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With thousands of travel apps out there, it’s hard to know which ones are worth downloading.  Some can be disappointing (falling tragically short of their intended purpose), while others are simply difficult to use.

After years of trying multiple travel apps, I have a short list of the best travel apps to help you as you plan your next adventure.

TRIPIT

TripIt is the world’s highest-rated travel app, and for good reason!  Simply forward reservations and plans to plans@tripit.com and the app will do the rest!  It conveniently compiles your airline, hotel, and even restaurant reservations into easy to use travel itineraries.  And it doesn’t stop there!  You can even use the app to organize social engagements on your trips, such as weddings and parties!

And, if you choose to upgrade to the paid version, TripIt Pro will do even more to help you stay organized!  It reminds you to check-in, helps you find a better seat, provides baggage claim information, tells you how long security lines are, and helps you navigate the airport with interactive terminal maps.  This app does it all!

GOOGLE MAPS

Google hit another home run with Google Maps.  I use this every time I’m planning a trip, and non-stop while I’m there.  You can mark sights, restaurants, transportation hubs, and accommodations so you’ll never get lost again.  (It’s also a great way to save places on your bucket list for future vacation inspiration.)

Plus, it offers reviews and photos of locations so you can become familiar with where you’re going.  Trying to decide when to leave for your dinner reservation?  This app will route the quickest way to get there, as well as tell you how long it will take by foot, car, train, etc.  Bonus – if you’re driving, this app will help you avoid delays with live traffic updates and automatic re-routes.  In addition, this app is available offline to search and navigate without an internet connection.

Insider tip: with how incredible this app is I know it’s tempting to have it up all the time.  However, because it continues to use GPS in the background, it can quickly drain your battery.  Because of this, I’d recommend completely closing it out when you’re not using it.

GOOGLE TRANSLATE

If you’re noticing a pattern here you’re right – Google should be your new favorite travel buddy.  The mac to your cheese, if you will.  With yet another winner, Google Translate helps you easily decipher text and speech in multiple languages.  Use the camera for quick visual translations (which is awesome when you’re looking at a foreign menu and not up for being surprised by what you order).  You can also speak or type in phrases as another translation option (which give you both written and auditory responses.)  It will then save your last few queries for easy access later.  This is especially helpful if you want to recall key phrases you’ve looked up before (like “where’s the bathroom?”)

Insider tip: when you’re traveling, people appreciate if you at least make an effort to speak in their language.  Even if it’s only a sentence or two before they respond and you look like a deer in headlights.  Use Google Translate to learn a few common phrases while killing time on the plane to avoid looking like yet another obnoxious tourist.

MOBILE PASSPORT

When it comes to convenience, nothing beats Mobile Passport.  Officially authorized by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, this app allows you to speed through customs when returning to the United States at a number of major airports.  Because let’s face it – no one wants to wait in a massive line after a long flight.

It also replaces the traditional blue and white declaration paperwork you’re asked to fill out prior to going through customs.  Simply complete and submit the short mobile questionnaire upon arrival,  get your QR code receipt, and follow the signs to the Mobile Passport Control line (or lack thereof).  Once there, just scan your code when you show your passport to the customs agent and you’re done!  Easy peasy!

To get started, merely upload your passport data by hovering over your passport photo (i.e. the most unattractive picture you’ve ever taken).  The app will then automatically enter the rest of your data for you!  Check it over to ensure accuracy, and you’re ready for your next adventure!

Smart Traveler

The official State Department app for U.S. travelers, Smart Traveler offers easy access to all the information you need about the countries you’re visiting.  This includes visa requirements, safety information, local laws, health considerations, travel alerts, and more.

In addition to the helpful trip planning tools, it also allows easy access to the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).  The free enrollment helps assist you in emergencies such as natural disasters, unrest in foreign countries, or lost/stolen passports overseas.  Plus, it gives your loved ones a way to reach you in case of an emergency.

XE Currency

Get up-to-the-minute exchange rates on all foreign currency so you can easily tell how much things cost when abroad.  Got your eye on a cute sweater in Iceland but it’s 2,739?  (What’s that thing made of, handspun unicorn fur?!?)  Don’t worry, using this app will put your mind at ease when you find out that’s only $25.  Fyew!

It also stores all the latest rates so you can access them even when the internet is unavailable.  It’s able to monitor up to 10 currencies at once, and you can set alerts to let you know when your favorite currencies are especially favorable.

