Essential Apps to Enhance the Safety and Convenience of Your Travels

While you may be adept at packing a weekend bag or fitting two weeks’ worth of clothes into a wheeled suitcase, have you considered your phone or tablet as equally essential travel gear? Think of your device as a second carry-on, equipped with a tailored selection of apps that enhance entertainment, navigation, security, and much more.

The idea of a single "super app" that consolidates all travel needs remains elusive, according to travel industry experts. Until such an app arrives, here are some recommended applications to download before you embark on your journey.

Security and Protection

Public Wi-Fi networks, such as those in cafes and hotels, can pose security risks. To prevent hackers from intercepting passwords, credit card numbers, and emails, it is advisable to encrypt your internet activity. One effective method is using virtual private networks (VPNs) like NordVPN or ExpressVPN, which encrypt your data traffic. These services typically cost around $13 per month for a monthly plan, with discounted rates for annual subscriptions. Another option, Mullvad, offers VPN services for approximately $5.50 monthly.

While it might seem convenient to store photos of important documents such as passports, medical insurance cards, and prescriptions on your phone, it is safer to use apps that encrypt this sensitive information. Applications like 1Password, which starts at $35.88 per year, and Microsoft OneDrive's Personal Vault, included with a Microsoft 365 subscription or offering limited free storage, provide secure options.

Getting Around

The free Mobile Passport Control app, provided by the U.S. government, helps U.S. citizens and certain eligible travelers expedite immigration and customs processing by scanning their passport and uploading a selfie within four hours of arrival. Preloading this information can streamline interactions with customs officials.

For comprehensive public transportation details beyond basic map apps, Moovit and Citymapper offer global coverage with route planning, fare information, and travel durations. Both apps have free versions supported by ads and premium subscriptions that remove ads and unlock additional features. In cities like New York and London, linking a credit or debit card to your digital wallet for transit payments can help you bypass lines by using contactless payment at turnstiles.

In regions where hailing a taxi on the street may be challenging or unsafe, such as parts of Southeast Asia and India, trusted local ride-hailing apps provide fixed fares and real-time location tracking. For example, Grab operates in countries like Vietnam and Thailand offering car, taxi, and motorbike rides, while Ola is a popular choice in India.

Entertainment

To occupy your time on planes, trains, and in hotel rooms, stock your device with a mix of entertainment and destination-specific information. Travel blogger Taylor Beal recommends borrowing e-books from libraries using apps like Libby and Hoopla, which require a library card from participating public libraries or schools.

For road trips across the U.S., the Autio app offers over 23,000 short stories and informative content about the surrounding landscape and history, tailored to your location. Narrators include celebrities such as Kevin Costner, who discusses the northern Great Plains, and John Lithgow, who shares insights about filming locations from the movie Footloose.

Traveling Together

Keeping track of shared expenses among friends can sometimes dampen the fun. Apps like Splitwise Pro, which costs $39.99 annually and also has a free limited version, help record and divide costs for taxis, meals, and other shared expenses. Alternatives such as Tricount and Settle Up offer similar features, with free basic versions and premium upgrades.

To monitor flights and organize travel plans solo or in groups, TripIt and Wanderlog provide itinerary management tools, available in free versions and enhanced paid subscriptions.

Translation Tools

While many travelers are familiar with Google Translate, the app includes lesser-known features that can be invaluable. Point your camera at foreign menus, train station signs, or receipts, and the app translates even non-Roman characters instantly. The “Conversation” mode enables easy back-and-forth exchanges, useful for directions, ordering food, or requesting assistance. Additionally, users can create customized phrasebooks within the app.

Local Attractions

Bloomberg Connects partners with over 800 museums and cultural venues worldwide, including the New York Botanical Garden, to provide free information about their exhibitions. Many local organizations also offer dedicated apps for their institutions, such as the Carnavalet Museum in Paris, enhancing visitor experiences.

Of course, the classic way to explore remains wandering and embracing unexpected discoveries. One might wonder—could there be an app for that, too?