Long, long before smart phones, everyone traveled with nothing more than backpacks, a Lonely Planet, maybe a chunky laptop for the rare hostel that had WiFi, and a pocket of change for phone calls home.
\nHow times have changed. Today, we depend on our smartphones for everything.<\/p>\n
PLANNING YOUR TRIP<\/strong> PACKING<\/strong> FLYING <\/strong> ACCOMMODATION<\/strong> FOOD<\/strong> DRIVING<\/strong> MAPS<\/strong> THINGS TO DO TRANSLATION and LANGUAGE<\/strong> ICOON Global Picture Dictionary.<\/strong> When words just won\u2019t work, be it because you can\u2019t speak the language or you need a doctor ASAP, this is your friend. Photos by category, foods, body parts, lodging basics and more. A decent alternative is Picture Dictionary<\/strong> by Ectaco. WEATHER<\/strong> CURRENCY<\/strong> Currency conversion is a helpful to negotiate rates when changing money. Those countries with a closed monetary system (Myanmar, for example) won\u2019t really care what your app says, but for the most part it\u2019s very helpful to have an interbank rate at your immediate disposal. Also helps to keep track of what I\u2019m spending by converting to USD as you go. CALLING HOME<\/strong> SHARING<\/strong> TECH APPS<\/strong> ENTERTAINMENT<\/strong> GAMES.<\/strong> There are many short games that are easy to pick up and put down, handy for long journeys and lazy days by the pool: brain training apps like \u201cThe Mesh\u201d, mind bending games like \u201cMonument Valley\u201d and strategy games like \u201cTower Madness 2\u201d. Try no deposit bingo sites for quick slice of fun especially when you\u2019re stuck at an airport for hours.<\/p>\n 11 GREAT CHROME EXTENSIONS<\/strong> 25 FREE MUST HAVE i-PHONE APPS<\/strong> PLANNING YOUR TRIP<\/strong> BOOKING YOUR FLIGHT<\/strong> (go to Cheap Flights in my Travel page) FINDING A PLACE TO STAY<\/strong> GETTING READY TO GO<\/strong> DRIVING<\/strong> EATING<\/strong> GETTING AROUND<\/strong> WEATHER<\/strong> CURRENCY<\/strong> CALLING HOME<\/strong> SHARING<\/strong> NETWORKING<\/strong> Long, long before smart phones, everyone traveled with nothing more than backpacks, a Lonely Planet, maybe a chunky laptop for the rare hostel that had WiFi, and a pocket of change for phone calls home. How times have changed. Today, … Continue reading
\nEvernote<\/strong> (free). A great tool for collecting all of your notes in one place.
\nUse it to collect all of your must see places, notes from great blog posts and even lists of great places to stay. There\u2019s also a desktop version of Evernote. The iOS app makes those notes accessible as you roam around. Often with addresses of restaurants or places to visit. Very useful.
\nTravel Math.<\/strong> If your brain is frazzled at the mere idea of organizing a trip, let Travel Math do all the calculations for you: it\u2019ll measure distances, travel times, budgets\u2014whatever you need to know.
\nUnits Plus Converter<\/strong>. It\u2019s been around a while but it\u2019s hands down the best unit and currency converter out there. It has both an imperial and a metric conversion calculator, helping you figure out area, length, volume, weight, speed and temperature as well as currency, data, fuel-mileage, power, pressure and time. Cost: free for basic, $2.99 for pro.
\nUnlike.<\/strong> Put together your dream trip itinerary using the guides at Unlike, an app that \u201cconnects tastemakers and trendsetters around the globe with unique, essential and inspiring places.
\nTripit.<\/strong> Tripit merges your flight, restaurant, hotel, and car rental confirmation emails into one \u201cmaster itinerary\u201d to keep you organized
\nTripSee.<\/strong> Organization freaks, rejoice! All you have to do is forward your travel and hotel confirmations to the app and it will aggregate every piece of info on there, plus generate a list of hotspots around town so you can add them to your (easy to organize) itinerary. It also has a map view where you can search for destinations and activities to add to your itinerary as well. Cost: free.
\nClock<\/strong> (free). Apple\u2019s iStore is packed with probably hundreds of alarm clock apps, but none can beat the reliable, easy to use alarm clock in the Clock app that is native to the iPhone. Get to all those flights on time this year. and where you need to be for your entire trip.
\nShip Mate.<\/strong> Cruise crazy? This is the #1 app when it comes to vacations taken on a ship. You can take a look at deck plans, read reviews of the different ports you\u2019ll be stopping at, chat with other people who will be on your ship, and more.
