From getting the best deal with flights to finding the coolest places to hang out tailored to your tastes, here are five apps that you should definitely consider for a hassle-free holiday.
Hopper
“Know when to fly and buy… score the lowest fares,” promises Hopper, your new favourite flight-booking app. What sets it apart from flight comparison websites you may have used in the past is that Hopper constantly monitors flight prices to not only give you the best deal in the moment but predict upcoming price trends too.
You can also secure flights straight from the app, saving time and hassle.
Free, iOS and Android, hopper.com
XE Currency
XE Currency offers live exchange rates for “every world currency and precious metals” (on the off chance you’re keeping track with your gold stash). You can save relevant rates offline, and even use the app on your Android Wear or Apple Watch device, meaning you’ll never accidentally overpay again.
Basic: free, iOS and Android, xe.com
Cool Cousin
Don’t you hate it when you’re in a vibrant and exciting city, but your guidebook is only showing the obvious tourist spots? Well say hello to Cool Cousin, which connects you to locals who share the same interests as you. Once connected you’ll receive a map of your ‘cousins’’ favourite city spots and personalised advice as to where you should go and what you should be doing.
Free, iOS (Android coming soon), coolcousin.com
Binaural
Travelling can be exhilarating, revelatory and profound, but if you’re someone who suffers from anxiety, it can also have moments of utter terror. So, whether you’re an anxious flyer, prone to panic attacks in new situations, or just easily flustered, an app which uses binaural beats (repetitive sound waves) to “entrain the brain to different states” can be very helpful indeed. Binaural, an elegant and easy-to-use app, can also alleviate jet lag and will help reset your sleep clock, making that five-hour stopover slightly less horrendous.
Basic: free, iOS, giorgiocalderolla.com/binaural
Google Trips
If you’re the kind of person who keeps their travel documents in a leather-bound organiser, then you’ll love Google Trips, the virtual equivalent.
Never find yourself trawling through emails in a hotel lobby at 3am again, as this handy little travelling buddy gathers all the information for your adventure – from Google and your inbox – for you, as well as drawing up itineraries and suggestions for places to go.
Free, iOS and Android, getgoogle.com/trips
