The Apps You Need To Download Before Your Trip

Before traveling internationally these are the apps that I make sure are downloaded onto my phone. They help me get around, communicate, and make sure I have everything I need. 

Google translate 
This can be used more so as a resource to communicate when you need. They have an option for writing, speaking, or conversation. I've never used it for conversation as I don't know if you'd need wifi but I have used the writing portion to pass back and forth when I'm in a bind. This comes in handy when looking at a menu. You just have to make sure to download the dictionary for offline use.

​Google Maps
This is in italicized because if I had the option for only one app it would be this one. Without this I'd effectively be useless. It helps me to be able to navigate easily without using wifi.  There are other apps, like Maps.me, but they don't cover every city I go. Plus google is already spying on me. Here is how I use it.

Air Bnb
I'll stay in Air bnbs while I'm out so this is handy and you can get check in instructions for offline use also.

Hostel world
I'm mostly in hostels when I travel and this is the app I use to see reviews and book places. I find it extremely easy to use! There are other cheap options for places to stay like couchsurfing.com but that seems extremely for me. 

Currency exchange 
It's important for me to know the exchange rate when I'm paying for things or exchanging money.  I use the xe currency one and it refreshes frequently to give me the most update to date information.

Ticket services
Whether you have booked through Get Your Guide, Viator, Booking, Klook, etc. I prefer to have the voucher on my phone and it  makes life easier.

WhatsApp
With an iPhone I'm able to send iMessages to anyone with an iPhone so that part is easy. But for people with androids I communicate with them using WhatsApp. Tour companies sometimes have WhatsApp so I can call or text with them also which has come in handy more than once.  

Facebook Messenger
This is another way to communicate with people wherever I am or even back home.

Subway/metro map 
I mostly use public transportation and most cities will have an app dedicated to their subway. If they don't I will take a picture when I'm at a station to reference back to it later. Once you have that part figured out you just have to know what station you are at and what direction you need to get on and go and you can get anywhere you want.

Weather app
Most phones already have them but I like to know what they day will look like weatherwise for things like rain jackets, pants, etc.

Video Streaming
Most services have the option of downloading content for offline use so that comes in handy with all the planes, trains, and buses I'm on. You'll also find that in other countries services like Netflix have access to more content than in the US.

Podcasts/Audio books
I like to be able to listen to different things as I'm walking around or traveling so I have a mix of music, audio books, and podcasts. 

VPN (Virtual Private Network)
A VPN basically tricks your phone into thinking it's in whatever country you want it be. On my last trip I was in China and they don't have Google. If I wanted to check my gmail or get my maps up and running I had to use a VPN to say I was in the US. Later that trip I used it again because I put my 3rd property, Harper's House, under contract before I left for Asia and wasn't able to to access some of the mortgage documents because I was in Thailand. Again, super unique situations. 

Grab
Grab was the uber/lyft of Thailand and came in handy but this is a general post to look into some of the more local apps of where you are going.

Summary

These are the apps that I make sure I have before my trip. I will have access to wifi for most of my trips and should be able to get new apps if need be. But, I don't want to be in a situation where I need something or have to download an app while I'm out and about and not able to.  If you want to see a complete list of everything I bring  or how I rank the cities I've been click those links!