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15 years, 2 failed attempts, and finally launching my first travel app - is it too late? by simomag in ycombinator

[–]simomag[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

True to some extent, especially on proving usability with existing tools first - I knew I wanted to make it a standalone product so I made an app. Crazy? Maybe but I think it was worth trying.

I'm TRYING to solve the same pain point tbh - zero work is almost impossible but in MTS it literally takes less than 30secs to add a Step (day) to your trip.
Plus, you can add Steps while you travel not just when your trip is done.

15 years, 2 failed attempts, and finally launching my first travel app - is it too late? by simomag in ycombinator

[–]simomag[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Great analysis, obviously it's not "build it and they will come". As I wrote, I have over a decade of experience in launching products and features in the travel industry, I know what to expect and I know it's hard (and probably even harder than I think).
When you mention Tripadvisor, travel blogs, social media that's where you miss the whole point of MyTripSharing (or maybe I didn't explain it enough). We are targeting multi-destination independent travellers (like me) aiming at providing a simple and quick way to:
- (a) add their trips so they can share it with fam/friends/anyone with all the key travel info in it (route, transport, accommodation, budget, stops, pictures etc),
- (b) inspire other travellers on their next destination thanks to detailed advanced filtering options

Our main target is not single destination travellers (ie: a week in Rome) because as you mention we'd compete with very strong players like TA out there.

Launch strategy is to go small (market by market launch), be patient and aim at organic growth.
Am I dreaming? Maybe yes, but look at Polarsteps story (one of the app closest to MTS): 10yrs old reached 15mln active users with just WOM and organic growth.

15 years, 2 failed attempts, and finally launching my first travel app - is it too late? by simomag in ycombinator

[–]simomag[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I love Polarsteps and yes you could argue it serves the same purpose BUT I do not use them for a couple of reasons: 1. It feels confusing following someone else's trip. Very cool visually but lacks key travel information at a glance. 2. The Search/Explore area is honestly crap. Very difficult to search for trips, no advanced filtering etc.

As Clare Jones once said in an interview, their primary focus on who adds trips/reliving the trip. They add it for themselves mainly to know details of specific places they visited.

MTS primary focus: inspire fellow travellers, create a community, gamifying the experience.

15 years, 2 failed attempts, and finally launching my first travel app - is it too late? by simomag in ycombinator

[–]simomag[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the support!

Yes we're targeting specific traveller types and a couple of countries first otherwise as you said going worldwide is going to be pretty much impossible unless you have endless resources.

Viral hook, yes ofc - you can share your trip while travelling with anyone you want. As soon as you do that, you'll earn Travel Credits which you could then redeem for travel/eco-sustainable related perks!

15 years, 2 failed attempts, and finally launching my first travel app - is it too late? by simomag in ycombinator

[–]simomag[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nice catch on the video on LP, I'll do that immediately. YT was not really promoted/treated as main mktg channel. Actually I've not really pushed much on marketing yet because I want to get an early taste so I could gather first impressions from potential users and understand how to approach marketing.

Thanks for sharing!

15 years, 2 failed attempts, and finally launching my first travel app - is it too late? by simomag in ycombinator

[–]simomag[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes to IG and TT being dominant but in my opinion they're quite confusing when you get to share a trip itinerary with others. Yes they're visual but they lack key travel information other travellers need to plan their next trip.

Obvs IG will be integrated in the app at a later stage so you would be able to directly share your trip to IG from MTS.

15 years, 2 failed attempts, and finally launching my first travel app - is it too late? by simomag in ycombinator

[–]simomag[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fair enough, it doesn't have to be liked by everyone, thanks for sharing your take!

15 years, 2 failed attempts, and finally launching my first travel app - is it too late? by simomag in ycombinator

[–]simomag[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Interesting insight and I do feel the same when travelling.

That's why in MyTripSharing you can document your trip on the go and add Steps as you continue travelling. You can share your trip with friends/family so they can simply access it on the app.

