Show summary Hide summary
Smartphone apps can take much of the stress out of travel — from finding cheap currency rates to booking tours and navigating unfamiliar streets — but they also reshape how we explore. Irish Times Consumer Affairs correspondent Conor Pope spoke with Brendan O’Connor about the handful of apps he believes every traveller should have before they set off.
Getting around: taxis and ride-hailing
Before you land, check which taxi or ride‑hailing services dominate your destination. In much of Europe, apps such as FreeNow and Bolt are widely used, while in the United States Uber is typically the default choice.
What a Sauna Aufguss Felt Like: a steamy wellness ritual with partial nudity
Top Irish fine-dining venue named at Georgina Campbell Awards 2026
Knowing the local market in advance saves time and helps you avoid scrambling for transport on arrival.
Book activities without the hassle
If you arrive without pre‑booked plans, platforms that act like an online concierge can be a real timesaver. Pope recommends GetYourGuide, which bundles activity fees and logistics — in one example he cited, a camel ride in Morocco that included hotel pick‑up and drop‑off cost roughly €50 for three people.
Finding places to eat: reviews, social media and realism
Review sites remain useful but deserve a cautious read. Pope notes that TripAdvisor still leads the market for gauging options nearby, but warns against taking reviews at face value. He recounted a trip to Portugal where a restaurant with “glowing” online reviews served him a meal he found revolting — an experience he said left him awkwardly prodding his plate like a sitcom character.
As an alternative, Pope suggests checking social media for trending spots. He used Instagram on a recent visit to Amsterdam to target viral cafés and food stalls and found some exceptional meals — from a standout pastrami sandwich to notable truffle fries and pastries — though those places often come with long queues.
Google Maps also offers a useful review section, and some travellers rely on Yelp when it is available locally.
Maps and navigation offline
Data roaming can be unpredictable. To avoid getting stranded, download maps in advance. Open Google Maps while you have internet access, choose the offline maps option and save the area you’ll be visiting. That way the app will work without a mobile connection.
For city travel, Pope recommends Citymapper for public transport routes and connections. For hiking or countryside trips where cell coverage is limited, Maps.me can track your route offline.
Managing money abroad
To monitor exchange rates and budget on the move, Pope points to currency apps like XE. For holiday‑specific expense tracking he suggests Trail Wallet, an app built to record spending by category so you can see where your money goes during a trip.
Overall, these tools can make travel smoother and less costly — while also encouraging a little planning before you go. But, as Pope noted, they can also reduce the element of getting pleasantly lost, which for some is part of the fun of travel.
