Six popular travel apps to help you travel the world

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Six Popular Travel Apps

Here are our top six travel apps! We’re constantly looking to technology – smartphones in particular – to make our lives easier. Anyone moving or travelling abroad 10 years ago, for example, would have been much more limited in terms of what they could learn about a new environment. With a long list of services and an abundance of content at our fingertips, we’re now more prepared than ever for adventuring into the not-so-unknown.

Written for Expat Network by Tom Wilkinson, CEO, AXA – Global Healthcare

Apps in particular can be helpful for people who are travelling internationally. With over 2 million in circulation for Apple users and 2.1 million for Android, apps can make travelling the globe, getting to know a new area and keeping in touch with friends and family at home a much smoother experience.

With so many to choose from though, it can be difficult to find the perfect app. To help narrow your search, here are some of our expat community’s favourites.

1. Instagram

Instagram is not only one of the most popular social networking apps out there, but it’s also a great place to find ideas and inspiration from other travellers. I’m not just talking about the plethora of travel influencers that you could follow, though. The geolocation tagging function is particularly helpful when you’re exploring a new area, allowing you to see what others in the same place have been enjoying.

2. Google Translate

There are plenty of translation apps to choose from, but for many, Google Translate is the go-to option. With the ability to type in what you want to say or to simply speak into the translator, you can easily communicate in the local language. You could even take a photograph of a confusing menu or street sign, and the app will translate the text for you within the photograph.

3. Skyscanner Travel Deals

Traditionally a search engine for flights, Skyscanner has now created a full-blown travel app. With cheap flights, hotels, train tickets and car hire on offer in over 30 languages, Skyscanner makes it much easier to travel the world. You can even set up ‘price alerts’, to receive notifications if the price changes on your favourite flights. This is not only useful for regular travellers, but also for those who are living in another country and want the option of booking affordable flights home at short notice.

4. WhatsApp

With more than 1 billion people using WhatsApp around the world, the number one social networking app is a clear favourite among travellers. In some countries, call minutes and texts can be incredibly expensive, so the fact that WhatsApp works entirely using data or Wi-Fi is particularly helpful. Throw in the ability to set up group chats, and it’s perfect for keeping family and friends up to date with photos, videos and news from your globe-trotting adventures.

5. XE Currency

When on an extended stay abroad, it’s highly likely that you’ll be making some significant purchases, or at least exploring the local shopping scene. But if everything’s priced in a different currency than the one you’re paid in, it can be difficult to know if you’re overspending, especially as exchange rates fluctuate multiple times a day. The XE Currency app gives you live rates, so you can calculate exactly how much cash you’re spending. It even updates whenever you’re online to give you the most accurate rate when you’re without internet access.

6. UVI Mate

If you’re planning on visiting – or even moving to – a country that sees a little more sun than your homeland, the UVI Mate app can keep you safe from burning. With a UV forecast and an indicator of how long you might be able to spend outdoors without burning, this handy app will even remind you to take sunscreen out with you if you’re likely need it.

Moving Abroad Checklist

Initial Considerations

Will your partner be travelling with you?

If so, what will they be giving up in your present home and will they be able to continue with their career in your new home? You will need to check whether a separate visa is required for your partner to work or if your visa gives that right. If they are unable to work you will need to decide on the effect on your finances and what alternatives are available to give a fulfilling life (home business, training, voluntary work).

Are you taking family with you?

Moving with family raises many exciting opportunities, but also can create challenges. The HSBC Expat Explorer survey indicates that expat kids can take six months to settle in to their new country (see article). Getting young or even older children to prepare to move and leave their friends and family behind can be a challenge and should be thought through.

The options for education is another area that needs to be thought through.

Moving your child to a new country with a different education system can be a great opportunity to broaden their experience, but if they are close to key exams the timing can make this inadvisable. If you do take your family with you, it is important to decide between joining the local school system or choosing an international school.

Where will you be living?

Whether you will be living in a house or apartment, furnished or unfurnished, these decisions will affect what you need to take with you. The time you are planning to live overseas will also affect whether you should leave your property at home empty, rent it out or sell it. See the article Sell, Store or Ship.