Solo superstars and illustrious individuals, we know you’re out there. Fed up of seeing endless tips on romantic breaks and cheesy Instagram-worthy hand-holding photos? We hear you. Travelling alone is massively underrated, and whether you’re trying to find yourself or you just can’t convince your pals to backpack through the Congo, there’s a bunch of reasons why you’d want to take off on your own.
And, whether it’s keeping yourself safe or making new friends, there’s nothing you can’t do by yourself if you’ve got your trusty phone in your pocket. It’s why phones are so great. Settle in for a read, then get yourself a plane ticket for your next adventure. No stressful organisational WhatsApp required.
Plus, with Go Roam, on Three you can use all these solo traveller apps in over 70 destinations, within your data allowance, without worrying about coming home to a huge bill. And in case your mum starts to worry, you can give her a call on your usual allowance, from wherever you are. We’re not taking the blame for any nagging about doing your washing while you’re away, though.
Keeping safe
No matter where you are in the world, it’s important to stay safe, but you don’t always need a buddy to feel secure. There’s some great safety apps you can use while travelling. And remember, travel insurance is more than just an extra expense and could be extremely helpful if something does go wrong, so always make sure to organise yourself with the best insurance for you before you travel.
TripWhistle Global SOS (iOS)
With over 190 countries in the world, that’s a lot of emergency numbers to remember. TripWhistle collates all the info you might need. There’s numbers for each country, and location coordinates available too for pinpointing where you are. With everything right in the app, you can get the help you need faster and can give the right teams all the information they need. Hopefully, you’ll never need it, but if you do, TripWhistle will make the process of getting in touch with the right people as easy as possible.
Sitata Travel Safe on iOS / Sitata Travel Safe on Android
Sitata is a safety app to help travellers avoid tourist scams, health and safety threats, extreme weather conditions and anything else that might threaten your trip. Download the app, log in and let notifications keep you informed. They’re location-based, and you can join the community to share your experiences with others and learn from their travelling tales. Plus, even if you’re not in a Go Roam destination, the majority of Sitata’s features work offline. It’s a great way to check out any strange occurrences, or for doing research when you’re booking your hotel or hostel. It also has similar TripWhistle style features with emergency services information at the tap of a finger.
Navigating the unknown
It can be hard to find your way around in new places, especially if you couldn’t cram that map in alongside your camera and passport. So, use your best pocket guide – your phone.
Google Maps on iOS / Google Maps on Android
Google Maps might seem like an obvious choice, but it’s also a super useful one. Whether you’re just looking for the nearest restaurant or you’re trying to find your hotel from the airport, the app lets you choose your method of transport and gives you a selection of routes, from fastest to most direct. No longer do you need to worry about wandering off and losing yourself in your new favourite city; with Google Maps, you’ll always find your way home.
Uber on iOS / Uber on Android
It’s late, it’s dark, and you’ve chosen to visit Germany in midwinter, meaning your fingers and toes are frozen. That’s when it’s time to give up on the idea of walking and call an Uber. If you don’t know of it, Uber’s a super simple taxi app that lets you call a cab to your exact location. You can track the driver’s journey to you and share your journey with friends, or fellow travellers you’ve met on the trip. That way, they can make sure you got home safely. Plus, it’s cheaper than a traditional taxi, and everything’s done in-app, so you don’t need to use your data to search the local taxi firm’s number. No more awkward phone calls for this traveller.
Meeting new friends
One of the best things about travelling alone is the people you meet on the way. Whether it’s a travelling companion for just a few days, someone to have dinner with, or a new friend for life, your phone can even help you with making some new connections.
Hostelworld on iOS / Hostelworld on Android
If budget is a primary concern with your travelling, Hostelworld is a great place to start. Staying in a hostel will give you the chance to meet a bunch of other travellers, plus it can be way more affordable than using a prime location hotel. The Hostelworld app lets you look at, compare and book over 36,000 hostels and B&Bs, meaning you’ll find the best value place to stay and you’ll be able to keep track of it all from your phone. More time to make friends and more spare cash to spend on your trip of a lifetime. Perfect.
Duolingo on iOS / Duolingo on Android
Yes, it’s everyone’s favourite language learning app, Duolingo. Famous for its persistent birdie mascot, this might seem an odd choice when looking to meet new people. However, what could be better than meeting the locals and getting the insider advice on where to explore? Before you jet off to your new destination, check out the local language on Duolingo and brush up on your basics. That way, when you order your first meal alone, you can look like an expert. You could get some hot tips on where to eat for the rest of the trip. And if you’re a real pro, you might even land yourself a great buddy to visit – holiday homes for life, yo!
SoloTraveller on iOS / SoloTraveller on Android
The final app on our list is SoloTraveller, a sort of social network for the travellers amongst you. Targeted at people who love to explore alone, the app connects you to like-minded travellers near you. Whether you’re interested in meeting locals, sharing a taxi, sightseeing or just getting great advice on what to add to your itinerary, SoloTraveller has it all. And if you’re not sure about the idea of leaving your friends and family behind for a lone trip, there’s a whole community of people on the app that can offer guidance and assistance on planning your adventure.
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Source: Three Mobile Hub
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