Solo travel is about personal freedom and the thrill of exploring new places on your own terms. But, as liberating as it is, travelling alone can also have its challenges. Luckily, there’s a whole range of solo traveller apps out there designed to make your journey easier!
Whether you’re navigating a new city, managing your budget, or meeting fellow travellers, these travel apps are here to help – all available on Apple and Android phones.
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Hello 👋 I’m Hazel, a British travel blogger who has travelled solo throughout Europe, Africa, the USA, and New Zealand. This blog aims to help solo travellers find their feet in Europe, giving tips and advice to help your trip go smoothly.
Here’s a roundup of the 10 best travel apps every solo traveller should consider downloading before they hit the road.
Some of these apps are specific solo traveller apps, whilst some are just great travel apps in general.
One of the most essential travel apps for any solo traveller, Google Maps is a must-have for getting around in unfamiliar places. It’s perfect for navigation, whether you’re walking, driving, or using public transport.
You can also download offline maps ahead of time to avoid getting lost without an internet connection. This was a lifesaver for me in both Iceland and Cyprus, when it was late at night and I was lost, with no data connection! Just remember to download your maps before you set off.
Google Maps also has real-time updates on traffic, route options, and local businesses, too.
Best bits of Google Maps:
- Offline maps
- Real-time traffic and directions
- Local business reviews and details
2. Google Translate – break the language barrier.
Travelling solo means you might find yourself in places where you don’t speak the language. Google Translate is invaluable for translating text, speech, and even images.
Google Translate has saved me so many times, particularly in rural South Italy, where English is not spoken as much as in other places in Europe.
Simply type in what you need to say, speak into the microphone, or use your camera to translate signs and menus in real time. It’s a lifesaver for solo travellers navigating unfamiliar languages.
Best bits of Google Translate:
- Text, voice, and image translation
- Offline translation for selected languages
- Conversation mode for real-time dialogue
Citymapper is a fantastic travel app for getting around major cities efficiently.
Whether you’re taking a metro, bus, tram, or even a bike, Citymapper provides detailed real-time directions, alternative routes, and estimated travel times. It’s very intuitive and extremely helpful for navigating public transport in unfamiliar places. There are wheelchair-accessible routes and child-friendly suggestions.
Citymapper is very popular back home (the app is used by millions in London). One excellent feature is the suggestions for where to stand on the platform for optimum results when getting off the train!
Best bits of Citymapper:
- Real-time public transport updates
- Multi-modal route planning (bus, train, bike, walking, etc.)
- Offline maps for selected cities
Solo travel often means staying in hostels, which can be a fantastic way to meet travel friends.
Hostelworld helps you find budget accommodations, from classic hostels to unique places, and provides reviews and ratings to help you make the best choice.
Whether you’re looking for a quiet, cosy spot or a lively social hostel, browsing hostels on the app is easy. The traveller reviews are invaluable for discovering whether a hostel is a ‘party hostel’ or not (and then, in my case, avoiding it!) 😀
Plus, you can filter results based on location, price, and amenities.
Best bits of Hostelworld:
- Hostel booking with reviews
- Filter by price, location, and atmosphere
- Social connection options
5. TripIt – organise your travel plans.
Managing all your travel details can get overwhelming when you’re travelling solo. TripIt keeps everything in one place, from flight details to hotel reservations and itineraries.
Simply forward your booking confirmation emails to the travel app, and it will automatically create a master itinerary for you. It couldn’t be any easier.
The app makes it easy to keep track of your plans, and gives you peace of mind that you haven’t forgotten anything. You can access your itinerary offline, too.
Best bits of TripIt:
- Automatic itinerary creation
- Sync with your calendar
- Offline access to your itinerary
6. Meetup – Connect with locals and fellow travellers.
When you’re travelling alone, it’s easy to feel isolated. Meetup is a fantastic travel app that connects you with local events and gatherings, making it easier to meet new people.
From group hikes to language exchanges to photography meetups, you’ll find activities that suit your interests and help you make connections with others.
You can search for groups and events that match your interests, and you can also sign up to be an organiser too.
Some groups charge fees, but there are many free groups, too. Plus, the fee may be worth it if your interests are quite niche.
Best bits of Meetup:
- Discover local events based on interests
- Join groups to meet like-minded individuals
- RSVP and connect with attendees
7. Skyscanner – find the best flight deals.
Flights can be one of the priciest parts of any trip, especially when booking last minute. Skyscanner is an excellent travel app that compares flight prices across multiple airlines and booking platforms.
You can filter results based on your travel dates, budget, and preferred airlines, making it easy to find the best deals for your solo adventure. You can also set up price alerts, which will notify you when a flight drops in price.
I sometimes dip in and out of other flight booking apps (like Google Flights, Expedia, CheapOair and Kiwi), but in my opinion, Skyscanner is the best, the most user-friendly, and has the best interface.
Skyscanner also includes options for hotel bookings and car rentals, so you could use it as an all-in-one platform if you wanted to (but personally, I use Booking.com for hotels and Discover Cars for car rentals).
Best bits of Skyscanner:
- Compare flights, hotels, and car rentals
- Flexible date options for the best deals
- Price alerts for flight monitoring
8. XE Currency – keep track of your money.
When travelling solo, managing your budget becomes even more important. XE Currency helps you stay on top of your finances by providing real-time currency exchange rates and converting money instantly.
