“Change your life” might sound a bit over the top, but there are some travel apps that have earned a permanent spot on my phone, moving from “handy” to “essential.” I’m not quite sure when it happened, but over the years, I’ve come to rely on my iPhone for just about everything—maps, tracking, information, calendars, bookings, photos, and of course, staying in touch. My iPhone has basically turned into a personal assistant. Funny to think that I once saw iPhones as just pricey gadgets nobody really needed. Now, they’ve completely transformed how we use our phones.
I thought I’d share some of the apps I use regularly while traveling and a few I wish I’d discovered sooner. Check out my top apps, and let me know if there are others I should try!
Ever arrived in a new city and desperately tried to find your way to the hotel? You whip out your phone, open your maps, and then realize—you left your data roaming on. Now, you’re in debt to your mobile company! We’ve all been there. First step to avoid those huge data charges? Turn off “data roaming” and connect to Wi-Fi only. Many airports offer free Wi-Fi for a short period (just enough to download an app). Once you’re online, search for an “offline map” of whichever city you’re in.
For example, if I’m in London, I look up “London offline map.” In New York, it’s “New York offline map.” You get the idea. Maps.Me is one of the best offline maps I’ve used—easy to navigate in any city. Plus, Apple users can even use it on their Apple Watch.
Learning a bit of the local language is always good, but I don’t always remember the most helpful phrases. Somehow, things like “où est le jambon?” (where’s the ham?), “est que la mode?” (is that fashionable?), and “Je veux manger du gâteau” (I want to eat cake) stick with me more. That’s where SayHi Translate comes in. It’s a fantastic app that translates a wide range of languages and even speaks back in your preferred language.
Struggling with unit conversions, like weight or currency, while traveling? Try the “Amount” app. It covers over 700 units across more than 30 categories and lets you create custom categories for frequently used conversions. Handy when you’re in a rush! It was also named one of the best new apps by Apple in 2013.
Cloud storage has really taken off lately, letting you store everything from music and photos to documents and tickets. Still, I sometimes daydream about my data sitting in a secure mountain vault. Wherever it is, Dropbox makes it easy to manage and access your files on your iPhone or Android. Great for freeing up phone space since you can download items only when you need them.
When I travel, it’s easy to skip workouts or eat extra treats. But I discovered the perfect motivator—Carrot. Unlike typical activity apps, Carrot adapts to your routine and even adds a bit of fun sass. It’s an excellent way to keep up with exercise, and it’s optimized for the Apple Watch.
That’s my list! Let me know if there’s anything else I should check out.
