Technology has admittedly made travel easier than ever, but having the smartphone apps every traveler needs can be the difference between missing your bucket list activity and having an epic day. Curious about the apps you need to master your next vacation? Read on for my 5 must-haves:
1. MAPS.ME – how many times have you been desperately lost and out of data in a foreign country? While being lost can admittedly lead to some of the best adventures, we all prefer the option to get back to our AirBnB when the fun has warn off. Download Maps.Me and you can navigate completely offline by downloading the region you’re headed to (while on Wi-Fi of course). This is a lifesaver when you rent a car because it will redirect if you miss your turn.
2. GOOGLE TRANSLATE – headed somewhere where you don’t speak the language alone? Solo travel can be intimidating, but it doesn’t need to be. Google Translate can do everything from translate your menu in real time on your screen to listen to you speaking, translate it into another language, and spit it out to whoever you’re speaking to in their native tongue. This is the real game changer when you want to deep dive into a culture that will give you all the great kinds of culture shock.
3. MOBILE PASS – air travel becomes more and more of a hassle every year, but returning to your home doesn’t need to be. For those of you who are US citizens and do not have Global Entry (pro tip: GET GLOBAL ENTRY), get Mobile Pass and you’ll be just as well off. You can take a photo of yourself and enter all of your customs information right from your phone (without data), and then go through a special line when you arrive back in the US. This will fast-track your entry to The States exponentially and the best part is that you can skip the annoying Global Entry appointment.
4. XE CURRENCY – XE is a reliable currency app that takes the guesswork out of handling your funds abroad. With the touch of a finger you can move between currencies and get real-time exchange rates. This is a must-have when evaluating which currency to use if you have more than one option or trying to exchange money just about anywhere.
5. WUNDERGROUND – Packing for a trip without overpacking is all about knowing the activities and weather you’re going to encounter. While you may not always know what activities you’re going to do, you can at least attempt to predict the weather. The most reliable weather app I’ve ever found internationally? Wunderground.
Need other travel tips? Check out Tips On How To Survive A Coach Ride.
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