There's an app for everything...

Like everyone, when the new year hits I attempt to get organized, and this year is no exception.  Having a smart phone can be a big help with this.  Apps can be a travelers best friend.  There are tons of apps out there;  tour guide apps, hotel apps, apps that hail a cab for you...you name it and there's an app for it!  Below, in no particular order, I have listed my "Top 10" favorite travel apps.

1.  Tripit

Photo courtesy of the GeekGuys

Okay, how I wish that I would have thought of creating this before the geniuses at Tripit did!  One of my BIGGEST complaints about taking a trip, is the hours that I spend organizing it!  I have an itinerary and schedules on my computer and I can't tell you how many times that they have accidentally been deleted.  Well, Tripit will organize all of your travel plans in one place, all that you have to do is forward all confirmations to them and snap, just like that it's done for you!  Tripit is FREE, however the pumped up version Tripit Pro does have a yearly subscription fee.  Try it out and see how easy your travel organization can be!


2.  Tripadvisor

Photo courtesy of xconomy

This app has all of the amazing benefits of Tripadvisor, but it's accessible on the go via your smart phone!  There are hotel reviews, restaurant recommendations and even a "Best of 2014" list to keep you up to date on top travel trends.  With over "100 million candid reviews" and customer photos, you can't go wrong with this app.

3.  Tripadvisor City Guides

Photo courtesy of PCMAG

Another great app from the team at Tripadvisor.  Tripadvisor Cityguides works offline and suggests "self-guided" walking tours with photos and descriptions to help make the most of your trip.  This app helped me guide my family around Rome at our own pace and having all of the info on my phone made it easier than lugging around the guidebook!  You can also document your trip in Cityguides journal, which lets you capture your photos and easily share them with your friends via Facebook. 

4.  The Weather Channel

Photo courtesy of SmokinApps

This one is a no-brainer!  Who doesn't need to know what the weather is like?  The Weather Channel's handy little app gives you animated maps, new features that tell you exactly what time rain or snow is due to start or stop at your location.  What's really helpful to the traveler is that you can store numerous cities in the "manage location" area. 

5.  Packing Pro

Photo courtesy of Vagabondish

Yep, here's another one that I wish I had created.  I pack in stages, not all at once.  Often times items are in the laundry so I write notes to remind myself to pack them when they are dry.  I usually have several sticky notes for each family member...not productive at all!  Well, this app has solved all of my problems!  You can have lists for everyone, lists for every upcoming trip and Packing Pro even suggests items that you may need to bring with you!  It also has a "to do" list for before your trip and an "essentials" area for the important items that you can't leave home without.  Thanks to Packing Pro, I have saved my sanity as well as a lot of trees!


6.  HopStop

Photo courtesy of Jerry Smart World

I have to admit it, before I moved to Europe, I was a bit of a public transportation snob.  I didn't do busses and only did the subway if I had to.  Well, I soon threw that attitude out the window.  Public transportation is the way to go if you are traveling.  It's a much cheaper option to taxis and I have learned that it is very safe in most cities.  HopStop gives you the best subway, walking or biking route to get to your location, figures transit times and will even call a local taxi for you.  This has been a life saver for many on many occasions.  Try it for yourself and see what I mean!




7.  Currency XE

Photo courtesy Appletoolbox

I use this app on a daily basis, sometimes numerous times a day.  It is so easy to pull out your phone and quickly convert any currency.  Currency XE stores the latest updated currency rates so it even works offline.  With over 30,000 currency rates available, it is no wonder this is the most downloaded foreign exchange app.

8.  Google Translate

Photo courtesy of Techticker

Another app that I use on a DAILY basis is Google Translate.  This has helped me more times than I can count.  You can type in what you are trying to translate, or use the speaker feature to speak into your phone.  This free app translates more than 70 languages and can help you with anything from ordering a glass of wine, to translate your hotel bill.

9.  Flight Tracker

Photo courtesy of iphoneipadoggr

With the Flight Tracker app you can watch planes move in real time, search for individual flight times and status and set custom alerts.  This app makes it easy to know if your flight has been delayed or the gate has changed with its feature that actually turns your screen into an arrivals board.  Picking someone up from the airport has never been so easy, simply click on their flight and there is all the arrival info you will need.  Missing your flight will be a thing of the past if you download this app!

10.  TravelSafe

Photo courtesy of Appszoom

There have been a few times when I was traveling, that for a fleeting moment I have that "what if" feeling.  Where would I go if?  What would I do if we needed help?  Well, with TravelSafe you have emergency service numbers for any country that you could ever imagine visiting.  This app has police, fire and emergency numbers as well as who to call if you have a passport issue.  Travel Safe is so user friendly.  I know that I feel better having all of this information at my fingertips.  Now, let's hope that it is never used.

So, I have shown you a few of the apps that I will be using on my journey this year.  What are a few of your favorites?