Best Travel App Recommendations
In a world full of technology, apps have become a traveler’s most vital tool. Below are some of the best travel app recommendations for those striking out to see the world.
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Navigation App Resources
Maps.me
Maps.me is probably the ultimate offline world-map application. The app has offline maps of the whole world with unique details and easy-to-use features. Since Maps.me was designed specifically for travelers, it has many extra features that cater to the vagabond market. This includes highlighted attractions and personal-interest searches.
Google Maps
Google Maps works almost anywhere on Earth. But what really sets it apart is twofold. First, Google Maps can download offline maps, making navigation possible even without internet. Even better, Google Maps can mark down Points of Interest under the Saved settings, allowing users to geo-map their trip. The offline maps work with driving directions.
Apple Maps
If you’re married to your Apple Device, Apple Maps is a solid navigation option. While it generally works great, its offline features are somewhat lacking.
Waze
Waze is the best free navigation app out there for traffic navigation. The community based, traffic-tracking app makes road-trip navigation easy and smooth
Travel Entertainment Resources
Libby and Overdrive
Libby and Overdrive are the two digital pillars of the public library system in the United States. The apps can be used to download and read thousands of books, articles audiobooks and other resources. Content can be checked out for 21 days and the only thing needed is a US library card.
Podcast Addict
There are many podcast platforms out there, but Podcast Addict is one of the most straightforward and space friendly. Download podcasts offline for free to listen to stories, conversations, speeches and information even while disconnected from the internet.
Spotify
Though the famous music listening app doesn’t operate in every country, using a VPN and paid membership allows listeners to download playlists and albums. The result is the ability to bring entire libraries of music anywhere in the world.
Kindle Reader
While some people chose to purchase a Kindle Reader or reading tablet, it’s easy and free to download the Kindle Reader App to a smartphone. This puts a person’s favorite books right next to all their other favorite content.
Travel Learning Resources
Duolingo
When it comes to learning introduction phrases, Duolingo is a great, easy-to-use application for beginners. The program doesn’t have the scaffolding to work well beyond the intermediate level, but it can teach you basic phrases wherever you go.
Mango
Slightly more advanced than Duolingo, Magoo does a better job of included grammar lessons as users practice new words. Remember, production is what makes a second language fluent, so speak aloud whenever possible.
General Travel Apps
Speak and Translate
Speak and Translate is an excellent backup if you don’t speak the local lingo. This app can translate spoken audio offline in ten languages, including Chinese (Mandarin), English (US), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Turkish. The offline feature and downloadable dictionary make the app invaluable while traveling.
Google Translate
Google Translate has an offline writing dictionary, allowing you to type accurate information for others to read. The app also has an offline camera feature for different languages, such as Japanese. This allows a traveler to read public signs for directions just by pointing their phone’s camera at some text. However, Google Translate’s audio translator only works with an internet connection.
Lock Me Out
Lock Me Out is a handy app which keeps me on schedule. The free version of this app allows people to Lock Out their phones, allowing for only ten function-necessary app. All my entertainment apps are blocked when I wake up, forcing me to start my day by getting out of bed, instead of playing with my phone.
Unit Converter
Trying to juggle different measurements, miles, kilometers, currencies and other numbers in your head is challenging. Fortunately, there’s the free-to-use Unit Converter App which can solve all those problems for you. I mostly use mine for currency calculations so I know I’m getting good deals at foreign exchanges.
Venmo
Venmo is a handy little app that lets people transfer money to one another. It makes it far easier to split bills, especially if you’ve just arrived back in the US, where the app is available. It also makes it much easier to have friends and family transfer money in an emergency.
FlowCV
The resume-making process when getting hired abroad can be unsual. This free web resources helps users make professional, clean and stylish CVs and resumes. It makes it far easier to tailor resumes towards specific jobs, working holidays or careers.
Safety and Security Resources
Sitata
This app is a community-driven information application. It offers safety information on a variety of situations, with active message boards advising travelers.
Tripwhistle
This is a free safety-app which is used to contact emergency services. Tripwhistle functions in 196 countries with over 70 emergency numbers saved. The app works as an international SOS service, capable of contacting local police, fire or medical services.
bSafe
bSafe is an app designed for women-safety. The app allows other users to follow verified women via GPS in real time, ensuring they get home safely. Once a user reaches their home address, the app notifies the safety-watcher users tracking the route.
Red Cross Emergency App
This app tracks dangerous weather, natural disasters and other worldwide alerts, sending information directly to your phone. The app can track multiple locations, letting you assess both your current location and where you’re heading next.
Communication Resources
WhatAapp
The communication app is the extremely popular direct messaging app. It is used for communication in North and South America, Europe and Africa. WhatsApp is owned by Facebook, which means the company has access to your personal messages.
Signal
Signal is an app with heavily encrypted and private direct messaging. It’s an extremely secure app for communication. It is far more secure than apps like WhatsApp or Instagram.
Telegram
Telegram is a direct communication messaging app. It’s encrypted, private, secure, and independent, making it a better alternative to WhatsApp, which is owned by Facebook.
WeChat is the everything app of China. Chinese citizens use the app for digital transactions, communications, buying tickets, social media posts, business meetings and more. However, this app is directly sponsored by the Chinese government, so the data is accesses is not safe. It is very difficult to function in China without WeChat.
Line
Though this app originated in South Korea, it proved to be very popular in Japan. Most Japanese people use this app for business communications and social contacts.
Kakao Talk
Kakao Talk is the primary communication app used for messaging in South Korea. It is necessary for most social groups and work functions.
Driving and Rideshare Resources
Blablacar
Blablacar is an excellent option for long-distance ride sharing. In some cases, it’s better than looking for buses. People with vehicles offer rides to various cities, provided someone else is willing to chip in for gas. It’s a great service for last minute deals or trips to slightly more obscure areas without regular transportation.
Uber
Uber is a rideshare service which operates throughout various countries in the west. Needing no introduction, rideshares like Uber are a great option for getting a safe, secure ride without having to worry about taxi scams.
Grab
Grab is a very popular rideshare service, primarily operating in Southeast Asia. For folks traveling through the Asian continent, Grab is a vital app to have. This is especially true with the frequency of taxi scams in countries like Vietnam.
Lyft
Lyft is another excellent rideshare option. There are some countries which allow Uber but not Lyft, and vice versa. When selecting Rideshares, research which ones operate in the country or city you’re visiting.
Didi
Didi is a rideshare service that operates in much of Asia, most notably China. The rideshare service is a great tool for getting around, especially in a country where someone doesn’t speak the langauge
Ola
Ola is an Indian company that serves as a great-quality rideshare app. There are additional branches of Ola throughout the world.