No need to pack or download everything: here's the Les Voyagistes selection of tools that genuinely save time once you're there, worth preparing before you leave.
A luggage scale
To avoid nasty surprises at check-in: especially with the tight allowances of low-cost airlines.
MapsMe
A reliable offline GPS, with maps downloaded in advance: perfect for when the network drops.
Open the appGoogle Translate
Download it in offline mode to translate menus, signs and conversations without a connection.
Open the appXE Currency
Converts currencies in real time, with rates updated even without a connection.
Open the appAirTag (or equivalent)
Slipped into your suitcase, it lets you track it down if it gets lost or delayed at the airport.
The go-to reflex for staying reachable and messaging hosts, guides or taxi drivers abroad.
Open the appWho dominates where
Uber, Grab, or another app: it depends where you are
Southeast Asia is Grab's only real territory: the rest of the world runs on Uber or a local app, depending on the region.
Good to know
Download maps, translations and articles before you leave, over Wi-Fi: it's far more reliable than setting everything up once you've landed, in between suitcases.
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