What’s on this page?
Find here some useful tools and mobile applications when travelling around the world to help you travel the easy way.
Travel Tools & Apps page content:
Navigation GPS App
Mobile data browsing can be expensive and the offline use of google maps is not really working well to me, so I recommend this free offline GPS mapping app. You need to download the maps you need while you have internet and then enjoy its use offline, wherever you are (with the GPS location dot still working). Zoom in where you plan to use it because there are sometimes few maps per country you need to download.
You can pin some places you have been or get recommended, search, get GPS directions like in google maps and share your pins with friends. I used it so much, some countries have more precise maps than others, but this app will find you tiny trekking tracks even in remote areas.
You also get some places information on the maps (restaurants, WIFI spots, camping areas, etc.).
Camping Spot Finder App
Camping is nice, wild camping is nicer!
It is not always easy to find the perfect camping spot and often requires some time to explore and a bit of luck. You can find some camping spots on Google maps or Maps.me, on known trekking routes for example but this is only for the main spots.
iOverlander is basically a digital hidden gems camping spots word of mouth (hum…). Originally more for overlanders but I also used it when backpacking (for the not too excluded spots) or while renting a car. Travellers pin the camping spots they found on the map and others can comment so you don’t have to explore for hours before finding a good spot for the night.
Don’t get me wrong, I like to do it myself, it certainly has a better taste but that’s when you have time and lots of options. This app did save me a lot of time and brought me to very nice spots to spend the night for free. Recommended!
Random Useful Apps
- Couchsurfing: as mentioned in the Travel Couchsurfing section.
- AirBnB: as mentioned in the Travel Rental section.
- XE: Get the official exchange rate right to check and compare with what the local offer gives you. Read more about exchange rate in the Travel Cash section.
- Rome2Rio: good website to give you and compare the different ways and alternatives you have to go from point A to point B (bus, planes, train, ferries, etc.).
- Trip advisor and Google Reviews: good to get fresh updated reviews on some stuff but don’t limit yourself to that because the cheap hidden gems local places for food might not be on there. Plus think about the tourists represented here, is it your kind of travellers? If not, then reviews would reflect that too.
- Pocket: not sure you will get Internet in the next places you go to or want to read some articles you found on Internet while in transports? Add them to pocket to be able to read them offline.
- Trail Wallet: track your expenses. Could be a bit time consuming but if you have a really tight budget and are not so good with money, you can track what you spend and try to improve it.
- Weather apps. There are many, some are better in some regions so try to get the most accurate one where you are.
Like A Local
Learn the local language and customs
You will be surprised how knowing few words the usual tourists don’t know will make you go further with locals.
In the same way, some countries have very different customs as yours and it could be useful (and interesting) to know the main ones to make sure you don’t offend local people, especially in Asia (Eg : having your feet lower than someone’s head, not using the left hand for food, covering your shoulders, etc.).
World Nomads Language Guide: learn basic important stuff of 25 languages.
Local apps
Some developing countries are already quite advanced with smartphones, try have a look what apps they locally have on the market. These local apps might be a way to feel more like a local and meet some too.
Local application about events, concerts, bars, etc. usually give better tips than general tourist guides.