It can be exciting to go on an adventure by yourself, but it can also be hard. These days, thanks to technology, there are a lot of apps that are made to make travelling alone easier. When travelling alone, having the right tools can make all the difference in getting around in strange places, making friends with locals, and making sure the whole trip goes smoothly. TripIt and Maps.me are two of the best Apps for Solo Travellers that you can’t do without.
TripIt makes it easy to plan your trips, and Maps.me lets you use maps without an internet connection. Also, language translation apps like Google Translate make it easier to talk to people from other countries, so you can have meaningful conversations anywhere. Below, we have mentioned the best apps for solo travellers.
What is solo Traveler?
A solo traveller is someone who chooses to go on trips and see new places by themselves, without talking to family or friends. When you travel by yourself, you can choose your own destinations, activities, and schedules. It gives you chances to learn about yourself, become immersed in another culture, and grow as a person. People who go on trips by themselves often want to have fun, be alone, and meet locals and other travellers along the way. They enjoy both the challenges and the benefits of going through life by themselves.
Best Apps for Solo Travelers Comparison Table
Solo travel apps simplify itinerary planning, accommodation booking, and navigation. These apps emphasise solo exploration safety with tips and resources. Offline maps and language translation help travellers navigate new places independently.
| Feature | Maps.me | Meetup | Waze | Tourlina | Uber |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Function | Offline Maps & Navigation | Find and attend local events | Live traffic & navigation | Travel planning & booking | Ride-hailing service |
| Offline functionality | Yes | No | Yes (limited) | Yes (limited) | No |
| Social features | No | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Focus | Navigation, offline maps | Events, networking | Traffic avoidance, real-time updates | Travel planning, itinerary creation | Transportation, ride-hailing |
Maps.me
Features:
- Offline maps and navigation app.
- Provides detailed maps for navigating without an internet connection.
- Offers features such as routing, search, and location bookmarking.
- Includes points of interest, restaurants, and attractions.
Maps.me is my favourite travel app. Google maps is great, but lacking photo data makes it inaccessible. Where maps.me comes in. Download the offline map before you go. You can then show lost taxi drivers the map and where to go. Saving places as favourites puts them on your map for easy finding. It even has a blue arrow directing you. Currently, this is one of the best apps for solo travellers.
Pros
- Offers detailed offline maps for navigation, especially useful in areas with limited internet connectivity.
- Provides navigation features for driving, walking, and cycling.
- Includes points of interest and attractions for travelers.
Cons
- Limited real-time traffic information compared to some other navigation apps.
- May not have as extensive coverage or up-to-date maps in some regions.
Meetup
Features:
- Platform for finding and joining local groups and events.
- Allows users to discover and participate in various interest-based meetups.
- Offers features for organizing and hosting events.
- Facilitates connections and community building among like-minded individuals.
Meetup.com began as a website for local group activities. The app is ideal for travellers seeking an immersive experience! If you’re in a new city and want to join local activities or find a community, use Meetup. Travelling doesn’t mean you have to stop socializing it just means you can make new friends and do your favourite things together! Overall, this is one of the best apps for solo travellers.
Pros
- Facilitates in-person gatherings and events based on shared interests.
- Offers a wide variety of groups and activities for different hobbies and communities.
- Provides opportunities for meeting new people and forming friendships offline.
Cons
- Some events may have limited availability depending on location.
- Membership fees or event costs may apply for certain groups or activities.
Waze
Features:
- GPS navigation and traffic app.
- Provides real-time traffic and road condition information.
- Offers turn-by-turn navigation with voice guidance.
- Includes user-generated reports on accidents, hazards, and police presence.
The navigation app Waze will show you the way whether you’re walking around Dublin or driving a Fiat through the Italian countryside. For solo travellers, the app’s danger and police alerts may be especially helpful for avoiding things like protests or roads that are blocked. Spotify works perfectly with Waze, so you can listen to your favorite songs while using the map or navigation mode. This is the best apps for solo travellers that you can consider.
Pros
- Provides real-time traffic updates, alternative routes, and navigation assistance.
- Offers crowd-sourced information on accidents, road closures, and police sightings.
- Includes features like gas price comparisons and parking suggestions.
Cons
- Relies on user-generated data, which may not always be accurate or up to date.
- Interface may be cluttered and distracting for some users.
Tourlina
Features:
- Social networking app for female travelers.
- Connects women traveling solo with female travel companions.
