Best Travel Apps For The Philippines Introduction
Welcome Friends to your essential guide for the Best Travel Apps For The Philippines! Explore the curated selection of travel apps for a smooth and seamless experience when navigating the Philippines.
Because trust me, we wish we knew about these apps before we came to the Philippines! So we will provide everything you need to know and include helpful videos in this guide. You will have a great foundation of knowledge before traveling to the Philippines!
- You will master transportation with apps like Grab, Sakay PH, and more – optimizing rides and transit.
- You Will Be Able To craft tailored itineraries using Philippines Tourism, Airbnb, Agoda, Traveloka and local rental websites you can book monthly. This ensures personalized recommendations.
- You Will Be Able to navigate the Philippines’ amazing food scene with confidence using GrabFood, Foodpanda, and Eatigo. Immerse yourself in the culture with the Philippines Travel App and more.
- Prioritize safety, savings and connectivity with Maps.Me, WiFi Map, StaySafePH and more online and offline options.
This professional guide is tailored for an efficient, enriching journey through Manila, Cebu, Boracay, and beyond. With these digital tools, your exploration of the Philippines is poised to be smooth, stress-free and thoroughly enjoyable.
So Let’s Get Started!
Table Of Contents
Why Travel Apps Matter in The Philippines
- Efficiency Boost and Save Money: Navigate the Philippines’ complex transportation networks smoothly. Access real-time schedules for buses, ferries, and more.
- Confidence on the Go: Empower yourself with instant decision-making at your fingertips. Travel apps eliminate uncertainties in real-time and assist with safety and connectivity issues. Offline maps like Maps.me provide navigation even without data.
- Cultural Immersion: Immerse yourself in the Philippines’ rich culture with translation tools and hidden gem finders. Apps transform every moment into an opportunity for genuine cultural exploration.
- Safety: As a full-time traveler, offline maps like Maps.me are invaluable if you have data issues, especially in remote areas. This saves hassle and provides navigation even without an internet connection.
Transportation and Navigation Apps in the Philippines | Key Features |
---|---|
Google Maps | – Transit directions and route planning – Offline access via downloaded maps – Location sharing, real-time ETAs |
Waze | – Crowdsourced traffic and hazard reports – Alerts for road closures, accidents – Faster alternative routes |
Angkas | – Book motorcycle taxi rides – Drivers provide helmets for safety – Faster option compared to cars |
JoyRide | – Book car or motorcycle rides – View fare estimates before booking – Track drivers en route to pickup |
Maps.me | – City guide downloads for robust offline info – Bookmark locations for quick access – Global search and voice navigation |
Grab
Grab is the most popular ride-hailing and transportation app in the Philippines. It allows you to easily book rides from cars, taxis, and motorcycles in major cities.
Key features:
- Request rides from cars, taxis, motorcycles
- Get estimated fare before booking
- Track driver’s location to pickup
- Pay through app, cashless option
What you need to know:
- Pros: Widely used, links to other services
- Cons: Can surge pricing during busy times
- Offline Capability: No
- Download: iOS, Android
- Website: grab.com
- Price: Free
Sakay.ph
Sakay.ph is an app focused on navigating Manila’s complex public transportation system of buses, jeepneys and trains. It provides schedules, directions and trip planning.
Key features:
- Routes and schedules for jeepneys, LRT, MRT
- Step-by-step directions
- Covers Metro Manila transit
What you need to know:
- Pros: Comprehensive Manila transit info
- Cons: Doesn’t include detours, changes
- Offline Capability: No
- Website: sakay.ph
- Price: Free
Google Maps
Google Maps provides navigation and directions for transit, driving, biking and walking in the Philippines. It can be used online or offline.
Key features:
- Transit directions and route planning
- Offline access via downloaded maps
- Location sharing, real-time ETAs
What you need to know:
- Pros: Offline access, AR navigation
- Cons: Limited Philippines transit data
- Offline Capability: Yes
- Download: iOS, Android
- Website: google.com/maps
- Price: Free
Waze
Waze provides crowdsourced traffic updates and navigation assistance to help drivers avoid congestion.
Key features:
- Crowdsourced traffic and hazard reports
- Alerts for road closures, accidents
- Faster alternative routes
What you need to know:
- Pros: Real-time traffic updates
- Cons: Dependent on user reports
- Offline Capability: No
- Download: iOS, Android
- Website: waze.com
- Price: Free
Angkas
Angkas is a motorcycle ride-hailing app that provides an efficient way to navigate through traffic in the Philippines.
