Travel Apps

[mariesnowgoose]

I know it’s a broad question, but what do you guys find to be the most useful phone or tablet apps that you can’t do without when you’re away in your campers, specifically when travelling in the EU?

 

[barryd]

For me it was always the CC infos site and google maps but always on a laptop. I hate using my phone for trip planning. Too small and fiddly.

 

[Jo001]

I know it’s a broad question, but what do you guys find to be the most useful phone or tablet apps that you can’t do without when you’re away in your campers, specifically when travelling in the EU?

We aren't allowed to mention some of them here but for the last few years, we haven't bothered to take our aires books, we have just used the location app from here, S for S, and an excellent website for France that shows the aires with a 360⁰ panoramic sweep, so you can see exactly what they look like. These, and Organic Maps where you can download maps to use offline, and plot the exact location of places to visit.

 

[barryd]

We aren't allowed to mention some of them here but for the last few years, we haven't bothered to take our aires books, we have just used the location app from here, S for S, and an excellent website for France that shows the aires with a 360⁰ panoramic sweep, so you can see exactly what they look like. These, and Organic Maps where you can download maps to use offline, and plot the exact location of places to visit.

Which one is that please? An abbreviation will do if its one that is censored.

 

[alcam]

I find search for sites and park 4 complement each other . Search for has less places but easier to use . Park 4 has more 'take a chance' type places . If that makes sense .
Using both gives me all the info I need .
Eyes and gut feelings help too

 

[r4dent]

s4s

 

[guerdeval]

I know it’s a broad question, but what do you guys find to be the most useful phone or tablet apps that you can’t do without when you’re away in your campers, specifically when travelling in the EU?

‘Asian babes’ does it for me

 

[Pudsey Bear]

What are you wanting Marie, places to stay or more like POIs

 

[mariesnowgoose]

What are you wanting Marie, places to stay or more like POIs

Not just places to stay, but things like banking apps etc.

For example, I have never used my phone to pay for anything, but might be willing to go down that route if I can be convinced it's safe?!

Up until now I have only ever used my bank (debit) card or cash and for years I've been super-cautious about where and how I purchase stuff online. I've had a PayPal account virtually since its creation, although I don't use it very often these days. I only ever log into it via my laptop when needed - e.g. paying for the band tickets at Goosnargh!

Also, I was looking at the Revolution Laundry web page the other day.
They have an app which might be worth downloading, or, as I'm taking my laptop, I can maybe just check the locations via their website if necessary?

I think me naming the thread Travel Apps has made everyone think I was just wanting recommendations on places to park up overnight or wild camp etc., but I meant it in a much broader sense... ?

What about these Virtual Private Networks that certain YouTubers go on about. Does anyone on here use or recommend them...?

 

[Pudsey Bear]

Not used a VPN, and although Liz (the luddite) uses her phone for paying in shops I'm still happy using a card, I should get into it just not bothered yet.

Tend to just ask Mr Google for anything else.

 

[r4dent]

On phone
Compass, so I know where the sun rises /sets (only for un sunny days)
TV aerial direction / orientation
Translation (from typed word and from image)
Tide tables
Speed Limits (MoHo / Mo bike/ towing)

 

[mark61]

VPN, purely personal, I sometime use one at home, never bothered when away and using mobile devices. Tubers go on about them because they get a kick back, that doesn't mean they are a bad idea though.
Can't be bothered with payment apps either, I use cards, and I'm more likely to leave my phone somewhere than my wallet.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

A decent night sky app too so you know what you're looking at overhead, I use Star Walk & Stellarium both free.

 

[Jo001]

Which one is that please? An abbreviation will do if its one that is censored.

I don't think it's censored.

PHOTOS - AIRES SERVICE - CAMPING-CAR - STATIONNEMENT pour CAMPING-CAR visites panoramiques 360° en France

Ami(e)s camping-caristes, retrouvez les différentes aires de service et de stationnement en panoramique 360°. Pour faciliter votre périple, chaque aire de service est visitée pour se rendre compte de la réalité sur place. Ensuite elles sont mise en ligne avec la visite virtuelle, le détail des...

www.aire-service-camping-car-panoramique.fr

Make sure to use the mobile site, not the desktop one.

You need basic French, or a translation thingy. But that should take you to this screen, where you use 'recherche' to search.

Then enter the town you want to visit, for example, Calais.

That then takes you to a list of places with Calais in the name, select the one you want.

That brings up a list of aires, sites, parking etc. There is akey that shows what's free, what's charged but when you choose the one you want, this is where it gets really useful.

Select the 'visite virtuelle' and you get a 360⁰ sweep of the aire so you can see if it's a good fit for you - in terms of size and quality. For example, is it a pretty, rural, attractive place, or a pot-holed carpark on a run down industrial estate.

 

[TJBi]

WildCamping Location App! Some superb wilding locations as well as a selection of official aires.
https://www.campingcar-infos.com/view.php now available as a web app (with subscription for full functionality)
Organic Maps

CoPilot (from Trimble, not the Microsoft AI) for navigation.

Apps from my financial service providers. Due to my arrangements for payments in Euros, I don't use Google Wallet in the EU.

