9 Essential Travel Apps

When traveling, our smartphones are one of the greatest conveniences we have. There are plenty of travel apps to help with everything from real time directions to restaurant suggestions and packing assistance. However, with so many different travel apps, what should you download? To make things easy for you, here's a list of nine travel apps that might want to have on your phone while traveling.

Google Translate

Google Translate is one of the most essential apps you can have while traveling to a country where you don't speak the local language. Google Translate offers text translation for 108 different languages, photo and camera translation in 94 languages, and offline translation for 59 different languages. You can also translate handwriting and transcribe 8 languages in

near real-time.

Mobile Passport

Mobile passport streamlines your journey through customs (US and Canadian

passport holders). The app has a version that allows you to store your passport on the app and record your trip history. While the free version doesn't allow you to store your passport information for future use, you can enter it when you get to the airport and it will allow you to save time by by enabling you to access designated lanes in the inspection area at most major US airports and cruise ports.

MyTSA

MyTSA gives you 24/7 access to any information that you may need from the TSA. You

can quickly search for which items you're allowed to bring onto the airplane, check the weather and delay information at most major US airports, and get live assistance from AskTSA integration.

LoungeBuddy

This app allows American Express cardholders to purchase lounge access from wherever you are. All you have to do is browse through the list of airports on the app and purchase access to a lounge of your choice. And just like that, you're in! Unfortunately, this app is for iPhone users only at the moment.

Flightradar24

With Flightradar24, you can track airplanes and follow flights across the world in real-

time. An app like this is essential when your flight has been delayed or canceled, as you

can take a time-stamped screenshot of your delayed or canceled flight as proof for travel

insurance. This is also great for tracking flights of friends and family coming to visit you.

Citymapper

Citymapper is an app that makes city navigation easier. The app allows you to instantly

compare your travel options across all transport modes in real-time. It also includes

information on train and bus timetables.

Geocaching

This app allows you to join the world's largest treasure-hunting community. Geocaches

come in all sizes, and all you have to do is locate them. Geocaching adds an element of

exploration and adventure to your travels. The app has everything you need to start

your geocaching adventures, all you need to download it and explore!

Destination/Theme Specific Apps

Some apps are uniquely made to enhance your travel experience in a particular place.

For example, GOT NI gives you easy access to information on all the Game of

Thrones shooting locations and hand-carved doors throughout Northern Ireland. There

are many more destination-specific apps out there, and we even recommend a few of

them with certain travel itineraries.

Trip Plans

This app allows you to view a detailed itinerary from me, your travel advisor, on your phone.

You can find all your bookings, paperwork, real-time flight status, and contact information on

the app. All of your events scheduled for the day, along with any information about those events you may need will be available at the click of a button. The app comes with a chat feature that allows you to contact your me if any issues come up, or if you just want to check in. Trip Plans app also allows you to save your itineraries offline so that you have access to any information you need at all times.

Bonus! One more app I enjoy for travel is Whatsapp. Avoid those pesky charges when texting and sending photos to friends and family from anywhere in the world. All you need a Wi-Fi connection.

That's my list of travel apps you need to have on your phone while traveling! The only thing left for you to do is download them and share this list with your friends, family, or whoever you're traveling with!