Business trips can be incredibly stressful. Not only do you have to accomplish business- related tasks in a completely different, unfamiliar place, you have to try and find your way around the city, struggle with language barriers and currencies, just to name a few.

Thanks to some handy apps however, business travellers can breathe a little bit easier. Below are some of the most useful apps for business travellers that can help you with everything you need to do while on your trip, and maybe even help you enjoy it a little more:

Google Maps

Google maps is a must-have app for travellers, as it gives you detailed directions to practically anywhere and everywhere, with alternate routes and travel times for different travel options. It’s available for both Android and iOS users, can be used online or offline by downloading relevant maps. Best of all it’s absolutely free!

Google Translate

Another free Google app, Google translate can be a lifesaver when you’re lost in translation or lost in another country! Google translate offers translations to and from more than 100 different languages, and integrated with your device’s camera and microphone can be used to translate written text as well as speech. Though not as accurate or competent as a human translator, it is a pretty good digital alternative and really comes in handy when the local language is completely alien to you. Pro tip: enable Google Translate to work offline in the language of the country where you’ll be headed. This way, you won’t have trouble translating even without data or internet connectivity.

Google Drive

Okay, we know it’s another Google app but it’s another one you really can’t be without when on a business trip. Google Drive is basically your office in the cloud, giving you access to all your documents, spreadsheets and presentations anywhere. And as with all the other Google apps, it’s absolutely free.

Expensify

One of the major difficulties of business travel is keeping track of all your expenses. With Expensify however, this gets a whole lot easier. By simply taking pictures of your receipts, Expensify automatically adds them to an expense report, which can be manually added with details and edited. The app can also sync with your credit card account so you can check scanned receipts with the charges you’ve made.

Expensify is available for free on Android and iOS at a maximum of 10 scanned receipts per month. Paid plans start at $5 per month, and this includes unlimited scans as well as expense approvals, corporate expense policy integration, syncing with QuickBooks and other tools, and more.

XE Currency

XE Currency is not just a currency calculator, it shows you live exchange rates and charts, can alert you on certain rate changes you may be following and more. There’s a free and paid ($1.99) version, the main difference being the lack of adverts on the paid version.

LoungeBuddy

Stuck at the airport waiting for your flight? You can relax and stay at exclusive airport lounges with LoungeBuddy. For a one-time charge LoungeBuddy allows you check out and book entry into participating lounges across the world.

GateGuru

Airports can be complicated and difficult to navigate, and one wrong turn could mean you missing your flight. GateGuru helps you avoid such a disaster by providing detailed information about thousands of major airports worldwide, including maps, distances between map locations and available amenities. One of the most useful features it has is it gives you a real-time estimation of how long it will take you to get to your gate, including line wait times and delays.

DUFL

DUFL is a somewhat unusual travel app, but is indispensable for many of those who have tried it. The service is basically this: it takes a suitcase full of travel clothes from you; stores, cleans and inventories those clothes; and when you need them for a trip, you simply open the app and select the clothes you need and submit your itinerary. When you get to your hotel or furnished apartment for rent, your suitcase full of the clothes you picked will be waiting for you. And when your trip is done, DUFL will pick up, clean and store your clothes until your next trip.

This service is not for everyone and is a bit pricey at $10 per month for storage and $99 per trip, but considering the costs of checked bags and dry cleaning, plus the time and effort it takes to lug your suitcase around, it’s well worth the price. There’s also the convenience of not having to pack and unpack your bags each and every time you travel.

GetYourGuide

Business trips are not just about work, they’re about experiences and exploring new places as well. With GetYourGuide you can see and book things to do and places to go, making your business trip a whole lot more enjoyable.

Taxi Apps

A good taxi app is indispensable when you need to go out and about in an unfamiliar city. There are various taxi apps available nowadays, and the best one really depends on where you’re going to be. Uber is a great choice for most places, with charges that go straight to your card so you don’t have to carry any cash. If you’re travelling to Europe however, MyTaxi may be the more popular choice, and in places like California Lyft is the more common taxi app.

Travelling to or within Australia for business soon? With this list of apps you’re all set, all that’s missing is your accommodation and for that, Astra Apartments has got you covered.

Astra Apartments’ corporate apartments in Australia come with complete amenities and are conveniently-located throughout Australia to make your long stay as convenient and comfortable as possible. Book your stay with us today.

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