Modern-day grueling lifestyle often infuses the need for traveling. Traveling proves to be an escape to relax and recreate solo or near and dear ones. However, planning and setting out on a trip is not as simple as it looks like. Right from making plans to booking tickets, from packing luggage to traveling, every step needs to be properly executed.
Thanks to modern times and smartphones, we now have numerous travel apps that help travelers plan their trips and execute it. These not only include apps to book tickets but also manage budgets, translate language, track routes, and much more. Here in this article, we have compiled a list of 10 must-have apps that Indians need while traveling.
1. MakeMyTrip
Available on- Google Play Store & Apple Store
About the app- MakeMyTrip is a must-have travel app for all Indian travelers. It allows you to book the best domestic and international flights, hotels, buses, cabs, corporate hotels, villas, and more under one roof, that too at the most affordable prices.
Features-
- The app allows easy flight bookings, even for last-moment travel plans. You can compare prices with other airlines and book the cheapest and most feature-packed tickets. Airlines like Indigo, Spice Jet, Air India, Lufthansa, and many more have tie-ups with MMT. The app also allows you to check flight status, avail web-check-in if you are running late, get flight insurance at 79 INR, and lock flight prices to book later.
- Not only flights, users can book hotels as well. Domestic as well as International hotels at reasonable prices, with food options, as per need. Ultra-luxury hotels in Maldives, Malaysia, Paris, and Dubai are also available. Travelers can get no-cost EMIs and book rooms by paying Rs. 1 in advance and the rest of the amount later.
- Hotel accommodations are available on an hourly basis for 3,6, or 9 hours to save money.
- Bus Tickets can also be booked using the app. Luxury as well as affordable buses were available. Real-time status can be checked via the app.
- Cabs can be reserved using the MMT app. Shuttles to and from airports, cheap cabs in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, etc., available even for last-moment bookings.
- IRCTC has also partnered with MMT to allow train seat bookings. You can check PNR status, and seat availability, book Tatkal tickets, and more with great deals.
- Holiday packages for domestic as well as international destinations are available at the lowest prices. Payment can be done using EMIs and weekend bookings sometimes come at a flat 30% off.
Why is the MMT App a Must-Have?
MakeMyTrip is a wholesome travel booking app as you can book flights, hotels, cabs, buses, trains and more, all at one place. It is a user-friendly app that offers peace of mind and convenience while traveling.
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2. Incredible India
Available on- Google Play Store & Apple Store
About the app- Incredible India is a GOI initiative that has been launched to promote Indian tourism. The app assists international as well as domestic tourists while they travel in the country.
Features-
- It offers information about traveling in India. It includes domestic tour operators, transportation operators, travel brokers, regional-level guides, and classified hotels in cities.
- The app offers information about tourist hubs as well.
- Travelers can search based on the experience they need- heritage, spirituality, adventure, culture, yoga, wellness, and more.
Why is Incredible India a must-have app?
It is a good app for those who like to make last-minute plans as it offers a basic description of every tourist place in the country. Just look for a place on the app, learn about it and you are ready to travel.
3. IRCTC Rail Connect
Available on- Google Play Store & Apple Store
About the app- IRCTC Rail Connect is the official app of Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited.
Features-
- Users can book train tickets by swipe and shuffle, select, and book method.
- The app has advanced security features of a self-assigned PIN to log in without entering a username and password to each login. There is a biometric login as well.
- There is seamless account and transaction management directly from the app dashboard.
- Inquiries can be made without login for trains, routes, and seat availability.
- Tickets can be booked in ladies, tatkal, premium tatkal, divyaanjan, lower berth, and senior citizen quotas as well.
- Google Talk Back feature helps the visually impaired to book tickets.
- The app is linked to IRCTC e-wallet for faster and hassle-free transactions.
- Various payment modes are available like UPI, e-wallets, net banking, and credit and debit cards.
- Online reservation chart facility, aadhaar linking, and vikalp scheme are also available.
Why is the IRCTC Rail Connect app a must-have?
The app simplifies the process of booking train tickets in the country and has a user-friendly interface.
4. Uber/OLA
Available- Google Play Store & Apple Store (OLA) | Google Play & Apple Store (Uber)
About the app- OLA and Uber apps allow you to book cabs for traveling within the city, outside of it, and long distances.
Features-
- The apps offer safe and easy rides with various travel options.
- Mostly covers all the major Indian cities like Delhi, NCR, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, and more.
- Various travel options are available to suit the needs- Mini, Auto, Micro, Prime, Rentals, Bike, Outstation etc.
- All Ola and Uber vehicle drivers have GPS on their devices that tracks their location 24/7 when a ride is in progress. All you have to do is make sure the driver enters OTP before starting your ride.
- You can add stops to your ride locally or book rentals if you need a cab for more hours.
- The rides can be tracked in real-time and there is a safety option on the app if you need any help.
- Payment can be made using cash, UPI, credit or debit cards, wallet, postpaid, etc.
