7 Best VR Apps to Travel the World Using a Smartphone (2024)

No plane reservation or suitcase needed

7 Best VR Apps to Travel the World Using a Smartphone (1)

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Beijing, Egypt, Kenya, Hawaii — if you could travel the world, where would you choose to go? It’s a simple question, but difficult to answer, especially if you’ve never traveled abroad.

Rather than relying on Google Maps street view and Instagram photos, you can use VR apps to travel the world. Here’s a look at some of the best options for VR apps for travel.

7 Best VR Apps to Travel the World Using a Smartphone (2)

Google CardboardThe Cheap VR App

The one thing that holds people back from the VR life is the expensive price tag associated with VR goggles. However, this doesn’t mean you have to miss out on all the hype.

Who better to offer the cheaper option than Google? The company created a cardboard (yes, literally), that you can use to experience virtual reality.

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You use this to insert your smartphone into and then you can view the world in first-person. The idea is to allow you to do this hands-free.

All you have to do is download the Google Cardboard VR app on your iOS or Android device. The price for the cardboard varies between $5 and $40. The app is available for free for iOS and Android smartphones.

AccorHotels for Cardboard – The Hotel Planner

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What’s great about Google Cardboard is that you can download all sorts of other VR apps with it. For example, AccorHotels was developed to enable travelers to see hotel rooms before they arrive.

You can use this to explore various resorts and hotels in London, Sao Paulo, and Paris. This free VR app is available for download for both iOS and Android.

Ascape VR – Your Virtual Escape

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Maybe you’re someone who wants a little adventure in their life. If you’re looking for an extraordinary experience without leaving your couch, then try Ascape VR.

With this free iOS and Android VR app, you can swim with the sharks, dive from airplanes, and run with the gazelles through fields. It’s everything you’d expect from travel, which allows you to jump from place to place and save your trips along the way.

YouVisit – For Future College Students

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Most people travel for leisure, but what if you’re trying to make plans for the future? With YouVisit, you can take virtual tours of colleges and even business showrooms.

The free iOS and Android app features hundreds of video content of college campuses across the nation, including Harvard. You’ll also find the interactive 360-degree panoramas helpful.

VeeR – The Interactive Experiences App

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Here’s a unique VR app that offers a wide range of experiences — from trailing behind risk-loving line walkers to fantastical dreamscapes. It’s the ideal travel app if you want to explore the creative minds of storytellers.

You’ll find a range of 4K videos, photos, and interactive experiences. What sets this free iOS & Android VR app apart is that you can join in by creating your own content for others to enjoy.

Sites in VR – The World Traveler

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Ever wanted to travel to the world’s most famous monuments? You can do so using the free iOS and Android ‘Sites in VR’ app. Take yourself on a free trip to natural wonders, historical museums, and infamous landmarks — all without leaving your home.

You can choose from a mix of categories, such as castles, towers, museums, palaces, tombs, space, ancient, religious, nature, and parks.

Forget 180 days — you could literally travel the world in 180 minutes.

Qantas – For Trips to the Land Down Under

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Planning an international trip to Australia? Why not see what’s in store with the Qantas VR app? With this free app for iOS and Android, you can explore your destination ahead of your arrival.

This is all made possible with aerial footage from airplanes. You’ll get to see breath-taking scenes of wildlife and captivating shots of notorious natural rock formations.

No More Excuses — It’s Time to Travel!

You don’t need to pay for expensive flight tickets or hotels to see the world. Nor do you have to spend a lot of time planning and packing.

You have everything you need right in your back pocket (or purse). With these VR apps, your smartphone or tablet will grant you access to all sorts of places and experiences.

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7 Best VR Apps to Travel the World Using a Smartphone (10)

Saphia Lanier is a freelance writer with 13 years of experience in SaaS, digital marketing, and entrepreneurship. She specializes in writing informative, yet engaging content that revolves around technologies that enhance your business, health, privacy, safety, convenience, and entertainment. Read Saphia's Full Bio

7 Best VR Apps to Travel the World Using a Smartphone (2024)

FAQs

What app turns your phone into VR? ›

Google Cardboard – Google VR.

What is the VR time travel app? ›

The Timelooper app allows time travelers with a cardboard VR viewer to move their gaze around the virtual environment, seemingly exploring London centuries ago. The videos are location-based, meaning visitors must visit the sites to unlock the historical experiences.

What is the VR mode on my smartphone? ›

To use VR with Cardboard, you need an compatible phone with Android 4.1 or higher and a gyroscope sensor for head tracking, and a Cardboard viewer. If you don't have a viewer, you can still run the sketch in monoscopic mode, which will be explained below.

What VR is everyone using? ›

After our latest testing, Meta's Oculus Quest 2 (available at Amazon) is still our top pick thanks to its approachability, build quality, comfort level, and low cost. If you're looking for something cheaper or with a bit more oomph, we've got plenty of other options to choose from.

Can you hook up VR to phone? ›

Quest Pro. Download the Meta Quest mobile app on your smartphone, then wirelessly connect your headset and phone to complete the setup process. You can shop top VR titles from the mobile app or while you're in virtual reality.

How to use VR on phone without headset? ›

You can use a cardboard box: Just get yourself a cardboard box, cut out eye holes and make sure it has enough room for your phone or tablet to fit inside comfortably. Then download some apps that support 360° videos or games and you're good to go!

Can any phone use VR? ›

There is a good chance that your phone already supports VR. Almost all smartphones do today, across operating systems. What makes virtual reality more immersive is the ability to look around by moving your head. That is made possible, with the help of a gyroscope sensor on the smartphone.

Can you use your phone as a virtual reality? ›

To try virtual reality right from your phone, use Google Cardboard. View pictures, play games, and experience virtual reality through a VR viewer that you can buy or make at home. Learn more about how Cardboard works at https://vr.google.com/cardboard/.

Can you mirror your phone to VR? ›

You can mirror what's on the phone screen inside VIVE Flow. Enjoy apps and watch your favorite shows on a personal large screen in VR.

Can you use iPhone as VR? ›

Reality Augmented (VR) 4+

That Means You See Everything Your Camera Sees In Augmented Form With The Use Of Camera Filters And A VR HeadSet. Reality Augmented (VR) uses any iPhone, iPad or iPod touch compatible VR headset that has an open front for camera access.

Is Google VR still available? ›

As of November 2023, previously supported devices will no longer be able to download and install Google VR Serivces (Android application ID com. google. vr.

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