Google recently released a new travel companion that could prove to be the most useful smartphone app for all travelers. No, we’re not talking about a Google Maps update. Google Trips, the latest app from Google, has been designed to help you research all the necessary details for your next vacation.
In a nutshell, the smartphone app creates a personalized tour guide for you using your personal data. Information is collected from your Gmail account, and any other Google searches or apps you use, as well as its large database of crowd-sourced travel reviews. This information is then used to plan out your trip.
Google Trips is Absolutely Free
Using Google Trips won’t cost you anything at all! No doubt, this comes as a relief for those of us who can’t afford to pay for premium travel apps like TripIt.
Google Trips is Surprisingly Comprehensive
As you give the app a try, you initially have to set it up using your Gmail account. Google can then show you details on past trips as well as upcoming ones. To begin creating a trip, search for a destination and put in your planned travel dates. From there, you can jump right into the existing trip and customize it however you see fit. You can add as many travel destinations or dates as you please.
Google Trips Provides a Ton of Travel Info
When you want to know the best places to sleep, as well as the most popular landmarks to visit in a foreign city, Google Trips can be a godsend. So far, the app has complete travel guides for 200+ major cities and each cover six main features: Things to Do, Day Plans, Reservations, Getting Around, Food & Drink, and Saved Places.
Things to Do
Typically the app breaks down recommended destinations by categories like “Outdoors”, “Indoors”, or even unique ones like “Selfie Spots”.
Day Plans
If you’re not sure where to go once you land in your vacation destination, the app will suggest themed itineraries. So when you’re in London and can’t decide where to begin sightseeing, go to Day Plans and you’ll get a “Literary London” suggestion among other recommendations. From there, various landmarks will be mapped out and you’ll be shown how to follow the said itinerary, as well as the travel time between each stop.
Reservations
This is where you’ll see hotel, flight, and car rental information that is collected from your Gmail. In case you made any reservations through another Gmail account, forward those emails to the one you set up with Google Trips to have them show up on the app. However, keep in mind that you can’t make reservations directly through the app.
Getting Around
Going around during your overseas trip can be challenging. You’re often not familiar with what form of transportation you need to take to get where you want to go. The app will give you airport options, public transportation routes, and even the expected costs if you take a taxi.
Food & Drink
Foodies will love this nifty little Trips feature. Through it, you get an overview of an area’s delicacies and culinary specialties. You can also get suggestions on where to eat based on a variety of categories. It will also track any reservations you make.
Saved Places
Whenever you find a destination that you’re interested in, simply hit the star icon and it will be added to this section of the Google Trips app.
The Freedom to Choose
Planning vacations is much easier now with Google Trips. The app not only provides you with suggested Day Plans, it can also be customized to consider time constraints and personal preferences. That means you have absolute freedom to customize each recommended travel plan by adding/deleting stops or simply creating a whole itinerary from scratch.
If you’re using Trips on the go, it may be best to keep your phone connected. Doing so will help the app pull in real-time info about tourist spots you’re about to pass. It can even make adjustments on your itinerary based on the local time as well as the weather. So, if you’re caught in a heavy downpour, the app will suggest possible indoor activities for you.
Google Trips is Great Offline, Too
Save data, and stay on the move with Google Trips offline capabilities. You can readily download each trip to your mobile device to be able to use when you’re not connected.
Nevertheless, using Trips with Wi-Fi connection or mobile data is still your best bet. Being connected allows the app to suggest appropriate detours in case of bad weather, and can inform you if a tourist spot is open or closed in real-time.
Google is trying to make Google Trips the default app for tourists to organize their travel plans. The app is available on both Android and iOS.