The rise of mobile apps has changed how we travel. Only a decade ago, smartphones didn’t even exist. Now the average adventurer is lost without them. But with so much choice out there which should you use? Let’s find out.
Navigation
People used to ask, “How did people ever travel without a cell phone?” Now we ask, “how did people ever travel without Google maps?” But is Google Maps the best map out there for travellers? Probably not.
If you’re travelling in a city, you need to know a bit more than the location of bus and tube stations. You need to know real-time departure information so that you don’t miss your connections. Google doesn’t offer this yet, but apps like Citymapper do. Citymapper works in about 30 major tourist cities around the world. It tells you bus routes, bus times and train times so that you don’t miss out on any of your travel plans. What’s more, it tells you how long your journey will take by jetpack. That’s great news for all the adrenaline junkies out there.
Entertainment
We all know that travelling to a summer getaway can sometimes be tedious. All that waiting around in airport lounges and on airplanes is hardly ideal. But, again, apps have revolutionized travel and taken away the boredom element. Thanks to apps like ShowBox, you can now stream your favorite content to your device. Would you prefer to spend a seven-hour flight watching back-to-back Frasier? Well, now you can, thanks to apps that stream content directly to your phone.
Language Learning
One of the biggest challenges of going to a foreign country is the language. But not to worry, apps like Duolingo have got you covered. No, these apps aren’t a replacement for proper classes. But they have an uncanny ability to make learning language quick and fun. In Duolingo, for instance, you’ll learn the language using cartoon pictures and phrases. Do you know “el perro” is Spanish for "the dog"? Well, you do now.
Live Currency Information
The perennial problem of the regular traveller is converting local prices into a currency they recognize. Ever found yourself asking, how many rupees are there to the dollar? You're not alone.
Fortunately, some apps make this whole process a heck of a lot easier. Take XE Currency, for instance. This app is popular in business circles right now and has been downloaded a whopping 20 million times. But it’s also ideal for travellers. The reason is that it’s able to convert any currency in the world into any other, in real time. It can also store rates offline, which is good news for people travelling off the beaten track.
Cost Splitting
Have you ever travelled abroad with a bunch of friends? What can you always guarantee will put a downer on your experience? Splitting the bills, of course. Splitting the bills is one of the most irritating things that travellers face because it’s so inconvenient. Apps like Splittr take the guesswork out of who paid for what. You simply tell the app who paid for what, and it’ll do the rest. At the end of the trip, you’ll have a bill for each person, depending on what they did, or didn’t, pay for.