\nTrainline.<\/strong> For UK trains, it\u2019s a one-stop shop for booking trains, getting the best deals and keeping up to date with delays and platform numbers. You can book directly through the app, often finding advance deals not available anywhere else. It also notifies you when your connecting train is due and shows alternative options in a very intuitive manner.<\/p>\n
\nPackingPro<\/strong> ($2.99). If you\u2019re a list maker, Packing Pro is your app.
\nThe pre-trip planning section is especially helpful, and can remind you to do things like buy travel insurance. Great if you\u2019re taking multiple trips, and want to make quick work of making a packing list.
\nAnother similar option – Travel List<\/strong>.
\nYou should also check out 12hrs<\/strong>, Spotted By Locals<\/strong>, and Trover<\/strong>.
\nPack Point.<\/strong> Pack Point helps you decide what to pack depending on where you\u2019re going, what the weather will be like, and what sort of activities you\u2019ll be participating in.<\/p>\n
\nSkyScanner<\/strong> (free). This is the go to site for researching flight costs and finding out which airlines fly certain routes. You don\u2019t book your flights directly through Skyscanner, but the app directs you to the search engine or airline\u2019s website. Skyscanner\u2019s especially fantastic for researching cheap flights to any destination from your location.
\nstrong>Google\u2019s OnTheFly (free) Itasoftware. This is the web version of the ITA Matrix use to search flights. Like the web version, the iOS app, called OnTheFly – ITA Software, is reliable, easy to use, and remarkably accurate with airfare prices. All prices include tax. You can\u2019t book directly with the ITA Matrix.
\nFlightTrack<\/strong> ($4.99). Keeps track of your flights. It gives up to the minute updates letting you know if you\u2019re flight is still on time as well as useful info on the plane, airport and gate it takes off or lands at.
\nHopper<\/strong> You\u2019ll get your lowest airfares ever thanks to Hopper\u2019s finely tuned price-prediction feature. First it figures out the best time for you fly, then it figures out the best time for you to buy tickets for that flight.
\nJetLagRooster.<\/strong> Jet Lag Rooster will tell you how to shift your sleeping schedule in the days before a trip so you won\u2019t be exhausted once you reach your destination.
\nLoungebuddy.<\/strong> Did you know that you can use a ton of airport lounges even if you aren\u2019t a first class passenger? Sometimes it\u2019s worth paying a fee if it means getting to wait for your flight in a comfortable spot\u2014Loungebuddy will let you know what your options are at the airport you\u2019re flying out of.
\nMy TSA.<\/strong> Can you bring _____ through airport security? Open up My TSA and you\u2019ll know in an instant. You can also use the app to look up how long the security wait times are at your airport so you\u2019ll be sure to arrive early enough to make your flight.
\nFor more help navigating an airport like a pro, take a look at GateGuru<\/strong> and Flight Aware<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
\nHotel Tonight<\/strong> (free). Lets you book last minute hotel rooms, at a deep discount, for the same evening. You can only book a week in advance, so it\u2019s not the best option for a long-planned family vacation\u2026but for a fun, spur-of-the-moment getaway? Perfect. Though it\u2019s quickly expanding into other markets, including Mexico, Hotel Tonight largely offers discounts on hotels in the United States (plus a handful of Canadian cities) and a few major European cities.
\nRoomlia.<\/strong> Similar to Hotel Tonight
\nBooking.com<\/strong> (free) One of the go to sites for booking hotel rooms. It has good coverage around the world. Easy to use, allows us to search for rooms that will fit 2 adults and 2 children. Desktop version. Booking.com Tonight<\/strong> app to find last minute deals.
\nAirbnb<\/strong> (free). Book apartment rentals for a family of four. Easy to use, fast, and lets you view conversations and itineraries when you\u2019re offline. The desktop version may be better than the app, as it\u2019s easier to compare and view multiple apartments.
\nRoomer.<\/strong> Your daughter is throwing up everywhere and suddenly going on vacation is no longer an option: What do you do about your hotel room? Get rid of it using Roomer. You list your room and wait to hear from someone who wants to take over your reservation \u2014 no more losing money on cancellation fees!
\nCheapHotels<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nFoursquare<\/strong> (free). Gives useful user reviews and recommendations for restaurants, grocery stores and attractions around the world. You check into places you\u2019re visiting, and can leave reviews, photos and tips. When you check in, Foursquare broadcasts your location to your friends, so it\u2019s not the best app for those who want their location to remain anonymous. Restaurants outside of urban and tourist areas tend to have fewer recommendations on Foursquare, so this app is less useful when you\u2019re somewhere remote.
\nYelp<\/strong> (free). Great maps and user reviews of the best places to grab a bite to eat.
\nReviews tend to be longer than those at Foursquare, making it useful if you\u2019re looking for detailed information on a new place to eat.
\nFor more dining recommendations, check out Flavour<\/strong> and Open Table<\/strong>.
