Top 10 business travel apps

Google Translate

URL: https://support.google.com/

Price: Free

Wave goodbye to the language barrier with Google Translate, or just take some time to familiarise yourself with some key words and phrases before you travel. With this, one of the best and most popular apps of its kind, you can translate speech and handwriting into 80 languages as well as hear what you want to say spoken aloud.

It removes any excuse you may have for not being able to communicate while you're away as, as long as your phone is with you, so is your ability to understand.

Why is this app so good for business travel? Adjusting to a foreign country is difficult enough, so it's important to be prepared before you get there. Even if your language skills aren't quite up to scratch, however, this app is an easy and efficient way to boost your level of understanding.

Skype

URL: http://skype.com/

Price: Free

The last thing you want to go home to is a huge phone bill, and Skype is the best way to avoid this while still keeping in contact with family or colleagues back at the office.

With instant messaging, voice calls and video chat all incorporated into one app, there are various ways in which you can keep in touch or reach someone in an emergency as long as you have a Wi-Fi connection, it's all free to use. There's a small charge for mobile/landline calls, but it's still cheaper than using your mobile.

Why is this app so good for business travel? Whether it's for getting in touch with contacts in the area, co-workers or your loved ones back home, Skype is an invaluable communication tool for when business takes you far away from home. It saves money, and widespread Wi-Fi connectivity in many countries makes it super-convenient.

Caroline Preece

Caroline has been writing about technology for more than a decade, switching between consumer smart home news and reviews and in-depth B2B industry coverage. In addition to her work for IT Pro and Cloud Pro, she has contributed to a number of titles including Expert Reviews, TechRadar, The Week and many more. She is currently the smart home editor across Future Publishing's homes titles.

You can get in touch with Caroline via email at caroline.preece@futurenet.com.