Travel is a very exhaustive term. It covers the mental, physical, emotional, economical, and logistical parameters to measure up to a successful trip. While some rely on the arranged source of travel, some like to venture independently. Walking every street, driving unnamed lanes, relishing the local cuisines and living like a local. In this blog, I bring to you some aids which can ease out your independent travel. These aids are some known and trusted mobile apps that can remain virtual companion throughout your travel. All the apps listed here are free, yet best travel apps in the domain they represent. 

Majority of the Apps listed here are tuned for international travel experiences but, this blog comes to highlight the travel apps in India alone. 

The general interface for all the Android & iOS Travel Apps are shared below. Come, explore Indian Tourism through India Tourism Apps.

MakemyTrip

MakemyTrip comes as a default name when it comes to air flight bookings both local & international. Makemytrip also supplements hotel bookings around your travel destinations.

Lately Makemytrip has introduced the feature of ‘Zero Cancellation’ for domestic flight bookings, offering zero penalty and full refund.

Android  – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.makemytrip&hl=en

iOS - https://itunes.apple.com/in/app/makemytrip-flights-hotels-buses/id530488359?mt=8

Indian Railways IRCTC & PNR

Indian Railways are an integral part of the travel network within the country. The Indian Railways IRCTC & PNR app is a real-time experience to book rail tickets online, check PNR status, search trains, fare inquiry and seat availability. The app is available in English, Hindi & Bengali language currently. The interface is fast & easy and makes rail travel much sorted.

Android - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.indianrail.thinkapps.irctc&hl=en

iOS -  https://itunes.apple.com/in/app/indian-railway-irctc-pnr-status/id888197080?mt=8

Google Maps

Google Maps has offered an enhanced confidence at driving roads worldwide. One doesn’t hold anymore the fear of losing a way or landing in an unnecessary region. With Google Maps App, one can cruise across the Country through immaculate navigations and live traffic insights. The feature can also be used in an offline mode with some additional settings.

Android – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.maps&hl=en

iOS - https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/google-maps-navigation-transit/id585027354?mt=8

Ola Cabs

Ola is the fastest, easiest, and secured way to travel private by booking cabs. Operational in major metros in India. Book cabs from Micro, Mini, Sedan and Prime range. The Prime range comes enabled with wi-fi services.

You can pay by cash or opt for Ola money, an app which works on the same principle as paytm.

Android – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.olacabs.customer&hl=en

iOS - https://itunes.apple.com/in/app/ola-cabs-book-a-taxi-with-one-touch/id539179365?mt=8

Airbnb

What’s like opting for a cosy home instead of a hotel room, while you travel. Living in local residences, having local cuisines, being a part of families, experiencing their daily routines. Airbnb comes as an extended version of homestays. It is adapted across countries worldwide and India has also warmly opened doors to its guests.

With Airbnb explore the economic staying options while being selective on the location, comfort and room sharing criteria.

Android - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.airbnb.android&hl=en

iOS - https://itunes.apple.com/in/app/airbnb/id401626263?mt=8

Google Translate

Google translate is a sophisticated app to ease your travel experience. Now be assured you will face no challenges because of different languages. The app comes aided with translations across 103 languages worldwide. The exquisite features are 52 languages can be translated while being in the offline mode, 93 languages can be translated from drawn characters, high quality text pictures can be translated and translations can be saved for future reference in any languages.

Android - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.translate&hl=en

iOS - https://itunes.apple.com/in/app/google-translate/id414706506?mt=8

Kindle

When books rule your days, kindle can remain your constant companion while travelling and otherwise. The kindle app comes loaded with plethora of books to choose from. The best thing is you do not need a kindle equipment to use kindle app. One can shop for books, magazines online or read from a list of thousands of free books while on the go.

Android - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.amazon.kindle&hl=en

iOS - https://itunes.apple.com/in/app/kindle/id405399194?mt=12

All Currency Convertor

All current convertor is an easy to use app for currency conversion across 162 currencies worldwide. It comes with additional features like exchange rate for special minerals like gold & silver, multi-currency conversion.

