Travel has come a long way from a time when a trip across the Atlantic Ocean took months on a steamer. These advances are amazing, but what is even more incredible are the advances in travel since the smartphone became so prevalent. With constant internet access, travel has gone from something for only the bravest among us to something for everyone. So, what are the latest innovations making travel even more convenient?
Read on to find out our top 5 game-changing travel innovations of 2018.
1. The Gig Economy
Whether it’s Airbnb, Uber, or Showaround, the gig economy is here making travel easier, more personable, and affordable. You can hire a car, rent a room, or hire a tour guide, or just about anything else you can think of to improve your trip. Going to France? You can an apartment in a local neighborhood, get a ride down to the Champs Elysee, and then get the best Louvre Tours. C’est la belle vie!
2. Translation Apps
Have you chosen a destination, but you don’t speak the language? Fear not, countless translation apps are here to help. You can translate typed or written words, signs, or even actual speech. Say goodbye to feeling lost in translation and download a translation app now, just don’t forget to download your chosen language for offline use.
3. Offline Maps
What is the most important travel item in your arsenal? A map, of course! Lucky for travelers everywhere, maps are getting more and more convenient. Gone are the days of spending your day unfolding and refolding a map that seems more complicated than origami, now you can simply read a map on your phone or tablet. The best part is that you don’t even need to be very good at reading maps because your phone will follow your location! On your next trip, remember to download an offline map, so you can figure out where you are anywhere.
4. Travel Deal Sites
Who doesn’t like saving money on travel? No one, that’s who. These days, there are countless websites that exist for just this reason, to save money when you travel. If you want to find a cheap flight, hotel room, or a tour guide, there is a website for you.
5. GPS Chips
Every traveler worries about having their bag misplaced by their airline, or worse yet, stolen, but these days you can simply attach a GPS locator to your possessions, so you will know where they are at all times! Most GPS chips are about the size of a quarter and can be tracked easily by your phone. So, stop worrying and start enjoying your trip!
We live in a golden age of travel and it’s only getting better and more convenient with time. Today, we can control almost every aspect of our trips online. We can only wonder what tomorrow will bring. If you are heading on a trip, be sure to take advantage of all of the technological advances in travel to make your trip as smooth as possible! Why live in the past when you can make travel easier, less expensive, and more fun!