Apps You'll Want to Take on Vacation: A Digital Packing List
'Everyone talks about making the super app, the one place for everything you need,' said Gilbert Ott, partnerships director at Point.me, a website that helps travelers manage loyalty points, 'but no one has done it yet.' Until that super travel app exists, here are some suggested apps to download before you go.
Public Wi-Fi networks like those in cafes and hotels may not be secure, so to keep criminals from intercepting passwords, credit card numbers and emails, 'it's better to encrypt your internet activity,' said Mr. Ott. One method to keep data secure is to download and use virtual private networks like NordVPN or ExpressVPN, which encrypt your web doings. Both charge about $13 per month for a monthly plan, and about half that rate for a yearly plan. Another VPN provider, Mullvad, charges about $5.50 per month.
It may be tempting to store copies of important documents like passports, health insurance cards and prescriptions on your phone as photos, but it's more secure to use apps that encrypt that information, like 1Password (starting at $35.88 per year) and Microsoft OneDrive Personal Vault (included with a $99.99-per-year Microsoft 365 subscription or, for nonsubscribers, three files free storage).
The U.S. government's free Mobile Passport Control app can help U.S. citizens and some other groups — even travelers not in the Global Entry program — make their way through immigration and customs more quickly by scanning their passport into the app and adding a selfie within four hours of arrival. Preloading the information speeds your interaction with the officer.
For detailed information on public transportation that can go beyond Google Maps, Moovit (free with ads or Moovit+ with additional features and no ads for $17.99 per year) and Citymapper (free with ads or $9.99 per year) can help with routes, fares and trip length around the world. In cities like New York and London, make sure you've loaded a credit or debit card in your digital wallet and set it up for transit to avoid lines by using touchless payment at turnstiles.
In some countries, hailing a cab on the street may be difficult or unsafe. So where Uber and Lyft aren't available, download local trusted ride-hailing apps that offer set fares and location tracking. In Vietnam, Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries, for example, Grab offers rides in cars, taxis and on the backs of motorcycles. In India, Ola is a popular choice.
For hours spent in planes, trains and hotel rooms, load your device with a mix of diversions and destination information. Taylor Beal, a travel blogger from Philadelphia, who leads high school groups on trips to Europe, recommends borrowing electronic library books using Libby and Hoopla. The apps are free but require a local library card from one of the more than 90,000 participating public libraries and schools.
For road trips in the United States, the phone app Autio ($35.99 annually, with a free trial) offers 23,000 short stories and information about the surrounding landscape and history, based on your location. Offerings include Kevin Costner on the northern Great Plains and John Lithgow on 'Footloose' filming locations.
Keeping track of who paid for what among a group of friends can be a fun-killing chore. Jamie Larounis, a travel industry analyst for Upgraded Points, recommends Splitwise Pro ($39.99 per year, or a limited free version), which tracks and divides up expenses for taxis, meals and more. Other apps like Tricount (free) and Settle Up (free, or $19.99 per year for the premium version) offer similar services.
For tracking flights and making plans either solo or with companions, TripIt (free version or TripItPro $49 per year) and Wanderlog (free version or Wanderlog Pro for $39.99 per year) can tame even complicated itineraries.
You may already have Google Translate on your device, but that app also has some lesser-known handy features. Point your camera at a foreign menu, train station sign or receipt, for example, and Google can translate it — even with non-Roman characters. The Conversation button in the app lets you pass your phone back and forth when you're trying to get directions, order food, ask for help and more. You can even create a custom phrase book in the app.
Bloomberg Connects has teamed up with more than 800 museums and other cultural spaces, like the New York Botanical Garden, around the world to offer free information on their exhibits, complementing local organizations like the Musée Carnavalet, a history museum in Paris, which often have institution-specific apps.
Of course, there's also always the good, old-fashioned way to travel — wandering around and letting serendipity take the lead. Is there an app for that, too?
