Make your next vacay way better with these free travel apps.
Make your next vacay way better with these free travel apps.
Time Out
So you just dropped off your bags at the hotel and have no idea what to do. No worries: fire up this app, and it’ll give you a curated list of the best local bars, eateries and events to check out. Each listing comes with essential information like opening hours and ticket pricing, as well as a short write-up to help you decide if it’s your thing. Find something you like? Tap on the “heart” icon to save it for future reference and create a customised travel guide.
Google Translate
There are loads of translation apps out there, but we’re recommending this one for its nifty ability to translate printed text in real-time. See a street sign you don’t understand? Hold the app’s viewfinder over the sign, and the translation will appear on screen like magic. It also works on menus, so it’s a must-have when you go for that Tokyo food tour you’ve been planning.
XE Currency
XE is the go-to site for currency conversions, so it’s no surprise this app is super-popular among travelers. Besides being able to convert every world currency, it also works offline by saving the latest rates to your smartphone or tablet – great when you’re trying to save on data charges or heading to a place with limited connectivity.
Citymapper
Heading to a big city like New York, Paris or Seoul? Then get this transit app, stat. Available in more than 30 cities (including our own), Citymapper offers detailed journey planning information, so you can get about like a local. All you have to do is let the app know where you want to go, and it’ll suggest detailed steps to get to your destination, along with useful data like real-time bus and train times.
NEVER GET LOST
A map app is a godsend when you’re lost in a foreign city. But what if you’re stuck without a signal in the middle of nowhere? Thankfully, Google Maps lets you download maps for offline use. Here’s how:
1 Enter the name of the city you’re travelling to.
2 Touch the bar at the bottom, which has the name of the place you searched.
3 Tap “Download” and you’re done!
