Call us biased, but we love apps that help make our lives easier. From apps that excel at helping you plan your travels to teaching you a new language to keeping you organised, the tech world has it all. At Skyscanner New Zealand, we’ve found the best travel apps for in-flight entertainment and travel planning.
1. Trover, Free on iOS and Android
Are you sick of scrolling through social media only to see post after post of relationship announcements, political memes, and gym check-ins? Trover is a social media app that’s all about travel. Discover new destinations, read and share tips, and enjoy connecting with fellow travellers on the road.
2. Couchsurfing Hangouts, Free on iOS and Android
Looking for locals in all the wrong places? While travelling, most of us want to connect with those who live in the destination we’re visiting. In some destinations, this can be a true challenge. Couchsurfing Hangouts connects you to other locals and travellers where you can plan meet-ups, arrange trips, and get together for a meal. On the Couchsurfing app, you can stay with a local in lieu of a hostel or hotel.
3. HappyCow, Free on iOS and Android
Vegan and vegetarian travellers won’t have to worry about going hungry on the road. HappyCow is a review website where hungry veg-loving foodies rate and review the best restaurants around the world. You can filter results by distance and sort the results based on rating. Set your app to show vegan or vegetarian restaurants only, or opt for a regular eatery that has a plant-based menu.
4. Stitcher, Free on iOS and Android
With many airlines now charging for the content they stream, it’s handy to carry a library of content with you. With Stitcher, you can download podcasts for offline listening that’s ideal for long train rides, bus journeys, and waiting for your bag to come around on the carousel. Use the search function to find travel-specific podcasts like Not So Bon Voyage, Indie Travel Podcast, and Amateur Traveler Podcast. If you love adventure, check out Tough Girl Podcast.
5. Duolingo, Free on iOS and Android
Duolingo turns language learning into a game. Each level is divided into short sections where you race against the clock, beat previous scores, and earn points for each level completed. While you probably won’t be conversing like a local from Duolingo alone, the app certainly helps with laying the groundwork for basic vocabulary and communication. Spanish, French, German, Italian, Korean, and Hindi are some of the most popular languages to learn. Love Game of Thrones? A High Valyrian course is also on offer.
6. Priority Pass and Lounge Pass, Free on iOS and Android, Paid Membership
Frequent flyers aren’t strangers to airport lounges. While they can vary from dingy to glamorous, airport lounges generally offer great value for those on long layovers and empty stomachs. There are two top airline lounge apps–both owned by the same company–that allow you to compare lounges and book passes prior to your airport arrival. Priority Pass acts as a digital membership where you are allotted a set number of lounge passes per year. Lounge Pass is an a la carte service where you can purchase one-off lounge passes, ideal for infrequent travellers.
Ready for more? These are our top tips for gaining access to airline lounges.
7. Maps.me, Free on iOS and Android
Never get lost again with Maps.me. This offline map service lets you explore your new destination without worrying about phone signal and data packages. Before you arrival, download the country’s offline map. Once you land, you can easily navigate from one place to the next without wondering if you’re heading in the right direction.
8. Evernote, Free on iOS and Android
Organised travellers with love Evernote, an app that syncs across all of your devices to store articles, travel notes, checklists and more. During your travel planning stage, move any relevant information to Evernote, where you can access it on the go. Articles we bookmark in hopes of reading later can be sorted into an Evernote folder and easily found later.
9. Tripit, Free on iOS and Android
Tripit is a handy app that combs through your email account for flight, hotel, and tour confirmations. Once a confirmation is found, it sends it into the app. Scouring through your emails to double check whether your flight leaves at six in the morning or six in the evening will soon be a thing of the past.
10. Skyscanner, Free on iOS and Android
And of course, when you’re booking travel, Skyscanner should be your go-to for flights, car hire, and hotels. We can alert you when flight prices change, show you the cheapest months to travel, and inspire you with our featured flights to everywhere. Is it any surprise that we’ve saved the best for last?earch for cheap flights today
