11 crucial iPhone travel apps

While you have fun sorting through cow toss, iNap@work, and over 66,000 other apps presently available for your iPhone, we've taken the time to find the ones you really need while travelling the world. 

1. iTranslate

This handy app translates phrases into 42 languages, including traditional and simplified Chinese, Hindi, Japanese and Thai. Because there are never enough ways of asking, “Where’s the bathroom?” (Offline app, FREE)

2. Metro Asia (iTunes link)

Complete metro/subway maps and related information for Beijing, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tehran, Tokyo and Seoul. This one also features major attractions near metro stops -- because sometimes we're all tourists, even in our hometowns. (Offline app, US$2.99)

3. International Calling Codes

Listings of all of international calling codes. Useful for avoiding moments of cell hell, like calling France while roaming in India because you got the wrong country code. (Offline app, US$0.99)

4. Jiwire WiFi Finder

With more than 200,000 locations in 135 countries, Jiwire finds WiFi hotspots wherever you go. Not bad, even if it does give you one less excuse for missing that conference call with the regional office. (Online app, FREE)

5. Air Sharing and Air Sharing Pro

Award-winning app that allows users to view documents on their iPhones. Particularly useful when the laptop battery dies on a long flight and you need more time on that “How my latest brilliant idea is going to save this company” financial report. (Online and Offline apps, Standard: US$4.99 PRO: US$9.99)

6. Kindle iPhone

Turns an iPhone into a Kindle capable of downloading more than 300,000 books -- not all at once though. The 20-terabyte iPhone model won’t release until at least 2018. (Online and offline app, FREE)

7. XE Currency

Trusted by depressed U.S. dollar investors around the globe, the XE currency app can monitor up to ten currencies, provide up-to-the-minute rates online and list latest updated rates offline. Just how bad is that exchange rate at the airport? Find out even before you're off the plane. (Online and offline apps, FREE)

8. Zagat to Go

Covering world cities, including Tokyo, Hong Kong and Shanghai, this restaurant guide comes with GPS, ratings, a click-to-reserve button and plenty more on the menu. (Online app, US$9.99)

9. BuUuk

The Asian equivalent of apps like Urbanspoon or Around Me, BuUuk covers food and drink spots in Australia, Tokyo, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, India, Tel Aviv, Abu Dhabi and Dubai. While it doesn’t have the world coverage of Zagat to Go, it does cover more cities in Asia. And it’s free. (Online app, FREE)

10. FlightTrack

A live flight status tracker that includes weather radar maps, flight data such as speed and altitude and updated arrival and departure times. Never arrive too early, or too late, for a pickup again. (Online ap, US$4.99)

11. WorldView Big Brother security-camera views of streets and other public views from around the world. Pure voyeurism, but what better way to find something new in a city than when nobody knows you're watching? (Online app, FREE)