Food Apps
Eatigo
How It Works:
Where Is It Available:
Where To Download:
FoodPanda
Feeling too lazy to walk outside to get food. It is similar to UberEats in the States where you can order food and watch it be delivered to your doorstep.
How It Works:
Once you download the app just enter where you want the food to be delivered. Then pick a restaurant (or 5. I love a good smorgasbord) and choose your food. Once the food is ready a driver picks it up and delivers it to your door. The best part is you can track it and then wait at your door staring out the peephole until the driver actually knocks.
Where Is It Available:
Available in more than 400 cities across 11 markets in Asia – Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, Pakistan, Taiwan, Philippines, Bangladesh, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar.
Where To Download:
McDelivery
Okay, so you’re probably thinking “I know she didn’t just recommend a McDonald’s app.” But the fact is I did *shrugs* but hear me out. Although, Bangkok is probably one of the top Sin Cities in the world, where people never sleep, somehow late-night food delivery is not very high on anyone’s totem pole. If you’re lazy and greedy like me you don’t really want to leave your house at 11 PM just to get an ice cream cone (YES THEIR ICE CREAM MACHINE ALWAYS WORKS) and french fries. Unlike the other chain restaurants, McDonald’s is open and delivering 24/7/365.
How It Works:
Download the app, pop in your address, and voilà late night food at your door in a jiffy.
Where Is It Available:
Currently available in 30 countries and counting
Where To Download:
Getting Around Apps
Google Maps
Unless you were somehow abducted by aliens within the last 13 years you know what Google Maps is. I would recommend this one over the many different map apps out there for a few reasons. Google Maps has done a great job of integrating itself into most regions. Even in some of the more remote places that you may travel, you will still find that Google Maps knows the way where other maps are lacking. Although I will admit it is not perfect, I still would choose it over any of the others. Sometimes there is the issue of changing between English and the local language. It is also usually missing the local mom-and-pop spots. If you notice something wrong or missing help your fellow travelers out and edit it. I have been contributing to Google Maps for a while and it makes a load of difference. Another benefit to having Google Maps is that you can never get lost, with or without phone service. Before every trip, I always download an offline map of the city I’m visiting. You never know when it could come in handy.
How It Works:
Where Is It Available:
Where To Download:
Grab
Grab formerly known as Grab Taxi is your typical ride-sharing app. What sets Grab apart from the other type of ride-sharing apps is that it caters specifically to its SE Asia clientele. On Grab, you have a variety of options to meet your every transportation need. People have the ability to request to GrabTaxi, GrabCar, GrabBike, GrabHitch, GrabShare, JustGrab, GrabFamily, and GrabExpress, which allows you to send packages with a driver. Grab has even expanded to a few different apps such as GrabCycle, which is a bike-sharing app. GrabFood which is a food delivery app. And GrabShuttle which allows you to request a seat on a private bus.
How It Works:
Where Is It Available:
Where To Download:
Communication Apps
Google Translate
Google Translate is a super useful app for traveling abroad, especially to countries where you do not speak the local language. It now can translate 103 languages by typing it on a keyboard, speaking into the mic, drawing the letters, or using your camera to make live translations for signs around you. One of the best features is that you can download the languages for the country you are traveling to and then not have to worry about having service since it works offline.
How It Works:
Where Is It Available:
Where To Download:
Line
The company line has expanded so much since I lived in Thailand. They have so many different services that it is so much more than just a tool to communicate or use like social media. Check out their site to see all that Line has to offer. The stickers that come with the app are very popular characters throughout SE Asia so don’t be surprised when you run into one of the bears on the street. One of the best features for travelers is their service called LineOut. It allows you to make free international and domestic calls for 3-5 minutes to both landlines and other mobile phones. The person on the receiving end does not even have to have the app. You can visit their pricing section if you have used up your allotted time.
How It Works:
Where Is It Available:
Where To Download:
WhatsApp is an amazing communication app. It allows you the ability to send and receive free (need WiFi or service) messaging, voice calls, and video calls. You can even send up to 100MB of documents like PDFs and spreadsheets. Within the app, you can create group chats and it is able to be used on smartphones, the web, and desktops alike. One of the great features is the end-to-end encryption of messages and calls. Not even WhatsApp can read or listen to them. It’s a great way to connect with family and friends back home for free.
How It Works:
Where Is It Available:
Where To Download:
Facebook Messenger
Facebook Messenger is the official chat between you and your Facebook friends. The app allows you the ability to send and receive free (need WiFi or service) messaging (photos and videos), voice calls, and video calls. Another cool feature of the app is it allows you to send and receive money.
How It Works:
Where Is It Available:
Where To Download:
Other Apps
VPN Proxy Master
VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. A VPN allows you a secure connection over the internet while also allowing you to bypass certain region restrictions on websites and videos while you remain completely anonymous. Asia, in general, has a lot of restrictions on the websites their people can view. Although I can’t suggest you break the law by visiting banned sites I can tell you this is the way people do it. I prefer this one because it claims to the be the fastest one out there and there is no MB limit.
How It Works:
Once you download the app and allow all the privacy screens you will automatically be connected to the VPN. It will automatically switch onto the Optimal Location. If you prefer you change the location for free to a few different countries.
Where Is It Available:
I’m not sure where this can be downloaded but it is really useful in the countries listed on this site.
Where To Download:
Globe Convert
If I had a way of testing what is the MOST used app on my phone I’m sure the results would show that Globe Convert is somewhere at the tip-top of that list. This app is unbelievably helpful in so many different situations. It is an all in one converter for just about anything for anywhere in the world. The app currently can convert over 180 currencies including BitCoin and Gold. It also has the ability to convert over 350 unit types which are broken down into 35 categories which include temperature, electric current, weight, fuel consumption, cooking and many more. The only downside is that is only available on the iPhone iOs system.
How It Works:
Where Is It Available
Available on the American App Store.
Where To Download:
And there ya have it folks. All the best Apps from South East Asia. If you have traveled in SE Asia and you think we have forgotten any apps, let us know in the comments below.
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Useful guide – I loved Grab when I was in Langkawi! #TheWeeklyPostcard
Yes grab is great
I couldn’t help smiling seeing some of these apps you used in Asia. McDelivery and FoodPanda? I thought it should be easy to get a good bite in Asia, but I guess not… hahaha! #TheWeeklyPostcard
Hahaha yes I am super lazy! People sold street food right on the corner where we lived and I still didn’t go down there. Haha
I have heard of and used many of these but not all. For those of us out there who don’t use an iPhone can I suggest XE Money.
Yes I’ve used XE before too. I do like that app.
Great list. I love Google Maps (how did we survive without it) and Whatsapp. That Line sounds really useful, I will have to check it out. Thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard.
Yes! I love Google Maps! Remember when you had to buy maps at gas stations or print them out 😂😂😂 glad those days are over
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IVE BEEN WAITING FOR YOUR POST!!!! YOURE SO AMAZING!