I travel all the time internationally, and I am always looking for better ways to do things. I’ve talked to hundreds of friends and executives to get their tips and tricks on how to travel better. With electronics being a big part of international travel these days, what are the best apps? As soon as I write this, I know most of these apps will be out of date. However, here are some of my favorites*:
- Language obstacles – Google translate – simply invaluable. I do more business in Brazil than I do in China, and I don’t speak Portuguese. This has helped more times than I can count.
- For communications – Skype. (it’s an oldie but a goodie) If you’re in China “WeChat” is tough to beat, and there is always WhatApp to consider.
- For booking travel – Kayak. (my friend Ira Bloom turned me onto this, and I’ve never turned back) Simple to use and offers the best pricing around. I love there alerts too.
- Managing travel – Tripit. Simple and easy way to manage your hotels, rentals, flights etc. All your travel info in one place!
- Currency converter – XE currency. I like this one, but there’s dozens of others. It keeps the guesswork out of what things really cost.
- Organization – Evernote. Great place to keep notes, clippings, ideas, and or just journal. However, I am finding my self using my iphone’s notive notes app more and more (just too easy not to use)
- Weather – Weather Channel. Best comprehensive weather app I found.
- Dining – FoodSpotting. I have not used this very much, but it comes highly recommended by many domestic and international travelers.
- Wifi — Free Wifi Finder (an ios app). Nothing worse than needing wifi and not being able to find anything, and then you have to pay those expensive overseas rates (ouch!)
I hope you find these apps helpful when you are globe-trotting. When you travel overseas you need every advantage you can get. I am confident several of these apps will work great for you! If you have any apps you simply love please let me know. Safe Travels! * FYI, I tried to choose apps that work on ALL devices (and sync with your personal computer).
May I also recommend a great travel app for international travel? Try Simply Declare, managing my purchases for my return home is always stressful and I find this a most helpful tool.
By: Frannie Williams on April 10, 2015
at 12:46 am
Frannie, I will definitely try it on my next trip. Thanks!
By: changholt on April 23, 2015
at 9:57 pm
I would also add a good navigational app Spyglass. It works great when offline, assuming that you pre-download the maps that you need in advance. It shows your accurate coordinates and your current position on a map, allows to mark locations and waypoints, share your locations with friends and much more.
https://itunes.apple.com/app/spyglass/id332639548?mt=8&at=11lLc7&ct=c
By: daydreamer on April 10, 2015
at 11:15 am
If that works internationally, that would be great when I am in China. Thanks.
By: changholt on April 23, 2015
at 9:58 pm
Reblogged this on Luke Webster's Blog.
By: Luke Webster on April 17, 2015
at 1:27 pm
Thanks Luke!
By: changholt on April 23, 2015
at 9:57 pm
Great post 😃
By: the #1 Itinerary on April 30, 2019
at 9:46 am
wonderful post. It is difficult to find the best app for travel booking.
By: Daniel Wilson on July 11, 2019
at 10:13 am