The Cultural Exchange Project Travel Blog

When You Volunteer Abroad There's An App For That

Written by Randy LeGrant | May 28, 2010 9:13:00 AM

GeoVisions is an all-Mac company. And when we travel, we're an iPhone company too.

As I write this post on May 28, 2010, do you know there are 328 Travel Apps for the iPhone in the Apple Store?  Here are a few of my favs that make my travel easier.  I keep most of my travel apps on one screen so they are there when I need them.

If you use travel apps that make traveling more fun or easier, be sure to share them in our Comments section below and share with the rest of us.

Currency
Currency
provides up-to-date exchange rate information for over 100 currencies and countries! Great for when you travel abroad and need to calculate the latest exchange rates. FREE  Rated 3 1/2 stars out of 5.

 

iXpenseIt
Ranked one of the 50 Most Useful iPhone Apps (Best Expenses App) by LAPTOP Magazine.

  You can use this app for your personal budget as well as your travel expenses.  You can even email yourself a spreadsheet with your expenses.  If you're abroad and you want to budget your funds, nothing comes close to this app.  $4.99  Rated 5 stars out of 5.

 

TripIt
TripIt Travel Organizer puts all your travel plans right on your iPhone no matter where your travel was booked! Forward travel confirmation emails to plans@tripit.com to build a trip itinerary. This app even keeps track of my appointments, builds maps and the weather. You can literally use this app to go out for the day and have everything you need on your iPhone without the hassle of so many pieces of paper.  FREE  Rated 2 1/2 Stars out of 5.

 

FlightTrack
The best flight tracking app out there. Track every aspect of your domestic and international flights with real-time updates and beautiful, zoomable maps. Check gate numbers, delays and cancellations. More than 5,000 airports are covered worldwide!  $4.99  4 out of 5 stars.

 

GateGuru


GateGuru is the leading airport resource that covers the top 86 airports in the United States, the top 12 airports internationally.  Walk off the plane, tap the icon and tell GateGuru where you are in the airport.  It will show you to the restrooms, the news stand, anything you need on any concourse. And travelers get to rate the shops!  FREE  3 Stars Out of 5.

 

Tipulator
Take the guesswork out of restaurant tipping with Tipulator. Enter the bill amount, select a percentage, and set the number of people, and Tipulator will calculate the tip and split it between you and your friends.  $1.99  Apple Staff Pick.

 

iTranslate
You can translate every word and text! You can translate from Russian, English, French, German and Spanish and to each other!  FREE  3 Stars out of 5.

 

Everlater
Travel Journal and Travel Blog.  A nice app that goes along with the Web version of Everlater. I use it when I travel and so do our volunteers.  The perfect alternative to a Blog, it comes with maps, ability to upload photos and publish your trip in a book.  FREE  3 Stars out of 5.

 

World Customs and Cultures
This app is essential for any traveler. It includes customs, cultural information, and facts on over 165 different countries.  FREE  3 1/2 Stars out of 5.

 

Skype
With Skype on your iPhone or iPod touch you can call and instant message anyone else on Skype for free. You can also call landlines and mobiles and send SMS anywhere in the world, at great rates. Skype is free to download and easy to use.  FREE  3 1/2 Stars out of 5.

 

AccuWeather
Enter a U.S. zip code or the name of an international city or country to get the world of weather at your fingertips! See if severe weather is approaching with AccuWeather snow, ice, and rain radar; plus check out the latest weather conditions and get forecasts for the next 6 hours or the next 15 days with the AccuWeather Calendar. AccuWeather forecasts are available from coast to coast and around the world.  FREE  3 out of 5 stars.

 

Shazam
Lovin’ that tune? Shazam gives you instant satisfaction when you want to know what song is playing. Just point your phone towards the music source to identify and buy the track, or share your discovery with friends and family. And if you want to own that tune to remember the experience, tap the tune and you are taken right to iTunes where you can instantly buy and download it.  FREE  3 1/2 stars out of 5.

 

What about it?  Do you have favorite travel apps you'd like to share with the rest of us?  Please let us know about them in our Comments section below so we can all give them a try.