\nTV Food Maps.<\/strong> If you\u2019re more interested in food tourism than beer tourism, take a gander at TV Food Maps: it\u2019s a guide to restaurants that are featured on popular TV series like Choppedand Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.
\nHappy Cow.<\/strong> Depending on what part of the country (or world) you\u2019re in, it can be difficult to find vegan or vegetarian friendly restaurants: When you want some help with your search, browse through the listings on Happy Cow\u2014you\u2019ll find dining establishments with meat-free options all over the world.
\nFancy Tips.<\/strong> Don\u2019t piss off the local waiters and bellhops\u2014check out Tip Fast to see what the typical tipping habits are in over 240 countries and regions.<\/p>\n
\nGoogle Maps.<\/strong> Always search your destination on Google Maps before you leave, and make sure not to close the app if you\u2019ll be away from a WiFi connection and don\u2019t have a data plan in whichever country you happen to be in. This way, the map will still be in the map\u2019s history if you can\u2019t get online. If you\u2019re heading to two places, open one in Google Maps and another in the default map app.
\nGas Buddy<\/strong> (free), Gives you crowd sourced prices on the cheapest gas, different types of gas, gas station addresses and amenities (like convenience stores) wherever you happen to be. Very popular in North America, where gas prices can vary greatly even at gas stations only blocks apart.
\nRoadtrippers.<\/strong> A must-have for anyone planning a road trip in the United States. It\u2019s as easy as plugging in your itinerary and pulling out on the road: this app will recommend everything from gas stations to coffee shops, restaurants and spots to get out and stretch your legs along the way. It also estimates what you\u2019ll spend on gas. You enter where you want to go, make selections depending on what you want to see (natural wonders! weird stuff!), and the app will create a customized map for you. Caveat: you\u2019ll still need your Google or iMaps app, but at least you\u2019ll know where you can stop. Cost: free
\nFind other cool places to stop on your journey using AroundMe<\/strong>, iExit<\/strong>, and Field Trip<\/strong>.
\nDude Where\u2019s My Car?.<\/strong> The last thing you want to do when you get back from a trip is wander around the airport parking garage for 30 minutes, exasperatedly searching for your vehicle: Dude Where\u2019s My Car keeps track of *exactly* where you parked and will guide you back to that spot. Plus, it also helps you find parking.
\nUber.<\/strong> Forget taxis, they\u2019re overpriced and outdated Uber is about 25% cheaper than traditional taxis. It can be a little hit and miss as you\u2019re relying on people nearby being available for rides.<\/p>\n
\nTripAdvisor Offline City Guides<\/strong> (free). You will used these constantly for major cities. As the name suggests, these guides don\u2019t need an Internet connection, making finding restaurants, hotels and attractions a snap when we were on the go.
\nThe offline map modes are nice when you\u2019re too cheap to buy a data plan.
\nGoogle Maps<\/strong> (free). App gives turn by turn navigation. Available for car, public transportation and walking. Accurate almost everywhere.
\nMaps.me<\/strong> MapsWithMe (free). App where download maps in advance for any country or city in the world and use offline. Can save data. Small file size.
\nCityMaps2Go.<\/strong> If you\u2019re traveling outside your country and have to depend on Wi-Fi for internet, it\u2019s smart to download all the maps you\u2019ll need in advance at CityMaps2Go: they\u2019re stored offline, so you\u2019ll avoid roaming charges. 15+ million travelers can\u2019t be wrong! You can get online and offline maps to over 7,000 places around the world, complete with inspiring stories, insider tips and places to discover\u2014you can even save your personal \u201cbest of\u201d for later! This app offers in-depth travel content at the touch of a button, proving there\u2019s more to finding a place than getting directions. Cost: free.
\nAnother great option = Maplets<\/strong>.
\nCitymapper.<\/strong> Relatively new, it has all the information in to one app in a playful and intuitive manner: mass-transit departure times, uber taxis, subways and maps.
\nPocketEarth<\/strong> allows you to navigate your entire trip. It is especially helpful in cities when we\u2019re looking for our guesthouse, sights, or recommended restaurants. With Pocket Earth you can access OpenStreetMaps, make them offline, and navigate your way around cities, look at Wikivoyage and Wikipedia entries, search for the nearest post office\/bank machine\/restaurant\/guesthouse, all while wandering the streets offline. You can add locations to the map, so you can put your hostel on it, wander or cycle the streets at random, and always be able to find your way back home.
\nAnd best of all, when you\u2019re on a bus, train, or longboat down the Mekong, your GPS will tell you exactly where you are, where your destination is, and how far you have to go. You never have to rely on the driver to alert you when it\u2019s your stop.
