In 2002, I took my first trip overseas to study abroad in England. Smart phones didn’t exist. Texting wasn’t even a thing yet. While the nostalgic part of me misses the days of paper maps and film cameras, smart phones do make travel and life a lot easier.
I’ve been on the road almost nonstop for over a year and keep trying new apps to simplify my travels and life. Here’s a recap of my current favorite travel apps – almost all of them are free, available on all phone platforms and have web versions!
1. XE Currency Converter (Free)
XE is my favorite currency app. It allows you to add up to 10 currencies and switch easily been them. The best part is that it even works offline using the last updated rate. I use this all the time to check the cost of things to make sure I’m not overspending. TIP: If you have the option to pay in different currencies, check the rate for both to see which is cheaper. It’s almost always cheaper to pay in the local currency.
XE Currency Converter app is FREE and even works offline with the last updated rate. It’s saved in a lot during the last month in Vietnam.
2. Maps.me (Free)
The offline GPS app Maps.me is a must-have for all hikers and anyone traveling to areas without phone service. Simply download a map of where you are going, and the app will help you navigate efficiently without phone service. It allows you to create and edit routes, which many hikers share online. Read the app user guide before using in remote locations. Another highlight is that the app is completely free—no in-app purchases!
I used Maps.me to map all the places we stopped on my Mongolia trip back in August. It’s a great, customizable offline map tool.
3. 1Password (Monthly fee)
1Password is my favorite app of all time even when I’m not traveling. The app securely stores and organizes all your passwords in one place. It’s easily searchable for what you need. I keep EVERYTHING in it – bank details, frequently flyer accounts and email passwords. It syncs across devices easily and is very secure. You use one password to open the app. (TIP: Use a password that you’ve never used elsewhere.) I use it to copy and paste my credit card number when shopping online. While the app isn’t free, it’s inexpensive – $2.99/month or $4.99 for a family of 5. There’s a free 30-day trail. (Full disclosure: I got this app for free through my old job five years ago so I don’t pay for it.)
I’ve used 1Password for years to manage passwords, bank accounts and loyalty programs. It’s secure and allows you to copy and paste numbers for online shopping.
4. Skyscanner
For flights, Skyscanner is my favorite search engine. It shows all major U.S. airlines and many budget airlines that other searches exclude like Southwest. It also has an option to show prices for the month to let you choose the cheapest day to fly. You can also search by regions. While I use Skyscanner for searches, I prefer to book directly through the airline instead of third party websites. That way if there are issues with the flight, I don’t have to go through the third-party and can go diredlty through the airline.
Skyscanner is the best flight search engine because it includes budget airlines that other search engines exclude.
5. Klook
I’ve used Klook to buy discounted admission tickets and transportation options online across the world. It saved me roughly $10 on entry to Gardens by the Bay in Singapore and $13 on the cable car to the big Buddha in Hong Kong. I’ve also used it for private transfers in Vietnam. The best part of the app is that you get points for each purchase and points for reviews that can be redeemed for money off your next purchase. Overall, I’m a big fan because it saves me money and I never had to stand in line at popular attractions. For $4 off your first purchase, use my referral code here!
I discovered KLOOK in Hong Kong for discount admission tickets. It’s one of my favorite apps because it allows me to skip ticket lines!
6. WhatsApp (Free)
The chances are high that you are already using WhatsApp. If not, then you need to download this text and voice message app NOW. The app is owned by Facebook and works across all phone platforms and locations. It’s a great way to connect with friends and even business when you are traveling. In South America, I used it to make dinner reservations. In places where you have to pay for internet, What’s App is often free to use without payment.
7. Skype (Free)
I’ve been using Skype for years and it’s the most useful tool when you are traveling. You can call other Skype numbers for free and pay a small fee per minute to call overseas. Here’s the best part – American’s can call toll-numbers in the U.S. for FREE with Skype, which is important if you ever need to call your bank from abroad or any type of customer service. I literally do this all the time. (I also use it to call the 24-hour Walgreens pharmacy in the U.S. when I’m sick abroad and want to double check medications.) You can also pay a small monthly fee ($6.50 USD) for a phone number through Skype so people can call you no matter where you are. I did this recently for one month when I was launching my book project then canceled it after the month ended. I also use this to text my mom, who still has a flip phone. While she can’t text back, it allows me to let her know I arrived at my destination safely so she won’t worry.
Skype is the best app for making calls while abroad. I use it for business calls all the time.
8. Ebates (Free)
Ebates is one of the new tricks I discovered last year to save money on travel. (I’ve saved almost $70 in the last 12 months on it!) It’s a cash back app and website that’s simple to use. When you shop online, go to their website and use their referral link for a percentage back on the purchase. The money is put directly in your PayPal account four times a year. To keep your spending in check, only use this site to buy things you are planning to buy anyways. I use it for everything from renewing my website domain on GoDaddy.com to buying clothes to booking accommodation through Booking.com for my travels. This app will save you money even if you aren’t traveling!
There’s a great sign up bonus – a $10 Target or Walmart gift card after your first purchase of $25 or more. Use this referral link for the offer: ebates.com/r/AMAZ812
I made almost $70 last year from purchases I made through Ebates! Even if you aren’t traveling, this app will save you money.
