
A few people have asked us about how we go about planning our trips and what sort of tools we use when we’re on the road. Lisa and I are big iPhone users but most of these tools are also available for Androids. Many of the apps are cloud-based so can also be accessed via a desktop computer or tablet.
In no particular order, here is our travel application hall of fame.
TripIt
We’ve been using the Tripit app since 2011 to keep all of our trip bookings – airfares, accommodation, day trips, restaurants etc – in the one place. You simply email your booking confirmation from hotels, airlines etc to your private TripIt account and the app automatically populates the booking details into your trip summary. Depending on your attitude towards data privacy you can further automate this process by giving the app permission to scan your inbox looking for travel related formats.
It is super handy to be able to just grab your phone to quickly access upcoming items on your trip, ie flight details, address and map of tour airbnb place to show a taxi driver etc, without having to search through your hand luggage for hard copy documents.
Trips can be shared with fellow travellers, and also with family and friends back home in case they need to keep track of your planned movements.
Get TripIt
Dropbox
We use it to save scanned copies of key documents such as our passports, credit cards, drivers licenses and travel insurance policies. I also have all of my cooking recipes stored there in case I want to cook up a feast while on the road.
Get Dropbox




Dashlane
Dashlane can be configured to automatically populate saved password fields when they are required on your phone or PC. There are mechanisms to provide emergency access to your passwords to next of kin if required.
There is also the facility to save ID information (passport details, drivers license etc) which comes in handy when booking flights on line.
Credit card information can also be securely stored, which can then be used to automatically populate payment fields for you on-line purchases.
Get Dashlane




We also use WhatsApp and Microsoft Messenger to message and call family and friends back home.
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Skype
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Currency
The Currency app lets you load in as many currencies as you want – simply key in the amount to be converted in the base currency and the app will do a real time conversion into all of your other currencies. If you’re off line it will use the rate table from the last time you were on line.
Get Currency




Bring
Case study – Lisa has gone out to do some shopping and I remember I need something else for tonight’s meal. I simply add the item to the Bring app and it will be on the list when she opens it at the supermarket.
Get Bring




Microsoft Translator or Google Translate
Simply brilliant apps for converting between any languages. Input via typing or voice or camera and get an almost instant translation in text and/or audio. I have both apps. I use the Microsoft one for day to day use and the Google one to do on-the-fly translations of restaurant menus etc. via the camera. It’s like living in the future!
Pro tip 1 – download your target language before you travel so you can access the app in offline mode.
Pro tip 2 – sometimes the apps work quicker in offline mode, particularly if your data connection is a bit sketchy. We sometimes switch our phones to Airplane Mode to force the app into offline mode rather than persevere with a flaky data connection.
Get Microsoft Translator




Get Google Translate




Duolingo or Babel
There is no excuse for not learning some common phrases to use on your holiday to a non English-speaking destination. Both of these language learning apps are solid and have free and paid versions. Lisa prefers Duolingo (she has a 300+ day streak going) while my feet are in the Babel camp.
Get Duolingo




Get Babel




Google Maps
Pro tip – save your accommodation address as a favourite location so you can easily navigate your way home from anywhere in the city.
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TripAdvisor
Keep in mind, not all travellers will share your own standards and expectations. (I’m looking at you, reviewers who complain about the lack of English-speaking staff or menus in non English-speaking countries).
Also be aware that while the #1 ranked restaurant in a town is probably great, it will definitely attract an inordinate number of tourists of the type who rely on TA reviews, and as such may not provide as authentic a dining experience as a well-rated place lower down the ratings.
But to be fair, TA has helped us find many great places we otherwise would have missed.
Get TripAdvisor




Uber
Note not all cities have Uber – check on-line before you travel to find out if Uber will be available at your destination.
Get Uber




Airbnb
We’ve been impressed with Airbnb’s response to the Coronavirus issues of 2020, with prompt adjustments to their refund policy which covered us for prepaid accommodation exposure we’d have otherwise been liable for.
Get Airbnb




Bill Splitter with Friends
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Let us know in the Comments section if there are any great travel apps we’ve missed.