What’s not missing are apps for the most diverse features. In trips many of them can make the traveler’s life easier and even help to save – time and money.
Knowing how to use them to the fullest takes some practice, so download the apps before boarding and familiarize yourself with their features, make the necessary registrations and have them ready to use before traveling.
Next, a list with the apps that I don’t give up having on my smartphone when traveling.
1 – Kayak: in my opinion the best aggregator of travel services
With a simple interface, it offers options for car rentals and ticket and hotel reservations. Kayak in its versions for smartphones, tablets and also the web is mandatory for those who travel.
In fact, one of the most interesting features is the “Hacker fare”, a fare that mixes two flights that can be purchased separately, but that make up the same trip.
In addition, it is difficult to find a better aggregator for booking vehicles. By looking on different sites, Kayak has already guaranteed me savings of 40% to 50% on the same car rental.
Finally, the “explore” function that tracks destinations around the world with attractive prices on a map is excellent for those who decide to travel at the last minute.
2- Turo: the main P2P platform (“Peer to Peer” in Portuguese) for automobiles in the world
O bull It is a handy tool for those who want to rent super-cheap (even if older) or mega-exclusive cars that are not available in traditional rental companies. From premium and sports convertibles, to electrics, hybrids and classics, the variety is impressive.
Leases are insured and the process as a whole usually works very well for leases. The first registration is a little bureaucratic, but it is worth it. I already talked about it here in a previous edition of the column, dealing with Islamorada.
3- WikiLoc / Watersports Tracker: here a combo because both serve similar functions
I am passionate about hiking, trails and water sports, both apps that allow you to record or record this type of exercise, respectively. There are other apps for other types of sports.
O wikiloc it even allows offline use, which makes it enormously easier when you want to follow a new trail. It shows level of difficulty, points of interest and support, elevation, average walking time and a host of other information. It is one of the best apps for trekking, hiking and the like.
4- Google Maps: it’s nothing new for anyone, but a specific function is killer for me: Offline Maps
How many times do we travel to places with little or no cellular connection? Being without a map at hand is often synonymous with cold and the Google Maps can save you.
The tip is to save maps of the entire region and around where you will travel (don’t just keep the map of where you think you’re going, but add a macro of the region, this will ensure that, in case you need to go off plan, you have access to extremely relevant info, even without signal).
5- Enlight: perfect for editing photos
O Enlight , in my opinion, is the best for editing photos. Practical, with a reasonable learning curve, it will guarantee more beautiful and vivid photos, valuing the places visited even more.
6- Blablacar: to catch long distance rides
O Blablacar is a French success and has a strong connection with Brazil: its busiest route in the world is between Campinas and São Paulo.
Popular among many Brazilians, the long-distance carpooling app can help you on a trip where you need to travel often and don’t have a rental car. The tip is fpay attention to the rating of drivers and opt for people who already have a reasonable number of trips with good ratings.
7- Transport / local ride apps
O Uber is, without a doubt, the largest in the world in presence. Distributed and present in several countries, it is a safe bet. However, it is not present everywhere and, even if it is, it is not always the most used or preferred by drivers in the region.
Examples around the world abound, in the United States, careem the best option is fired, followed by the Lytt . In the interior of Mato Grosso, the North Urban dominates and has better prices and routes, in the Southeast Asian there are at least 8 apps with a large presence depending on the countries, the Di-Di, owner of the Brazilian 99, in China, among many others.
Research which one is the most used in the region you are going to visit and download it, create your account and get everything in order before traveling.
8- Food delivery apps
Same goes for the previous one. Each corner has its own, with different purposes: luxury, price, comfort, integrated services, etc.
Research the best options in the cities you will visit, you don’t know when you might be hungry and all the kitchens are closed. DoorDash, Uber Eats, iFood, Caviar… The options are endless.
9- Shazam: for lovers of good sounds
You will listen to new music as you travel. O Shazam lets you find out what song is playing using just your smartphone’s microphone.
10- Other Apps not to forget!
Mobility apps (scooters, scooters, bicycles, etc.); bank apps, especially those linked to the cards that will be used on the trip; flight monitoring apps (there are many), which allow you to know if a flight is delayed and monitor it in real time, know which gate to use, baggage carousel, etc. Live Plans is a good option, there is a free plan); apps from airlines operating in the region of travel, one or more apps from one of the large and main hotel chains operating in the region that will be and health/travel insurance plan apps with their details.
Finally, remember: no application will solve all problems. Therefore, the tip is always to have a backup that does not depend on technology. What I always recommend is:
– a cash reserve that allows two days of travel without trouble.
– telephones, reservation locators, important addresses, all also in hard copies or easily accessible without depending on signal.
- And I also reinforce that memorizing the main ones is super important, an option already designed in case a bigger problem arises during your journey.
Happy Downloads!
Luiz Candreva is one of the main Brazilian futurists. Head of Innovation at Ayoo, columnist for CBN and CNN Brasil, creative director of the Disruptive MBA, he is a professor at Fundação Dom Cabral, HSM, and Startse; board member of Aleach Ventures, speaker with more than 800 presentations in different countries, as well as a KiteSurfing world record holder.
*The texts published by the Columnists do not necessarily reflect the opinion of CNN Viagem & Gastronomia.
Source: CNN Brasil
Bruce Belcher is a seasoned author with over 5 years of experience in world news. He writes for online news websites and provides in-depth analysis on the world stock market. Bruce is known for his insightful perspectives and commitment to keeping the public informed.
