While travel can be a way to disconnect and get away from the hustle and bustle of modern life, there’s no denying that technology can make vacations a whole lot easier. From planning and packing your bags to navigating unfamiliar locations, there are a whole bunch of tools available for your smartphone that can turbocharge your vacation experience, making travel more enjoyable and less stressful.
Whether you are sailing from Tampa or Miami to the Caribbean Sea or flying down to a luxury Mexican resort, here are some of the best apps that give you the power to control and enhance your travel experience from the palm of your hand.
TripIt: Your Ultimate Travel Organizer
If the thought of planning a trip leaves you in a cold sweat, then get on TripIt. This incredibly user-friendly app makes the entire vacation planning process simple, bringing together everything in one place, from flights and car rentals to hotel bookings and even restaurants. All you have to do is forward your booking confirmation emails to TripIt, and the app will automatically sort and organize your plans, creating an itinerary and giving you great oversight of the entire trip. It also keeps you up to date with any changes, and even stays on top of any reward points you might earn!
Almost everyone these days knows about Google Maps, and it is without a doubt a wonderful navigation tool. But for the smart traveler, it is so much more than that.
Due to its wonderful community of local experts and engaged reviewers, Google Maps is one of the best recommendation sites around, providing superb information on almost every amenity you could hope to find. From restaurants and attractions to public transport, gas, and even ATMs and wifi hotspots, Google has your back. It is also a great way to relive your trips through the Timeline function, helping you literally retrace your steps.
Duolingo: Language Learning on the Go
Nothing gives your vacation a boost like being able to exchange a few words or phrases in the local language. Just making the effort makes a great impression, and will generate enormous goodwill, as well as making your trip smoother and more interesting. Duolingo is probably the most popular and easiest language-learning app, offering a quick and fun way to give your linguistic skills a boost and making it easier to communicate, get around, and find amazing local secrets and hidden gems.
Hopper: Smart Flight and Hotel Booking
If you want to find better deals on flights and hotels, then turn to Hopper. This powerful app analyzes billions of prices every day and gives you incredible insight into how to find the best deals, from little-known routes or alternative destinations to when to book to get a cheaper price.
It will notify you when prices drop on your favored destination and is a great way to make your vacations more affordable.
PackPoint: Your Personal Packing Assistant
It might seem weird to recommend an app to help you pack, but PackPoint is a great way to simplify the packing process. By creating customized packing lists based on your destination, when you are going, and what you plan to do, PackPoint ensures that you don’t forget essential items, and ensures that you are ready for everything.
In the increasingly digital age in which we live, there are apps for everything. And while you might want to disconnect from technology when you travel, using the available tools to make planning your trip easier is a great way to enhance your experience. From planning and packing to learning the language, the apps above will make your trip an unforgettable adventure.