10. Useful accommodation and tourist information apps

Here are the most useful accomodation booking and tourist information apps that I have found. I have saved these all on one home screen on my phone for quick and easy access. I have set up separate home screens dealing with travel and transport information, this was dealt with in a previous blog post. 

Agoda

A useful accommodation booking app which allows you book some properties with free cancellation. This is useful if you think your plans might change.

Airbnb

For self-catering accommodation, this app is always useful. It also has a wide range of accommodation in smaller towns, villages and rural areas, where there may not be hotels available. 

Blogger

For anyone who wants to write a travel blog, this should be the app of choice.

Booking.com

One of the biggest accommodation booking sites in the world, like the first app above, it allows you book accommodation with free cancellation,  very handy if you think your plans might change.

Couchsurfing

If money is tight, or you are travelling on your own and would like some company  this allows you book a spare bed in someone's home. You can also use the hangouts feature where you can indicate if you would like to meet other travellers or locals for a coffee or sightseeing. 

Eatwith

An interesting concept which allows you to book and pay for lunch or dinner in a local's home, instead of in a restaurant. 

The costs are quite high in some cities, but remember you are availing of hospitality and chat in a person's home.

Duolingo

If you want to learn the basics of a foreign language before you travel, this app should get you off to a great start. However it is not to be confused with translation apps.

Eventbrite

Useful for checking what's on in a city before arrival and for booking tickets if you spot anything of interest. 

GuruWalk

The 'free guided tour' app. None of featured tours has specific prices listed, you just pay what you think the tour was worth when it finishes. 

HappyCow

An app that allows you search for vegetarian or vegan restaurants in your destination. 

HomeExchange 

For members, this app allows you stay for 'GuestPoints' in a person's home, spare room or secondary property. 

Kindle

To save space in your rucksack, either the Kindle app for phones or tables, or a Kindle reader are both invaluable. Take as many guidebooks or novels with you as you want and buy more en route if you wish. 

OpenTable

Helps you to book a table at popular restaurants in most cities.

Revolut

The Revolut app facilitates payments in most European currencies easily. Money can be transferred from your current account. Cash withdrawals also possible from ATMs.

SayHi

One of two translation apps I have downloaded. It has a new hands-free conversation possibility, where the app automatically detects another language and translates it, allowing people to have live natural no'conversations'.

Google Translate 

The king of translation.  Languages can be downloaded so you can still use the app if you have no roaming facility or WiFi. 

TripAdvisor 

From checking hotel, restaurant and attraction reviews, to booking tours, this app is invaluable when arriving in a new city or when researching destinations in advance of your trip. 

WiFi Map

Helps locate good free WiFi. Remember to use a VPN for protection. 

XE

Currency conversion app.