5 Must-Have Free iOS Travel Apps

Summer is right around the corner, and for many of us this means the chance to start planning a well-deserved break and thinking about purchasing travel insurance, booking hotels, flights and getting ready for somewhere warm and relaxing. Remember, there are 8 things to check before booking a budget hotel and 4 must-have travel essentials to take on any trip.

Because of the wonders of modern technology, we can now take advantage of some amazing travel apps for our smart phones and tablets that really give our trips a whole new dimension.

Before heading abroad, check out these must-have iOS travel apps for your trip.

1. Duolingo

First on our list we have Duolingo. Duolingo is one of the most popular travel apps currently available for iOS devices, and best of all is the fact that it is FREE! Duolingo is the perfect travel app for those of you planning to travel the world, and learn a new language while doing so. Yes, the app is designed to teach users a brand-new language, or rather, it teaches the basics.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking that the app will teach you to become fluent in your language of choice because it won’t. What it will do however, is teach you the basics in a simple, fun, easy-to-understand format. The app is great because it allows you to step up a level as you go, so the more you learn, the harder the words and phrases become.

Read also: 7 Best Travel Apps for your Next Trip to Europe

2. Kayak

For many years now, Kayak has been the number one choice for people planning trips abroad. Kayak is perfect because it utilizes a vast and diverse database to search for hotels, hire cars, accommodation, flights, and much more besides. As the app is so popular and so widely utilized, users can enjoy exclusive deals and offers that are not available elsewhere.

The app allows users to set alerts for price drops and increases, special offers, and more. You can even use the app to predict whether it is best to purchase tickets now, or in the future when a price reduction would be likely. Basically, Kayak lets you take care of all of the important stuff needed for a holiday, while getting the best possible prices and deals in the process.

3. App in the Air

App in the Air is simple but still a whole lot of fun. It’s basically a flight tracking app designed to provide the latest info on airports, flights, weather conditions, and much more besides. It even helps you to break down and categorise the time needed at the airport, condensing your flight into four stages - check in, boarding, taking off, and landing.

The app is free and can be integrated with another app known as TripIt, allowing users to import info from their flights. It’s especially cool as you can see where in the world you are, and where you have been whilst flying.

4. Airbnb

Airbnb is a name that is now synonymous with travel. For those of you looking for accommodation, without having to spend a small fortune in the process, be sure to download the Airbnb app to your smart device. The app offers the most competitive prices for a whole range of different accommodation.

Whether you want to stay in a moderately-priced hotel, a self-catering apartment, or even somebody’s spare bedroom, Airbnb has you covered. Best of all is the fact that the app has a new feature known as ‘trips’ which enables users to search for, and organize, various trips and excursions for their holiday. There are plans to expand functionality further and it will soon enable users to plan every single aspect of their holiday, from this one app.

5. Google Translate

Finally, the last essential app is Google Translate. For those of you travelling to a foreign land, this is the app that will help make getting around a whole lot easier. Say for example, there is a parking sign on the wall that you cannot understand, simply take out your phone, open the app, point the camera at the text and the app will translate it into your language in a matter of seconds.

This is especially useful when ordering food from foreign menus, as it means that you’re less-likely to order the wrong thing by mistake. We know that deep-fried tarantulas are a delicacy in some parts of the world, but we also know that there are plenty of people out there who would not be impressed if they ordered it in error from the menu.

That just about covers it for now. So make your next trip a breeze and before buying your travel insurance and jetting off into the sunset, download these apps and don’t forget to pack your charger. Lastly, stay travel aware with essential advice and tips from the FCDO.

With Globelink first-ever iOS app have your travel insurance with you whenever wherever!

Read also: How to Take Stunning Travel Photos with Your iPhone