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Travel + Leisure
an hour ago
- Travel + Leisure
10 Things a Travel Writer Will Never Pack in a Checked Bag on an International Trip, and What to Pack Instead
In 2017, I sold a tell-all to a magazine titled 'Tales from Tindering in 25 Countries.' I visited all 25 countries, spread out over five continents, in less than 12 months. Nearly a decade later, I'm no longer dating like the Tasmanian devil. But I'm still Katie Talks Travel, a full-time travel writer living out of my luggage. That said, I've learned that there are just some things you simply don't put in checked luggage, especially if you're flying internationally. For starters, there's a decent chance that your bags won't make it to your destination when you do. Then, you have international airline regulations to abide by (in China, for example, a TSA agent once flagged my luggage after I packed a carbon dioxide cartridge in my checked bag for a cycling holiday—the good news is my bike never got a flat tire; the bad news was it took weeks to get my bag back). Finally, there are items that just aren't worth the space they take up, so whether your next international trip is to Australia or Argentina, see below for 10 common mistakes travelers make when it comes to packing a checked bag for a trip abroad, and more importantly, what you should bring instead. I shudder to think that I used to pack my GoPro Hero in my checked luggage. I figured I wasn't going to use it during my flight, so why did I need it in my carry-on? Turns out, there are two very valid reasons why you should never pack your electronics in your checked bag, especially on international flights where more handlers will rifle through it: theft, being the first. And the second? Damage. The best thing to do is invest in a personal item that's big enough to fit your electronics and features padded pockets for them. This Vancropak Carry-on Backpack, for example, is an Amazon's Choice pick with a built-in USB charging port and cable for my beloved Anker power bank, and it comes with packing cubes. I love my old college sweats, and my fiancé loves his New York Yankees gear, but when we travel internationally, we make sure to pack outfits that are also nice enough to wear out to lunch at a white tablecloth restaurant. This is especially true in European countries where locals like to dress to impress, even if they're just taking their dogs out for a walk. It's also worth noting that the locals don't embrace the athleisure trend, so you might want to leave your leggings at home. This Wiholl 2-piece Matching Set is great because it's super soft but also stylish thanks to the well-draped, wide-legged pants and flattering contoured cap-sleeve top. Dress it up with wedges and jewelry for a wine tasting, or pair it with hotel slippers for room service. I've only ever had jewelry (a pair of beautiful handmade earrings I bought for my mom in Africa) stolen out of my checked luggage once. But once is enough to learn my lesson. Now, I always pack jewelry in my personal item after taking it out of its box, and stashing it in something that doesn't scream 'steal me.' For example, check out this super secure Lion Latch Travel Jewelry Box Case that looks like a lip gloss container and attaches to your key ring. 'This was perfect for our vacation,' wrote one satisfied Amazon shopper. 'I could put my jewelry in this and keep it safe, and even with me, even my small diamond studs." I recently got back from traveling around East Africa. Fortunately, I was traveling with Micato Safaris, which sent me a packing list before I left the U.S. that let me know that single-use plastic bags are illegal in Kenya. They're one of dozens of countries that have banned them, or are in the process of doing it. Normally, I always pack a few plastic bags for snacks, toiletries, wet clothes, etc. But now, more than ever, it's a good idea to switch to reusable sacks such as these JHX Travel Laundry Bags with built-in organization that pack down in their pocket. And instead of Ziploc bags, consider these best-selling leakproof clear silicone bags that are so popular on Amazon that more than 4,000 were purchased in the last month alone. Don't get me wrong, I love my Dyson Supersonic hair dryer. However, I'd rather go out in the cold with wet hair than plug it in abroad. Dyson specifically warns shoppers that all of their hair tools are 'precisely engineered' for use in the country where they're purchased (i.e., they're not dual-voltage, so there's a high chance something will go wrong, even if you attempt to use them with a converter). Fortunately, for a fraction of the price, you can score a dual-voltage hair dryer designed for international travel. 