As technology develops, it spreads into all aspects of our lives. For travelers, technology can be a huge help – or a source of frustration. Some travelers are totally on board with using all kinds of tech while they explore the world, while others prefer to go cold turkey, ditching the wifi and smartphones on the open road.
While there’s no doubt the technology debate will rage on, if you’re tech-friendly, there are dozens of ways it can help you plan and navigate your upcoming trip. These websites and apps were created to assist in your explorations:
Waze
It might not be as well-known as Google Maps, but Waze could just be the up-and-coming king of GPS apps. Based on user’s reports, it takes traffic into consideration when mapping your route, and sends you on the quickest route. You can also use the app to coordinate travel with friends, find the cheapest gas stations on your route and contribute to the maps yourself. Best of all? It’s free.
Image source: Wikipedia
GateGuru
Find yourself eating at the same fast food stops every time you’re at the airport? Wish you knew where to pick up a non-touristy gift before take-off? While it’s a little US-centric, GateGuru is full of hidden secrets about airports worldwide. You can find everything from restaurant ratings to wait times for checkpoint lines, all housed in one app. You can also connect it to social media to share updates with friends and family. GateGuru is a great app for frequent flyers.
One of the long airport lines GateGuru can help you avoid (image source: Wikipedia).
XE Currency
With over 5 million downloads, it’s safe to say that XE Currency is a travel necessity. Whether you’re an armchair traveler shopping online for a souvenir from a far away land or in an open air market across the world from home, XE Currency offers updated exchange rates for free. If you’re planning on doing any shopping on your next trip, this app is a great tool to have in your arsenal.
If you want these exchange rates in your pocket, XE Currency is the app for you! (image source: Wikipedia)
Foodspotting
Unlike Yelp and UrbanSpoon, two other great food apps, Foodspotting focuses more on specific dishes than types of cuisine. Hankering for a hot dog? Craving chocolate cake? Plug in the object of your desire into the app, and you’ll be rewarded with locals’ recommendations for the best dish in town, complete with a map to show you how far away you are from your next meal.
Image source: Flickr
Sources: Forbes, PC Mag, TimeOut, Waze
Note: Check out #ttot (Travel Talk on Twitter) to see what other people are saying about the topic of the week.