\nAlso, it only costs $3 and the maps are free. Total bargain, considering the number of times it will save you from the complete misery of being hopelessly lost. If you are using an Apple device, get Pocket Earth, learn how to use it, and thank me later.<\/p>\n
\nTrip Advisor Offline City Guides\u00a0<\/strong>
\nGuide.Me<\/strong> GuideWithMe. Travel guide using Wikivoyage (so constantly updated by other travellers) to find restaurants, hotels, history and traditions. Offline mode.
\nCity Papers.<\/strong> Find out what\u2019s happening in the city or town you\u2019re visiting using the collection of local newspapers available. You\u2019ll be able to discover concerts, craft sales, and other events that may not even be listed online.
\nUntappd.<\/strong> When you\u2019re in a new place (for work or on vacation), open up this app and it will give you a list of popular nearby bars *plus* what sorts of beer are on tap there. You want to to find someplace that serves a state-specific microbrew? This is how to hunt a glass of that down.
\nVayable.<\/strong> Vayable is a way to discover \u201cunique experiences offered by locals\u201d on your next trip. All of the available options sound so much cooler than traditional city tours: A midnight street food crawl! A guide to the most photogenic places in Paris! DIY seafood with a sea forager!
\nMy Disney Experience.<\/strong> Don\u2019t enter the gates of the Magic Kingdom at Disney World without downloading this useful app. You can access real-time wait times, so keep checking to see how long the wait is at Splash Mountain and *SPRINT* over there when it says it\u2019s only 15 minutes. You can also make dining reservations, look up parade showtimes, and more.
\nIf you\u2019re going to Disneyland, download Disneyland Planner<\/strong> instead.
\nGoldstar.<\/strong> Find half-price tickets to live entertainment in cities all over the world (from concerts and musicals to comedy shows and sporting events).
\nTodayTix<\/strong>. If you\u2019re travelling to New York and you want to see a show on Broadway.<\/p>\n
\nGoogle Translate<\/strong> (free). Translate to and from over 60 languages with a nice auto detect feature if you\u2019re not sure which language you\u2019re inputting.
\niTranslate.<\/strong> Providing you with \u201c90+ languages in your pocket,\u201d iTranslate is one of the best translator apps available.
\nAnother awesome option = Trip Lingo<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
\nDuolingo<\/strong> Use this free app to learn many languages with daily exercises and a great interface.
\nBravolol<\/strong>. Saying \u201cthank you,\u201d \u201cplease\u201d and \u201ctable for two, please\u201d in the language of the country your visiting is so much more pleasant than trying to bluff your way in English\u2014the app even speaks the phrase aloud so you know how to pronounce it! You can choose from a long list of languages including Spanish, French and Japanese, or you can buy bundles for Asian languages, Euro languages, etc. Cost: free with in-app purchases.<\/p>\n
\nThe Weather Channel<\/strong> (free). Reliable, and easy to use, this app can get you weather forecasts for almost any location on the globe. The Weather Channel\u00ae Max app has some increased functionality, but the new user interface is getting mixed reviews.<\/p>\n
\nXE<\/strong> (free). The XE Currency app lets you convert currency with a simple click in over 180 currencies. XE Currency Pro ($1.99) is ad free and lets you monitor twice as many currencies as the free version.
\nCurrency Converter.<\/strong> It will do calculations for over 160 currencies from all over the world.
\nOanda\u2019s Currency Conversion<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nSkype<\/strong> (free). The gold standard to which all other Internet calling programs aspire, Skype is reliable and easy to use. Calls to the US and Canada are nearly free, and you can call other countries for some of the best rates on the net.It features video calling and speakerphone capabilities. There\u2019s also a hugely popular desktop version of Skype. Add SkypeOut credit for those family members who refuse to get an account themselves.
\nmagicJack<\/strong> (free). When Skype is down or not working reliably. Reliable and simple to use, the free calls make it a great Skype alternative. Calling to Canada and the US is free and you can get a free number and voicemail with a new account.
\nTalkatone<\/strong> (free). Like Skype and the magicJack app, Talkatone makes its calls using a WiFi connection. You\u2019ll need a Google account to use the Talkatone app.
\nGoogle Voice<\/strong> For those who are in the States, getting a Google voice number is free and simple, and has been great on the road. It allows me to call my family from my computer for free, and when they ring me on my local number it calls me on my computer.<\/p>\n
\nFacebook<\/strong> (free). Share travel photos and updates with friends and family.
\nUse for things you won\u2019t see on the blog.
\nInstagram<\/strong> (free). An easy to use, fun photo sharing app, it is great for anyone traveling with a camera. It\u2019s great fun to use, and easy to boot with tons of filters and fun effects. Recently purchased by Facebook.
\nPinterest<\/strong> (free). A way to organize great images. Pin photos of a place you\u2019d love to visit. Keep track of your travel inspirations.
