As Travel Advisors, we work hard for our clients to assemble the best experience possible when taking a cruise; relaxing at a luxury resort; the all encompassing land tour or just taking a long needed vacation. We all try to go the extra mile to make sure their trip goes off smoothly and without any glitches.
But once the client departs, we cannot be with them 24/7 during the trip. That is why it is important to have some great apps loaded unto their phones so that if anything extra is needed, or a problem arises, they have the ability through the app to change plans on the go.
There are many great apps out in the marketplace, these are just a few of the really good ones. Most of these can be used on either an Apple or Android device. Just click on the bold letters to go to the App Store for that device to get the app. The ratings shown are best out of 5.
Before You Leave
TripIt (4.8)
The best way to start any trip or vacation is to have everything that you will need organized into a single place that can be easily accessed. Whether it be airline flights, hotels, car rental, planned restaurants, or excursions. Simply forward your confirmation emails and TripIt will create one large itinerary to help you stay organized with all of your plans. With real-time alerts, you’ll be on top of knowing if your flight is delayed or canceled, with a flight finder to help you book a new option should a cancelation occur.
Available on iOS and Android.
Pack Point (4.7)
We are always in a dilemma on what clothes we need for our destination(s). Pack Point takes the hassle out of packing by creating a customized list of what you’ll need for your getaway. Enter your destination, travel dates, length of stay, and the activities you plan to do there, and the app will create a custom packing list you can save for future use. Besides checking weather conditions for you, the app also allows users to share their lists with fellow travelers.
Available on iOS and Android.
App-in-the-Air (4.6)
Our air flight to any destination is always at the center of any trip. We all want to get off to a good start, and an on-time flight is #1 on any trip. App-in-the-Air let's travelers check the status of their flight from four stages: check-in, boarding, takeoff, and landing.
The app also displays a timeline of these steps to ensure that they check in on time and make it to their gate before it closes. It also provides up-to-date weather, alerts about delays, and currency information for all the main airports around the world.
Available on iOS.
MyTSA (4.6)
After worrying that your flight will leave on time, the second item (or hassle as I like to call it) is getting through the TSA checkpoint at any airport. MyTSA is a good addition to a traveler’s digital toolkit. The app’s features allow travelers to see status reports at airports around the country, including delays, traveler volume, and PreCheck lane statuses, along with a travel checklist and a database of most TSA rules.
The app also includes a good list of approved and unapproved items called “Can I Bring?” that travelers can use when packing. It is not a totally comprehensive list but it can be an added help. It also gives travelers access to AskTSA, which is the department’s question-and-answer system that is operated through Facebook Messenger and Twitter, where travelers can typically get a quick response to their questions.
Available on iOS.
WeatherBug (4.7)
So now that we are past the flight and TSA hassles and we settle in for a great trip, the next step we MUST address is, “what will the weather be like when we get to our destination?” WeatherBug provides forecasts of more than 2.6 million locations around the world, with current, hourly and 10-day forecast options.
It also has 18 different weather maps that span the range from lightning and wind to pressure and humidity. You’ll also be able to stay alert on hurricane forecasts and get lifestyle forecasts that will let you know if weather conditions will affect incidents like sports games and workouts.
Available on iOS and Android.
While You Are Traveling
Grab (4.8)
Of course we never get hungry when we travel, right? Who hasn’t sat in an airport with the hunger pains starting and wondered to themselves, “What restaurants are around me to satisfy that hunger?” Well here is an app that will make sure you don’t go hungry. If you don’t have much time to spare at the airport, Grab can come to your rescue. The app allows you to check out what food selections you’ll find near your gate, in addition to allowing you to preorder and pick up your food on the way to the gate.
The app currently operates in over 150 eateries across airports in the US, giving you plenty of bites to choose from during your next airport stop.
Available on iOS and Android.
WhatsApp (4.7)
Staying connected with family and friends when you travel is important to all of us. The need to talk, FaceTime, send pictures and memories of your trip even before you get home is both rewarding and provides peace of mind. When we travel within the United States, this is not much of a problem. It is when we travel internationally that this connection becomes a little more difficult. Fortunately there is WhatsApp which is a handy tool that provides an alternative to traditional calling or texting and eliminating the added expense international travel brings to staying in touch.
With only a WiFi or data connection, WhatsApp allows travelers to send and receive text messages, voice messages, voice calls, and video calls. WhatsApp is the preferred form of communication for thousands of people around the world. This app is great for staying in communication with friends, family or groups. And the best part of all this, its FREE.
Available on iOS.
Citymapper (4.3)
This app is meant for navigating throughout larger cities around the world. The app helps travelers find the fastest route to their destination, providing the fastest routes and step-by-step instructions on where to find the nearest bus and train stations. You’ll be able to see when the next arrivals will be at each of these locations, with real-time routing means you’ll get updates every minute. The app also has a chat feature that allows you to update friends and family on where you are in real time.
It has the ability to look at real-time departures of public transportation along with transit maps; line status and real-time disruption alerts; Uber integration; bike routing and live bike share information. Along with constant updates, it has everything you need and may not even realize you need to manage your life in the city.
Available on iOS and Android.
GasBuddy (4.7)
This is a great app even if you don’t travel and just want to use it in your everyday life at home. But when you are traveling, it is invaluable. If you have ever taken any kind of trip away from home or rented a car in a town you have never visited, you will never have to worry about your next fill up.
GasBuddy is the app you’ll want if you’re taking a road trip. With a community of some 70 million users, GasBuddy tracks down where you’ll find the cheapest gas prices, allowing you to filter by price, location, brand and amenities at each location. It also provides you with deals at nearby convenience stores and alerts of price hikes to that you can fill up your tank before arriving to a particular station. You can even let other users know that the price that was listed is even higher or lower than what is posted on the app. A great app you just can’t live without.
Available on iOS and Android.
YE Currency (4.6)
Traveling outside of the United States you constantly have to keep track of the world currency values and the subsequent exchange rates when changing US dollars to other currencies.
XE Currency provides you with live exchange rates and charts to keep you on top of money matters during your trip, easily allowing you to choose between different currencies you’d like to convert. It also has a rate alert so that you can monitor your favorite currencies, and can be used offline.
Available on iOS and Android.
Flush-Toilet Finder (4.6)
Who hasn’t been anywhere away from your home and needed to go to the bathroom. Well here is the perfect app for finding a much needed restroom break. Flush provides you with the nearest toilets to your location, with over 190,000 bathrooms in its database. You can use the search without having an Internet connection, which makes it great for those emergency situations.
Find which bathrooms have disabled access, a fee for usage or require a key; get immediate directions on how to locate them; add a toilet to increase the list of toilets and improve the app for everyone; rate and report a toilet by swiping to the left on a toilet in the list.