5 Travel Apps That You Need Right Now

Travel can be exhilarating.

It can also be downright stressful.

Sure, deciding to take a vacation to some faraway magical land sounds great, but then you have to book a hotel, find a flight, pack your bags, figure out what you’re going to wear, find Bobby (he’s crawling under the house with the spiders again), ask your neighbors to watch over the dog (and watch over Bobby if he’s still under the house), get through airport security and, finally, suffer on a horse-drawn carriage to that distant village in 100-degree heat while the kids scream that they hate this “unique cultural experience” you planned.

OK, maybe it’s not all that bad, but you get the point: In this hectic world we live in, we need all the help we can get.

Fortunately for you, if you know what an “app” is, you’re headed in the right direction.

And, if you don’t, it’s time to stop traveling around on horse-drawn carriages, plain and simple.

So, without further ado, here are five apps you need now.

PDF Maps (iPhone, Android, free)

Going on a trip to the great beyond soon?

Well, check out PDF Maps then.

Available for iPhone and Android, PDF Maps/Avenza PDF Maps allows users to download maps, and then store them so they can be used with no Internet connection in the great outdoors.

Better yet, you don’t have to worry about roaming charges because the app uses GPS navigation instead of cellular data.

Whether you are camping and hiking, heading out to the open seas, or seeking out historic landmarks, you will not only have a reliable map, you will also have a map that estimates travel time. You can even add points of interest or record your journey with photos.

PDF Maps is the winner of the 2012 Innovation in Mobile Mapping Award from Geospatial World and the 2011 International Map Trade Association "Global Award for Best Map Product Worldwide.”

It has been used by the U.S. Forest Service, firefighters and the Jane Goodall Institute.

My TSA (iPhone, Android, free)

After being named Best Government Mobile App from the American Council for Technology and Industry Advisory Council in March 2011, My TSA continues to be a popular item among travelers.

The app is your one-stop shop for information about the Transportation Security Administration. It educates on carry-on items, checkpoint wait times, airport delays, weather forecasts, ID requirements, liquids rules and more. It even includes a TSA guide on how to make your trip a smooth ride, as well as allowing you to give immediate feedback to the TSA after your checkpoint experience.

A lot can happen between the time you book your flight and the time your plane is due to take off. With My TSA, you have all the important information in the palm of your hand, highlighted by a sleek display.

Foodspotting (iPhone, Android, Blackberry, Windows Phone, free)

Foodspotting searches for restaurants in your area using your phone’s GPS by filtering through different sorts of criteria, including price, the most reviewed, the most popular, price, favorite local spots and more.

The app focuses on the dishes the restaurants offer, so you can find whatever type of food you crave nearby, from dumplings and dosas to cronuts and ramen burgers.

And, best of all, you get to see the food before you head over to the restaurant because it’s powered by users’ photos.

The app has posted a solid cumulative rating, and the latest version (released in February) appears to be getting an even better response. 

Hipmunk (iPhone, Android, free)

You’ve probably heard of the popular Hipmunk app by now, but the latest version is bringing even more to the table.

The app made its name on fast, easy and effective flight and hotel booking. It not only sorts lowest price for users, it also has a criteria that measures the “agony” level of flights (some flights may be cheaper, but they may also include multiple layovers).

The newest version, released on March 12, has added another handy feature. You can now start searching through the app at a coffee shop, save your search, and then pick up right where you left off at home on your desktop (and vice versa). 

Users are responding pleasantly, as well. The new version has received 4.5 out of 5 stars from users on iTunes, concurrent with its rating across all versions.

Plus, that Hipmunk is just so darn cute.

Adventure Friend (Coming soon, platforms and price to be announced) 

Want to go on an adventure?

Want to enjoy it with some fellow travelers?

Want to make friends?

Then the Adventure Friend app may be right up your alley.

With the Adventure Friend app, users create a new adventure, from mountain climbing in the Alps to whitewater rafting in the Rockies to venturing through the wilderness of Patagonia.

Then, users can specify whom they want to be on their “crew” based on demographics and skill sets.

For example, you may want to filter for expert mountaineers if you are looking to go on a climbing expedition to Yosemite.  Just the same, if you want to explore a fast-paced, bustling spot like New York City, you may be best avoiding somebody who has lived in a discrete log cabin his whole life.

Once you have assembled your crew, you have the option of creating a detailed itinerary and planning guide, whether you want to send hotel and flight confirmations directly to the app or “tag” handy products and services on the Internet.

You can even add to your “Places I’ve Been” or your “Bucket List,” inviting everyone to share and discuss travel plans.

Still waiting for someone to join me for an adventure through my garage, though…