It’s hard to go anywhere these days without your phone – after all, it’s your camera, your map, and your constant companion. But what happens when you’re on the go for hours at a time?
Getting lost in the boonies without a charger can be frustrating, especially for travelers who rely on their phones to navigate the world. Luckily, there are tons of options when it comes to mobile charging products that will help ensure you have enough juice for your next adventure.
With increasingly limited battery life, you might pick up some power packs or plug in periodically for an electrical charge. If you’re looking to get out of the big city and experience a new culture, travel blog is a resource for finding adventures off-the-beaten path.
You can also rely on our tech travel experts who have weighed in on how to prep for any eventuality.
Don’t pack too much.
Just because you paid $600 on an iPad doesn’t mean you need to carry it around on your trips. If you know the places you’re visiting, use them as your guides. If not, try to see as many of the major (and minor) sights as possible without having to stop every hour or two for a charge.
Tony Fletcher of FletcherDesign takes this approach when he travels: “I don’t travel with an iPad. I often go without one entirely on long trips, relying on an iPhone for maps and pulling out my phone when I feel like (and there’s always someone else’s charger nearby).
Make every phone call count.
Smartphones are valuable tools, but it’s important not to let them run your trip. Make sure you know how long the phone call will be, and keep an eye on your battery life – there’s nothing worse than running out of juice during something important.
“I always do my best to put the phone on silent mode unless I’m actually making a call,” Fletch says. “We are all so used to being connected, powered up, or both that having to worry about whether or not your battery is going to last between stops can take away from the experience of being someplace new.”
Pick up some accessories along the way.
Once your phone is nearly out of juice, you have a couple of options. You can probably find an outlet to plug into somewhere, but if not one simply could purchase a USB charger that has outlets, so you can provide your own power source.
It’s also convenient to pick up some portable batteries for the trip if your phone model doesn’t come with its own option. You should be able to find one at any tech store or brand website online, and they’re also available at many retail locations as well.
Do some homework before you leave home.
If you’ve packed your phone like the savvy traveler that you are, it’s also essential to keep your apps up-to-date. It won’t be fun to rely on a map that’s not up-to-date or miss out on an important connection because you didn’t have all the necessary information.
If there are specific apps that you’ll need while you’re traveling, make sure they’re downloaded and ready to use. It’s a good idea to back everything up in case the battery dies unexpectedly, too.
Turn off location services when they’re not needed.
Sometimes we forget to turn off all the bells and whistles on our phones, and this includes keeping location services active. If you don’t need to use them, such as if you’re traveling on a bus or train where GPS won’t really help you that much, then switch them off.
Ditch the camera for your laptop.
Always keep your tech tips handy with tech travel tips from tech travel experts – but before you buy a new gadget for your trip, do some research first. “Before I buy tech-related hardware or software for my trips, I always do a fair bit of research first,” explains tech traveler Anthony Kenna. “Usually, I find that what I’m after will either be free or likely to cost me a fraction of the price I expected.
Use your camera instead of using your phone.
If you’re looking to try something new, then take some time to browse the travel-friendly digital cameras on the market, starting with our most recent reviews at DigitalCameraInfo.com . “I always look for unique features that might not be available on my smartphone,” Kenna says. “
As an example, I have a Nikon D5100 DSLR with an 18-200mm lens. This doubles as an excellent travel camera, and the automatic lens focal length shifts give me great flexibility.”
Don’t be afraid of budget airlines.
Once you’ve picked out your tech gear, it’s time to start planning your trip. These days you’ll find that most airlines offer the same amenities – Wi-Fi access on international flights is becoming standard, and on domestic ones it’s not uncommon either.
Maybe that’s not enough for you though; if you’re looking for some peace and quiet or would like to be able to work more comfortably, then book yourself on a more expensive flight with some stretch-out space in coach or first class.
