Free Travel Apps To Make Getting Away A Breeze

“Travel season is nearly upon us. Get these great apps so you’ll be smokin’ on your vacation with great solutions to common travel troubles!”

If you have planned or are currently planning a vacation, you know that regardless of whether you’re scheming up a romantic getaway, a road trip with your friends, or a solo excursion for some “me” time, arranging all of the details ahead of time can seem to be a nearly impossible task. Thanks to smartphones, however, a lot of the stress of a trip can be headed off with some clever (and free!) apps so that you can arrive at your destination while avoiding some of those notorious bumps in the road, so to speak. Check out these free travel apps for iphone that can help to make your next vacation fun and headache-free.

TripIt

Not a detail person? No worries. Download the TripIt app, and your getaway will be painlessly organized. This genius app allows you to simply forward all of your travel-related emails to TripIt and have them automatically compiled into a master itinerary that handles all the details – scheduling, maps and directions, flight information, restaurant reservations, and more. You can also easily add your own comments and tweak the itinerary to make sure all your ducks are in a row before you even leave for the airport.

GateGuru

You have a long layover in a gigantic airport, and your tummy starts rumbling. We’ve all been there, and we all know what that means – you’re going to spend a lot of time and energy walking around the airport looking for something to satisfy your tummy without breaking the bank. Add in the heavy luggage you’re toting around with you, and this is not a pleasant experience. The good news, however, is that the GateGuru app can save you all that time and trouble. With GateGuru you can look up restaurants, view your TripIt itinerary, peruse an airport map, and even check the wait times at airport security.

GasBuddy

When you’re in an unfamiliar place, finding gas at a reasonable price can be frustrating, especially when you’re in the boondocks with less than a quarter tank of gas and you have a sinking feeling that you just passed the last gas station that you are destined to see for miles. With GasBuddy, you can prevent this from happening. Look up gas stations near you and find the best prices. You can even earn points toward a giveaway.

Wifi Finder

Much like searching for gas, searching for free Wi-Fi can be a headache. Check out the Wifi Finder app, available for Android or iPhone. Look up hotspots by location, provider, or free vs. paid, and get directions to the hotspot of your choice. You can even download the directory for offline use so that you don’t have to use precious data in order to locate a hotspot.

Yelp

Once you’ve arrived at your destination, finding something to do is a breeze with Yelp. This useful app helps you find local businesses so that you know where the best spots are for eating, playing, and relaxing while traveling. You can read reviews, make dinner reservations, and get directions – all from your smartphone. No more aimless driving around, looking for the best place to get a real Philly cheesesteak or authentic Mexican food.

Paul Moore does a bit of travel in his own work with a Minot, ND Hyatt House, assisting people in finding short and long term stays in a boom town economy.