Life is easier with apps, especially when you are on the road, perhaps far away from home, and need practical and efficient solutions to experience your trip to the fullest.
In this article I have selected the best travel apps (for Android and iPhones) that you can use during your trip to Lake Como.
Apps for travel planning, food apps, payment apps: in this article you will find all the best apps for traveling in Italy and, in some cases, specifically on Lake Como.
Ready? Grab your phone (if you don’t already have it in hand) and get ready to download the best apps for travelers!
Call a cab, rent an electric scooter or car, and more. With FreeNow (formerly mytaxi), getting around is as easy as drinking a glass of water.
In addition to its own network of vehicles, the service integrates regular Italian cab services. So if you don’t want to take public transportation from the airport, you can use FreeNow and arrive by cab at one of the destinations covered by the service.
- Know the cost of the service in advance: with FreeNow vehicles, you know from the start the price range you're going to spend, so you won't run into any nasty surprises.
- Book your ride in advance: don't risk arriving late at the airport and secure your ride on time.
- Not only cabs: now you can also rent scooters, mopeds and cars, for full freedom of movement!
DOWNLOAD THE APP NOW!
Get €5 for your 1st ride with FreeNow when you download the app from this link: https://m.free-now.com/JGMc/pw8q37fs
Do you already have the FreeNow app? Add my referral code: y1y11c3gg
Omio: the app for public transportation planning
Omio is a travel search engine that compares trains, buses and flights from over 800 companies around the world to find the fastest and cheapest way to travel.
Once you have found your ideal travel solution, you can book your ticket via app in a few simple steps, without the need to create an account. The app is useful for getting to and from Lake Como by train, but for bus service it is best to use Arriva MyPay.
- Discover the most convenient solutions for reaching Lake Como from Milan or its airports
- Don't waste time at the vending machines and buy your ticket in advance
- Keep your air, bus or rail tickets within a single app
DOWNLOAD THE APP NOW!
Sign up using my recommendation link: you'll get a €10 discount on your first booking!
InTaxi: cab app for traveling in Como and Italy
InTaxi is the service that allows you to call or book your cab in major Italian cities (Milan, Rome, Naples, etc.) and is also operational in the city of Como and Lecco.
Set your pickup and arrival points, filter through the available options (e.g., payment by credit card, or presence of pets)… and you are ready to hit the road!
- Easy to use: search for your ride and immediately get the estimated time of arrival, plus you can follow the cab on the map and see when it reaches you
- Book your ride in advance: don't risk arriving late at the airport and secure your ride on time
- Pay conveniently on the Taxi or via the app by linking your credit card or with your GLOBIX subscription
With the Arriva MyPay app, searching for Lake Como bus schedules and purchasing tickets are super easy.
Simply enter the name of the city you are departing from and the point of arrival, select the ride you prefer, and proceed to checkout. Done! Now you will have the ticket directly on your phone, ready to show the driver.
- Don't go crazy looking for a newsstand or tobacconist to purchase your ticket: with the app, it only takes a few taps to purchase your ticket.
- Book your ride in advance: you can also plan your bus trip well in advance with the app.
- Be smart: consult the timetables in advance to know the time of the ride and avoid waiting for a long time in the sun.
Uber: the cab and two-wheeler app for traveling in style
Uber’s app needs no introduction. Quite simply, it is one of the most widely used apps for booking a cab and getting around not only in the Lake Como area, but also in Milan and much of the world.
Reserve a Uber to get to the lake from Milan airports, or use the app to book electric scooters and bikes in larger cities (such as Milan).
- Know the cost of the service in advance: with Uber, you know from the start the price range you're going to spend, so you won't run into any nasty surprises.
- Book your ride in advance: don't risk arriving late at the airport and secure your ride on time.
- Not only cabs: with Uber you can also rent electric scooters and bikes, for full freedom of movement!
DOWNLOAD THE APP NOW!
Get €75 for your on your first 5 rides (€15 per ride) with Uber when you download the app from this link: https://referrals.uber.com/refer?id=815msr7myfx8
Komoot: the best GPS app for planning hikes and walks
Komoot is an app that allows all sports and outdoor enthusiasts to plan and record routes through trails and roads around the world.
