7 Awesome Backpacking Travel iPhone Apps

by Michael Tieso on March 30, 2010

Its becoming the norm to travel with an iPhone. I seem to see more and more of them at each hostel I go to. It´s a conviently small device that can do so much. As a matter of fact, this article itself is being written on my iPhone while sitting next to the pool in the beautiful weather of Mancora, Peru.

List of recommended iPhone apps

1. WordPress

Wordpress iPhone app interface by damienhowley

Like i was saying earlier, this current article was fully written on my iphone. I create the articles offline as a local draft then upload it later on a wifi to edit and review on a physical computer. This makes for updating blogs convienent and easy. Free. WordPress Website.

2. Lingopal

V Eng 1 by Lingopal Photos

In over 30 languages, translate basic semtenses to get you by. Its organized categories has sentences for most of your needs abroad. As an added bonus, they have very humorus flirting and x-rated translations. It makes for good laughs amoungst friends from other countries. Dont think the flirting section will work well for you but youll have them laughing which could get you lucky in return. $9.99USD for full package. LingoPal Website.

3. Appbox Pro

Being an american while traveling means having to get use to whole new unit system while abroad. Appbox pro can take care of every conversion for you. Itll even covert currency. Recently appbox pro has updated their app and made it even more user friendly with theme options and a better interface for navigation. $.99USD

4. World Customs & Cultures

A fun and infomative app about different customs in each country around the world. Great way to inform yourself of the customs in a certain country before going. Theres a random feature that when pressed will tell you a random custom from around the world. Free

5. Touch hockey

life by tom.durkin

It actually has nothing to do with travel. Its a fun game between friends at the hostel. Be creative with it and bet drinks. Makes for a great time killer on bus rides with friends.

6. Gorillacam

photo_2 by ajfee

The popular gorilla tripod is already a backpackers must and the geniouses behind that created a wonderful camera app. The completely free app has many features missing from the stock camera app. The self timer alone makes it worth it. Free. Gorillacam Website.

7. Hostelworld

Makes booking hostels all too simple. Everything the regular site has to offer in an essier interface friendly for the iphone. Free.

Which apps do you use on your iPhone to convient your backpacking trip?

Article by Michael Tieso

Michael Tieso travels around the world writing, photographing, and filming his adventures. He left the cubicle life to travel the world in May 2009 and he still continues the journey to this day with no end to it. He loves adventure, food, and music. He is the Editor-in-chief of Art of Backpacking. Follow him on Twitter and Google+.

Michael has written 285 awesome articles for AOB.

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dolcecorazon
MAN do I miss my stolen iphone. I had EVERY single one of these apps! Great list!
http://www.vagabondroots.com/ Catia | Vagabond Roots
Some of the ones I use are:
MyLangPro – a very handy translator with lots of languages and sub-dialects. Only works with Internet access but it's very handy when I have a wi-fi connection.
SpanishDict – Works offline! A Spanish – English dictionary. Saves carrying around a book. I'm not sure if they have other languages or not.
Stanza – to read books while on the bus or waiting for one.
I also use the built in compass quite a bit and the camera for quick reference shots like my room number (when it's not on the key) and a shot of things I want to see later, my hostel etc.
Michael Tieso
Ah I have SpanishDict and I forgot all about adding it here. I use the camera with the same concept as well. Sometimes for street names or maps. Thanks for adding a few!
Michael Tieso
Not sure if being stolen or being thrown in the pool with the iphone in the pocket is any better. I can still LOOK at my iphone and see that it doesnt work. Ugh.
http://www.quinnscape.com/ Quinn Genzel
As an avid backpacker myself, I've learned that smart packing is an essential part of any trip. Therefore, I created a powerful, yet easy to use iPhone app called Packing Pro. Since it's launch nearly a year ago, it has earned prominent recognition from Apple, National Geographic, and American Express as one of their best apps for traveling, and great reviews on iLounge, 148Apps & TUAW as well. Currently, both Packing Pro and the more basic Packing app are the highest ranked travel packing apps on the U.S. App Store. Come see what you're missing!
Packing Pro (US$ 2.99), iTunes link:
http://itunes.apple.com/app/packing-pro/id31226…
Packing (US$ 0.99), iTunes link:
http://itunes.apple.com/app/packing-to-do-sale/…
website: http://www.quinnscape.com
Michael Tieso
Nice! This looks interesting. I´ll have to try this out. Thanks for letting us know!
http://www.foggodyssey.com/ foggodyssey
Hey any Apps on budgetting while traveling that someone has used before? I´m thinking of getting an iPhone just for that use and any advise would be great!
Michael Tieso
Not bad of an idea. I'd like to see this as well.
http://dreamalittledream.ca/ Scott
I'd have to say Kindle for iPhone has been my favorite app. I was lugging around 4 to 6 books all the time weighing down my pack quite a bit waiting for book exchanges and such. Loaded up the Kindle application and I can't be happier. Must have cleared a kilogram out of my pack of weight. The small screen size isn't that bad and I've gotten quite used to it.
http://foxnomad.com/ Anil
I really like Currency. Only does one thing but does it well and it's come in handy many times on the road.
Michael Tieso
That's a pretty good idea. Might have to do the same. Though half the books I travel with is usually exchanges.
Michael Tieso
I still use this app as well because its quick and simple. Appbox has a similiar interface now as well.
http://theglobaltutorial.com/ rebeccius
I haven't used this on the road (yet) but I know a few people who have highly recommended it, and at a quick glance it does look great. It's called iXpenselt. There is a free version (lite) and paid version, but I think the free version is more than enough for the average backpacker.
http://choyungteatrial.com carla brown
wow..i didnt know more than 2 of them…
http://naufragiobella.wordpress.com Michelle
For air travel to backpacking locations I'd recommend the eSkyguide application. Have you used it or other flight apps?
http://www.travelwithamate.com Travel With a Mate
Some great apps there. I've recently discovered the wonders of Augmented Reality apps which are a great way of displaying content about the world around you. It works well with wikipedia and twitter although you'll need to use data of course. Check out Layar. It's my fav.
Michael Tieso
Haven't heard of this app before. I'll have to check it out.
Michael Tieso
Never really used a flight app before. What's good about the app?
http://naufragiobella.wordpress.com Michelle
You can find available flights from all over and all the info you need to get where you are going. A friend of mine had a flight delay and would have had to stay overnight out of state, he was able to find another flight and change his ticket to get home to his kids a day earlier, right in the airport from his phone. (and the ticket desks)
Here are some of the features as listed on the site:
convenient and unbiased flight schedules, flight status and weather updates.
* Entire worldwide schedules are available at a glance
* Displays flight status of all U.S. and many international flights
* Provides up-to-the-minute updates and changes
* Displays current weather information at all major U.S. and international airports
* Provides 7-day forecasts
* Find the nearest airport to where you want to go, a beach, landmark, wonder of the world
* Provides hotel, car rental reservations numbers
* Uses “tap to call” for convenient access to travel providers
http://naufragiobella.wordpress.com Michelle
You can find available flights from all over and all the info you need to get where you are going. A friend of mine had a flight delay and would have had to stay overnight out of state, he was able to find another flight and change his ticket to get home to his kids a day earlier, right in the airport from his phone. (and the ticket desks)
Here are some of the features as listed on the site:
convenient and unbiased flight schedules, flight status and weather updates.
* Entire worldwide schedules are available at a glance
* Displays flight status of all U.S. and many international flights
* Provides up-to-the-minute updates and changes
* Displays current weather information at all major U.S. and international airports
* Provides 7-day forecasts
* Find the nearest airport to where you want to go, a beach, landmark, wonder of the world
* Provides hotel, car rental reservations numbers
* Uses “tap to call” for convenient access to travel providers
http://www.choyungweightloss.com Cho yung tea
Hey, nice list of apps. I think the wordpress app is the best one mentioned. What should one do with the hockey app? just play for fun? Wouldn't something like Twitter app or Facebook app be better? I Don't know =)
http://www.choyungweightloss.com Cho yung tea
Hey, nice list of apps. I think the wordpress app is the best one mentioned. What should one do with the hockey app? just play for fun? Wouldn't something like Twitter app or Facebook app be better? I Don't know =)
http://senchateareview.com Sencha tea
great list
http://senchateareview.com Sencha tea
great list
Pingback: Making Backpacking Bogus or a Breeze? « Bizzare Backpacking
http://twitter.com/tomschinablog Thomas Aylmer
cool, i got to try out the gorilla cam!
http://www.e-turkeygreece.com Travel Turkey
Nice text & pictures, thank you.
http://twitter.com/RunawayJuno Juno Kim
Oh good. Few apps I didn’t know about. Thanks!

