Using Your Smartphone when Travelling

It seems these days everyone has a smartphone and they are taking it with them everywhere they go, including on holidays.  There is nothing wrong with this, but it’s important that you make sure to check with your provider about any extra fees that you may incur.  If you are not sure, or don’t have time to check, it’s a good idea to flip your phone to Wi-Fi only when out of town/country.

iPhone 2g, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 (Photo credit: reticulating)

That said, if you have your phone with you, there are a variety of things that you can use it for.

Directions

One of the best things about a smartphone is the ability to use it for directions.  That said, it’s hard to say how current the information you find is.  You can probably find a compass application as well if you are not sure what direction North is.

Language

In a country that speaks a different language than your home language?  There are all sorts of apps that will help you with the language from how to spell a word to the proper pronunciation.  If nothing else, you can show your phone to someone to get your point across.

Websites

Of course, you can easily use your phone to check the city/area/country’s website for any information you require.  Want to know the address of city hall?  No problem.  Looking for a hotel?  Chances are that information is on a website somewhere.  Looking for a certain type of restaurant?  Put the type and the city you are in, and you’ll find it.

A quick search for “travel” in the application store finds a lot of apps for hotels and trip review sites.   I’m sure with a bit more searching and different search terms; you can find a lot of handy items.

Apps that sound promising:

SeatGuru - Tells you what seats are the best on the plane with a colour guide

GateGuru - Maps of airports, security wait times, and updates for gate changes.

TripIt - Free and Paid, keeps track of itineraries for you.

Xe Currency - Determine what an items costs in your home currency.

WeHostels - Helps to find hostels and you can even message people staying there.

Forvo - Helps with language and pronunciation.  Paid app.

Trail Wallet - Track expenses and categorize them.

Do you have a favorite travel app that you think others should know about?

Blue Mountains

I took a day trip to the Blue Mountains.

The Three Sisters

Nighttime Harbour Cruise

Nighttime Harbour Cruise

A relaxing cruise around the Sydney Harbour at nighttime.

 

Around Sydney

I spent a week in the Sydney area.  I tried to get out and see a lot of things but you just cannot see everything you want to in that time.  I attended a concert at night when I first arrived, went to the Aquarium, took in a concert at the Opera House and took a day trip to the Blue Mountains (post coming up with these).

Water taxi.  Popular method to get around

The Opera House

Inside at a Concert

Hyde Park in Sydney.  I love the rainbow from the water

Part of the Sydney Skyline

Another water taxi.  This is also where many ferry's are caught to get you around Sydney.  From here, I caught a ferry to Manly beach and took a night cruise (next post).

Double rainbow

Koala Pictures

I saw Koala's at several different places through my journey in Australia.  They are creatures that sleep a lot and eat eucalyptus when they are awake.  Rumor says they actually get stoned off the plant, but the various guides assured us this was not the case.

If you look closely, you can see the baby in her pouch.  The guides told us this was not common to see and to be able to see so easily with the Koala hanging out on the railing.  She was actually roped off so that people could not touch her and disturb her slumber.

Grampions

Day 2 of the Great Ocean Road we visited the Grampions.

Most of these do not need any explanation.  We were up early to be at the summit by sunrise which was amazing.  We then proceeded to hike down, some areas of which were very narrow and we had to go slowly.

Traveling the Great Ocean Road

We now travel to Australia, just outside Melbourne to be exact, along the Great Ocean Road.  I took a 2 day trip to visit this area as well as the Grampions.

Scenery along the way

We stopped and saw koalas.  Can you see the ball of fur up in the tree?

I believe these are some of the Apostles.  My mind is fuzzy after all these years.

One of the areas along the road.  The tide was coming in as you can see on the beach and the water lines.

Another set of rocks.

Should You Use a Travel Agent?

I have used travel agents for some of my trips and have booked it all myself for others.  Just like anything else, there are benefits and disadvantages to travel agents.  There are good ones out there and there are bad ones so make sure you look around a bit and find someone you are comfortable with.