Key Features:
- Book motorcycle taxi rides
- Drivers provide helmets for safety
- Faster option compared to cars
What You Need to Know:
- Pros: Quick, affordable rides by motorbike
- Cons: Less safe than cars, only 1 passenger
- Offline Capability: No
- Website: angkas.com
- Price: Varies by distance
JoyRide
JoyRide offers ride-hailing services through cars and motorcycles in the Philippines. It is an alternative to Grab.
Key Features:
- Book car or motorcycle rides
- View fare estimates before booking
- Track drivers en route to pickup
What You Need to Know:
- Pros: Alternative to Grab with similar service
- Cons: Smaller coverage area than Grab
- Offline Capability: No
- Website: joyride.com
- Price: Varies by distance
Maps.me – Best Offline Maps and My Favorite
Maps.me is my personal Favorite and has saved me from alot of headache all over the world. seriously it has saved me from some sketchy areas when i didn’t have Data. Maps.Me shines with its ability to access detailed Philippines maps completely offline. It’s one of my personal favorites that has saved me countless headaches.
It enables navigation without cell service or roaming data for:
- Metro, transit, taxi, walking, driving
- City guide downloads for robust offline info
- Bookmark locations for quick access
- Global search and voice navigation
For avoiding international data charges while still navigating smoothly, Maps.me is a stellar choice.
What You Need to Know about Maps.Me in The Philippines:
- Pros: Detailed offline maps/navigation; avoids roaming charges
- Cons: Not Much just ads if you have the free version
- Offline Capability: Yes, fully offline
- Download: iOS, Android
- Website: Maps.me
- Price: Free with ads, Free on iOS with ads but can pay $2.99 for premium, Android free with ads but can pay $2.99 for Premium
Travel Planning and accommodation Apps in The Philippines
Best Travel Planning Apps in The Philippines | Key Features |
---|---|
Philippines Tourism Board | Offline guide for maps and phrases. Craft personalized itineraries. |
Tripadvisor | Reviews and recommendations for hotels and restaurants. Easy activity and tour bookings. |
Airbnb | Immerse in local life with unique rentals. Ideal for extended stays and cultural exploration. |
Google Translate online and Offline | Break language barriers with instant camera translation and offline features. |
XE Currency rate Checker | Stay on budget with real-time exchange rates and budgeting tools. |
Booking.com | Great stays and can stay for a month as well |
Local rental Websites in The Philippines for monthly Rentals | Laumudi.ph, Property24.com.ph My Property.ph, rentpad.com.ph |
SafetyWing Travel Medical Insurance | Best Travel Medical Health Insurance for travelers and digital nomads it works just like your insurance like back home but cheaper |
Google Flights | For booking Flights to and around The Philippines |
Skyscanner | For booking Cheap Flights to and around The Philippines |
Agoda | Popular hotel booking platform in Asia |
Traveloka | Popular Philippines Booking Platform |
Gcash | Popular Money Transfer in The Philippines |
Philippines Tourism Board App
The official app from the Department of Tourism provides offline guides, maps, phrases and custom itinerary planning for exploring the Philippines.
Key Features:
- Offline guide with maps, phrases, translations
- Build custom itineraries and trip plans
- Info on attractions, hotels, restaurants
Tripadvisor
Tripadvisor makes travel planning easier with reviews, ratings and easy booking for hotels, tours, activities and restaurants.
Key Features:
- Reviews & ratings for hotels, tours, restaurants
- Easy booking for tours, dining, activities
- Destination forums and traveler advice
iOS | Android | TripAdvisor website
Airbnb
Airbnb allows you to book unique accommodations and experience local life for your Philippines trip. It’s great for extended stays.
Key Features:
- Entire homes, rooms and unique stays
- Local neighborhoods and cultural immersion
- More space and amenities than hotels
iOS | Android | Airbnb Website
Google Translate
Google Translate enables instant translation of 100+ languages including Filipino and Tagalog via text, voice and camera.
Key Features:
- Camera translation of text
- 100+ languages translated
- Save languages for offline use
iOS | Android | Google translate Website
XE Currency
XE Currency makes budgeting easier with live exchange rates, currency conversion and international money transfers.
Key Features:
- Live currency exchange rates and charts
- Budgeting and expense tracking
- International money transfers
iOS | Android | XE website
Booking.com
Booking.com provides a huge selection of accommodations in the Philippines that you can easily compare, review and reserve.
