How to Make the Most of Your iPad When Traveling

iPads have earned their reputation as the best travel tablet for good reason. However, getting the most out of your iPad while traveling takes more than just tossing it in your carry-on. Your iPad model of choice can make the difference between effortless travel and flight frustration. We’ll cover the best iPads for travel and work that let you finalize pitch decks and edit documents during long flights, listen to audiobooks on the road, or watch your favorite content creators offline. Discover the essential apps for different travel needs and proven tips for using your iPad effectively in transit. 

Best iPad For Travel And Work 

The iPad Mini 5, 6, and 7 are quintessential tech travel tablets for workaholics and those with wanderlust. Ranging between 7.7 inches and 8.3 inches, iPad Minis are referred to as the Goldilocks of iPads, as they are the perfect size between an iPhone and a full size iPad. They have up to 10 hours of battery life, ensuring you can stay connected and access crucial information like maps, directions, translations, and important contacts. While these generations of iPad Minis would be ideal for today’s travelers because they are compatible with the latest iOS updates, they are not all compatible with the same Apple Pencil. Before you make a purchase, ensure that you have the correct Apple Pencil for your iPad Model. 

For travelers seeking the best iPad for work and travel with a slightly larger screen, the iPad 9th Generation stands out. The Retina display and A13 Bionic chip are perfect for travelers who need the power to handle multiple apps, edit photos, and create content seamlessly during their travels.

Entertainment at Your Fingertips

The iPad turns idle time into leisurely quality time. Here's how to maximize your entertainment setup:

Pre-Trip Downloads

• Download videos from apps like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+ in high definition. If you need to save space, standard definition is best. However, it may compromise video quality.
• Save your favorite vlogs, tutorials, or creator content on YouTube Premium for offline viewing.
• Create offline playlists or download your favorite podcasts with Spotify and Apple Music.
• Listen to your favorite audiobooks on the Books app. Download them in medium quality to save space and have decent sound quality.

Before packing your iPad for any trip, make sure you optimize your storage. Start with a thorough clean-up of unused apps and clear cached data that's taking up space. Consider offloading apps you rarely use. This will free up storage for your travel entertainment and keep data intact.

To offload an app, go to Settings > General > iPad Storage. Then, select the app you want to offload and tap Offload App. 

To automate this process, go to Settings > General > iPad Storage and enable Offload Unused Apps.

Moving documents to cloud storage can also free up several gigabytes, giving you plenty of room for your favorite shows and movies. Remember to place your iPad on Airplane Mode as the Federal Communications Commission or FCC has strict rules regarding the use of cellular devices and LTE-enabled iPads on flights.

Watching entertainment on airplanes, trains, or buses is very hit and miss. You could have a setup with Wi-Fi and a monitor with amazing movies at your disposal, or you could simply stare at the back of the headrest for six hours or more. Prepping your iPad for a trip can take as little as 30 minutes — and save you your sanity. 

Remote Work Made Easy

Setting up cloud access correctly is crucial for seamless work on the go with the iPad. Configure your cloud storage apps to automatically sync when Wi-Fi is available, and make sure important files are marked for offline access. By installing these settings in apps like Google Drive and Dropbox prior to your travels, you'll never be caught without important documents, even in areas with spotty internet. 

Here's how to use the best iPad models for travel and remote work:

Work Apps Done Right

• For document editing, go for Microsoft Office Suite or Google Workspace.
• Use Zoom and Microsoft Teams for video calls.
• Add markups to PDF documents like highlighting, underlining, adding comments, and drawing annotations with PDF Expert.
• Note-taking apps like GoodNotes or Notability allow you to record the minutes of pivotal meetings and insights from research or written drafts.

Imagine you're traveling to a regional meeting by plane, and you need to make presentation changes for a client that you will meet when you arrive. Your perfectly configured iPad lets you make those major edits swiftly without delaying your upcoming meeting.

