No Wi-Fi abroad? Don’t know where to go? Quickly jot down these 8 apps that work without internet

▲Illustration of mobile app. (Photo / Dazi / Illustration)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Many people rely heavily on mobile devices when they go out. Smartphones, tablets, and other gadgets are not only tools for taking photos and checking in, but are also often essential for finding directions, locating restaurants, or accessing relevant information in unfamiliar places. However, using mobile data or free Wi-Fi while abroad can be relatively difficult, which is very inconvenient for many people who need to “find their way.” It can not only waste travelers’ valuable time,but using unsecured free networks may also expose you to risks of personal information and data leaks.

Online travel websiteSMARTERTRAVELeditorJamie Ditarantohas compiled a list of 8 travel-related apps that can be used without an internet connection, including maps, real-time currency exchange, and more. Travelers can choose their favorite and easiest-to-use apps to install, so they won’t be at a loss when they’re out without internet.

1. XE Currency
XE Currency is an app that allows you to view global currency exchange rates and includes a calculator function. Supporting multiple currency conversion calculations, it enables travelers to easily figure out how much they’ve spent without having to memorize exchange rates.

2. CityMaps
CityMaps is a program that contains maps from around the world. Simply enter your destination online, and you can see various types of establishment information such as restaurants, cafes, hotels, parks, as well as locally recommended tourist attractions on the map. As long as you download the map of the area while connected to the internet beforehand, you can view routes and recommended attractions offline.

3. Guide Book Apps (Travel Guide Applications)
When visiting unfamiliar places, having a travel guidebook can provide a lot of information, but carrying one around can be cumbersome. So you can download applications from travel websites, such as Lonely Planet or Travel + Leisure, which allow you to pre-download maps of your destination on your mobile device and offer offline viewing capabilities.
In addition, many official tourism bureaus also design specific apps, such as London’s official app, London Official City Guide, which provides travelers with offline maps, attractions, restaurants, and public transportation information, among other guides. Before traveling to a destination, you can search for suitable apps to download and make good use of the information provided by travel guides.

4. Google Translate
As long as you access various languages in the Google Translate app on your mobile device beforehand, you can translate offline (users can download 52 different offline language packs). In addition,Google Translate also supports real-time lens translation (Word Lens). Just point your phone’s camera at the text you want to translate, and the displayed text will be converted into another language. You can easily understand menus and road signs in countries you’re not familiar with.

▲Google Translate’s Word Lens feature began offering Chinese translations in May 2016. (Photo / Screenshot fromGoogle)

5. TripAdvisor
The travel website TripAdvisor not only has a web portal but also offers iOS and Android apps for users. Many people use the extensive reviews from fellow travelers on the site as a reference for their trips, but few know that it also offers an offline mode. Search for the destination you want to visit in the app, download it, and you can store the local maps, reviews, hotel and restaurant information on your mobile device for offline viewing. Users can also use location features on the offline map to confirm their position relative to their destination and read reviews from other users.

6. HERE WeGo
HERE WeGo is an application that provides traffic route information. Like other offline map programs, as long as you download the map of your destination in advance, you can view the map without an internet connection. However, this app is not just for viewing maps—it can also help users plan routes for public transportation, driving, and more, comparing distance, speed, and price to offer the best route options.

7. Google Trips
If you’re a frequent user of Google apps, Google Trips might be one of the best travel apps for you. By logging into your email account, Google Trips can neatly organize electronic tickets and hotel information related to your trip from your inbox, and also provide users with attraction and itinerary planning.
In addition, Google Trips not only allows you to save attractions for offline reference, but can also create a complete route sequence for the attractions you’ve saved. If you have no idea where to go during your trip, Google Trips can also suggest themed half-day, one-day, or two-day itineraries for your reference.

8. Offline Browser
Although travelers can use the above apps, some still prefer to search for information via web browsers. In that case, you can try Offline Browser. With this app, you can pre-download the web page links you need, so you don’t have to worry about taking endless screenshots or getting frustrated because you accidentally closed a needed page. Unfortunately, this app is currently only available for Android users, and iOS users may have to wait a bit longer to use it.

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