Travel Agency, Sustrans (Photo credit: Platform London

Advantages

Information

One of the best parts of using a travel agent is that they have information.  If you are not sure on where you want to go, what you want to do or any other aspect of your trip, they can help you to figure it out.  Have some information when you go to visit them such as when you want to go, what your budget it and what you want.  If you know where you want to go, that is definitely a huge advantage.

Reputation

Travel agents know of the places you want to go and can give you feedback.  Of course, this only goes so far as it depends if they have been to the place you are looking to go.  I know that here, many travel agents are given trips to Mexico and other Caribbean destinations to check the places out and to recommend them to clients.  They are not the stress free holidays we get as they are put onto buses and escorted around.    But, they will have at least potentially been to the place you are considering and can give you an opinion.  They can tell you what different airlines are like and the feedback they have received and the same for chain hotels.

Complicated Plans

If your plans are complicated, using a travel agent can save you a lot of headaches.  They can figure out the best ways to go, which plans will work together, and how to get the best bang for your buck.  They also have access to systems that you cannot access on the sites that let you create our own bookings.

Disadvantages

Time

I have worked with a variety of agents over the years for my holidays.  In fact, my trip to Australia/New Zealand, I worked with a local agent to book my flights and my transportation.  But when I started to plan my Thailand trip, I went to a travel agent (the prior one had moved on) and they couldn't bother to spend time with me.  they gave me brochures and sent me on my way.  I figured out what I wanted to do and emailed them, and they never bothered to reply to my email.   Too bad for them.

Fees

Depending on what your plans are, and what you want to do, agents may charge a fee for their services.  I have heard of consultation fees but have never actually encountered one myself.  Typically the agent will then refund this if you book your travel through them.  Another fee they may charge is if you plan to travel on reward points.  They can book this for you but will need your information and they may charge a fee as they will not make anything on the booking.  Make sure to ask up front so you are aware of these costs.

My Experiences

When it comes to travel agents, you are not restricted to just the ones locally.  I have booked directly with companies and their agents and they are great too, they want you to book their trips so they will be as accommodating as they can.

Australia/New Zealand - Used agent for flights and transportation, very helpful.

Fiji - Used an agent in Australia, had pre-booked flights but that was it.

Thailand Flights - Used Air Miles travel agent, contacted several times, easy to work with.

Thailand Tours - Worked directly with Intrepid agents, easy to work with, mostly through email.  Located in Australia.   Had issues with my one tour being cancelled but they  were easy to work with to find a solution and they provided advice on local transportation.

What kind of experiences have you had?

Starting to Plan a Big Holiday

When it comes to a big holiday, there are many different things you want to research before you book or put down any deposits.  Here are a few of those things if you are feeling overwhelmed.

Planning (Photo credit: Bohman)

Location

If you don't know where you want to go, you need to decide.  Of course, depending on the type of holiday you want to take will determine the type of location.  If you aren't picky, you may want to look at other considerations first such as time of year or climate.

Time of Year

Are you restricted to when you can and cannot go on holiday?  If so, that may be one of the first things to consider.  For me, my work restricts me between the beginning of November and the end of February so it can be difficult for me to take a tropical holiday to Mexico.  That said, it's still nice to go to those places in March.   Make sure you consider the time of year in your destination too.  For instance, the Caribbean is cheaper in October/November, but it is also hurricane season.

Weather

If you have more freedom in when you can travel, the weather at your destination may play a big factor.  For those who want to escape the cold at home, there are many options as anything in the southern hemisphere is in the opposite season or close to the equator is warmer.  But, if you are like me, there is a limit to how much heat I want to deal with so going somewhere that is going to be +40 when I am there is not an option.

Budget

How much are you willing to spend on your trip?  What all does that include - getting to your destination, accommodations, food, sightseeing?  Or is that budget just to get to your destination and accommodation?

If you are feeling overwhelmed, it is a good idea to talk to a travel agent.  You can walk into any travel agency and they should be willing to help you or you can talk to friends and family and see if they can recommend anyone for you to talk to.