Technology is here to stay so if you want to embrace the travellers’ lifestyle, there are a few apps created to make life easier for you. Below are 10 unique apps that can enhance your travel experience:
1. Google Maps
Whether you are travelling within or outside the country, Google Maps is a must-have app. It shows you the aerial view of the location you are looking for and helps you identify the landmarks to note in the area surrounding your it. The Map acts as a GPS, location tracker and traffic monitor. Sure, most places in Nigeria are not yet listed in Google Maps, but the few that are makes it a great resource.
2. Trip Advisor
The best way to decide about a place is to read reviews from other travellers who have been there. The Trip Advisor Mobile app puts that at your fingertips along with candid shots and videos uploaded by other travellers. Plus, it lets you compare prices, get answers to specific travel questions from their forum and find the best Hotels and Restaurants in any location you choose.
3. Fascinating Nigeria
This app is like Google Maps except it brings Nigeria closer to you. It shows you facts about the history and culture of people in any city and all the villages, towns, restaurants and tourist destinations along the route you plan to take for your trip. It’s ideal for a family road trip like the type taken by The Bellos who drove cross-country during a holiday in our childhood English Reader textbook in the 80s.
4. TripIt
This app is great for sharing your travel itinerary with friends and family. It gives you information on motor-park, hotel reservations, tourist attractions and flight schedules from the comfort of your house before you start your journey. It also gives relevant information on other travel and safety facts needed for your trip. These allow you to make informed decisions before you leave home.
5. Skype
It‘s true you can use WhatsApp video call feature or any social media recording tool to send a video message or call to loved ones for free. The reason Skype still stands above the crowd is its crystal clear HD quality video conferencing call feature which allows you to talk to multiple persons at a time provided you are in an area with a good network or Wi-Fi.
6. Uber
Moving around in a new town can be tough. With an app like Uber, Taxify or EasyTaxi, you can book the services of a cab. With these apps, you can tell the proximity of the driver to you and walk them through how to access your location with minimal direction given. Uber, like Google Maps, is not restricted to Nigeria only; you can use it even when you travel outside the country.
7. The Vane
This fashion/lifestyle/weather/travel app makes fashion suggestions based on your intended location and the weather of that location. It tells you what to wear and how to arrive at your destination in style. It is free and can be downloaded by Android and iOS devices.
8. Find my iPhone
This app is great for people who use Apple Products because it allows you to locate your devices if they get missing or misplaced during a trip. It also makes it easy to lock the device or its features remotely in the event that someone steals it. It works for iPhones and iPads and is available in Apple stores for free.
9. Wi-Fi finder
This app helps you locate the nearest Wi-Fi hotspots (both free and paid) to log into in other to stay online. With most airports having Wi-Fi hotspot, you may need to accompany this Wi-Fi Finder app with Airport Wi-Fi Password app which will give you the Wi-Fi names, passwords and best signal location to connect to.
10. Packpoint
If you are someone who struggles with what to pack for a trip, this app was built with you in mind. Once you enter your travel destination, date of travel and length of stay (plus details of the activities you are planning to engage in), this app automatically generates a bespoke list of items to pack for your trip.
There are many other great apps out there that can help you as a traveller like Mint which helps you keep track of your spending or abokiFX which shows you current exchange rate in case you are in a place like a shop in Tinapa where goods are sold in dollars. Let the needs arising from your trip guide you in choosing which Apps to download.
Featured image source: TripAdvisor