How to use Foursquare to plan a day’s travel [Weekend Traveller series part 7]

Welcome back to the fortnightly Weekend Traveller series where I share tips and strategies for travelling during the weekend so you can travel more using less work leave. You can find all of the previous posts for weekend end travel here.

Today we will be learning how to use Foursquare to replace your guidebook.

In a previous post, I showed how to replace a travel guidebook with apps. Today, I will show you how you can replace your guidebook with Foursquare.

I am very in love with using Foursquare [Apple iOS | Google Android]for travel planning. The location-based services app tells you which places around you are popular and you can even refine your search to food, sights, nightlife and other details.

Besides making travel plans, Foursquare also acts as a map for times when you do not have internet connection for Google Maps.

You will need to install Foursquare on your smartphone to enjoy the services. In the beginning, you will need internet connection to pick out the places you need to visit but after you have saved all the locations. You won’t need internet connection/

I feel that Foursquare is best for travel planning when you are already in the city that you are visiting. It’s more difficult trying to save a location far away from you.

Once you have the app and have signed up for the service, you’re ready to start your planning.

Step 1: Search

For this example, I will use food because that’s the first thing I look for when I’m in a new place. I also switch the results from “Best Match” to “Distance” because I’m too lazy to travel far.

 Step 2: Save interesting locations

You can click each location’s entry to find out more about the place. Sometimes people leave comments or tips and these are useful too.

(This is the mobile web version of a Foursquare entry)

Scroll down the entry to click “Save” to record the place onto your phone.

Step 3: Admire your saved locations

After picking out some of the places you want to visit, you can see them in a list. It also tells you how far you are from those places. (I now know that 1 mile is too far to walk!)

Step 4: Use your new travel guide app

With your saved locations, you are now able to see which sights are nearest to you and plan your route accordingly.

Good luck with your weekend trip!

Related post:

How to replace a travel guidebook with apps

Missed the previous weekend travel posts?

Part 1: Pros & cons of weekend travel
Part 2: Where to go for Weekend Travel?
Part 3: Choosing transportation for weekend travel
Part 4: Travel planning for weekend trips
Part 5: Make your own travel guide for a weekend trip
Part 6: How to pack for a weekend trip
Part 7: How to use Foursquare to plan a day’s travel
Part 8: Why a weekend trip is the best time to start solo travelling
Part 9: I’m going to Melaka for a weekend trip