Handy information in your pocket. That’s what you want in a great travel app, isn’t it? Information to keep you moving, help make the most of an experience in a new place or assist with planning. I’m also a stickler for deriving the most value out of each dollar I spend on travel.
On my recent trip overseas I paid attention to the apps I used most often while on the go. The travel apps listed below are my top 5. These are the ones I referred to frequently for answers and tips, so you know these have been road-tested.
1. Evernote (free) – Okay, not travel specific but its versatility meant I could capture signs and directions to my iPhone, my immediate responses and reactions to experiences, which made for easier reflective writing later. After a day at the symposium, no doubt you’ll have invitations to social and networking opportunities in the evenings, so as soon as an idea strikes during the day, record it. You can return to it when you have the time. Rest easier knowing there’s no need to be distracted from your evening conversation because you’re too busy trying to remember what you thought about a discussion, a presentation or comment.
2. Urbanspoon (free) – By far the easiest way I found places to have brekky, lunch or dinner. (Recommendations from locals help also). But if you’re unfamiliar of a city and not sure what’s around the corner from your accommodation, Urbanspoon can help with places near to you, provide indications of price and what others thought about it.
3. Tripadvisor (free) – I don’t book accommodation without checking out reviews first on Tripadvisor. Get reviews and photos from real people on accommodation and attractions around the area. I used Tripadvisor to find popular attractions, and those in and around the neighbourhood I was staying. There’s also a website version, which I actually use most often. I tend to cross check reviews with another handy website – booking.com (there’s an app for that too!).
4. Lonely Planet City Guide ($4.49) – A small price but I wasn’t without a Lonely Planet City Guide on my recent trip. City Guides have essential information for your destination – information about getting around, as well as attractions and walking tours for exploring. I found the City Guide apps helped with ideas for what to do, where things were and planning my sight-seeing. Once downloaded, there are no additional data charges to access the content, great for roaming around.
5. Virgin Australia Flight Specials (free) – This one is probably the most useful airline app I’ve come across so far. Easy search for fares, you can even set up alerts to remind you to grab sale fares for the route to Brisbane or for your favourite destinations. Keep up to date with flight status, manage your booking and check-in for your flight. It’s one jam-packed app!
Other apps specific to Brisbane you can check out are: -
- South Bank Pocket Guide (free)
- Airtrain (free)
- Black and White Cabs (free)
- Yellow Cabs Brisbane (free)
- QAGOMA – Queensland Art Gallery, Gallery of Modern Art (free)
The Experience team are here to support your planning for your NLS6. Get to know our team members to spot them at the symposium!
And remember, if you have any questions for the Experience team, please send your emails to experience@newlibrarianssymposium.com.