I’ve been using XE for decades – my whole adult life, basically – long before it became an app, and before I even started travelling!
Whether you’re spending in euros, yen, or any other currency, the XE travel app ensures that you’re always aware of the value of your money. You can also track multiple currencies at once, which is handy if you’re travelling through different countries.
Best bits of XE:
- Real-time currency conversion
- Track multiple currencies
- Offline mode for conversions
9. SafetyWing – stay safe with travel insurance.
While solo travel can be exhilarating, it’s important to be prepared for the unexpected. SafetyWing provides travel insurance specifically designed for digital nomads and solo travellers.
SafetyWing covers everything from medical emergencies to lost luggage to trip cancellations. The app also allows you to sign up for coverage while you’re already abroad, offering flexibility if your plans change mid-trip.
It’s also very handy to have your travel insurance in an app, rather than having to search through your emails to find your policy documents (which is not ideal when you can’t even remember the name of your travel insurance company – speaking from experience 😀)
Best bits of SafetyWing:
- Travel insurance for digital nomads and solo travellers
- Covers medical emergencies, cancellations, and more
- Flexible and affordable options – in a handy app.
10. TrustedHousesitters – stay with locals safely.
If you’re looking for a free, trustworthy place to stay while travelling solo, TrustedHousesitters is a great alternative to Couchsurfing.
This travel app connects you with homeowners who need sitters for their pets or homes. In exchange for looking after their pets or maintaining the home, you get a free place to stay.
TrustedHousesitters verifies the profiles of both homeowners and sitters to ensure safety, providing an extra layer of trust and security for solo travellers.
Best bits of TrustedHousesitters:
- Free stay in exchange for pet and home-sitting
- Verified profiles for both homeowners and sitters
- Secure messaging system to connect with hosts before committing
The best solo traveller apps: in summary.
So in summary, here are your 10 solo traveller apps:
- Google Maps – the ultimate navigation tool.
- Google Translate – break the language barrier.
- Citymapper – navigate public transport like a local.
- Hostelworld – budget-friendly stays with a social twist.
- TripIt – organise your travel plans.
- Meetup – connect with locals and travellers.
- Skyscanner – find the best flight deals.
- XE Currency – keep track of your money.
- SafetyWing – stay safe with travel insurance.
- TrustedHousesitters – stay with locals safely.
Final thoughts on solo traveller apps.
Some of these apps will help you plan your first solo trip, and some will assist you once you arrive at your destination.
Solo travel is an empowering experience that encourages you to step outside your comfort zone and embrace new adventures. With these travel apps by your side, you can navigate foreign cities, stay safe, and make the most of your journey.
So, download these apps, get excited about your next adventure, and travel smart!
FAQs about solo traveller apps.
Some of the best solo traveller apps include Google Maps for navigation, Hostelworld for budget accommodations, Meetup for social events, TrustedHousesitters for safe, free stays, and XE Currency for managing your money while abroad.
Yes, TrustedHousesitters is a secure option for solo travellers. The platform verifies both homeowners and sitters, and the messaging system allows you to connect with hosts before committing.
Yes, most of these apps, including Google Maps, Hostelworld, TripIt, and XE Currency, are available for both iOS and Android devices.
Many of the apps listed, like Google Maps and XE Currency, have offline modes, so you can access maps or currency conversion rates even without an internet connection. Just be sure to download what you need before heading out.
6. Are there solo traveller apps for finding travel buddies?
Yes! Apps like Meetup and Backpackr are great for connecting with fellow solo travellers. Hostelworld also helps you find social hostels where you’re likely to meet like-minded adventurers.
SafetyWing provides travel insurance for solo travellers, while apps like bSafe and Noonlight offer personal safety features, including location sharing and emergency alerts.
Apps like XE Currency and Trail Wallet help solo travellers track expenses and stay within budget. They allow you to monitor spending across different currencies and categories.
Many solo traveller apps offer free versions with essential features, but some have premium options for additional perks like offline access, detailed planning tools, or ad-free experiences.
Related reading for solo traveller apps.
Below are some posts related to this article on solo traveller apps for Europe.
- How to Avoid Solo Travel Burnout
- Why You Should Travel Alone: 10 Benefits of Solo Travel
- 20 Best Travel Books Every Traveller Must Read
- List of Europe Travel Essentials you can buy on Amazon.
- How to Plan Your First Solo Trip: A Beginner’s Guide.
- Tips for Solo Female Travel in Europe.
- Tips for Digital Nomads: Essential Tools to Make your Life Easier
Pinterest Pin – solo traveller apps.
If you have enjoyed reading this guide to solo traveller apps, or found it useful, please feel free to use the images below to pin them to your own Pinterest boards.
General Travel Resources:
Booking.com is the best site for hotels with free reservation and cancellations.
Viator and Get Your Guide are the best sites for tours and activities.
Discover Cars is the best comparison site for car rentals.
Trip.com is good for booking flights and packages.
See my Travel Resources page for a full list of helpful booking links.
Popular Destinations: London | Edinburgh | Malta | Scotland | Madeira | Cyprus | Italy | Canary Islands
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