Whether you are travelling from airports, train stations or by car, the modern holiday experience, in 2020, has been completely turned on its head. The way we book it, the way we navigate when we’re there, the way we withdraw cash. It isn’t unfair to suggest that almost the entire process has changed.
This significant transformation is all at the hands of one trusty device— the smartphone. Long gone are days when we’d spend a full day Saturday sat in a travel agents organising a package holiday. Now, it is all done at the click of a thumb.
In this article, with Lookers, who boast a wide range of Audi A1 deals, we detail the best new travel apps available on the market.
When you are booking…
It appears that you’ve reached that stage again — a holiday is essential. You’ve decided a holiday is a must to relieve just a small percentage of stress. Your work request was accepted, but where do you go from there?
Your flight
There are a plethora of flight comparison sights which all offer users something unique. For the sake of keeping things simple however, we have whittled this down to our favourite three.
Booking flights in a hurry because you’re concerned that prices will rise or seats will sell out, only to find out they have dropped in price the following week, is incredibly frustrating and irritating. At Hopper however, this is not a concern. The app monitors 15 billion flights every day to find you the right deal. When you’re on the app, things are aesthetically pleasing as well. Colour co-ordination is used to help users distinguish between the expense of the flight and the time of year.
Perhaps you haven’t picked a destination and you just know you want to get away but, do so on a budget. If this sounds like you, then Kiwi will prove to be a valuable widget. Once you’ve selected your home destination, it provides you with a map and how much it will cost you to get to each destination on it. No more repetitive searching.
What about airlines not actually displaying the cheapest flights to us. It should come as no surprise that the most economically viable flights are being hidden. Realistically, why would they not let us pay more? Skiplagged focuses on finding the loopholes in flying. It might be that booking a longer flight, with a stop-over works out cheaper. Getting off at certain destinations en route can also save money.
Where to stay
Undoubtedly, one of the greatest invention in regard to holidays is Airbnb. Hotels, as much as they offer a wide range of choice and variation, don’t quite match up to the quirkiness offered by property rental app Airbnb.
The site, which operates in more than 190 countries in the world, offers users the potential to rent villas, single rooms, yachts, treehouses, and much more — often at a considerably cheaper rate than that of hotels. Similarly, the experience section now provides customers with the opportunity to immerse themselves in more than just the tourist board suggestions, alternatively getting involved in the activities suggested and often carried out by locals.
When you are there
Hotelinfo could be an absolute lifesaver when you get off the plane at the other side. Unless you have a transfer waiting for you. So, while your GCSE language skills proved to be of little worth here, you’ve managed to navigate your way out of the airport thanks to your inherent knowledge and understanding of exit signs. This trusty app links straight to the hotel, where you can chat to staff. So it ultimately gives the best directions to the hotel, or suggestions for a taxi. Just remember to check your roaming tariffs.
When was the last time you went to pick up traveller’s cheques before holiday? Many of us, in fact, don’t use currency at all anymore. Using your debit card abroad was always somewhat of a cruel mistress. Especially when you arrived home to discover a host of transaction and exchange fees had debited your account!
Now however, with the invention of app-only banks like Starling and Revolut, you don’t need to incur fees for using your money abroad. All you have to do is sign up, get your card, and upload cash via your domestic bank account.
We’ve all been there, sat on the flight and realised we didn’t pack sun screen, flip flops, or a brolly. A checklist is essential but what if your phone could do it for you with one of its new travel apps? Packpoint assesses the weather forecast for you on a daily basis, It also asks you the activities in which you will be partaking. So its impossible to leave your hiking boots or swimming shorts at home.
Sometimes, getting to know a new city and the story behind it is as equally enjoyable as going? Unlike having to devote your entire day to a guided tour, you can do now find out all those unanswered questions on new travel apps. Simply download Detour, plug in your headphones, and listen to a fully narrated tour of the city — from a local with considerable knowledge of the area.
All that is left to do is book your flight, on your phone of course, and say ‘see you soon’!
What new travel apps have you used?
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