Smartphone apps for travellers Voyage Tips and guide

Smartphone apps extend the basic functionality of your mobile phone with tools tailored for planning trips, checking up-to-date information on the go, and getting in touch with people. Most apps use internet connections, watch out unless you have a high-data plan or can instruct them to only use internet by Wi-Fi.

Some apps cost money, either in themselves or by providing for-pay services, while many are for free – although few are free software.

The easiest way to install apps is through the default app stores, such as Google Play for Android phones, App Store for iPhones or Jolla Store for Sailfish phones. There are third-party app stores as well, but they are not as seamless and not necessarily as secure.

App developers are able to restrict app downloads by region. They may want to prevent customers from trying to use services in countries where they aren't offered, or avoid regulatory headaches. If you are about to travel internationally, you may need to wait until you are at your destination to set up your desired app. Apps may also block your registration if you can't fill in some field that only a local would have, like a domestic postal code or a national identification number.

• Instant messaging and VoIP apps – for keeping in touch with friends and family back home if you can't send messages or make ordinary calls, or using the apps is cheaper or more handy. The globally most used apps in this category are Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp and Telegram. Others that are important in specific countries are WeChat in China, LINE in Japan, Taiwan and Thailand, Viber in the Philippines, KakaoTalk in South Korea and Zalo in Vietnam.
• Real-time text translation apps – for automatically translating whole segments of text from one language into another. Some of the applications in this category can use the camera to translate texts on signs and other objects, when the user points the smartphone towards them. The translation engines have improved dramatically, and now often give more or less correct translations (and more seldom gibberish), but some care is due, as they still may have gotten it all wrong. The most prominent app in this category is Google Translate, which allows offline translation after downloading the desired language data. Other popular apps include DeepL and Bing.
• Real-time speech to speech translation apps – which allow two people to communicate through the application, which recognizes the spoken words and produces an audio output of the translation. Both persons will thus hear the translations. The apps generally fare worse than those translating written text, as they may misunderstand the spoken words and cannot yet use much of the additional context. Most of the above text translation apps also include this feature.

• Map apps – Smartphones come with built-in GPS navigation and map applications, which can access detailed (on- or offline) maps of the entire world. These apps can help you locate hotels, businesses and attractions, get traffic reports with alternative routes, and even give warnings when speeding. You can download additional apps tailored to specific activities, like boating, hiking and hunting. The most commonly used apps (like Google Maps, Apple Maps, Baidu and Kakao) include more commercial listings with up-to-date hours and reviews, while apps based on OpenStreetMap (OSM) offer more detail on features such as hiking trails, water fountains, or sidewalks. There are also apps that work well without internet access, saving maps to your phone to help in case you lose cell service or have a data cap. You may also want to download maps while you have free or cheap internet access.
• Compass apps – Most smartphones have built-in sensors to determine the direction your phone is pointing in.

Before using these apps, check your contract regarding international data roaming charges, these apps tend to transfer data continuously.

• Public transport apps – Many national and regional rail and bus companies have apps for searching ideal routes, finding timetables and perhaps buying tickets. There are also apps that consolidate the public transit information of several cities into one app. In some places these apps only accept local credit/debit cards for buying tickets (such as U.S. apps that require a ZIP code), and are not made available on app stores internationally.
• Bike sharing apps – These show where shared bikes are available and where there are free slots to return the bike. Some systems can be used only via their app, and might require access to internet, GPS and Bluetooth.
• Ride hailing apps – Taxi-like services. Different apps are popular in different countries.

• Speed trap warning apps – for warning drivers when they are about to approach speed traps or locations where traffic police might be waiting for people speeding. The apps with the latter feature usually rely on data provided by the app users. One of the most popular apps in this category is Waze. Blitzer.de works in English and German and has fixed cameras in parts of Europe and is reliable for mobile cameras in Germany, as well as giving warnings of congestion.
• Fuel price apps – these applications allow drivers to access current fuel prices in any desired area (given that the app has the needed data). Many of these allow users to report any price changes.
• For Overlanders – the iOverlander app is a community-updated app with useful destinations specific to travellers doing a road trip or having an overlanding adventure.

