The top 6 apps for family travel
In today’s tech-savvy world, most people travel with a smartphone or tablet at the very least. When it comes to vacationing with your family, having a handy bunch of apps to use can make a vacation much less stressful, and more fun. There are thousands of apps on the market that help to make travel easier.
Whether you want to find locals to enjoy a meal with; don’t want to stress about finding a cab or public transport when the kids are tired, hungry and crying; or just want to give them a fun way to send a postcard to the grandparents back home, there’s an affordable app to suit all needs. Read on for some of the best programs on the market for people traveling with their family.
1. Hailo
Hailo is one of a growing number of apps that can be used to find a cab quickly and easily. This popular app is available for both iPhone and Android systems, and enables users to “hail” a cab directly from their smartphone or tablet. The technology is used to summon a vehicle straight to the user’s location, so that passengers no longer need to wait on the street hoping for a cab to pass by. So far Hailo can be used in countries in North America, Asia, Europe, and the United Kingdom, with more locations set to open up over time.
The system has been used by millions of passengers since it was launched, and not only eliminates stress but also gives patrons an idea of how far away registered drivers are, and how long it will take a vehicle to arrive. In addition, Hailo also makes it easy for users to pay for their trips online, circumventing the need to have the right cash on them.
2. HopStop
If you prefer to travel on foot, by bike, or using public transport when you’re away for business or pleasure, you’ll want to download HopStop. Whether you’re planning to book flights to Australia, North America, New Zealand, the U.K., France, or Russia, you can use this helpful technology to navigate your way around a foreign city. HopStop aids travelers to find bus, train, subway, or ferry stops in a given location, and provides up to date schedules for each public transport provider in the area.
The system shows users route options that are accessible by wheelchair or that are suitable for baby strollers, and can also estimate how many calories would be burnt on each route taken by foot or bicycle. HopStop also has detailed maps on each location, and provides a cab fare estimate and trip length approximation.
3. Viber
If you tend to need to make a lot of phone calls and send text messages while you travel, you’ll want to check out Viber. This app reduces expensive overseas phone charges by allowing users to make VoIP calls through their existing cell number, using Wi-Fi, 3G, or 4G Internet access. Viber can also be used to send SMS messages and to share videos and photos with friends, family members, and colleagues while away.
The app features a simple-to-use design and provides high-quality audio. The technology automatically syncs with the user’s contacts and also alerts them to any people in their network who are using Viber too.
4. Postino
Kids love to send postcards to their grandparents or friends back home, and Postino is a brilliant app to make this easy and fun for them to do so. Using Postino, families can snap a pic on their smartphone or tablet then create a real postcard using the photo. Images can be zoomed, cropped, and scaled as required; a message or signature can be added; and then the postcard can be sent via email or regular post. Physical postcards are printed on high-quality paper by the company and sent worldwide using pre-purchased Postino “stamps.”
5. EatWith
One of the best ways to learn about and enjoy local culture when traveling is eating with residents. EatWith is a handy app that enables tourists to meet and eat with locals in their own home. The system makes it simple to indulge in an authentic meal while sharing experiences with people from another culture. Instead of having to guess which restaurant or cafe might serve up decent food, travelers can instead use EatWith to dine with a local family and learn about their culture first hand.
There are verified EatWith hosts in all corners of the world, within regions like Australia, Europe, Asia, North America, the United Kingdom, and South America.
6. JiWire
Most people hate the thought of not being able to access the Internet when they travel. This is where JiWire comes in handy. This Wi-Fi finder searches for free wireless connections in the user’s current location, and keeps track of over half a million hotspots in more than 140 countries across the globe. You can download this Wi-Fi finder in the Apple App Store or on Google Play.
JiWire provides a downloadable list of all the Wi-Fi spots in an area, plus directions to get to each one, and a phone number for the service provider. Users can search the system’s directory for Wi-Fi locations in a particular area, or just look for the nearest hot spot.
