5 Best Translation Apps for International Travel

A language barrier doesn’t normally cause problems when everything goes according to plan. It’s the small moments that get tricky — figuring out a menu, reading a train sign, giving a taxi driver an address, or asking a simple question. Having a translation app on your phone takes much of that stress away.

Today’s best translation apps for travel go well beyond typed translations. You can point your camera at a menu or sign, speak directly into the app, hold a conversation, or download languages for use without an internet connection. If you’re planning your next trip from USA to India, you must have these five translation apps on your phone.

Top 5 Translation Apps for International Travel

These are some of the most useful translation apps for travellers. Have a look:

1. Google Translate

Google Translate is the best translation app to have on your Android phone when you’re traveling abroad. You can use it to translate text, photos, speech, conversations, and handwriting, and download languages for offline use. It supports up to 249 languages, though its features differ from one language to another.

The camera feature comes in handy when you’re looking at a menu, train sign, airport notice, or shop label. You just need to point your phone at the text, and Google Translate converts it without making you type anything. You can also download language packs before your trip, so you can still translate text when you’re offline. Some of the most useful features in the Google Translate app include:

• Text and voice translation

• Camera translation

• Conversation mode

• Offline translation

• Support for a wide range of languages

Google Translate is also free to use. So, if you only want one translation app on your phone, Google Translate is the top choice.

2. Apple Translate

iPhone users have Apple Translate built into their devices and it is useful when traveling abroad. You can translate text and speech, have conversations and use the camera to read text around you. You can download languages for offline use too. This means you can still translate even if you are on a train, at an airport, in a remote area or don’t have a reliable internet connection.

Apple Translate app supports Hindi along with languages such as English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Thai and Turkish. So, check Apple Translate before heading for your trip.

3. DeepL

DeepL is the best choice when you want your translation to sound natural rather than read like a word for word conversion. Its mobile app translates text, speech and images. The DeepL app also includes text to speech and speech to text. You can even take a photo of printed text and translate it directly in the app. 

DeepL also works well for longer messages, emails and instructions where you want the translation to sound natural. It doesn’t support as many languages as Google Translate, so you have to check the destination language before downloading it as your only translation app.

4. iTranslate App

iTranslate is another translation app to have when you want quick translations on the go or prefer keeping a set of common phrases within easy reach. It covers text and voice translation, camera translation, and a phrasebook with common expressions. Some features and languages are part of the paid version, so check the app before your trip.

The phrasebook is useful for those little situations that come up while traveling. Save things like “Where is the train station?”, food orders, or taxi instructions before you leave. Then you have them ready when you need them, instead of typing the same thing every time.

5. Microsoft Translator 

Microsoft Translator is another translation app for travelers going on international trips. It supports text, speech, image, and offline translation, along with split-screen translation for one on one conversations. You can also download language packs and use them for offline text translation.

If you already use Microsoft products, it’s a natural alternative to Google Translate. For travel, you need to keep in mind the basics — type a phrase, speak into the app, point your camera at text, or download a language before you lose internet access.

Which translation app is best for travel? 

Google Translate is one of the best translation apps for travel. It supports a wide range of languages and lets you translate text, voice, photos, conversations, and downloaded languages for offline use, all in one app.

Apple Translate is the best pick for iPhone users who want something built into their device. DeepL is best for written translations where you want the wording to sound natural, while iTranslate is handy for quick phrases, voice translation and everyday conversations.

You don’t have to stick with one app, either. Keeping Google Translate as your main app and another translator as a backup gives you another option when a language or feature isn’t available.

Things to Check Before Your International Trip 

A translation app is useful, but there are a few other things worth sorting out before you leave. Check your airline’s baggage allowance, save your hotel details on your phone, keep copies of your passport and other important documents, and download any local transport apps you’ll need.

And, of course, sort out your flight before the travel rush begins. If you’re flying from the USA to India, check Tripbeam for different flight routes and airfares, then book cheap flights to India that fit your budget.

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