Key Features:
- 600K+ hotels, apartments globally
- Reviews, photos and amenity filters
- Free cancellation on most bookings
iOS | Android | Booking Website
Local Rental Websites in the Philippines for Monthly Rentals
These Philippine websites allow you to search for and book longer-term apartment and home rentals.
Key options:
- Laumudi – Apartment and condo listings
- MyProperty – Property rentals and sales
- Rentpad.com – Apartment and condo rentals
Agoda
Agoda provides a price comparison platform for hotels, vacation rentals and flights in Asia and around the world.
Key Features:
- Over 2M properties worldwide
- Promotions and deals for hotels
- Review scores and photos
iOS | Android | Agoda Website
Traveloka
Traveloka is a leading travel site in Southeast Asia for booking flights, hotels, activities, attractions and more.
Key Features:
- Localized app for Philippines travel
- Promo fares for flights and hotels
- Easy booking and ETA calculations
iOS | Android | Traveloka Website
Let me know if you need any other details or have additional apps to outline!
SafetyWing
Having comprehensive travel insurance is highly recommended when visiting The Philippines to protect against any unexpected incidents. SafetyWing is an excellent option tailored to global travelers and digital nomads.
Why Choose SafetyWing?
SafetyWing makes travel insurance easy and affordable at just $45 – $250/month. Here are some key reasons to consider it:
- Global coverage including exotic destinations
- Flexible policies fit nomadic lifestyles
- Easy sign-up and claims from phone/computer
- Covers medical, evacuations, disruptions, baggage, etc.
- 24/7 customer support anywhere
- Customizable coverage amounts and add-ons
Other Travel Insurance Options
While SafetyWing is a top choice, companies like WorldNomads, Cigna Global, and IMG also offer comprehensive travel insurance for The Philippines. Typical policies range from $45 – $500 for 2 weeks to a month of coverage. Compare coverage and premium costs.
Some key considerations for finding a good insurance policy:
- Emergency medical and evacuation
- Trip cancellation/interruption
- Lost/delayed baggage
- Adventure sports coverage
- Altitude sickness coverage
- 24/7 emergency assistance
Travel Health Insurance Cost Estimates
Insurance Plan | Trip Duration | Estimated Cost |
---|---|---|
SafetyWing | 1 month | $45 – $250 |
WorldNomads | 2 weeks | $100-$200 |
Cigna Global | 1 month | $150-$300 |
IMG | 2 weeks | $150-$250 |
Google Flights and Skyscanner
Google Flights, and Skyscanner make finding affordable airfare quick and easy.
Key features:
- Easily compare flight options across airlines
- Flexible date search to find the best deals
- Price tracking and alerts for chosen routes
- Book flights directly or route to booking sites
Great tools for getting budget airline tickets to and within The Philippines.
GCash
GCash allows for easy mobile payments and money transfers in the Philippines.
Key Features:
- Mobile payments at shops, restaurants
- Send and receive money domestically
- Pay bills, top up load, shop online
What You Need to Know:
- Website: Gcash
- iOS App: GCash
- Android App: GCash
- Price: Free
Best Food Delivery and Dining Apps in the Philippines
Best Food and Dining Apps For Philippines | Key Features |
---|---|
GrabFood | Huge restaurant selection, order tracking, cash/card payment |
Foodpanda | Fast delivery, order tracking, promos/discounts |
Eatigo | Discounted dining with reservations, rewards |
Booky | Food deals, discounts, reservations |
GrabFood
GrabFood allows you to order delivery from thousands of restaurants via the Grab app.
Key Features:
- Huge selection of restaurant partners
- Track orders in real-time
- Pay with card or cash
Foodpanda
Foodpanda provides on-demand food delivery from popular chains and local restaurants.
Key Features:
- Fast delivery with live tracking
- Promos and discounts available
- Takeaway pickup also available
Eatigo
Eatigo provides discounts up to 50% off if you reserve meals in advance at partner restaurants.
Key Features:
- Book discounted dining in advance
- Fixed time slots ensure table ready
- Points earned can redeem rewards
Booky
Booky helps you discover the best food deals, promos and restaurants nearby in the Philippines.
