Explore Our Recommended Products: Discover a curated collection of products we’ve personally used and highly recommend from our travels. From handy apps to everyday essentials and travel gear, find everything you need right here.

Here, I share our list of favorite apps that have been invaluable to us while traveling. This list includes a variety of apps, both free and paid, that have enhanced our travel experiences.

Stay Connected Abroad: Top Apps for Mobile Connectivity Without Contracts

Whether you’re traveling abroad for a week or several months, staying connected is essential in today’s digital age.

In many countries, the most cost-effective way to stay connected is by using a local SIM card. However, if you prefer not to commit to a long-term contract and only need internet access for a short period, there are several apps available to meet your needs. After experimenting with various options, we’ve narrowed down our preferred choices to two apps, each offering distinct advantages depending on your location.

Here, we highlight these two apps along with their benefits, making them our go-to solutions for staying connected on the go.

Airalo is an app that allows you to install an eSIM on your phone. So, be sure that your phone supports it. Most phones should support it nowadays.

It’s worth exploring the app offerings to see if the pricing for your chosen destination is within budget. We primarily use the app in states where it performs exceptionally well.

In these locations, it’s not significantly more expensive than purchasing a local SIM card and is incredibly user-friendly. Simply install the eSIM after booking your package and get online immediately. It offers absolute flexibility, whether you’re seeking a weekly or monthly package, with a variety of tariffs available.

Tipp: If you also use the internet for navigation, be sure to deactivate data usage for maps after activating the route in Maps. The navigation will remain active, saving a considerable amount of data volume.

If you use my referral link, we both receive $3. There are no other downsides to it. https://ref.airalo.com/7suU

Nomad is an app that allows you to install an eSIM on your phone. So, be sure that your phone supports it. Most phones should support it nowadays.

Airalo usually offers better deals, but for Mexico, we opted for Nomad. Although Nomad is still more expensive compared to local providers, we accepted it due to our short-term needs, considering it’s still reasonably priced.

Tipp: If you also use the internet for navigation, be sure to deactivate data usage for maps after activating the route in Maps. The navigation will remain active, saving a considerable amount of data volume.

If you use my referral link, we both receive $3. There are no other downsides to it. https://getnomad.page.link/app

Arriving at your destination, all you want is to unwind and continue watching your favorite Netflix series, only to be greeted with the dreaded message: ‚This content is not available in your region.‘ This scenario is just one of many where a VPN service comes in handy.

I’ve opted for NordVPN because it offers compatibility across all devices and delivers excellent value for money. Setting it up is a breeze, and we experience minimal performance impact while using the VPN.

Of course, there are countless VPN providers out there, and I’m not claiming NordVPN is the absolute best. Everyone needs to assess which service best meets their needs. For me, the flexibility of accessing it across multiple devices and the reasonable pricing in yearly or bi-yearly plans make it worthwhile. Plus, the negligible drop in performance is crucial.

If you’d like to support us, feel free to use my referral link. You won’t have any disadvantages, and you’ll be helping us out: https://ref.nordvpn.com/SeUYuXjeaBK

During vacations, it’s common to reminisce about the adventures of the past few days and wonder how to share those memories with family and friends. If you’re seeking a way to keep track of your experiences, consider trying out this app. From the moment we started using it, we were impressed. Best of all, it’s completely free.

With this app, you can manually input your travel details or enable tracking, write a brief summary at the end of each day, and upload your best photos. This allows you to share your experiences publicly or privately with your loved ones. Additionally, once your vacation concludes, you have the option to print a photo album, albeit at a cost.

Personally, I find this app indispensable. After a long search for a suitable solution to document my travel routes and experiences, Polarsteps has exceeded my expectations.

Tip: Take advantage of the web-based interface for more advanced editing options.

Feel free to use the following link to sign up: Polarsteps. Since it’s free, there are no referral bonuses.

Traveling offers numerous ways and options. If you’re on the move with a camper or trailer, you absolutely need this free app.

During our initial travels, we scoured websites to find dump stations, overnight spots, and more. It was laborious and costly, especially when resorting to expensive camping sites outside of national parks. This app provides everything you need for camper travel, from parking spots to dump stations and gas refill stations.

It’s truly invaluable, and it won’t cost you a dime.

Note: If you’re traveling with a large trailer, many overnight parking spots may be unsuitable. Always double-check if the indicated spots in the app allow trailer parking.

Download the app or bookmark the website for future reference. https://ioverlander.com/

Another travel app you shouldn’t miss is this one. While it’s not free like the first one, camping sites in North America can rack up quite a bill over time. That’s where the concept of this app shines. Farms, breweries, museums, or other establishments offer overnight stays through the app, ranging from 1-5 days. Many allow free stays, while some, like Harvest Hosts, suggest making a donation or spending around $30 in their farm shop.

Considering that many camping sites charge $30 or more per night without services, I’d rather spend $30 on products I need and support the local region.

There’s also another popular app called Boondockers. While we discovered it later and are satisfied with this one, many farms listed on Harvest Hosts are also on Boondockers, so one subscription covers both. They are similarly priced. Therefore, if you’re planning an extended tour of North America, having one of these apps is essential. They’re also suitable for buses or large trailers.

https://www.boondockerswelcome.com/

https://www.harvesthosts.com/member/dashboard

To gain a different perspective and capture stunning aerial shots, we opted for the DJI Air 2s. Although it’s slightly larger than the Mini, it feels significantly sturdier in construction. It’s easy to fly, and capturing beautiful aerial footage is a joy every time. If you’re considering getting a drone yourself, feel free to use the referral link. You won’t have any disadvantages, and you’ll be supporting us
https://amzn.to/3vKmBt7

To ensure we don’t miss a beat during hikes and city tours and to capture stunning 360-degree views for later review, we rely on the Insta360 X3. While getting the perfect shot may require some practice with settings and lens alignment, the camera excels at preserving beautiful memories once you’ve mastered it. One of its key advantages is the ability to capture 360-degree footage, eliminating the need for precise aiming. Feel free to use our referral link; you won’t experience any drawbacks, and you’ll be supporting us: https://amzn.to/3O9V36C.

We use this camera for everyday use to capture the most beautiful moments. While Sony may excel in video recording, our focus here is on excellent photo quality with fast resolution to capture moving objects seamlessly. By using this link, you support us without any drawbacks: https://amzn.to/3tZogdK.

To ensure good sound quality, we chose the DJI Mic 2 Microphone. While there may be criticism of microphones in general, what we particularly like about this one, in addition to its good sound quality, is that the microphones can function separately. Additionally, if you need to quickly record something, you can connect them via Bluetooth. They make a very high-quality impression and offer a range of adjustment options. Furthermore, the magnetic attachment of the microphone to the shirt is excellent. You can support us by using this link if you’re considering purchasing it.