You booked your vacation, but between the flight, the hotel, and the rental car, you’re already staring down a monster hit to your bank account. Thankfully, app developers are catering more and more to people looking for money-saving options on the go. Check out our 12 recommendations so you can fit more fun in your budget!
Best 12 apps for traveling cheap
Getting there for less
No matter how you plan on traveling, we’ve got some apps to help you get there on the cheap.
GasBuddy
Ready to hit the road? Nothing is worse than filling up, only to see a cheaper option a few miles away. GasBuddy helps you find cheap gas in any area! GasBuddy even offers a Trip Cost Calculator tool – you can input your starting location, destination, make and model of your car, etc., and it’ll calculate the cost based on current gas prices.
Skyscanner
Need cheap airfare? Download the Skyscanner app! This award-winning travel app searches millions of flights from over 1,200 travel partners in seconds, giving you the best airfare on cheap flights to anywhere in the world. It’s no surprise that over 60 million travelers trust Skyscanner to catch their next money-saving flight deal. The app also offers insight for the cheapest days or months to fly, as well as helpful travel tips.
Hopper
Here’s another great tool to help you find the best airfare based on when you plan to fly. Easily book flights on your phone and learn the best times to buy. Hopper analyzes tons of flights to help savvy travelers like you find the next best deal, so be sure to download this worthy app today!
Turo
Headed to a spot where you won’t be able to rely on public transit? Maybe you’re staying for an extended period of time and need to rent a car? Turo is an ingenious app for those looking to save money. The app allows private car owners to rent out their vehicles to travelers like you! Turo claims rentals through their site can cost 35 percent less than traditional agencies.
Get cozy comfort for less
Get that five-star feeling for a fraction of the price with these nifty accommodation apps!
Hotel Tonight
Available strictly on mobile devices, Hotel Tonight is a travel app that allows users to find discounted hotel accommodations up to seven days in advance throughout the Americas, Europe and Australia. It’s ideal for those looking to hop on a flight as soon as the mood strikes! With this app, it’s remarkably easy to book great hotels at amazing last-minute rates.
Airbnb
What began as a room-rental website in 2007 is now a multimillion dollar household name. Airbnb not only offers unique rentals, but affordable experiences and restaurant recommendations as well. With the Airbnb app, you can find entire apartments for less than $100 a night! Plus, you’ll connect with locals who can provide even more money-saving tips so you don’t have to spend like crazy to have a good time!
LoungeBuddy
Think you can’t afford to kill time in a cozy airport lounge on your shoestring travel budget? Think again! LoungeBuddy is your new best friend. Whether you have a long layover or just need to refresh after a red-eye, you can access the world’s swankiest airport lounges for as little as $25. Enjoy all-inclusive amenities rather than purchasing them individually for a higher cost in the terminal. Who said airports can’t be fun?
Hostelworld
You don’t have to compromise comfort and quality for price. Hostels have come a long way. Many are hip spots where you can meet fellow travelers over a free meal! Hostelworld is an app where you can find hostels all around the world – from Amsterdam to South Africa! Based on the photos and reviews and all the included amenities, you’ll be surprised how far your dollar can stretch with these options.
Couchsurfing
Not only is Couchsurfing an incredible app to use to find a place to stay, it’s a great app for making friends and meeting fellow travel companions! It’s no wonder 4 million folks use Couchsurfing today – after all, it is free! That’s right. Local hosts won’t charge you for crashing on their couch– however, it is nice to bring them a small gift as a thank you!
Spend less time spending, more time experiencing
Traveling doesn’t mean you have to spend your hard-earned money around the clock. Download these apps so you can spend more time enjoying your next adventure!
Trail Wallet
With this app, you can organize your expenses by trip or by month, set yourself a daily budget, then easily add expenses as you go. When you get a bill or receipt, add the amount using the Quick Add screen and you’re done! Another cool feature? You can add amounts in local currencies from 218 countries!
Thank goodness for the advancement of technology and apps! Going abroad? Don’t worry about switching over your phone plan or anything complicated like that. Just download Whatsapp to keep in touch with friends and family at home via Wi-Fi. WhatsApp is a free instant messaging and voice platform that allows you to send texts, make phone (and video) calls, share images, and more!
Google Translate
If you’re going to a place where you’re unfamiliar with the local language, Google Translate is a must! Time is money and this app will save you tons of time when it comes to figuring out a foreign language. The best part? You don’t have to be connected to the internet to use it! The app translates 59 languages when you have no internet, and over 100 when you’re connected again. Not only will it translate any text you type in, you can even take photos of foreign text and Google will translate it for you in real time.
Have any other suggestions for your fellow travelers? Share them in the comments below!
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