Travel With Pride: The Best Apps for LGBTQ+ Travelers

The LGBTQ+ community faces unique hurdles while traveling. This comprehensive guide has everything you need to find welcoming places to stay, connect with like-minded people at your destination, and maximize joy along the journey.

Plan an unforgettable trip with LGBTQ+ friendly apps

‣ In the lodging app misterb&b, all hotels have been vetted for being welcoming and accepting of the LGBTQ+ community. The app also highlights LGBTQ+ travel destinations, including gay beaches and Pride celebrations around the world.

‣ Search Expedia for a place to stay, tap Sort & Filter, and select the “LGBTQ welcoming” option (under “Travel experience”) to find establishments that welcome guests of all sexual orientations and identities.

‣ Once you’ve added activities to your itinerary in TripIt, you’ll find a wealth of stats, like neighborhood safety scores, the prevalence of theft, and the likelihood of harm or discrimination against LGBTQ+ people.

‣ If you’re looking for community during your adventures, check out the social network Lex. It has over a dozen travel groups where people share advice and plan group trips. On the Group tab, search the “travel” tag to join conversations in Queer Vanlife, QTBIPOC Camping, and other groups.

Explore like a local with LGBTQ+ friendly apps

‣ From walking tours of San Francisco’s historical Castro District to nightlife destinations in Berlin, Tripadvisor has the rundown on LGBTQ+ friendly activities to check out. (Search the app for LGBTQ, then pick a destination. Filter between attractions and restaurants to see reviews from other travelers, or search through a city’s forum in the app for travel advice.)

‣ Search TikTok for #lgbtqtravel or #gaytravel to discover posts by people sharing their experiences in inclusive countries, and get insights from solo travelers about specific cities.

‣ In Apple Maps, the lesbian dating app HER has 52 Guides to help you find queer-safe salons, barbershops, and other businesses in select cities. Tap the Explore Guides button in Apple Maps and browse by publisher to find HER’s offerings.

‣ Everywhere Is Queer serves as a comprehensive directory of queer-owned restaurants, travel agencies, tour companies, and other establishments. Also check the app for user-submitted queer events, like pop-up comedy shows and retreats. (To find these, tap Queer Events on the Globe tab.)

‣ When you’re exploring Yelp, select the Gender Neutral Restrooms filter (under the Amenities section in the Filters menu) to find businesses with a single-stall restroom that’s open to everyone.

Make memorable connections with LGBTQ+ friendly apps

‣ Tinder’s Passport feature allows you to swipe through the profiles of people in cities around the world—making it a great tool to meet folks and start conversations ahead of your travels.

‣ The beautifully designed dating app PURE is another great way to meet people on the road. It uses personal ads to connect you with open-minded people in major cities.

‣ Keep an eye out for profiles labeled “Ambassador” in the dating and chat app Scruff. These users are ready to share tips with you about their respective cities, such as where to stay and their favorite places for meeting new people or dining.

‣ Use Rally to tap into the local sports scene when you travel. Join a group hike, bike ride, or pickup rugby game with other fitness enthusiasts.

More must-have apps for travel

‣ Reduce jet lag with a personalized plan from Timeshifter. It recommends ways to tweak your caffeine intake and light exposure in the days before your trip so your circadian rhythm will match your destination’s time zone when you land.

‣ In addition to organizing all your flight info (and making it easy to share with friends and family), Flighty keeps an eye out for potential delays and will give you a nudge when you should head to the airport.

‣ Once you’re on the ground, use Morpho Converter to convert currency, temperature, and distance with the fewest taps possible.

‣ Tune in to Headspace’s “In Flight” sleep music to soothe your travel worries. “Pride From the Inside Out” is a collection of videos, meditations, and affirmations that bring a moment of mindfulness to your Pride celebrations.

‣ Pro tip for those using Snapchat to keep in touch while you travel: Turn on Data Saver mode (Settings > Manage > Additional Services) if you have limited mobile data.

Read more stories that celebrate Pride