I am one of those overly organized travelers… I even make itineraries. I research everything in advance, find places I want to see, things I want to do, explore costs the best cost… but I still leave time for the “unexpected” fun I may encounter that my Google search just did not pick up.
I have seen many apps out there that are the must haves, and I definitely agree on a few such as Dropbox, Kayak and Skype!!!! Seriously…. what do you do when living overseas for a few months, and just desiring to see your family and friends… but realistically, flying home is not an option…. get on Skype!
So, I think if there is anyone out there like myself, that enjoys an organized travel life then here are some Free Apps for you!! I have separated my favorite apps into 3 categories below, and have shared how I use most of these apps with pictures as well. These Apps help me in planning, communicating with friends/family and just leisurely fun.
|
Travel Planning
TripIt Booking.com Airport Parking |
Communication
WhatApp magicJack |
Leisure
Overdrive Our Daily Bread Meet Up |
TripIt
TripIt is designed to be a trip planner and it keeps all your travel needs in one place!! You can make itineraries (which I do all the time) and viewable on your phone at all times. You can add things from flights, trains, buses and activities… It really doesn’t matter. A cool feature is that you can forward itineraries that are booked from your email, and it will automatically upload the information. You can also share your trip with others, so they know exactly what will be happening, this is particularly helpful if you are traveling with a group.
TripIt is designed to be a trip planner and it keeps all your travel needs in one place!! You can make itineraries (which I do all the time) and viewable on your phone at all times. You can add things from flights, trains, buses and activities… It really doesn’t matter. A cool feature is that you can forward itineraries that are booked from your email, and it will automatically upload the information. You can also share your trip with others, so they know exactly what will be happening, this is particularly helpful if you are traveling with a group.
TripIt Pro: You can go as far as to upgrade to TripIt Pro… they will update you on flight changes/notifications or track your travel rewards. Honestly, simply having the free version is often enough.
App Link: https://www.tripit.com/uhp/mobile
Booking.com
The Booking.com hotel app gather hundreds of thousands of hotels/properties from all over the world that you can evaluate. You can look at photos, and see reviews of what people that stayed there have said before you. They often have descriptions that tell you how close things are to main sites or transportation. In most cases, you can book and have free cancellation as long as it is before 2-3 days of date for arrival. I used this app EVERY TIME I TRAVEL! I have yet to be disappointed from hostels to hotels, I have been pleased with all my booking.com
The Booking.com hotel app gather hundreds of thousands of hotels/properties from all over the world that you can evaluate. You can look at photos, and see reviews of what people that stayed there have said before you. They often have descriptions that tell you how close things are to main sites or transportation. In most cases, you can book and have free cancellation as long as it is before 2-3 days of date for arrival. I used this app EVERY TIME I TRAVEL! I have yet to be disappointed from hostels to hotels, I have been pleased with all my booking.com
App Link: http://www.booking.com/apps.html
Airport Parking
So you have a good price on a flight out for the weekend, but no one can take you to the airport. There is nothing more annoying than overpriced airport parking with a range per day from $20 -$40 dollars a day. In addition to your flight paying a median of $30 a day (still ridiculous) your grand total of $120 for the weekend is what you will be paying for parking. That’s a bit too much… heck that is another 1 way ticket somewhere or an awesome adventure (skydiving for example). Airport Parking finds your close by parking lots with cheaper daily rates; the lowest I have paid is about $4.80. They have a shuttle that brings you to the airport and also comes for you when you get back. You will have to test out which company you like best, but once you find that company close to your home airport, parking and flying will no longer be that expensive.
So you have a good price on a flight out for the weekend, but no one can take you to the airport. There is nothing more annoying than overpriced airport parking with a range per day from $20 -$40 dollars a day. In addition to your flight paying a median of $30 a day (still ridiculous) your grand total of $120 for the weekend is what you will be paying for parking. That’s a bit too much… heck that is another 1 way ticket somewhere or an awesome adventure (skydiving for example). Airport Parking finds your close by parking lots with cheaper daily rates; the lowest I have paid is about $4.80. They have a shuttle that brings you to the airport and also comes for you when you get back. You will have to test out which company you like best, but once you find that company close to your home airport, parking and flying will no longer be that expensive.
App Link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/airportparkingreservations.com/id906778512?mt=8
WhatsApp
We all know communication is key when you are traveling to allow for our family members mainly to know we aren’t dead. However, there are great apps like Skype that will help with those moments. What I like about WhatsApp is that any of my new international friends I meet I can keep in touch with them without racking up my phone bill. As long as they have the app, and you have their number, you can talk to them using Wifi or your unlimited network with your phone company. I currently wake up to conversations from all over the world, especially since my closest friends do not live near me.
