Five Travel Apps To Transform Your Trip

Travelling the old-fashioned way – armed with a Lonely Planet guidebook and little else – has its charms, but over the years, apps have emerged that have the capacity to totally transform a trip. We’re shining a spotlight on five favourite travel apps – from a game-changing insurance and safety app to a one-stop shop for wellness on the road.

Freely

Freely is the world’s first end-to-end travel insurance and travel safety app – an integrated platform that combines easy-to-navigate policies with live alerts and travel updates. While we can’t recommend insurance policies themselves (situations and needs always differ), what we can say is that having an app alert you to what’s happening in the area you’re travelling to can lighten a load of travel admin considerably, particularly in a post-COVID world. Along with useful, applicable news updates, the Freely app houses insightful, longer-form articles to elevate your travels; from tips on how to improve your immune system to a feminist travel guide to Kathmandu. 

Swimply

Essentially the Airbnb of swimming pools, this app – which allows users to borrow a private swimming pool from local hosts – has recently upped its game (pun intended) to include tennis courts as part of its private garden portfolio. It’s hard to argue that a sunny afternoon in a private garden – complete with a swimming pool and/ or tennis courts – wouldn’t make a perfect addition to any city break itinerary. Swimply’s easy-to-use interface includes some pools and courts available to be booked instantly – so you can leave space in your trip away for a spontaneous swim and see where the app takes you.

Turo

The right car has the potential to elevate any journey, and sometimes the standard selection offered by hire car companies doesn’t quite cut it. If you’re looking for a convertible to transform your city break, or a jeep to level up your coastal road trip, look no further. The world’s largest peer-to-peer car-sharing app allows users to borrow cars from local owners, all from easy-to-navigate app.

Fresha

Used by around 90,000 beauty salons, spas and wellness centres globally, Fresha is your best bet if you’re looking to book a last-minute treatment while you’re on the road. Search by location, treatment type or venue, and book in minutes for a holiday tune-up or wind down, with treatments ranging from manicures to sauna sessions. 

Timeshifter

It’s difficult to completely enjoy your travels when jetlag takes its toll. Timeshifter is an app designed to help travellers (and shift workers) re-calibrate their circadian rhythm for optimal sleep and – ultimately – optimal quality of life. Download before you jet,  input your journey details, and Timeshifter will provide you with a plan to maximise your moments and stay as alert, well-rested and well as possible while you’re on the move.