With life now returning to normal after two and a half years of living under the shadow of a global healthcare crisis, people in the US and abroad are returning to their leisure activities. As always, traveling is one of the most popular summer activities, and it comes as no surprise that tourism destinations everywhere will be even busier this year than in pre-pandemic times. As consumers are now more eager to travel than ever before, and American airlines are struggling to keep up with demands, travel spending could prove to be the boost the economy needs to recover.
However, as more and more people travel in an attempt to make up for the years spent at home, it could become increasingly challenging for tourists to visit their desired destinations, hotels, sites and restaurants. New apps might once again become an important tool for all those in need—but instead of helping people work, socialize and place online orders from home, apps could help people get out of the house and discover the world. Here are seven of the best travel apps for 2022 that will help you plan your next getaway.
TripAdvisor
Available as an independent website, as well as an app for both iOS and Android devices, TripAdvisor is also a sharing platform for social media. This app allows users to review hotels, restaurants, places and activities, but also to create unique profiles and share travel photos and tips. Not only did TripAdvisor become the world’s largest travel guidance platform in March 2022, but it now features more than 1 billion reviews and opinions regarding approximately 8 million businesses worldwide.
Waze
Traffic is the last thing anyone needs during a vacation, but with driving being one of the best ways to travel, it comes as no surprise that apps like Waze have become increasingly popular. Like Google Maps, Waze is a navigation app available for both iOS and Android that can help people choose the best route to their destinations while avoiding traffic jams—especially in unfamiliar cities. Unlike Google Maps, however, Waze relies on crowdsourcing and automatically offers new directions if new obstacles appear during the journey.
Flio
If Waze and Google Maps are the best friends of those who enjoy driving, Flio is the ideal app when flying. Flio includes important information about thousands of global airports, and helps users by offering them terminal maps, a boarding pass scanner, a flight tracker and directions to shuttle buses. The app also sends instant updates about delays, gate changes, boarding times and more.
Hooper
Hooper is another easy-to-use flight and travel app that is available for both iOS and Android devices. It is not only an effective tool for discovering the best flight deals in the US and abroad, but also one that helps users save up to 40% every time they travel. Moreover, Hooper can also use its algorithm to predict if the prices of both flights and hotels will rise or drop in the coming days—boasting an accuracy level of up to 95%.
Booking.com
Like TripAdvisor, Booking.com is both an independent website and an ideal app for travelers carrying iPhone or Android devices. Available in 43 languages, Booking.com lists more than 28 million accommodation sites around the world—including hotels, apartments, resorts, villas, cabins, and cottages. It also lists flights, car rental options, taxis, and attractions. Furthermore, it offers a 10% discount for all users simply for creating a free account.
Airbnb
Available for iOS, Android, and online, Airbnb is an app that helps users book unique vacation rentals and houses around the world. Simple, intuitive and user-friendly, Airbnb is especially interesting because it helps users get in touch with local hosts who rent out their homes. Airbnb gives travelers the chance to enjoy a more local, personal experience by providing housing possibilities within local communities.
Mobile Passport Control
Mobile Passport Control (MPC) is the only authorized digital application for entry into the US. Available for both iOS and Android devices, this app can help users save time by submitting their passport control and customs documents through the app, instead of using traditional paper-based methods. However, the app is not a replacement for physical documents, so travelers would do well to remember their physical, paper-based passports.
