I love to travel and I’m so thankful that I get to do it often. Work and a very active life following my kids has helped me to see the world and jet set away from home at least once a month if not more! Using apps to keep track of my “comings and goings” is a necessity and one that I can’t live without. There’s no sense in carrying a folder around with all of your paperwork when technology can put it all in the palm of your hand.
Here are my top 5 travel apps –
Tripcase –
I love this app because it keeps tabs on all of my travel details in one location. When you receive an email confirmation from a flight, or hotel, or a multitude of other options – you forward the confirmation to a specified email address and it auto-populates on your app! You can also track excursions/activities, car rentals, meetings, restaurant reservations, ferries, trains … literally everything you might need … all in one free app. This app also has a web-based version if you want to enter details manually.
Hopper –
The second I know that I’m going to book a flight, I load my dates into Hopper. This app predicts prices with 95% accuracy up to 1 year in advance. It sends you push notifications on when to buy at the lowest price available and most importantly, when to wait! I know that I’ll always get the lowest price with Hopper!
Currency –
If you are traveling overseas, this app is going to be your currency converting lifesaver! You type in the price in the local currency — and it converts it to the US dollar. This was so fantastic when I was in China and Croatia. I could immediately figure out if I was willing to pay the US equivalent.
Touchnote –
I found out about this app last year from a friend and I’ve used it since. It allows you to buy credits (very inexpensively) and send postcards from photos on your phone. I love that you can add the a small location map in the corner of your postcard — which is really fun when you are traveling! You can do single photos or collages for the front of the card. It doesn’t matter if you are overseas or far from home domestically – everyone loves to get a postcard!
Google Maps –
Google Maps is a traveler’s best friend. I’ve used it all over the world. It can be used on a ferry in Croatia, it can be used on the Subway system in New York City (tells you which train to take!), it can be used in the old city of Beijing. Don’t leave home without it!
Honorary Mentions
App in the Air –
App in the Air turns travel into a game and keeps track of your score. I love seeing how many miles I’ve flown and trying to earn badges for new countries and fun activities (like red-eye flights, flying different airlines, or on a jet that I’ve never been on before.)
Snapchat –
Let’s face it, the custom geo-filters and location tags are so fun in cities and towns great and small. I don’t do a lot of snapping, but I do download photos using their fun tags!
Of course, I love direct airline apps (United and Southwest are both fantastic) and hotel apps (Bonvoy – Marriott is really great). What are your favorite travel apps – I’d love to hear about them and add them to my phone!
