My original idea for this article was to list some of the best travel apps available. However, as I got into researching apps, I quickly realized how ludicrous that idea was. There are a ton of travel apps to choose from, and most specialize in just a specific part of traveling. So, instead of telling you which travel apps are the best, let me introduce you to a variety of apps that may help you with different aspects of your summer travels.
Navigation:
Waze touts itself as a “community-based” traffic and navigation app. One of its most popular features shows road construction and how long it is taking other Waze users to get through it. You can report hazards in the road, cars on the shoulder or accidents so others can be aware of their locations and avoid them. The app can also display gas prices for finding the cheapest price, and users can submit updates if that price has changed.
This app lets you put in start and finish points, then shows you points of interest or businesses along the way. You can filter what you are looking for, like restaurants or historical sites, based on different categories. This app also shows places to visit a little out of your way and helps you navigate to them.
Planning:
TripSee is an app to set up your trip itinerary. Put in a destination, and it provides suggestions. You can then organize each day with points of interests, lodging, restaurants and anything else you’d like to see on your trip.
You can sort through reviews, photos, opinions and videos to plan and book your travel. Hotels, airfare and restaurants are featured. Many praise the app for having honest opinions by actual travelers.
Is your four-legged buddy coming on vacation too? DogFriendly lets you find pet-friendly lodging, restaurants, attractions and more.
Booking:
Kayak is an app to research and book flights, hotels and rental cars. It also has real-time flight status updates and has won multiple awards for best travel apps.
Booking.com’s app lets you research and book from over 800,000 properties. They offer paperless booking and reservations. Changes to your trip can also be made through the app.
Restaurants:
Yelp is a great way to research and read reviews on restaurants and other local services in cities you’re traveling through or visiting. You can filter offerings by ratings, price or how close it it to you. You can make reservations, view photos, and leave your own comments as well.
This app lets you find restaurants near you and also access some menus. Reviews, ratings and photos are also available.
There are a lot of options to choose from when it comes to travel apps, but I’m hopeful this list gets you pointed in the right direction. Just remember that most of these apps will be using your location and data plans, so plan accordingly. Happy road-tripping!