- ‘Ride Later’ allows you to book rides in advance. Bike rides save time in heavy traffic areas.
- Outstation cabs can be booked 15 minutes in advance.
- You can cancel the ride if the wait time is too long, the driver refuses to pick you up, or is within 4 minutes of getting OTP.
- OLA has recently started delivering parcels within the city at nominal prices.
Why are OLA/Uber Must-have apps?
The apps allow you to book rides anywhere, anytime at the lowest prices. Rides are safe as they are tracked and the traveling experience is comfortable as it can be modified as per needs.
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5. Google Maps
Available on- Google Play Store & Apple Store
About the app- Google Maps helps navigate your world faster and easier as it maps over 220 countries and territories and 100s of millions of businesses and places on the map.
Features-
- You can get real-time GPS navigation, traffic, and transit information. One can explore local neighborhoods by knowing where you can eat, drink, or visit, no matter where you are.
- You can avoid closed or busy routes as the map gets updated every second. The app reroutes in case you take a wrong turn or want to take a shortcut.
- If you are in an unknown area and want to look for food joints or petrol pumps, the explore section can tell you the nearest locations.
- You can review places you have visited with photos to increase your reach and help fellow travelers.
- Maps are available offline so you can navigate without an internet connection.
- Indoor maps are also available to navigate through places like airports, malls, and stadiums.
Why is Google Maps App must have?
Only having ticket or hotel booking apps isn’t enough for traveling. You need navigation apps that show routes, update traffic conditions, and more. Google Maps comes in handy here.
6. Google Translate
Available on- Google Play Store & Apple Store
About the app- Google Translate app brings the world closer as it can navigate between 100+ languages.
Features–
- The app can translate text between 108 languages by typing. All you have to do is copy the text in any app and tap on the Google Translate icon to translate languages.
- Translation can be done offline in 59 languages.
- You can use your camera to get translated instantly.
- 90+ languages can be translated using photos.
- Bilingual conversations can be translated into over 70 languages.
- Transcribing can be done in real time (8 languages).
- Cross-device syncing is also available.
Why is the Google Translate app must have?
Helpful app for travelers in foreign lands as it helps them talk to people, and understand signs, menus, and other written things seamlessly.
7. Travel Spend
Available on- Google Play Store & Apple Store
About the app- When you are traveling, it is common to exceed your budget and land in trouble. To avoid such a scenario, you can manage your spending and budget using the Travel Spend app.
Features-
- The app allows you to track your spending while traveling the world.
- While traveling in a group, you can share expenses with friends, and family to see who owes how much money to whom.
- It allows you to stick to your budget while traveling. It also shows currency exchange rates.
- The costs can be split using the app and you get detailed insights about your spending.
- You can record how much money you have spent, where you have spent it, and to whom you have to pay or take money back.
Why is the Travel Spend app must have?
The app is a must for those who are traveling with a limited budget and need to manage finances.
8. Red Bus
Available on- Google Play Store & Apple Store
About the app- This popular mobile app that helps you book bus tickets all over India.
Features-
- You can book tickets on primo-certified buses, curated by red bus that offer the best travel experience.
- There are options to choose from sleeper, seater, semi-sleeper, AC, non-AC, luxury, and Volvo intercity buses.
- Payment can be made using credit/debit cards, Google Play, phonepe, UPI, and more.
- The tickets can be rescheduled for free up to 8 hours before departure using the Flexi ticket option.
Why is the Red Bus app must-have?
In case you need to travel immediately and need to check bus seats, the app can be useful.
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9. Pack Point
Available on- Google Play Store & Apple Store
About the app- It is a packing list app that helps you remember what to pack for a trip.
Features-
- This app is a free travel packing list organizer and packing planner for serious travel pros.
- Based on the list on the app, you can organize what you need to pack in your luggage and suitcase based on the length of travel weather at your destination, and any activities lined up on the trip.
- Once you have built your list, the app saves it for you and you can share it with your friends and family.
- Key in the city you are going to travel to, departure date, and number of nights you will be staying there.
- It offers expert packing tips and curated playlists for all occasions.
Why is the Pack Point app must have?
If you are someone who always forgets important things on a trip, this app can be very helpful.
10. Couchsurfing Travel App
Available on- Google Play Store & Apple Store
About the app- The app comes in handy when you want to connect with locals, stay in their homes, share meals with them, or make friends in an unknown city.
Features-
- This app hosts a global community of travelers and offers them a platform to exchange ideas and culture. One can host visitors at their home, stay in a local’s home, share meals, and get company.
- There is no money involved as hosting and staying are free of cost.
- As a gesture of goodwill, travelers can bring gifts for their hosts or cook meals for them.
- You can make friends around the world and stay in touch with them throughout your life.
- Click and share memories with your host/guest using the app.
Why is Couchsurfing a must have app?
It comes in handy for those who are globetrotters and like to get local experience by staying with new people in new countries.
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