Amazon app (handy for obtaining spares for delivery to an Amazon locker - change Amazon country to the appropriate one).

Weather apps appropriate to country/ies visited.

Lidl Plus app, set to the relevant country.
Supermarket loyalty apps for the country visited (if length of stay warrants it).

Apps from mobile network providers.

Library app to enable borrowing/reading of ebooks from my local library while away, plus Kindle app as an alternative.

Apps from moho and travel insurers if they have them.

VPN.

Potentially apps from broadcasters if you would access them on a small-screen device.

 

[alcam]

Not just places to stay, but things like banking apps etc.

For example, I have never used my phone to pay for anything, but might be willing to go down that route if I can be convinced it's safe?!

Up until now I have only ever used my bank (debit) card or cash and for years I've been super-cautious about where and how I purchase stuff online. I've had a PayPal account virtually since its creation, although I don't use it very often these days. I only ever log into it via my laptop when needed - e.g. paying for the band tickets at Goosnargh!

Also, I was looking at the Revolution Laundry web page the other day.
They have an app which might be worth downloading, or, as I'm taking my laptop, I can maybe just check the locations via their website if necessary?

I think me naming the thread Travel Apps has made everyone think I was just wanting recommendations on places to park up overnight or wild camp etc., but I meant it in a much broader sense... ?

What about these Virtual Private Networks that certain YouTubers go on about. Does anyone on here use or recommend them...?

We all have different ways to do things when we travel . Personally I haven't changed much .
Think you've been given enough as regards aires etc . Laundries[revolution etc] are shown on some of these apps .
I use my debit card but also have a CLARITY [Halifax] credit card to withdraw money at no cost . There are others .
myLPG.eu app is handy for gas . You'll need adapters for different countries . Assuming you have refillable gas tank/bottle .
Data !!! Lots of information out there . I have used various companies . Very simple just to buy a sim in France or wherever and use your phone as a hotspot . I also use a firestick for easier access to netflix , football etc
Most of what I do is the simple option .
[My mother was a simple woman , my father a simple man . And here am I , a simpleton]
Everything else is common sense and experience

 

[TeamRienza]

Not quite an app, but might I suggest that you use a Tom Tom or similar or indeed google for all travel. Not necessarily for directions, but many B roads and rural roads have reduced their speed limits within the last month, and of course the speeds are kph.

Explained: Why are speed limits changing and where?

From today the speed limit on many rural local roads has changed from 80km/h to 60km/h. It's being rolled out to get people to slow down and ultimately make our roads safer.

www.rte.ie

As long as you have a good debit card with near perfect exchange rates (check money saving expert) or credit card such as Halifax clarity then the vast majority of your spend can be on card. REMEMBER the Martin Lewis mantra, though, always pay in the local currency ie euros.

However cash withdrawals can be a bit more problematic in the south as many atms are inside stores, privately run and may try and charge to use, again watch what currency they offer to debit your account with. I would be more inclined to use an atm at one of the main banks, but again check for charges.

To be honest, you may find €100 cash will cover most incidentals during your visit, so it may simply be most convenient to take the ‘hit’ of 1 or 2 pence in the pound by simply withdrawing from Tesco, Sainsbury’s or the post office.

With regard to places to visit, often when we are abroad, I simply use a search engine to ask for the top 10 places and things to do in the locality.



Davy

 

[Boris7]

I know it’s a broad question, but what do you guys find to be the most useful phone or tablet apps that you can’t do without when you’re away in your campers, specifically when travelling in the EU?

I assume you thinking of your trip to Ireland rather than main land Europe?

If so while in “Northern Ireland” nothing will be substantially different from home. Phone data etc is exactly as if you are in the UK, Because you will be.

A banking app is not only safe, it’s actually safer. Can’t nick cash your not carrying, to use your phone banking app Scroat needs your phone and face or PIN number and you can jump on your laptop and block it. I can’t remember when I last used a physical credit card, I don’t even carry them. I do have them in the van BUT NOT IN THE SAFE as that’s obvious to any Scroat and it ain’t safe anyway. TBF I don’t actually use a phone, I use a watch, as soon as it’s off my wrist it doesn’t work.

Tomtom is great.

Looking 2 nights ahead will help you as you’ll not want to be scrabbling for a safe overnight at the last minute.

 

[REC]

A cheap fuel app (Google which country you are in) is really useful in Europe
I use Starling bank which is entirely online via app. Can have a euro account alongside which is handy to keep track of expenditure. Get a great rate from sterling or GBP and no fees. Very safe imho as quite hard to set up and get into initially!
We use a VPN ( Nord .. shared with a friend or Norton...free gift with tablet) needed if want to watch UK programmes.
Poi have been really useful along with park4 but I always check out street iew first.

 

[marchie]

I know it’s a broad question, but what do you guys find to be the most useful phone or tablet apps that you can’t do without when you’re away in your campers, specifically when travelling in the EU?

S4S, and (less frequently) P4N. I also keep a Trip Record of where we stay each visit, so I often flick back through that for inspiration and/or the mileage to work out if it's sensible to do the distance in one hit. Today's proposed 220 miles was revised to a less ambitious 89 miles and a new Aire at Carmona (pictures on 'Snowbirds' Thread on Motorhomers.com

Steve