The author, on his way out of the US.Harrison Jacobs/Business Insider
- As Business Insider’s International Correspondent, I’ve spent the last six months traveling through Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Greece, Israel, and Russia, among other places.
- I use a ton of different apps to make travel as efficient and seamless as possible. I decided it would be fun to reveal my most-used apps and why I use them.
- Among the apps I use all the time: WhatsApp, Adobe Lightroom CC, CouchSurfing, Triposo, The Culture Trip, GooglePhotos, and many, many more.
As Business Insider’s International Correspondent, I’ve spent the last six months traveling through Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Greece, Israel, and Russia, among other places.
Traveling for a living is a fun, exhilarating, and, quite frankly, exhausting experience. But the best way to make it more fun and less exhausting is to have a digital toolkit (i.e. smartphone) loaded up with every app I need to get things done as efficiently as possible.
When I get off a plane, I want to know how much money to take out of the ATM, how to hail a cab, where the best hole-in-the-wall restaurant is for dinner, and how to say “I’d like to order 10 of those, please.”
With 12 countries checked off on the trip so far — and who knows how many to go — I decided it was time to reveal my most-used apps. They aren’t all revelations (who hasn’t heard of GoogleMaps?), but I can guarantee there’s at least one in there you haven’t thought of yet.
Perhaps you’ll find some inspiration for your next trip abroad:
1. WhatsApp — Free
By far, my most used app. So long as you are outside of China, WhatsApp is likely the most common messaging for Americans and everyone else.
Download WhatsApp here »
2. Facebook Messenger — Free
Like everyone else these days, I hate using Facebook, but a huge part of my social network is there. In addition, Facebook is the app that just about every person you meet also has. Thankfully, Messenger is an aesthetically pleasing and pared-down messaging app that lets you tap into that network without having to be bombarded with your high school ex’s political arguments.
Download Facebook Messenger here »
3. Telegram — Free
Telegram has turned into my go-to for talking to sources in countries where the government might be watching what you say (cough China, Russia cough).
Download Telegram here »
4. Google Maps — Free
Avery Hartmans/Business Insider
I’m sure I’m not the first person to recommend using Google Maps to get around literally everywhere (except China), but the feature I find the most useful while traveling is the ability to download offline maps for places I’m in. That way, I can still navigate without blowing up my data bill.
Download Google Maps here »
5. Waze — Free
I can’t tell you how many traffic jams social-navigation app Waze has gotten me out of. Turning every phone using the app into an information-generating node is just plain genius. I’ve found that it often has more accurate directions in other countries than Google.
Download Waze here »
6. My Currency Converter — Free
Screenshot/Harrison Jacobs
As I move from country to country, I am constantly using different currencies. It’s hard to keep track of what’s worth what. My Currency Converter & Rates is a simple offline exchange app that, while not so up-to-date that I would recommend Forex traders use it, it’s just fine for the average traveler.
Download My Currency Converter & Rates here»
7. Google Translate — Free
Yes, Google Translate can teach you how to say Nǐ hǎo, but did you know that you can download entire languages for offline translation or hold it up to signs or menus for instant translation?
Download Google Translate here»
8. Triposo — Free
If I want to get a quick feel for what’s happening or what to do in a new city, I immediately download the Triposo travel guide. While it’s never the most extensive guide, it gives you the basics in an easy, attractive package. And it works offline.
Download Triposo here»
9. Culture Trip — Free
When I want to dig a bit deeper into a destination or have a more specific question (like which museum is better), Culture Trip has me covered. You have to do a bit of sifting — the content is only as good as the local creator — but more often than not, it’s led me to the hole-in-the-wall bar I didn’t know I was looking for.
Dowload Culture Trip here»
10. FourSquare — Free
Avery Hartmans/Business Insider
You probably stopped using FourSquare in 2013 after your roommate took over your mayorship of the corner bodega, but I suggest you look again. So long as you are in a city that has an active community, I have found FourSquare to have far more accurate reviews and better recommendations than TripAdvisor, Yelp, or anything else.
Download FourSquare here»
11. Google Drive — Free
Nopparat Khokthong / Shutterstock.com
This a no-brainer. Where else are you going to store your photocopy of your passport?
