With travel apps estimated to have an astounding 137 million downloads every single month, it’s clear that today’s travelers are relying on technology more than ever before. But is it better to travel the old-school way without any technology at all? Or is having a plethora of apps and gadgets by your side the best option?

Every traveler is different and will have completely different preferences as to how they’d like to travel. However, if you’re looking to travel but can’t decide whether it’s better to go high-tech or totally techless, keep reading to get your answer!

Tips for High-Tech Travel

Generally, if you’ve never traveled anywhere before, going without any technology whatsoever is likely to be risky. You may find yourself in a sticky situation and, with no travel experience behind you, you could really struggle. So, if you’re a first-time traveler or just enjoy having a few extra luxuries by your side, here are some tips to ensure you have the best possible tech options by your side:

• Charging – Before you embark on your travels, it’s essential to fully charge everything beforehand. That includes phones, laptops, cameras, portable chargers (basically anything that can be charged, must be charged!).
• Download apps – From accommodation to navigation to this alarm clock, there’s an app for almost everything travel related these days. Download a decent selection, and you’ll never find yourself lost without a place to stay. But be sure not to download too many, as you may get overwhelmed and confused over which one to use.

Whilst high-tech travel may seem simple and easy, it can be stressful. Constantly having to find WiFi spots and charging outlets can be a nightmare when on the road so, if you’re worried technology may cause too much stress to your travel plans, perhaps going techless could be the one for you. Here’s how you can use no technology to your advantage:

• Speak to locals – Often, we rely on technology so much we forget to actually speak to other human beings. So, whilst it may seem easier to just press a few buttons on your smartphone, asking the people around you for directions if lost or for local hotel recommendations can naturally integrate you into your new community (and maybe make some friends too!).
• Take in your surroundings – Technology enables us to get things done quicker and more efficiently than ever Whilst this is certainly a positive for most situations, it can cause us to become less attentive to what’s actually going on around us. Without your eyes being glued to your smartphone, you can make more memories by simply looking around you – it’s that simple!

Both high-tech and techless travel options are extremely different and definitely have their own unique advantages. Technology allows us to branch out and move at a faster pace, and no technology gives us the freedom to explore and get away from the hustle and bustle of modern life. Whichever your preference, as long as you do the correct research and preparation, you’re sure to have the travel experience of your life.

Jordan Bradshaw has worked as a flight attendant for the last several years and writes about travel in his online articles, from the latest planes to surviving a red-eye flight along with destination topics.