When we think of our travel companions, we usually think of the friends and family who help to turn our trips into all-out memorable adventures.
Yet, while it’s true it’s our nearest and dearest fellow travellers that deserve most of the attention, we can also spare a thought for the trusty smartphone, which might just be the most underrated travel companion that there’ll ever be. After all, those handy devices offer a ton of advantages that can help to take your trip to the next level. From helping you save money to keeping boredom at bay and beyond, here’s why it’s unlikely that you’ll ever take a trip with your smartphone by your side.
It Allows You to Get the Cheapest Flights
Going on international trips isn’t cheap, but it also doesn’t have to be anywhere near as expensive as we might expect. Think of the pre-smartphone/internet era, in which you’d have to visit a travel agency to book a flight. They’d give you a price, and you’d just have to hope that it was a good deal.
With a smartphone, you’re in control. You can easily search flight comparison websites to find a journey that’s in line with your budget, and you can even book the flight through your device too. Smartphones aren’t always cheap (though they can be), but you’ll typically find that they pay for themselves after a while, especially if you take enough trips.
And Get Good Deals on Hotel Rooms
After the flight, it’s usually the hotel cost that forms the biggest chunk of the holiday budget. When you have a smartphone, you can easily find the best deals on accommodation, even if you’re booking at the last minute. There are hotel booking apps that will show you most of the options in the surrounding area, which you can then view in order of cost. Some hotel websites even offer discounts — sometimes as much as 10 – 20% — if you book through your mobile rather than a desktop computer.
You Can Use It To Translate
Part of the fun of taking an international travel adventure is being surrounded by a language that you don’t speak. However, while that can help to really drive home the fact that you’re experiencing a new culture, it can also be a little frustrating after a while. At some point, you’ll need to know what’s on the menu or understand other important information.
To get around this, travellers have a few options. They can learn the language before they go, hire a translator, stick to the English-speaking areas, or they can simply download a translation app before they go. Modern translation apps are so good that you often just need to point your camera at the text, and it’ll automatically translate it into English.
You Can Play Games During Downtime
We all focus on the fun parts of travel, but it’s also true that there can be some less-than-fun elements from time to time. For example, when you have a long layover, face a delay, or you have a long bus/train journey while you’re in the country that you’re visiting. You can handle those waiting periods for thirty minutes or so, but beyond that, things can quickly begin to become a little boring/frustrating.
If you have your smartphone with you, then you’ll have the perfect opportunity to keep boredom at bay. Plenty of classic games are available via smartphone, including chess, blackjack, roulette, and solitaire. When you have nothing to do other than to sit around and wait, then those games — all of which can be played via your smartphone’s internet browser — can help to pass the time (and keep your spirits up).
You Can Listen to Region-Focused Podcasts
Looking for a fun and easy way to learn more about the destination that you’re visiting? Then take a search for region-specific podcasts that concentrate on that specific area. No matter where you’re going, you’ll likely find that there is a mountain of podcasts available that can help you to learn a little more about the destination. It’s handy for learning about the culture and history of the place, as well as discovering some hidden gems that are worthwhile visiting during your stay. You can think of it kind of like taking a guided tour, only at a time and place that suits you.
You Can Avoid Tourist Traps
No one wants to feel like they’re being ripped off. Alas, it’s something that happens all too frequently to travellers. Since they don’t know the area, many end up sitting down in restaurants only to discover later that they’ve been horribly overcharged for food that wasn’t even that good.
The problem is that while those types of restaurants tend to be located in tourist areas, you can’t really know for sure which ones will rip you off until you’ve sat down and finished the meal.
That is, unless you have your smartphone by your side. Google Maps can be terrific for avoiding tourist traps thanks to its reviews feature, which tells you the experience of previous customers. If a place has a low score with plenty of warnings from customers, then you’ll know that it should be avoided.
You Can Stay Connected to Back Home
Imagine travelling in 1950 and trying to get in touch with friends and family back home. It would be virtually impossible, since any letter you sent would take weeks to arrive. Today, no such problem. Your smartphone allows you to easily speak with your loved ones as if you were in the same room, especially if it’s via video call.
And Stay Connected To People You Meet
In addition, your smartphone can help you stay connected to the people you meet on your travels. All you need is to get their phone number or social media profiles, and you’ll be able to stay in touch long after you’ve arrived home. Those interactions used to be fleeting, but now, thanks to smartphones, they can last a lifetime.