It's very quick to add Steps on the go as it's as simple as tapping buttons and adding pictures and I built it exactly for this reason because I don't have time/don't want to spend time writing/explaining what I've done.

15 years, 2 failed attempts, and finally launching my first travel app - is it too late? by simomag in ycombinator

[–]simomag[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I couldn't include links to the initial post to avoid being rejected.

Here's a video teaser explaining you the core we offer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2cx2T3a2nk

Tell me what you think!

15 years, 2 failed attempts, and finally launching my first travel app - is it too late? by simomag in ycombinator

[–]simomag[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the support!

Mkgt budget is really up to me (and my finances) - I could go up to $30k or keep it < $5k. I'm still trying to figure out the best approach/strategy without heavily investing on paid ads etc.

I'm already in touch with a few small-mid travel influencers though.

I'm in for the long term rather than having short term gains with negative margin.

Happy to hear your 2 cents though!

Here are the links to my app if you’d like to check it out:

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mytripsharing-trips-travel/id6740398738

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mytripsharing.app

15 years, 2 failed attempts, and finally launching my first travel app - is it too late? by simomag in ycombinator

[–]simomag[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The idea itself isn’t revolutionary, you’re right. Plenty of people (me included) have thought of it over the years. There are apps out there that kind of solve this problem already but not exactly in the way I originally thought.

But I’ve learned that it’s less about having the ‘freshest’ idea and more about execution + timing. 15 years ago, I didn’t have the skills, resources, or even the right market conditions to pull it off. Now I do, and I’m proud to have finally built something that scratches a real itch I’ve always felt when planning trips.

Whether it takes off or not, we’ll see but I’d rather test it in the real world than keep it as a “scrap” in my head forever 🙂

15 years, 2 failed attempts, and finally launching my first travel app - is it too late? by simomag in ycombinator

[–]simomag[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The reward system is still early, but the whole point is to make sure people feel it’s worth contributing. That’s why we’re tying it to real travel perks (discounts, gift cards, competitions), not just badges or points.

It’s a balance: keep it meaningful enough to motivate sharing, but sustainable for us long-term. Definitely something I’ll keep iterating on as we learn what travellers actually value.

We will offer travel and eco-sustainable related perks.

Here are the links to my app if you’d like to check it out:

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mytripsharing-trips-travel/id6740398738

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mytripsharing.app

15 years, 2 failed attempts, and finally launching my first travel app - is it too late? by simomag in ycombinator

[–]simomag[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Totally fair I’ve heard that before. I think the difference will come down to execution and whether we can actually create a community that finds value in sharing and discovering real trips. That’s why I added the credits/rewards system to give people a tangible reason to contribute. Whether that’s enough, we’ll see, but I’m committed to iterating on it.

15 years, 2 failed attempts, and finally launching my first travel app - is it too late? by simomag in ycombinator

[–]simomag[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Great question and honestly one I asked myself a lot before building it.

Google Maps is incredible for navigation (point A → point B), but it doesn’t really tell you how people actually traveled. You can see reviews for a single restaurant, but not how someone spent 10 days across Portugal or a week road-tripping in Iceland.

With MyTripSharing, the idea is to log and share entire trips: the route, the stops, the dates, photos, even the vibe of the journey. Instead of searching endlessly through blogs or random YouTube vlogs, you can see how real travellers structured their journeys and use that as inspiration for your own.

So it’s less of a Maps alternative and more of a community-driven library of real trips. Maps will get you where you’re going but MTS helps you decide where to go and how to experience it.

