16 iPhone / iPod touch Free Apps to Make Paris an Even Better Travel Experience

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Planning your next trip to Paris? That means you’re also already arranging your budget for your next visit. And while you’re definitely going to pay an extra buck, or Euro, for getting to Paris, the hotel, the food and museum passes, why pay for iPhone / iPod touch apps when you have so many free ones to choose from.

I didn’t go to Paris just to show you guys the Death Grip in action in the brand new Apple Opera Store, as I was rather busy checking out the town. In case you own an iPhone and/or iPod touch, here are 16 apps that will offer you a better traveling experience, at least for Paris. Why 16? Well if you don’t have an iOS 4 device then it means you don’t have access to the Folders feature, and 16 happens to be exactly the number of apps that can fit on a screen, so you always have them close by (not that you’ll have to install them all on your smartphone).

1. City Guide Paris Guidepal

Need a virtual guide around town? Well who said you have to buy a printed one? Check this app out and learn a thing or two about your next destination while also saving some trees in the process.

2. PocketTrav

PocketTrav is one alternative to the app above and it will be particularly useful if you happen to travel a lot, not only to Paris. The app brings you plenty of info regarding hotels, restaurants, places to visit and more, so remember to check it out while flying to Paris.

3. Paris: guide de voyage Avexia

Want pictures and videos of the specific spots in Paris you’re interested in visiting? Want more information on the shopping side of tow? Want to go out every night in a different location? This guide has it all for you, but you’ll have to make sure you’re confident speaking French.

4. Meteo Paris

Before we go anywhere let’s check out the weather. Otherwise you’ll find yourself watching the 14 Julliet military parade wearing nothing but flip-flops and shorts while outside is pouring cats and dogs. I’ll tell you first hand it’s very annoying, but luckily a Starbucks coffee shop is just around the corner.

5. Free French Translator

I don’t know how confident you are with your French, but as soon as we’ve checked the weather you might want to use this app and practice some phrases in French. If that doesn’t work out for you, then English will have to do.

6. RATP Lite: Subway & Bus in Paris

I hope you’re not driving in Paris on your vacation especially since the metro and bus systems are always ready to take you to your next destination. The application is free and doesn’t require an Internet connection to work. In case you don’t want to deal with any paper maps then this is definitely the way to go.

7. Paris OffMaps Lite

Besides the subway map you also need an actual map to know where you are and what’s around. Paris OffMaps Lite will show you exactly where you are and where you’re headed. The best thing is that it doesn’t need an online connection, as the maps are stored on your device. Very handy to see exactly how far the Louvre is from where you got off the metro.

8. Paris historic map: Merian 1615

This app will not be very helpful if you want your iPhone to tell you where you are. But if you want to see how Paris looked like a few centuries ago then this app will show it to you.

9. Paris a pied

This app will bring you a totally different version of Paris. If you have the time to take a walk around town, then Paris a pied has plenty of walks for you. The app offers you quick information and convenient maps for popular tours.

10. Paris Map and Walking Tours

If Paris a pied is not enough for you better try out Paris Map and Walking Tours, an application that will also help you get around town. The app comes with plenty of tours and will help you find your way in a very busy capital town of the world.

11. SOS Taxi

So now you know a few fun places to go out with your friends and family and thanks to the maps above you have an idea of where you are basically, but it’s rather late for a bus or metro. And you don’t want to take a long walk to the hotel, do you? Well then check out this SOS Taxi application, which should help you find you a cab quite fast and send all the information about it on your iPhone or iPod touch.

12. Evernote

This application doesn’t have anything to do with Paris, but it could be exactly the app you need to have a quick access to all the eTickets you purchased: airplane, hotel reservation, museums and shows. Better keep it handy and take advantage of its storing features.

13. Twitter

You’ve seen the Mona Lisa for the first time or you’re on top of the world, or at least on top of the Tour of Eiffel. Well then you have to tweet it to all your friends so they know where to find you. The Twitter app is free of charge of course, but roaming charges will apply when going online.

14. Facebook

Whenever you have more time on your hands, you might want to upload a picture or two of your own personal tour of Paris to your Facebook account. A picture is worth 1,000 words and it sure beats Twitter’s limited 140-word messages.

15. Skype

Well yes, roaming costs do apply whenever you’re calling your loved ones while traveling. But why not use Skype, or any other instant messenger, and talk for free with your friends and family back home? Various hotels, restaurants and other locations will offer you free Wi-Fi so take advantage of it and make some free calls. Plus, if you rely on an iPod touch to help you around in Paris, then you’ll be confined to VoIP calls anyhow.

16. Opera browser

Opera is just a little faster than Safari, and if you still have questions about Paris that were unanswered by any of the free apps above then you’ll want to do some fast Googling. Whether it’s over 3G or over free Wi-Fi, Opera might perform just a little better than Safari, so make sure you have it installed on your iPhone or iPod touch.

What other free apps have you been using to get around the town of Paris? And yeah, we know there are plenty of paid apps for seeing Paris, so if you found a cool one, drop us a line!

Header image courtesy of iLounge.