The amazing and ever-growing list of iPhone applications available today includes a plethora of useful tools for the tech-savvy traveller. Here’s a selection of our favourites.

1. SitOrSquat

First things first. What is the single most important bit of information a tourist needs in foreign climes? Directions to the nearest bathroom, right!? This handy app will help you find a toilet when you need it most.

2. Dopplr

Dopplr is one of several popular social networking sites for travel fundis. This “social atlas” uses your iPhone’s GPS abilities to show you nearby sites of interest, eateries, museums, hotels and much more, all of them tried, tested and recommended by the growing community of Dopplr users. Plan your trips and itineraries and keep track of your travelling friends.

3. FlightTrack

This useful tool allows you to find out the status of flights all around the planet, including schedules, delays and cancellations. Look up boarding gate numbers, weather updates, flight maps, aircraft information and more.

4. Lonely Planet Audio Phrasebooks

The last thing you want when you’re in a rush to get to the airport in Beijing is for your taxi driver to take you to the Forbidden City because your Mandarin pronunciation is a little rusty. With Lonely Planet’s audio phrasebooks, available in 31 different language combinations, you can let your phone do the talking. All the major aspect of travel lingo, including greetings, sight seeing and health, are covered comprehensively.

5. MetropoliPhone

Access official bus, train and subway maps for international cities from Aarhus to Zürich on your iPhone.

6. Kindle for iPhone

Why schlep around a ton of books on your travels when you can read them all on your phone, courtesy of amazon.com? Choose from over 350 000 titles. No kindle required.

Pic: www.amazon.com

7. OnTheRoad

This impressive miniature travel diary lets you blog about your latest trip, record your best memories and stay in touch with family and friends through articles, pics and video clips, all while you’re on the road.

8. Currency

How many yuan in a dollar? This essential travel app provides up-to-date exchange rate info for over 90 different currencies.

9. Lonely Planet City Guides

Comprehensive and accurate guidebooks for a growing number of international cities, including Cape Town, Barcelona, New York, Berlin and more. Shows your current location on a city map, lists clubs, restaurants, bars, etc. and contains pictures and chapters on local history, culture, food and so on.

10. Postino

Use your iPhone to create a unique postcard depicting your latest travel adventure, have it printed on high quality paper and sent to anywhere on the planet via good old snail mail, all with a few thumb clicks. Your pals back home will be well impressed.

11. iRail

Indispensible for the European railway tourist, this great application allows you to view railroad timetables from around the continent on your phone. Simply enter your point of departure and your destination and choose from the various schedules and route options available.

12. Urbanspoon

Chinese or Italian? Simply shake your iPhone and the slot-machine display presents local restaurant options, with prices and types of cuisine on offer, wherever you are in the world.

Pic: www.urbanspoon.com