Smartphones are great. They open up a whole world of possibilities for us, especially with travel. There are so many travel apps out there but I'm going to let you in on the secret of the 9 best ones that are out there today!
1. Airline apps
Any and all airline apps are great. I always keep Southwest on my phone because that is the airline I fly with the most. However, if I book a flight with a different airline though (like Turkish Airways), I will download their app as well to keep up with my flight status and also be able to check in for my flight prior to arriving at the airport. Minimizing the things I have to do while traveling is the best possible thing that I can do for myself! I highly suggest too that if you have a favorite airline like I do (Southwest) to keep the app on your phone so you can browse for good flight deals from time to time right on your phone!
2. Yelp
Oh gosh Yelp, how we have such a loving relationship. I use Yelp to look up almost everything during my travels. You get real reviews from real people with Yelp + so much extra information like if a restaurant takes reservations, times sites are open, the dress code, etc. Practically any info you need to know, Yelp will have it for you.
3. Uber
I know there has been some controversy around Uber lately, but I think it's a great service. It puts my mind at ease that I can call up a car in almost any country and it will take me right where I need to go for really really cheap. The best part about it too is that I don't have to remember some phone number or frantically Google a cab company and have cash on me. Nope, just use the app and my credit card that's already on file.
4. CreateTrips
CreateTrips is becoming my absolute favorite travel app! You can create your own trips and list all the places you want to go while traveling somewhere and the list will be right at your fingertips whenever you need it. No more messy Google docs or Notes here! You can also download Travelbooks that other travelers around the world have published. Guess who just happens to be a Travelbook author on CreateTrips...yep your's truly! You can find the YM Chicago City Guide already available on the app for free with more cities to be released in the coming weeks! I will be releasing a new city guide every Thursday! Next up: New York, New York! Search by author for Yellow Mondays for all my city guides now and in the future.
5. Passport
This is a new one for me, but I'm already obsessed. What this app is for is a little passport book you can purchase from the National Parks Service in the United States. It's a fun little "game" if that's what you want to call it, but each place that falls under the National Parks Service has a special stamp that you can get for your passport by going to a designated cancellation center for that park. The app is for finding those cancellation centers so you can fill up your book while visiting all of the US National Parks! You can also look up fun ideas to do and more information on the parks while visiting them with this app.
6. OpenTable
OpenTable is wonderful. I use this app for every single restaurant I go to that takes reservation and is available on their site. And trust me, almost all the good ones are. If you make and attend 8 reservations a year you become a VIP member, which will get you bonus points and perks for your reservations, which in turn gets you MONEY! Yes, money! The more reservations you make and keep, the more points you get and after obtaining so many points you can get $20, $50, or even $100 to go towards your meals. They will literally pay you for going to eat at the best places in the world! If that doesn't sound incredible, I don't know what does.
7. Google Maps
A classic, but so necessary. Google Maps is so accurate and will always get you where you need to go in the fastest way possible. My favorite part of this app though? The favorites feature. You can save all your favorite places and they will show up as little stars on the map. I go a step further with this feature and use it for planning my trips, too. It's easier to do this part on an actual computer but it works just fine on your phone, too. You can save all the places you want to go see and then plan out your days by finding the stars that are all close together so you can group your sites and restaurants as best as possible. This way you're not running all over town to see and eat everything on your list.
8. Expedia
I'm a huge fan of Expedia. I prefer it over Priceline or Booking.com. It's so easy to use and I really feel like that get you the best deals. The app for your phone is so user friendly, too. If you book anything on their site all your info will be at the ready in the app. You can check in for you flight, check your hotel and car reservations, and find fun things to do where your traveling. It's simply the best all around booking app there is.
9. TC Cities
Are you a Travel Channel fan? I sure am! TC Cities is an app made by the Travel Channel that allows you to look up places to go that are featured on all their TV shows! Want to go to that awesome hot dog place that Anthony Bourdain ate in Chicago? Just select Chicago >> Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations and there ya go! They have all their shows on the app and a bunch of different cities.
OVER TO YOU >> What is your go to travel app that you just can't live without?
OVER TO YOU >> What is your go to travel app that you just can't live without?