Just because you want to see the world doesn’t mean you have to leave your tech behind. With the latest gadgets and smartphone apps helping travellers have the best possible experience, consider adding some innovative gear into your backpack for your adventure.
Essential Tech for Travel
When it’s time to pack your luggage, think carefully about what you can’t leave behind besides your passport and clothes. There are some tech-based additions which you may not want to do without as they will enhance your adventure regardless of destination.
1. Noise-cancelling Headphones
When you’re spending hours travelling to a destination, having a high-end pair of noise-cancelling headphones can be a lifesaver. Consider these pockets as downtime during your travels to catch up on sleep, and don't let a noisy engine keep you from getting much-needed shuteye. Throw on your noise-cancelling headphones to remove any background noise.
2. Smartphone Camera Lenses
If you’re the kind of person who likes to travel light, using a smartphone to capture your journey instead of a heavy DSLR is great. Although top-of-the-line smartphones already have exceptional cameras, it’s possible to elevate them with lens kits designed for smartphones. Leading brands like Moment and Olloclip offer an array of wide-angle, telephoto, and macro lenses which are easy to use on the road.
3. Power Bank
The latest smartphones boast an impressive battery life, but it never hurts to have even more in reserve. With a high-quality portable power bank that's easy to keep in your backpack, you won’t have a problem replenishing your device’s juice whether on the train or wandering in the mountains. Considering you might be taking photos, updating social media, using navigation, and more, a power bank means you won’t have to worry about running out of power.
4. Travel Adapters
If there’s one piece of tech that inexperienced travellers overlook, it’s the correct travel adapter for their destination. With so many different types of power sockets, it's never a good feeling when you arrive at your accommodation only to realise you can’t charge your devices. Whether you choose a country-specific product or a universal travel adapter, be sure to find out what you'll need before putting yourself in an awkward situation.
Apps That Make Your Travel Adventures a Breeze
If you’ve already got the tech you need, now you need to download the best apps for travel. Although almost everyone has the likes of Google Maps, Google Translate, Airbnb, and Klook already installed, there are plenty of other super helpful apps.
If you need to track your overseas data usage while overseas or pay a bill, remember to download the handy My M1+ app – available for free on the App Store and Google Play. With the My M1+ app, you can activate your Data Passport and Pay per Use Roaming services under the Roaming tab while you travel.
1. Skyscanner
Looking for cheap flights but don’t want to search through different airlines’ websites? Skyscanner is perhaps the best app as it collects information about upcoming flights from more than 1,200 travel providers. Whether you want to pay the absolute cheapest price or experience the least amount of hassle, Skyscanner includes a range of features to ensure you find the best flight for your adventure.
Download for free on the App Store and Google Play.
2. Culture Trip
While there are many options to choose from, Culture Trip is definitely one of the best travel guide apps. With this popular website condensed into a smartphone application, users receive personalised travel recommendations. You can even bookmark places to explore later, share travel ideas with friends, and book accommodation on the fly.
Download for free on the App Store and Google Play.
3. Polarsteps
Keep track of your journey around the world with Polarsteps. Alongside curated travel itineraries and a handy travel planner to organise your path, the standout tracking feature automatically plots your movements on a digital world map. Whether you choose to share this with family back home or travellers you meet on the move, you can retrace your steps, create travel books and remember every step of your journey.
Download for free on the App Store and Google Play.
4. NordVPN
It’s easy to stay connected on your travels with prepaid international SIM cards and unlimited international data roaming services, but you must also ensure your online information remains secure. A user-friendly VPN service like NordVPN means you don’t have to worry about having your personal or financial information leaked when using a public Wi-Fi hotspot at a cafe or train station.
Download for free on the App Store and Google Play.
Enhance Your Travels with M1
Alongside the best travel tech and apps, the stellar mobile international roaming services from M1 ensure you can chat and navigate your way around the world with ease. Sign up for unlimited data roaming, a data passport, or pay as you roam with Pay per Use Roaming services to experience complete freedom on your next adventure.