I never thought I would be the kind of person who would use her phone as a camera, but I am. The camera app on my Samsung S8 phone is better than my old camera.
My phone is always with me when I travel and in addition to the camera, there are many apps I find very helpful and have on my phone.
Airline and Air Travel Apps
I always have the airline apps I fly installed on my phone. Using them, you can check in, get gates, get boarding passes, track your luggage, change seats, and more. They’re great.
I LOVE FlightStats. It’s an app where you can search for information by flight, by airport, or by route. I use it all the time to see about general delays at an airport, alternative routes if I am delayed, or track a flight a friend is on. It is awesome.
Flightradar 24 is also fun. At any moment, you can see what planes are in the sky around you or track a specific plane. It is a good time-waster when staying in an airport hotel with a runway view. You can see exactly which planes are landing and where they’re coming from.
Hotel Apps
I also have the apps for the hotel chains I use on my phone. They are helpful for checking directions, amenities, reservation details, and more.
Some allow you to use the app as a key, but I don’t usually do that.
Transportation Apps
I’m not a huge rideshare user, (I’d rather use taxis) but I have the Uber and Lyft apps installed in case I need to use them. It’s a personal thing. I’m not too keen getting into some random person’s car. At least with a taxi, there are usually cameras protecting both me and the driver and I know the driver has passed a test and is licensed.
I love Rome2Rio. This is a great online site and app where you can put in any combination of destinations to find out how to get between them. It shows you how to drive, take buses, trains, or airplanes. It’s a great app.
Super Shuttle is my go-to airport transport company and their app allows me to check on my ride.
Travel Information Apps
I have the Travelocity, TripAdvisor, and Expedia apps so I can check attractions, reviews, restaurants, and more. I also have Open Table and Yelp for restaurant information.
I use these apps sparingly but I have them installed.
I also have my travel insurance app and the WithLocals touring app installed.
Apps I Use Constantly
XE Currency is a great currency converter. You can plug several currencies into it, and it will do the conversions for you even if you’re not online. Just remember to update the rate when you are online or it will use an old one.
Google Translate is indispensable. Type something it, and it will translate it. Use your phone’s camera, and it will translate it. Talk into it, and it will translate it.
You can download languages before you leave home so you can get translations offline.
Google Maps is also great, although the two of us do not get along when we try to take a walk together. It does not end well. I end up walking in circles or in the wrong direction.
I use it mainly to find locations relative to other locations and get general walking directions.
You can also download offline maps before you leave home so you can use the navigation features offline.
Trip Specific Apps
Before I leave, I download several apps for cities I will be visiting. Metro maps, attraction tours, guidebooks, audio guides, and cruise ship apps can be extremely helpful.
All of these apps are available in both the Google Play and Apple App Store.
What apps do you find the most useful?