\nTwitter<\/strong> (free). Though most people use Twitter as a way to keep in touch, it\u2019s also a fantastic tool for saving money on travel. Many airlines and hotels announce special deals on Twitter first, and other Twitter users are a helpful source of information on great local food and attractions.
\nTip: If you\u2019re a heavy Twitter user, try HootSuite<\/strong>, which helps you schedule tweets and follow hashtags.
\nTripr<\/strong> (free). Plan who you’ll cross paths with on your next trip by connecting to people who will be in the same place at the same time. Can find other travellers and locals and match up as you can talk within the app. Syncs with FaceBook.
\nTrack My Tour.<\/strong> This app allows your loved ones to \u201cjoin\u201d you on a trip from the comfort of their homes: they \u201cfollow a breadcrumb trail of your tour by visiting the link you sent them,\u201d while you document the most exciting spots you visit as you go\u2014it\u2019s the easiest way to keep people in the loop.
\nPanoramio.<\/strong> If you\u2019re going on a trip, you want to take some awesome pictures to make everyone who follows you on Instagram jealous\u2014use the map function on Panoramio to easily find picturesque places to snap a few \u2018grams and let the likes roll in.
\nPostagram.<\/strong> Have a technophobe friend or relative that doesn\u2019t really text or check their email? Do you just believe that snail mail is more special? Use Postagram to easily send photos from your vacation as actual postcards.
\nVine<\/strong> (free). A relative newcomer to the social apps scene, Vine lets you share short videos from your iPhone with its six second video format.<\/p>\n
\nPocket.<\/strong> My go-to for saving longreads from around the web, it integrates with Twitter and you can set up automated IFTTT recipes where favouriting a Tweet sends the link directly to your Pocket. Great for reading when you have no internet, the app has an excellent interface.
\nLogMeIn.<\/strong> It\u2019s a horrible moment when you realize that you need a file stored on your home computer when you\u2019re 700 (or even just 30) miles away from it: LogMeIn allows you to access (and control) your home computer from anywhere.
\nAnother alternative is the Chrome Remote Desktop App<\/strong>.
\niNet<\/strong> (free). The iNet app lets us check the devices on our local network and tells us the IP address of all our other gadgets when we\u2019re trying to share something locally. iNet also lets us know who\u2019s sharing our internet connection and lets us verify that we\u2019re not sharing anything we\u2019re not supposed to.
\nSpeedtest<\/strong> (free). Speedtest.net does a speed test to see how fast your internet connection is. It\u2019s a vital tool when troubleshooting bad internet connections or even when choosing a room and decent internet is a must.
\nWi-Fi Finder.<\/strong> Use Wi-Fi Finder to find locations where you can use Wi-Fi for free. It works worldwide, so be sure to download it before your next trip to avoid being charged pricey roaming fees.
\nPrey.<\/strong> Security and tracking app. Prey helps you find your phone if it is lost or stolen.
\nOnavo<\/strong> (iphone only). Onavo\u2019s aim is to shrink your data usage, and it does so by installing a configuration profile on your phone, so that the data you receive from the interwebs is streamed through their cloud-based compression service. This means that the compression takes place before it gets to your phone, and this also means Onavo saves you some money if you\u2019re not on an unlimited data plan.<\/p>\n
\nNetflix. Tens of thousands of shows and movies all ready to stream instantly. It really changes the way we consume TV. A downside is you can\u2019t download shows to watch offline on a plane of train.<\/p>\n
\nWhen is a web browser not a web browser? When it\u2019s anything else you want it to be.
\nGoogle Chrome has been the most popular desktop browser for several years, and part of the reason is the wide range of extensions available for almost any purpose. Travelers haven\u2019t been left out, with all kinds of tools that make the browser even more useful for those of us on the move.
\nWhether it\u2019s learning a new language, managing hotel bookings, improving your online security or just reducing the boredom of another overnight airport layover, here are 11 of the best Chrome extensions out there for travelers. They\u2019re all free to download and use, although some of the services have a premium version as well.
\n1. Language Immersion<\/strong>
\nAsk anyone who\u2019s learned a language what the best approach is, and chances are they\u2019ll say \u201cimmersion\u201d. Even in my limited experience, being forced to use a new language all the time gets me conversational far quicker than studying grammar rules or vocabulary lists, plus it\u2019s a lot more fun.
\nGoogle\u2019s Language Immersion extension lets you choose from one of over fifty languages, and five different immersion levels, to automatically translate part of every web page you visit. If you\u2019re just starting out, keep the slider to the left and only a few words will change. Move it all the way to the right, and almost the entire page is translated into your chosen language.
\nIf you don\u2019t know what a translated word or phrase means, just click it to switch back to the original. The translation is machine-based, of course, so it\u2019s not perfect \u2014 but it\u2019s not bad, and is a great way of expanding your vocabulary before or while visiting a new country.
