Got the travel bug?

We all want travel that goes without a hitch, and while we’re at it, we want to still enjoy the tech and apps that help make our lives easier. We have some suggestions. Let’s take a look at a travel ‘tech list’ that you won’t be able to do without.

Travel and expand your horizons.

5 minute read

So, you’ve decided to kick up your heels, hit the road or take to the skies. Whether for business or leisure, travel can elevate your spirits and renew your energy. If you’re planning a trip, here are some tech must-haves that will keep you well-planned and inspired.

Before you set off, be sure you have a travel checklist to keep you organised. An important part of planning for any trip is the tech that you’ll need to make your journey safer and better.

Tech tips to help you make the most of your trip

1. Activate your roaming services

Stay connected to your loved ones seamlessly with international roaming services.

Do some research into the roaming options available to you. Telkom offers a full bouquet of services that include full international roaming, Wi-Fi connections, SMS-only roaming and prepaid international roaming, so you can pick the solution that’s best suited to you.

2. Keep your devices charged

Of course, your smartphone is going everywhere with you! Make sure you never run out of juice by keeping your charger close. Bonus points if you have a (fully charged) power bank for those times when you’re not close to a power source. Be sure to switch on the ‘find my device’ function on your phone. Your device will be linked to your Google sign-in so that you can easily track it down if it goes missing.

3. Zap boredom with an e-reader, tablet or mobile phone

Sometimes having many hours to kill during a layover is unavoidable. This is where your travel gadgets will be useful. With a tablet or e-reader, you can easily browse your favourite titles until you arrive at your destination. You could also browse streaming platforms like Netflix and download shows to your mobile that will keep you entertained while you’re in transit.

4. Do not disturb. Noisy travel is cancelled!

Headphones on, distractions off! Whether you’re on a flight or killing time, there comes a point at which your social battery runs out and you need an escape. When this moment inevitably hits, it helps to have a set of noise-cancelling headphones on standby.

5. Is there an app for that? Useful apps when travelling

Make technology your friend! We live in an app-driven world, and apps like Google Maps are really useful when travelling.

Plan your trip and browse reviews of the must-see sights that have grabbed your attention. Packpoint Travel Packing List helps you plan what you need to take with you on holiday based on the location that you’re going to. You can streamline these lists even further, based on need: for business or leisure. Having the most accurate overview of the weather helps a lot when you are travelling. Keep an eye on international weather with MyWorldWeather and local weather trends on the Africaweather apps. Getting around on your trip will be a breeze with the Uber app.

If you’re flying, keep that particular airline’s app downloaded to your device so you can access information about your flight, check in, find your boarding gate and manage your boarding passes. Remember to allow for notifications so you don’t miss out on important flight-related updates.