Smartphones are ubiquitous in the modern world, and while they can be distracting, they can also be extraordinarily useful. Before smartphones were so commonplace, travelling could be much more complicated, with a need to memorise things beforehand or use books and written guides to find out more about a city or town before visiting.
Now, you have the power of the internet in your pocket, and smartphones can provide many more useful tools to make your travelling experience much easier. Here’s how to make the most of your phone when travelling in Europe.
Connecting to the Internet
There’s a lot your smartphone can do without an internet connection, especially if you download maps and guides before you leave. However, if you want to get the most out of your phone, you must ensure you have an internet connection. If you’re already from a European country, this is typically simple and very affordable. If not, you’ll need a SIM.
When you arrive at your travel destination, it’s important to purchase a suitable SIM for your needs. You can find the best SIM card for Europe travel online, although many shops throughout the countries you visit will normally sell SIMS too. Consider how much data you’re likely to use, and weigh up the costs of the different options.
Translation and Learning the Language
One of the most difficult aspects of travelling in a foreign country for a lot of people is not being able to communicate properly. If you speak English, there’s a good chance that you won’t have an issue, but not everyone in Europe is a fluent speaker. In addition, menus, signs and other important information may not be available in a language you understand. Thankfully, smartphones can help.
If you have an internet connection, you can use tools such as Google Translate to instantly translate words and phrases with decent accuracy. It’s even possible to get it to say phrases out loud so you can copy the pronunciation and improve your speaking skills. There’s an option to use the phone camera, too, allowing you to translate the language of signs and menus.
If you want to improve your language skills, travelling is an excellent way to immerse yourself and quickly pick up on the local lingo. However, you can also utilise your smartphone to fully embrace the language learning process, with apps like Duolingo and Memrise making it easier to learn and communicate while travelling.
Entertainment
Travelling can be incredibly exciting when you’re exploring new places and trying new things. However, there are plenty of times when you might be sitting on a train, bus or aeroplane for several hours at a time. In addition, you might have moments where you just need to relax after a long and busy day. At these times, it’s good to have your smartphone as a source of entertainment.
Whether it’s reading ebooks, listening to audiobooks, playing games or watching the latest shows and movies, there’s a world of entertainment in your pocket thanks to smartphones. If you’re using your phone to stay entertained for long periods of time, make sure you have access to a charging point or a power bank to keep your battery topped up.
Final Thoughts
Europe has so much to see and do, but your travel experience is much better if you have your smartphone. You can use your phone to get around, learn the local language and stay entertained while on long flights, just make sure you have the right SIM card to stay connected.