- Allows users to find travel partners based on interests, destinations, and travel dates.
- Offers safety features and verification processes for user profiles.
Tourlina is an app that helps women who are travelling alone find other women to travel with based on shared interests. Tourlina is not a dating app, as the website makes it very clear. The app works a bit like Tinder. Research also showed that having a male travel companion often leads to dating, which is another reason why this app is only for women. Overall, it is one of the best apps for solo travellers that you can consider.
Pros
- Designed specifically for female travelers to find companions for trips and adventures.
- Offers a safe and supportive platform for connecting with other women travelers.
- Provides opportunities to share experiences and travel tips with like-minded individuals.
Cons
- Limited user base compared to broader travel and social networking platforms.
- Availability of travel companions may vary depending on location and travel plans.
Uber
Features:
- Ride-hailing and transportation app.
- Allows users to request rides from nearby drivers.
- Offers various ride options such as UberX, UberPool, and UberBlack.
- Provides fare estimates, real-time tracking, and cashless payments.
Uber is available in many countries and is ideal for those who struggle with taxi drivers not knowing where they’re going or speaking the same language. You can order and pay for a taxi on Uber from your phone. Your driver’s name, car numberplate, and taxi distance are displayed. No more unlicensed taxis. Still, it is one of the best apps for solo travellers that you can consider.
Pros
- Offers convenient and reliable ridesharing services in many cities worldwide.
- Provides fare estimates, real-time tracking, and cashless payment options.
- Offers various ride options including UberX, UberPOOL, and Uber Black.
Cons
- Pricing may surge during peak times or high demand periods.
- Safety concerns regarding driver background checks and incidents during rides.
Benefits of Using Apps for Solo Travel
There are a variety of ways in which people who want to travel the world by themselves can benefit from using solo travel apps. I will list some of the positive aspects of it as follows:
Safety and security: Apps for solo travellers often have safety features like emergency contacts, sharing your location in real time, and safety tips that are specific to solo travellers. These features give travellers peace of mind and make them feel safer, especially when they’re going to places they have never been before.
Planning Your Itinerary: Most apps for solo travellers have tools for planning your itinerary, which helps people get their trips organised quickly. Within a single app, users can learn about places to visit, book accommodations and activities, and make their own personalised travel plans.
Navigation and Maps: A lot of apps for solo travellers have navigation features and offline maps that make it easy to get around in new cities and regions. These apps often give directions to popular sights, public transportation stops, and interesting places, which makes it easier for people travelling alone to see the world on their own.
Local Recommendations: Many apps for solo travellers have reviews and suggestions from other users for restaurants, coffee shops, attractions, and places to stay. Solo travellers can use these tips from other travellers to find hidden gems and real experiences that they might not find in guidebooks or on popular travel websites.
Budgeting: Solo travellers can better manage their money while on the road with the help of budgeting tools and expense trackers that come with solo travel apps. Users can set spending limits, keep track of expenses in more than one currency, and get alerts for budgeting milestones. This helps them make smart financial choices as they travel.
Choosing the Right App for Your Solo Adventures
Which app is best for solo adventures depends on your needs, interests, and the kinds of activities you like to do. To help you pick the right app, here are some things to think about:
Navigation and Maps: Choose an app that has reliable features for navigation and maps. If you’re going to be exploring remote or unfamiliar areas where internet access may be limited, make sure you have offline maps, GPS tracking, and detailed route information.
Safety Features: Give more weight to apps that have safety features designed for people travelling alone. This could mean sharing your real-time location with people you trust, getting help in an emergency, or getting safety tips for going through new places.
Activity-Specific Apps: Think about getting apps that are made for the things you like to do on your own trips. There are apps for all kinds of activities, like hiking, biking, camping, and exploring cities. These apps have trail maps, points of interest, and ways to keep track of your activities.
Local Suggestions: Look for apps that give suggestions and reviews for things to do, see, and eat in your area. Personalised suggestions and content made by other users can help you find hidden gems and get the most out of your solo travels.
Tracking your budget and spending: If you’re travelling on a tight budget, look into apps that can help you keep track of your spending, find cheap places to stay, and compare prices for things like transportation and activities. Having budgeting tools can help you keep your money in order while you’re travelling.
FAQs
Solo Trip is a simple distance tracker. Tracks kilometres too! – Run/Walk Mode: Track distance and pace. Beeps every mile to stay on track.
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