In this decade, you can only travel as far as your smartphone will allow you to, not your wallet. Most apps are either free or cost less than your Starbucks Frappuccino, so Get Empowered® to explore the world with these must-download apps. Learn the language in your dream country and save big on flights to far-away destinations with the help of these digital essentials. These apps eliminate roaming charges, expedite flight claims, and enable you to navigate any city like a native, respectively.
- Google Translate is a cheat sheet for interpreting a foreign language; it enables you to place your camera on the text as it automatically translates it to the desired language. You can use the app to translate what someone is saying while they are speaking, which helps you to appear to be multilingual! Who has time to hassle people on the street about the nearest bathroom or the best place to brunch when you can ask Google? Google Translate is available for FREE on iOS and Android phones, however, it may not be accessible in all countries on Android phones. The app is a staple for utilizing public transportation, searching for cultural activities, and locating the nearest bathroom! Est-ce que tu parles français? Absolument!
- Hopper is your bank account’s best friend when it comes to saving on flights, estimating fluctuations for future travel dates, and providing reasonable-priced hotel accommodations. The app is downloadable for FREE on the Apple App Store and Google Play, and it virtually maps out your trip for a price that can’t be matched through any other engine. It is your eyes and ears for locking in your dream-trip without researching the competitor’s price. The user-friendly, color-coded pricing app yields you the best bang for your buck and the perfect opportunity to book a trip without being overwhelmed by a million tabs. It is ad-free and allows you to book a trip up to 1 year in advance.
- Google Maps will have you trekking across the globe with its accurate navigation system, whether you’re online or offline. Apple’s App Store and Google Play offer the app for FREE, and it has the option for travel via transit cycling, walking, driving, and flights. It alerts you of traffic delays, optimizes each route for scenic or time-preferred purposes, and informs you of nearby restaurants. It is available in nearly every city (even China!); you can also pair Spotify of Apple Music with the app while you are navigating! Google Maps is a shared app, so feel free to invite friends to view where you all are going and collectively determine how you will travel there.
- WhatsApp is the guru of mobile apps for international communication; it is available on the App Store and Google Play. The app allows you to start a group texting chat and video chat with other users. Need to handle business on-the-go? WhatsApp has a feature that lets you send PDF’s and other computer files; the app provides a maximum of 100 MB, so send as much as your heart desires! Download WhatsApp for FREE.99 and use it in any country where Facebook is available. *Hint-hint, Facebook is its parent-owner.
- Got WiFi? Will travel. WiFi Anywhere-Hotspot Analyzer is your FREE one-stop-shop for accessing WiFi passwords and hotspots across some of the most tourist-driven destinations in the world. Its compatibility is limited to the App Store for iOS gadgets. It conducts a speed test for nearby networks, automatically updates passwords, and has an in-app dashboard that manages how much data is being used via the app. WiFi Anywhere-Hotspot Analyzer locates the network, provides the password and ensures that your WiFi experience is as seamless as possible with the help of its sister app, VPN Guru-Master of Fast VPN.
- You expect top-service from most of these pricey airlines, right? So, when there’s a delay or last-minute cancellation, you deserve to be compensated ASAP! Thanks to AirHelp, you can file claims from the app for up to $700 in compensation. If the flight is canceled or delayed, the app expedites your payment and notifies you of your rights as a passenger. Imagine a flights claims lawyer in your phone that delivers your check before you can book your next flight! AirHelp is operable on iOS and Android devices and is FREE to download.
I hope these apps are useful in your travels and save you from the painful #travelchronicles that so many people endure due to lack of resources.