Top Ten Travel Apps
With the huge rise in the popularity of Smartphones and mobile applications, or apps, many travellers couldn’t imagine leaving the country without them. Smartphones have become the essential item for many seasoned travellers, replacing cameras, guide books, maps and phrase books with one pocketable device.
While Smartphone users abroad should be aware of extravagant mobile data charges, many countries offer free or cheap WiFi particularly in airports or coffee shops, meaning travellers can download or update the latest apps and continue with their journey. Below are ten of the best applications for use while travelling and will help with where to go, what to bring and what to see.
Layar – available on iPhone and Android.
Layar is the “world’s first augmented reality browser” which enables users to see “layers” on top of their cameras field of vision. This means your Smartphone can display a whole host of useful and interesting information for your travels. For example point the phone at a famous landmark and layar will automatically bring up the Wikipedia page detailing all the history and information in real time. As an added bonus it feels like something from a Sci-Fi movie!
Tripadvisor – available on iPhone and Android
Tripadvisor’s excellent mobile app brings you access to over “50 million reviews and opinions by travellers” on virtually all aspects of your trip from Hotels, Restaurants and Attractions. With quick links to maps and phone numbers you can plan in meticulous detail every aspect of your trip or simply check the overall rating before entering an unknown restaurant.
Tube Maps – various applications available on all platforms
While not one app in particular, the ability to bring up Tube or Metro maps in your pocket at all times is a Godsend particularly when travelling in big cities. A quick glance at the Tokyo tube map will help demonstrate that without a map you simply wouldn’t stand a chance.
Google Translate – available on iPhone and Android
The Google Translate app allows you to translate words or phrases between more than 60 languages. You can save useful phrases for offline use, get the phone to pronounce the words correctly or even translate directly from your own voice. You will never be stuck for the translation to “I need the loo” again!
XE Currency Exchange - available on iPhone and Android
The XE Currency Exchange app couldn’t be simpler, “it features a currency converter with up-to-the-minute currency rates, charts, and even stores the last updated rates, so it works offline.”
Lonely Planet Applications - available on iPhone and Android
Lonely Planet offer a range of apps covering over 150 destinations, including city guides, language translators, audio walking tours and audio phrasebooks. Crucially for the traveller “with no internet connection required, you won’t incur any roaming fees.”
Packing Pro – available on iPhone
An excellent app for those of us who are perhaps a little forgetful, or those who tend to leave packing until the last minute. Packing Pro will automatically assist you with what to bring based on a range of variables including “the number of adults (males & females), children & days, as well as temperature, destination, food preparation & clothes washing preferences.”
FlightTrack – available on Android
FlightTrack means you will never be caught unaware by a plane delay again, useful for those travelling and their family or friends. It works by tracking all International flights and gives you real time flight information, departure details and gate numbers at your finger tips.
Airline Check in Apps – various applications available on most platforms
Many of the major airlines now offer the ability to save your boarding pass to your mobile phone or access to online check in. These apps are a great way to avoid losing your ticket and help you to avoid the stress (link to previous article) of modern airports!
Dropbox – available on most platforms
While not strictly a travel application, Dropbox can help you get out of sticky situations abroad, by providing access to your most important documents such as flight details, photocopies of passports or visas and any other important documents you may need. The application lets you save documents for offline use and all the information is available from any computer with an internet connection thanks to the 2GB free cloud storage. A very handy app, just make sure you password protect your important documents!
Tags: Technology, travel, voluntourism