By: Sakina Ghayyur
Preparing for a trip these days isn’t just about packing a suitcase and finding your boarding pass. The internet is full of great tools you can use to navigate, translate, handle money, and transportation. Especially if you are headed to a new place and are unsure of what to expect, having a few apps to support you can make things a lot less confusing and stressful. But which of these apps are really worth the storage space? Before you head to the airport, make sure you have these five essential apps ready to use:
1. Airalo (or a Local eSIM App)
When traveling, roaming fees can quickly add up. Airalo is an app through which you can buy affordable eSIM’s and data plans for different countries directly from your phone.
“It’s easy to install and convenient for important phone calls you have to make upon landing. Install a day before departure and enjoy uninterrupted service upon entry,” shared Christine Johnson who uses Airao when travelling.
So instead of hunting for overpriced SIM cards when you get to the airport, you can activate the eSIM before you land. You can also purchase eSIM’s from local carries before your trip and activate them before you get there depending on where you are traveling to.
2. Google Maps
This is the ultimate travel must-have. Whether locally or in a new country, Google Maps can help you with more than just directions; it shows public transit options, restaurant reviews, walking routes and times, and even busy hours for attractions. One of its most useful features for when you are travelling is offline maps. You can download a city map before you leave and use directions without Wi-Fi or data, which makes things a lot easier for travelling.
3.Wise
When you land in a new place, figuring out where you are going to exchange money from can become a complicated process. It can sometimes be confusing and expensive, especially when you don’t know the right places to do it. Wise is an app that helps you send, receive, and convert money at real exchange rates and without any extra fees. It’s a good way to avoid high foreign transaction charges when traveling internationally, and it helps you keep track of all your spending and conversions.
4. SayHi
When traveling to a foreign place, language can sometimes be the biggest barrier, but SayHi makes translation and communication much easier. The app has real-time voice translation, users can speak into their phone and have their words translated instantly into another language. SayHi can help whether you are trying to order a meal or ask someone for directions without making it awkward or having any misunderstandings.
5. Rome2rio
Getting from one place to another in a new country can be an intimidating process. Rome2rio is an app that shows you every possible transportation option (flights, trains, buses, ferries, and driving routes) and the estimated costs and travel times. Unfortunately, it is easy to get scammed when taking transportation in new places when you don’t know the language or the city, so apps like this can help you navigate safely.
Travel can be unpredictable, but using apps like these to help you prepare can make a huge difference. These five apps will help you navigate, communicate, manage money, stay connected, and plan your trip efficiently, ultimately leading to a smooth journey.
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