You have all your underwear, enough toothpaste to last a few weeks, deodorant that won’t survive the heat, your lotion is stuffed into small travel kit tubes, and you have your own toilet paper in your personal bag “just in case.” What are you forgetting? Everything else to make the trip as amazing as you need it to be. The tech stuff!
The funny thing about these apps is you didn’t know you needed them until now! Don’t fool around try downloading them using that extremely slow Wi-Fi in that sketchy hostel you’re headed to. It’ll be too late. Do it now.
Here’s a list of apps I use religiously when traveling, and they’ve gotten me out of some very sticky situations. Get them now so you’re not stuck in one of Moscow’s airports hungry, tired, and no one knows where you are.
JetLag Genie
Want to beat jet lag? Need to be on top of your game when traveling abroad? You need to take active steps before you leave, during your flight, and after you land to significantly reduce the effects of jet lag.
($2.99)
XE Currency
Find out just how much your money is worth! Check the exchange often so you don’t get caught in London for a week, only able to afford McDonald’s. Trust me, it’s happened.
(Free)
Packing Pro
Perfect for those who sit on the bed staring at their bag hoping magic happens and the bag fills itself. Figure out how to fit those cans of creamed corn in with the Louboutins and J. Crew polos. Tell the app where you’re going and how long you’ll be there and watch it work. You will no longer forget your underwear or toothbrush.
($2.99)
TravelSafe Pro
Should you be one of those poor souls who gets your passport stolen or require an emergency tooth pull or surgery, this app is certainly for you. Full of emergency service numbers and embassy information, this app just may save your life. If you end up in a shady alley in Paris like I did and a guy is about to rob you, you have one-touch access to the local police! Safe!
($1.49)
Skyscanner
If you travel with little to no plans like I do, and you’re open to going where the wind may move you, this is the app for you! This app (also a website) allows you to enter “Everywhere” for your destination, and you can get a glimpse of how much it will cost you to get to various countries around the world. Some of my best deals have come from here.
(Free)
Hostelworld
This app helped me find a $5/night hostel in Marrakech and a last minute place to lay my head when original plans fell apart in London. As a lover of hostels, this is one of my favorite apps!
(Free)
WorldMate
I’m a horrible planner, and I dislike creating lists and itineraries, and all. Well, here’s the best personal assistant a traveler can ever have. Send all your information (flight, lodging, activities, etc.) to the email address provided by the app, and receive an itinerary covering the entire trip. This is one of those rare apps where upgrading to the paid version is worth it. Do it!
(Free)
Waze
Most importantly, you’ll know where the cops are hiding. This amazing navigation app also serves as a social network, allowing users to communicate to warn each other of issues ahead, danger, and more. Oh! And you’ll get the quickest route to get to the airport when you’re running behind and may not be able to check in.
(Free)
HopStop
For the traveler, public transportation is a godsend. This app covers many of the world’s greatest cities, whether you’re by bus, trains, taxis, and so forth. Whether you need to get from the Lower East Side of Manhattan, or from Buckingham Palace to Brixton, this app’s stop-by-stop itinerary will get you there.
(Free)
Yelp
Are you hungry? Do you need a tire change? Perhaps a cup of Moroccan Mint tea from a local tea house? Well, it’s all on here. Discover nearby delicious fare, find out what time they close, check out their menu, and read the reviews! Leave a review yourself. When all apps need to be deleted for whatever reason, this one will stay. Promise!
(Free)
Wi-Fi Finder
Do I need to explain why this app is so important? I’m sure I don’t. Let’s move on.
(Free)
Word Lens
Translate foreign words using the camera lens on your phone. Say what?! Yep! you heard me! Crazy right! The app itself is free, but you’ll need to pay for a language pack, but trust, it’s certainly worth it, especially when you’re no where near a tourist location and no one speaks English.
(Free)
WhatsApp Messenger
Before leaving the states, make sure you and all your friends get this. Apple users have iMessage, but this is a cross-platform app, and you can message anyone who has it as long as your phone has a signal. All the cool people have it to share photos, files, location tags, and bar stories. And you can call home on Wi-Fi.
(Free)
Touchnote
Everyone back home deserves a postcard. Why not send a postcard with you on the front and a personal message typed on the back. Great idea right? Yep! And you can order it from your phone for really cheap.
(Free)
Lost in Translation
You meet your soul mate at the market but neither of you understand the other. What do you do? I’ll tell you! Exchange WhatsApp information, turn on this app, and translate everything you need to say to send to this beautiful soul. That easy! Don’t let language barriers stop you!
(Free)
Swearport
When you need to curse a taxi driver because he’s trying to jack up the prices, or when you need to chase down the thief who stole your camera, this app will come in handy! Learn all the greatest curse words from all over the world. Have fun!
($1)
