Must-Have Apps When Travelling Abroad

*This is a collaborative post on must-have apps when travelling abroad

About to hit the road for a new adventure? Excellent choice. But with all that freedom of choice comes the need to stay organised, connected, and most importantly, safe. Luckily, there’s a plethora of apps designed to streamline your journey and enhance your experience. But sometimes it’s hard to see the forest for the trees, so here are a few must-haves for you.

Essential travel documents and health

The days of bulky travel folders are long gone. Apps like Doc Scanner and Adobe Scan allow you to scan and store vital documents like passports, visas, and vaccination certificates securely on your phone.

For managing your health information, consider MyChart which connects to your healthcare provider’s records – or the NHS app for accessing medical records and booking appointments.

Are you travelling with travel insurance? Your provider will also usually have an app for easy access to policy details and contact information in case of emergencies.

Must-have apps for managing your money

Staying on budget is essential, especially for long-term travel. XE Currency provides real-time exchange rates and currency conversion calculators to help you track your spending. Budgeting apps like Mint or You Need A Budget (YNAB) allow you to create spending plans, track transactions, and stack financially organised throughout your trip. Having a travel-friendly credit card can also offer a lot of benefits, especially when it provides an app to manage your spending, track transactions and build your credit score at the same time.

Sending money internationally can be expensive. Consider online money transfer services like Wise or WorldRemit for transparent fees and competitive exchange rates.

Staying connected and safe

Unless you’re planning a digital detox, you most likely want to stay in touch with loved ones back home and the best way to do it is via free international messaging and calls over Wi-Fi (but make sure you know how to safely use it). For affordable data plans, research local mobile operators or consider purchasing a travel sim card with international roaming packages. 

Safety should be a top priority. Download the travelsmart app from the UK government for essential travel advice, including safety alerts and embassy contact information for various destinations.

Must-have apps for navigating your way

Getting lost can add an element of adventure, but sometimes you just need to know where you’re going. Google Maps remains a must-have, especially thanks to its detailed offline maps and turn-by-turn navigation for exploring new cities and navigating public transport.

For planning longer journeys or exploring car-dependent regions, consider Rome2Rio. This app allows you to compare travel options across various modes of transport, including trains, buses, and flights – helping you find the most budget-friendly route. And an app like AllTrails will help you find the perfect hike.

Enhancing your travel experience

Travelling isn’t just about landmarks; it’s about immersing yourself. Find hidden gems and authentic experiences with TripAdvisor, providing user reviews and recommendations for activities, or Eatwith, which can connect you with locals for unique home-cooked meals.

Learning a few basic phrases in the local language with Memrise is always fun and Eventbrite or Meetup can help you explore local events and festivals and make the most of your time in each destination.

Which apps you want and need depends of course on the type of holiday or travel you plan on doing. So don’t shy away to research a bit more targeted. Remember, this is just a starting point!