If you’re planning a trip overseas, you probably want to make sure you have all your bases covered: flights and hotels booked, passport up to date, and the right clothes packed. But there’s one more thing you shouldn’t forget—your apps!
In this post, we’ll highlight some of our favorite apps to include on your phone when you travel abroad. These apps will help you get around in a new country (even if the language is totally unfamiliar), help you find a place to eat and explore, and even connect with other travelers.
Table of Contents
Best Apps For Overseas Travel
Psst. Many of these apps are also available as websites if you don’t have the inclination or the space available on your phone to download them.
FLY, DRIVE, RIDE, OR WALK
Rome2Rio
Rome2Rio is a multi-modal transportation search platform that helps you plan both local and long-distance travel abroad. Using a database of flight paths, bus routes, train lines, and ferry schedules, it shows you the most efficient and inexpensive way to get from point A to point B.
Rome2Rio for iOS
Rome2Rio for Android
Hopper
Using a prediction algorithm for future flight and hotel prices, Hopper can notify you when it’s the best time to book.
Hopper for iOS
Hopper for Android
Skyscanner
Skyscanner helps you find and book international flights quickly and easily. Its search engine often provides less expensive options than comparable services.
Skyscanner for iOS
Skyscanner for Android
Google Maps
With Google Maps, you can quickly find the nearest bank, hotel, restaurant, and more. It provides you with the fastest route options for local and regional transportation by leveraging timetables from public transportation services. When you have a connection over Wi-Fi or the data network, you can download and save maps to view offline (and save on international data roaming charges).
Pro tip: Use the street view setting to scope out the area ahead of time to know which landmarks to look for or what your accommodation really looks like from the outside.
Google Maps for iOS
Google Maps for Android
STAY CONNECTED & PROTECTED
Signal
Signal is a cross-platform encrypted messaging service app. You can make and send free international calls and text messages over Wi-Fi or a data network. It links to your existing contacts, and you can also send files, photos, videos, and voice notes.
Signal for iOS
Signal for Android
Cisco AnyConnect
Cisco AnyConnect helps protect your information while using your Harvard laptop, phone, or tablet. Through the app, you connect to Harvard’s Virtual Private Network (VPN) to create a secure connection. Using VPN is one of several best practices to keep you data safe abroad. Visit Harvard’s IT Help portal to learn how to install the Cisco AnyConnect App.
Cisco AnyConnect for iOS
Cisco AnyConnect for Android
TunnelBear
Need a VPN app for a personal device? Check out TunnelBear, which offers encryption and secure browsing in 40+ countries. Free and monthly plans available for Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android devices.
TunnelBear for iOS
TunnelBear for Android
BE SAFE & HEALTHY
International SOS Assistance App
With the International SOS Assistance App, help is just a tap away. Register your trips and manage your itineraries; browse the country guides to research your destination’s culture and norms; sign up to receive medical and security push alerts for your area; start a chat or phone call with an International SOS operator to receive medical, mental health, or security advice and assistance; and tap to check-in and update your location for 48 hours.
When you first start the App, you’ll need to sign up with your Harvard email address and complete your profile (name, contact information). Also make sure you check your trip’s eligibility for Harvard’s International SOS membership.
International SOS Assistance for iOS
International SOS Assistance for Android
Smart Traveler
Designed by the U.S. State Department, Smart Traveler is a helpful tool for U.S. citizens traveling to an unstable region. Similar to the CIA’s World Factbook, the app includes information about every country in the world, including the most recent travel warnings and alerts. Through the app, you can also enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), which registers your trip with the nearest embassy or consulate.
Smart Traveler for iOS
Smart Traveler for Android
The Jet Lag App
Tired of feeling tired? Timeshifter’s Jet Lag App uses the latest research on sleep and circadian neuroscience to advise you making small adjustments—like when to nap and when to limit your light exposure—before, during, and after travel with advice tailored to your itinerary’s time zones. Dr. Steven Lockley, associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School’s Division of Sleep Medicine, is a co-founder and chief scientist at Timeshifter.
