If you are heading off on a vacation or a business trip to Southeast Asia any time soon, be sure to download and make use of the best and newest travel-related applications for mobile devices. From useful phrases in a foreign language to finding the nearest ATM in an airport, apps like these are becoming indispensable for the modern traveler.
FlightTrack Pro – Live Flight Status Tracker by Mobiata
($10)
If you are flying to your destination, then you really need an app that can help avoid the all-too-common flight departure time error or airport terminal mix up. By saving your flight information, you can check each flight at a glance without having to scan through your ticket printouts. By giving you access to additional information such as gate changes and weather forecasts, you can stay on top of an otherwise vacation-wrecking situation. If your flight ends up getting cancelled, this app may be your life line, allowing you to browse for alternative connections.
GateGuru, Airport Info & Flight Status
(Free)
Often, your flight is delayed or you have a 3 hour layover. Don’t worry, as this little app will help you kill some time by seeking out all the facilities and restaurants the airport has to offer. Offering detailed information on 98 U.S. airports and 25 international, you will be able to find more than one way to relax without the usual head scratching that comes with making sense of airport maps. From restaurant and store listings, to ATMs and toilets, the GateGuru app can help you stay in a holiday mood.
SmartTraveler (Free)
Before you jump on your flight, be sure to check out this intelligent app’s news feed of current security alerts, maps, and updates. It also contains addresses and contact information of U.S. embassies around the world. Countries such as Mexico and Egypt have been in the news for the wrong reasons in recent years, so use this app to do some homework and reduce the worry.
World Customs & Cultures (Free)
Once you’ve got the green light and are on the way to your destination, it’s always a good idea to learn a bit more about where you’re going and the people who live there. This app can give you a quick insight into what to expect, how to behave so you don’t unknowingly offend someone, and a great collection of interesting facts. Travelers to Thailand, for example, should remember that it’s disrespectful to touch anyone on the head and that insulting the King of Thailand will likely get you thrown in jail.
iTranslate ~ free translator
(Free)
How do you say “good morning” in Vietnamese? Knowing what to expect in a foreign land is one thing, but being able to communicate with the people in their own language is another thing entirely. Not only will people appreciate your effort, but you will be treated better and may even get a better price when shopping. iTranslate quickly converts any typical phrase you type into 52 different languages. Although it requires wifi access, if you use it in advance, you can easily save useful phrases you have found for future reference.
Travel-themed mobile applications can be a real lifeline when you are far away from home. Being able to access maps, databases, and key phrases at the touch of a button is well worth the price for a perfect vacation.
Diane Magruder is a hotel and resort reviewer and, while she’s in between destinations, blogs for thailandholidays.net. In particular she highly recommends considering a romantic Thailand honeymoon.