'Small but mighty' is how one shopper described the Supcaliy Portable Ionic Hair Dryer, which they used on a European vacation that included a cruise and stays on land. According to TSA, cordless curling irons are also a no-go in checked luggage. This is because they often contain a gas cartridge filled with butane. While I personally don't travel abroad with a curling iron—I just throw on this Sunday Afternoons Havana Hat—I've read great things about the Mini Travel Curling Iron from Furiden that checks all the travel-friendly boxes. It's dual voltage, dual-purpose (use it to curl or straighten), compact enough that it takes up about as much space as an electric toothbrush, and it comes with a cute carrying pouch. 'I am astonished at the gorgeous curls this little curling iron gave me,' wrote a traveler who used it on a trip to the French Riviera. If I had a dollar for every time I packed a pair of heels that seldom saw the light of day, I'd have a closet full of Louboutins. Besides not being comfortable enough to walk more than four city blocks in, they're not practical, especially in countries with cobblestone streets. Since 2023, I've sported a metallic gold pair of Birkenstocks in at least 20 countries. I've worn them with everything from a $350 Alicia Bell maxi dress in Santorini to a pair of cutoff denim shorts and a T-shirt at the Paris Olympics last summer. They're versatile, and I love that I've logged hundreds of miles in them without getting a single blister. I know denim is 'in,' but it doesn't need to be in your checked bag if you're traveling internationally; it's just too big and heavy to warrant packing if you're tight on space, especially if you're traveling in the summer or visiting a hot and humid destination. The savviest, and most stylish, globe-trotters I know all pack bottoms like these Duyan Cotton-Linen Palazzo Pants. They have the trendy wide-leg look and front hand pockets, but they're super lightweight and breathable. They also feature a drawstring waist, so you can leave the bulky belt at home. If you're worried about wrinkles—linen does have that downside—throw in a bottle of this TSA-approved secret wrinkle remover spray that has more than 5,900 five-star ratings on Amazon. In 2016, I went on a 32-day international cruise, and I've taken even longer trips abroad. Still, it's never made sense to pack full-size shampoos, conditioners, lotions, and sunscreens—most of which come in 12-ounce bottles or tubes. If you think you'll need more than the standard TSA-approved 3 ounces (which is what most travel toiletry sets include), stock up on a few of these 6.8-ounce refillable toiletry bottles. They have a 4.6-star average on Amazon, where more than 2,000 were purchased in the last month, and many shoppers who checked them in their luggage for trips longer than one week describe them as 'super easy to fill, they stay tightly closed, and easy to squeeze.' In April, I was personally delivering tampons with plastic applicators to a friend living in South Africa, where they're hard to find. In fact, it can be hard to find comfortable tampons in dozens of countries, so if I'm traveling during that time of the month, I usually dedicate a substantial amount of space in my checked luggage to feminine hygiene supplies that I'm familiar with. But now I'm going to give this collapsible and ultra-compact Saalt Soft Menstrual Cup a shot. It's made of medical-grade silicone, so it's safe to use, easy to clean, and can last up to 10 years—hence, why it's been called a 'real life game changer' by international travelers. Other shoppers prefer packing the Knix Light Period Underwear or Hanes' Boxer Brief Period Underwear (which comes in a value two-pack set). Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Qantas passenger's $6,000 ordeal after worker's 'typo' in booking system: 'Heartbroken'
A Qantas passenger missed out on a "trip of a lifetime" after an administrative error left her and her partner stranded in an airport for hours and ultimately forced them to head back to Australia, missing out on their holiday. Nadia Hall, 40, and her partner had spent many months planning their trip to the UK to celebrate her milestone birthday and reunite with family after decades apart. After waiting on the standby list, the duo were overjoyed when they were allocated seats and hopped on their flight at Perth airport on May 5. However, a medical emergency forced the plane to divert to the Maldives. After hours of waiting for instructions in the airport, an email pinged on Nadia's phone. "Eight hours after landing, we got an email saying that Qantas couldn't rebook us. There was no reason or anything, and it said that we had to call them, which we weren't able to do [without