Technology to Make Travel Easier
To start with – congratulations! You’ve obviously found our website, so you’re already using technology to compare prices and make your travel cheaper. But what about once you’ve booked your holiday? Which websites, gadgets and apps would we recommend to make your holiday go smoothly?
Preparation
Organisation
If you need a hand organising your trip you can use sites like tripit.com to compile all of your various confirmation emails into one travel itinerary. There are also lots of websites out there dedicated to creating packing lists so that you don’t forget something vital (like your passport…) when you travel. dontforgetyourtoothbrush.com is free, easy to use and allows you to create personalised lists with suggestions for items you’ll need on different holidays. Plus they’ll email you reminders as you get neared to departure time.
Research
With a little bit of research there’s almost no limit to what you can find out about your holiday destination. Use websites like spottedbylocals.com to research what’s going on in your destination according to the people that live there. You can also learn what your meal is going to be like on the flight over (airlinemeals.net) and what adaptors you need to take for your electrical gadgets (kropla.com).
While you’re away
Packing light
When I travel half my suitcase is full of books, but that will all change with the increasing popularity of eReaders like Amazon’s kindle or the iPad. Novels, guide books and phrase books can all be downloaded to one portable tool. Get an eReader with wireless and you don’t even need to download in advance, but get the resources you need as you travel.
Travel apps
Whilst you’re on the go, you need to be mobile so make sure you’re technology is too (though make sure you put these on your phone in advance, and check costs for using your phone abroad – You don’t want to be stung with data roaming charges when you get back). UrbanSpoon will find you local restaurants, Currency will keep you up to date with the exchange rates. There are plenty of apps to help you navigate with GPS (it’s best to download the maps in advance) whilst if you’re lost in lingo the Lonely Planet Phrasebook can help out. It speaks the phrase you want out loud, so you can get it to do the talking for you.
Top image from nathanborror.
