Best solo traveller apps 

Solo superstars and illustrious individuals, we know you’re out there. Fed up of seeing endless tips on romantic breaks and cheesy Instagram-worthy hand-holding photos? We hear you. Travelling alone is massively underrated.

From exploring a new city to making new friends – there’s nothing you can’t do by yourself. Especially with your trusty phone in your pocket.

Settle in for a read, then get yourself a plane ticket for your next adventure. No stressful organisational WhatsApp required.

Use all these solo traveller apps, within your data allowance without the worry of a huge bill when you get home. That’s thanks to Go Roam on Three – unlock your UK allowances in 71 destinations worldwide.

So, if your parents start to worry, you can give them a call, using your usual allowance, wherever you are. We’re not taking the blame for any nagging about doing your washing while you’re away, though.

No matter where you are in the world, it’s important to stay safe. But you don’t always need a buddy to feel secure. There are some great safety apps you can use while travelling. And remember, travel insurance is more than just an extra expense. It could be extremely helpful if something does go wrong. Always make sure to organise yourself with the best insurance for you before you travel.

With over 190 countries in the world, that’s a lot of emergency numbers to remember. TripWhistle collates all the info you might need. There’s numbers for each country, and location coordinates available too for pinpointing where you are. With everything in the app, you can get help quickly and you can give the right teams all the information they need.

Hopefully, you won’t need it, but if you do, TripWhistle makes it easy to get in touch with the right people.

Sitata is a safety app. It helps travellers avoid tourist scams, health and safety threats, extreme weather conditions and anything else that might threaten a trip. Download the app, log in and let notifications keep you informed. They’re location-based, and you can join the community to share your experiences with others and learn from their travelling tales. Plus, even if you’re not in a Go Roam destination, the majority of Sitata’s features work offline.

It also has similar TripWhistle style features with emergency services information at the tap of a finger.

Finding your way around new places can be tricky – especially if you didn’t manage to cram a map into your backpack. Luckily, you’ve got a map and a guide in your pocket – your phone.

Google Maps might seem like an obvious choice, but it’s also a super useful one. Whether you’re trying to find your hotel or are just looking for the nearest restaurant – Google Maps has got you.  Choose your method of transport and the app will give you a selection of routes, from fastest to most direct.

So, explore your new favourite city without worrying about getting lost, thanks to Google Maps.

It’s late, it’s dark, and you’ve chosen to visit Germany in midwinter, so your fingers and toes are frozen. It’s time to give up on the idea of walking and call an Uber.

Not heard of it?  Uber’s a taxi app that lets you call a cab to your exact location. Track the driver’s journey to you and share your trip with your friends, or fellow travellers. That way, they can make sure you got home safely. Everything’s done in-app, so you don’t need to use your data to search the local taxi firm’s number. And it’s cheaper than a traditional taxi too.

One of the best things about travelling alone is the people you meet on the way. You can find yourself someone to have dinner with, a travel companion and even new friends for life. And your phone can help you make some new connections too.

If budget is a primary concern with your travelling, Hostelworld is a great place to start. Hostels are way more affordable option than a prime location hotel. And as an added bonus, you get the chance to meet loads of other travellers too.

With the Hostelworld app, you can browse, compare, and book over 36,000 hostels and B&Bs. Find the best value place to stay and keep track of all your bookings from your phone. That gives you more time to make friends and more spare cash to spend on your trip of a lifetime. Perfect.

Duolingo on iOS / Duolingo on Android

Yes, it’s everyone’s favourite language learning app, Duolingo. Famous for its persistent birdie mascot, this might seem an odd choice when looking to meet new people. However, what could be better than meeting the locals and getting the insider advice on where to explore? Before you jet off to your new destination, check out the local language on Duolingo and brush up on your basics. That way, when you order your first meal alone, you can look like an expert. You could get some hot tips on where to eat for the rest of the trip. And if you’re a real pro, you might even land yourself a great buddy to visit on your next solo trip.