This list is not every single resource, but it includes some of the resources I use personally & ones I recommended while I was a travel agent.

Hopper

Hopper is becoming a significant player in booking flights. Like google flights, Hopper allows you to see various flight options, and to check different dates.

Where Hopper is ahead of google flights, in my opinion, is that they allow you to watch for a location, not only for a specific flight. They also allow you to have a better idea of pricing because they tell you if the price is likely to go up, go down or stay stagnant.

Hopper also now has accommodation so you can get your place to stay in the same app.

They claim up to 95% accuracy up to a year in advance and have reportedly helped 30 million travellers so far.

I do really enjoy this app and hope that one day they expand to a website, but for now, I’ll keep my notifications on and wait for the deals to come my way.

TripIt

So, I loved Google Trips, but it shutdown in August of 2019, so to I started using TripIt. Much like the google app, TripIt will track your trip and then some.

This app includes things like airport maps, neighbourhood safety ratings, transport options, rating of your in-flight experience. It even lets you track if you have compensation eligibility for if your flight should be cancelled or delayed (though only in specific markets).

TripIt is also available on many devices, and the plans can be shared on your calendar. That way, you know where you’ll be and when. Which, after travelling over a few time zones, can be helpful. I cannot even tell you how many times I had to explain to clients how this concept worked.

Trotter

I first saw an ad for Trotter on Facebook, and after some trouble signing up, I have really enjoyed it.

Not only can you get tips from other users on the app, but it also gives you suggestions from when people comment on your question from your social media accounts.

You’re also able to put in where you’ve visited by city, and where you would like to go. I’m still learning to use the app, but so far, I have really enjoyed it and the people on it. They love travelling and helping people with their trips, which is one thing I really miss having left the industry and a significant reason I’m doing this now.

PackPoint Travel Packing List

This app has been one that has been on my devices on and off for years. The app itself has a great set up and is user-friendly, it also has so many options.

To give you a quick rundown, you select where you’re going and for how long. You also choose what kind of trip it is, what activities you plan to do and even give weather reports.

One of my favourites is the sharing feature, as I understand it you can even share with TripIt when you unlock it for about a dollar or so.

I really love being able to customize my lists because I know what I will and won’t use and keep my list minimal, meaning I can use it for just about any trip.

TripAdvisor

I have had mixed feelings with TripAdvisor before. I have heard so many things about people lying in reviews, people paying for reviews, all kinds of stuff. The fact remains it is still one of the most popular ways to look at and book different experiences in just about every city around the world.

My advice with this site and app is to take everything with a grain of salt. Remember to check a few other sources before you book, including the website of the place you plan to book with. They sometimes offer better rates if you book directly with them so they don’t have to pay any processing fees that may be involved with another company.

Many of the sites I mentioned in my piece on websites also have incredibly helpful apps. I know most people don’t want to cart around laptops or even iPads for longer trips.

If you’re looking for those ones, one of my favourites are Rome2Rio.

A few other apps I use before I finish up are:

Google translate; Which can translate everything from signs and menus so you can find your way around and have a great meal while doing it.

Sit Or Squat; which not only finds public restrooms for when you need to go but also rates them, so you know which ones you should sit or squat while using.

Waze; which is excellent if you’re driving around an unfamiliar place. It shows the traffic levels on different routes, accident reports and gas alerts, which is always helpful.

RoadTrippers; which much like the website shows you attractions along the route of your road trip, which you can plan in advance or wing it and use it on the go.

Google maps; why would you not use one of the most downloaded apps ever? It works great and you can pre-download maps to use offline as well as save places you want to visit in cities all over the world.

Airline apps; many airlines now let you check-in online and in-app. Depending on the airline, they may also change the gate or time of your boarding, so having the app from your airline that will send you updates whenever they’re made can make your time at the airport much less stressful.

Journal apps; I don’t have a real recommendation since I haven’t gotten into the habit. I love the idea of writing and sharing my travels somewhere private since I don’t share on my socials when I’m at a destination. I also love being able to write about a day and not forget little pieces of information that may be taken over in my mind by more significant events.

Music and Podcast apps; Music is universally loved. Every country has their taste and their own history with music, and I love being able to share that with those I meet. I also love making playlists that remind me of a particular trip.

I also love learning and having something different to listen to while in transit or wandering around the streets and parks of a new city. That’s why I love podcasts so much. There are so many options and types of podcasts by so many different people, you are bound to find something you love.

That is all from me for now, but I want to do something a little different here, drop a comment below with your favourite song from a trip or a podcast you love, and I’ll try to check them all out!

My favourite song from a trip is called Sunset Lover, it doesn’t have any lyrics, but I love the sound of it.  I remember being at a hostel in Tasmania when I first got it as a recommendation on Spotify. It is usually one of the first songs I add to a playlist because I listen to it constantly.