\n2. Save to Pocket<\/strong>
\nThere\u2019s a lot of action-packed excitement when you\u2019re traveling, but there\u2019s a lot of hurry-up-and-wait as well. Lengthy queues, bus rides, flights and layovers all leave you searching for entertainment after a while \u2014 there\u2019s only so much people-watching you can do.
\nPocket lets you save the contents of any web page in a simplified, easy-to-read form that works across devices. Installing the Chrome extension adds a small button to the toolbar, and clicking it dumps the current page into a queue that automatically syncs with the Pocket app on your phone or tablet.
\nYou can read the articles offline in the app, or on the Pocket website, meaning you\u2019re never short of a way to pass the time no matter which device you\u2019ve got with you.
\n3. LastPass Password Manager<\/strong>
\nGetting online while you\u2019re traveling is riskier than at home. Open Wi-fi points, hotel networks that half the world knows the password to, shared computers with all kinds of viruses and key loggers \u2014 your accounts and personal data are more exposed than usual.
\nUsing secure versions of sites (see below) and a VPN helps a lot, but only if you\u2019re using strong, unique passwords to access anything online.
\nGiven how hard it is to create and remember dozens of strong passwords, most people don\u2019t do it. For years I didn\u2019t either, until I installed Lastpass. This extension creates, stores and fills in random, strong passwords for each site you use, so you only need to remember one password \u2014 the one for LastPass itself.
\nThe extension encrypts its password store in such a way that the company itself can\u2019t access it without your master password, never mind anybody else. It also has a mobile version for a dollar a month, which syncs with the \u2018vault\u2019 in your browser.
\nI now don\u2019t even know my password for most of the sites I use, and I don\u2019t need to. LastPass deals with it all.
\n4. HTTPS Everywhere<\/strong>
\nThat little green padlock in the corner of Chrome\u2019s address bar means you\u2019re accessing a secure version of a website, and communication between you and it are safe from prying eyes.
\nThat\u2019s great, but it doesn\u2019t help you if you forget to type https at the start of the address. If the site doesn\u2019t redirect you by itself, you\u2019ll be browsing insecurely on that wide-open airport network you\u2019ve just connected to.
\nRather than trying to work out which sites support secure browsing and then putting the right version of the address in, let the HTTPS Anywhere extension do it for you. It maintains a list of thousands of popular sites, and sends you to the secure version automatically.
\nWhether you\u2019re visiting from a link, bookmark or typing the address in yourself, you\u2019ll end up using HTTPS (almost) everywhere, without thinking about it. Handy.
\n5. Google Translate<\/strong>
\nChrome has Google\u2019s translation function built right into the browser, but you\u2019re limited to translating either the entire page or nothing at all. If you only need to know what a few words or sentences mean, install the partner extension, select the text you\u2019re interested in and click the translation icon that appears above it.
\nIt will usually guess which language the text is in, and offer both the original and translated versions in a pop-up box. If the guess is wrong, other languages are available in a drop-down, and many translations also include an audio version that you can hear by clicking the speaker icon.
\n6. The Points Guy<\/strong>
\nIf you\u2019re a hardcore points hacker, always trying to maximise your miles for that next business class upgrade, you\u2019ll likely already know about Brian Kelly\u2019s The Points Guy site. It\u2019s become one of the go-to resources for making the most of credit card bonuses, frequent flyer programs and everything else that puts more miles into your account for as little money as possible.
\nThe Chrome extension works just like the company\u2019s app, using your profile on the site to advise which credit card you should use when making online purchases. Just click the icon before buying to see what rewards or cash-back bonuses are available on that site, and use whichever card looks best. Quick and easy.
\n7. Evernote Web Clipper<\/strong>
\nI\u2019ve referred to Evernote as a \u2018Swiss Army knife\u2019 kind of app, with a bunch of functions that become handier the more you use the app. Something I\u2019ve used it for many times is saving part or all of web pages \u2014 a photo, a map, a paragraph of directions or description of a guesthouse \u2014 via the Web Clipper extension.
\nCreate an account, install the clipper and you\u2019ll be presented with several options when you click the icon. You can annotate a clip, copy email threads, take a screenshot and more, with it all synched to the mobile app for offline use. It\u2019s the equivalent of a trip binder, without an inch-thick stack of dog-earred paper.
\n8. Hotel Wifi Test<\/strong>
\nIf having a decent Internet connection matters to you when you travel, you\u2019ll want to install the Hotel Wifi Test extension. It takes the results of speed tests run by previous hotel guests and integrates them directly into listings on sites like Expedia and Trip Advisor, showing both maximum and average connection speeds for each accommodation.
\nIt looks like it\u2019s meant to be part of the site, and helps avoid frustration before you\u2019ve even entered your credit card details.
