Top 6 Travel Apps for the Savvy Traveler

Traveling hasn’t always been considered the easiest of tasks. It can be downright frustrating arriving at the airport with your carry on backpack and your entire travel luggage in tow. Then realizing you still have to stand in line to print your boarding pass, check your travel luggage in, go through TSA and then find your gate. Utterly exhausting, right?

That’s why it’s so comforting to know that technology is now changing and simplifying the way we travel. Southwest and American airlines are just a few airlines that now only require you to simply scan or present your mobile boarding pass on your smartphone. It enables you to check in one hour before your scheduled departure and scan in at airport security checkpoints as well as your gate.

Here is a list of 6 top rated, free and helpful travel apps.

TripIt

Do away with expensive travel agents and use this handy travel organizer instead. TripIt allows you to plan every detail of your trip (flights, train tickets, car rentals, restaurants, hotels and more). Forward your confirmation emails to TripIt and watch in amazement as your custom made itinerary is constructed in chronological order for you. The app even allows you to make changes manually as well as automatically syncs travel plans to your calendar.

Airbnb

Airbnb has over 1,000,000 rental listings worldwide. This app is perfect for travelers looking to find accommodations. Rental options range from tents, sofas, rooms, apartments, cabins and even castles! For one bag travelers and backpackers, affordable accommodations can easily be found for just a few dollars a day depending on the location.

XE Currency Exchange

Attempting to figure out currency exchange rates is always confusing and frustrating when traveling. Simplify your life by downloading their trusty and reliable app. Not only does it allow you to select a home currency, XE also updates rates and saves enough data to do so without even needing a data connection.

My TSA

The My TSA app can be pretty handy for those traveling through the United States. The app gives a plethora of helpful information such as rules and regulations, security checkpoint tips and what you can and can’t pack in your carry on backpack and travel luggage.

Skype

It’s absolutely insane how quickly cell phone charges start to rack up when traveling. Avoid those international charges by using Skype’s app. The app routes calls over a Wi-Fi network for as low as 1 cent per minute but call’s being placed to other users with Skype accounts are free of charge.

Google Translate

The Google Translate app comes with an easy to use “Conversation mode”. This mode can be extremely helpful for travelers as it is able to translate conversations between two people speaking different languages.