Anyone boarding a plane has already downloaded Instagram and Skype. Savvy travelers know if Kayak or Skyscanner is most helpful in helping them book their flight, and whether Airbnb or Hotels.com is going to suit their booking needs. But the most intelligent travelers use their favorite travel apps to make packing lists, overcome jetlag, communicate with locals and make the most of what’s available at their destination. Read on for the list of 10 mobile apps travelers shouldn’t live without, from trip planning on through to destination exploration. All are free (though some include premium features) and are available on both iOS and Android.
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10. TripIt
Sure, your smart phone probably clues you in to the fact that you’ve got a flight tomorrow, and your booking app probably reminds you of your hotel reservation. But often it’s helpful to have your trip’s entire itinerary in one place. Forward all your confirmation emails, from flight to hotel reservation and everything in between, to the Tripit app, and it will combine those into one detailed itinerary – which can also be stored offline. The pro version provides alerts on travel delays, suggests alternate flights in the event of cancellation, and gives you a heads-up if you’re eligible for a refund.
9. PackPoint
There’s only so many Pinterest lists you can browse before you stop believing the myth about packing 30 outfits into one carry-on bag. PackPoint has no such pretensions. It will, however, create a packing checklist based on your specific trip (and if you’ve connected this app to TripIt, it even does so automatically). PackPoint accounts for your planned activities, your willingness to re-wear items, and the weather at your destination. Select from a variety of options, including “Running,” “Beach,” “Fancy Dinner,” and “International”, check off needed items as you pack, swipe away unnecessary ones, and your packing list is complete!
8. Entrain
The goal of this handy little app is to help travelers avoid jet lag by getting the body’s clock into the correct time zone. The user first creates a profile based on their home time zone and typical schedule. That data is then used to help stave off jet lag. Input the date and time zone of your upcoming trip, and Entrain will produce a schedule of “light” and “dark” times. You then make sure to expose yourself to light and dark at the recommended times, which helps your body adjust more quickly to the rapid shift in time zones.
7. GateGuru
The home screen shows upcoming trips and the JourneyCard is meant to provide up-to-date information about flight delays and gate changes, but the real beauty of GateGuru lies in its ability to reveal an unknown airport to a weary traveler. Anyone who’s been stranded on the outskirts of Terminal Z and wondering if they’ve got time to search for a sandwich before lining up for their next flight will love this app. Not only will you find airport maps, but the amenities list will be tailored just for you, showing what restaurants and services are near your departure and/or arrival gate.
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6. Transit App
There’s little that’s more disorienting than arriving in a new city, dusty and sleep-deprived, then suddenly having to make sense of a brand-new transit system. That’s where Transit App comes in. When launched, you’ll find a list of the nearest transit options available, whether that’s a bus, subway, train or even a ferry. You’ll find directions to the nearest stop as well as route maps and schedule listings. In some cities, Uber, Car2Go or bike shares are included. Most of the 99 metro areas included are in North America, but Transit App also covers London, Paris, Berlin, and Rome, and even makes sense of Nairobi’s disorienting transit system.
5. XE Currency
Sometimes it’s fun to pretend that the money you’ve withdrawn from the ATM is just play money, something along the lines of the money spent in Monopoly. But other times, you’re a traveler on a strict budget and you need to know exactly how much that cappuccino and croissant are going to set you back. Enter XE Currency, which gives up-to-date exchange rates for over 180 currencies. From there, calculate prices with the currency converter, so you’ll always know exactly what you’re spending. XE Currency also stores the last updated rates, allowing you to convert even when offline.
4. Foodspotting
Most smart travelers know better than to trust much of what’s available from crowd sourced review sites. But Foodspotting is just simple enough to work. When you open up the app, you’ll find the most highly-rated meals eaten (and snapped) nearby. But the real genius in this app is being able to search by what you’re craving. So if you’re visiting Vancouver and desperately want some poutine topped with smoked meat, simply type that into the search bar, and Foodspotting will produce a map highlighting users’ photos of the best French fries and gravy in town.
3. Field Trip
Android users are familiar with Google cards, which run in the background of your phone to update you on things like sports scores or the new episode of your favorite TV show. Well, Field Trip is those cards, but specifically targeted to your current location. Download the app and the cards will pop up automatically as you explore, revealing everything from local history to the hottest spots to have a cocktail. Field Trip can also be tailored to your individual tastes, so you can choose what information you’re most interested in and how often the cards pop up.
2. Google Translate
There’s no good reason for the international traveler not to download Google Translate. To translate a word or phrase, simply speak or type the word into the app, and Google Translate will repeat in the desired language while showing the words on your phone’s screen. Google’s now up to 90 languages, meaning that for most places in the world, you’ll be able to connect to the locals – well, as long as you’re connected to the internet, anyway. Google Translate does offer access to over 50 languages offline, but you’ll need to be an Android user to take advantage.
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1. Triposo
Gone are the days where it’s necessary to lug around thick travel guides. Now we’ve got Triposo, which combines elements of those beloved travel guidebooks with the best of sites like TripAdvisor and FourSquare, with a little Google Maps thrown in as well. Download your destination guide before you leave, and supplement it with quirky mini-guides on anything from architecture to wine. Everything, even the maps, will be accessible offline. And while you’re on the move, open Triposo to get personalized suggestions based on your location as well as tips on the highest-rated destinations nearby.
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