Free apps that you should download for your next trip
Travelling not only helps you see the world from a different perspective but also helps you see your own life through a different lens. It moves you and changes you beyond imagination. It makes you a different person, most often a better person! It is a sublime experience; one that cannot be replaced by any other. In fact, travelling also makes you a better entrepreneur!
Here are five free apps that will make your travelling experience so easy that you will want to start your next trip as soon as possible.
Travel planning
Plan your itineraries in detail with these apps. TripHobo, makes use of user-generated itineraries to help you choose your destination, suggest attractions and make bookings for the same. iXigo also has a trip-planner that suggests an itinerary that includes how to travel (modes and cost), details about current weather at the destination and a list of top hotels and attractions. Another similar option is Tripit. It is a free mobile travel organiser, which consolidates confirmations from hotels, airlines, car rentals and restaurants from your e-mail account for easier access.
Transport
For all those who travel frequently by train and bus, the IRCTC and redBus apps are must-haves. Although the IRCTC app might pose some initial difficulties, their team is working on making it better. For instance, the IRCTC-PayTM tie-up helps make online payments much easier. In case you have trust issues with online payments, you can also opt for the cash-on-delivery options available on the BookMyTrain app. You can opt for alternatives like the TicketJugaad app that makes up for almost all the glitches in the IRCTC app. On the other hand, redBus has been a favourite for all travellers. In fact, now you can book inter-city bus tickets between Singapore and Malaysia, and intra-city tickets within Malaysia through
Accommodation
If you are looking for boutique stays, you can always opt for the Airbnb app that offers some of the most premium, yet offbeat stays for a slightly steep price . However, if you are looking for budget stays, you can opt for OYO Rooms or StayZilla.
OYO Rooms, started as Oravel in 2011, by Ritesh Agarwal (who was only 18 then), is a chain of branded budget hotels across several Indian cities. For all trips to tier-II and tier-III cities in India, StayZilla is the perfect choice. For all backpackers out there, Zostel would be the ideal choice.
Events, plays and local gatherings
Make use of the BookMyShow app to find what’s happening in the city. Be it the latest movie, a popular play or a cool gig, BookMyShow is the one-stop-shop for all. If you happen to be travelling in Delhi, NCR or Bangalore, do check out the Little Black Book. They cover a wide spectrum of interests that includes food, events, travel, adventure, lifestyle and shopping among other things.
For everything else
In case you are planning to travel to some remote parts of the country, Google Maps and Google Translate will be very useful in helping you scour through local areas. In fact, if you will not be having internet during your journey, opt for NaviMaps, an offline app by MapMyIndia. Their 3D maps cover a two-million-long road network spanning over 7,200 towns and major landmarks, and can be stored and used without a data connection. You can also rely on the personal assistant app Helpchat, which will help you with various things ranging from travel reservations to laundry, mobile recharge, booking movie tickets and even for information about local businesses.
What are your favourite travel apps? Let us know in the comments section below.