The only thing more overwhelming than planning a trip to a foreign country is navigating the area once you get there.
Whether you’re heading out of the country for a family trip or you have a college student studying abroad this spring, these travel apps will make your life on the go worlds easier. You can thank us later. Bon voyage!
1. TripAdvisor (free). When you’re in the planning stages of your trip, this app will be your best friend. More than 75 million reviews help guide your choices for booking flights and hotels, locating restaurants and even finding fun activities. You can search for things by price, location or rating and see what others have to say about their experiences. If you have a specific travel question, post it in the forum to get the inside scoop.
2. WhatsApp Messenger ($0.99). This app is a total must-have, especially if you’re leaving kids behind while you travel or if you’re sending one off to study abroad. Communicating from across the world can be a challenge, but this cross-platform app lets you message other smartphone users with the app from anywhere in the world—for free! Perfect for sending a quick text to confirm they arrived safely in Paris for the weekend or to send a little love from home.
3. Google Translate (free). If you’re in a foreign country where you don’t speak the language, getting around in local cafes and street markets can be tough. This handy app translates words and phrases between more than 60 languages. In some languages, you can even translate by speaking into the phone and hear the translations aloud. Look up key phrases before you leave the hotel, and you’ll be able to access them later when you’re offline. Perfecto.
4. TripIt (free). Easily store all of your travel plans in one place, so you’re not holding up the line at the airport or hotel as you fumble through your email. Forward your confirmation emails to plans@tripit.com and they are instantly recognized and saved to an itinerary on your iPhone or iPad. TripIt was even awarded the “Best Travel Mobile App” at the Webby Awards in 2011.
5. FlightTrack—Live Flight Status Tracker by Mobiata ($4.99). You’ve organized your travel plans; now it’s time to board the plane. This app lets you check flight status, gate information, delays, cancellations and more. With full international flight coverage of 1,400 airlines, you’ll never miss a beat, no matter what country you’re in. Upgrade to FlightTrack Pro ($9.99) to sync with your TripIt itineraries, receive push alerts and predict delays.
6. City Maps 2Go ($1.99). Once you’ve arrived at your international destination, chances are you’ll need directions. However, in the most desperate of times, it’s unlikely that you’ll have a network connection to rev up your trusty Maps app. City Maps 2Go has more than 7,800 maps worldwide, and you can access them all offline. Search streets and specific places, find your location on a map, keep track of your favorite spots and find hotels nearby.
7. LocalEats ($0.99). LocalEats will help you find the best pizza and gelato in Rome, which can be quite a challenge. Plug in the city and type of cuisine you’re craving, and LocalEats filters results to best match what you’re looking for. Find menus and detailed descriptions of restaurants, book reservations or a taxi, and the best part is that chain restaurants are excluded. The only downside is that this app is limited to major cities.
8. Instagram (free). You might have already downloaded Instagram, but be sure to break it out on your trip. More than 80 million users are already snapping artsy pics on their smartphones, so it’s a great way to pump up vacation shots and share them with family and friends. Choose from 19 filters to enhance and customize your photo, write a brief caption and post! When you return home, use Sticky Gram to turn your favorite shots into magnets.
9. XE Currency (free). You might know a thing or two about the Euro, but it’s very possible you’re lost when someone mentions Pounds, Yen or Rubles. This app allows you to convert every world currency when you’re out and about on your trip. There are live currency rates and charts, which refresh every minute, and the latest updates are stored so you can access them later with no Internet connection. A great tool so you don’t accidentally overspend on souvenirs.
10. Free Wi-Fi Finder (free). It can be hard to scout out free Wi-Fi in another country, which is why we recommend this app for finding hotspots wherever you are. Find nearly 100,000 free hotspots in more than 100 countries to post pictures, hop on Skype or check emails while you’re abroad. Conveniently, this app also works when you’re offline (which you most likely are if you’re looking for an Internet connection).
Other noteworthy apps:
- Hotel Tonight (free)
- Packing Pro ($2.99)
- Weather Channel (free)