9. Booking.com
I’ve started using Booking.com for all of my accommodation reservations for the past year. This was partly inspired by the Ebates cash back benefit I mentioned above. Plus, Booking.com offers a discount of 10 percent on select properties if you book five stays in less than two years, which I use a lot. They also price match other websites and offer free cancelation (with some limits). Pro tip: Sign up with my referral link for $25 off your first $50 booking. Then, refer any friends you are traveling with so you both save $25 when they book accommodation in the next city on your itinerary!
I’ve booked nearly all of my accommodation through Booking.com for over a year. Sign up and get $25 off your first booking with this link!
10. Genius Scan (Free)
This PDF-scanner app is super helpful. It allows you to photograph anything – receipts, maps, brochures—and make a PDF file from the documents. It’s the best for tracking expenses for business travel. You can take photos through the app or import them from the camera roll on your phone. I find it useful for both tracking receipts when I travel and sending them to Dropbox. I also use it photograph brochures to reduce my paper usage.
While this may not look organized, Genius Scan does help me sort my receipts for my taxes and banking. I export them to DropBox as a backup.
11. Postagram (Free;$1.60-$2/postcard)
I’ve spent countless hours on trips writing postcards to friends and family. It’s time consuming, but everyone appreciates real mail. Then, I started to notice that stamps were more than $1 each and many of my postcards from far flung places weren’t arriving at all. That’s when I started using the Postagram app to send printed postcards using my photos. The app allows you to customize the background design and colors. The most important feature is that it allows you to schedule delivery date so I never miss a birthday or holiday. While I still send real postcards when I can, Postagram has been the next best option. The cards start at $2 each but decrease in price if you buy in bulk. International locations cost $3 a card and delivery times vary. The printing quality is excellent.
This is a postcard I sent my Aunt with one of my own photos of my globetrotting gnome, Alfred. I’m a big fan of the Postagram app and how you can customize everything including delivery dates so I never miss a birthday!
12. Hoopla
Hoopla is an online platform that allows you to read eBooks and listen to audiobooks for free with your public library membership across North America. It also works on web browsers. I use it a lot for travel guides and audiobooks when I travel. There’s a monthly limit for the amount of books you can check out that varies based on your library membership. I get four per month from my Austin, Texas library. This is also great to use when you are at home.
I read a lot more books thanks to the Hoopla app and my public library membership.
13. Grab
Grab is the Uber of Southeast Asia. (They literally bought out Uber.) It covers Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Myanmar and the Philippines. It works very similar to Uber and Lyft except there is an option for a cheaper motorbike taxi. (The motorbike taxi provides a helmet for all passengers.) Aside from rush hour in major cities like Bangkok, it’s a much more affordable and convenient option. Use code GRABTRAVELANNA for a discount off your first ride!
Grab is the Uber of Southeast Asia and the cheapest form of transport aside from walking. Use the code GRABTRAVELANNA for a discount off your first ride.
14. TripIt
I just started using TripIt to organize my reservations for accommodation and flights a few weeks ago. Overall, it’s been really helpful for this long-term trip. All of my confirmation numbers and details for the reservation are available in the app so I don’t have to search through my emails.
This is my travel schedule in Vietnam from earlier this month in TripIt.
15. Google Translate (Free)
Google Translate has been a lifesaver on my current Asia trip. Since SIM cards are cheap, I’ve had data in every country. I simply type a phrase and show it to my taxi driver or anyone I need to communicate with. It also lets you save phrases to use later. There’s a camera option so you can translate labels, which is helpful if you’re trying to find lotion that doesn’t have whitening cream in it in Asia. (It’s nearly impossible in Vietnam.) My favorite app in Spanish speaking countries is SpanishDICT, it allows you to translate phrases and also provides conjugations.
Sometimes even simple questions need to be translated.
16. Dollarbird (Free)
Dollarbird is a free expense tracking app that I use to track my spending on my travels. It can be used for your regular budgeting. I make custom categories and manually add my expenses. It’s provides a running balance summary and allows you to export the data to a spreadsheet. (I only use it to track expenses, not income.) I used it to create the charts in my previous blog post about the real cost of travel, where I tracked my expenses for a seven-month South America trip.
These are my expenses from Chiang Mai, Thailand for the month of December. I’ve used Dollarbird for years to track my spending when I travel.
17. Splitwise (Free)
I wish I’d discovered this app sooner! This is the easiest way to split expenses with friends. You add items and can easily select the people and amount (full amount, half, percentage, etc.) you are owed. It keeps track and allows you to settle via PayPal or on your own. The only caveat is that if you add expenses in different currencies it won’t convert them to a single currency for you. It will just give you a balance for each currency separately.
This is a screenshot of expense from a Portugal trip with three friends.
BONUS APP: If you’re traveling anywhere in Asia, then I recommend the free AirVisual app to check the air quality. It uses sources from government agencies to tell you the current air quality. It’s really helpful in places with pollution (India) or burning seasons like Chiang Mai where you might need to wear masks!
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COMING UP NEXT
Photo Guide to Mongolia
In my next post, I’ll share a day-by-day photo breakdown of my Mongolia trip. This trip was the highlight of 2018 for me.
(Hint: There will be lots of CAMELS!)
