Best Travel Apps
Don't Leave For Your Vacation This Summer Without These Apps On Your Phone
There's no doubt that the Internet has really impacted the way we travel, and I don't just mean having wi-fi on planes now.The Internet gives us an almost endless supply of information on destinations, flights and accommodation that is accessible from practically anywhere in the world — it's hard to imagine how anyone managed to travel back in ye old days (a.k.a prior to the mid-1990s).
In this day and age, mobile apps for smartphones and tablets are taking charge, making travel in a foreign country as simple as walking a few blocks to grab some bread and milk from your local supermarket. Here are six apps to test drive the next time you book a trip.
Ski Run
Available For: iOS
If you're gearing up for some time on the slopes and you're a lover of information overkill, then Ski Run is an absolute must while pummeling the pow pow on your next trip. This app is able to punch out some serious graphs and statistics about your time on the mountain, including speed, altitude, maximum slope angle and distance covered — not to mention a great map featuring all of your runs throughout your slope sessions. Get It: Ski Run
XE Currency Converter
Available For: iOS, Android, Blackberry
Knowing the exchange rate on foreign soil is almost as necessary as knowing how to order a beer in the local language. The XE Currency Converter app allows you to quickly calculate prices on your device and stores the last updated rates, so it even works when you're offline. It's a godsend. Get It: XE Currency Converter
Kamino
Available For: iOS
Having local knowledge on your side when it comes to experiencing a city abroad seriously can't be beaten. Kamino is just that. Simply type in your city of interest and pick one of the many walking tours created by locals and experts for newcomers to enjoy and experience the best of what a city can offer, while getting off the generic tourist trails. Get It: Kamino
Ulmon Mobile City Guides
Available For: iOS, Android
Nothing makes you more of an easy target on streets than looking like a stereotypical tourist, wielding an oversize street map and an expensive camera dangling around your neck. Ulmon allows you to download free and highly detailed maps of the world's most popular cities, that can also be used offline (without wi-fi or global roaming). All of the downloadable maps are under 20 mb in size, meaning they won't chew your device's precious storage space. Each map also includes a plethora of cafés, bars, eateries and attractions — to be visited at your leisure. Get It: Ulmon City Guides
Entrain
Available For: iOS, Android
Developed by researchers at Michigan University, Entrain assists anyone changing time zones by helping you to regulate your internal body clock through custom schedules of light and dark to avoid the dreaded jet-lag when you touch down in your destination of choice. Taking the guesswork out of preparing yourself for the flight and the time-zone difference, this clever little app means that you won't be at the mercy of your internal clock when you arrive at your final destination, allowing you to get straight out there and enjoy your next adventure. Get It: Entrain
Google Translate
Available For: iOS, Android
For the non-multilinguals, Google has come to the technological rescue yet again, releasing updates to their mobile Translate app, which now enables you to interpret languages abroad in real-time. The app automatically detects and translates languages being spoken, and the new Word Lens function uses your device's camera to translate signs and text into your native language. Google Translate can now interpret 36 languages, and Google says that they're working to expand to include more languages. Get It: Google Translate
What about you? What must-have apps do you depend on when you go traveling? Let us know in the comments!