We all know communication is key when you are traveling to allow for our family members mainly to know we aren’t dead. However, there are great apps like Skype that will help with those moments. What I like about WhatsApp is that any of my new international friends I meet I can keep in touch with them without racking up my phone bill. As long as they have the app, and you have their number, you can talk to them using Wifi or your unlimited network with your phone company. I currently wake up to conversations from all over the world, especially since my closest friends do not live near me.
App Link: https://www.whatsapp.com/download/
MagicJack
I like the MagicJack App a lot. While you have things like Skype the other person has to have Skype as well, or you will have to load money on your account. With MagicJack you can directly call unlimitedly to the US and Canada, and what is even better you have a number that others can call you on. You can then add friends with a special MagicJack number, and call those outside of the US and Canada for free as long as they also have MagicJack downloaded. So, if you need to reach someone immediately back home, but they are not on Skype. You know for sure they will have their phone, so you can give them a call. Gotta love it!
I like the MagicJack App a lot. While you have things like Skype the other person has to have Skype as well, or you will have to load money on your account. With MagicJack you can directly call unlimitedly to the US and Canada, and what is even better you have a number that others can call you on. You can then add friends with a special MagicJack number, and call those outside of the US and Canada for free as long as they also have MagicJack downloaded. So, if you need to reach someone immediately back home, but they are not on Skype. You know for sure they will have their phone, so you can give them a call. Gotta love it!
App Link: http://www.magicjack.com/magicApp.html
Overdrive
Long haul flights, bus rides, or simply a quiet night hanging in your hotel can be that much nice with Overdrive. First of all, it gives you the ability to borrow digital books, audiobooks, movies etc without having to purchase. You can borrow up to 25 items at a time and time ranges. I usually borrow audiobooks, which I have for 21 days. Even when I am not on a trip, I use the audiobooks while I am cooking, driving to work, or just going to bed. It gives me that escape without costing me a fortune. What is even better is you can have it all in one place, watch a movie or read a book. All you need is a local library card that you input your member number. The rest is smooth sailing, and you enjoy your items on loan until the time expires.
Long haul flights, bus rides, or simply a quiet night hanging in your hotel can be that much nice with Overdrive. First of all, it gives you the ability to borrow digital books, audiobooks, movies etc without having to purchase. You can borrow up to 25 items at a time and time ranges. I usually borrow audiobooks, which I have for 21 days. Even when I am not on a trip, I use the audiobooks while I am cooking, driving to work, or just going to bed. It gives me that escape without costing me a fortune. What is even better is you can have it all in one place, watch a movie or read a book. All you need is a local library card that you input your member number. The rest is smooth sailing, and you enjoy your items on loan until the time expires.
App Link: http://app.overdrive.com/
Our Daily Bread
While this may not go for everyone, I find it relaxing to have a quick devotion as often as I can when traveling. In most cases, I am not able make it to a church while on the road, and sometimes even if I could, I just would not understand the sermon as I do not speak the language. Our Daily Bread keeps me grounded in my faith and always a good way to either start your adventure pact day, or to unwind at night before going to bed. You can make bookmarks on your favorite passage, or write a journal. I personally, write things down in an actual book, but definitely a good way to recap.
While this may not go for everyone, I find it relaxing to have a quick devotion as often as I can when traveling. In most cases, I am not able make it to a church while on the road, and sometimes even if I could, I just would not understand the sermon as I do not speak the language. Our Daily Bread keeps me grounded in my faith and always a good way to either start your adventure pact day, or to unwind at night before going to bed. You can make bookmarks on your favorite passage, or write a journal. I personally, write things down in an actual book, but definitely a good way to recap.
App Link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/our-daily-bread/id437496538?mt=8
Meet Up
While planning all my trips, a great app I look to so I know what locals are doing in the area is Meet Up. I actually use it where I live as well, because so many events happen that I have no idea about until I look on the app. So, while you can Google everything you want to do in an area, it is unlikely you will find the cool hidden treasures that the locals go to each week.
While planning all my trips, a great app I look to so I know what locals are doing in the area is Meet Up. I actually use it where I live as well, because so many events happen that I have no idea about until I look on the app. So, while you can Google everything you want to do in an area, it is unlikely you will find the cool hidden treasures that the locals go to each week.
App Link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/meetup/id375990038?mt=8
