For decades there has been a stereotype of holidaymaker’s wearing socks and sandals with a camera around their neck, either reading a map in the middle of a busy street or fumbling for confirmation printouts in the airport. While socks and sandals might still apply, the large cameras and maps part of the stereotype is now being replaced by the smartphone that is firmly glued in my holidaymaker’s hands. Walk past any tourist attraction and you’ll witness numerous people photographing the moment for Instagram rather than on a roll of film that they will take to get developed or walking around relying on their smartphone for direction.
It’s definitely official: smartphones are a holiday essential and so are the many apps that can be downloaded onto them. But smartphones don’t come with unlimited storage, so if you’re going abroad which ones should you make space for on your phone? Here are 10 free apps that we think make the cut.
1. Google Maps
Good old Google Maps. Trying to orient yourself when you first step out into a new city? Or maybe you’re wondering whether somewhere is a short enough distance to walk or whether you should get a bus? Google Maps can help you in both situations.
2.Citymapper
Google Maps definitely holds the position as most people’s default map app, however some travellers swear by CityMapper. The benefit of CityMapper is that it is linked up to 100s of underground, subway and bus timetables helping you navigate your way around a new place without a car – it’s a must if you know you’ll need to use public transport.
3. Google Translate
If you’re heading to a part of the world where the signage and menus won’t be in English, then having this app that will help you avoid ordering something you don’t want or taking the wrong train.
4. Duolingo
Even better than translating words quickly on your phone as you sit in a restaurant, is to learn the lingo before you go. Duolingo won’t make you fluent but it will help you get more confident speaking and understanding a foreign language in a way that is fun and addictive.
5. Your airline and hotel’s official app
These days, most airlines and hotel chains have their own app that allows guests and travellers to check-in online, track their flight, order room service and store a scannable boarding pass. Very handy to have before you travel.
6. AccuWeather
There are a lot of weather apps available but AccuWeather is one of the most detailed apps that you can download for free. You can search for the weather by street and postcode, making it great for destinations with multiple microclimates, and it will let you know the start and end times of any predicted rainfalls. If you’re on an adventure holiday and need more detailed weather instructions, the app also informs you of humidity and precipitation percentages, dew point, visibility, UV index, plus wind speed and direction.
7. PackPoint
PackPoint is more than an app that simply stores your packing list – it actually helps build it for you based on the weather of your destination, the activities you’ll be doing and whether it’s a business or leisure trip. You can customise the list afterwards by adding items or changing the quantity – you can then also share it with other travellers in your group.
8. UVLens – UV Index Forecasts
Sunburn can really dampen your holiday mood, but when you’re having fun it can be easy to forget to reapply your sunscreen. UVLens identifies your location, suggests how strong the UV rays will be that day and will push through a notification reminding you to re-apply.
9. My Easy Tip Calculator Free
In the UK there aren’t any hard or fast rules about tipping but in some cultures tipping a certain percentage of the bill is standard social etiquette (it’s not unknown for waiters to get noticeably upset over a low tip in places like NYC). While this app won’t tell you what the customs are for the destination (you’ll need to look it up before you go) it does allow you to quickly work out the percentage and add it on for you.
10. Pixlr or Prisma
If you love uploading holiday snaps to social media as you travel, make sure you download a photo editing app like Pixlr or Prisma. Both apps allow you to brighten, adjust, and re-size your images as well as add an attractive filter.
