We all know about Airbnb and Google Translate. But did you know that there is an app to find local WiFi networks/passwords? Or how about the website that scans Airbnb reviews for common issues?

This week, we dive into some relatively unknown (but extremely useful) travel apps and websites for digital nomads.

This Week in Nomad Deals

• Vet Airbnb Listings: A digital nomad recently built and launched Checkout.reviews, a tool that scans and summarizes Airbnb reviews. (See the full list of 13 useful travel apps below.)  

• Mexico Nomad Visa Changes: The Mexican government now requires monthly income of $4,394 in 2024 for its popular Temporary Resident visa, as well as an official letter from digital nomad employers granting permission to work abroad.

13 Must-Have Travel Apps and Tools for Digital Nomads

Gone are the days of guidebooks. Today, digital nomads have tons of powerful tools at their fingertips — and many of them remain hidden gems.

These tools will transform your nomad experience, from finding the perfect co-working space to vetting Airbnb listings.

ATM Fee Saver

· Website and app

· Free

We recommend that all U.S. residents obtain a debit card that reimburses ATM fees, such as Charles Schwab. But for those who don’t have access to the U.S. financial system, the ATM Fee Saver app is a good backup.

This useful tool serves as a database for ATMs in 45 countries. You can use the interactive map to locate an ATM with low or even zero fees.

Checkout Reviews

· Website

· Free

Airbnb’s rating system is broken. With the average Airbnb in the U.S. rated 4.8 out of 5, it is impossible for travelers to discern the good from the bad.

Enter Checkout Reviews, a new service designed to help travelers vet listings. The tool scans written reviews for what guests said about key factors such as wifi, cleanliness, noise, and more, and summarizes its findings in an easily-digestible report.

Citymapper

· Website and app

· Free

This free map app focuses on navigating transportation systems in major cities. Citymapper functions similarly to the more well-known Google Maps, but its focus on public transit makes it easier to plan your route. The app also shows the movement of buses and subways in real-time.

Ding

· Website and app

· Paid

Ding streamlines the pain-in-the-ass process of recharging an existing prepaid SIM card. For a small fee, you can instantly top off SIM cards from 500 different carriers around the world.

Global Entry Spotter

· Website

· Paid

Right now, it takes up to 11 months on average to process a U.S. Global Entry application. Most that consists of waiting for an in-person interview slot at one of the 105 enrollment centers around the country.

Global Entry Spotter saves time by scanning the Trusted Traveler website for last-minute interview slots. For a one-time $25 payment, you receive unlimited text and email alerts about new openings.

My Currency Converter

· App

· Free

This top-rated app provides instant conversion between over 150 different currencies, plus several cryptocurrencies.

Onward Ticket

· Website

· Paid

One common travel mistake that occasionally lands digital nomads in hot water is not adhering to onward departure requirements. Many countries require that you show proof of a flight out of the country before they will let you enter – a problem for nomads that aren’t sure how they will stay.

Onward Ticket offers a workaround. For a $16 fee, you can temporarily “rent” a spot on an outbound flight to anywhere in the world. Onward Ticket provides a real ticket PDF, complete with confirmation number, that you can show to airline or migration officials. After a set amount of time (typically 24-48 hours), the ticket automatically expires.

Proton VPN

· App

· Free

Most free VPNs are sketchy, but Proton is the exception.

The free version of the app gives you the option to choose between servers in the U.S., Japan, and the Netherlands. Although it isn’t as fast as paid services, Proton provides a reliable way for digital nomads to access websites that are blocked in their location.

Seats.aero

· Website and app

· Free

Digital nomads inevitably accumulate many rewards miles and points. But what’s the best way to spend that currency?

Seats.aero is a flight search engine that shows prices in terms of miles and points, rather than dollars and cents. You can select from 14 different mileage programs, and a similar search engine for hotel rewards programs is also in beta testing.

Skyscanner

· Website and app

· Free

Here’s a little secret: all the data in our monthly flight deals report comes from Skyscanner.

For many digital nomads, flight deals play a major role in where they end up next. Use Skyscanner’s “explore Everywhere” option to view a long list of cheap flights from your chosen city to anywhere in the world. You can also set real-time alerts for price drops, so you never miss a deal.

Trip Office

· Website and app

· Free

Digital nomads have adapted to the world, but most of the world hasn’t adapted to digital nomads—including the idea of a proper workspace.

Using AI-powered image recognition, the team at Trip Office compiled a database of over 50,000 hotels around the world with ergonomic office chairs.

WiFi Map

· Website and app

· Free

Wifi Map serves as a crowdsourced database for publicly available wifi spots around the world, including usernames and passwords.

Workfrom.co

· Website and app

· Free

Looking for a place to bring your laptop for the day? Use workfrom.co to search a map of remote worker-friendly cafes, restaurants, coworking spaces, and other places with wifi.