5 Apps For The Next Time You Travel - Forbes
As more people resume traveling, an increasing number are discovering that they're out of practice when it comes to planning and packing after 18 months of staying local. The good news is that apps can help. It's a safe bet that you have the apps for Uber, Lyft, Airbnb and your favorite airlines on your smartphone. But here are five free apps that can give you a leg up when you hit the road.
FlightAware
FlightAware is one of the most useful apps of its kind that allows you to track your flights online. It provides a live map of a flight and keeps tabs on delays, cancellations and gate changes. I find it especially useful when I have a tight connection. It's also essential when I'm picking up someone at the airport, allowing me to track their flight and monitor any delays.
Hotel Tonight
HotelTonight
HotelTonight is my favorite app for last-minute discounted hotels on same-night accommodations. You can search the app by category and hotel quality. While it made its name with true last-minute hotel reservations, which is still its strong suit, you can also use it to book hotel further out, from a week to months. It now works with a large number of domestic and international cities, from Boston to Berlin. You can search hotels by city but also by name, and bookmark favorites. The hotels are ranked under such headings as basic, solid, luxe and crashpad. There's also "The Daily Drop," which reveals a hotel with a lower than usual sale price but give you just 15 minute to book.
MyTSA
The MyTSA App can mean the difference between making your flight or not. It can also help you decide just how early you need to get to the airport. The app allows you to check the wait time at the TSA gate at airports around the country. You can check how busy the airport is likely to be on a specific day and time of day, based on historical data. Better yet, it offers live, crowdsourced estimates by other MyTSA users of wait times. There's also a searchable database of items that are permitted and forbidden in carry-on bags.
PackPoint
If packing seems life a half forgotten exercise, check out PackPoint. The app tells you what to bring based on your destination, the length of your trip, the weather at your destination and any activities you intend to do when you get there. Maybe you have a day of hiking, work, or the ultimate — traveling with a baby — to consider. You can even set PackPoint to factor in washing your clothes at your destination and wearing them again. If you're in a rush, it's a great way to remember to pack such small but essential items as ear plugs, vitamins, and business cards.
WhatsApp, which has been around since 2009, is a common way for Europeans and Asians communicate both at home and abroad. It was developed in the US and is now owned by Facebook yet many Americans have never used it. That's too bad, because this free messenger service is one of the best ways to communicate and stay in touch while you're traveling. It's a breeze to use, especially if you're heading overseas. The app uses an internet connection so you can make calls, send and receive messages, and even share photos and videos. Ease of use aside, its best feature is that it allows you to avoid traditional cellular calling charges.
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