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| Dragon's Back trail in Hong Kong |
Apps for Travel
I use a few select apps for when I travel and I know some people prefer guidebooks and whatnot for ideas so to each their own but the following I believe are must-use apps, not for simply ideas of places to see (let's be honest, locals and other travelers always know the best spots to see anyway).
XE Currency is the most valuable app in my opinion as it provides up to date currency information so you can shop around and get the best rate possible when changing money over to the local currency. Exchange companies can be very unforgiving depending on the currency and the amount of currency ($10 bill could yield less value than $50 bills in some situations) so be sure to know how much you deserve and to shop around to find the best rate.
Google Maps is a no brainer. I hope we're all familiar with how it works and its capabilities. The main thing I think people overlook is that you do not need cellular data to use it. As long as the map updates to your location, it only uses GPS so you can still track yourself throughout the city (but you cannot search for things unless you have WiFi or cellular data).
Skyscanner I have mentioned many times before so I won't dwell on it but because of how good it is at finding budget airliners, it is pretty perfect for finding out the cheapest deal to your next destination if you do not have a set plan. This saved me a couple times by finding cheap flights in Thailand while I was bouncing around all over the country.
Honorable Mention: Screenshots. OK, I know this isn't an app but if you're looking to cut back on data usage (see below also), never forget that screenshots and pictures can help you out remarkably in knowing which flights are when and from where, how to get from point A to point B, and where your hotel is located. Ever gotten to a city and gone straight out? Yea, you don't really have any idea where your hotel is located so it's probably a good idea to save that address and/or location on Google Maps in a screenshot or two so you can drunkenly show your cab driver where you belong at the end of the night.
Cell Phone Usage
Don't worry, cell phones have become so widespread in the world today that now you probably don't even need to get a separate phone to travel with (and plus, your phone doubles as a camera too). Simply use your existing iPhone or Android phone and it should be compatible abroad, but check with your provider first to make sure. Worst case scenario, it should be able to be used within the confines of a WiFi network which is also becoming used pretty much everywhere in the first world but even in the third world although it may be a bit more spotty and less reliable. It never hurts to ask a restaurant, bar, or hotel/hostel for their WiFi password just in case they have it and usually it is free so you can do research of the area from your base camp.
Make sure to know how your phone works with cellular data as well because if you do not turn off cellular data and/or data roaming, your phone could be looking to use data outside of WiFi networks while you're abroad (which can be very pricey). You can also limit this on an app by app basis on some phones so if you do have a cellular data plan while abroad, apps will not use your precious data to refresh in the background.
Check with your carrier to see how much a data plan abroad costs. AT&T has passport options where for a one-time fee you can pay $30 (cheapest option) and get a decent amount of data along with unlimited texts which isn't too shabby if managed appropriately. You can simply add this to your existing plan on your own too, no need to hop on the phone with anyone.
Rechargeable Accessories
Sure, bring that cell phone and bring that iPad for the plane. You've charged it in the airport and on the plane via USB or a normal US plug but then you get to your hotel/hostel and whoops, they don't have that US plug for you to use. Make sure to look up what plugs work where and if you will need a converter. For Europe, they use a simple 2 round prong plug that is 220 volts and when I was in Thailand, this was accepted as well as the US plug but it really varies by country so be prepared.
I ran into an issue in Hong Kong because they only had UK plugs in my room and I did not have a UK converter (forgot they used to be under UK rule). One trick is to look for a USB cable outlet on the back of the TV in your room. I found this in Hong Kong and it saved my phone's life, only issue was I had to keep the TV on a lot and the charge was quite a bit slower than a real plug but hey, you work with what you're given and it sure beats buying another converter.
Credit Cards/Cash
The cash aspect of this somewhat goes along with the XE Currency app I mentioned earlier but for credit cards, it really varies by country, similar to the different plug scenario. Luckily now, most US cards have the chip in the card so they will work abroad but also make sure you have no foreign transaction fees so you do not get hit with any extra fees. ATM cards should work abroad as well if you need extra cash but you will more than likely be hit with a fee on those from both ends (your bank and the foreign ATM owner).
I normally bring my ATM card, one credit card, and about $100 - $200 in USD to start which I try and exchange about half of immediately, keeping the other half hidden/in the safe in the room until I need it (this is for about a week and a half). Basically, I try and use credit card literally everywhere and use cash as my back up and the ATM card as my last resort because of the fees. Make sure to check with your credit card company to see if you need to inform them of your travels or else your card will not work anywhere. From what I have encountered, AMEX and Bank of America do NOT require you to tell them where you are going but Chase does for sure.
Passports
This should be traveling 101 so I will keep this brief but I know I have some friends who do not have a passport to this day. You may also have to renew if you do not have at least 6 months of validity on your passport at the time of your trip, which I had to do recently. Renewing or getting a passport is relatively painless through the State Department but if you are really in a time crunch, you may want to resort to either the expedited service through the State Department or through a third party service. Passports usually run you about $110 to renew and $135 for a new one. The easiest place to apply to get them in my opinion is just at the post office as they will take your picture there too.
Visas
These are for more ambitious places than say Europe or Central America but they are definitely worth noting in case you decide to book a good deal on a whim to Brazil or China or elsewhere. In some cases, you should be able to get a Visa on Arrival but just make sure to check with each countries requirements to get into the country via the State Department or their personal embassy websites. Some may require you to check with their local embassy in your country first but like I said, in the majority of cases, it is not too huge of a deal as the Visa on Arrival system allows for more tourism in the country. If they do not have Visa on Arrival, make sure you allow enough lead time to get a visa for said country before your visit.
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