A new language, new currency, new restaurants, and lots of new things to get used to make the transition difficult when people move or travel to a foreign country. Having the right tools to help with adapting is vital, and apps that help with transitioning abroad should be at the top of the list.

The best apps solve problems that come with daily activities in a new country, such as shopping, currency exchange, reading menus, and ordering food, as well as learning key phrases that help foreigners get around in the local language. Some of the most useful apps travelers need abroad can be downloaded for free and customized to their location for convenience.

Google Maps

A Screenshot Of The Google Maps App

Google Maps is the most widely used navigation app in the world, with every user contributing data that has made the app more detailed and accurate. Apple Maps is also good in its own right but doesn't have as many local users as Google, which limits options when moving around.

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Google Maps is free to use and often sufficient when finding your way around a new location. With its vast network of users, Google Maps can find nearly any known location, even in the remotest places on Earth, which can come in handy if someone needs to find their way around while abroad.

Duolingo

A screenshot of the Duolingo app

Google Translate is handy for quick translations of foreign words, but it doesn't help much with getting the pronunciations of basic greetings and common phrases right. Duolingo prepares people to interact with locals in a foreign country better by giving them free lessons on the most popular languages spoken worldwide.

The app has courses that challenge students to learn both the written and spoken aspects of languages with detailed instructions that are easy to follow. The app also allows learners to pair with native speakers and other users to synchronize their lessons for a better experience. It is also free to download and use, although it contains ads that can only be removed at a fee.

Globe Convert Currency And Unit Converter

A screenshot of GlobeConvert-Currency-and-Units

It can be disappointing to overpay for daily items in a foreign country just because foreigners don't know the exchange rate. While Google has quick currency conversion, it only works with an internet connection which may not be available everywhere in a foreign country. Globe Convert currently has more than 173 currencies from which users can set up their regularly used currencies which it then converts based on current rates.

The app updates the current exchange rates when a phone is online and makes them available for offline use. The app also makes life easy by allowing users to convert other units they use daily such as miles to kilometers, pounds to kilograms, meters to feet, and many more, depending on the units used in the country.

Airbnb

Airbnb 2021's curated lists, arrival guide, and checkout screen

Airbnb's home-sharing model has been embraced in most countries worldwide, bringing more homeowners on board. The accommodations on the platform are detailed and harmoniously priced, which improves value for money when accommodation is booked on the app.

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Even if users have accommodation booked before departure, having Airbnb installed on their phones helps them price their accommodation appropriately and gives them other options if their preferred accommodation disappoints. With Airbnb, travelers have more flexibility, such as cooking at home and protection against exploitation, as opposed to the limitations of traditional hotel rooms.

A VPN

VPN and Ad-blocking apps

Public WiFis at airports and hotels are not as safe as the home networks travelers are used to, but they are often the only option available when traveling to a foreign country. The only way to secure devices while using unsafe networks is to get a reliable VPN service that hides a device's IP address and gives them an extra layer of protection.

VPNs also allow travelers to access geo-fenced websites and services back home, such as Netflix and other streaming services. There are lots of free VPN options to choose from, including Proton, Privado, and Hotspot shield, so it is wise to go through reviews to ensure that the VPN doesn't cause a significant lag on the device.

Shopwell-Better Food Choices

Abanner showing hands with juice bottles and a smartphone with the Shopwell app

When traveling to a new country, shopping lists are one of the first things to change, meaning travelers struggle to get food and groceries similar to what they are used to at home. Shopwell is one of the best free nutrition apps, which allows users to check whether products suit them by simply scanning the bar code. It helps users customize their product requirements to their lifestyle needs when they go shopping.

Users can put in specifications such as vegan, gluten-free, no preservatives, no added sugar, and low cholesterol into the app and then scan barcodes to check whether the items on the shelf comply with these requirements. The app also relies on crowdsourced information, which means there are billions of products on the platform that make the results accurate.

Tripadvisor

A screenshot of the tripadvisor-app

With over 700 million users worldwide, Tripadvisor is one of the most resourceful free travel apps when going to any country. It has millions of hotels, eateries, and tourist destinations with authentic reviews that give travelers a clear picture of their experience when they visit the destination.

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The app is free to download on both Android and iOS, allowing travelers to search for the most visited entertainment joints, hotels, and tourist destinations and check the reviews before spending their money. Tripadvisor also offers tips on how to get to a place and the most worthwhile perks to pay for.

Rome2Rio

A screenshot of the Rome2Rio navigation app

This is one of the best transit apps for commuters worldwide that helps people move comfortably between places by offering them the best available means of travel in the area. It only requires two destinations, including a city, a street, or an address, to bring up the most efficient means of travel between the two points.

From the best flights for the money to the best bus or train between the local towns, the app brings it all up, helping travelers schedule their travel. The app includes car rental options and hotel bookings.

Google Translate

A screenshot of the free google-translate-app

Translating menus, signs, directions, and any other written text makes it easy to transition and get around comfortably in a foreign country. Google Translate is now available for all platforms, just like Google Maps.

The app only needs a camera to point at the words that need translation, including those with special characters. The app also accepts voice input, which means travelers can have locals speak into the translator in the local dialect, which then brings out the English Translation.

Whatsapp

WhatsApp Carts feature screenshots

While roaming can help travelers stay in touch with family and friends back home, the charges can be extremely high, which is why safe online communication is a relief. There are many apps that offer these services, but security and costs can be a major concern.

WhatsApp has been around for a long time, though, and now allows free video and voice calls as well, which streamlines communication when abroad. It's a great option for travelers not interested in loading a local sim card with minutes.

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