for the suggestions!
Thanks for the tips. I don’t travel that much right now but when I do, I will def. need help. Google Maps has been my most used app so far.
These are all helpful travel apps! And I think I would chose Tripit because it compiles all those confirmation emails and you can access on your phone via the app.
I’m definitely looking at trail wallet for my upcoming trip. Thanks for the tip. Speaking of tips, know of any apps that tell you what a customary tip is based on country and service?
Well, tipping is pretty uncommon outside of the US. Off the top of my head I can’t think of anywhere else it’s compulsory. Definitely don’t tip in Italy – a service charge is built in but I hear a lot of Americans don’t realise that and tip on top.
I haven’t heard of the others but I have actually used Booking before!!!
Never heard about Trail Wallet! I think I’ll use it for my next vacation! Also, Triposo also sounds interesting. I usually rely on Trip Advisor but I might give this one a try.
I’ve heard of Trip-It but none of the others. The Trail Wallet looks good. I need to get an android phone … some day.
Great tips – thanks! I also like using the Skyscanner app to keep an eye on plane tickets for the next step of the journey or future trips in general.
Why didn’t I know of Trail Wallet before!? I used a spreadsheet and I would forget for days and, by then the exchange rate would change slightly and, my word was it a mess. Next time!
Trail Wallet looks like just what I need – my partner likes to write expenses down in a notebook – but it’s flipping useless for analysing where the money is going! TripIt is insanely useful – it’s better at keeping track of flight changes thtan I am!
Trail Wallet looks pretty slick! I’m going to have to check that one out…