Back in the day, if you were lost you had to stop and ask for directions. If you were going on a road trip and wanted to know where the speed traps were, good luck with that. Now, all of these things can be done at the click of a button. On a device roughly the size of our palms. For travelers, apps are lifelines that you can use when you most need them.
These are a few of the best travel apps out there, available at my favorite price of free! Language can be a formidable barrier when traveling internationally. So is finding free WiFi. Download Google Translate and save the language file you want to use to your phone before you go so you can use it anytime during your travels, no WiFi required. Just use the camera button to take a picture and it will use language recognition software to give you a rough idea of what it says.
You can input all that information ahead of time into your cell phone, snap a selfie and head straight to the customs officer. This usually cuts your waiting time in half. If you subscribe to the notion that time is money, the Mobile Passport app is your new best friend. This is my 1 secret weapon and I use it every time I land. Wake keeps you in the know for everything road trip related, from delays to police sightings.
I love Waze because it alerts you of speed traps and can save you money on costly speeding tickets in different jurisdictions. Uber Free. Uber is a ridesharing app for fast, reliable rides in minutes--day or night. Google Translate Free. Translate over 90 languages instantly. Get a reliable ride in minutes. Access unique homes, experiences, and places around the world. Find the best places in town and the information you need to get there. TripIt: Travel Organizer Free. TripIt from Concur instantly organizes all your travel plans in one place.
Google Earth Free. Explore the entire world from above with satellite imagery, 3D globe terrain, real environments, and structures. TripAdvisor for Windows 10 Free. Millions of traveller reviews, photos and maps from TripAdvisor. Rosetta Stone Free. Gain points by completing equations and words. Well there is, of course, in your pocket.
Smart travelers load up their smartphones with an array of handy apps to make life on the road that little bit easier. And just like packing the right items for your trip, having the right apps on your phone can dramatically improve the journey to your next destination.
Here is our pick of 15 of the best travel apps out there. Some you might have already, and some you should download before your next adventure:. Let the app take the strain by compiling a packing list for your chosen destination.
A packing checklist is a useful tool, if somewhat time-consuming to compile -- but what if someone could make that list for you? Input your destination and travel dates, and PackPoint will create a weather-specific packing list. The app will also ask what you plan on doing while you're there, and make suggestions based on your answers -- so you don't forget your gym shorts if you plan on running or your tie for an important business meeting.
Chances are the computer-generated suggestions aren't going to be perfect at first, but items can be added and deleted to customize your list. Platforms: iOS and Android. Cost: Free. WiFi Map. Finding a WiFi hotspot to avoid data roaming charges isn't always easy. But the crowdsourced WiFi Map app highlights hotspots around your current location and provides you with the password to use them. You'll want to be careful what data you access when you're connected to public WiFi, so you should choose wisely not only when it comes to your hotspot but what you do with it.
Maps can be downloaded to use offline so you don't burn through data looking for that hotspot , and a premium version of the app offers access to a bigger library of locations.
Price: Free. Google Translate. Timeshifter maps out when you should avoid or seek light, take a nap or try to stay awake. It even tells you if you should consider supplementing with melatonin or caffeine. Flying can cause anxiety — or provide a welcome relief from constant contact with our digital devices. Either way, use travel as an opportunity to relax, meditate or listen to soothing sounds that will lull you into sleep or a deep, relaxed state.
Calm offers meditations on topics such as self-awareness, calming anxiety, breathing, lowering stress levels and happiness, among others. The app also has music options for focusing, relaxing and sleeping. Users can see exactly where you are in the sky without an internet or GPS connection. If you have a Netflix account, the app allows you to download your favorite shows onto your device to watch offline. Google Translate is a translation app that allows you to do it all — translate into languages by typing, access 59 languages offline, translate via photo for 94 languages, translate bilingual conversations for 70 languages and even use the handwriting tool to translate 96 languages.
Google Translate is simple to use too, with icons at the top you can click on to draw, take a photo, speak or type. TripLingo will help you sound like a local abroad, as well as helping you adapt to a new culture. You start by selecting a destination and downloading the country pack. The phrase section has tabs on humor and fun, nightlife and flirting, all of which you can download and access offline. Not quite sure how much to tip when traveling internationally?
GlobeTips will advise you how to tip appropriately in more than countries. It also offers a tip calculator for easy math. Related: The ultimate guide to tipping while traveling. Just enter your trip and currency and invite your travel mates to join your trip. Each time someone pays for something, you enter the amount in Tricount and the app splits everything evenly.
You can also snap and store photos of receipts in the app. At the end of your trip, it will show the balances of who owes who what, making it easy to settle up at the end. Premium versions of the app, which include unlimited trips and tricounts, start at 99 cents and up.
Never be baffled by Celsius temperatures or suitcase weight in kilos again with the Metric Conversions app. This app is essential when visiting a new city or even for getting around your home. You can map locations, get directions walking, driving, public transportation, ride-hailing services and more and see how crowded your subway will be in select cities.
You can make restaurant reservations, save your favorite spots and write reviews. For obvious reasons, the app works best when your GPS is turned on. WhatsApp is a great messaging service for travelers abroad as it uses an internet connection to avoid SMS fees. It works like most other messaging apps: You start by creating an account, then add your friends and family members to contact, and voila!
Plus, you can download WhatsApp on your Windows or Mac computer. Traveling is about more than just getting from point A to point B. Meetup is an app designed for interacting with locals and other travelers who have mutual interests or shared hobbies.
The app shows you groups that are formed around particular interests in your city, including yoga, photography, cooking, wine tasting, hiking, cinema and much more.
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