As the dark days of winter hold the country firmly in its grip; it might just be the right time to start putting plans in place for that next holiday. The anticipation of a trip is almost as exciting as the holiday itself as you thumb through your guidebook, consider which items to pack and prep your smartphone or tablet with a host of useful travel apps. This is the 21st century after all!
Even if you’re new to the world of apps. There’s no doubt that, as a traveller, they can make your life a whole lot easier, helping you take care of a range of tasks from searching and booking flights and converting currency to keeping yourself and the kids entertained whilst on the move. Here are a few of the best travel apps on the market you need to download before your next holiday.
1. Worldmate
However relaxing the destination might be, preparing to head off on a trip requires a substantial amount of planning in advance. If staying organised is not your forté, the Worldmate app is for you. Not only can the app store and organise all e-tickets and confirmations to create a handy itinerary; it also helps you to locate and book hotels with special deals as well as check flight information and check-in. Worldmate is free to download on Android and iOS.
2. Kindle
If you consider a good book to be a travel priority but can’t quite justify purchasing a Kindle right now; why not simply download Amazon’s Kindle app to your smartphone and enjoy access to an almost unlimited supply of excellent reading material? Just the thing to keep you entertained on long, dull flights. In fact, the Kindle app can be downloaded for free on your iPad, iPhone and Android device and can be synced with ease. So, it doesn’t matter which device you are using – when you switch, you won’t lose your page.
3. Google Translate
Avoid getting lost in translation with the number one translation app on the market. Available for free on Android and iOS, Google Translate allows you to connect with people, places and cultures all over the world. Even if you can’t speak a word of the language! You can speak into your device for a translation, type in a word or phrase or even snap a picture of an indecipherable menu. This app has all your bases covered.
4. AroundMe
Sometimes a traditional map just doesn’t quite cut it when you’re in an unfamiliar place. As opposed to street names and landmarks, sometimes you just want to find out where the nearest supermarket is or the closest bank. AroundMe swiftly identifies your position and allows you to search for the closest services such as restaurants, petrol stations, banks and even book a hotel or check out nearby movie listings. Its beauty lies in its simplicity. The fact that it’s free to download for Android and iOS is not to be sniffed at either.
5. Yuggler
Yuggler is a must-have app for your next family holiday because it takes the hassle out of finding fun things to do with the kids. Browse ideas, tips and photos of nearby activities, provided by real-life families passing on their wisdom. You can filter activities by gender, age, duration, cost and whether they are indoors or outdoors – plus, you’ll get access to quality assured deals for your favourite activities where you could save up to 70%. It’s free for both Android and iOS too, so the price is certainly right.
6. Tales2Go
Keeping the family entertained on a long journey can be a challenge. Tales2Go blends entertainment and education into one effective and award-winning app. Offering more than five thousand audio book titles from leading book publishers, from classic fairytales to popular series such as Diary of a Wimpy Kid; you’ll be helping give the kids a literacy boost whilst captivating them with a good yarn. Tales2Go is free for both Android and iOS on a trial basis for 30 days; after that, it costs $9.99 for a monthly subscription (approx. £8) or $99.99 for the year (approx. £80). There’s even a section for adults, too, so it’s an app that all ages can enjoy.
As well as planning all the fun things you’re going to do on your trip and downloading a hefty dose of apps to help your holiday run smoothly, don’t forget to book your travel insurance. The right policy will ensure that you and your family are financially covered even if disaster should strike.