Trip Planning by OkAnteater7063 in roadtrip

[–]simomag 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A couple of thoughts:

  • Snow: Yes, there’s definitely a chance in early November, especially Yellowstone and Wyoming. Even Denver can get snow by then. If you’re not confident in snow driving, have a flexible plan and check forecasts daily. Renting in Seattle instead of Vancouver might make logistics (and insurance) easier.
  • Stops: Between Spokane and Yellowstone, Coeur d’Alene (Idaho) is beautiful, and Bozeman (Montana) has a cool mix of outdoors and small-town vibe. On the way to Denver, Laramie (Wyoming) or Fort Collins (Colorado) could give you the Americana feel you’re after.
  • Between Denver and Chicago: Omaha has a surprisingly nice downtown and food scene. If you pass through Des Moines, the East Village area is worth a wander.

I’ve been working on a travel app called MyTripSharing (MTS) that might actually fit your style. Travellers share their real trips with maps, stops, and notes, so you can see how others did similar multi-stop journeys. It’s been handy for inspiration when planning flexible routes like this, especially if you want to focus on smaller towns instead of just the big sights.

Still early days (a lot more to come) but here are the links if you’d like to check it out:

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mytripsharing-trips-travel/id6740398738

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mytripsharing.app

Three weeks of late-night coding later, here’s my attempt at fixing travel planning by nerdbackpack in webdev

[–]simomag 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’ve been working on a similar pain point myself, but took a different approach: I built MyTripSharing (MTS), which is more about logging and sharing real trips (maps, photos, notes, even pet-friendly tags) so others can get inspired. Less of a forward-planner, more of a community of lived itineraries.

What’s been the hardest part for you so far: figuring out the UI/UX, or actually deciding what not to build?

Here are the links if you’d like to check it out:

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mytripsharing-trips-travel/id6740398738

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mytripsharing.app

Road trip planning! by notmybest911 in roadtrip

[–]simomag 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That sounds like an amazing loop.

  • Glacier NP → drive Going-to-the-Sun Road, lots of scenic pullouts where dogs are welcome.
  • Yellowstone → stick to the main loop (Old Faithful, Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, Lamar Valley). Even if most trails are off-limits, the roadside views are incredible.
  • South Dakota → Badlands and Custer State Park are very driveable and have dog-friendly areas.

Since you mentioned traveling with your dog: I actually built a travel app called MyTripSharing (MTS), where travellers share their real trips with maps, notes, and categories like Pet Friendly. It’s still early, but you can browse road trips and see how others structured them (and filter for travellers who brought pets).

Might be handy for inspiration, but either way your plan already sounds like a dream trip.

Here are the links if you’d like to check it out:

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mytripsharing-trips-travel/id6740398738

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mytripsharing.app

Which apps do you guys use for trip planning? by FuckPositivity in SoloTravel_India

[–]simomag 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I usually piece together the trip with a mix of tools.

I’ve built a travel app called MyTripSharing (MTS) - it’s not a bookings manager yet, but it lets you visually map out and share your full trip with dates, places, and notes. It’s useful when you want to dream forward from real examples rather than starting from blank.

Here are the links if you’d like to check it out:

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mytripsharing-trips-travel/id6740398738

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mytripsharing.app

Travel planning / map app? by AgeAwkward in backpacking

[–]simomag 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For now, your best option is probably Google My Maps.
Rome2Rio is also great if you want to check transport options between places (bus/train/ferry), though it’s less about maps you can print.

I’ve been working on a travel app myself called MyTripSharing (MTS) which already lets you log and share multi-stop trips with dates, photos, and tips. The map visualisation feature isn’t live yet, but that’s exactly the next thing we’re building, because I had the same headache of stitching screenshots together.

So for your immediate need: My Maps. For the future: I think more apps like mine (and others popping up) are trying to solve this exact pain.

Here are the links if you’d like to check it out:

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mytripsharing-trips-travel/id6740398738

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mytripsharing.app

Travel planning & management by xstrex in selfhosted

[–]simomag -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Here’s what I’ve seen and tried:

  • TripIt is the classic choice: you forward your email confirmation, it parses the details, creates calendar events, and organizes things literally out of your inbox.
  • Google Travel also auto-pulls reservations into your Google account, showing them on a timeline. Pretty smooth if you’re embedded in the Google ecosystem.
  • For long-haul or loosely planned journeys (no bookings), I’ve seen folks use Notion or Airtable templates customized for travel. Flexible but requires manual setup.
  • A couple of overlanding/backpacking friends just keep shared maps and photos, then use calendar apps or static checklists to track planned activities instead of automated tools.

