PART 3: Tips & Tricks for Travel Savings- Money Saving Travel Apps

When you're traveling, your best resource can be your phone, and having helpful apps that that can assist you with everything from navigation to translating can save you a lot of heartache. There are many travel apps to sort through, but some are definite money savers! Take a peek through these options, and see which apps you might want to use to save cash on your next vacation.

GasBuddy-Your Gas-Saving Friend

This app is one of the best for saving money on road trips. GasBuddy locates the closest gas stations and provides approximate pricing for each. With this app, you can get directions to the closest station, and earn points and achievements for contributing information about local prices so that others can benefit. GasBuddy also offers a $100 free gas giveaway daily!

WifiMapper

Free Wi-Fi can be a great money saver when you travel. The WifiMapper app addresses the problem through crowdsourcing its data and integrating the information with Foursquare, so you’ll know whether the “free” Wi-Fi at a café a few blocks away also requires the purchase of a pricey latte. In addition, it measures the quality of the Wi-Fi signal, so you can find the fastest free connection nearby to upload your vacation pics.

Cheap Flights

The CheapFlights app helps you search and book the best prices on flights and hotels from hundreds of airlines and accommodation providers globally. See the cheapest days to fly, or find the best flight for you by balancing price, layovers and flight duration. Compare and book immediately, or later by saving your personal preferences.

Viator Tours and Activities

Want to experience the best sites and sounds during your trip, but do not know where to start? Viator has you covered! With the Viator app, you can discover over 20,000 of the world’s top-rated tours and activities in over 1,500 destinations worldwide. Viator’s offers range from VIP experiences at iconic locations, like the Sistine Chapel, to “Skip the Line” passes at popular attractions, like the Eiffel Tower and the Empire State Building. The best part? Viator guarantees the lowest prices on these top tours.

HotelTonight

Did you know you can save a ton of money if you book a hotel room last minute? The Hotel Tonight app offers amazing prices for more than 15,000 hotels in 35 countries. The app also includes exclusive discounts and perks programs, as well as a seamless, 10-second booking feature. HotelTonight even offers 24/7 customer support.

OpenTable

Make a lunch or dinner reservation and earn points that can be converted to gift cards. Some restaurants offer 1,000 points, worth $10 (though the majority give you 100 points, or $1). While not exactly instant gratification, you’ll be dining out anyway, so why not earn points and free meals for future use? Or, start collecting points now and use the certificates during your travels. The OpenTable app works at more than 33,000 restaurants worldwide.

Postagram

Who said snail mail was overrated? Postcards are a classic travel memento to share with friends and family. With the Postagram app you can bring this tradition into the digital age by sending personalized photos and messages from your phone to relatives. They’ll receive actual, printed postcards for $1.99 a piece, which covers printing and postage (mailed within the US).

Uber

If you want to get anywhere, Uber is there for you. As a company that provides drivers to take you from point A to point B, Uber is usually cheaper than cabs, and you don’t need to make a phone call! Just open up the Uber app, plug in your starting point and the desired destination and Uber will send a driver your way. Once you enter your credit card details, everything is taken care of; you don’t need to worry about having cash and you don’t even need to have your physical credit card on hand. Use Uber to get to and from the airport, or as your vacation “designated driver”. You can even track your driver’s route, so you’ll know right when he’s going to arrive at the pub to pick you up.

Groupon

Most app users love Groupon for local deals, but with a little planning, you can also use it to search for deals on restaurants, things to do, and hotels for your next destination. Order Groupons ahead of your trip, then utilize the app to get your deals once you’re at your locale.

Got a money-saving travel trip you’d like to share? Let us know below!

Terrie Carrozzella is the Web Designer & Social Media Manager for Sub Sea Systems. Want to contact Terrie about Sea TREK helmet diving, Clear Lounge underwater oxygen bar, or FunCat electric catamarans? Email her here!terrie@subseasystems.com