Your Pocket Guide to Planning Your Best Trip Yet
Ilove reminiscing about a summer road trip I took in high school with some friends. The most important items I brought with me (besides my bikini, because summer) were my disposable camera, carefully printed MapQuest directions, and my old-school flip phone. Back then, those were honestly some of the best vacation tools available! Deep in my nostalgia, that trip doesn't feel all that long ago. But when I consider even the basic logistics of the excursion, I'm reminded that 2019 is a completely different time. Now, with the digital revolution fully underway, things like paper maps are all but obsolete. Don't even get me started on those old plastic disposable cameras! Remember when you could barely handle the excitement while waiting a week for your roll to develop, just to face the stiff disappointment of a stack of accidental snaps, pictures eclipsed by your thumb, or snapshots so blurry you could barely make out where you were?
Nowadays we have the opposite problem; the App Store is flooded with too many travel apps to choose from. It's crucial to know which ones will save you money and enhance your trip. A good travel app is updated frequently, easy to use, doesn't consume your data plan, and will be something you'll find value in over the long term. To assist you in making the most legendary summer plans possible, here are our top suggestions for handy vacation planning and travel apps.
Roadtrippers (Free)
Roadtrippers offers suggestions of nearby points of interest to make finding something fun to do easier than ever! You can plan your trip and discover millions of places like hotels, restaurants, national parks, museums, swimming holes, scenic points, and—my personal favorite—quirky roadside attractions like the largest ball of twine or an underwater mermaid show. Friends can also access your trip plans and add their own suggestions to your shared trip itinerary. Airbnb (Free)
Most everyone already knows about Airbnb, but it's just too good not to list. Airbnb wants you to “Be at home in the world,” and to that end, it assists you in finding vacation home rentals and travel experiences across 191+ countries. Whether you are traveling on a solo journey, family vacation, or business trip, you will be able to easily search everything from last-minute travel accommodations to long term rentals. I've used the app multiple times to rent out either a room or a whole house from various hosts, and I've never had a negative experience. You can make the most of your money and your trip by choosing an Airbnb listing for your lodging. Hopper (Free)
Want the best deals on flights and hotels without searching the internet all afternoon and losing your sanity trying to compare each rate? The Hopper app will save you from all your travel-planning anxieties! Simply enter a destination into Hopper, and the app quickly and efficiently scours the internet for the best deals. It's like having your very own travel agent right in your pocket. With its Price Predictor feature, Hopper will even advise you with a 95 percent accuracy rating if you should book now or wait for a better price. My Currency Converter & Rates (Free)
If you are traveling outside the US, you need this app on your phone. In just a few seconds, you can find out how much your currency is worth, even if you aren't connected to the internet. This app can convert over 150 different currencies from around the world. Another advantage of this converter is that it supports cryptocurrencies, including BitCoin, LiteCoin, and Dogecoin. Postagram (Free)
You can send postcards to loved ones with highlights from your trip with Postagram. It's simple; all you do is upload a photo you took, add a personal message, and Postagram takes care of the rest. Postcards are printed and delivered for $2 in the US or $3 for international addresses. Design options change seasonally, and if you prefer, you can pay directly via Apple Pay. Postagram makes it incredibly easy to make personal mementos for loved ones in a world where we could all use a little bit more happy mail. Maps.me (Free)
Maps.me is a complete lifesaver! You can use it to download detailed maps of your trip onto your phone; that way if you lose service (back country roads, mountains, dead zones, etc.), you will still be able to find your way—no internet required. It also offers turnby-turn directions just like any other navigation apps so you will feel at ease using it. The app's developers are committed
to keeping all the maps and features free, so downloading this app is probably one of the easiest choices you'll make today. Google Translate (Free)
Planning a summer sabbatical overseas? Google Translate is a must-have for any trip where you will be immersed in a foreign language. It not only offers excellent translation capabilities on and offline, but can also translate handwriting, text in images, and conversations on the fly. My favorite feature is the instant translation, which allows users to translate text instantly just by pointing their iPhone at it. So, next time you are in a pinch and need to read a sign, Google Translate will have your back. Amazon Photos ($11.99/year, Free with Prime Subscription)
With the Amazon Photos app, you can auto-save all the full-resolution videos and photos on your phone. Now you'll have peace of mind knowing that if you happen to lose your phone mid-vacation, you will still be able to access all your breathtaking pics and memories. Everyone gets 5 GB of photo and video storage free; for unlimited storage, you must pay $11.99 per year or be an Amazon Prime member. VoiceMap Audio Tours (Free)
This app is fun to use regardless of whether you are exploring a new city for the first time or just want to try something new and learn more about your hometown. With VoiceMap, you download city tours ahead of time and use them with your GPS to enjoy a guided tour at your own pace without getting stuck with any data or roaming fees. It's similar to a podcast except that it tells stories about what you're seeing right in front of you. All of VoiceMap's tours are recorded by local storytellers including filmmakers, novelists, tour guides, journalists, and podcasters. So, if you aren't the type of person to take an official tour packed with other tourists, this might be the perfect app for you. You can go on immersive audio walks, cycles, or drives while receiving local insight on somewhere new, or maybe it will help you see your own neighborhood with fresh eyes.
Expand Your Horizons!
Regardless of how you choose to spend your summer this year, I hope you feel equipped with the best possible travel apps that will expand your horizons as you explore new locations and experiences. Wishing you an extraordinary summer, no matter if you are planning an easy-going staycation or a fullblown trip overseas.