TRAVEL TIPS
Useful applications internationally
Whether it's for getting around, finding your way, booking accommodation or a plane, certain applications quickly become indispensable when traveling.
After spending several months exploring different corners of the world, I've tested and adopted a series of apps that have clearly made my life abroad easier. On this page, I'll share the ones that have been most useful to me, along with some practical tips for using them to their full potential.
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Find a flight
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Find accommodation
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To get around
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Getting your bearings
Find a flight
To find the best flights at the best price, there are two essential tools:
SKYSCANNER
Perfect for quickly comparing prices from hundreds of airlines and online travel agencies, with the ability to search for the cheapest destinations for a month or even a year. Ideal for flexible travelers!
GOOGLE FLIGHTS
Google Flights offers an ultra-intuitive interface and powerful features such as price tracking and a map showing the cheapest destinations according to your dates.
Practical information
Be careful with online travel agencies, because if there is a problem between two flights (delay, cancellation, etc.), it often becomes complicated to get a refund or obtain assistance.
Find accommodation
Whether it's a cheap hostel, a comfortable hotel, or a homestay, several platforms can help you find the perfect option:
Booking
Reliable and with a wide variety of options, this is often where I found the best value for money, especially thanks to the many accommodations with free cancellation.
Agoda
Agoda is particularly advantageous in Asia, where it offers more competitive rates.
Hostelworld
The app is great for comparing hostels based on price, atmosphere, amenities, and, most importantly, the very detailed reviews left by other travelers.
Airbnb
A great option when you're looking for a little more privacy, a kitchen to cook in, or simply a more local feel. It's also ideal for multi-day stays in the same location.
To get around
Whether you're booking a long-distance ride, sharing a car with other travelers, or ordering a reasonably priced local taxi, here are the must-have apps for traveling:
UBER
Uber remains a safe bet in many major cities around the world: convenient, reliable, with often transparent pricing and the ability to track your trip in real time—ideal when you don't speak the language or are arriving at night.
INDRIVE
Especially in Asia and Latin America.
The principle is simple: you offer your price for a ride, and drivers accept or negotiate. Rides are often much cheaper than on Grab, but be careful, payment is usually made in cash.
EASYBOOK
Easybook is a very useful platform for booking buses, ferries, or trains across several Southeast Asian countries, such as Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia.
BLABLACAR
BlaBlaCar is a great option for low-cost long-distance travel, especially in Europe: you share a ride with a driver who has space in their car.
GRAB
Grab is Southeast Asia's go-to app for ordering taxis, scooters, or even food delivery. It works a bit like Uber, but with a much more local presence and very affordable prices.
12GO
12Go is quite similar to Easybook, with the same idea of grouping together bus, train, ferry, and sometimes flight bookings on a single platform, mainly in Southeast Asia. The difference often comes down to geographical coverage depending on the country and the partner companies—so it's worth comparing the two to see which offers the best price or the most convenient schedules.
Getting your bearings
When traveling, knowing how to navigate easily can make all the difference between a pleasant trip and a major hassle. Fortunately, there are now several ultra-useful apps for finding your way, even offline.
GOOGLE MAPS
Google Maps is the ultimate navigation app: reliable and accurate for finding your way, whether on foot, by car, or using public transit. It also offers real-time information on traffic, transit schedules, and even user reviews of nearby restaurants and attractions.
MAPS.ME
Maps.me is a great app for navigating offline. It offers detailed maps that you can download in advance, perfect for destinations with limited network coverage.