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Digital resources and tools can make your life easier as a traveller. It can help you stay prepared for any eventuality and explore a place in its entirety. The only bit of an issue is which tools and apps you should use to make your travel easier. Once you have a handy guide, it’s easier to travel with ease.
My aim today is to help you with exactly that. I’ll share with you some web tools which you should always keep handy to make your trip safe and enjoyable.
Web Tools for Travellers
1. Offline Maps
Most of the bigger cities and metropolitans around the world have uninterrupted Internet access. However, the same is not true about the countryside and smaller towns. Today, we are entirely reliant on maps and GPS to find the way to reach our destination. The problem is that when you don’t have seamless connectivity while traveling, it can be a hindrance to your plans.
That is why it’s sometimes better to opt for off-line maps. Most of the map services, including the most popular ones, allow you to download maps and refer to them without accessing the Internet. Some of these services are:
- Google Maps
- OpenStreetMap
- Maps.me
The dominant of the lot is Google maps which allows you to download maps for any region and store them off-line. When you have the maps handy, it’s easier for you to find your way around and also reach your destination on time.
2. Offline Translators
Online translators are a dime a dozen. However, you will face the same problem when you rely on online translators; When you don’t have a proper Internet connection, it’ll be difficult for you to get the translation. That’s why a much better option is to opt for off-line translators. The options which you have to include:
- Google translate
- Bing translate
- Jibbigo
- iTranslate
When downloading any translator app, it’s essential to look at the operating system compatibility and the size of the translator. That’s why it’s a good idea to choose the one which occupies little space. Once you set this as the criteria, it’s easier to pick the right one.
Pro Tip: Out of the above four, Bing translator is a good option. It offers multiple dictionaries each ranging between 30 MB to 40 MB.
3. Local Aggregator Apps
Aggregator apps can save the day for you when it comes to traveling. You need to download them in advance, however. It is essential to utilise the ones that have a significant amount of data for the destination which you are visiting. Some of the aggregator listing apps which you should have on your smartphone include:
- Yelp will help you search for local businesses like laundries, couriers, travel agents and also help you find the restaurants and hotels in no time.
- Tripadvisor is geared explicitly towards hotels as well as tourist destinations.
- Uber is present in 60 countries all over the world. It will allow you to arrange transport for yourself at any point in time.
- Google Flights allow you to explore the various flight options all over the world. It allows you to book a return flight as well as multi-city flights. It’s available in over 25 countries around the globe.
These are some of the aggregator listing apps I think you should have on your smartphone. They can help you plan your travel and also deal with last minute hotel bookings. Instead of being anxious about your reservations, it’s time to use technology to your advantage.
4. Cloud Storage
You’ll be taking your passport, visa papers and airline tickets with you when traveling abroad. However, there are a whole host of other documents which you might need in a foreign country. The best way is to keep these documents in cloud storage so that you can access them from anywhere in the world. Some of the documents which you should keep handy in cloud storage are:
- Driving license
- Employment record
- Bank statements
- Salary Slip
While some of them might not be required when you’re traveling, especially if you aren’t looking for work, it’s a good idea to keep them handy. Some of the cloud storage services which you can use are:
Cloud Storage Services
- Google Drive
- Microsoft OneDrive
- DropBox
- Apple iCloud
These trusted cloud storage services allow you to keep your documents safe and accessible at all times. Most of them offer limited free storage which means that you won’t have to pay for storing just a few photos as well.
Pro Tip: It’s a good idea to access these cloud storage accounts only from your smartphone or from your laptop. It’ll help you avoid any digital threats to these accounts.
So, if you’re planning to travel abroad pretty soon, it’s essential to use technology to your advantage. You can make your trip seamless with the help of technology. The above web tools and apps can help you get over the smaller hindrances of planning a trip abroad.
With these tools, it’s easier to have a safe trip with less anxiety. These tools can induce the fun back into traveling rather than just worrying about the different facets of your upcoming trip.
8 Tech Must Haves For Travellers
Author: Mark Meyer works as the content manager at Spokeo. His field of expertise includes business, time management, and self – improvement. In his spare time, he enjoys exploring new destinations with his family.
