10 APPS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT!

 Travel is my opiate. Especially family vacations. But, planning and keeping track of all of the trip details can be overwhelming. Here are some of my favorite cost- cutting, time- saving, chaos reducing apps.

 

 STAY ORGANIZED

  • Trip It
    TripIt organizes travel plans into an itinerary that has all of your trip details in one place. Simply forward confirmation emails to [email protected] and TripIt will automatically build an itinerary for your trip that you can access anytime, either online or from a mobile device.
    Website: https://www.tripit.com/
     

DAY-OF TRAVEL

  • Flight Track Free
    FlightTrack Free delivers flight details, gate numbers, and baggage claim info at a glance. The completely ad free app covers more than 3,000 airports and 1,400 airlines.
    Website: http://www.mobiata.com/apps/flighttrackfree-iphone
  • Gate Guru
    GateGuru provides  “day-of” info for your travel experience. It is like Yelp for airports sourcing a decent meal during your layover or the best place to grab a last minute souvenir for the kids. Pro-Tip: You can connect and sync your GateGuru account to TripIt or KAYAK for the ultimate personalized travel app experience
    Website: http://gateguruapp.com/index.html

 

NAVIGATING

  • MetrO
    MetrO helps you find your way in the public transportation systems in more than 400 cities around the world. The genius of the app is that it is just one application for all any and all trips. Just download the cities you need and search your route by subway, bus, tram, railway… (depending on cities). The best part? NO network connection is required after you have installed the cities.
    Website: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/metro/id320949132?mt=8
  • iTranslate
    Language barrier be gone! iTranslate uses text to speech technology to translate  more than 60 languages. You can select between lots of different dialects, choose a male or female voice and even control the speaking rate.
    Website: http://itranslateapp.com/

STEALS & DEALS

  • Hotel Tonight
    Last-minute deals on their unsold rooms, with discounts up to 70%. You book the deals easily and securely on your smartphone.
    Website: http://www.hoteltonight.com/
     

 

STAY CONNECTED

  • Skype
    Instead of using minutes and/or super expensive international roaming plans, you can say “hello” to friends and family with an instant message, voice or video call on Skype for free–right from the palm of your hand.
    Website: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/skype/id304878510?mt=8
  • WhatsApp Messenger
    Text and communicate via wifi without having to pay for SMS. Messenger uses the same internet data plan that you use for email and web browsing, there is no cost to message and stay in touch with your friends. WhatsApp Messenger is available for iPhone, BlackBerry, Android, Windows Phone and Nokia and yes, those phones can all message each other! Because WhatsApp.
    Website: http://www.whatsapp.com/