18 Must-Have Travel Apps

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My smart phone is my trusty BFF, always there when I need comfort, entertainment and information. Thoughtful geeks are working away making our phones the most useful travel companion you can have.

Mobile apps are in constantly evolution. In 2015, APIs (application programming interfaces) will increasingly enable complementary services to talk to one another, built in payment functions are on the uptick and room key phone check ins are now just a swipe away.  Here are some of my favorite and most invaluable from the multitudes of apps available.

Getting to your destination

Skyscanner is smart and reliable, making it the dominant booking app. It enables you to compare the price of air tickets, hotels and rental cars in each location.

Hipmunk provides a similar service with a more budget focus and it also lists AirBnB and HomeAway accommodation choices.

Kayak Pro comes at a small cost but it also includes flight tracking, local tours and attractions and an invaluable airport map layout of major airports.

Tripit has an efficient interface allowing you to organize your itineraries from email confirmations in your email accounting, keeping you on track without bothersome searches.

Time travel

One of my personal favorite apps is JetLag Genie, which slowly orientates you to a new time zone by gently altering your sleep times before you go. Just give Genie your dates and destination and let it do its work.

The Perfect World Clock is another favorite of the numerically challenged among us. No more counting backwards or forwards to find the “real time.” This app will provide you with access to the correct time wherever you are.

Transport

Uber is operating in over a 100 countries and allows you to avoid queues and effortlessly order up a taxi from the airport. It also has a built-in payment function which is extremely useful.

HopStop on iOS has mainly North American coverage. It lists nearby stations with timetables and routes for public transport users as well as customized routes for taxis, hire cars, bikes and pedestrians.

Wish you were here

Instagram creates instant postcards for friends, family and the world at large.

It not only keeps everyone in your vacation loop but it is also a way of creating and receiving tips and recommendations from its 300+ million users.

Pinterest is a cool way to publish pictures and information about your travels.

iMovie on iOS frees up the documentarian in you, so that a good high quality home movie can be made and posted as you go.

Don’t go hungry

Hard to go past ubiquitous Yelp with its handy budget focus and mix of user reviews.

OpenTable offers more upmarket dining options, putting you in touch with local restaurants listing available reservation times and allowing you to book directly. It is also Apple pay-enabled in the U.S. It will soon be linked as an API to GoogleMap so you can be directed to a nearby empty seat at the restaurant of your choice.

Just plain useful

If you need to work on the go then Air Sharing on iOS is a hard drive in your pocket. It enables you to access documents without a flash drive or laptop.

Another timesaving app for deadlines is the Wi-Fi Finder which lets you know the closest hotspot in any city.

Pin Pin ATM finder also is a little timesaver and operates in over 200 countries so you are able to locate the nearest ATM as quickly as possible.

Found in translation

In the pipeline is the develop of a mobile Skype translator tool giving simultaneous translations in two languages.

An older app but a good one myLanguage free translator with a wide database

istone is a cute electronic phrase book.

So travel in the Mobile Age, just go so much more efficient, freeing you up to enjoy the experience. But remember keep hold of your trusty phone pal as tightly as you can and download Lookout just to be sure.