The travel industry generates billions of dollars every year, which means it is big business. But while leather laptop cases and travel pillows may serve a purpose, what people really need is practical assistance with their travel plans. This is where modern technology comes into play, specifically the mobile revolution.
Mobile applications make it possible to do everything from manage exercise routines to test the pH level of a home swimming pool – and they can also facilitate travel for business or pleasure. So with that in mind, here are some mobile apps that make travel easier.
Flight Aware – free, iOS/Android
No frequent flier with a smartphone in hand should ever be without a good flight tracker. Flight Aware offers real-time tracking that shows the exact location of any commercial flight in the world. Users can track flights based on a number of criteria, including airline, flight number, route, city or airport code. It also provides info on flight delays and cancelations as well as push notifications for flight alerts.
Frommer’s Travel Tools – free, iOS
This virtual travel assistant forgoes any single focus in favor of a host of travel tools are geared to help the frequent travelers out in a pinch. The app features a currency converter with a database of 170 currencies as well as a unit converter that converts temperatures, volume and weight. Frommer’s Travel Tools also comes with various city guides, virtual postcards, a packing list and even a tipping calculator.
Gate Guru – free, iOS/Android/Windows Phone
These days, modern airports are almost as much shopping centers as they are terminals for airplanes. In many of the bigger hubs, travelers have dozens of dining and shopping options and the sheer amount of variety can make selection a chore. Gate Guru provides shopping and dining info for airports across the globe. That means users on layover who want to know if there is halfway decent Italian food at the airport merely need to input the requisite info and a list of options appears. The app now offers the ability to make car rental reservations as well as track miles.
Taxi Magic – free, iOS/Android
Those who aren’t planning on renting a car while traveling would do well to download this app. Taxi Magic provides relevant rates and info on taxis in cities throughout the world. The real benefit is that Taxi Magic allows the user to book and pay for the taxi right from the app.
TripIt – free, iOS/Android/BlackBerry/Windows Phone
The Internet has done wonders for travelers in the form of eliminating the need for paper reservations and receipts. That said, those who travel often likely find their email inboxes filled to the brim with digital confirmations, reservations, itineraries and receipts. TripIt consolidates all of this information in one place, so users don’t have to go rummaging through their email accounts in order to find out just when that flight is leaving. On top of keeping track of air, hotel and car-rental info, it also organizes appointments and meal receipts.
Of course, there are many travel-related apps on the market. That said, these five options should provide those who spend much time in the air with all the tools they need to make their journey a successful and efficient one.
Scott Johnson is a travel writer who blogs for companies like Protectyourbubble.com, an affordable rental car insurance brand Protect Your Bubble.
