By Andrés Muñoz
Unless you live under a rock and still have a travel agent on speed dial (do those even still exist?), chances are that you integrate online tools and technology into your trips. From the moment you start looking for flights right up to finding places to eat at your destination, you can plan and book everything, as long as you have a working smartphone.
Let’s look at how technology can enhance our travelling experience and review some tips and strategies for smarter, more effective, and eco-friendly adventures.
Prep And Research: The World At Your Fingertips
With the advent of the internet, gone are the days when travel agents would be the ultimate gurus of where to go and what to do. On one of my first trips, I went down an internet rabbit hole of what to do when visiting Paris, France. I ended up making a list of over 30 spots I wanted to go to. Needless to say, the city swept me off my feet, and I explored less than a third of the places on the list!
Nowadays, the game has changed entirely. Whether it is official sites like Tripadvisor or dedicated blog posts like the ones posted on this very website, an entire online industry and well of information has been built around the investigation and recommendation of travel destinations.
When investigating your holiday spot, I recommend using several research sources. Cross-referencing information with other websites will guarantee accuracy, so you’ll have the most up-to-date reviews of places that have caught your eye. According to this article by travel blogger Nomadic Matt, while organising a few things is essential, part of the magic of travel is to go with the flow.
On-Site: The Best Survival Apps Out There
So you’ve planned everything out and are heading to the airport. How can we use technology to further enhance our experience? While I’m always a fan of having a hard copy of your ticket just in case, online tickets are an easy and fast way of having everything in the same spot. Furthermore, it reduces paper waste! Just ensure you download the PDF files containing the vouchers to your phone and have a full battery or a backup charger.
Once you’re at your destination, make sure you can find your bearings! As quaint as it might look, gone are the days of unfolding paper maps on street corners. You can effortlessly navigate unfamiliar terrain with apps like Google Maps and Waze. I absolutely love Google Maps, as it combines key directions with user-based recommendations. Whether it’s a restaurant, park, bike rental, or hotel, you’ll always have the top locations in the palm of your hand.
Pro tip: Download the offline maps so you don’t have to depend on poor wifi or data signals!
While English speakers might have an easier time in Europe, imagine a more remote place, like somewhere deep in mainland China. This will present a much more intricate linguistic challenge. While learning a language is and will obviously be the best way to immerse yourself in a country’s culture, sadly, not all of us can learn Mandarin as quickly as we’d like to (it’s consistently ranked as one of the most challenging languages in the world!). Fear not; technology is by your side.
Again, Google is dominating it here, with Google Translate being the prime application people use worldwide. It’s got several useful features, ranging from your basic input text-to-text translation, image scanning with your camera (especially useful for road signs and ingredients on packets!), and even a conversation mode. As with the maps, download the language packages you’ll be using so you don’t have to rely on spotty internet connections.
Finally, local transportation and finances are always vital to have control of when travelling. Investigate what the most commonly used local transportation app is, both for taxis/ride-hailing services and for buses.
While Google Maps might work for short trips in the cities or if you have a rental car, you’ll need something more robust to explore different areas in the country.
As always, plan your finances ahead: let your bank know that you’ll be travelling so you won’t have issues, and if possible, use cashless payment apps like PayPal, Venmo or Google Wallet, although these might not be in use if you go too far off the beaten path. Look for local options; some might be easier to install than expected. Top-up travel cards, such as Wise or Revolut, are also handy.
This is only the tip of the technological iceberg regarding exploring the world using new apps and gadgets. Tech-infused travel is now more accessible, informed, and sustainable. We not only enhance our personal travel experiences by using tech but also contribute to a smarter and more responsible global tourism landscape.
What other tech tools should people use? Please share them with us in the comments section below. Safe travels!