Before the advent of the internet and smartphones, travelling was more an arduous adventure wrought with unprecedented challenges to a traveller but it would have been no less exciting than today’s way of travelling (probably more exciting due to unknowns)!
Exploring a country or multiple countries has clearly become much easier thanks to the internet, smartphones and practical apps available for them.
There are numerous useful apps that make travelling easier and less stressful but some apps make the ‘core’ of essential must-have apps that would make your travels quite challenging if you didn’t have them, apps you wouldn’t delete if your smartphone was running out of storage space while travelling.
Below are essential (and free) apps you need to download for your smartphone to make your travels a lot easier and simpler.
Unit Converter
Don’t know the exact measurements from metric to imperial units or vice versa? The Unit Converter app is for you!
The app shows a diverse range of measurements that have you more than covered, whether that’s length, weight, temperature, and so much more. It’s great even if you’re not travelling; it’s just a great utility app overall.
The Unit Converter app is available on Android, whereas on the Apple App Store there is there a similar but different app called Unit Converter (free).
Easy Currency Converter
Think you’re getting a good deal at the local bazaar or a cheap meal at a restaurant? You better check Easy Currency Converter to see how much of your home currency you’re paying for local prices.
Easy Currency Converter only does one job but it does it so well.
You can convert currencies offline which is great, along with seeing the fluctuations in exchange rates in the past. You can easily switch among different currencies, along with favouriting the common currencies you view the most.
The app definitely helps to keep your finances in check, for better or for worse!
Easy Currency Converter is available on Android but not on iOS – you can find the equally fantastic app XE Currency Converter app on the Apple App Store.
Google Translate
Where ever you go, you will always encounter unique local people. Essential for communicating with locals whose language you don’t speak, Google Translate makes the world seem slightly more closer and understandable by allowing you to communicate with the local people, whether it’s asking for directions or simply asking how they are.
Google Translate helps you to decipher numerous signs, all the options on a menu at a restaurant and also what you’re buying at the supermarket – oh you think that’s a sweet pastry you’re buying?! SURPRISE, it’s tuna!
You can use your smartphone’s microphone to translate and converse with someone speaking a different language, along with using the camera to capture what it’s seeing/reading and instantly translate it to your language onscreen.
You can download language packs so you can translate sentences offline without an internet connection which is fantastic.
I would highly recommend downloading the relevant language pack with respect to the country you are travelling to before actually arriving there.
Google Maps
Google Maps is a tour de force when it comes to directions via different transport methods and options, map details, and discovering new places to explore, or eat or drink at – that is, when you have an internet connection!
Its offline map saving ability is good, but not as good as the next app on this list.
Make use of its handy feature of three different kinds of bookmarks (Favourites, Want to go, Starred places) in saving important places that will make your local exploration so much easier as you traverse around. Saved places on desktop will sync with your smartphone (and vice versa).
Maps.me
Maps.me has come a long way to the point it rivals Google Maps. Its central proposition is being able to download and use its maps offline (with directions) without an internet connection which has been a lifesaver in unfamiliar countries. It makes your life so much easier as you make your way to your accommodation effortlessly from your arrival port at a new destination.
With every major app update, Maps.me adds more helpful features and places of interest. Maps are frequently updated and, depending on the place you are visiting, often contain walking or hiking trails as well. There are also handy guides for what you can see and do in each place. You can bookmark important places or visited places, along with backing them up online.
Always download the offline maps before you travel to the country you’re going to so you can use offline directions immediately when you arrive.
There are numerous apps for your smartphone that will make your travels so much easier but these apps should be your ‘core’ essential must-haves:
- Unit Converter: Imperial, metric – Whatever. This app converts measurements fast and easy.
- Easy Currency Converter: Know how much foreign things cost when converted to your home currency.
- Google Translate: Communicate with local people and understand the local language easier.
- Google Maps: An effortless way to find and navigate your way around on your travels.
- Maps.me: Navigate your way around without being connected to the internet.
What are some other essential must-have apps every traveller should have while traversing the world, apps that make their travel adventures so much easier?
Let others and myself know what these apps are!
Know someone who should have these apps on their smartphone before or during their travels?
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1 Comment
So good information 🙂