1. Google Translate
Google Translate is a travel app that makes me really appreciate how far technology has come. While in Ecuador I had an entire romantic relationship with someone who spoke a different language than me, and I owe it all to Google translate (and a couple of my bilingual friends). Of course, the app is also useful for more mundane things like talking to bus drivers and ordering food.
2. Google Maps
Google Maps is crucial for someone like me who gets lost in her own backyard let alone in a foreign country. It also has an amazing feature where you can download your route or general area if you aren’t splurging on an out-of-country data plan. However, it is more than just a GPS. I use Google Maps to create lists and mark places I either have been to and loved or, places I want to add to my bucket list.
3. Hostelworld
I’ve previously mentioned Hostel World in my Making Friends post, but here it is again. There’s no point in searching for hostels in any other way because they’re all in this one place. Each hostel’s rating is broken up into different parts: location, cleanliness, staff, facilities, atmosphere, security, and value for money. There are also tons of reviews from real people, so before arriving at a new place you’re already confident it will be an enjoyable experience. The app also has a community zone where you can interact and meet fellow travelers.
“When you travel you’re forced to have new thoughts. “Is this alley safe?” “Is this the right bus?” “Was this meat ever a house pet?” It doesn’t even matter what the new thoughts are, it feels so good to just have some variety. And it’s a reboot for your brain. I can feel the neurons making new connections again with new problems to solve, clawing their way back to their nimbler, younger days.”
― What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding
4. Hopper
I love using Hopper to look for flights because you don’t have to be exact with your dates. Hopper will show you a calendar view that is color coordinated based on when it is cheapest, moderate, and most expensive to fly. Even if I don’t buy my flight via Hopper I always start my search with it. That way I can decide the best time of the year to go on my trip.
5. Visited
Visited is a fun app I recently discovered. It’s pretty straightforward, but it allows you to keep track of the different countries, cities, and experiences you have been to or had. It is basically a digital version of a push-pin map. It also calculates the percentage of the world that you have seen and where you rank with other travelers.
