Offline travel tools for when your phone doesn’t have service

Traveling isn’t just about the destination. Carry On is our series devoted to how we get away in the digital age, from the choices we make to the experiences we share.

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You’re tired, laden with bags, and didn’t you already pass that flower shop? Yup, you’re officially lost trying to find the hotel.

It’s in this situation where just a few minutes of cell service, data, or WiFi would save you. But your phone is not doing much of anything at this point. But with some pre-planning you can use your phone as more than just extra weight in your already heavy backpack. Even without a data plan, cell service, and in some cases a WiFi connection, you can make your device useful.

Map it out

If you know where you’re going, map it out before you go. You can download areas on Google Maps that will still load when you’re offline. Same goes for lists of any museums, coffee shops, or other saved items.  

Your compass app still works without data — so if a local tells you the museum is north of the city center you can at least know if you’re going in the right direction. A compass app is built into the iPhone. 

It sounds scary, but using a paper map can get you where you’re going. You can buy a map before your trip or track one down once you’re there. A guidebook can be embarrassing to use in public, but discreetly slip it out and orient yourself. Or take photos on your phone of helpful pages or sections of map. 

Save a PDF or file to your phone images or use the Book app on iPhone to save a subway system map or pre-paid museum tickets. 

Do your thing

Screenshots can be a lifesaver, whether it’s your hotel reservation email or train tickets. If reloading or service issues are going to come up at crucial times, take a screenshot so that the important info is securely saved in your phone’s photo album.

Your email app won’t be able to download new emails as they come in, but if you refresh your inbox while connected all those messages (the text at least, photos will likely not show up) will still be viewable.

You can still take photographs and videos without service. If you want to Instagram or Snapchat your vacation you can add photos or video to your story once you get service or WiFi — no one needs to know you didn’t post them right when you saw that killer sunset or famous statue.

Stay and eat 

If you’re staying at an Airbnb, some limited information about your stay is available offline, so you don’t have to stress about copying down all the info from the app. If you’re staying at a chain hotel, check if they have an app that you can pre-load with your reservation information.

Do your restaurant research on Yelp, Google Maps, and TripAdvisor ahead of time since those apps are geared for connectivity. You can input restaurant and cafe addresses and save those lists on Google Maps, or take screengrabs of Yelp listings you want to visit. 

Chill out

On the road, you can still enjoy films and certain shows from your favorite streaming services like Netflix. Same with podcasts. And music services for paid subscribers on Spotify and Apple Music. You just have to download them ahead of time and they’re available in offline mode. 

For reading material, link-saving apps like Pocket let you read articles offline. So if you save and download a must-see listicle for the town you’re exploring, you can pull that out. Your downloaded books are also available on the Kindle app.

WiFi it up

OK, you need a hit of that sweet, sweet internet. Without spending a ton through a service provider’s international rates, you can track down some WiFi. Some cities offer free connections in plazas or public parks and spaces. Finding a local library branch is another efficient access point. Check in at your hotel or hostel lobby about WiFi or a computer room or “business” area. You’ll be connected in no time.