Easy-To-Use Apps Rick Steves' Son Andy Swears By To Save Money While In Europe

Planning a trip to Europe means gearing up for a multitude of incredible experiences. However, from building the perfect travel itinerary to figuring out which dangerous destinations you should skip, and even finding new ways to explore Europe without breaking the bank, putting together the dream vacation generally requires careful planning and flexibility. That said, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by all of the decisions and details involved. And, as your trip inches closer, anxiety can start to set in.

Enter: Andy Steves, travel guide and author — and son of the renowned travel expert, Rick Steves. With over a decade of experience leading tours and exploring hidden gems in Europe firsthand, it's safe to say that Andy Steves knows a thing or two about helping both first-time travelers and seasoned adventurers find their footing when it comes to all things accommodation, transportation, and can't-miss local attractions.

Now, as a way to simplify the entire travel planning process, Steves wrote a blog post that puts together a list of go-to travel apps and websites that help him save time and money while he's on the road. From booking apps to travel guides, navigation tools, and restaurant recommendations, Steves' selection is comprehensive and user-friendly — making it the perfect toolkit for travelers who are eager to stop sweating the details and want to dive directly into their European adventure.

When it comes to the first stages of planning your European adventure, Andy Steves recommends a handful of apps that can help save you time and money. First, for finding good deals on flights, the travel expert suggests testing multiple search websites to compare prices. Some of his go-tos include Skyscanner, CheapOair, KAYAK, and Google Flights. As for his method, Steves writes: "I do the same search across all of them and see what comes back to me." Along with this, he also advises keeping your dates flexible — especially considering that unexpected (and more affordable) options might pop up. From there, once you've found a good deal, Steves recommends opening up a new window and booking directly with the airline to avoid any potential third-party fees and complications.

In addition to these, the travel guru also recommends Hopper, a popular flight, hotel, and rental car booking app for tracking prices. How does Hopper work? Simple: Once you've picked a flight to track, the platform analyzes trillions of data points to determine when prices are predicted to drop, and instantly notifies you so you can book. As for booking your accommodation, Airbnb and Hostelworld are Steves' top picks. And while he notes that their growing popularity has led to some price increases, these options can oftentimes be a lot more affordable and offer much more unique, local experiences than a traditional hotel.

Finally, to keep all of your travel plans and details organized, Steves swears by TripIt. A popular travel itinerary app that stores all of your travel arrangements in one place, TripIt allows travelers to access everything from flight confirmations to departure times, terminal information, hotel reservations, and more ... all from the comfort of their phone. This ultimately means less stress and confusion during your travels — as well as a lot less wasted paper — and more time to enjoy the adventure.

Andy Steves also has a curated selection of apps for after you've arrived at your destination. First, for discovering affordable local hotspots, he suggests using crowd-sourcing platforms like Tripadvisor and Yelp to guide your decisions. Packed with information about attractions, restaurants, and more, their rating systems are based primarily on reviews from fellow travelers and locals who have firsthand knowledge of a place. However, despite their supposed community-focused approach, Steves also advises taking the reviews "with a grain of salt." After all, anyone can easily post their opinion regardless of whether they're true or not.

Then, when it comes to getting around, Steves suggests using Uber and similar ride-sharing apps so you can "skip the headache of worrying if you're being ripped off by cabbies on longer routes or fraudulent meters." Plus, these apps also let you store your card details directly within the platform, which means you don't have to worry about pulling out your wallet or dealing with an unfamiliar currency.

Lastly, for on-the-ground navigation, the expert's pick is CityMaps2Go. Available both on and offline — which ultimately means you can avoid getting hit with expensive roaming fees if you haven't purchased a local SIM card or international data — the app lets travelers download city maps and access them wherever they go. So whether you're exploring narrow European streets or venturing into areas with spotty cell coverage, you can rest assured that you'll find your way back to your accommodation — or to that hidden local restaurant you've been dying to try.