We go on vacation to relax and relieve stress.  However, often times, the very act of traveling to your vacation destination turns out to be more stressful than anticipated.  This is even more so when traveling overseas or abroad.

In the past, a successful international trip required extensive planning, assistance and experience. Today, with the advent of smartphones and the internet one can skip most of the pre planning and quickly start a trip.  To do this you’ll need an array of apps to help get you through your international trip and enjoy it to the fullest.

Apps for Sleep

Deep Sleep Sounds

Falling asleep in an unfamiliar environment can be difficult. This can be compounded after a long international trip with a change in time zones.  A lack of sleep can quickly ruin your international business trip or vacation.

Deep Sleep Sounds encourages deep sleep by blocking out unwanted noises and forming a positive sleep association that cues your mind and body when to sleep.

Download free for iOS on the App Store

Taxi Hailing Apps

Uber

Who better to ask for a tour than a local. The only thing better than that is a local with a car. With Uber, such a situation is possible. Uber is an easy to use ride sharing app for quick access to a ride, hassle free, day or night. There’s no need to park, memorize bus schedules or wave down a taxi. With Uber, you just tap to request a ride, and it’s easy to pay with your phone.

Download for iOS on the App Store.

Download for Android on the Play Store.

Lyft

Request a ride and you’ll be on your way in minutes. Request. Ride. Repeat. Lyft is a ride sharing application that allows you to connect with the locals by using your smart phone to request a ride.

Download for iOS on the App Store.

Download for Android on the Play Store.

Directory Apps

Yelp

The free Yelp mobile app is a fast and easy way to search for businesses near you.  It’s great for finding restaurants, nightlife and other activities. Yelp provides hours, customer reviews and other business info. With Yelp you can easily navigate an unknown city without the traditional travel guide or travel book.

Download for iOS on the App Store.

Download for Android on the Play Store.

Foursquare

Foursquare helps you find the best places to eat, drink, shop, or visit.  They include ratings, reviews and tips from locals.

Download for iOS on the App Store.

Download for Android on the Play Store.

Lodging Apps

Trip Advisor

Trip Advisor looks up several hotel rooms and services for you and finds you the room that fits your needs and budget. Their services filters through 200+ travel and hotel reservation websites to hook you up with the best deals available.

Download for iOS on the App Store.

Download for Android on the App Store.

Airbnb

If hotels are out of your budget or you are looking for something more local, give Airbnb a try.  Airbnb includes unique homes and experiences for you.

Download for iOS on the App Store.

Download for Android on the Play Store.

Flight Reservation Apps

Expedia

Finding the right flight and booking the ones that fit your budget can be a very daunting task. Expedia offers their services by giving you the best deals in terms of travel and lodging. . Check Expedia now.

Download for iOS on the App Store

Download for Android on the Play Store

Hipmunk

Don’t let planning travel drive you nuts. Hipmunk offers the same services as Travel Planner by providing you deals and discounts on flights and lodging.

Download for iOS on the App Store

Download for Android on the Play Store

Kayak

Kayak utilizes its ability to search hundreds of travel and transportation websites all at once in order to gather information that will assist you in making the right decisions for booking your flights and hotel accommodations. They also look for the best deals in the market to bring you the best lodging and transportation for the right price. They also looks up information regarding rental vehicles if you wish to travel without commuting,

Download for iOS on the App Store

Download for Android on the Play Store

Communication Apps

Google Translate

Learning a second language is no walk in the park. Language barrier can be a let down on your international travel plan. Google’s free service, however,  instantly translates words, phrases, and web pages between English and over 100 other languages, breaking down the potential language barrier between you and your wonderful vacation.

Download for iOS on the App Store

Download for Android on the Play Store

Skype

International Calls are expensive. However, letting you loved ones back at home about how great your vacation is free. Skype offers Free video and audio calls anywhere in the world – so long as both of you are connected to the internet.

Download for iOS on the App Store

Download for Android on the Play Store

Viber

Viber is another free communication service that allows you to send free messages as well as make free calls to other Viber users, on any device and network, in any country so long as your connected to the web.

Download for iOS on the App Store

Download for Android on the Play Store

There is no such thing as over-prepared. The daunting preparation and execution of a successful vacation depends on how good you prepared for both the vacation and any unexpected circumstance.