Download Google Drive here»
12. Google Photos — Free
I know I’m starting to sound like a Google junkie here, but Google Photos has saved my butt on more than a few occasions. I have it set to automatically backup my phone. When I fill it up, the app will let me delete everything already backed up with a few clicks.
Download Google Photos here»
13. Manual —$3.99
Screenshot/Harrison Jacobs
The iPhone camera app is great most of the time (particularly if you’ve got Portrait Mode), but like all auto cameras, it’s only as smart as computer behind it. Manual lets you dig into the settings and change shutter speed, white balance, and everything else you need to get that perfect shot of fireworks.
Download Manual here»
14. Sony PlayMemories + FujiFilm Cam Remote — Free
I travel with both a Fuji X-T2 and a Sony RX100 V. One of my favorite features of both cameras is the ability to transfer photos directly to my phone using their apps (for Instagram, duh). Fuji’s app also has the ability to use your phone as a remote, which is great for setting up self-portraits or night shots.
Download Sony PlayMemories here» and Fujifilm Cam Remote here»
15. Lightroom CC — Freemium
I use Adobe Lightroom on my desktop to do all my photo editing for stories. The iPhone app is a slightly pared down version that is still extremely powerful for a mobile photo-editing app. In fact, I kind of enjoy editing on it more than my laptop. The features, and the options, are endless.
Download Adobe Lightroom CC here»
16. Instagram — Free
After holding out for years, I have turned into an Instagram addict. No social network has proved more conducive to me sharing both my photos and my half-baked witticisms and memes. Twitter used to do it for me, but it’s not a great photo-sharing app and, these days, it’s just plain exhausting.
Download Instagram here»
18. Uber + Grab — Free
It might surprise you to learn that Uber isn’t used everywhere. China uses Didi Chuxing, Indonesia uses Go-Jek, and so on. But, at the end of the day, Uber and Singapore-based GrabTaxi are the two apps I always keep on my phone as they appear to be used in more places than any of the more local apps.
Download Uber here»
20. LonelyPlanet Guides — Free
I used to read LonelyPlanet travel guides for fun when I was a kid (I was a fun kid, I know). But their free app gives a great overview of most places so that I can sound like a seasoned tour guide to my girlfriend when we walk through Masada in Israel.
Download LonelyPlanet Guides»
22. Airbnb — Free
Despite my recently published misgivings about Airbnb, it’s still my most-used booking app while traveling. If you’ve got a tight budget, Airbnb is probably the best bang for your buck outside of a hostel.
Download Airbnb here»
24. HotelTonight — Free
I use HotelTonight when I need a break from the barebones places I usually book on Airbnb and Booking. The app is best when you are booking only a day or two in advance. You can usually find great deals on very expensive hotels if you like flying by the seat of your pants, as they say.
Download HotelTonight here»
24. Mobile Passport — Free
I will never understand why anyone traveling outside of the US doesn’t have this app downloaded. Officially authorized by US Customs and Border Protection, the app lets you upload your passport and fill out forms on your phone so you can skip to the front of the customs line.
Download Mobile Passport here»
26. PriorityPass — Free
David Slotnick/Business Insider
The app is free, but you’ll need a PriorityPass membership. I got mine as a perk through my Chase Sapphire Reserved credit card. It’s been a life saver. While the US lounges are nothing special, the international lounges have made airports a joy. Free food and alcohol, showers, and a clean, peaceful place to relax before a flight.
Download Priority Pass here»
31. YouNeedABudget – $6.99/month
You’ve probably tried Mint, used it for a while, and now do your budgets on a napkin. Okay, that was me. YNAB, as users call it, is the most comprehensive budgeting app I’ve encountered. It helps you account for where you want your dollars to go, not just where they’ve already gone. And you’re paying money for it, so they don’t sell your data to the Internet, unlike Mint.
Download YouNeedABudget here»
32. WikiLoc — Freemium
This is a must-have for hikers and outdoorsmen. People track, upload, and review their hikes. You can follow their trails if you want so you don’t get lost, but I prefer to use it to get a feel for the difficulty level and natural splendor on different hikes. I usually only have time in a place for one or two hikes. It helps me pick wisely.
Download WikiLoc here»
