Top 10 websites for international travelers

Having contacts available in the cloud is a lifesaver when unexpected events happen. Offered as part of Google’s email service, G-mail, or a stand-alone service, Google Contacts is a full service address book. It is a good idea to spend a little time earlier the trip making sure that phone numbers and email addresses are up to date, whether using Google Contacts or another of the many providers, including Yahoo and Hotmail.

Every country has its own access code, during prefixes and numbering formats at times differ between landlines and mobile phones. This can create a confusing string of numbers to dial. HowToCallAbroad.com obviously displays codes and prefixes based on the country where the call is being placed, the country being called and the actual telephone number. I have found it to be quick and easy to use.

There are other services that offer free calling between computers, or low cost calls from computer to land or mobile number, however Skype rules at internet cafes, where nearly universally, Skype software is already downloaded. Most internet cafes as well come equipped with cameras, headsets and microphones, although the environment can be noisy with everyone Skyping then and there. I was able to call home, from Australia to San Francisco, and talk for 40 minutes for about $1.

Google Voice was recently launched internationally, offering a similar application and can be integrated with smartphones.

Time zone converter

A time zone converter and much more, the best part of TimeandDate.com might be the Personal World Clock, where registered users can set up to 25 locations to get relevant time zones with the naked eye. Or it could be the Meeting Planner that displays times for two or more locations in hourly or other increments—very helpful when coordinating calls between different countries. The site has been up since 1998 and the developer hasn’t wasted any time—every way that time zones can be presented has been thought of, as so then as other features, just as a dialing code calculator, customizable calendar, worldwide weather forecasts, date calculators, travel time calculator and mobile phone applications. I have used the Personal World Clock to set up 15 locations around the world, and found the Meeting Planner very helpful when coordinating calls back home.

This is a so then-designed, straightforward site for currency conversion and many other foreign exchange tools. One aspect that makes XE easy to use is that so many different terms can be entered as a starting point, including the country, currency abbreviation, and name of the currency. Mobile phone and tablet apps are available.