19 May 2014

Whether you’re travelling on a shoe string budget or Mummy and Daddy have gone halves with you (and you’ve got a credit card linked to their’s) you should be looking for the best ways to get the most out of every dollar. Be that from cheap flights or last minute accommodation, to getting cheap feeds or just navigating yourself around town, nobody likes the thought of spending all their cash too quickly, not to mention most of the time your best experiences will be the ones that cost you the least (unless you’re Dan Bilzerian).

So we’ve come across some helpful apps and websites that you should definitely download and get amongst before you head off on your travels. p.s they are in no specific order of rank.

1. Routehappy

Price may be the most important factor when booking a flight—but it’s not the only one. Enter Routehappy, whose “intelligent” searches one-up Hipmunk’s agony index (which prioritizes flights by a combination of length and price), scoring each route based on age and type of plane, in-flight entertainment options, legroom, traveler feedback, Wi-Fi availability, cabin layout, and more—all in a slick, clear interface.

2. GetGoing

Feeling lucky? If you aren’t then perhaps you’re just feeling adventurous? this is where jumping onto GetGoing can take your travel experience to wicked locations with incredible discounts. Part Priceline, part The Price Is Right, GetGoing’s unique “Pick Two, Get One” feature allows travellers to choose itineraries for two destinations, enter their payment details, and leave the final decision of where they’re going in the computer’s hands. The payoff? Deep discounts of up to 40 percent off, which airlines won’t extend to (less flexible) business travelers. The catch: tickets are nonrefundable and non-changeable.getgoing.com

3. Hotel Tonight

Make same-day reservations at in-demand hotels with this trailblazing app, which has recently grown to cover much of Europe and Mexico in addition to 70-plus cities in the U.S. and Canada. Deals kick off at noon and last until 2 a.m.—or whenever they sell out.hoteltonight.com

Runs On: Android, iOS

Tip: A new feature lets you search through user photos to be sure you won’t regret your last-minute choice.

4. HopStop

With maps for more than 600 cities from New York to Moscow, HopStop makes the most complex train systems in the world feel approachable. Enter your starting point and destination and the app yields detailed, step-by-step instructions, including pointers on underground transfers and real-time updates on service changes. hopstop.com

Runs On: Android, iOS, Windows Phone

5. AirBnB

The pioneer of peer-to-peer travel now has more than 300,000 properties for rent in 192 countries, offering everything from a Brooklyn loft to a castle in Ireland. The site is more reliable than ever, thanks to a new secure-payment system, generous property protection, and the recently added AirBnB Verified ID feature, which requires renters and hosts to validate their identities.airbnb.com

Runs On: Android, iOS

6. Boingo Wi-Finder

Dedicated hot-spot service Boingo Wireless provides access to more than 700,000 mobile hot spots in airports, hotels, and other public places across the globe, all via its app. It costs as little as $7.95 a month for global access. But even the most expensive plan—which provides 2,000 minutes of worldwide service—runs $59 a month, bringing it down to just $2 a day.boingo.com

Runs On: Android, iOS.  Tip: Members can also access Wi-Fi at 30,000 feet, thanks to a partnership with Gogo Inflight.

7. Foodspotting

In addition to snapping and sharing your meals and browsing user-submitted photos for inspiration, you can also book restaurant reservations directly from the app, now that it’s owned by OpenTable. foodspotting.com

Runs On: Android, BlackBerry, iOS, Windows Phone

Tip: Looking for the expert take? Foodspotting lets you canvass recommendations from trusted sources such as T+L, Zagat, and Time Out.

8. Tingo

There’s little worse than finding a better deal at your hotel just days after booking. Enter Tingo, which automatically rebooks you at a lower rate should one pop up on its site—or lands you a free upgrade should a better room become available at a lesser price. Unlike competitors that offer price matching, Tingo has no limit on the amount it will refund its users. According to the site’s data, 44 percent of reservations are refunded or upgraded, with an average savings of $54.30. tingo.com

Runs On: Web only

9. mPassport

If you get sick, injured, or need a prescription filled on the road, mPassport’s searchable database lists more than 6,700 reputable doctors and 1,500 vetted clinics around the world. The recommended doctors speak English, but the app also suggests translations for common symptoms, ailments, and prescriptions. mpassport.com

Runs On: Android, iOS. Tip: The service is free for anyone who has HTH Travel Insurance; otherwise, annual access can be purchased for $34.95.

10. Stray Boots

Like a cross between a walking tour and a scavenger hunt, Stray Boots lets you purchase short, downloadable itineraries in 16 cities, from gallery-hopping in New York’s SoHo to a historic look at Seattle’s Pioneer Square. strayboots.com

Runs On: Android, iOS