Travelling can be both exciting and stressful.
For some travel planning is exciting whereas embarking on a trip itself might be stressful. For others it's quite the opposite. How to deal with that? How to deal with travel anxiety? One of the first steps you can make in order to make travelling as stress-free as possible is to leave for the airport prepared.
This is where your phone comes into play.
Yes, you got me right - your phone, or your tablet computer can help you to reduce the stress levels. How? By giving you more control over the experience and letting you to be better prepared.
Here are the 15 best apps for stress-free travel that every traveller should have.
Download these before leaving for the airport!
Do you want to use internet abroad?
Remember this - not all airports around the world offer free Wi-Fi, and it’s not always possible to use mobile data because of the high roaming fees. The WiFox app is your best friend when it comes to using internet in the airports.
WiFox is an app that that stores airport and airport lounge WiFi passwords from around the world. The app works offline, so no internet is needed to use it. But don't forget to download the app itself before leaving for the airport.
This app is based on this map of airport WiFi passwords, and is updated regularly.
WiFox is available for download for: iOS on the App Store and on Android on Google Play for €2,29.
Download your airline's app to manage your booking, check-in and access your boarding passes, as well as book and plan a new trip.
Also your airline's app will notify you on departure and gate changes. Not only the airline's app is convenient way to manage your booking and to check your flight status online, but it’s also an eco-friendly way to travel. Less paper boarding passes = more trees and less waste.
Most of airlines nowadays have an app.
Mostly both for iOS and Android.
A great app every traveller should have.
Not only FLIO notifies you on gate changes and flight delays (learn what to do if your flight gets delayed) but also shows airport map and scheduled flights. Use FLIO to find out about shopping opportunities and airport lounges.
FLIO app is available for download for iOS on the App Store and on Android on Google Play for free.
Use LoungeBuddy to view and access airport lounges around the world.
The app provides details of airport lounge cost, amenities and location, as well. A great app for everyone travelling frequently and spending long hours at different airports.
LoungeBuddy app is available for download for iOS on the App Store for free.
Have a long layover and don’t want to stay or sleep in the airport?
Check out Dayuse app. There you will find great hotel deals on rooms that are being rented out for hours instead of days. Rooms are available only during the day. Rates can be up to 75% off the overnight stay price.
Dayuse is available for download for iOS on the App Store and on Android on Google Play for free.
With MiFlight™ you’ll be always on time for flights.
The app shows line wait times at security checkpoints and features terminal and airport maps.
Unfortunately, not all airports are available.
Check out our guide on how to make it through airport security faster.
MiFlight™ is available for download for iOS on the App Store for free.
How not to get lost once you arrive at your destination?
Use navigation apps such as Google Maps.
Google Maps offer street maps, navigation, panoramic views of streets, real-time traffic, and route planning for travelling by public transport.
You can use Google Maps also offline, you just need to download the are / city first. Don’t forget to do it before the trip! Some features (as route planning, panoramic views and real-time traffic) are not available in the offline mode.
Before leaving for the airport don’t forget to save your hotel to your map bookmarks. Also add some must-see places you want to visit during your trip. And enjoy a more stress-free travel!
Google Maps app is available for download for iOS on the App Store and on Android on Google Play for free.
Don’t get lost in translation while on the road!
Use a free translation service such as Google Translate. The app works online and offline, as well as there’s a desktop version, which I'm sure you know very well about.
Download a language pack before going on the trip because not always you’ll be able to access the internet while travelling.
Google Translate app is available for download for iOS on the App Store and on Android on Google Play for free.
Public transport can be so confusing especially if you have just arrived to a new city. Luckily there is an app for that. Citymapper will help you understand the public transportation in many cities all around the world.
It's a popular award winning public transport app. The app shows real-time departures and real-time disruption alerts, as well as features transport maps.
You can save journeys for offline as well.
Not every city of the world is covered. But still most of the top tourist destinations from all around the world are covered on the Citymapper app. The list currently includes London, Paris, Barcelona, Lisbon, Moscow, Singapore, Sydney, Los Angeles, New York and many more).
Citymapper is available for download for iOS on the App Store and on Android on Google Play for free.
So now you have a map.
You know how to get around using public transportation. You can understand the language. One more thing that's very important for stress free vacation is to know the exchange rate. How else will you know how much exactly are you paying for something?
We recommend an online currency converter application XE Currency.
XE Currency is available for download for iOS on the App Store and on Android on Google Play for free.
Trail Wallet is a great tool to help you track your expenses during your trip. Record your expenses every day (food, transport, accommodation, misc), add notes and compare how much you have spent on every trip.
Trail Wallet is available for download for iOS on the App Store for free.
Don’t forget to download and set up your banking app!
Many banking apps now feature real-time spending notifications and you can also use the app to block/unblock your card. The latter being extremely useful in case your card gets lost or stolen.
Here are 3 of the best travel debit cards in Europe.
Traveling is stressful, but Calm app is here to help you keep your stress levels low.
Use the Calm app to meditate and sleep better. The Calm app has some cool features such as sleep stories, video lessons on mindful movement to reduce stress levels and music that will help you relax.
Calm is available for download for iOS on the App Store for free (offers in-app purchases).
Use UVLens app to keep yourself safe in the sun during your trip.
The app features hourly UV forecasts and is color-coded for intensity of UV. Customise your profile to see suggestions on how to take care of your skin!
UVLens is available for download for iOS on the App Store and on Android on Google Play for free.
Packing can take a lot of time.
How to make sure that nothing important is left behind?
Create a packing list, or even better - download an app which offers various packing lists.
For more tips check out:
PackPoint Travel Packing List is available for download for iOS on the App Store and on Android on Google Play for free.
Bon Voyage!