With over two million apps in the App Store alone, there’s no shortage of these digital tools to choose from but the last thing you want is valuable phone space being filled up with gimmicky ones. We’ve rounded up the top apps savvy travellers will actually use.
1. Apple Wallet (free)
Available on IPhone
Go paper-free and put your boarding pass right on your IPhone. Your pass will pop up as a notification on arrival at the airport, so no more digging around in your carry-on luggage for your ticket!
2. Google Translate (free)
Available on IPhone and Android
Dump the phrase book with more than 100 languages directly on your phone, instant speech translation and a camera mode for tough-to-translate signs – it can be a real life-saver.
3. Uber (free)
Available on IPhone and Android
Riding shotgun with a local can give you a great insight into where you’re staying (and it’s usually cheaper than a cab)
4. Google Maps (free)
Available on IPhone and Android
Knowing where you’re going is important, even if you’re trying to get lost. Find the best places to eat and drink, check transport details and even download maps for when you’re ‘going offline’ somewhere new.
5. Time Buddy (free)
Available on IPhone and Android
Making time for Skype calls (more on this later) can be a real pain when you’re travelling abroad. We use Time Buddy to convert time zones and schedule catch-ups with friends across the globe.
6. Currency Converter Plus (free)
Available on IPhone and Android
Don’t stress over converting currencies in your head – Currency Converter Plus tracks 191 international currencies with online updated conversion rates. While your money is on your mind, don’t forget to turn offline mode on to save those data-roaming dollars!
7. Skype (free)
Available on IPhone and Android
Install Skype on your laptop and wheeze some cafe-wifi juice or open it on a phone or tablet to chat on the go – Skype is still on of the best options for international messaging and video calls.
8. Airline in-flight entertainment apps (free)
Available on IPhone and Android (depending on the airline)
Most airlines now have in-flight apps for entertainment, so load them up before you get on your flight for a seamless transition to the sky.
9. Lightroom (free)
Available on IPhone and Android
Adobe’s Lightroom mobile app is a powerful tool for sharing great-looking photos right from your phone. Experiment with presets, tweak your pics with advanced adjustments like contrast and exposure or just backup images to the cloud for safekeeping.
10. Instagram (free)
Available on IPhone and Android
Share your photos and videos online is a must for social-savvy holidaymakers! How else will anyone know you took some time off?
11. Wotif (free)
Available on IPhone and Android
You didn’t think we wouldn’t have our own app on the list did you? We’re not biased though, it’s awesome. The Wotif app lets you tap into exclusive deals, book on the go and manage your trips anywhere, anytime. It’ll even get you exclusive offers for when you’re not on holiday, so you can get a head-start on booking your next one.
