Best Travel Apps
As the world of technology continues to expand, the number of apps available at our fingertips continues to multiply. When browsing the app store, it’s kind of hard to figure out which app is really going to improve your overall travel experience. Not to worry, fellow globetrotters. We have done the digging for you and now dear travellers, the world is literally at your fingertips
Below, you’ll find a list of the best travel apps we love – from packing and takeoff to eating and getting home – that will make your travel experience more efficient. We have even discovered an app that lets you make money while on the go! Make sure you add them to your phone before your next journey.
1. Planning – TripWire
This app connects different travelers around the world and allows them to share their travel paths and experiences social media style. Instead of referring to a book or guide, check Tripwire and read about other traveler’s real-life experiences and find out what you absolutely need to see during your trip. You can even connect with others when your paths cross – great for solo travelers hoping to make a friend along the way.
2. Cheap flights – Hopper
Booking a flight is usually the worst part about traveling. While many hacks are found all over the web, it’s difficult to know exactly when to book a flight for the best price. In walks Hopper, an app that notifies you about trends in flight prices. Enter your departure date and Hopper will send you notifications when your flight increases and decreases in price. Now there’s no need to anxiously check flight prices every hour!
3. Make money on the go – Grabr
Here’ the answer to every traveler’s dream – you can literally earn money by traveling! We all have that aunt who asks us to bring her back a souvenir from our travels; now there’s a way to do just that and get paid for it. Grabr is a peer-to-peer delivery network that allows you to make money by delivering goods from abroad to people back home. Simply browse orders from around the world, choose an item from your location that needs to be delivered in your destination city, deliver it to an awesome local, and bam! Payday!
4. Get around – Gogobot
Gogobot helps you find places to eat, see, play, party, and sleep based on your personal travel preferences. Feel like being outdoorsy? Love to sample local craft beers? This app makes it easy to find the best local places in your destination to do literally everything that appeals to your tastes. The ultimate city planner now comes in the form of an app. After you have a blast thanks to this apps suggestions, share your travel experience and advice to help another fellow traveler.
5. Eat – Open Table
For all the foodies out there: this is that app you’ve been waiting for. Sometimes there is an it restaurant that you absolutely have to try during your travels. Sometimes, you have no idea where to go or what the local hotspots are. In these cases, refer to Open Table. You can browse all the restaurants near you, see ratings and reviews, and even make your reservation through the app, so no need to call ahead.
6. Getting home – Mobile Passport
Want to skip the customs line? Um, yeah of course you do! US and Canada citizens can now be used the Mobile Passport app at major US airports. Simply register your passport on the app, answer customs questions correctly and thoroughly, then submit the information using wifi and you’ll receive a receipt that lets you breeze through the line like a celeb.
Apps To Help You Stay Connected
When traveling abroad, many vacationers want to share their adventures in real time, instead of being completely disconnected throughout their trip. Fortunately, there are many free and inexpensive apps that allow you to make calls over data or WiFi even when you’re outside of the United States. These apps allow you to send pictures, texts, and videos home as well.
WhatsApp is easily the most well-known and popular texting app available. Although in the past WhatsApp lacked the ability to place calls, it now has the option for free calling over data or WiFi. Using the app, you can create group chats and send pictures and videos, as well as audio messages. WhatsApp is available for all different platforms and phones, and would work great on smartphones with WiFi calling capabilities. Carriers such as T-Mobile offer WiFi calling virtually anywhere, making it great for people traveling abroad. The app is free and offers special features such as the ability to see when a person was last active online and has viewed your messages.
Vonage Mobile
While most people have seen the commercials for Vonage home phone systems, fewer people know there is a mobile app as well. Vonage’s mobile app allows you to talk for free over data or internet as well as make video calls, text, send photos, and leave video messages. It’s also possible to call international phone numbers to landlines, and to other mobile phones that don’t have the app, for a low per-minute rate. Unfortunately, Vonage Mobile isn’t available for everyone and can only be downloaded to iPhones and Android devices.
Viber
Before WhatsApp integrated voice calling, Viber was the go-to app for many people. Viber is still popular, and is available for download to Nokia, Blackberry, Windows Phones, Android, and iPhone. Viber instantly integrates with your contact list and offers free texting, calling, photo messages, and location sharing.
Skype
One of the most innovative and popular computer-based video calling programs is also available as an app for your phone. Skype is one of only a few apps that made our list which integrates and focuses on video calling as well as voice and text messages. The app is free and uses data or wireless internet.
Skype also offers other helpful apps such as Skype Qik for sending videos with a group of friends. The Skype WiFi app offers the ability to use over two million public hotspots worldwide allowing you to pay with Skype credit. Plus, Skype’s GroupMe app allows you to send messages, photos, and your location to groups from your phone.
MagicApp
From the home phone service, MagicJack comes a similar app for your phone. The app offers an introductory rate of $1.99 per month or $14.99 per year for the premium service. You get an additional new phone number or a phone number for your tablet. It works just like your home phone, with call forwarding and caller I.D. There is also a free download with limited capabilities. Unlike many of the other apps, you can also send text messages to a U.S. mobile number. This app also offers free calls to the United States and Canada and low international rates.
Tango
Similar to Skype, Tango was developed with video chatting in mind. Video calling is available for 3G, 4G, and LTE as well as WiFi. Users can also message through one-on-one and group chatting capabilities. Other unique features include the ability to share stickers through the message component. Tango also goes one step further by curating games and channels including videos, music, photos, and articles.
Most of these apps have been tried and tested, and typically work well if you have access to data. Since data can be expensive overseas, the Skype app can connect you to the internet or you can use your hotel’s or restaurant’s WiFi to keep in touch and share your stories with those at home. It’s no longer necessary to keep your travel journal handy, as these apps allow you to send pictures instantly or call home and tell your family and friends about your trip while it’s happening.
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