Travelling in the digital age is just a tap away. From booking your tickets, to your accommodations, even getting a cab, all can be done with your smartphones. Its so fast and convenient.
Whenever I'm about to go on a trip, I always have this 10 travel apps installed on my phone. I personally use them because they are reliable, legit and absolutely makes my life easier.
TRAVELOKA
One of my favorite feature of this app is they have promos and good deals everyday. And these discounts are applicable in booking flights, accommodations or even attractions. As I mentioned in my previous post, we were able to get our Disneyland tickets for only ₱3,199.35 instead of ₱3,677.42.
Traveloka will also save you some bucks in booking your accommdations as it is more expensive when you just walk-in. Some rooms will cost ₱1,500.00 in this app, while ₱2,500 when you pay cash at the hotel.
The downside is that you need to pay it right away.
BOOKING.COM
In case, you wanted to reserve an accommodation but you don't have the budget to pay for it immediately then Booking.com is the app you need. Most of the rooms/units listed here only require you to enter your card details but won't charge you for any fees. Gcash is accepted here.
The only disadvantage is that Traveloka has sometimes more good deals.
AIRBNB
Airbnb is perfect when you're travelling with a group and you want to stay on a budget. Most of the accommodations listed here are houses and condo units that has complete amenities. This is highly recommended if your travel buddies are good in the kitchen and are not lazy like me. Haha. If you are just into exploring the place and don't want to spend much on food then Airbnbs are perfect.
But unlike hotels, all the cleaning and other stuff is your responsibility. No one is going to make your bed, change your linens or towels everyday. Its like your home away from home. The policy also depends on the host, some requires identification cards, deposit and a minimum of 2-3 days booking.
KLOOK
Aside from Traveloka, Klook is another best option in booking your attraction tickets. The also have discounted deals. I used this when we booked our Ngong Ping 360 tickets in Hongkong, payment was made through Gcash. They had special lane for tickets booked via Klook, which is cool and convenient.
The con is though they have good rates, I think Traveloka still has better deals, so make sure to compare the price before booking.
COINS.PH
My most favorite virtual wallet is Coins.ph. The day I met this app, it has turned everything around. I use this not only to book accommodations, but in my everyday activities such as paying my bills, buying load, sending or receiving payments. No long lines at the bank plus I don't have to deal with unapproachable staff.
Cashing in and out the money is fast because it is available through Cebuana Lhuillier, Palawan Pawnshop, LBC or 7 Eleven.
The downside is virtual wallet is still a new technology and people are hesitant to use it because its still unfamiliar. I hope more and more adapt to it because its gonna be a better world if receiving and sending money is just swiping and costs zero transaction fees.
GOOGLE MAPS
One of the most important apps that you need to avoid getting lost. Its really a must have guys, and I think most of you would agree with me. Haha. Its more reliable than the iOS Maps. It is detailed and I think more accurate (but it has its own lapses sometimes) Haha.
GCASH
Since Coins.ph is still not widely used, you need to have a debit card in booking your tickets, accommodations or attractions. There are a lot of options, but I personally use Gcash because its what I have. Haha. It was one random day and I approached these guys who are doing a promotion, and that's how I was able to set up an account.
Its very reliable to use. The only con is that cashing in is harder than Coins.ph. There was a time when their system was down and the you can't cash in through payment centers. You can transfer funds from your Coins.ph wallet but it has a 2% transaction fee but in times of emergency, its still useful.
CEBU PACIFIC
While booking can be done on the website, I would personally recommend you to install the app and sign up for an account. Its faster than manually typing your details every time you book for a flight. Plus you can also earn some Getgo points when you book (even if you're not the passenger) and these points can be used to redeem flights.
AIRASIA
Another recommended app is AirAsia, same with Cebu Pacific its also easier to book when you have it installed in your phone and they also have a BIG points program where you can also redeem and use for booking your flights.
GRAB APP
This one's not recommended for budget travels, but this is necessary when you're unfamiliar with the place and for safety reasons. We cannot deny the fact the Manila isn't really for the faint-hearted. The moment you step out of the airport, you gotta prepare yourself for everything, and that includes dealing with dishonest drivers.
The major goal is to stay safe and return home alive. So, allocate a big portion of your budget for your transportation in times when you might be needing to book Grab. It has a lot of advantages like you get to know how much your trip would cost, the details of driver and the car, the route and location of your destination.
The downside is its not always available in some cities and the fare costs more than the regular taxis.
There you have it, my top 10 picks and must-have travel apps. If you have your personal favorite that's not included on the list, please write it the comment section below and I would love to try it out.
Stay safe and happy travels! =)