\n9. Disconnect<\/strong>
\nIf you\u2019re sick of seeing Facebook ads for hotels you were just looking at on Expedia, or watching flight prices go up slightly every time you check them, it\u2019s time to start using the anti-tracking extension Disconnect. I\u2019ve been using it for a couple of years now, to stop sites from tracking me as I browse around the Internet.
\nIt takes care of Facebook, Twitter and Google\u2019s cookies, plus advertising, social and analytics from 2000+ other sites. In doing so, it also reduces the size of each web page and speeds up your browsing, especially on the kind of slow connections we so often find on the road.
\nYou can partially or completely unblock certain sites if you need to, but by default, your browsing is much more private. That\u2019s definitely not a bad thing.
\n10. Booking.com<\/strong>
\nIf you\u2019re a fan of the hotel booking site Booking.com, it\u2019s worth installing the company\u2019s Chrome extension. It lets you search for accommodation right from the icon, and opens up access to so-called \u2018hidden\u2019 deals and other discounts when you do.
\nOnce you\u2019ve made a booking, you can manage it, get alerted to last-minute upgrade offers and more.
\n11. Zenmate<\/strong>
\nIf you want to stay secure online, or appear as if you\u2019re browsing from a different location, wealways recommend using a proper VPN like Tunnelbear or Witopia rather than a browser extension (here\u2019s why).
\nThat said, not everybody wants to take our advice \u2014 and if you only need to change your apparent location for web browsing now and then, something like Zenmate isn\u2019t a terrible option. It doesn\u2019t affect anything you do outside of Chrome, but can help bypass censorship or view geographically-limited content like Hulu in your browser.
\nJust install the extension, click the new shield icon in your browser and switch the \u2018Off\u2019 toggle to \u2018On\u2019. You can change your apparent location from the same screen if needed \u2014 the free version has a limited set of locations, with more available in the paid product.<\/p>\n
\nLong, long before smart phones, everyone traveled with nothing more than backpacks, a Lonely Planet, maybe a chunky laptop for the rare hostel that had WiFi, and a pocket of change for phone calls home.
\nHow times have changed. Today, we depend on our iPhones for everything.<\/p>\n
\nEvernote<\/strong> (free). A great tool for collecting all of your notes in one place.
\nUse it to collect all of your must see places, notes from great blog posts and even lists of great places to stay. There\u2019s also a desktop version of Evernote.
\nPinterest<\/strong> (free). A way to organize great images. Pin photos of a place you\u2019d love to visit. Keep track of your travel inspirations.
\nTwitter<\/strong> (free). Though most people use Twitter as a way to keep in touch, it\u2019s also a fantastic tool for saving money on travel. Many airlines and hotels announce special deals on Twitter first, and other Twitter users are a helpful source of information on great local food and attractions.
\nTip: If you\u2019re a heavy Twitter user, try HootSuite , which helps you schedule tweets and follow hashtags.<\/p>\n
\nSkyScanner<\/strong> (free). This is the go to site for researching flight costs and finding out which airlines fly certain routes. You don\u2019t book your flights directly through Skyscanner, but the app can directs you to the airline\u2019s website. Skyscanner\u2019s especially fantastic for researching cheap flights to any destination from your location.
\nGoogle\u2019s OnTheFly<\/strong> (free) Itasoftware. This is the web version of the ITA Matrix use to search flights. Like the web version, the iOS app, called OnTheFly – ITA Software, is reliable, easy to use, and remarkably accurate with airfare prices. All prices include tax.
\nLike SkyScanner, you can\u2019t book directly with the ITA Matrix.
\nFlightTrack<\/strong> ($4.99). Keeps track of your flights.
\nIt gives up to the minute updates letting you know if you\u2019re flight is still on time as well as useful info on the plane, airport and gate it takes off or lands at<\/p>\n
\nHotel Tonight<\/strong> (free). Lets you book last minute hotel rooms, at a deep discount, for the same evening. Though it\u2019s quickly expanding into other markets, including Mexico, Hotel Tonight largely offers discounts on hotels in the United States (plus a handful of Canadian cities) and a few major European cities.
\nBooking.com<\/strong> (free) One of the go to sites for booking hotel rooms. It has good coverage around the world. Easy to use, allows us to search for rooms that will fit 2 adults and 2 children. Desktop version. Booking.com Tonight app to find last minute deals.
\nAirbnb<\/strong> (free). Book apartment rentals for a family of four. Easy to use, fast, and lets you view conversations and itineraries when you\u2019re offline. The desktop version may be better than the app, as it\u2019s easier to compare and view multiple apartments.<\/p>\n
\nPackingPro<\/strong> ($2.99). If you\u2019re a list maker, Packing Pro is your app.
