7 free travel tools you may not be using (other than Couchsurfing)

We all know about Couchsurfing. Some of us have even tried it and survived to tell the tale (and some of us have even met our future proofreader through the website, but that's another story to be told some other time). There are, however, many more online options that can help you enrich your travels without breaking the bank. How many of these have you personally tested?

Global Greeter Network is my favorite way to find a local guide to show you around for free and answer all the questions you might have about the place you're visiting. The network now includes more than 150 cities all over the world, and it's continually growing. Unlike many other similar services, Global Greeter Network is not tip-based; it's completely free.

MeetUp is a platform where everyone can create or join a meeting in their current location. These are social events ranging from yoga classes to book clubs, mindfulness practices, outdoor sports and language exchanges. The events themselves can be free or paid, but don't worry – this is specified in the meetup description. If you don't find any meetup that suits you, just create your own!

In some countries (Thailand for example), Google Maps doesn't support offline navigation. That's when you need to find a substitute, and the perfect substitute is Maps.me. This app requires way less phone storage space than Google Maps and has proven to be incredibly accurate (like that one time when it guided us through a secret passageway in a floating market – it was so well-hidden that we didn't even realize we were supposed to buy tickets).
>>> Read more: How to travel for free (without feeling like a tramp)