Top Ten Apps To Use While Traveling
If you ask anyone these days what they could not go on holidays without, and I’m sure their answer would be their phone. It is not only your contact point but now covers as your camera, calculator and so much more. These are the top ten apps I use frequently on my travels around the globe.;
Maps.me - free to download, a brilliant app for making your way around an unknown city. Driving, walking or taking public transport. Download the maps when you have an internet connection - or even better, before you leave home - and you can use the maps without needing to be connected. You can drop pins, send your location, find your closest ATM or toilet and save places of interest. I use this one every day.
TripAdvisor - free to download, this app is great as it recommends hotels, things to do, restaurants, and flights. All based on peoples reviews. I always check out the top things to do prior to getting to a place (I like to be organised - big planner over here!) I love leaving reviews as well. I am currently a Level 6 contributor.
XE Currency - super helpful free app when working out the conversion rate is just too tricky. Easy to use. You can use the app without an internet connection, it just uses the latest rates from the last time you were online.
WhatsApp - keeping in contact with family and friends has never been easier. I cringe when I hear of friends using roaming on their phone whilst they are travelling. What a waste of money! I suggest downloading WhatsApp; save your money on your phone bill and simply connect to wifi to call or send messages, update your status and profile message all for free.
TripCase - for the organised type, like myself, this app saves you time and paper. It saves all your hotel bookings and flights direct from your emails and creates an itinerary for you. You can also share your travel itinerary with others that have the app.
Rome2Rio - super convenient app during the planning stages of your trip. If you are looking to get from Point A to Point B it suggests ways to get there via various forms of transport. You can compare your choices by time and prices.
Podcasts - free app, already on iPhones. Download your favourite podcasts while you have an internet connection then listen during your long travel days. Some great travel podcasts include My Camin - The Podcast, and World Nomads Travel Podcast.
TouchNote - a postcard app that uses your own travel photos from your phone. Buy credits for around $2.50 and you can send a postcard to family and friends all around the world. I love how it is more personal than your token travel postcard. If you happen to miss someone’s birthday while you are away you can also use the app to send a birthday card from your location. Expect it to take at least a week.
Cost Split - free app, handy if you are travelling with others and share the bills. Record who paid, how much it was and which currency you are using and the app calculates the total. At the end of your holiday, simply transfer your part to the person you owe. I highly recommend this app. It is great to look back and reflect on, however, it is important you stay on top of adding bills to the list. Don’t fall behind or you start to forget who paid for things and how much things cost.
Google Translate - awesome app for when you are travelling in a country of another language. It offers instant text translation using your camera which is fascinating. It also translates as you type, and no data connection is necessary.
Plus a bonus number 11. Been - every traveller needs the been app. Not necessarily used while travelling but it’s a great record of the countries you have travelled to and can tally a percentage of the world you have travelled. Travelling to 72 countries means I have been to 29% of the world. It’s a free download and a popular app all around the world.
Can you suggest any additional useful apps that you use whilst travelling? I am always after great recommendations. Please comment below.