\nThe pre-trip planning section is especially helpful, and can remind you to do things like buy travel insurance. Great if you\u2019re taking multiple trips, and want to make quick work of making a packing list.
\nClock<\/strong> (free). Apple\u2019s iStore is packed with probably hundreds of alarm clock apps, but none can beat the reliable, easy to use alarm clock in the Clock app that is native to the iPhone. Get to all those flights on time this year.<\/p>\n
\nGoogle Maps<\/strong> (free). App gives turn by turn navigation. Available for car, public transportation and walking. Accurate almost everywhere.
\nAlways search your destination on Google Maps before you leave, and make sure not to close the app if you\u2019ll be away from a WiFi connection and don\u2019t have a data plan in whichever country you happen to be in. This way, the map will still be in the map\u2019s history if you can\u2019t get online. If you\u2019re heading to two places, open one in Google Maps and another in the default map app.
\nGas Buddy<\/strong> (free), Gives you crowd sourced prices on the cheapest gas, different types of gas, gas station addresses and amenities (like convenience stores) wherever you happen to be. Very popular in North America, where gas prices can vary greatly even at gas stations only blocks apart.<\/p>\n
\nFoursquare<\/strong> (free). Gives useful user reviews and recommendations for restaurants, grocery stores and attractions around the world. You check into places you\u2019re visiting, and can leave reviews, photos and tips. When you check in, Foursquare broadcasts your location to your friends, so it\u2019s not the best app for those who want their location to remain anonymous. Restaurants outside of urban and tourist areas tend to have fewer recommendations on Foursquare, so this app is less useful when you\u2019re somewhere remote.
\nYelp<\/strong> (free). Great maps and user reviews of the best places to grab a bite to eat.
\nReviews tend to be longer than those at Foursquare, making it useful if you\u2019re looking for detailed information on a new place to eat.<\/p>\n
\nTripAdvisor Offline City Guides<\/strong> (free). You will used these constantly for major cities. As the name suggests, these guides don\u2019t need an Internet connection, making finding restaurants, hotels and attractions a snap when we were on the go.
\nThe offline map modes are nice when you\u2019re too cheap to buy a data plan.
\nGoogle Translate<\/strong> (free). Translate to and from over 60 languages with a nice auto detect feature if you\u2019re not sure which language you\u2019re inputting.
\nYou can now download translation dictionaries for Android devices, and it\u2019s rumored that these will be coming soon to the iPhone so you don\u2019t need to be online. It also allows speech input and you can hear the translations spoke. Very handy when trying to make your taxi driver understand you and you\u2019re late for your flight.<\/p>\n
\nThe Weather Channel<\/strong> (free). Reliable, and easy to use, this app can get you weather forecasts for almost any location on the globe. The Weather Channel\u00ae Max app has some increased functionality, but the new user interface is getting mixed reviews.<\/p>\n
\nXE<\/strong> (free). The XE Currency app lets you convert currency with a simple click in over 180 currencies. XE Currency Pro ($1.99) is ad free and lets you monitor twice as many currencies as the free version.<\/p>\n
\nSkype<\/strong> (free). The gold standard to which all other Internet calling programs aspire, Skype is reliable and easy to use. Calls to the US and Canada are nearly free, and you can call other countries for some of the best rates on the net.
\nIt features video calling and speakerphone capabilities. There\u2019s also a hugely popular desktop version of Skype .
\nmagicJack<\/strong> (free). When Skype is down or not working reliably. Reliable and simple to use, the free calls make it a great Skype alternative. Calling to Canada and the US is free and you can get a free number and voicemail with a new account.
\nTalkatone<\/strong> (free). Like Skype and the magicJack app, Talkatone makes its calls using a WiFi connection. You\u2019ll need a Google account to use the Talkatone app.<\/p>\n
\nFacebook<\/strong> (free). Share travel photos and updates with friends and family.
\nUse for things you won\u2019t see on the blog.
\nInstagram<\/strong> (free). An easy to use, fun photo sharing app, it is great for anyone traveling with a camera. It\u2019s great fun to use, and easy to boot with tons of filters and fun effects. Recently purchased by Facebook.
\nVine<\/strong> (free). A relative newcomer to the social apps scene, Vine lets you share short videos from your iPhone with its six second video format.<\/p>\n
\niNet<\/strong> (free). The iNet app lets us check the devices on our local network and tells us the IP address of all our other gadgets when we\u2019re trying to share something locally. iNet also lets us know who\u2019s sharing our internet connection and lets us verify that we\u2019re not sharing anything we\u2019re not supposed to.
\nSpeedtest<\/strong> (free). Speedtest.net does a speed test to see how fast your internet connection is. It\u2019s a vital tool when troubleshooting bad internet connections or even when choosing a room and decent internet is a must.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"