Best Travel Apps by Jacqueline Villamil
Fellow Road Warriors,
As we grow into a more technologically advanced society, relying on your smart phone has become a way of life. It’s hard to think about the times when we had to scrounge for a quarter and find a pay phone, or pull out that folding map to try and navigate the most basic of routes. And we won’t even begin to talk about the pager era.
Although the ever-changing technology can be overwhelming and daunting at times, the opportunities and accessibility for information are boundless and have made traveling a breeze, and journeying into the unknown a walk in the park. From workouts to food, and photos to apps that help you navigate, I’m constantly on the hunt to discover the newsest apps that make life on the road a little easier.
My Current Hit List for Best Travel Apps:
Workout Apps
- Aaptiv: Great work out app, it’s the most comprehensive of all the ones I have – I can pick what I want to do based on my mood and my energy level; choices range from treadmill, elliptical, indoor cycling, stair climber, meditation, yoga and training for 5 or 10K races.
- MindBody: Great app to locate gyms or yoga studios in advance to getting to your assignment location – they list introductory deals so you can test a place before getting a 4 week membership or however long your assignment is.
- Evolve: Functional fitness app – If cardio is not your thing, and you want to get a great work out in 20-30 minutes in the hotel gym or even your own room, this is the app for you.
- Class Pass: A fitness membership that gives you access to a variety of workouts regardless of the city you are in. Perfect for those who constantly travel and like to try new fitness trends.
Food Apps
- Happy Cow: As a vegetarian, this app tells me what restaurants and markets are near me where I can find places to eat that meet my dietary restrictions – it even works in Mexico!
- Grab: If you’ve only got a few minutes for a meal before boarding a flight, Grab will let you look at airport restaurant menus ahead of time, map them in the terminal, and in some locations order in advance and pick up your food on the way to the gate.
Photo Apps
- BeCasso: This is the latest app for the photos I take while I am playing tourist when I am on assignment. As the app describes itself “it turns your photos into works of art”.
Navigate
- SoloTraveller: If you’re hitting the road alone and looking to connect with like-minded people, use this app to plan sightseeing excursions, meals, and taxi shares with other travelers.
- Sidekix: This urban route planner will help you find the best walking path to get somewhere based on your interests. Looking for a trendy, sidewalk cafe for a lunch on your way to an art museum? The app is filled with curated suggestions from in-the-know locals.
- App In the Air: It will keep you updated about flight status – even if you don’t have internet coverage – and helps you manage your time at the airport, breaking down each flight into four stages; check in, boarding, takeoff and landing time.
I would love to hear from you. What are some of your favorite apps for when you travel?