Business trips: a thrilling blend of opportunity and… organised chaos. It’s enough to make even the most seasoned pro’s head spin between navigating unfamiliar cities, juggling meetings, and battling jet lag. But there’s nothing to worry about! In our smartphone-powered age, a trusty arsenal of apps can transform your trips from frantic free-for-alls to smooth successes
TIO – Travel Ideas Online
TIO transforms into a robust platform and dependable partner, prioritising safety at every stage of the corporate travel safety journey. TIO serves as a reliable beacon, guiding businesses towards a future of secure and prosperous travel experiences, from pre-travel planning to implementing on-the-road safety measures.
TIO’s T-Broker Marketplace provides crucial pre-travel insights and information, helping you to make informed decisions for your business trips. How does it work? It’s simple! T-Broker Marketplace allows you to browse, select, and book travel services efficiently. Whether you’re looking for exclusive deals or specific travel options, you can find them all here.
Leveraging TIO’s VendorHub grants you access to a carefully curated selection of verified and secure transportation and accommodation options, setting higher safety standards for corporate travellers.
TripIt
It organises all your travel details in one place, creating a comprehensive itinerary that includes flights, hotels, car rentals, and more. Simply forward your confirmation emails to the app, and it will automatically collate and synthesise the information. The app also provides real-time flight status updates and gate change notifications, ensuring you stay informed and well-prepared throughout your journey.
Expensify
Keeping track of expenses is a crucial aspect of business travel. Expensify simplifies this process by allowing you to scan and digitise receipts, categorise expenses, and create detailed expense reports. You can easily link the app to your credit card and bank accounts for seamless integration. Expensify not only saves time but also reduces the chances of losing track of important receipts, ensuring accurate reimbursement and budget management.
Skype for Business
Staying connected with colleagues and clients is essential for business travellers. Skype for Business provides instant messaging, audio calls, and video conferencing capabilities, allowing you to communicate effectively from anywhere in the world. The app also integrates seamlessly with Microsoft Office, facilitating collaboration and document sharing during meetings, presentations, and brainstorming sessions.
Google Translate
Travelling to foreign countries can pose language barriers for business travellers . Google Translate offers a comprehensive solution by providing real-time translation of text, voice, and even images. Simply type or speak into the app, and it will instantly translate your words into the desired language. This app is invaluable for reading signs, menus, and documents, as well as for communicating with locals in different languages.
Booking.com
Hotels may not always be the most convenient or cost-effective accommodation option. It allows business travellers to find unique and comfortable accommodations, including entire homes, apartments, or private rooms, with a vast selection of listings worldwide. The app also offers secure payment options and helpful reviews from previous guests.
Uber
Navigating transportation in unfamiliar cities can be challenging for business travellers. Uber offers a convenient and reliable solution by providing access to on-demand rides. With just a few taps on your smartphone, you can request a ride and track its arrival in real-time. Uber’s cashless payment system and integration with expense management apps make it an excellent choice for efficient transportation during business trips.
XE Currency
Managing currency conversions can be a hassle when travelling internationally for business. XE Currency provides accurate and up-to-date exchange rates for over 180 currencies, ensuring that you have the most current information at your fingertips. The app also offers a historical rate chart, allowing you to track currency trends over time. With XE Currency, you can confidently make international transactions and budget effectively during your business travels.
Evernote
Keeping organised and staying productive is crucial for business travellers. Evernote serves as a digital notebook, allowing you to capture and organise ideas, notes, and documents across multiple devices. Whether it’s jotting down meeting notes, saving web articles, or scanning business cards, Evernote ensures that all your information is easily accessible and searchable. The app also allows for offline access, making it invaluable when Wi-Fi is limited or unavailable.
Mobile Passport
Navigating through airports and customs can be time-consuming, especially for frequent international travellers. Mobile Passport offers a faster and more streamlined process by allowing you to complete customs and immigration forms ahead of time on your smartphone. Simply create a profile, answer the required questions, and receive a QR code. At select airports, you can zip through designated Mobile Passport lanes, avoiding long queues and minimising delays.
Yelp
Business travel often offers limited opportunities for leisure and exploration, but Yelp helps you make the most of your free time. With a vast database of user-generated reviews and ratings, Yelp provides recommendations for restaurants, cafes, bars, and attractions in your vicinity. This app ensures that you can find great local spots to enjoy a meal, catch up on work in a coffee shop, or explore the city’s hidden gems during your business trips.
Final Thoughts
Business travel can be demanding, but with the right apps and resources, navigating logistics, staying connected, managing expenses, and finding moments of leisure and pleasure amidst work obligations becomes easier. The top 11 apps/platforms mentioned in this article offer valuable tools and features specifically designed to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of business travellers. By utilising these apps, you can streamline your travel experience, stay organised, and make the most of your business trips. Using technology, harness the power of mobile applications, and enjoy seamless travel experiences that allow you to focus on achieving your professional objectives. Visit TIO for more information.
FAQs
- Does TIO have upfront fees or any additional charges?
No upfront costs! That means you can kickstart your travel business without worrying about initial expenses. Dive into T-Broker Marketplace and VendorHub without spending a penny upfront.
- How do I sync my travel itineraries with TripIt?
To sync your travel itineraries with TripIt, simply forward your confirmation emails to the email address provided by TripIt. The app will automatically parse the information and create a comprehensive itinerary for you.
- Can I track my expenses in different currencies using Expensify?
Yes, Expensify allows you to track expenses in multiple currencies. You can easily input the currency of the expense and the app will automatically convert the amounts based on the exchange rates.
- Can I use Skype for Business to make international conference calls?
Yes, Skype for Business enables you to make international conference calls with participants worldwide. It provides audio and video conferencing capabilities, making collaboration across geographies seamless.
- Is Google Translate reliable for accurate translations?
While Google Translate has improved significantly over the years, it may not always provide 100% accurate translations, especially for complex or nuanced phrases. It is best to use it as a helpful tool and, if needed, consult with a local or a professional translator.
- Are there any extra fees or hidden charges when using Booking.com?
No, Booking.com does not charge a service fee to cover the costs of operating their platform. Additionally, hosts may include cleaning fees or other extra charges in their listings. Make sure to review the details of the listing before booking to understand the total cost.
- Can I use the Uber app in different countries?
Uber is available in many countries around the world. However, availability may vary, so it’s a good idea to check the Uber app or website for the specific country you travel to before relying on it for transportation.
- Does XE Currency require an internet connection for currency conversions?
XE Currency requires an internet connection to fetch and update exchange rates. However, it can also store the last updated rates for offline use in case you don’t have internet access at the moment.
- Can I access my Evernote notes on multiple devices?
Yes, Evernote syncs your notes across multiple devices, including smartphones, tablets, and computers. You can access your notes from anywhere if you are signed in to the same Evernote account.
- How does Mobile Passport work at airports?
Mobile Passport lets you fill out customs and immigration forms on your smartphone. Once completed, you’ll receive a QR code to present to the designated Mobile Passport lane at participating airports, enabling faster processing through customs and immigration.
- Can Yelp help me find vegetarian or vegan restaurants?
Yes, Yelp provides filters and categories to help you find vegetarian or vegan-friendly restaurants. Search for “vegetarian” or “vegan” in the app’s search bar and apply the appropriate filters to view relevant listings and reviews.
