Although it’s really nice to put away your phone and really connect with your surroundings when traveling, they do come in handy pretty often. The internet and travel apps without a doubt have made traveling a lot easier. Here are a few of my favorite travel apps.
Google Maps
Google Maps is probably the most obvious app for travelers, the holy grail of all apps. This is my favorite app for when I don’t know how to get to where I’m going. Whether it be walking, driving, biking or using the metro. I also use this app to find restaurants, coffee shops, gas stations, parks etc.
Airline App
Before you travel be sure to download the app of whatever airline you are flying. You can easily book flights, check-in for flights, download your boarding passes and receive updates. If you have TSA PreCheck, you can add your known traveler number in when you sign up and you will automatically have PreCheck on your boarding pass. With your electronic boarding pass and just a carry-on you can bypass the airline kiosks and go straight to security!
Duolingo
If you are traveling to a country that speaks a different language than you, I believe it is extremely important to learn a few key words and phrases before you go, if not more. This app makes learning a new language fun and easy, just carve out 5-15 minutes a day and it’s free!
Google Translate
If your not sure how to say something in the local language, just use Google Translate. Be sure to download a language before going to your destination to use without cell service. I use this app a lot when looking at restaurant menus or when trying to tell a taxi driver where I want to go.
Rome2rio
When I first started traveling internationally the hardest part of planning for me was how to get from point A to point B. This app makes that part of planning insanely easy for you. For example, I didn’t know how to get from Seville, Spain to Tangier, Morocco. This free app told me the easiest way to get there was to take a bus and then a ferry. It will show you all the options from the easiest to the longest. This app was a real game changer for me!
Roadtrippers
Planning a road trip can be fun, but complicated. This app makes it easy to put together the perfect road trip, they even have suggested itineraries, food stops and things to do. The free version of the app gives you six stops for putting together a road trip, you will have to upgrade to Roadtrippers Plus if you want more.
TripIt
If you are sick of bringing a folder with all your hotel and tour confirmations on your trips, then add them to the TripIt app. Go paperless, TripIt makes it easy, just forward email confirmations to the TripIt email address and they will add it to your trip itinerary for you. Upgrade to TripIt Pro for even more travel perks!
Hopper
Never over-pay for flights again. Hopper helps you monitor flight costs, so that you can book flights at the right price. Hopper isn’t always accurate, but that is understandable considering flight costs are completely unpredictable. In general, this app will save you money if you can be patient when purchasing flights.
Flightradar24
I love this app for when I have friends and/or family traveling. You can watch the location of their plane from takeoff to landing. My husband travels for work a lot and I can watch his flights, so I know when to leave the house to pick him up.
I hope you enjoyed my favorite travel apps. Don’t forget to book your trip with your favorite travel planner, yours truly. If you liked this blog post, then check out How to Travel Plastic Free!