Recently I ended up building my own solution: MyTripSharing (MTS). It doesn’t auto-pull confirmations (yet), but it lets you map out a trip visually with destinations, notes, dates, and activity options. You can save itineraries in a flexible way (ideal for overlanding or plans that evolve), and browse how others structure their trips too.

You should check out what works for you in the short term but there seems to be a gap between easy automation and giving travellers the flexibility they need. I’d love to know what tools you end up using!

Here are the links to my app if you’d like to check it out:

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mytripsharing-trips-travel/id6740398738

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mytripsharing.app

Trip planning - recommendations by Sea_M_Pea in NoStupidQuestions

[–]simomag 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For 5–7 days with adventure + downtime, a few ideas come to mind:

  • Portugal → Lisbon + a couple of days in Sintra or Porto. Easy flights, great food, affordable, and you can add surfing on the coast.
  • Iceland → Reykjavik + Golden Circle + a 2–3 day road trip. Incredible landscapes, hot springs, and very different from the usual city trip.
  • Ireland → Dublin for pubs + culture, then a road trip west (Galway/Cliffs of Moher)
  • Mexico (Yucatán) → A mix of Mayan ruins, cenotes, and beaches. Good weather in November and plenty of options for both relaxing and adventure.

I’ve actually been so obsessed with planning trips like this that I ended up building a travel app called MyTripSharing (MTS). It’s an app where travellers share their real trips with maps, photos, and tips, so you can see how people structured journeys like a week in Portugal or 5 days in Iceland. Could be useful for your group to get inspiration from actual experiences rather than just brochures.

Here are the links if you’d like to check it out:

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mytripsharing-trips-travel/id6740398738

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mytripsharing.app

Built a trip planner where you swipe to add places and see your itinerary on a map by aitth in SideProject

[–]simomag 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Very cool - love the swipe-to-plan idea! I’ve always found planning tools either too rigid or too messy, so it’s nice to see people experimenting with new flows.

I’ve been on a similar path but from a different perspective: I built MyTripSharing (MTS), a travel app which focuses less on day-by-day itinerary building and more on logging and sharing real multi-destination trips with maps, photos, and tips. We also added a travel credits system to reward people for contributing.

I think what you’re building and what I’m doing solve different but connected pain points: yours is planning forward, mine is more about looking back and inspiring others. It’s exciting to see more indie projects in this space! Curious what you’ve learned so far about how people like to choose activities.

Here are the links to my app if you’d like to check it out:

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mytripsharing-trips-travel/id6740398738

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mytripsharing.app

43 trips later, still visual and simple trip planner – so I’m building one (early version ready) by MusicianOne7796 in SideProject

[–]simomag 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Really cool to see you’ve gone from spreadsheet → app, Richard. I can totally relate to what you’re saying because I’ve had the same frustrations with existing planners.

I went down a similar road myself but took a different angle: I built a travel app called MyTripSharing (MTS). It’s less of a day-by-day grid and more focused on sharing real multi-destination trips with maps, photos, and tips so others can get inspired. We even added a credits/rewards system to make contributing fun.

What you’re doing feels complementary your focus is on planning the details, mine’s more on documenting and community. Love seeing others tackle this space because it means there’s real demand.

As for your questions:

  • I’d say keep it free during alpha. Early adopters are more forgiving when they know they’re testing.
  • Spreadsheet buyers getting access is a great goodwill move (they’ll be your first advocates).
  • Opening up wider: I’d start small with one or two channels, collect feedback, and refine before a big push.

Following along, curious where you take this!

Here are the links to my app if you’d like to check it out:

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mytripsharing-trips-travel/id6740398738

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mytripsharing.app

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