The smartphone is the modern-day travel agent if you like planning your own trips. Keep in mind, it doesn’t replace a travel agent! From the palm of your hand, you can book flights, plan accommodations, and even reserve a seat at a seaside restaurant using nothing more than your smartphone.
While many of us have cancelled our travel plans this year due to restrictions on travel, there’s no time like the present to stay home and plan your next vacation. Here are some travel apps for iOS or Android that can help you enjoy an organized, stress-free vacation that’s all about relaxing and having an amazing time.
Nord VPN
If you use an app to connect with family and friends that aren’t available in certain countries like China, you’ll need a workaround to ensure you never fall off the map. You can circumvent this issue by using a virtual private network (VPN). Using a VPN makes it safer to use public Wi-Fi because it will keep your private information inaccessible to others on the same network. Nord VPN has thousands of servers across the globe. There is a monthly fee, but there’s a free 7- day trial. Additionally, they constantly offer promotions for an even lower monthly subscription fee. It works on your phone, tablet, or laptop, and you shouldn’t have any trouble with geo-restrictions as Nord VPN has servers across the globe ready to adjust to what you need. Surf, connect and explore — everything is ready for you no matter where you land in the world.
My TSA
Airport travel, especially within the United States, can be a confusing and daunting experience. MyTSA, a U.S. government-sponsored app, demystifies all the rules you need to follow in order to avoid a staredown and possible delays by security agents who are trying to do their jobs. Discover which items you can bring with you through the security checkpoint and onto the aircraft, request live assistance from the Transportation Safety Administration, check how historically busy your chosen airport will be on a given day, check crowd-sourced security wait times and offer your own estimates, check for delays and current weather conditions, and find out how to access and sign up for TSA PreCheck to get you through security in a jiffy.
Uber
Active in around 65 countries and more than 600 cities, Uber is the global king of ridesharing apps. The app pioneered on-demand services, and it can be particularly handy when you’re abroad. You can quickly request a car directly within the Uber app after perusing an assortment of differing vehicle rates and fare quotes. Afterward, you can connect with your personal driver, track the approaching car’s location, and securely pay your fare using a credit card — no cash needed. Rather than trying to find a taxi or a taxi stand, just bring one straight to you. Uber is constantly updating its app to improve features like trip sharing, ride selection, and tipping.
Google Maps
Google Maps is widely regarded as the best navigation app around. It offers directions for travel by car, on public transit, on foot, by cab, or by bicycle. You’ll find it fairly reliable in offering up local public transportation options in many countries, and you can also download specific areas for offline use. You can also use Maps to find out when places like museums or restaurants close, and check to see how busy a place is in real time, as well as using the app to find local restaurants, bars, and attractions. You can even search for hotels by features like free Wi-Fi, pet-friendly, or air-conditioned, for example. You can now view and manage all your favorite places from the Your Places page. This is an essential travel app to have.
Citymapper
With a growing list of countries under its belt, Citymapper is one of the best tools to find and use public transportation. It connects with a few ridesharing services, offers the fastest way to arrive at your destination, and best of all, lets you check out subway and train times offline for a number of cities. You can subscribe to specific train or bus lines, and the app can even alert you when you need to get off the bus, which is handy when you’re riding for the first time in a new country. The app now features a SuperRouter that lets you view floating brands like cycles, scooters, mopeds, car sharing with full travel times — including walking and availability. A wheelchair-accessible section is now available for some locations.
Circa
Jetlag, international datelines, and time zones can make life really confusing if you’re constantly travelling. Circa, an iOS-only app, helps you keep up with the time where you’re going and where you are right now. You can always feel close to home by setting up the time in your home country to be a click away. The app will show times that overlap when both parties should be awake. Circa works regardless of your online status and integrates with your iCal — make changes even mid-flight. The calendar ring lets you visualize your availability or keep swiping to find a convenient time slot. You can also use the app on the Apple Watch.
WiFi Map
If you need to get online fast without an expensive cellular connection, WiFi Map is the place to go for worldwide information. This app shows you the nearest free hotspots complete with passwords and user comments. The app offers full map navigation to get you to the right place and lets you filter your search and test for connection speed. A network scan checks for intruders. There are even offline maps for travelers and a VPN (with the pro version) for secure, anonymous connections. You can also add new Wi-Fi connections yourself to help other travellers in your location.
XE Currency
XE Currency is one of the more robust currency converter apps available. It’s constantly being updated and offers live exchange rates for “every world currency and precious metals.” What’s neat is that it can store the most recent rates so you can access them if your device is offline. Also neat is Siri shortcut support. I use this app all the time.
