Useful travel apps

Gone were the days where tourists have to clutch a map and a Lonely Planet guidebook while journeying in foreign countries. Sure, those might come in handy if one is travelling to a remote place lacking in internet access, but many of the info might easily be outdated or heavily biased. Having travel apps makes it simpler and easier to organise all of the useful help you need in one single device, and it’s always a good idea to get some offline and online guidance to make the most out of your trips. Here’s some of the most handy mobile apps you can use the next time you’re travelling overseas:

 

1. Google Translate

iOS | Android

No company revolutionise digital translation like Google does. Despite the numerous competition, the tech giant still comes out on top when it comes to the handiest translation service. Not only does it translate typed words, this app is also capable of visual translation via the smartphone’s camera and voice translation via the smartphone’s recorder. This is highly useful for translating languages you can’t type.

2. AccuWeather

iOS | Android

Every traveller knows that the weather can easily make or break one’s day. Knowing whether to pack for sunscreen or an umbrella on your trip to Thailand is crucial as nothing ruins your perfect getaway (and clothing) more than a crappy weather. AccuWeather has a highly useful minute by minute weather forecast that accurately predicts weather in painstaking detail – which is good news for meticulous perfectionists who will not allow sudden weather changes to alter their travel plans.

3. Maps.Me

iOS | Android

As far as as maps go, digital ones are always better than traditional printed maps due to the former’s accuracy and usefulness in denoting landmarks. While Google Maps is useful in its own way, it’s reliability on constant Internet connection can be quite a hassle if one is travelling in the outskirts where connectivity might be scarce. Maps.Me includes tourist attractions, useful stops like pharmacies, and public transit routes. Even shops are included in the map too, making it super convenient for Grabean travellers to fulfill requests! What’s even better is the fact that all these features are available offline, making Maps.Me a practical choice for backpackers who want to save on overseas data.

4. XE Currency

iOS | Android

XE has been the most trusted currency converter service for years and it’s not hard to see why. Although its service is a lot more geared towards business corporations, travellers find XE’s simplicity and up-to-the-minute conversion rates to be highly reliable. Every currency in the world are included in XE, including Bitcoin. There’s also an offline function for those without connectivity.

5. Rome2Rio

iOS | Android

It’s hard to keep track of transit routes in different countries, but Rome2Rio has solved this issue by combining the major transit routes in most countries in the world in a single app. It also covers all of the common travelling options, so whether you plan to take a walk, cycle, drive, or take any public transport, Rome2Rio has your back.

6. Halal Buddy

iOS | Android

If you live in a Muslim country, it’s easy to look for products that are certified halal. But what if you’re travelling to a country where information for halal ingredients and products are scarce, if not worse, nonexistent? Not everyone can remember the long list of ingredients and it’s a huge hassle to have to Google for every single ingredient. With Halal Buddy, one simply has to enter the ingredient in question and the app will immediately tell you if it is halal, haram, or mushbooh.

7. Uber

iOS | Android

Hardly anyone with Internet access has never heard or used this widely popular e-hailing app. So it’s no surprise to have Uber in this list for the safest and most reliable private transport, thanks to the app showing its driver’s profile and ratings. Uber’s digital payment system is also handy for those who do not wish to carry large amounts of cash on hand, and its comparatively fair pricing system is a godsend to passengers.

If you’re heading overseas soon, feel free to try out some of this apps. And don’t forget to post your trip on Grabean and get paid to shop the world as well!

The 5 best visa-free countries for Malaysians

Believe it or not, the Malaysian passport is rated as one of the most powerful passports in the world! According to a 2017 ranking compiled by Henley & Partners, a renowned residence and citizenship planning firm, the Malaysian passport is placed as the 13th most powerful in the world, alongside Estonia. With 164 countries Malaysians are lucky enough to be able to visit visa-free, there’s plenty of travelling choices for the next big holiday! Here’s our pick for the top 5 countries you can consider visiting on your next trip:

1. New Zealand

Visa-free validity: 3 months

The name of New Zealand immediately elicits an image of an idyllic and peaceful place where its vast stretches of green pastures, gorgeously clear lakes, and breathtakingly towering mountains seem a scene out of a fairytale. From the spectacular Milford Sound to the chilling peaks of  the Southern Alps, New Zealand is a perfect place for those who love nature.

2. Bahamas

Visa-free validity: 3 months

If a quiet and chilly place isn’t your thing, the lively and warm beaches of Bahamas might be up in your valley instead. There’s a wide variety of marine adventures you can get into, from sun tanning at Nassau to snorkelling at the Thunderball Grotto (which was made famous in the 1965 James Bond movie!), Bahamas is a paradise for those who love the seaside.

3. Finland

Visa-free validity: 90 days within any 180 day period in the Schengen Area

 

Finland has so much more to offer aside from being the alleged hometown of Santa Claus and the famous Northern lights. The Northern European country is also well-known for its thermal spas and national parks. Art lovers can also check out Helsinki, where lovers of contemporary art are known to gather to display their latest showcases.

4. South Africa

Visa-free validity: 30 days

 

Do you know there are penguins in South Africa? You don’t have to brave the Antarctic ice to frolic with these flipper friends when you can do it at Boulders Beach! If you are a history buff, you will definitely love Johannesburg as the African city has many renowned museums, from the Apartheid Museum to the Origins Centre Museum.

5. Japan

Visa-free validity: 90 days

There’s something for everyone in Japan. Beachgoers will love Okinawa for its sunny beaches, those who prefer something more cultural and historical will fall in love with the antiquated castles in Kyoto, and shopaholics will be drawn to the streets of Tokyo.

So which countries piqued your wanderlust? There’s so much more to explore outside of Malaysia, and a wide variety of adventures awaits you! And don’t forget to sign up to be a traveller with Grabean today to get paid for your travels as well!