Simple Tech Tips for Travelers Who Didn’t Grow Up With Smartphones

If you’re a traveler who feels a little behind when it comes to technology, you’re definitely not alone. 

People tell me all the time: “I feel like I’m probably missing out, but tech stuff is just one more thing to figure out … so I end up ignoring it.”

I get it. It makes total sense.

For one, today’s digital era is advancing faster than ever before. Also: no one is born knowing this stuff, despite all the toddlers we see swiping phone screens like nobody’s business.

You might feel you’re at a disadvantage if you didn’t grow up with a smartphone at your fingertips. But I can assure you that even “young people” feel overwhelmed and frustrated by tech sometimes.

It’s completely normal. You’re not behind, and you’re certainly not alone.

Is learning tech worth it?

Let’s face it, travel throws curveballs. That’s just part of the adventure.

It doesn’t matter how experienced you are in traveling or how well you planned, bumps in the road are inevitable. Being equipped to handle them makes a big difference.

While technology can initially feel intimidating and even frustrating, it also has the power to reduce stress on a trip. Not only that, it can keep you safer in places that you’ve never been before.

For example, simple tools on your smartphone can help you:

• Easily find your way around unfamiliar places
• Communicate across languages
• Make informed decisions on-the-go
• Feel safer and more confident in new destinations

Being able to research your trip with online tools can also significantly improve:

• Your ability to discover hidden gems and new favorites
• Your skill at finding better deals on flights and accommodations
• Your confidence in navigating public transportation
• Your readiness for cultural differences and local customs

My parents were recently on a trip with some family members who live in France. Despite being locals of the country, my French relatives remarked at how great all the restaurants were that my Mom (a foreigner) was finding for their group.

What was her trick? She knew how to use Google Maps to quickly find gems that were suitable for their group!

So I want to talk about some good news…

Investing a little effort upfront to learn a few key tech skills can save you hours of time and reduce frustration later.

My Mom learned a few simple tricks from my Google Maps Travel Hacks course, and it’s helped her identify amazing places to visit on every trip ever since. 

You don’t have to master every function on your phone.

Most people get overwhelmed and give up because keeping up with tech can feel like drinking from a fire hose. But you don’t have to do it all.

You just need a few basic skills to make travel smoother. (That’s why I focus on only the 4 most essential apps in my Smartphone Savvy Travel course.) 

Tech is a tool, not a test.

You’re not being graded, and there’s no such thing as a “perfect score.” Just aim to get a little more comfortable than you were before.

Your confidence will grow through tiny wins. Every small thing you learn that you couldn’t do before is a step toward smoother travel. Successfully calling a ride-share or using a translator app to communicate can open up a whole new world for you, and that progress is worth celebrating.

And need I remind you, you’ve learned new tech before, and you can again. Think back… Did you have email or smartphones growing up? Probably not (I didn’t). Yet today you likely use them daily without a second thought. 

Sometimes we tell ourselves we can’t do things and don’t give ourselves enough credit.

Simple Tips Before Your Trip

Practicing new tech skills before you leave home is key. It reduces pressure and allows you to learn comfortably. Don’t wait until you’re jet-lagged and wandering around a foreign country!

Here’s what I recommend:

Ask for help. If you have someone patient who can walk you through new tech skills, don’t hesitate to reach out. But if you don’t, that’s exactly why I created my Smartphone Savvy Travel course and the Toolkit membership (more on these below).

Repeat daily. Practice doesn’t make perfect, it makes progress. If you learn something new today, practice it again tomorrow with notes by your side. Then try it again next week and see how far you can get without your notes.

Don’t expect to learn once and be done. Regular repetition helps new skills stick.

My students tell me they’ll go back and review my step-by-step tutorials before a new trip, just to refresh their memories.

Use cheat sheets and checklists. Taking screenshots or keeping checklists handy can help you refresh your memory for new tech processes.

I include checklists and roadmaps in my courses for easy reference, too.

What if you don’t have someone to help?

That’s exactly why I created the courses in the Intentional Travelers Toolkit membership.

In the Smartphone Savvy Travel course, I provide short, easy-to-follow video lessons on:

• Essential travel apps you actually need (maps, translation, transportation, messaging)
• How to set them up step-by-step
• Tips for confidently using your phone abroad, even offline

Toolkit members get even more: access to all my tutorials on Google Maps research, finding better flight deals, staying connected affordably abroad, and uncovering local gems to enhance your travels.

You can learn more about the courses and take a peek inside them here

Like this post? Pin it for later or share with friends!