App In The Air

App In The Air is a personal travel assistant in the palm of your hand.  This useful tool keeps track of all your flight details and provides real-time status updates, gate information, maps of airports, and airport tips.

In addition, it creates a profile based on your flights so you can see how many miles you’ve flown and hours you’ve been in the air.  Plus, it provides a map of your travels, how you rank among other jet setters, and the badges you’ve earned.

FlightAware

Track the flight status of any commercial aircraft worldwide with FlightAware (in addition to private and charter aircraft in the U.S. and Canada).  With a real-time map, you can exactly where a plane is along with your complete flight details.  Plus, with push notifications you can receive immediate updates on cancellations, gate changes, delays, and re-routes.

CITYMAPPER

Serving several cities around the globe, Citymapper helps you easily get from Point A to Point B.  Simply enter in your location and desired destination, and this app will tell you every possible way to get there (including convenient sync with Uber).

It shows cost, departure times, and which buses/ trains/ subways to use, making you feel much less like a fish out of water.  Want to walk so you get your steps in for the day?  This app will even count the calories you’re burning!  No wonder it’s been ranked as one of the top apps of the year multiple times in a row!

VISIT A CITY

Visit A City has quickly become one of my favorite apps.  Organized by destination, it helps you plan your trip with 1-7 day itineraries based on your interests.  From must-see attractions, to parks and museums, to kid-friendly places, to food and wine, to something easy going, this app helps plan the perfect vacation.  It also details sights, things to do, local maps, and tips for the areas you’re visiting.  Then it saves your plans for quick reference later.

VIATOR

Rated as one of National Geographic’s “Favorite On The Road Apps,” Viator is a great way to book sights, tours, and activities all over the world (often at discounted prices!)  Ranked and reviewed by fellow travelers, it’s easy to see what’s worth your time and what isn’t.  Not big on planning?  No problem!  Viator’s interactive pinpoint map allows you to find sights and activities near you with on-the-go purchasing.  Want to travel on the cheap?  You got it!

This app also offers a number of free activity ideas.  Hate lines?  So does Viator!  With countless “skip the line” ticket options, you can spend your time sight-seeing instead.  Bonus: once tickets are purchased, paperless vouchers can be transferred to your phone’s Wallet for easy access.  It doesn’t get any simpler than that!

You can also check out their website here.

TRIP ADVISOR

The new Trip Advisor app helps you plan your next adventure.  With reviews, photos, articles, and videos from experts and fellow travelers, you’ll always be in the know.  Whether you’re trying to find a good restaurant, looking for the best place to stay, or wondering what to do when you get there, Trip Advisor has you covered!

Plus, the app allows you to compare airfare, hotel rates, and more so you can always find the best deal!  And with a personalized travel feed, you’ll only see the most relevant content for your individual needs and interests.

POLARSTEPS

If you love travel and photography, you’ll love Polarsteps!  This awesome app tracks your travel routes automatically (even offline), seamlessly transfers your trip photos, and tracks individual travel stats (such as how many countries/continents you’ve been to, the percentage of the world you’ve seen, etc.)

Plus, you can share your adventures with followers, and even order photo albums that include your pictures and travel stats!

SEAT GURU

If you’re wondering which seat to sit in on the plane, wonder no more!  Seat Guru provides a map of your aircraft based on the airline, flight number, and date of travel.  Once a map is pulled up, it tells you which seats don’t recline, which have extra legroom, and which have potentially frustrating features (such as potentially not having space underneath the seat in front of you).

Before you confirm your seat, don’t forget to pull up Seat Guru to discover the best possible seat assignment!

PACKPOINT

Never forget anything again!  Packpoint is the smartest app out there when it comes to packing for your next adventure.  A customizable packing list is created based on your destination’s forecast, the length of your trip, and the activities you have planned while you’re there.  You can even specify if you’ll have access to laundry, or what basic items you’re willing to wear more than once (because let’s be honest, jeans never get dirty and can be worn forever).  Did you come up with an especially brilliant list?  Share it with friends and family so they can use it too!

And there you have it – the best travel apps on the market today!  Each of them better than their competition, and each guaranteed to make your life a little easier.  Because who wants to be fumbling around like a stereotypical tourist when you can breeze through your next vacation like a seasoned pro? Exactly.

What are some of your favorite travel apps?  Comment below, I’d love to hear about them!

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