PUBLISHED January 11th, 2015 04:00 pm | UPDATED January 19th, 2016 03:13 pm
It’s in the human nature to want to see something new. We all have that bit of wanderlust flowing in our veins, automatically placing travel at the very tip of most people’s bucket lists. Whether it’s trekking in the snowcapped mountains of the Himalayas, or relaxing on the sun-soaked shores of the Maldives, our very desires are shaped by the enchantment of a foreign land. Having said that, we all do need a little help at times, even if we’re seasoned travellers. Coming in the form of travel apps, technology has devised ways and means to make planning that trip a tad easier. From flight checkers to wifi detectors, here are the 5 essential apps you’ve got to install on your smartphone before gallivanting on another exciting escapade.
Goru
A new app created by telecommunication giants, Starhub, Goru promises to be your one stop measure when it comes to dealing with the problems of traveling. Although currently unavailable in respective app stores, sign up and stand a chance to win dream tickets to Seoul, Paris or New York. All you’ve got to do is enter your email address and an automatic 5 points will be allocated to you. 5 points will be awarded to your account for every friend that signs up. Those who spread the word the most will win the grand prize of plane tickets!
Coming to app stores on 22nd January!
Kayak
Thoroughly extensive, Kayak is an effective way of finding the cheapest flights, hotels and car rentals. This resourceful app ensures you get serious value for money by comparing and incorporating hundreds of travel sites like TripAdvisor and Orbitz on your smartphone. Other valuable aspects of Kayak include tracking flight statuses, accessing airport information and managing your travel schedule. Such a multi-faceted app can only come in handy when exploring the different nations of the earth.
Available on iPhone (free), iPad (free), Android (free), BlackBerry (free), Kindle (free) and Windows (free)
TripAdvisor
As its name suggests, TripAdvisor is really a great tool to find recommendations when you plan a trip. Reviews, airfares, pictures and opinions, you name it, TripAdvisor has it. Well stocked with information on where to stay, eat and simply have a good time, this versatile app provides you with the necessary know-how needed when you’re overseas. User comments are usually comprehensive, painting a good picture of what to expect on foreign grounds, making it easier for you to find the best quality.
Available on iPhone (free), iPad (free), Android (free), Nokia (free) and Windows Phone (free).
Uber
Hail a taxi at the tip of your finger for the upmost convenience when you’re wandering around a foreign country. Uber’s vast network of taxis allow you to have many options when you’re globetrotting, and not to mention, avoiding the extra fares local drivers charge is a major plus. Be warned though that on public holidays and busy periods, the surcharge of the total journey fare can be quite crazy. Not to fret, as Uber spells this out clearly in their terms and conditions. For the savvy street smart traveller, this cab hopping app is near perfect.
Available on iPhone (free), Android (free) and Windows Phone (free).
Foodspotting
A taste of local cuisine is an absolute must for anybody who wants to experience a country’s culture. The problem however, is that finding the best food in an unfamiliar land isn’t exactly a walk in the park. Solving this minor hiccup is food locating app, Foodspotting, which gives you the lowdown on how and where to get the best chow, complete with detailed maps and mouth watering pictures. Discover exotic foods while ensuring that what you get, is the best the country has to offer.
Available on iPhone (free), Android (free), Windows Phone (free), Blackberry (free).
WiFi Finder
Interconnectivity rules the roost in modern society, and ingrained in us is the habit of using the Internet at least once a day. Yet when we are travelling, our access to the Internet is mostly limited to our hotel rooms. To rectify this, Wi-Fi Finder is a free app that enables you to search for public Wi-Fi anywhere in the world. Its downloadable offline Wi-Fi database is extremely useful for locating hotspots when you’re not online, and making things convenient is the call location feature that provides contact details of the Wi-Fi provider.
Available on iPhone (free), iPad (free) and Android (free).