When you’re on the road, you need to be able to find your way, stay in touch with home, and keep your personal information safe. These five apps will help ensure you’re prepared for life’s adventures.
A VPN
If you’re in a country with restricted internet access, or if you just don’t trust notoriously dodgy public wifi networks, this app by ExpressVPN is the perfect tool.
A virtual private network (VPN) is used to secure and encrypt all your internet traffic so that it’s harder for others to see what you’re doing online. A VPN can also help improve performance by acting as a middleman between you and any websites or services that require it, such as US Netflix while you’re away.
Plus, you can use a VPN to access country-specific deals before you travel. Try turning your VPN on and connecting to a server in your destination country, then booking flights and hotels.
Trail Wallet
The Trail Wallet app is a great way to keep track of your spending. It lets you know how much money you have in your account and alerts you when it’s time to pay for your lodgings or food.
This can be especially helpful if the app knows where you are (based on the location services on your phone) and suggests places nearby where someone might want to stay.
You can also use Trail Wallet as an ATM card, so if there’s an emergency situation that requires cash right away—like needing gas because yours ran out—you don’t have to worry about not having any cash on hand!
Uber
If you’re a frequent Uber user in your own city, then you probably already know how much of a lifesaver it can be when you need a ride. But if this is your first time using the app, or if you’re only familiar with it through the experiences of friends and family back home, here are some reasons to start using Uber on your next trip:
It’s available in many countries around the world
Uber is available in more than 10,000 cities worldwide. This means that wherever your travels take you, there will likely be an Uber driver nearby who can pick you up and get you where you need to go.
It’s an alternative to taxis or other forms of public transportation
Taxis are convenient when they’re readily available—but what happens if there aren’t any? With Uber at hand, these problems become non-issues: just open up the app and request a ride whenever and wherever it suits your needs. You’ll never have trouble getting somewhere again!
Airbnb
Founded in 2008 by Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia, two Rhode Island School of Design graduates who couldn’t afford the rent on their San Francisco loft, Airbnb lets homeowners rent rooms in their houses to travelers.
Today, there are more than two million listings on Airbnb across 191 countries, with over 60 million guests staying at one during their holidays. And rooms in houses are just the beginning; try a houseboat on an Amsterdam canal, a treehouse, a bamboo hut, or a fancy glamping tent.
Google Maps
Google Maps is a fantastic tool when traveling because not only can it help you navigate a new city, but it can also help you plan your trip. Google Maps will point out important places like museums or monuments so that you don’t miss anything interesting.
You can also use Google Maps to search for hotels, restaurants, bars, and clubs near your current location; great if it’s late at night and all the restaurants have closed up shop, but there’s still one place open where everyone goes after dark!
Every traveler needs a good VPN, a way to pay for things, and an app to find accommodation. Google Maps is by far the best navigation app out there, and Uber is the easiest way to get around town. With these digital tools, it’s happy travels no matter where you are.