To make the best use of your iPad while traveling, pair it with a thoughtfully-designed ZUGU case that offers up to 10 versatile viewing angles. These turn your iPad into a pop-up workstation or entertainment center at airport gates, on tray tables, or in hotel rooms.

The added grip and protection from ZUGU cases makes them the best iPad cases for travel. Confidently use your device, whether you're editing a presentation at 35,000 feet or binge-watching your favorite series during a layover.

Navigation & Planning 

Your iPad can function as a travel management tool with the right apps and foundation. Before your departure, configure your device into a virtual travel agent that handles everything from flight tracking to language barriers. It’s best to use an iPad case for travel because it allows you to use your iPad for multitasking in airports and provides a comfortable viewing experience in various travel hubs and checkpoints.

Essential Travel Apps

• Flight & Transportation
• Flighty: Real-time flight tracking with delay predictions
• Uber: Ground transportation in unfamiliar cities
• Trip Planning and Organization
• TripIt: Your master itinerary organizer. Automatically import confirmation emails, keeping all your plans in one place.
• Airline Apps (Delta, American Airlines, etc.): Store boarding passes and manage flights. Enable push notifications for your airline’s apps, which often catch gate changes and delays before the airport announces them.
• Booking: Access bookings and digital room keys

Getting your apps ready for travel is just as important as packing your suitcase. Download offline maps for your destinations in Google Maps to avoid navigating without data. If you are traveling abroad, set up Google Translate's offline languages to assist with reading directions and finding locations, especially in remote destinations. It would be a bummer to plan a beach getaway only for it to rain the entire time, leaving you cooped up in your hotel room. Stay ahead of the elements by downloading weather apps. 

The key to stress-free travel is preparation. When you're rushing through JFK airport with a tight connection, you don’t want to be the person frantically searching for departure boards. Instead, you'll already have your gate change notification on your iPad, your airport maps pre-downloaded, and your boarding pass stored in Apple Wallet for easy access. Select one of our iPad cases for travel with up to 10 versatile viewing angles to ensure that you can quickly check these updates while on the move.

Creatives Capturing the Moment

For tourists, photographers, travel vloggers, or social media enthusiasts, finding the best iPad for travel and creative work can assist you with creating content inspired by your destination and sharing your travel adventures with the world.

It’s wise to get an iPad case for travel to repurpose your tablet into a stable platform for photo editing, sketching, and content creation. With the durable case propped at a comfortable angle, you can edit photos, write and publish blogs, or draw digital illustrations using the best apps for creatives, even in tight spaces like airplane seats or café tables.

Make the most out of your iPad with the best creative apps:

• Photo & Video Editing
• Adobe Lightroom: Professional-grade photo editing with cloud sync
• VSCO: High-quality filters and advanced camera controls
  
  
• Digital Art & Note-Taking
• Procreate: Industry-standard digital art with Apple Pencil support 
• GoodNotes 5: Handwritten notes and PDF annotation
• Concepts: Infinite canvas for sketching and design
  
  
• Content Creation
• Canva: Social media graphics and presentation design
• Adobe Express: Quick social media story and post creation
  
  
• Blogging & Writing
• Ulysses: Distraction-free writing with WordPress integration
• Day One: Beautiful journaling with photo support
  
  
• Organization & Backup
• Files: Native file management with cloud service integration
• Google Drive: Cloud storage with generous free tier
• Dropbox: Reliable cloud sync and backup

The iPad’s relatively compact size makes it easy to slip into a small bag or camera sling. It will always be ready for whenever creative inspiration strikes. ZUGU has professional cases that adapt to creative iPad users' needs, whether they’re sketching at a cozy waterfront café or reviewing the day's photos at their boutique bed and breakfast.

Why not plan your dream vacation with your iPad? Don’t have one? Then, set your sights on one of the best iPads for work and travel and one of the best iPad cases for travel to accompany it. 

A Case That Keeps Up with Your Travels

Cross-country flights and extended layovers don’t have to mean hours of boredom or missed work deadlines. Pair your iPad with ZUGU’s precision-engineered case, which provides protection and makes your trips a breeze.