On a daily basis I witness tourists meandering around Piccadilly Circus with an oversized map in hand and a confused look on their faces.
Every time I see this it makes me grateful to have a smart phone full of lifesaving travel apps that make globetrotting just that little bit easier
Citymapper
Your new best friend in London and helpful navigator in New York, Paris, Berlin, Washington DC, Boston, Madrid and Barcelona. Underground, over ground, metro or bus this app will get you from A to B.
Offering rain safe modes while outlining the journey distance and time it recommends the best modes to get to your destination.
This app also has a sense of humour, offering alternative transport such as “jetpack” or “catapult”. Sadly, these aren’t available just yet but Citymapper likes to keep its options open!
HOSTELWORLD.com
Pefect for the younger, solo or budget traveller, Hostelworld can book backpacker hostels around the world with a touch of a button.
It has an excellent rating system based on traveller reviews so let the reviews do the talking and steer well clear of any dodgy accommodation deals.
TripAdvisor
The internet’s rating forum on nearly everything! This app is a must-have if you’re a foodie or just someone that likes to plan ahead. No one wants food poisoning on the road so these helpful forums allow you to find the best eating spots in each city. The app also rates accommodation and shares experiences on tourist activities saving you from any tourist traps!
Duolingo
Off to experience South America for a few months? Then Duolingo can help. Move over phrasebooks, this handy app will have you speaking a native tongue in no time and for free!
An interactive app that is perfect for plane rides and those never ending train and bus journeys. Duolingo offers Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, German and Dutch lessons. It is a fun way to learn a language and slightly addictive.
Viber
Keeping in touch with friends and family when overseas has never been easier. Viber offers free texting, calls and picture sharing to other Viber users and is an easier messaging system than Skype.
Google Maps
Avoid being ‘that’ person with the oversized map! While you are using WIFI, pre-load Google maps for to your next destination, maybe even map the area of your accommodation. The GPS locater on Google maps still works when WIFI isn’t connected so if your map has been loaded, follow the little blue locator beacon and fold that map away.
Australia Post Postcards
Everyone loves finding a postcard among their daily mail pile of bills and junk. For a small fee, the Australia Post Postcards app helps you create and send personalised postcards. Choose your own photo and type your message. You can even send it to multiple friends or family so need to re-write the same travel update over and over.
This is definitely a way to get in the grandparent good books!
Cheapflights
From one destination to the next, our very own Cheapflights app can help you book low-cost flights from the palm of your hand! It also helps find the quickest route across hundreds of airlines and travel partners. Perfect for the traveller on the go and maybe feeling torn about where to head next.
Featured image by Giuseppe Milo
