Essential Travel Apps of 2017

I love it when a travel app enhances the travel experience, or better yet, makes traveling a lot let stressful. Here’s a list of essential travel apps of 2017 that I think are getting it right.

Lounge Buddy

I recently learned about Lounge Buddy (not sure why I hadn’t heard about this amazing service before) and I’m excited to use my lounge passes this October during my layover in Frankfurt. Lounge Buddy is an app that helps you find and arrange access to airport lounges across the globe.

The best part is that you don’t need to be a frequent flyer or have a Business Class ticket. Simply search the destination and Lounge Buddy will tell you book your lounge access through them, plus let you read up on reviews and see other travelers’ photos so you know exactly what to expect.

PackPoint

Everyone knows the pains of trying to whittle down the suitcase to just the bare necessities, only to realize you’ve forgotten something crucial when you’re 2,000 feet in the air. PackPoint was designed to help you pack your bags with a curated list of the traveling essentials you don’t want to forget. A few simple questions helps you narrow down your packing based on weather, location, and travel itinerary.

WeatherPro

Weather imposes one of the biggest complications of traveling. The local weather determines what you wear, how you pack, and the likelihood of you needing a layover hotel reservation. For $1.99, WeatherPro offers global satellite and animated radar for the U.S., Australia, and most of Europe. Discover weather reports for over 2 million locations across the globe with the most comprehensive weather app on the market.

Skype

Because Skype has been around since 2003, it definitely feels as if it’s been in existence forever. In fact, if you’re a frequent traveler or work remotely, there’s probably a very strong chance you have used Skype at some point in your life. Besides being free and effective, Skype is primarily used for video chats, phone calls, instant messaging and video conferences. Users can also exchange documents and images with other users. If you have to make a call to a landline, Skype has low rates, usually around 2.3¢ per minute. There’s also a monthly plan starting at $6.99 per month if you make a lot of phone calls internationally.

Discotech

For a LIMITED TIME ONLY: Discotech is giving you a FREE BOTTLE of Champagne with your first table booking! All you have to do is enter the promo code: BUBBLY. This offer is available at select clubs in Los Angeles.  

Google Translate

Google translate is an oldie but a goodie in terms of user-friendliness and its offline and real-time translation capabilities. Download the language you need, and aim the camera at the text you need translated. You’ve got instant translation!

XE Currency

This free tool allows you to quickly calculate currency exchanges with real-time rates. You can trust the accuracy of XE Currency – 5 million users already do. This makes the purchasing process much less stressful since you know how to translate the foreign costs into your own budget. We already use XE’s website all the time, so having the app helps make things a lot easier while traveling.

TripIt

You don’t have to wish everything was just in one place anymore – this app organizes your vacation itinerary, suggests activities according to your schedule, notifies you of delays, and displays your confirmation emails for quick use on the days you need them. This app is free for your smartphone. By making sure that you’re connected to a strong network while using TripIt, you can avoid missing delay notifications and snags with accessing your itinerary, thus ensuring a smooth trip.

Tipulator

When in Rome, you’re expected to do as the Romans do. Tipping is different across the globe; a 10 percent tip is perceived as unnecessary and excessive in Tokyo, while in New York it would be seen as a serious insult to the server. To help you navigate the difficult waters of the worldwide service industry, Tipulator does all the math for you. It allows you to blend in with the locals while you research the common practices of your destination region so you don’t step on a social land mine by mistake.

TravelSafe Pro

When you are in an unknown place, access to emergency numbers is vital. If the unthinkable happens, you don’t want to waste valuable time searching for the right department or phone number. TravelSafe Pro’s potentially life-saving database provides peace of mind with a straightforward and easy-to-navigate interface; simply pick the country and then select the kind of help you need.

While there is no place like home, getting out to see the sights is a great way to relax and grow in your understanding of the world.  We encourage you to let mobile technology help organize your trip and make the most of every minute through convenient travel apps like these.

Do you have any recommendations for essential travel apps? Leave us a comment below!