23 August 2022
Technology advancements have led to an increase reliance on smartphones so why not make use of it to lighten your load, replace physical navigation tools and enhance your travel experiences!
Listed here are some must-have travel apps tested and recommended by Gina and Daniel from Sunrise Odyssey. Hopefully, they will be able to help you navigate through your travel adventures as well. Here are some apps that have drastically improved our travel experience!
1. Track your entire journey distance and see your past travel track using this app!
MotionX ($2.98)
(Only available on IOS)
Not only will you be able to track your entire journey distance and see your past travel track on the "Map" section, the tracked GPS can be downloaded into your computer and even shared on social media platforms!
Every time you look back at the tracked GPS, there will be a sense of accomplishment having a journey well travelled. It also allows you to pre-download maps for offline use! One of our favourite functions is its ability track where the cab driver or public bus is heading to, just in case you’re on the wrong one. Below is a couple of screenshots for your reference. Click here to find the user manual!
2. Need help tracking your budget?
iXpenseIt ($6.98)
(Only available on IOS)
The iXpenselt app offers a neat and friendly interface that allows you to key in your expenses directly and easily track your budget! You will also be able to determine your own set of categories to section out your expenses.
On top of a customisable start-up screen, you will also be able to generate a beautiful pdf report of your expenses which is extremely useful as we tend to forget how much we have spent after some time.
3. Get directions to a place and navigate with the best transport method with this app!
Google Maps (Free)
(Available on Android and IOS)
Apart from its beautiful interface, we find the "Directions" function to be especially useful when travelling around developed countries. The smart estimation of travel duration is exceptionally useful for planning and/or if you’re driving! This app would come in handy as a GPS to bring you to your desired destination.
The best part, Google Maps for iOS has a secret function that allows you to save a certain portion of the map so that you are able to view it offline later! Try it for yourself. Type “Ok Maps” on the search bar!
4. No internet access and need offline directions for free? Use this app!
CityMaps2Go Pro (S$ 14.98)
(Country-specific versions are available at no cost on both Android and IOS)
CityMaps2Go is great when it comes to free offline maps! However, the version listed here is the full version, costing S$14.98.
Other country specific versions are available as well, for free (e.g. Chicago Travel Guide)! as the free version only offers up to 5 downloads and there are so many maps available from their list of cities! Offline maps are especially useful in areas where there is no internet connection, eg. when you’re high up in the mountains trekking without a soul around to ask for directions.
5. Find yourself with no internet connection but need find information online? Use this app!
Pocket (Free)
(Available on Android and IOS)
With Pocket, you can save any type of web article online and view it later without any internet connection! This is super useful for travelling as internet access in many countries is not easy to come by. Rather than going online prior to your trip and noting everything down, you could just save it all in this handy app on your phone! Pocket not only allows you to save links from your browser, but it also allows you to save pages directly from over 300 different apps like Twitter and Flipboard.
6. Want to know the name of a star or know the time to catch the sunrise? Use this app!
Star Walk ($4.48)
(Available on Android and IOS)
For the star lovers, this is the App you really don’t want to miss. Star Walk is used mostly for astral night photography. It displays the night sky according to your current location. Orientating your phone against the night sky updates the star map on your phone!
It even has an Augmented Reality function that uses your phone camera to match the stars you see against the Star Walk’s star map. It can also be used to check the time for rising and setting time of the moon and sun. Also very useful if you are trying to find the Milky Way amidst the blanket of stars. Apart from using it for photography, it has many other functions such as the name of the stars, constellations and even man-made satellites flying around Earth, pretty useful if you want to impress your partner (if he/she is interested in the first place)!
Let us know in the comment section below if you have other apps to recommend! 
