The festive season is absolutely ace. With Christmas markets, family get-togethers, and even trips abroad filling up your calendar. It’s easily one of the most fun and sociable times of the year, but it can also be one of the busiest. Which makes it a bit of a hassle to travel if you’re not prepared.
Don’t let those Christmas jingles turn into jitters though. If you’re going to be on the move a lot through December and into the new year, then there are some great apps that’ll turn your phone into your very own travel guide. No sleigh required!
Skyscanner
Skyscanner makes planning your next trip abroad a walk in the park. You can search for everything from flights to hotels while you’re on the go. And you can even compare and book offers straight from the app too, saving you some time and money.
The Skyscanner app can also give you cheap flight recommendations to anywhere in the world. Perfect for some spontaneous Christmas getaway inspiration! You can even set up 'Price Alerts' and the app will let you know when the cost of a flight changes —helping you book at exactly the right time for the lowest price. But best of all? There are no hidden costs or booking fees at all. Nice.
Trainline
You’ve got your flights covered, so what about trains? The Trainline app’s got your back. It'll show you live times and disruption info to keep your journey on track. And it’ll also let you know about any price drops for even cheaper tickets. Meaning you’ll have more to spend on presents instead.
Trainline covers plenty of ground too, with 270+ train and coach operators across 45 countries — all in one place. And for safe contactless travel, you can even use the app to book your tickets. Say bye-bye to queuing up! With plenty of other handy features too, Trainline puts lots of planning power right in your pocket.
Citymapper
Citymapper does a bit of everything. Covering major cities in Europe, the US, and the rest of the world — this amazing app lets you compare travel options in real-time across all types of transport.
The Citymapper app gives you turn-by-turn directions for any trip whether you're walking, cycling, or taking the bus. So, there’s no way you’ll get lost like Kevin did in Home Alone 2! You can even compare cab fares, find nearby e-scooters, and see where your train is on a map.
Airbnb
It’s 2023, so if you haven’t heard of Airbnb — where have you been? If you're planning on visiting friends and family in the UK, overseas — or just want to ditch the cold weather for somewhere warm — you can book the perfect place to stay. From cosy cabins to beach apartments with amazing views, Airbnb makes booking a total breeze.
There are over 100 filters to help find the best short or long-stay home too. Want a fireplace or a pool? No problem! Plus, Airbnb keeps all your essential trip info in one place so you won’t miss anything important. You can even chat with your host to get recommendations for those must-see local spots to make the most of your getaway.
Google Maps
Google Maps is one of the world's most downloaded apps for a reason. With more than 220 countries and a few hundred million businesses and places mapped — it's not bad for a free app, is it?
On top of that, you get real-time GPS navigation with traffic and public transport info to keep your journeys running smooth. Late for Christmas lunch? Google Maps will find the fastest route so you can avoid the roadworks and get there on time. And if you need to stop somewhere on the way to pick up a last-minute gift, just tap on a shop to see when it’s open and if it’s got good reviews.