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Summer is all about spontaneity, sunshine, and getting away - but the best experiences still require a little planning. Whether you're navigating a new city, tracking flight delays, or just trying to find the best route to the coast, your smartphone is the ultimate summer survival tool. From finding cheap flights to ensuring you don't get sunburnt, here are the essential apps that make summer travel and outdoor fun seamless.
The quick verdict
A handful of well-chosen apps can make a summer trip far less stressful. Use Skyscanner to find deals and TripIt to keep bookings in one place, Google Translate and XE Currency Converter abroad, the Met Office or AccuWeather and SunSmart Global UV for weather and sun safety, and Google Maps or Waze on the road. Make sure your phone's battery can cope.
Summer holiday apps at a glance
| App | What it does |
|---|---|
| Skyscanner | Compares flights, hotels and car hire, with price alerts |
| TripIt | Builds one itinerary from your confirmation emails |
| Google Translate | Live camera translation of menus and signs |
| XE Currency Converter | Real-time conversions into pounds sterling |
| Met Office / AccuWeather | Hourly forecasts and weather warnings |
| SunSmart Global UV | Localised UV forecasts and sun protection times |
| Google Maps / Waze | Real-time traffic and hazard alerts on road trips |
Category 1: Travel Planning and Booking
Get your holiday booked and organised without the last-minute panic. These apps are crucial for managing itineraries and expenses, especially when travelling around Europe:
- Skyscanner: An absolute must for finding the best deals. Skyscanner searches millions of flights, hotels, and car rentals, allowing you to compare prices globally. Setting up price alerts is a brilliant way to snag a cheap getaway deal.
- TripIt: The ultimate itinerary organiser. Forward your flight, hotel, and car confirmation emails to TripIt, and it automatically creates a single, master itinerary. This keeps all your booking details in one easy place, even when offline.
- Google Translate: Essential for communication abroad. The app's live camera translation feature allows you to point your phone at foreign text (like menus or signs) and get an instant translation, removing language barriers instantly.
- XE Currency Converter: Avoid confusing exchange rates while shopping overseas. This app provides real-time currency conversions, ensuring you always know exactly how much you are spending in pounds sterling.
Category 2: Weather and Outdoor Safety
The UK summer can be unpredictable. These apps keep you safe and informed, whether you're at the beach or hiking the hills:
- Met Office / AccuWeather: Beyond a simple forecast, the Met Office app offers detailed hourly predictions and weather warnings, vital for planning outdoor activities like barbecues or hikes. AccuWeather offers similar, highly accurate long-range forecasts.
- SunSmart Global UV: This free app, backed by health and meteorological organisations, is essential for safety. It provides localised UV index forecasts and clearly advises you on the exact times when sun protection is required, minimising the risk of skin damage.
- Google Maps / Waze: For summer road trips, these are non-negotiable. Waze is fantastic for real-time traffic and hazard alerts provided by its community, helping you avoid congestion and unexpected delays on busy holiday roads.
The Smart Way to Prep Your Tech for Travel
Travel apps can be demanding on your phone's battery and storage. If your current phone is lagging or losing charge quickly, an upgrade will make a world of difference to your holiday experience. You can find robust, reliable devices with long-lasting battery life perfect for a full day of travel when you choose to buy a quality refurbished smartphone.
If you're upgrading to a newer model for your summer adventures, make sure your old device doesn't become forgotten tech. You can easily turn that unused handset into travel funds when you quickly and easily sell your old phone to Envirofone, making your next trip even more affordable!
Frequently asked questions
What is the best app for finding cheap flights?
Skyscanner searches millions of flights, hotels and car rentals so you can compare prices globally. Setting up price alerts on Skyscanner is a good way to catch a cheap getaway deal.
How does TripIt work?
You forward your flight, hotel and car confirmation emails to TripIt, and TripIt automatically creates a single master itinerary. All your booking details stay in one place, even when you are offline.
Can Google Translate read menus abroad?
Yes. Google Translate's live camera translation lets you point your phone at foreign text such as menus or signs and get an instant translation.
Is there an app that tells you when to wear sun cream?
SunSmart Global UV is a free app backed by health and meteorological organisations. SunSmart Global UV gives localised UV index forecasts and tells you the times when sun protection is required.
Which app is best for avoiding holiday traffic?
Waze is fantastic for real-time traffic and hazard alerts supplied by its community, helping you avoid congestion and delays on busy holiday roads. Google Maps is also recommended for summer road trips.
