Best Offline Travel Apps

By Tracey Dowdy

For me, one of the best and worst parts of travelling outside the country is being disconnected from my smartphone. Though I love the freedom of being untethered, it’s not always convenient. I currently live in Canada and frequently travel to the U.S. to visit family and friends, but since Canadian wireless prices are among the highest in the world, my phone gets shut off before I cross the border.

My wireless provider offers a U.S. plan as a 30 day add-on but it’s expensive and rarely worth the cost, especially for a day trip. There’s also the option of purchasing a local sim card, but again not the best option unless I’ll be travelling for more than a day or two.

However, there are times you need access to maps, currency exchange rates, first aid advice, or you just have to find out whether the menu says “grilled chicken” or “fried iguana”.

These apps work offline, ensuring your vacation stories are more “Remember the time we almost got lost in Lima?” instead of “Remember the time we got on the wrong bus and ended up sixty miles from our hotel?”

TripIt

TripIt is about to become your new best friend. Like “braid each other’s hair and have sleepovers every weekend” besties. Simply send all your travel email confirmations to plans@tripit.com and the app automatically creates a custom itinerary for you. You can sync information with your Apple, Google or Outlook calendars, get maps and directions, and share plans via email or social media.

Platform: iOS, Android, Windows, Blackberry
Cost: Free

Google Maps
Avenza PDF Maps

Google Maps has always been my go-to maps app since apparently I was born without the gene providing a sense of direction. When I die, scientists will study my brain and say, “You know what, she was right. That gene is totally missing.” A second great option for travelers is Avenza PDF Maps, which offers a massive selection of up-to-date, detailed maps from around the world. The app includes thousands of free maps and specialty maps are available as in-app purchases.

Platform: iOS, Android, Windows
Cost: Free

XE Currency

Sticking to your budget while travelling can be a serious challenge if you’re dealing with unfamiliar currencies and what may seem like a bargain can be anything but if you aren’t careful. XE Currency is simple to use, updates to current exchange rates every time you connect to Wi-Fi, and you can convert between currencies from a single screen.

Platform: iOS, Android, Windows, BlackBerry, Firefox OS
Cost: Free

HopStop

Renting a car can be costly and if you’re travelling in a major city using public transit is often a much better choice. HopStop offers subway, train, walking, biking, taxi and bus directions for over 600 cities world-wide. The app provides door to door directions, station maps, schedules, travel times and approximate cost, so you can easily determine the most efficient, cost effective or scenic route. Transit delays are updated in real-time, so you won’t get stranded if you’re trying to get back in time to catch your tour group.

Platform: iOS
Cost: Free

Triposo

You’ve arrived, now what? Developed by two former Google employees, Triposo takes crowd-sourced information and organizes into a concise offline travel guide. Download the data pack for your chosen destination before you leave and, voila!, lists of activities, recommendations on where to stay, where to eat, sightseeing, a phrasebook, maps, a currency exchange guide, and more. Best of all, it’s free.

Platform: iOS, Android
Cost: Free

American Red Cross First Aid

My sister had to go to the E.R. while travelling in Spain, my friend Gabrielle was hospitalized while travelling in Hungary and my husband needed emergency care while on a volunteer project in the mountains of Arizona – all perfect examples of how valuable a first aid app can be. The American Red Cross First Aid app offers detailed, step-by-step directions for dealing with many simple emergencies and offers helpful videos as companions to written instructions.

Platform: iOS, Android, Kindle
Cost: Free

Free Wi-Fi Finder

Most McDonald’s and Starbucks’ offer free Wi-Fi, which is great if you’re in a city or town, but if you’re hiking to Machu Picchu or relaxing in the vineyards of Provence, those hotspots likely aren’t an option. For the times you absolutely need to get online, Free Wi-Fi Finder uses your phone’s GPS and network triangulation to provide a list of over 145,000 locations worldwide offering free Wi-Fi access including a “Near Me” option to help narrow your search.

Platform: iOS, Android
Cost: Free

There are over 1.4 million apps in Apple’s app store and Android offers a whopping 1.5 million, so I’m sure I’ve missed other great options.  What are your favorite or must-have offline travel apps?

Tracey Dowdy is a freelance writer based just outside Toronto, ON. After years working for non-profits and charities, she now freelances and researches on subjects from family and education to pop culture and trends in technology. Follow Tracey on Twitter.

