Smartphones have changed the way we travel. They’re our wallets, cameras, navigators, translators, currency converters, guide books, televisions, boom boxes, gaming devices, and sometimes, even our phones. Apps make (sometimes literal) light work of things that used to involve multiple physical devices. But which apps are best for travel? Here’s a guide to some of the top travel agent-recommended apps for your next trip.
Travel agents have to know everything about everything. It is what it is and there’s no point trying to pretend otherwise. Not only do you have to offer excellent service but also recommend tools that enrich your clients’ experiences. So Karryon compiled a list of the travel apps that agents have said they confidently recommend to their clients. Pass it on!
Google Maps
Most people might already have this app on their phones, are they making the most out of it when they travel? While you can use it much as you do at home (with the added benefit of saving an area for offline use), Google Maps is much more than just a navigational tool. One agent uses it to create custom lists of different places (restaurants, attractions, shops…) before she arrives in a city and then either plots a course to see them or if she happens to be in an area, can easily see how far she is from one of these places.
It’s also helpful when you want to share your location with anyone — particularly useful when meeting up with friends or for worried parents back home.
Flightradar24
This one is for the avgeeks (no judgement Karryon Editor Mark Harada). Keep an eye on the sky for all your nerdy needs or be like the rest of us and use it to keep an eye on delays, cancellations, gate changes and diversions.
At the time of writing, there was a live event in which the app was tracking the loneliest flights. Even I nerded up for that one.
Airline apps
Not all airline apps are created equal, but some do a really good job of making it easy to manage your booking, check in online and get all the latest updates from your flight.
Many agents have said they recommend clients download these well before travel so they can not only manage their bookings from the start, but also be ahead of the game when it comes to accessing inflight WiFi and entertainment.
Packing Apps
Packing Pro is an oldie and kind of looks it, but this intensive app does have the benefit of letting you add what bag something is in and who it belongs to. You can even estimate the weight and value of each item which helps with baggage allowance and, knock on wood, insurance claims should you lose your luggage.
A newer and perhaps more intuitive and customisable packing app is PackPoint, which one agent particularly likes the ability to check ‘Repeat basics’ and ‘Laundry’ options for those who don’t like to pack everything they own.
Google Translate
While agents fully recommend learning a few key phrases in a local language, they understand that Google Translate is great for things like restaurant menus or shopping. Google Translate can help bridge language barriers between people (a conversation carried out via ‘Google Translate’ is almost inevitable), but using its camera function has also helped many an agent buy the right face mask in South Korea.
Uber and its competitors
While Uber has almost acheived global domination, some countries do not have it but do have its equivalent. Research your destination and make sure you have the app. Preloading this with your card details can make not having local currency okay.
Flush Toilet Finder
Because when you need to go, you need to check your phone. This app is particularly useful to recommend to those with children. With over 200,000 public loos in its database, travellers can get immediate directions on how to get to closest one near them. It will also advise which are disabled, have a fee for use or may require a key.
