Hi Reader,

Our phones have become one of our most useful travel tools. The right apps help us monitor flights, organize reservations, navigate new places, and communicate when we don’t speak the local language.

Here are five travel apps we use on almost every trip, plus three bonus apps worth downloading.

Five Travel Apps We Use on Almost Every Trip

1. Flighty

Flighty is my favorite app for monitoring flights. It’s often the first to notify me about schedule changes, delays, and cancellations. Sometimes, I receive the Flighty notification before the airline tells me anything.

I also download the official app for every airline we’re flying. Airline apps remain important for checking in, accessing mobile boarding passes and making changes.

The same goes for hotel apps. They help view reservations, check in, and communicate with the hotel.

2. TripIt and Wanderlog

I use both TripIt and Wanderlog to plan and organize our trips, but they serve slightly different purposes.

TripIt keeps our major reservations in one itinerary, including flights, hotels, rental cars and tours. It’s especially helpful when we’re traveling through several cities or countries.

Wanderlog works well for detailed daily planning. I use it to organize attractions, restaurants and other places we may want to visit. Seeing everything on a map also helps me create a more realistic itinerary.

You probably don’t need both apps for a simple trip. However, I find the combination valuable when planning one of our more complicated international adventures.

3. Google Maps

Google Maps is a must for navigating unfamiliar destinations, finding restaurants, and saving places we want to visit.

Before an international trip, download offline maps for each destination. You should also do this when visiting national parks, islands, or rural areas where cell service may be limited.

Downloading the maps before leaving home means you can still get directions when your phone doesn’t have a reliable connection.

4. Google Translate

Google Translate is another must when visiting a destination where English isn’t the primary language.

It can help translate menus, signs, and conversations. The camera translation feature is especially useful when you need to understand written information quickly.

Google Translate has helped us through some challenging situations. During a group trip to Rio de Janeiro, Gary’s luggage was left behind at the airport. Being able to translate information made communicating and solving the problem much easier.

Download the language you’ll need before your trip so you can use key translation features offline.

5. WhatsApp

International tour companies, guides and drivers frequently use WhatsApp to communicate with travelers.

We’ve used it to confirm meeting locations, ask questions and receive last-minute updates from tour operators. It’s particularly helpful when you need to contact someone without making an international phone call.

Install WhatsApp before leaving home and make sure it’s connected to the phone number you’ll use while traveling.

Three Bonus Travel Apps Worth Downloading

LoungeReview

LoungeReview helps you find airport lounges and determine which ones you may be able to access.

Business-class and first-class tickets often include lounge access. Certain credit cards and lounge memberships may also provide complimentary entry.

Before leaving home, sync the app and review the airports on your itinerary. Knowing your lounge options in advance can make a long layover much more comfortable.

Flush

Finding a public restroom isn’t always easy, especially when exploring an unfamiliar city.

Flush helps locate nearby public restrooms. It’s a simple app, but it can be surprisingly valuable during a full day of sightseeing.

Shaka Guide

Shaka Guide is our favorite app for self-guided driving tours in Hawaii. It uses GPS to provide directions, stories, and information as you drive.

We’ve used it to explore the islands at our own pace without joining a traditional group tour. Shaka Guide also offers tours for several national parks and other destinations.

Download your tour before leaving your hotel or rental property. Cell service can be spotty in remote areas, particularly along scenic routes in Hawaii.

​Explore Shaka Guide self-driving tours​

What to Download Before Leaving Home

Don’t wait until you arrive at your destination to set everything up.

Before your trip:

• Install every app you plan to use
• Download offline Google Maps
• Download Google Translate languages
• Download your Shaka Guide tours
• Add your flights to Flighty
• Sync your latest travel details
• Sign in to airline and hotel apps
• Confirm that WhatsApp works with your phone number
• Save reservations in TripIt or Wanderlog

A little preparation at home can save time, data, and frustration once your trip begins.

Travel Product We Use

Multi-Port Charging Cable

A multi-port charging cable has become one of my favorite travel accessories. It’s particularly useful in rental cars, on airplanes, and in hotel rooms with limited outlets.

One cable can charge several types of devices, which means we don’t need to keep track of as many separate cords.

​See the multi-port charging cable we use​

Free Travel App Resource

Want even more ideas? Download my free list of 10 game-changing travel apps you may not have heard of.

​Get the free travel apps list​

Which travel app do you use most often? Hit reply and let me know. I’m always looking for another app that makes traveling easier.

Until next time,

Melodie
​Travel Must Do's​

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