Aplicaciones esenciales para viajar

Who doesn’t love to travel? Whether it’s exploring new places near and far or vacationing in your favorite coastal town every year, traveling has only gotten easier thanks to smartphones. Gone are the days of paper maps, heavy guidebooks and traveller’s cheques. However it can be hard to decide just which mobile apps are going to be the most useful depending on your journey. You have to think about roaming (the wireless talk & text kind), roaming (the on-foot, lost in a foreign city kind), any necessary translations and of course, your budget. Fortunately, we’ve put together a curated list of essential apps that you can download before takeoff to make your next adventure go as smoothly as possible.  

Navigation apps for getting around

Arguably the most important aspect of traveling is knowing where you are and where you’re going. From walking to the nearest museum from your hotel to a cross-country road trip, it’s important that you have a reliable map on hand.

• Citymapper provides real-time updates on traffic and public transit timing, as well as recommendations for the fastest route versus the most well-lit route, if you don’t want to risk going through a new location in the dark.
• Waze is another popular app that provides traffic updates and real-time updates from users, like unexpected road closures and more.

Real-time updates require a data connection though, so if you use these apps while roaming, you may incur some unexpected overage charges. Downloading maps and directions from Google Maps while connected to Wi-Fi can help by allowing you to access the info you need while offline.  

Apps for communication & staying connected

Of course you can’t travel without staying in touch with those back home, or being able to message friends you might be traveling with. You could just text them like usual, but if you’re roaming, that might not be your best option.

• WhatsApp and Telegram are apps that allow you to call and text over the internet, so they can save you on roaming fees as long as you have a reliable Wi-Fi connection.
• Facebook Messenger is also a good option for connecting with loved ones over Wi-Fi. 

Apps for planning & booking your travel

Now you could just hop in your car and go, but in most cases you’re going to want to plan ahead and book your trip in advance.

• Booking.com y Kayak both track prices to find you the best deals, and can also help you book your flight, hotel and rental car, all in one transaction.
• Airbnb can help you reserve a room, an apartment, or even an entire house to crash in while you’re visiting a new place—for when you’re not in a hotel mood.
• TripIt can help you organize all the things you want to see and do into one easy-to-follow digital itinerary.

Money & budgeting apps 

The last thing you want to happen while traveling abroad is to run out of money.

• Google Wallet and Apple Pay are convenient for contactless payments, allowing you to travel light without carrying a bunch of cash and credit cards on you.
• Xe Money Transfer & Converter can help you manage your funds and maintain a budget while you’re abroad. 

Apps for language & translation

One of the biggest challenges that comes with traveling internationally is often the language barrier. It can make ordering food, getting directions or just saying “please” and “thank you” awkward and time-consuming.

• Google Translate offers real-time translations via voice, text or even by taking a photo of a sign. Plus, its support for offline translations in some circumstances can keep you from racking up data overages. 
• iTranslate is another popular option with similar features, but it does require a monthly subscription. 

Safety Apps for Support while Traveling

A crucial element to traveling, especially somewhere you’ve never been before, is your personal safety.

• El Smart Traveler app was developed by the U.S. State Department as the official app for accessing information about foreign countries that provides travel advisories, safety alerts and emergency assistance.
• Sitata is another third-party app that provides similar safety information and alerts.
• El Red Cross Emergency app can help you find the nearest Red Cross shelter in case of an emergency.
• Life360 provides location sharing, so your family always knows where you are, as well as additional emergency support with crash detection and SOS alerts.

Entertainment & Convenience Apps

Finally, we can talk about the bonus apps that make the tedious parts of traveling more enjoyable.

• Spotify and Netflix let you download content while you’re connected to Wi-Fi to stream offline, so you can enjoy a podcast, some music or a full season of your new favorite show while on a long plane, train or boat ride.
• Audible is another great app for listening to podcasts or audiobooks. 
• Yelp is a handy app for domestic travel recommendations and restaurants.
• Tripadvisor can help you find a fun experience while traveling abroad.

There’s also a good chance the country you’re visiting has its own local app for restaurant recommendations (like Tabelog in Japan). And of course, Google Maps is great for seeing ratings and reviews from nearby businesses as well. 

Safe (and efficient) travels! 

Traveling is one of the most fulfilling activities anyone can do, and being properly prepared before you head out the door is the key to making sure it goes as smoothly as possible. Having the right apps is crucial, but having a reliable network connection is just as important since they need a proper signal to fully function. Ultra Mobile knows the value in traveling and provides quality coverage around the world with affordable roaming options like our Go Roam Passes. And if you have to call anyone abroad before you head out, Ultra also offers unlimited talk to 90+ international destinations and global text. See why Ultra Mobile makes the most sense for planning and staying connected throughout your next trip.