Android – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.smartwho.SmartAllCurrencyConverter&hl=en

iOS - https://itunes.apple.com/in/app/world-currency-converter/id628614469?mt=8

Accuweather    

Accuweather boasts of accurate weather forecast for every latitude / longitude on earth and remains true to its predictions most of the time. The app is available worldwide and across 33 languages.

Features which highlight the severity of weather are inbuilt and demonstrated through various alerts. So, if you have outdoor plans for your travel, Accuweather app should be a sure option.

Android – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.accuweather.android&hl=en

iOS - https://itunes.apple.com/in/app/accuweather-weather-for-life/id300048137?mt=8

Night Sky

Nightsky is a real-time app which brings virtual sky, stars, planets & constellations just by pointing your phone towards the sky. The visuals are so accurate that you don’t need to be astronomically perfect. Nightsky is used by professional photographers to trace the milky way and take stunning night sky images.

Android – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.icandiapps.nightskypro&hl=en

iOS - https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/night-sky/id475772902?mt=8

Circa World Time

Circa World Time is rated as one of the best Travel App. The visually organised app shows different time zones and running time across multiple locations worldwide. It also helps organise schedules and check for immediate time overlaps.

Android - https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/night-sky/id475772902?mt=8

iOS - https://itunes.apple.com/fr/app/circa-world-time-and-meeting-planner-for-travelers/id968698352?l=en&mt=8

 

Paytm

Now, no need to rely totally on your plastic money. Opt for payment through Paytm while you are on the go. Right from paying road side vendors to online payments like phone recharge, hotel bills & flight bills.

Paytm is your best payment partner on the go.

Android – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.one97.paytm&hl=en

iOS -  https://itunes.apple.com/in/app/paytm-payments-wallet-recharges/id473941634?mt=8

Zomato

For the foodies, here’s an app that’s not only rich with cuisines, but with variety of dining options. With Zomato you can explore restaurants, browse menus, and place order. Order online or catch deals and dine at the best rated dining options available.

Android - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.application.zomato&hl=en

iOS - https://itunes.apple.com/in/app/zomato-food-restaurant-finder/id434613896?mt=8

Bookmyshow

Entertainment should never cease, even when you are on the go. While exploring India, Bookmyshow app can be your trusted entertainment partner.

Movie tickets, Plays, events, concerts, their show timings, seat availability, online bookings, movie reviews, sports & match ticket bookings, all major entertainment under one reliable app.

Android - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bt.bms&hl=en

iOS - https://itunes.apple.com/in/app/bookmyshow-movies-events-play-tickets/id405894842?mt=8

Thrillophilia

Thrillophilia is a systematic and brilliant medium to a plethora of outdoor adventure activities. Be updated on the outdoor adventures while on the go. Choose amongst a list of thrilling adventure activities, browse, and book experiences.

Android - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.thrillophilia&hl=en

iOS - https://itunes.apple.com/in/app/thrillophilia-book-tours-and-activities/id1003794115?mt=8

Audio Compass

Have a talking guide while you travel the important attractions across India. From mountains, beaches, temples, architecture, and history, experience it all through the Audio Compass App. Audio Compass are recorded guides with updated information compiled by a group of passionate travellers across guide books, personal experiences & Wikipedia pages.Audio Compass is an Indian Travel Guide

Android – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.audiocompass.acv2&hl=en

iOS - https://itunes.apple.com/in/app/audio-travel-guide-by-audiocompass/id680471567?mt=8

Remember, travel apps are your invisible guides, but the fun is to pull your vehicle window down and ask a local the way around, strike a conversation at eating joints to explore the local famous cuisines, walk with a physical guide who has lived and experienced the place, share a local transport, learn some local words and may be some slang, experience the sudden weather changes and get lost only to find a new place.

  

Photo Credits – All the photos used in this blogs are gathered from various sources and merely for information and representation purpose.

Text By - Jyoti Rane

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