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Solo traveling has seen a huge surge in popularity in recent years; eager adventurers are done with waiting around for their dream trips to make it out of the group chat and instead are making their bucket list travels a reality all on their own.
That being said, embarking on a solo trip requires a different kind of planning and preparation—especially in the safety department. Taking extra precautions when traveling alone isn’t just responsible, it’s the key to ensuring your trip goes off without a hitch.
And that’s where solo travel-focused apps come into play.
Recent research from mobility experts at Mobiles.co.uk has found that certain apps are much more useful for solo travelers—and you might be surprised by some of them. The study analyzed the number of app downloads and average user reviews across multiple platforms in order to pull the best apps for solo travelers.
Here are the five most popular apps for solo travelers:
The All Trails app ranked number one as the most-downloaded app geared toward solo travelers. If your solo travel plans involve hiking, this app will be a total game changer. It’s designed to provide the best trails for hiking, mountain biking, and more, but the best part is that it’s programmed to include “wrong-turn alerts” that work even when you’re offline, so you never need to worry about venturing in the wrong direction or getting lost.
Sure—you could pay out of pocket for roaming fees while traveling, or you could opt for the Wi-Fi Map app. This app helps you to find free internet in over 200 countries using a map that can be accessed offline.
“BlaBlaCar makes quick and cheap travel as simple as possible with its community-based travel network. For affordable alternatives to taxi apps, head straight to carpooling through a secure network of drivers,” says Olivia Tilley, Mobiles.co.uk. “Solo travelers will want to feel safe however they choose to get around, and the BlaBlaCar app ensures that every member profile is reviewed and verified.”
Hotel Tonight is one of the best ways for solo travelers to ensure they’ve always got a safe place to crash in their back pocket. This hotel booking platform specializes in last minute deals and helps you find an acceptable hotel room at a fair price, even if you’re looking to check in in mere hours.
“Navigating new countries can be overwhelming when alone. With Maps.me you can download the map for any area, from a single neighbourhood to an entire country,” explains Tilley. “This means you’ll have access to an offline GPS, so you’ll never be without information about how to get to your location. The latest Hub feature also has offers and discounts for travelers, so you can save money whilst you’re away.”
