Millennials are a generation born to take flight, literally. Seeing the world is in our DNA, it’s part of our character. Between the famous “quarter-life crisis” or chasing a coveted Snapchat filter, millennials have no intention of staying in one place for too long.
However, a life devoted to traveling can sometimes require setting out on your own. On the surface, solo travel may seem like a scary undertaking. Fortunately thanks to some handy apps, flying solo around the world is now easier than ever. Whether you’re heading on a solo cross country road trip or single-handedly crossing the globe, these 6 apps will ensure your journey never feels lonely.
A good traveler always has proper payment, but between changes in currency and transaction fees, paying for things can be difficult when you’re on the go. Luckily, there is Circle. This handy app allows you to pay send both dollars and pound sterling without any fees, all from the comfort of your phone. Roommates bugging you for rent back home in the States? Send them payment from anywhere in the world, with the simplicity of a text.
Traveling alone doesn’t mean you have to lose contact with everyone you know. Stay connected! Kik Messenger’s integrations and features make it a great tool for chatting with friends back home, but what I like most is the helpful bots. Choose from hundreds of chat bots that can help you with shopping, finding restaurants, and even talk to Spock ― I’m not kidding.
Finding a dish on a foreign menu can feel a lot like gambling - point to something and pray it’s not intestines. It happens to the best of us. Thankfully there’s Google Translate with Word Lense. Simply snap a picture of the foreign text you wish to decipher and get a translation instantly. Bellissimo!
I’m sure many have used the likes of Uber or Lyft countless times. But what do you do if your trip is farther than a few blocks? If your travels take you to Europe, Blablacar is an excellent solution. The site allows folks driving across country to post their empty seats online. For a small price, you can catch a lift to the town of your choice.
“Isn’t U.S. customs the greatest?” Said no one ever. Long lines are never fun, so skip them with Mobile Passport. This useful app lets you skip the long customs queue and go straight to the mobile check-in kiosks. All you have to do is set up a profile and answer a few questions before your trip to breeze through the airport like HiddleSwift.
Whether you’re traveling across the world or spending the weekend in, the EatWith app and community is a fantastic experience. EatWith organizes private hosted dinners at various locations around the world. Dine with local, vetted chefs who prepare local fare. But be sure to schedule your booking in advance. Popular dinners fill up fast and you don’t want to miss this.
Solo travel isn’t for the faint of heart, but it is incredibly rewarding. Today’s technology allows you to travel alone without ever actually feeling alone. Next time you’re planning that big trip and your friends fall through, just remember ― you can do it, solo.