These days, there’s an app for almost anything – which can be as overwhelming as it is useful. We’ve taken the guesswork out of preparing your smartphone for travel with our list of 17 essential travel apps that can help streamline and simplify the finer details of your journey.
All apps listed below are available for both iOS and Android devices and are completely free to download.
Recognized by the World Meteorological Organization as one of the best weather apps available, AccuWeather can predict precipitation up to the minute and provide detailed weather warnings. But it doesn’t stop there; it also reports UV index, air quality index, wind speed and direction, and more. Perhaps most useful is its RealFeel® technology, which calculates what the temperature actually feels like outside.
Are you worried about not being able to use your smartphone overseas without a Wi-Fi network? Well, worry no more: Airalo is the world’s first eSIM marketplace providing coverage in over 200 countries around the world. To use Airalo, simply download the app, choose your destination and package, install and activate your eSIM – and that’s it!
Downloading the apps for the airlines you will be using during your travels is one of the biggest favors you can do for yourself. Many airline apps allow you to make airline reservations, choose and/or upgrade your seats, purchase flight extras, and even check in and receive a virtual boarding pass. Airline apps also provide live updates for your flight, meaning you get notified immediately if there are any delays or changes.
Mobile payment is becoming more popular throughout much of the world, and Apple Pay is one of the most widely used platforms. Supported by all Apple/iOS products, Apple Pay allows you to securely store your credit card information, turning your smartphone into a digital wallet. To pay with Apple Pay, all you have to do is open the app, choose your preferred payment, and hold your phone over the payment terminal. The best part is that digital wallets are often safer than using a physical card; mobile payment platforms avoid sharing any credit card information with retailers by using a unique code for each transaction.
If you’re headed to a big city and plan to use public transportation, Citymapper is a must. The app not only provides maps and directions for many major public transit systems all over the world, but also offers live arrival times for buses and trains.
Learning some of your destination’s native language is always a good idea, and that’s where Duolingo comes in handy. This app makes learning languages easy (and fun!) by breaking lessons up into bite-sized pieces that you can complete in five minutes or less. The app also allows you to customize what types of lessons you take; by setting your goal to “travel,” you’ll learn words and phrases most useful for travelers.
Google offers a range of useful apps that all come in handy while traveling the world:
The Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection allows eligible travelers to streamline passport inspection when entering MPC-approved sites. By submitting travel documents, photos, and customs declarations through the secure app, travelers can make passport inspections faster and reduce wait times – and may even be directed to a designated queue. For more information, visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website.
This app allows you to easily make reservations to over 52,000 restaurants around the world. Search for restaurants by filtering reviews, prices, ratings, and cuisines and make finding and booking tables a breeze.
PackPoint customizes packing lists based on your destination, the time of year, and the length of your stay, making it perfect for those who struggle to pack effectively. You can even fill out a questionnaire about the activities you’re planning and the app will automatically suggest clothes to pack for each experience.
Have you ever wondered how to best share photos and videos captured on tour with your fellow travelers? PhotoCircle is a secure media-sharing platform for small groups that makes it easy to connect, share, and organize photos, videos, and documents.
No more fumbling with cash at the dinner table; Venmo helps you safely and easily “split the bill” with your friends and family. This free payment app (owned by PayPal) allows you to send, receive, and request money from your peers in a few taps. Just connect your bank account and/or credit card, add your contacts via phone number or username, and start sending and receiving money right away.
One of the most popular international communication apps, WhatsApp uses Wi-Fi to enable users to make video and voice calls, send instant messages, and share documents, photos, and more anywhere in the world for free, as long as you have internet access. We strongly recommend that Odysseys Unlimited travelers download WhatsApp as it is a tool commonly used by our tour directors to stay in touch with guests while on tour.
Xe is an “all-in-one” currency converter app that not only offers the most up-to-date exchange rates, but also allows you to make money transfers in-app. Choose up to 10 of 130 currencies to track so you can get alerts if the exchange rates change.
We hope you find this information helpful as you gear up for your upcoming travels.
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