phone service in the Maldives]," the Melbourne woman told Yahoo News. The pair frantically tried to speak to airport staff, but they simply "shrugged" and were unable to assist, with no Qantas workers in sight. After retrieving their luggage, Nadia and her partner looked around and quickly learnt they were alone in the now-busy airport, with none of the passengers from their original flight waiting around like them. Devastated, the couple decided they would need to simply fork out money to book flights back to Australia — with the delay meaning there was limited availability on London flights. "We spent some time looking at different flights to London and whatnot, but because so many people had to be booked, all of a sudden, there wasn't much available," she explained. "It also would have been another day and a half or so of travelling [to get to London], and I've got a number of chronic illnesses... by the time I got there, I would have been destroyed." Their trip home took them to Kuala Lumpur, Auckland and finally to Melbourne, with Nadia calculating she spent 65 hours awake and 34 hours in the air while doing a loop through five time zones just to arrive back home again. After chasing Qantas, a worker allegedly confirmed on the phone that the airline had rescheduled the pair onto a trip to London. However, Nadia never received notification because her email had been incorrectly inputted into the system by a Qantas staff member. "I don't like to throw the word traumatised around, but given what this trip actually meant to me... It was my source of joy for so long... I'm heartbroken," she said. "Something so tiny took away something so big." 🤨 Qantas passenger hits out over hidden travel frustration for thousands 👀 Couple 'traumatised' over horrifying seating request on flight 🤢 Qantas passenger slammed for 'entitled' act in first class Nadia said she was $6,109 out of pocket after spending over $5,000 on return flights to Australia, and $200 on their insurance excess to claim back money they'd spent for activities in London they never got to enjoy. The flight from Perth to London that was diverted cost the pair just over $800 — as Nadia is a previous Qantas worker and receives staff discounted travel — and she would like to claim back this cost too, given it never got them to their intended destination. Finally, two months after setting off for the trip back in early May, Qantas confirmed to Yahoo on Friday that it will issue a full refund to Nadia following the administrative error. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
CBS News
4 hours ago
- CBS News
British TikTok influencers shine spotlight on Northern California's unique communities
A British couple took their travel journey across the United States to social media and it just so happened they made a stop in Northern California. We all know Northern California is home to stunning views and hidden gems, but sometimes we take that for granted. The British couple is reminding us of all the beauty that surrounds us. "The location, the activities, it's just so different to anything we've ever experienced," Siana Dennis and Jame Khan said. Over the last six weeks, Dennis and Khan from "across the pond" have been crisscrossing the West Coast, making stops in Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and California. "Guys, we are back at South Lake Tahoe. We are here and ready for the Fourth of July, which we're so excited about," Khan said in a TikTok. Their travel journey has garnered the attention of hundreds of thousands of people on TikTok. Recently, the couple showcased their visit to Northern California, checking out the many places that make our community so unique. "Sacramento is amazing, that's one of the places I can see myself living, man," Khan said. "It's so beautiful. It's really nice. Especially the El Dorado Hills. But the malls and the other places in Roseville." Laurel Brent-Bumb, the CEO of the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce, said social media influencers like Dennis and Khan are important in bringing tourism back to the region. "It's such an advantage for us because they do realize what a treasure and jewel we have in El Dorado County and they're able to take that information back home and share it with their communities," Brent-Bumb said. Dennis and Khan's travels have led many on social media to consider discovering our hidden gems. "Our message is that the grass isn't always greener," Khan said. "Sometimes you have to appreciate what you got, man, because you live in a beautiful place." The couple said the warm welcome from locals and the charm of Northern California is something they'll never forget. They said they want to plan another trip out soon.
