9 Best Travel Apps for Your Summer Vacation

Ahhh, summertime…

Sipping a cold beverage…

Relaxing by the pool…

Enjoying a good book…

And last, but not least…a summer vacation for some much needed rest and relaxation!

Before you leave town though, check out the following list of the best travel apps that are certain to make your vacation more fun and less stressful this summer.

Now, who doesn’t want that?

1. TripAdvisor

This could quite possibly be one of the BEST travel apps out there. At a minimum, it could be your “one stop shop” for all things travel.

According to TripAdvisor’s own description, here are a few things you can do with their app…

• “Browse reviews and photos by travelers just like you”
• “Find a great hotel, including TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice winners”
• “Look for tasty restaurants and reserve a table online”
• “Discover cool attractions near any destination”
• “Compare trip airfare and find the best deal”
• “Use the “Near Me Now” feature to discover places near your current location”
• “Get answers to specific travel questions in the forums”
• “Download info for over 300 cities worldwide for free so you can avoid using expensive data roaming plans while you travel”

Not too shabby for a free app, if you ask me!

Available on your iPhone here or on your Android device here.

2. Roadtrippers

Whether flying or driving, the Roadtrippers app can help you find interesting places to visit near your vacation destination or along the way!

When one of the of best travel apps refers to itself as, “The Ultimate U.S. Travel Companion,” you might end up wondering how you ever planned a vacation without it?

Available on your iPhone here or on your Android device here.

3. Packpoint

Now that you’ve figured out where you’re headed and what you plan to do there, it’s time to start packing.

But what on Earth should you bring?

Enter Packpoint, the next app on our list of the best travel apps for your summer vacation.

The app’s slogan pretty much sums it up…

“Never Forget Your ______ Again!”

Now, if it only came with a free assistant to actually do the packing for you…

Available on your iPhone here or on your Android device here.

4. Gas Buddy

So, you’re all packed and ready to go, but you’d like to save a few bucks on fuel…who doesn’t?

Whether you’re going across the country on a road trip or you just want to know the cheapest place to fill up the rental car before returning it to the airport, Gas Buddy can help.

Available on your iPhone here or on your Android device here.

5. Google Translate

Going somewhere a little more exotic this summer? The Google Translate app can help you communicate once you get there.

One great feature is called “Wonder Lens.”

With Wonder Lens, you simply point your camera at a sign or other text and the app will instantly translate it, even without an Internet or data connection.

It’s certainly one of the best travel apps when traveling somewhere that you aren’t fluent in the local language.

Even if foreign travel isn’t on your itinerary this summer though, the Google Translate app may still be worth downloading.

Just imagine, you’ll be the only tourist who can say, “Pardon me, do you have any grey poupon?” in 90 languages!

Available on your iPhone here or on your Android device here.

6. XE Currency Converter

Here’s another one for our international travelers.

With the XE Currency Converter app, you can quickly and easily calculate currency differences between the USD$ and your local currency of choice.

Not only is it helpful to see how far (or not so far!) your dollars will go in your destination country, you’ll also avoid overpaying for that “real” Rolex for sale at the neighborhood market.

Available on your iPhone here or on your Android device here.

7. Entrain

If you’ve ever felt jet-lagged upon arriving at your destination, then this may be one of the best travel apps for your next trip.

Mathematicians at the University of Michigan created Entrain to help you get on the right sleep schedule quickly, so your body can adjust as painlessly as possible to the changes it experiences when traveling across different time zones.

And the best part is that the app’s methods are backed up by proven scientific research into human sleep patterns.

OK, time to go get some zzz’s!

Available on your iPhone here or on your Android device here.

8. Postagram

Let’s say you’re on vacation and having a great time, but you’re thinking about sending a postcard so your loved ones back home know you’re thinking about them.

And if we’re being totally honest…you probably want them to feel a little jealous that you’re on vacation and they’re not.

So, what do you do?

Well, as the late Steve Jobs would say…

“There’s an app for that!”

Available on your iPhone here or on your Android device here.

9. Evernote

Although Evernote isn’t technically a travel app, it’s perfect for keeping track of all the small, but important details about your trip that might otherwise be forgotten the moment you arrive home.

For example, you could choose to record…

• The name of that restaurant with the best steak you’ve ever had
• Directions to that secret waterfall only the locals know about
• The room number you stayed in with that breathtaking view of the ocean

Whether you’re planning on returning to your destination in the future, or you just want to reminisce about your trip a few years down the road, Evernote’s got you covered.

Available on your iPhone here or on your Android device here.

Bon Voyage!

There you have it, the nine best travel apps for your summer vacation!

As you can see by the best travel apps listed above, technology can certainly make our lives easier when planning and enjoying a great vacation.

If you want to check out a few more tips on how to plan the perfect vacation, check out this blog post.

And after that, go relax!

It is summertime after all…isn’t it?