It also allows navigation (online and offline) and discovery of routes created by community users. Ideal for walking a trail on Lake Como without the fear of losing your way.
- Discover the area around you: use the app to explore routes around you planned by the community
- Choose the route that best suits your needs: each route on Komoot presents accurate information on length, duration, elevation gain, terrain type, and more. You will also be able to see photos taken by users who have recorded the route and thus get an idea of your adventure.
- Don't be afraid to get lost: you can follow the route you or another user has planned with the GPS navigation function.
and don't forget to follow me on Komoot and to find out about my hikes around Lake Como!
The Fork: app for restaurant reservations
Thanks to TheFork, you can choose and make free reservations at the best restaurants in Lake Como and throughout Italy.
From gluten-free restaurants to those offering typical dishes, this app for restaurant reservations is really essential during your trip to discover the best flavors Italy has to offer.
- Discover the restaurants closest to you on the map inside the app, and find your favorite using the available filters
- Reserve a table for free via app and avoid the long waits typical of the peak season, especially in a popular tourist destination like Lake Como
- Wide variety of discounts available (even 50% discounts) to use at the very moment of your reservation; with your reservations, you will also accumulate Yums: loyalty points that you can convert into discounts.
DOWNLOAD THE APP NOW!
Make your 1st reservation on the mobile application TheFork with the code 7DFAF721 and receive 1000 Yums (=20 euros) for your next restaurant experience!
Deliveroo: app for fine food delivery
What could be better than receiving food at home after a long day on the road?
With the food delivery app Deliveroo, you can place your order and receive it at your hotel or apartment within the time frame of a shower. Note that, on Lake Como, Deliveroo currently operates only in larger towns (such as Como and Lecco).
- Order pizza, burgers, poke and more: a wide variety of restaurants and services at your disposal
- Discover the deals of the day and get some fine food in a few minutes
- Plan your order in advance to enjoy the rest of your time as much as possible
DOWNLOAD THE APP NOW!
Sign up for Deliveroo and receive €10 off your first 4 orders. Download the app from this link: https://roo.it/alessandrom6732
Satispay: pay in stores, send money to friends and get cashback
Satispay is definitely one of the best travel apps for Italy. All you have to do is download the app (which you will have to associate with your phone number), set a weekly budget, and… it’s done! Now you can send electronic payments at all businesses that accept this payment method and keep cash only for emergencies.
Why is it useful?
- Pay with Satispay at restaurants, bars and shops without using cash; activate geolocation to find stores that accept Satispay near you, or find them by moving on the map within the app
- Send money to your friends in two easy steps (note: the other person must also have Satispay)
- Get cashback for your purchases at stores offering this promotion; offers can change daily and also vary based on your use of the app
DOWNLOAD THE APP NOW!
Make your 1st reservation on the mobile application Uber Eats with the code eats-knvnr1 and receive receive €15 off your first order of at least €20!
Splitwise: the best app for splitting travel expenses
Whether you are traveling alone, as a couple or with friends, it is very useful to have an app that allows you to track all your travel expenses. And this app is Splitwise.
Simple and pleasant to use, Splitwise is definitely one of the best apps for group travel expenses and avoiding money-related discussions that can happen while traveling!
- Create a group dedicated to your trip (you can also create multiple groups, for example you could dedicate a group for each leg of your trip) and invite your fellow travelers
- Know at any time the amount of money you have to give or receive
- Find out your total expenses and export them to a CSV file
Google Pay: pay contactless and save your boarding passes
Google Pay is a quick and easy way to pay at stores using the cards saved in your Google account.
If you have a credit or debit card, you can save it in your app and pay with your phone using NFC technology. A must-have app during your trip!
- Did you forget your wallet with cash and cards in your hotel room? No problem! With Google Pay you will have the cards on your phone and can use them in any store that accepts electronic payments
- Not only money! On Google Pay you can also save your boarding passes to show at the airport
- Connect Google Pay with your Paypal account and pay with your phone using NFC technology
Not available for iOS (which has Apple Pay and works in a rather similar way)