ARTICLE

Go First Class: The Top Travel Apps And Tech You Need To Upgrade Your Next Trip

March 5, 2024 - 3 min read

How did we ever go anywhere without our smartphones and travel apps? Travel apps have totally transformed the holiday experience: you can now book and manage your trip logistics, score tables at foodie hotspots, meet like-minded locals, keep safe abroad, and cure your jet lag. They’ll even tell you how to pack a perfect suitcase! We’ve scouted the handiest free travel apps to level-up your next holiday – and the best tablets, mobile phones and other tech devices to load them on. Get ready to upgrade to a VIP vacay!

Plan Your Trip

Out of practice at this travel lark? Too many decisions? Skyscanner will hunt down the cheapest flights and best routes, and compare hotels and car hire. Ripe to explore but don’t know where to start? Culture Trip is packed with insider guides to 450+ destinations and “take me there now!” videos to help inspire and plan your next jaunt. Roadtrippers helps make that dream road trip a reality by planning your route and bookmarking cool sights and off-grid bites along the way.

Top tech: The fast and user-friendly Apple iPad Mini is your 24/7 travel buddy: snap up discounted tickets in a flash, binge high-quality downloads, and take incredible photos with the Ultra-Wide front camera.

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Apple iPad mini (6th Gen) 64GB WiFi

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE Wi-Fi 128GB

Get Organised

Like to run a tight ship? Seamless travel has never been easier. Travel apps such as TripIt and TripCase store all your itineraries, tickets and vital documents in one streamlined place, can manage your rental car reservations or request an Uber to get to your next destination without fuss. Left your packing ’til the eleventh hour? Tell PackPoint where you’re going and for how long and it will list exactly what to put in your suitcase!

Top tech: The Samsung Galaxy S24 256GB ticks every box for travellers: long battery life, fast charging, dual-SIM support, a brilliant camera and hefty 256GB storage (for all those travel apps!).

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Samsung Galaxy S24 256GB

Apple iPhone 15 256GB

Motorola razr 50 Ultra 5G 512GB Peach Fuzz

"Travel apps have totally transformed the holiday experience: you can manage your trip logistics, score tables at foodie hotspots, meet like-minded locals, keep safe abroad, and cure your jet lag. They’ll even tell you how to pack a perfect suitcase!"

In The Air

Fly like a boss with Priority Pass by gaining access to around 1,300 airport lounges around the globe and meal vouchers at selected airport restaurants. Keep an eye on the sky with the FlightAware app: it tracks flights, delays, gate changes or cancellations and helps you make that tight connection! Timeshifter uses neuroscience to fight jet lag by mapping out a personalised sleep plan and dispensing advice before, during and after take-off.

On The Ground

Google Maps is a traveller’s lifeline! Explore foreign ground without fear of getting lost, find the nearest subway, or book that must-try restaurant. Stay connected without chewing through your data with WiFi Map: it flags over 100 million free WiFi hotspots around the world (along with their passwords). Wondering if that gallery buy is a steal? The Xe Currency Converter will tell you in an instant with live, up-to-the-minute currency rates.

Holiday Like A Local

Don’t just sit on the sidelines. Befriend locals who share your interests with Meetup. Duolingo will help you sound like a native when you do. Skip those tourist traps and find the best bites (often at reduced prices) with The Fork. GlobeTips will tell you how much of a tip to leave afterwards!

Top tech: Drop proof, dust proof and waterproof, the GoPro Hero12 will capture every thrill and offers hands-free photography to keep you in the moment.

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GoPro Hero12

Canon EOD 1500D Single EFS18-55III Lens Kit

Instax Mini 12

Stay Safe

Travel safety has never been more front of mind. Be prepared for anything with TripWhistle, which can text your GPS coordinates in a crisis and has emergency service numbers for nearly 200 countries. Not yet an app, the Australian Government’s SmartTraveller site guides you step-by-step on how to safely plan your trip, with essential advice on travel insurance and worldwide quarantine and destination updates.

Top tech: The Belkin BOOSTCHARGE Power Bank 20K 15W can charge two mobile devices on the go, so you’re never out of juice when you most need it.

Planning your escape? Head in-store or online or to The Good Guys for the best range of mobile phones, tablets and iPads - and start downloading those travel apps today!