If there’s one thing that I love being: it is prepared. As someone who finds themself traveling alone, I am completely responsible for myself it is important that I prepare for it. I thought it would be helpful to share some apps that make my adventures a lot more seamless and helps me prepare for my trips. Here are 5+ apps that every traveler should have download it on their phone before they take their flight:
6 Apps You Should Download Before Traveling Full Time
My LastPass
One of the best recommendations I can make is creating a profile with My LastPass. My LastPass has been a lifesaver with remembering all of my emails and password across multiple platforms. I am no longer spending time trying to remember passwords and struggling to reset them when I’m trying to get into my own accounts. If you’re managing all of your travel contact information as well as your login credentials for working remotely, I recommend keeping track with My LastPass so you don’t forget anything.
As someone who was just writing my emails and passwords on a piece of paper, I avoided password managers because I thought that they were suspicious or the trustworthy ones cost money, discovering LastPass has been such a game changer for me. I’m only using the free membership and all my needs are met and I also don’t have to worry about transporting a dirty piece of paper that I’ve used to write all of my information down.
Download My LastPass in the App Store. | Download My LastPass in the Play Store.
Lens (from Google Translate)
Google Translate is another favorite of mine, especially with the Google Lens feature. As someone who doesn’t always know the language of the space they are in, Google Translate has allowed me to navigate foreign areas with some autonomy. One of my favorite features that the Google Translate app includes is Google Lens which uses your camera to photograph and translate anything.
The biggest improvement with this app has honestly been being able to understand what I’m ordering in restaurants! As someone who likes to stay in places that appear more local, that means those menus aren’t always translated into a language that you understand – understandable. Using the app to translate allows you to try new things while knowing if it’s within any dietary restrictions you have.
Download Google Translate in the App Store. | Download Google Translate in the Play Store.
Audible
Another great app to have on your phone is Audible (or any other reading medium that you feel comfortable with.) As someone who likes to have both physical and digital copies so that I can continue reading anywhere, having an Audible membership has allowed me to consistently check out what’s in my library instead of waiting until I come across another physical book.
I believe one of the biggest benefits of platforms like audible is that you get to consume literature even when you’re in transitional spaces that wouldn’t allow you to focus on words in a book comfortably. There may be a time where you find yourself feeling carsick, you might not be able to focus on the words on the page, or even the lighting conditions don’t work in your favor; that is when listening to a book would be a great alternative.
Download Audible in the App Store. | Download Audible in the Play Store.
WhatsApp is another app that I recommend downloading before you actually need it. Although WhatsApp might not feel super popular within the United States, WhatsApp is one of the biggest messaging platforms in the world. As you start traveling and navigating spaces with digital nomads, vacation excursions, or even personal tours/drivers you’ll find the need to download WhatsApp sooner rather than later to reach them.
For those of you with international Virtual Assistants, you may especially find useful the feature that allows you to send a video call link to someone through the WhatsApp platform. This means you, and all of the people that help your brand, can end up on one video call without worrying about if you have an iPhone or an Android.
Download WhatsApp in the App Store. | Download WhatsApp in the Play Store.
Google Drive (Or any Cloud Backup Storage)
It’s always a great idea to have backup digital copies of all your important travel documents. I do so by scanning those documents with my phone, then uploading those label files into my Google Drive. If the worst happens and my identifying information is lost or stolen, I am able to prove that I am who I say I am in a more timely manner than someone who has no proof.
Remember that it is not just important to scan your documents, but to back up those files on an outside source. There is no use with having a whole bunch of scanned documents on the same device that was stolen, you need to store the information elsewhere. Google Drive is a great alternative because most of us already have Google emails and the space is free.
Download Google Drive in the App Store. | Download Google Drive in the Play Store.
Google Maps
Google Maps is another favorite of mine; before I arrive to a new place, I download an offline version of the map to make sure that I can access GPS instructions. This offline map gives me a sense of security because I’m able to still navigate even when I don’t have the best service or a new SIM card yet. Remember to download the map before you lose service so that you can have access once your phone is off-line.
To take it a step further, I prefer to use Google maps with only one headphone in. As I walk in an unfamiliar place, I like to avoid holding my cell phone out or appearing lost so I opt to just listen to the directions as I walk. This allows me to be hyper aware of my surroundings, not appear too distracted by my electronics and still managed to get where I’m going.
Download Google Maps in the App Store. | Download Google Maps in the Play Store.
Do you use these apps when you travel?
As someone who grew up when people were printing directions (not very long ago okay), I am so happy for all of the technology that is available to me today. These apps make such a big difference when the alternative is not having them and not being able to retrieve the information that you are looking for. I’d love to know if you use any of these apps or if there are other ones that I should add to the list, to help travelers feel more comfortable before they go on their next adventure. Make sure to read my other blog post about apps that I use to reserve future travel if you’re interested in planning some upcoming adventures.
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