TRAVEL
There’s an App for That
Navigate your next trip with these helpful apps every traveller should know about.
By Gillian Berner | Illustration by Jeannie Phan
THERE'S A LOT TO JUGGLE when you travel, from remembering currency exchange rates to decoding local parking signs. Download these tried-and-tested, highly rated apps to make your next adventure just that little bit easier, so you can focus on savouring each travel moment and making memories.
BRIDGE LANGUAGE BARRIERS
Navigate the local language with Google Translate, a free app that translates more than 100 languages across text and images in real time. Another option is iTranslate, which can traverse across text, conversation and images in 100-plus languages and dialects (you’ll need to pay for upgraded access to the camera function for menus and signs). Both apps have an offline mode, so you can use them without Internet. Now we’re talking.
GAIN CURRENCY
One of the questions most asked by travellers on trips abroad is, How much does this actually cost? XE Currency lets you easily access up-to-date exchange rates and currency data, so you can quickly calculate exactly how many Canadian dollars, say, that latte will set you back. The app also facilitates fast international money transfers to more than 200 countries. As a CAA Member, you can order foreign currency online at best rates, with no fees, for pickup at CAA Stores in Saskatoon and Regina (North Albert location). You can also pick up currency at conveniently located ATMs in the CAA Regina South Albert Store and CAA Stores in Swift Current, Saskatoon and Estevan.
SPLIT BILLS SMARTLY
A tricky part of group travel is figuring out who owes what at the end. Apps such as Splitwise, Tricount and Splid can help you track expenses and divvy up bills with your travel companions. You can even scan receipts and monitor expenses across different currencies.
STAY CONNECTED
Tired of sky-high roaming charges? Airalo is the world’s first eSIM store that provides affordable data plans for over 200 countries. It’s easy to set up in advance, so you can use your phone, stress-free, as soon as you land.
BE AN ITINERARY WIZ
Scrambling to find your travel details across multiple emails, the Notes app and scrap paper? Tripit consolidates flight confirmations, hotels, car rentals, restaurant reservations and other info into a single itinerary. Just upload your confirmation emails into the app and rest easy, knowing that all your travel details are stored in one place.
REWARD GOOD SERVICE
International tipping customs can be confusing, which is where GlobeTips comes in. As the most comprehensive tip calculator on the market, it offers guides specific to more than 200 countries and helps travellers calculate the appropriate local tip amount for a wide range of services.
TAKE A HIKE
If you’re planning an outdoorsy adventure, consider AllTrails, the gold standard for hiking and trail guides. Just plug in your destination and you’ll get access to important relevant details, such as distance, elevation, difficulty level and directions, plus offline maps for spotty cellphone service. CAA