Trip Advisor
Today, travellers are forming online communities and sharing their experiences and tips. Perhaps the best place to tap into this treasure trove is Trip Advisor. Reviews of hotels, honest feedback on food and services, and tips on rooms – it’s everything you need to know about a hotel before you’ve even left home! And it’s not just about hotels. You can check out reviews on destinations, landmarks, attractions, restaurants, bars, and even beaches! Remember to create a profile and share reviews and tips with those whose advice you’re benefitting from. Travel karma has the sweetest reward.
There are several advantages to being on Instagram. It lets you share your travels and experiences with friends. It lets you follow and befriend fellow travellers. And it lets you tap into a large, and rapidly growing, community of global travellers and discover great destinations to plan for. Just remember the importance of the hastag - #. Use them on your own photos so that people can find you and search using them to connect with other musafirs.
Evernote
Don’t you just hate it when you return from a wonderful vacation and can’t remember the name of the local delicacy you enjoyed? With Evernote, you won’t need to fear that any more. This incredibly handy app lets you make extensive notes when you’re travelling. It lets you take photos and attach audio to them so that you remember exactly how to pronounce your helpful guide’s name. And it lets you sync this information to your computer, so you have it on hand when you’re sharing pictures on Facebook or updating your blog.
Chances are you already have WhatsApp. And while it’s great for sending out forwards and jokes, it can give you more than a few laughs when you’re travelling. It can save you a lot of money by eliminating the need to send costly text messages while roaming. It can help you stay in touch with family and friends in one convenient group. And it can help you send attachments like photos without needing to log into your mailbox. Just get a data plan that factors in roaming charges, remember to use free wi-fi wherever you can and you’re good to go!
Google Maps
We’ve left the best and the most obvious one for last. Google Maps is THE best way to discover a destination yourself. Fill out direction fields and viola! You get route options for various modes of transport. You also have voice navigation that speaks out directions, so you’re not at the mercy of unscrupulous drivers. Our musafirs have found the directions impeccable in places that were out of mobile coverage too! Remember to mark and name places you discover, for fellow travellers to find. That’s how you found that bar by the beach, didn’t you? And don’t forget to turn on the GPS.
2025 Update: Must Have Apps for Today:
UPI Apps (PhonePe, Google Pay, Paytm - The Payment Revolution)
The advent of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has been the biggest game-changer for Indian travelers, both domestically and increasingly internationally, largely replacing the need for physical cash and traditional cards. These digital payment apps facilitate instant, secure transactions at virtually any shop, restaurant, or service provider across India via QR codes or phone numbers. Furthermore, UPI is now accepted in a growing number of countries like the UAE, Singapore, Bhutan, and Nepal, offering unprecedented convenience for international travel and reducing the reliance on currency exchange or forex cards.
Google Translate: The Language Bridge
Breaking down language barriers is crucial for any traveler, and Google Translate has become an incredibly sophisticated tool for this purpose. Its ability to perform offline translation by downloading language packs, offer camera translation for signs and menus, and facilitate real-time conversations through its conversation mode makes communication effortless. For Indian travelers, even with English being widely spoken in tourist areas, the ability to quickly translate local phrases can significantly enhance the experience, particularly in non-metro regions, making it a key travel hack.
Transport & Commute Apps (Ola, Uber, IRCTC Rail Connect)
Navigating local transport in India has been significantly simplified by these dedicated apps, making commutes efficient and accessible. Ola and Uber are essential for convenient and often cost-effective intra-city travel in most major Indian cities, also offering auto-rickshaw options. For train travel in India, the IRCTC Rail Connect app is indispensable for booking tickets, checking PNR status, and live train tracking. For hassle free flight booking you can always refer to Musafir flights.