Traveling Abroad? Put Your Smartphone to Work

Your smartphone can be your most useful travel tool, if you set it up before you leave. A few free apps can help you find your way, read a menu, pay like a local, and get help fast if something goes wrong.

The best app for a ride or a train ticket can change from country to country. So instead of a destination-by-destination list, we’ve rounded up widely used apps that work almost anywhere, and that many travelers forget to download until they need them.

Getting around

How can I use maps abroad without burning through data?

Download offline maps in Google Maps before you go. Search your destination, tap your profile picture, choose Offline maps, and save the area. You can then search and get driving directions with no signal at all, which helps on a rural road or in an airport with spotty Wi-Fi.

Is there a better app than maps for public transit?

In many large cities, Citymapper gives clearer transit directions than a general map app. It compares subway, bus, rail, and walking routes, and tells you which exit or train car to use. Check whether it covers your city before you rely on it.

Will my usual rideshare app work overseas?

Sometimes. Uber operates in many countries, but the local favorite may be a different app, such as Bolt in much of Europe or Grab in Southeast Asia. Look up what locals use before you land, and download and set up the app while you still have home Wi-Fi. FREENOW, now owned by Lyft, is also popular in much of Western Europe.

What about my airline’s app?

Download it and turn on notifications. Gate changes, delays, and rebooking options often show up in the app before they reach the departure board, and many airlines let you store your boarding pass there.

Language and staying in touch

What’s the easiest way to handle a language barrier?

Google Translate does more than translate typed words. Point your camera at a menu, sign, or prescription label to see it in English. Conversation mode lets you and a pharmacist or taxi driver talk back and forth. Download the local language before you leave so it works offline.

How do I call or text home without paying international rates?

WhatsApp lets you message and call over Wi-Fi or data, and it’s free between users. In many countries it’s also how hotels, drivers, tour guides, and even doctors’ offices communicate. Set it up before you go and share your number with the people you’ll meet.

Before you go: make sure your phone service travels with you. None of these apps help if your phone can’t connect. Either buy an international plan from your carrier, or buy an eSIM, a digital SIM you download to your phone, with data for your destination. Check that your phone is unlocked and eSIM compatible, and install the eSIM before you leave home. If you skip both, turn off data roaming so you don’t come home to a surprise bill.

Money, documents, and safety

How do I know if I’m getting a fair price?

XE Currency converts prices into dollars in seconds and keeps the last rates it downloaded, so it still works offline. It’s handy at a market stall, a restaurant, or an airport exchange counter. If you have an iPhone, the built-in Calculator app can also convert currencies.

Do I need cash, or can I pay with my phone?

Tap-to-pay is widely accepted in many countries. Add your cards to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet so a lost wallet doesn’t leave you stranded. Let your bank know you’re traveling, and carry a little local cash for taxis, tips, and small shops.

Is there a faster way through customs when I come home?

Mobile Passport Control is a free app from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Eligible travelers, including U.S. citizens, submit their passport and customs information from their phone and use a dedicated line at participating airports. Check the app for your arrival airport before you fly.

How do I get safety alerts for my destination?

Enroll in the U.S. State Department’s free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) before you go. You’ll get alerts and advisories for your destination, and the U.S. embassy can reach you, help family contact you, and speed up a replacement passport in an emergency.

What should I save on my phone in case something goes wrong?

A photo of your passport’s photo page, stored in a secure, password-protected folder
Your lodging addresses, written in the local language
Your emergency contacts and medical information in your phone’s Medical ID or emergency information, which first responders can see from the lock screen
Your travel insurance policy number and its 24-hour assistance phone number

One more thing to pack

Apps can get you to the right train or the right pharmacy. They can’t pay a hospital bill abroad, and many U.S. health plans offer limited coverage outside the country, if any.

Diplomat International travel medical coverage is built for U.S. citizens and residents traveling abroad, with medical and evacuation coverage and 24-hour multilingual assistance. Save the assistance number in your phone with the rest of your travel apps.

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