Key Features:
- Browse food deals and promos
- Restaurant discounts and vouchers
- Make reservations through the app
Best Communication & Messaging Apps in the Philippines
Communication And Messaging Apps For The Philippines | Key Features |
---|---|
Most Popular Messaging App in The Philippines | |
LINE | Text, voice, and video calls. |
Messaging and voice and video calls. | |
Google Voice | Voice calls and messaging. |
Viber | Messaging App |
Facebook Messenger
Facebook Messenger is the most widely used messaging app in the Philippines for free calls, texts, photos and group chats.
Key Features:
- Free messaging, voice and video calls
- Group chats with up to 250 people
- HD photo and file sharing
- Messaging businesses and payments
LINE
LINE is a popular chatting app in the Philippines and Asia for instant messaging with fun stickers, photos and videos.
Key Features:
- Free messaging to any LINE user
- Fun stickers, videos, photos
- Group chats up to 200 people
- Free voice & video calls
WhatsApp offers secure messaging and calling for communicating with friends and family in the Philippines.
Key Features:
- Encrypted messaging and calls
- Media sharing and group chats
- Low-cost international calling
- Cross-platform on mobile & desktop
Viber
Viber provides free calls, messaging, video chats and group chats for communicating internationally and people in the Philippines use it as well.
Key Features:
- Free international calls
- End-to-end encrypted chats
- Fun stickers and emoji
- Supports up to 200 participants
Best Activities & Tours Apps in the Philippines
Best Activities & Tours Apps in the Philippines | Key Features |
---|---|
Klook | – Book popular tours and activities – Exclusive deals and mobile vouchers – Flexible booking with free cancellations |
Viator | – 50,000+ bookable tours & activities – Trip planning articles and guides – Fast online booking and vouchers |
GetYourGuide | – Book tickets for top attractions – Jump the line with mobile vouchers – Cancel most bookings for full refund |
Tripadvisor | – Reviews and ratings help choose activities – Easy pricing and availability comparison – Book directly through the app |
We Wander PH | – Browse and book tours with locals – Travel guides and sample itineraries – Share reviews and connect with travelers |
Klook
Klook provides easy booking for attractions, tours, shows, transportation and more in the Philippines.
Key Features:
- Book popular tours and activities
- Exclusive deals and mobile vouchers
- Flexible booking with free cancellations
Viator
Viator offers a marketplace to book tours and activities with local guides around the world.
Key Features:
- 50,000+ bookable tours & activities
- Trip planning articles and guides
- Fast online booking and vouchers
GetYourGuide
GetYourGuide provides easy access to book popular tours and attractions around the world.
Key Features:
- Book tickets for top attractions
- Jump the line with mobile vouchers
- Cancel most bookings for full refund
Tripadvisor
Tripadvisor offers reviews and an easy booking platform for tours, activities and attractions.
Key Features:
- Reviews and ratings help choose activities
- Easy pricing and availability comparison
- Book directly through the app
We Wander PH
We Wander PH helps you discover and book tours plus share travel experiences in the Philippines.
Key Features:
- Browse and book tours with locals
- Travel guides and sample itineraries
- Share reviews and connect with travelers
Shopping & Services Apps and Websites: Lazada, Shopee
Lazada
Lazada is one of the most popular online shopping platforms in the Philippines. It offers a wide selection of products at discounted prices.
Key Features:
- Huge range of categories like electronics, fashion, home & living
- Daily deals and flash sales
- Easy returns and refunds
What You Need to Know:
- Pros: Large selection, affordable prices
- Cons: Shipping costs for smaller orders, have to sign up with the local number
- Website: Lazada
- Price: Free
Shopee
Shopee is another top online marketplace used in the Philippines. It’s known for deals on fashion, health products and mobile accessories.
Key Features:
- Big category for fashion and beauty items
- Free shipping vouchers and discounts
- Seamless payment options like ShopeePay
What You Need to Know:
- Pros: Low prices, good promotions
- Cons: Longer delivery times, have to sign up with the local number
- Website: Shoppee
- Price: Free
Safety Apps in The Philippines
Safety Apps | Key Features |
---|---|
Maps.Me | Offline maps for navigation. |
WiFi Map | WiFi hotspot locator. |
Stay Safe PH | Great app for staying safe in The Philippines |
Maps.Me
Maps.me provides offline maps and navigation for the Philippines. It’s helpful for getting around with spotty data coverage.
