After 7 years of full-time travel across 90+ countries, we’ve downloaded and tested just about every app that promised to “make travel easier.”
Most of them? Total fluff. But every now and then, we find one that actually delivers. That saves us time, money, or stress in a big way.
Here are 5 underrated travel apps that have become absolute game changers for us.
These aren’t the usual suspects : no TripIt or Google Maps here. Just real tools we use all the time that barely anyone talks about.
1. ATM Fee Saver
Save money before you even spend it.
Ever landed in a new country and immediately lost $7 to ATM fees… just for accessing your own money?
ATM Fee Saver helps you find:
- Fee-free ATMs
- Banks with higher withdrawal limits
- Real-time fee estimates based on your card type and country
It’s especially useful in places like Thailand, Argentina, or Mexico, where bank fees can add up fast and vary wildly from machine to machine.
We check it every time we land somewhere new — and it’s saved us hundreds.
2. Flush
Find a public bathroom. Anywhere.
We know. It sounds silly.
But trust us — after 3 hours walking around Paris on nothing but espresso and croissants, Flush becomes the MVP of your trip.
It shows:
- The nearest public toilets
- Whether they’re free or paid
- Accessibility info
- Which ones are open
- And it works offline
If you’ve ever been desperate for a bathroom in a new city, this one’s for you.
3. AutoSlash
Book once, save automatically.
We mention this one a lot because it’s honestly one of our best travel hacks. You plug in your rental car details once, and AutoSlash does the rest.
- It tracks your reservation
- If the price drops, it emails you to rebook
- You save money — without doing anything
We’ve saved hundreds of dollars this way, especially in the U.S. And it’s 100% free — they make money through Priceline partnerships, not from you.
4. TrustedHousesitters
Free places to stay — with pets.
This one changed the game for us during longer stays. TrustedHousesitters connects travelers with homeowners who need someone to care for their pets while they’re away.
We stayed in a gorgeous Chicago apartment for 2 weeks watching two sweet cats and paid nothing.
If you:
- Love animals
- Prefer slower travel
- Don’t mind swapping hotels for homes
…this is worth checking out. Listings exist all over the world, and some of the homes are absolutely stunning.
5. LoungeReview
Get into airport lounges — even without status.
LoungeReview helps you find airport lounges you can access with:
- A day pass
- Your credit card perks
- Or paid entry (usually under $40)
We’ve used this during long layovers in Europe and Asia to get showers, food, drinks, and Wi-Fi. Eeven when we weren’t flying business class.
One time in Lima, we paid $35 for a lounge pass and ate like royalty for 4 hours while our gate was chaos. Worth every penny.
Bonus Tip: You Need Data to Use Any of These
All of these apps require a connection. So how do we make sure we always have data the minute we land?
We use an eSIM.
No kiosks. No waiting. No surprise roaming charges. Just instant data on your phone as soon as the plane touches down.
Ours costs just $9 for most countries. If you want the one we use and trust, just click here!
Final Thought
You don’t need a million travel apps.
You just need a few that actually work.
These five have saved us time, money, and awkward bathroom emergencies — and they’re not the ones you’ll find on most travel blogs.
Give them a try on your next trip. You might wonder how you ever traveled without them.
For more underrated travel hacks and money-saving tips, follow us on:
TikTok
Facebook
Instagram
1 comment