http://artofbackpacking.com Michael
Np

http://www.noahdecoco.com Noahdecoco
Hi Michael!
This seems to be a great list as you’ve gotten a lot of good response which really inspires me to try them out (specially WordPress and LingoPal).
I hear that for the same price as LingoPal, one can get the LonelyPlanet phrase book which has its own pros and cons. I haven’t tried it yet, but apparently it has audio phrases. So if you can’t get the pronunciation right, you can simply press play and let the other person your trying to communicate with listen! On the other hand, I don’t think it has an assortment of pickup lines!
What really intrigued me is how have you been able to travel from 2009 onwards? Has it been continuous or do you need to stop and take work breaks to afford your next ticket/hotel/meal? I’ve been meaning to go on a long trip for a while, but find it impossible to save up ahead for a years travel. Would love to know how you do it!
Cheers and keep trekking!
Noah

http://artofbackpacking.com Michael
LingoPal has a lot more laughs in their phrase book than LP. Makes for good conversation starters.
As for my travels – I saved for the first year while still saving through the income of this site. Then I also picked up work in China teaching part time for some more income. I have a few articles in Tips/Planning section for how I did it all.
Thanks for stopping by

http://elleswim.net/ Elle
Excellent list, thanks so much for sharing. My iPhone has become my bible while traveling. I use apps to read books, look at maps, translate foreign languages, exchange currency, and learn more about my destination. The iPhone has completely revolutionized travel.

http://artofbackpacking.com Michael
Yeah, I feel lost now without it.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_LPZKGTRTWA724HCYHMHY5MOE4Y Nick L
Hey, I know this is an old thread, but I am taking off Wednesday for a month in Europe. Any apps you can recommend for a basic guide to a city.. transportation from train stations, quick tips, etc.

http://artofbackpacking.com Michael
WikiTravel is a great app. Highly recommend that as a basic guide.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_LPZKGTRTWA724HCYHMHY5MOE4Y Nick L
Also, thanks for all the ideas, loading up my ipod right now
http://artofbackpacking.com Michael
I’ve heard of this app and seen a few travelers use it. I’ll have to try this out. Thanks for the recommendation!
Tony
Kayak. Makes looking for and booking flights a breeze. It can also be used for car rentals, hotels (no hostels, boo!), airport info, packing list and a currency converter.
Tony
Kayak. Makes looking for and booking flights a breeze. It can also be used for car rentals, hotels (no hostels, boo!), airport info, packing list and a currency converter.
Tony
Kayak. Makes looking for and booking flights a breeze. It can also be used for car rentals, hotels (no hostels, boo!), airport info, packing list and a currency converter.
Tony
Kayak. Makes looking for and booking flights a breeze. It can also be used for car rentals, hotels (no hostels, boo!), airport info, packing list and a currency converter.