Key Features:
- Download detailed country/city maps
- Turn-by-turn voice navigation
- Bookmark favorite places
What You Need to Know:
- Pros: Works offline, free
- Cons: not much just sometimes the locations doesnt show up correctly sometimes
- Website: Maps.me
- iOS App: Maps.me iOS
- Android App: Maps.me Android
- Price: Free
WiFi Map
WiFi Map helps you locate free WiFi hotspots in the Philippines. This saves on hefty data roaming charges.
Key Features:
- Shows millions of WiFi networks
- Filters for fast, free and secure connections
- Works offline after download
What You Need to Know:
- Pros: Avoid roaming fees
- Cons: Spotty accuracy
- Website: Wifi Map
- Price: Free
StaySafePH
StaySafePH provides real-time alerts about crimes, traffic, weather emergencies and more in the Philippines.
Key Features:
- Get alerts for your area
- Report incidents and dangers
- Safety tips for travel
What You Need to Know:
- Website: Stay Safe PH
- Price: Free
Tourism and Philippines Official Sites and apps
Philippines Official Sites and Apps For Travel | Purpose | Website/App |
---|---|---|
It’s More Fun in the Philippines | Tourism campaign and information | It’s More Fun in the Philippines |
Philippine Airlines | National carrier for travel | Philippine Airlines |
Cebu Pacific | Affordable airline for travel | Cebu Pacific |
Air Asia | Low-cost airline for travel | Air Asia |
Tourism Promotions Board Philippines | Promotion of tourism activities | TPB Philippines |
Philippines Travel Tourism Board | Tourism and travel information | My Philippines |
Tagalog Language Learning Apps in The Philippines
Tagalog Filipino Learning Apps | Key Features |
---|---|
Pimsleur | The Best Language Learning App |
DuoLingo | Great language learning app |
Busuu | Awesome language learning app |
Innovative Language Tagalog 101 | Incredible language learning |
Pimsleur
Pimsleur offers audio-based Tagalog lessons focused on conversation. And I Personally Use it as well!
Key Features:
- 30-minute audio lessons
- Focus on spoken language
- Gradual progression in difficulty
What You Need to Know:
- Pros: Effective conversational focus
- Cons: Less reading/writing practice
- Website: Pimsleur
- Price: Premium subscription required
Duolingo
Duolingo offers bite-sized Tagalog lessons focused on reading, writing, speaking and listening.
Key Features:
- Short, gamified lessons
- Reading, writing, speaking practice
- Motivational reminders and tracking
What You Need to Know:
- Pros: Fun, effective learning in small doses
- Cons: Less focused on conversational skills
- Website: Duolingo
- Price: Free
Busuu
Busuu provides interactive Tagalog lessons with speech recognition and AI features.
Key Features:
- Lessons based on CEFR levels
- Speech recognition for pronunciation
- Review by native speakers
What You Need to Know:
- Pros: Interactive lessons with speech practice
- Cons: Less content than some competitors
- Website: Busuu
- iOS App: Busuu iOS
- Android App: Busuu Android
- Price: Premium subscription required
Innovative Language Tagalog 101
Overview: For a more localized touch, consider Innovative Language Tagalog 101.
Key Features:
- Tailored for Tagalog speakers
- Diverse language learning experiences
What You Need to Know:
- Website: TagalogProd101
Conclusion on The Best Travel Apps For The Philippines
This guide has covered a diverse range of apps to enhance travel experiences in the Philippines across key categories like transit, navigation, planning, dining, culture, and more. The top apps provide the tools to optimize transportation, discovering hidden gems, saving money and more.
- Transit apps like Grab, Sakay PH and Google Maps, Maps.me enable you to navigate the Philippines complex transportation networks with ease. Food apps like GrabFood and Foodpanda unlock the vibrant culinary scene. And the Philippines Tourism app provides insider tips.
- Apps for translation, budgeting, booking, communication and more combine to streamline logistics. Specialized apps for diving, island-hopping, hiking and vegan dining help craft unique experiences.
- While the Philippines presents challenges like sporadic infrastructure, language barriers and navigation, technology can minimize friction. Travel apps enable efficient planning, instant communication, budget management, cultural immersion and personalized experiences.
With the essential Philippines apps outlined in this guide, travelers can tap into local expertise, connect spontaneously, and craft their ideal trip. Apps empower you to unlock the Philippines your way – navigating its stunning landscape stress-free. With preparation and the right tools, the Philippines becomes easily accessible and primed for exploration.
Thanks for reading! We hope you found many helpful tips and apps for an incredible Philippines trip.
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