Traveling doesn’t have to be complicated or stressful, especially when you download these top-rated travel apps to your smartphone. When it’s time to plan your next trip, use these expert-recommended apps and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime.
PLEX
Never be bored during your travels with Plex, a streaming service that brings your personal media collection to all your devices. As Brooke Hughes explains, “Plex bundles it all up in one elegant entertainment hub to access from iOS, Android, Windows mobile, streaming devices, smart TVs, and more.” Plex offers 24/7 access to your favorite entertainment and news at an affordable price. According to Hughes, “The Plex app is free, but also offers a premium Plex Pass for features like Live TV, DVR, Mobile sync for offline enjoyment, and more at just $4.99/month.”
A popular communication app, WhatsApp keeps you connected with friends and family at an affordable price. The app was developed as an inexpensive solution to expensive cell phone plans. As Esther Hallmeyer explains, “With WhatsApp, you don’t need to purchase an international phone plan and can avoid racking up outrageous roaming charges.” In fact, many of the features are free or low-cost. According to Hallmeyer, “You can call, video chat, and text anyone for free over Wi-Fi, or via a low-cost data plan, which is much cheaper than international messaging plans.” The app also gives users a more authentic travel experience. “WhatsApp is the perfect way to communicate with locals – no phone plan needed,” she adds.
Travel IQ
Never be stuck without your essentials with Travel IQ, an app that provides users with detailed packing checklists and much more. According to software developer Taj Bates, it has a slew of useful features, including in-depth how-to guides, expert tips from seasoned travelers, and destination guides to major cities. “New tips and guides will be added on the regular; all in an effort to make travel planning and exploring quicker, easier, more Zen and enjoyable for worldly travelers,” he adds.
Mobile Passport
If you’re a frequent flyer, this super useful app is a must-have for your smartphone. As Alexandra Avila explains, “Mobile Passport, which is officially authorized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Airports Council International, lets you speed through customs at 24 airports.” The app is designed to give users a faster and more streamlined experience. “Instead of filling out customs forms with paper and pen, you fill them out in the app and then get to zip through shorter lines designated for Mobile Passport users,” she explains. Download the app for Apple or Android and enjoy VIP status when you breeze through Passport Control.
Maps.Me
Nothing is worse than getting lost in a foreign country. But don’t worry because there’s an app for that. According to Trang Pham-Nguyen, “Maps.me is good for when you get lost or are trying to get somewhere. No Wi-Fi or data is needed. Just make sure to download each country’s map before you get to the country,” she says. “This app saved me when I entered a new country and hopped off the train,” she explains. “It helped me figure out where my hostel was and helped me walk in the right direction.” Download this practical app and always know exactly where you’re headed.
MetroTrac
MetroTrac® eases the biggest pain points of chartering a bus: knowing where your bus is and how to contact the driver on the day of travel. Metropolitan Shuttle®, the leading charter bus reservation service, developed the app so that their customers can track every detail of their upcoming or ongoing trip. “This is a one-of-a-kind app that takes the experience of chartering a bus to the next level,” Glenn Orloff, the CEO of Metropolitan Shuttle®, explains. The app allows customers to log into their account, see their orders, and track their bus’s progress in real time.
