5 nifty smartphone tips for travel

Whoever you are, wherever you’re going, whatever the plans – your smartphone can make travel as easy as pie; all it takes is a little preparation. There’s an app for everything as the saying goes, so while you’re busy packing, planning and generally stressing, consider adding a few more downloads to the list for the ultimate future proofing piece of kit. From Chinese characters to emergency tickets, here are five ways your phone can help out while abroad.

1. Translate, Compute, Communicate

If your phone has a camera and the right downloads or internet access then say goodbye to that age old language barrier! Your school French will go miles further with a little assistance from the web. Apps like Google Translate can turn live image into your native language at will for example, turning foreign menus into easily understandable feasts and road signs into life savers. Write out a sentence and have audio play it out in any language of your choosing, no problems at all. It might not always be the most grammatically sound computer work, but it’ll certainly get the message across alright, and you won’t be fumbling for your pocket dictionary quite so often.

2. Grubs Up Wherever You Are

Hungry? Food abroad can be a thorny affair. Perhaps you have a dietary restriction, allergy, or just a generally intense dislike of walnuts. Regardless, language barriers and cultural variation can easily result in an upset stomach or a visit to the local hospital if you’re not careful. But fear not – with the rise of online delivery your favourite chains and independent businesses are now only a few taps and clicks away, customisabel and perfectly safe. Companies like Deliveroo have branches all across the globe, all clued in directly to your phone. So go on, treat yourself. Get that coconut cream, that chicken korma, that smoothie. You deserve it. Travel is tiring, after all.

3. Lodging, Quick and Easy

The hotel and hostel industry is a billion dollar business, and with such large numbers involved it can make for a wide variation in quality and price of service. If you’re hopping from place to place, interrailing or kicking it with a backpack, finding your next place to sleep can certainly be a cause of concern. Throw in a little Wi-Fi and some help from an app like Trivago however and you’re good to go. Compare rooms, B&Bs and hotels with ease all from your phone. No more last minute panic. No more 24 hour karaoke bars.

4. Into the Clouds

Cloud based storage is the new hip thing, and not without good reason. Travel can involve in inordinate amount of documents at the best of times, and if you end up in a tricky situation they might not always be readily accessible. So long as you have your phone though, you should be fine. All you need to do is scan and download any ticket or insurance from relevant to where your feet take you, then upload it to online storage. That way, any kind of internet access can mean your info is on hand straight away. Just make sure you lock it behind a password!

5. Entertainment Free of Charge

Last but not least, entertainment. The practicalities of travel are important, yes, but so is keeping yourself entertained in and amongst all the sightseeing. Long bus, plane and car rides can quickly become monotonous, but with a set of games, movies or a few music albums in your phone there’ll always be something to do. Keep it charged and you’ll never have to worry!

Your phone is your lifeline abroad, your first and last line of defence. Treat it well, keep it out of the pool, and good luck!