We all spend far too much time on our phones, but here’s a list of apps that justify spending a bit of time stuck to your screen.

In this article, we’ve gathered together some of the best apps available for students. These apps cover everything including saving money on groceries, getting around Dublin quicker, and figuring out how to manage your household budget better.

Okay, that last one isn’t very exciting but we promise that these apps are indispensable for Trinity students. All these apps are available in the Apple or Play Store for free download.

1. Unidays

One of the best things about being a student is the amount of discounts and special offers you can take advantage of. With so many discounts, you might miss out on one or two but thanks to the Unidays app that will never happen again.

After verifying your student ID on the app, you will be given access to tonnes of student-specific offers both online and in physical stores around Dublin. There are offers on loads of products including food, clothing, transportation, and even electronics.

Another app, Student Beans, features similar offers and discounts so why not download both and save as much as possible!

2. Dublin Bus

Where would we be without Dublin Bus?

While it’s nice to get a taxi now and again (though really expensive), and the Luas can be handy in a pinch, it’s the bus that will be the bread and butter for most students.

Using the Dublin Bus app you can get real-time information on any bus in Dublin. You can plan journeys through the app and calculate how much it’ll cost, which is perfect for planning trips with friends. The app also estimates when your bus will arrive at your destination so you won’t be late for anything important.

Download the Dublin Bus app and take the stress out of bus travel.

3. Lynk (Taxis)

Thanks to a very old law, Ireland doesn’t quite have Uber yet. However, if you want a reliable way to get a taxi then Lynk is the app for you. Though it’s not always the cheapest method of transport, it’s sometimes the only option. This is especially so if you want to visit some of Ireland’s more remote locations.

You can download the Lynk app for free and then add a card to your account. From there you can book a taxi straight away or simply schedule one for when you want to be picked up. You’ll never find yourself stuck for a lift again.

4. Leap Card Top Up

A TFI Leap Card is the best way to pay for public transport when travelling anywhere in Ireland, not just in Dublin. Simply order a card and then download the app to your phone. The app is convenient and safe as it means you don’t have to carry around cash or queue up at ticket machines.

Using the TFI Leap Card app also saves you money. On average, fares are 30% cheaper through the app than paying cash for single tickets.

It also has handy little features like Fare Capping. So, for example, if you have to make a lot of trips in one day whether that’s on DART, Luas, Dublin Bus, etc, the card automatically caps the fare so you don’t spend more than you need to. After that, you can travel free for the rest of the day or week.

If you download this app, you might also be keenly interested in the next two on our list!

5. TFI Live and TFI Go

Okay, so this is obviously two apps but they go hand in hand.

For some reason, the National Transport Authority loves making apps. And while it would be better if this were one combination app, we’ll have to make do for now, as they are very useful.

TFI Live provides real-time departure information across the entire Transport for Ireland (TFI) network. This includes Bus Éireann, Dublin Bus, Go Ahead Ireland, Luas, and Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail services. This makes journey planning incredibly easy and you can save favourite journeys, departures, and timetables for quick access.

Traveling around Ireland can be a little frustrating at times and getting to certain parts of the country can prove tricky. That’s why having information like this at your fingertips can be incredibly useful.

TFI Go allows users to purchase tickets for a range of bus routes, including Bus Éireann, TFI Local Link, and select commercial bus operators. Users can save card details on the app for faster purchase and the purchased tickets can be shown on the phone to the driver when boarding.

6. Eventbrite

One of the best things about Dublin is that there are so many things on! And one of the worst things about Dublin is that there are So! Many! Things! On!

It can be difficult to remember what’s happening on a given night in a city that’s absolutely heaving with culture nights, gigs, comedy shows, exhibitions, and who knows what else. That’s where the Eventbrite app comes in.

With Eventbrite, you can find out about all the events (both free and paid) happening around the city. You can check the listings and never miss out on a thing. This app is free to download and will come in handy throughout the year!

7. Splitwise

One of the more practical apps on this list, Splitwise is a great app for keeping track of expenses. Even for people who find budgeting a nightmare, this will be a game changer. You can use it to keep yourself on track with your spending or you can even create shared expense lists with your housemates or family.

Budgeting and paying for things as a group can be tricky. It can be even more awkward if you haven’t known your housemates for a long time. Splitwise allows you to keep track of everything you’re spending on together and splits it evenly so no one is left short changed.

For more tips how to make your life as a Trinity student a bit easier, check out the other Trinity Experience blogs.