Below are some of the best apps, services, and products you should have before stepping foot on that plane.

1. Organizing your documents: TripIt

Managing all your documents, tickets, and itineraries can be a real headache on vacation. Thankfully, many apps can keep you organized, with TripIt being one of the best.
It’s an innovative app that helps make sense of your holiday. You can forward everything from flights, reservations, photos, PDFs, and QR codes, and TripIt will create and manage an itinerary for you. You can even sync it with your calendar and share your plan with friends and family, keeping everyone up-to-date on the trip’s agenda.

2. Finding luggage: Apple AirTag

If losing your backpack or suitcase feels unbearable, don’t worry – there is a solution. The Apple AirTag is a small tag that can be attached to a wallet, bag, or suitcase before a journey.
It sends a secure Bluetooth signal to any nearby Find My devices in range. Information sent is encrypted, thus protecting your privacy at all times.
Although it will only ping Apple devices, rest assured plenty of gadgets in airports will register the location for you. And because the battery is so tiny, you’ll have no problems checking it in with your luggage.

3. Virtual private networks: NordVPN

Using the internet on holidays always comes with one caveat – you never know if your information is safe. Virtual private networks, or VPNs, are just the protection and peace of mind you need when surfing the web abroad.
Premium VPNs, such as NordVPN, protect your data, including sensitive information you share or receive when connected to public Wi-Fi networks.
However, few people realize that VPN can help save money when booking flights before the trip. That’s because a VPN can mask your location, letting websites think you’re booking from another country. It gives you access to the same flights but at a lower price!
And if you need to work remotely, a VPN comes to the rescue again. Remote access VPNs offer additional safety and security to people connecting to their corporate networks. You can use your business VPN to access your office’s network from anywhere in the world. This way, you can reach your work resources as if you were in the physical office.

4. Travel routes: Rome2Rio

From the moment you leave the airport after a long flight to get to your hotel, travel can be one of the biggest headaches on vacation. But thankfully, Rome2Rio is here to help.
This app is the ultimate map, helping you plan and organize the most straightforward route from A to B in seconds. The app uses local bus routes, trains, ferries, or road networks to plan your journey effectively, saving you time and energy. It also has a flight option to plan international or long-distance travel.

5. Budgeting: XE Currency Converter

You will need a fast, practical, and reliable currency converter to prevent being ripped off abroad.
XE Currency Converter has many valuable features for travellers, including live rates of all major currencies and a handy converter. Using this app, you’ll always be able to stay within budget. You can also use the app’s converter offline, ensuring you can still work out the best prices without being connected to the internet.

6. Language: Google Translate

Are you vacationing overseas and hitting a wall with the local language? Sometimes the simplest solution is right in front of us – Google!
Google Translate now comes in app form and has over 133 built-in languages to help you wherever you are. It can even translate pictures (like maps or road signs), saving you time and frustration while exploring. You can download languages ahead of time to translate without an internet connection.