Travel is very popular amongst Australians. The popularity of smartphones has also increased rapidly in recent times. Bring the two together and you see the surge in Australian Travel Apps in 2016. The travel apps for Apple and Android phones are plentiful but are you getting the most out of your smartphone when you travel?
Here is our list of the top Australian Travel Apps
HotelTonight
Platform: iOS, Google Android
Price: Free
HotelTonight is targeted at travellers who are looking for a hotel last minute. Discounts of up to 50 per cent are available from a group of curated hotels. The later you wait to book, the better the price with guaranteed discounted rooms available for every night of the year. HotelTonight has grown to become a world-wide service with bookings available in more than 500 cities. The app categories hotels into basic, solid, hip or luxe. Once you land in a city, 20 to 30 minutes before you need a room, that’s the perfect time to make a booking using the HotelTonight app.
PackPoint
Platform: iOS, Google Android
Price: Free
PackPoint will help you to pack prior to heading off on your holiday. Input details such as your gender, length of travel, whether it’s for business or leisure, weather at the destination, any activities planned, and voila, a packing list will be created! Once the packing list has been created and saved, you can also share it with your friends and family to help them pack too. A checkbox can be ticked as you pack or you can delete any items that you may not want to include. Now packing will be painless thanks to the PackPoint app.
Wikicamps
Platform: iOS, Google Android
Price: $7.99
(there are no monthly subscription fees or fees for downloading additional content)
Wikicamps is a user generated app with content added, edited and shared by users in Australia. The database is growing rapidly and is constantly updated with the latest information about sites all across Australia. Over 21,000 listings are available including camp sites, caravan parks, backpacker hostels, points of interest and visitor information centres. Other helpful information include wifi hotspots, toilets, showers, swimming, fishing, pricing and more. Wikicamps also has the ability to work offline so you can download high quality maps and site content without needing Internet access.
TravelSmart
Platform: iOS, Google Android
Price: Free
https://www.allianztravelinsurance.com/travelsmart.htm
TravelSmart is a beneficial app for Australian Travellers to have when travelling abroad. In the event of an emergency overseas, this app will provide travellers’ details for local hospitals, provides translations of the names of common over the counter and prescription drugs and first aid terms. A fully searchable first aid dictionary is available in different languages and helpful medical terms and tips are also provided. A full list of emergency contact telephone numbers, for the police, fire and ambulance service searchable by country is also listed in the TravelSmart app. It is operated by Allianz travel Insurance.
Wifi Finder
Platform: iOS, Google Android
Price: Free
WiFi Finder – Android Apps on Google Play
Free Wi-Fi Finder on the App Store – iTunes – Apple
Wifi Finder is a useful app for Australian Travellers to assist in finding free or paid wifi hotspots both online and offline. The app features over 550,000 free and paid locations in 144 countries across the world. You can scan for wifi hotspots around you anywhere in the world, view the wifi hotspot details and obtain directions. Results are able to be filtered by location such as café, hotel etc or provider type. You also have the ability to compare the strength of the wifi hotspot from locations close to you. Now there’s no need to use your data download or be charged exorbitant prices for using your Internet data overseas!
TripIt
Platform: iOS, Google Android
Price: Free
TripIt is a popular app which makes life easier for travellers as it creates a comprehensive itinerary by collating details from flights, accommodation bookings, rental car bookings and activities. Weather forecasts and destination maps are also available and can be accessed offline. Instead of having separate details for each booking, it makes life easier by having the details all in one place so there is no need to search multiple places for your flight number or hotel reservation number.
Maps.me
Platform: iOS, Google Android
Price: Free
Maps.me provides travellers instant access to detailed maps of 345 countries in the world, even when offline. Find the quickest and most accurate way to your destination. A range of services including restaurants, tourist attractions, petrol stations, ATM machines, metro/ subway stations and more are also included. Maps can be downloaded for free.
Hipmunk
Platform: iOS, Google Android
Price: Free
Hipmunk is the fastest and easiest way to find the best flight and hotel deals. The app offers the most comprehensive travel search, from flights, trains, and charter flights to hotels and other accommodation options through Airbnb and HomeAway. The unique feature of Hipmunk is how flights can be ranked by price and ‘agony’ factors including flight duration and the number of layovers. Hipmunk’s hotels can be compared through factors including price, reviews and an “ecstasy” rating. Travellers can also find on a map where exactly they would be staying and read TripAdvisor reviews.
Rome2Rio
Platform: iOS, Google Android
Price: Free
Planning a trip can involve more than one means of transport. Sometimes we need to fly, then train then bus to our destination. Rome2Rio brings all types of transport together in a collective process that allows thorough planning of travel times and costs.
LoungeBuddy
Platform: iOS, Google Android
Price: Free
Enjoying the comforts of an airline lounge are made easier with LoungeBuddy app. This is the only app that gives travellers the ability to discover, book, and access airport lounges around the world. Treat yourself on stopovers for long haul flights without having to be a top tier airline member.
We will be updating and adding new Australian travel apps as the year’s progress. If you are using any apps that you would recommend then please share them in the comments section below so that everyone can optimise their travel.