Comments:

  1. Right here is the right blog for anybody who hopes to find out about this topic.
    You know a whole lot its almost tough to argue with you
    (not that I personally will need to?HaHa). You certainly put a fresh spin on a
    subject that’s been written about for a long
    time. Wonderful stuff, just excellent!

    my web site – http://www.aniene.net

  4. Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your weblog and in accession capital to assert that I get in fact
    enjoyed account your blog posts. Anyway I’ll be subscribing to your augment and even I achievement you access consistently quickly.

    Take a look at my web blog; Synaptic IQ Pills

  6. Quality articles is the important to be a focus for the visitors to pay
    a visit the web site, that’s what this website
    is providing.

  10. Thank you for sharing superb informations. Your web site is very cool.
    I’m impressed by the details that you’ve on this site.
    It reveals how nicely you understand this subject.
    Bookmarked this website page, will come back for more articles.
    You, my friend, ROCK! I found just the info I already searched everywhere
    and simply couldn’t come across. What a great web site.

    Also visit my web blog: cannabis doctor

  12. My husband and i were quite contented when Jordan could complete his web research from the precious recommendations
    he made from your web site. It is now and again perplexing just to happen to be offering solutions that people today could have
    been making money from. And now we realize we have got the writer to
    thank for that. The type of illustrations you’ve made, the simple website menu, the
    friendships you make it possible to instill – it’s everything excellent,
    and it’s really assisting our son in addition to us believe
    that that theme is excellent, and that is very serious.
    Thank you for everything!

    Also visit my web blog … accessing medical cannabis

  13. Can I simply just say what a relief to discover somebody who truly knows what they’re talking
    about online. You actually realize how to bring a problem
    to light and make it important. More people really
    need to check this out and understand this side of
    your story. It’s surprising you are not more popular because
    you definitely possess the gift.

    Here is my web page: forum.m2clasic.ro

  14. Thank you for sharing superb informations. Your website is so cool.

    I’m impressed by the details that you have on this site.
    It reveals how nicely you understand this subject. Bookmarked this website page, will come back for extra articles.
    You, my friend, ROCK! I found just the information I
    already searched all over the place and simply couldn’t come across.
    What a perfect website.

    Also visit my blog post: http://benjamindinh.fr/forum/showthread.php?tid=948376

  15. This is the right blog for anybody who wants
    to find out about this topic. You realize a whole
    lot its almost tough to argue with you (not that
    I really would want to?HaHa). You certainly put a new
    spin on a topic which has been discussed for years.
    Great stuff, just wonderful!

    my webpage … fat burning kitchen

  16. Thank you for your website post. Manley and I happen to be saving for just a new guide on this matter and your short article
    has made all of us to save our own money. Your thinking really answered all our issues.
    In fact, over what we had thought of before we came upon your amazing blog.
    We no longer have doubts including a troubled mind because
    you have really attended to the needs above. Thanks

    Here is my site: 23.95.102.216

  18. https://tipsforperfectinterview.com
    Greetings from Ohio! I’m bored to tears at work so I decided to browse your site on my iphone during lunch break.
    I enjoy the information you provide here and can’t
    wait to take a look when I get home. I’m shocked at how fast your
    blog loaded on my cell phone .. I’m not even using WIFI,
    just 3G .. Anyways, excellent blog!

  27. See an inventory of all of the insurers that write Progressive Home insurance policies, or
    contact us for more particulars.

  28. Japon Enset Porno Porn Videos: Trio Japones; Masajista Japones Se
    Folla A Jovencita Latina; Anal Con Morrita Rusa Bien Caliente Y Un Poco Gritona; Cojida Porno En Mexico Porno Mexicano Videos Porno Mexicanos Mexican Porno Attachment; Porno Francais
    Avec 2 Amateurs De Film X.

  29. Sıcak Hintli kızlar amcık, tamil seks fotoğrafları,
    yüksek kaliteli xxx desi resimleri ile ücretsiz Hint
    porno resimler. en iyi bollywood, pakistan, bengali porno
    resimler indianpornpics sizi bekliyor! Amatör porno.
    Asha Kumara. Banyo seks. Yatak odası seks.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recommended Articles

How To Get the Best Deals on Last-Minute Travel

5 Great Uses for Your Smartphone On Vacation

6 Useful Smartphone Travel Tips

The Connected Traveler

7 Ways to Reduce Your Data Usage