The world is at our fingertips now more than ever before. All you have to do is hop on a plane, train, or boat to be in a completely new destination. If you have always had a desire but been too intimidated to try your luck traveling in a far off place, now is the time. Whether you want to visit Santorini, Greece, Lima, Peru, or Beijing, China, these travel apps can help you find the information you need and make it a little bit easier.
Travel Apps – Google Maps
Every time I visited a new city, the first thing I would do before setting out for the day was to create a route for the sites I wanted to see. You can use this app to map out the best path for your day while stopping by all of the places you want to see.
Take advantage of the public transportation (bus) button, or, like we did, just set everything for walking. Sometimes, it will take you through parks and beautiful places on foot that you wouldn’t be able to reach if you drove or took public transportation. Once you have your route all set, make sure to download the area and screenshot your map. The downloading function of this app is vital for traveling without paying for data when you don’t have access to wifi.
Travel Apps – Google Translate
This app has evolved leaps and bounds recently. You can take pictures of signs and have it translate it for you. Enter in whatever words you would like to translate, and watch it do its magic. Again, this app typically uses wifi. However, you can download a general dictionary for whichever languages you need. This gives you the ability to translate important words on-the-go. The app’s functions are much more limited without internet access, but you can still use it in a pinch.
This app saved me from many embarrassing moments and allowed me to learn some key phrases in languages of the countries I was traveling through.
Travel Apps – Google Photos
No more will you have to worry about the dreaded pop-up notification “storage full, unable to take photo” when you open your camera to capture that beautiful panoramic view of the Mediterranean Sea. Automatically upload your pictures to the cloud, so you don’t have to worry about losing your pictures if something happens to your phone.
You can change the app’s settings to upload your pictures only on wifi or by using data depending on your phone plan while you travel. There is a limit to the storage, but it will take quite a while before you reach it. It’s pretty convenient to have all of your photos and videos saved online automatically. You can also share albums with family and friends so that they can stay up-to-date on your travels.
Hostelworld
Are you planning a backpacking trip around Europe, or do you need a cheap place to sleep wherever you’re going? Hostels may be the answer to your prayers. They may not be ideal when it comes to the bunk beds, close quarters, and communal bathrooms, but they also offer many benefits.
Their shared kitchens give you a place to keep food and drinks cold if you need it. Many hostels also have the appliances and dishes necessary to cook for yourself if you’re hoping to save money that way.
Hostelworld lets you search for hostels in any city based on proximity to the city centre, price, ratings, amenities, and more. Find the hostel for you by reading the reviews and getting your priorities straight. You can book your next hostel online or right on the app.
XE
This app’s name doesn’t make it very obvious how it helps during travel, but it can be very beneficial if you’re traveling with friends. XE updates you on the conversion rates between currencies.
While I traveled through Europe with my best friend, this was very useful since we often booked adventures and hostels together and shared bills at restaurants. It helped us keep track of how much we owed each other and translate it back to US money once we got back.
Traveling is a lovely, adventurous thing that can teach you a lot about yourself and other cultures. However, it can be daunting if you aren’t experienced or need some help navigating a new city. These apps can make your life easier and give you more confidence in a foreign country.