10 Overlooked Ways to Use Your Phone for Better Travel

My smartphone is my most valuable travel accessory. Frankly, I’m not sure how I travelled without it back in the day. I bet you’re the same but are you using your phone to its maximum potential when you’re on a trip? Here are ten often overlooked ways to use your phone for better travel.

1. Hashtags for Inspiration and Ideas

One of my favourite things to do leading up to a trip is to search Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag of my destination. The search results can give you ideas for where to eat and what to see. I admit I also routinely hashtag-search restaurants and other venues to see what the real-life dress code standards are for the place. Hey, you don’t want to stand out!

2. Packing for a Trip

I’ve promoted the Pack the Bag for iPhone app a few times on the blog. Really, pen and paper lists can’t hold a candle to this app. Pack the Bag allows you to select the items you want to pack from its categorized, seemingly endless, list of items or you can create your own. Once the item is in your luggage, you tap it on the list to mark it as packed. You can save and share lists and set reminders for things you need to do in preparation for your trip too.

3. Stay organized and informed with Tripit

We’ve been big fans of the Tripit app for years. The free version is perfect for occasional travellers. Tripit allows you to forward your flight and hotel booking email confirmations to the app and it will organize the info into an easy-to-read itinerary. You can share your plans with loved ones or co-workers back home in case they need to reach you or want to know when to pick you up from the airport. Tripit updates flight status and delays in real-time.

4. Google Maps for Walking, Cycling, and Public Transportation

Google Maps has seriously changed my travel life. Heaven help me if I ever find myself without my smartphone on the road because whatever innate navigational skills I had atrophied long ago. I especially love Google Maps for navigating public transportation. Want to take the Tube in London? Plug in your destination and Google Maps will tell you the best route to walk to the station, which platform to stand on, the time of your train, and all the stops along the way so you can time when to start heading to the exit door (Mind the gap!).

If you’re in a large city with car-sharing services (e.g., Lyft) Google Maps will also display those options for you as well as the approximate fares.

5. Using your phone to document rental car condition

Always take video of the entire vehicle you’ve rented before heading out of the lot in case there is some discrepancy about the car’s condition upon your return.

6. Google Translate Using Camera

Google Translate continues to get better every time I use it. One of its most magical features is the ability to translate when you hold your phone’s camera up to a sign, menu, or any other written materials. Just like that, the words appear in your language on the image and is displayed on your screen. Crazy, right?

7. Find My Friends and Trusted Contacts

The Find My Friends or Trusted Contacts app is perfect when you’re travelling with people. Steve and I use Find My Friends all the time both at home and abroad. When you and your friends/family sign up for these apps, they allow you to track each other in real-time on a map. It’s perfect if you decide to head off solo and then meet up again. It’s also good as a safety measure if you’ve lost track of someone in your group.

8. Smartphone Audio Tours

Nothing beats taking a guided tour to get oriented to a new city. An audio tour on your phone is the next best thing. When you’re short on time or a scheduled tour doesn’t match your availability, this is a great alternative. We’ve done several of the Rick Steves audio tours, and I’m planning to try the isi.Travel platform on a future trip. One of the things I love about an audio tour is that you can pause it if you want to duck into an interesting shop or restaurant along the way.

9. Currency and Clothing Conversion

I use The Converter currency and unit app for iPhone routinely when travelling. Forget doing math. Heavens, it’s 2019; no one does math anymore! This app not only converts currency but also tells you what size that cute dress is your home country. I could have used this app when I purchased a dress shirt for Steve on a business trip in Taiwan pre-smartphone. I knew it looked a bit on the small side, but it said large on the collar. When I got it back home, he couldn’t even do up the buttons, and the sleeves stopped at his elbows! So funny.

10. Learn the Local Language

Yes, Google translate has your back, but learning a bit of the language of the place you’re visiting is always wise. It will enrich your experience and endear you to the locals. The Duolingo app is perfect for language learning on the go.

Remember: Don’t Get Burned with Roaming Charges

Most mobile phone plans are not roaming friendly – particularly true in Canada. Avoid coming home to find an unexpected outrageous phone bill by getting informed about the ins and outs of overseas travel with your smartphone. If your phone is unlocked, your best bet is likely to swap out your SIM card for a local one with a data plan. For information on local SIM rates and practicalities around the world, this wiki site is the bee’s knees.

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