The Jet Lag App for iOS
The Jet Lag App for Android
Ten Percent Happier
Travel can be stressful, and the Ten Percent Happier app is here to help with guided meditations, videos, talks, and sleep content. Even better—Harvard benefits-eligible employees get free access to the Ten Percent Happier mindfulness app. Simply download the app and subscribe using your Harvard email address.
Ten Percent Happier for iOS
Ten Percent Happier for Android
Headspace
Like we said, travel can be stressful. The Headspace app offers guided meditations to help you with everything from anxiety and loneliness to workouts and sleep. Even better—students are eligible for a deep discount. Simply download the app and subscribe using your Harvard email address.
Headspace for iOS
Headspace for Android
SPEAK THE LANGUAGE
Duolingo
Using gamification, Duolingo can help you learn a language before your trip. Beat the clock, earn points, and track your progress across bite-sized lessons.
Duolingo for iOS
Duolingo for Android
Google Translate
Google Translate may be one of the most convenient and helpful translation services. You can type, talk, and even take a picture of a foreign language with the app, and it will translate it instantly.
Google Translate for iOS
Google Translate for Android
MANAGE YOUR MONEY
Concur
Harvard employees can easily their manage travel expenses through the Concur mobile app. Take pictures of receipts, create and submit expense reports, and review and approve reports on the go. Learn more about Concur on the Harvard Travel Services website.
Concur for iOS
Concur for Android
Oanda Currency Converter
Oanda Currency Converter helps you accurately plan your budget abroad, updating 190 currencies daily and making frequently-used currencies easy to access.
international travel apps
Let’s be honest—traveling is fun but the process of planning for a trip can be stressful. From finding where to stay, to figuring out where to catch a bus, the process is a journey in and of itself. Luckily, there are smart phone apps that can help take the stress out of your trip so that you can relax and enjoy your time. Keep reading to learn more about the 10 best travel apps for domestic and international trips to ensure a smooth journey from start to finish!
MyTSA
MyTSA is the official app of the Transportation Security Administration. It can be used for checking wait times at security checkpoints at major airports and provides 24/7 access to the most frequently requested airport security information.
Hopper
Hopper is an app that allows users to book flights and hotels. The bonus is that the app predicts how prices will change up to a year in advance and lets you know whether to buy now or wait until prices drop.
Rome2rio
Rome2rio is a great way to find cheap options on how to get to your destination (domestic and international). The app suggests transportation for bus, air, train, ferry and rideshare options.
iTranslate
iTranslate is an app that helps users translate words, text, websites, and even voice-to-voice conversations in over 100 languages. You can even take lessons on the app to learn a new language on the go!
Hostelworld
Hostelword is a helpful app for those that like to stay in hostels. Whether you like cheaper accommodation options, or enjoy meeting new people, hostels can be a great choice. Hostelworld lets you see real ratings and reviews and allows you to book right from the app. You can typically choose between staying in a communal room, or in your own private room.
GlobeConvert
GlobeConvert is a fast and easy currency converter with over 160 currencies to choose from with up-to-date exchange rates. This is a helpful app to download when traveling internationally.
GasBuddy
GasBuddy is a useful app for those who want to road trip. It helps users find the cheapest gas options in their region. The phone uses your GPS location, or you can search by zip code to find nearby prices.
Mobile Passport
Mobile Passport is a US Customs and Border Protection-approved app that gets you through those long immigration lines faster. Anyone with a US or Canadian passport can upload their passport control and customs declarations (replacing the paper forms) and use the app to cut the long lines in airports where Mobile Passport is supported. It’s important to note that this app is not a replacement for your passport.
Airbnb
Airbnb lets you rent individual rooms up to entire apartments and houses from locals in the location of your choosing. Airbnb is a happy medium between hostels and hotels. You can also find and book fun activities through the app!
PackPoint
Packpoint creates a customized list of what you’ll need to pack for your next trip. Simply enter your destination, travel dates, length of stay and any activities you plan on doing there, and the app builds a custom packing list to help you organize what you need to bring based on your needs and weather conditions. You can also share your packing list with other travelers.
We hope this list helps alleviate the stress from planning your next trip! Share your favorite travel app with us and tell us how it helped de-stress your vacation. Happy travels!
Conclusion
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