Not all travel apps are created equal – some are far more useful and initiative than others. So we’ve pulled together a few of the best travel apps that will actually prove useful on your next trip.
App in the Air
App in the Air is everything you’ll ever need to stay on schedule during your trip. Manage your time at all major airports around the world by receiving weather updates, flight information and currency exchange rates. By breaking your journey into four stages (check-in, boarding, and take-off and landing times) you’ll have easy access to all your flight details – including a file of your important documents, such as boarding passes.
App in the Air even tells you were to find the best food at the airport and how to connect to free wifi. The app interface is straightforward and easy to use, making it efficient when you need access to essential information in a hurry.
Available for free on iOS and Android.
Duolingo
If you’re endeavouring to learn a few new phrases of a foreign language before your trip, Duolingo comes highly recommended. Used by 70 million people around the world, this app offers free online courses in languages such as French, German, Italian, Dutch, Irish and Portuguese.
Learning a new language with Duolingo is an interactive experience, which includes typing answers, translating text and sound, pronunciation practice and word games. You choose the difficulty level, and the lessons become tricker the further along you move in the course. You can also go back and retake any lessons again.
Available for free on iOS and Android.
Google Translate
Perhaps you gave learning a new language a red-hot go but have arrived at your destination far from fluent. In moments such as these, Google Translate is your friend. On a practical level, this translator tool can help you out of a bind when you’re ordering from a menu, reading a street sign or trying to communicate with the locals. Not only can you search and translate almost any word from 90 languages, the app also contains a nifty feature that allows you to take a photo of a menu or street sign for Google to instantly translate. There are also downloadable language packs to use offline, for when you’re travelling around a lot or don’t have access to free wifi.
Available for free on iOS and Android.
XE Currency
With over 40 million downloads since its launch, XE Currency is the best currency app going around. Wherever you are in the world, you’ll be able to convert the local currency, so you can track your spending. The app offers live proprietary exchange rates, rates for precious metals and historic currency charts. What’s more, recently updated rates are automatically stored in the app, meaning that even when you’re offline, you’ll have access to exchange information.
Available for free on iOS, Android and Blackberry.
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