• Currency conversion apps – Helpful to convert local prices to your currency, or to check offered exchange rates. The venerable Currency app also works offline.
• Banking apps – These let you monitor your balance, check for inflated fees, transfer money, and block debit/credit card use if needed. They are usually provided by the bank and can do whatever you can do with your account online. You may want to connect them to an account with limited funds, and restrict what you can do through it (you don't want to be able to take a loan at gunpoint). Using a banking app on your own phone is usually more secure than logging in from an Internet café, though if it keeps you logged in, your banking information may be vulnerable if your phone is stolen. Third-party apps will need access to your credentials and can likewise do whatever; if you get scammed via your bank's app, the bank may take some responsibility, while losing your money through a third-party app will probably be seen as gross negligence. Your app may not work from certain countries known for problems (so tell your bank about your travel plans), but a criminal may be able to get around that protection. Some apps simply act as a digital checkbook, allowing you to track expenses without accessing your account.
• Mobile payment apps or wallet apps – These link to a bank account, debit card or credit card, so you can pay for goods and services without needing to hand over cash or a physical card.
  • Apple Pay and Google Pay store your debit/credit card information so you can wave/tap your phone on in-store contactless payment terminals that take Visa and Mastercard to pay for purchases (subject to availability by country and card issuer).
  • WeChat Pay and Alipay are the most widely used payment apps in China, where even many stall owners in traditional street markets have adopted them.

• Trip planning apps - simplify the travel organization process by bringing all travel details together in one place. Applications like TripIt and Wanderlog enable users to build comprehensive itineraries and synchronize their bookings. Wheretogo assists users in finding destinations that match their preferences. These apps offer real-time updates and alerts, allowing travelers to manage their plans smoothly and effectively.
• Aggregator apps – All the major booking platforms have apps to search for airline and railway tickets, hotels, car rentals, cruises, etc. The search results can usually be sorted by price.
• Brand-specific apps – Airline, railway, and hotel chain apps can be useful for specific bookings, update of flight status, special requests, etc.

There is no official Wikivoyage app. Fortunately, Wikimedia's Creative Commons license allows other developers to independently incorporate Wikivoyage content into their apps.

• Kiwix – Allows access to all Wikivoyage articles without an Internet connection.
• OsmAnd – An open source app for maps and navigation. It supports the download of offline Wikivoyage articles, and loads listings into your map.

• Camera and photo editing apps – Almost all smartphones nowadays include a built-in camera and simple photo editing software is available. Thus you can often get away without camera and desktop computer unless you need advanced features. See Travel photography for a discussion.
• Weather forecast apps – for getting up-to-date weather information for your area, including forecasts, for a specific hour and location if you so wish. There are SMS services and web pages for the same purpose.
• Disaster alert apps – Countries exposed to natural disasters sometimes have an official app; for instance, the Japanese government offers an app that rings an alert as soon as an incoming earthquake is detected. In some countries, an SMS will be sent to all mobile phones in the affected area, regardless of the apps. There may be web pages to check regularly, with similar information.
• Camping apps - Find places to camp for the night, including free locations in many areas. These often include places to safely park your vehicle for the night if you sleep in it.
• Radio – Some phone models have an FM radio embedded. With the right app, this allows you to listen to music or news even if the cellular network goes down. These are different from the more common Internet radio apps, which rely on a constant cellular connection.
• Flashlight apps – many smartphones include this as a built-in feature which turns on the phone's rear camera flash (or less often the backlight of the phone screen) on full power, making the phone useful as a flashlight when needed. Third-party apps can add features such as a strobing light for increased visibility in an emergency.
• Apps for locating particular services in an unfamiliar city, such as Wi-Fi hotspots, gyms, or restrooms.
• Rating and social badge collecting are apps for reviewing products and combined with recording your activities to collect points/badges. For example w:Untappd for beer enthusiasts.
• Location Specific Apps – Locations such as museums, zoos, public transit authorities, airports, university campuses, and other large institutions may offer their own app. Features differ per app, but common functions include schedules with realtime updates on ongoing events, indoor maps, real time bus or shuttle information, and or dining information.

Using the smartphone while driving, especially if you need to touch it, distracts from the traffic. For your safety, let a passenger handle it or stop for anything requiring you to think or to look away from the road. Using such devices while driving is illegal in many jurisdictions.

Many apps need, require or ask for access to location, personal data or other privileges that should not be given to programs you do not trust. Usually the problem is that the company associated with the app collects personal information, but the app could also compromise your overall security.

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