How To Travel, Courtesy of Chanel

APPS

here

This is not your run-of-the-mill map app. For starters, it doesn’t run on wifi which makes it all the more desirable (just click ‘use app offline’ in settings). Imagine being lost in the middle of Swiebodzin, Poland…you don’t know the language to save your life, you don’t really know where you’re headed, and wifi is about 4 miles back at your hotel…here maps to the rescue. This app offers both walking and driving directions. The here app is free, but it is important to know that it will take up some space on your phone. Your best bet is to download this pre-departure to ensure that your maps download in full, and don’t drain your battery in the process. The app gives you the option to download maps for the specific countries you’re headed to, and you can delete them once you’re done to free up space on your phone for travel photos. here offers maps for more than 100 countries!

Chanel Airlines Spring 2016 show in Paris

XE

Looking for an app to help you with those head-ache inducing currency conversions? Look no further than xe. Not only is this app free, its super easy to use. It uses live currency rates so it is always accurate and up to date!

Chanel Airlines Spring 2016 show in Paris

Foodspotting

This is a great app to use when looking for a spot to eat. You’ve done a ton of research for your trip but managed to forget to look up places for breakfast? Perfect time to turn to Foodspotting app for help! You can search by food item and where the nearest and best options are in relation to your location. Can’t beat that!

Chanel Airlines Spring 2016 Finale in Paris

Airbnb

You can rent Villas and Mansions if you’d like on this App. One of my absolute favorites – and I just did a 2 week long Euro-trip staying in airbnbs the whole way through. This app is free, easy to use, and perfect for and impromptu stay somewhere new. With the app you can search for great places to stay near or far, and book them right there on the spot.

Chanel Airlines Spring 2016 Runway Show in Paris

Uber

You really should have this app whether you’re doing major travel or not. It’s the ultimate way to ensure a quick, safe, and CLEAN ride. Uber takes out the headache of hailing a cab, browsing the internet for a taxi company in an unfamiliar city, and lets you actually see your potential wait time AND fare. Uber is compatible with debit or credit cards, so when you’re stumbling about at the end of the night with no cash left in your wallet you can rest assured you’ll still get home in one piece.

Chanel Airlines Spring 2016 Runway Show in Paris

Google Translate

Going somewhere new where you don’t know the language one bit? THIS is the app you’ve been dreaming of. This app does it all from translating the spoken word in the foreign language to that of your native tongue. Google Translate also helps to translate road and street signs, written text, as well as labels and menus…all you have to do is use the scanner (camera icon) and it will translate instantly to your native language. Seriously, you need this.

Chanel Airlines Spring 2016 Runway Show in Paris

WhatsApp

A lot of Americans haven’t touched this one yet, but it is one of the greatest ways to communicate when over-seas. And it’s a great way to keep in touch with all your international friends. WhatsApp operates through a wi-fi connection, and you and whomever you’re communicating with both need the app. It uses your phone number to connect you with other contacts on your phone that also have the app. With WhatsApp you can send messages, photos, videos, sound-clips/voice messages, and you can also make phone calls. This is a great way to stay in touch without having to pay for the minutes!

-MP