Meeting planners and event professionals travel a lot… I know, I was at the airport TWICE yesterday dropping colleagues off. One thing that has made travel a little more tolerable for us event folk are our mobile devices and the apps that go with them.
A couple of weeks ago, I decided to round up a few of the apps that I use and realized that just because an app is good for me, it might not be good for you…. so I asked some colleagues, friends, and other assorted crazy people to share their favorites as well.
I ended up with like 100 apps and have narrowed it down to these 35. Some are free, some are paid, and because I am device agnostic and use both iOS and Android, I have listed the link to each app store where applicable and have thrown in an image or two here and there to spice it up.
Have fun, if anything, this list is a good time killer!
Getting Ready
Packing Pro ($2.99)
This app kicks packing’s ass. Lay out all of your trips and what you will need fom clothing to accessories. I have even started to include last minute event related items that I might forget (badge stock, etc).
Getting There
Expedia (Free)
If you use Expedia to book your travel, you should probably use their app.
Hipmunk (Free)
- iOS
- Android
Hipmunk is an awesome way to look for fares because it compares all the top travel sites in one pass.
Orbitz (Free)
- All Platforms
Yeah, yeah, book flights, and rental cars without ever leaving the app…. yada, yada. This one is like Expedia. If you use them to book your travel, get their app.
Kayak (Free)
This one is a lot like Hipmunk, compares all of the travel sites for the best deal. This one was also recommended to me by three different people so odds are, it is pretty good.
TripIt (Basic Free, Premium $49 per year)
Organize your travel plans in one place, just forward your travel confirmation emails to the app and TripIt creates a detailed itinerary for every trip.
SkyScanner (Free)
Skyscanner is a flexible and powerful flight search app that compares flights and prices…. the usual stuff from a thousand different apps. People like this one.
FlightTrack (Free)
- iOS
- Android
You can manage your flights with this real-time update app that has zoomable maps. Includes info on gates, delays and cancellations so you can look at alternatives when the weather is wonky… I like it.
GateGuru (Free)
- iOS
- Android
GateGuru kinda rocks because it shows you what is around your gate at a ton of airports around the world and includes food, shops, and services.
Staying Awake
JetLag Genie ($2.99)
All Platforms
Apparently Jetlag Genie helps you conquer jetlag before you ever leave on your trip. I am not too sure, but it was recommended…. you could do this on your own you know.
Expenses and Buying Stuff
Expensify (Free App, Service $$)
Track expenses, snap pictures of receipts, and create expense reports all from your mobile. Love this app.
XE Currency (Free)
If you need a free currency calculator app, look no further. It works.
Documenting The Trip
Instagram (Free)
If you are not sure what Instagram is, you live under a rock…. or at least somewhere where there are no interwebs.
Camera+ (Starts with Free)
I love Camera+. Use it all the time on my iPhone. It really does capture awesome images and allows you to edit them right away.
Getting Around Town
Uber (Free)
You need this app. Now. Basically, the app will get you a town-car or limo at a moments notice for about the same cost as a Taxi… and you get the fare quote in the app before you book.
AllSubway Pro ($0.99)
I jump public transportation wherever I can, in many cities, it is faster than a car. I use the iPad version.
Eat, Drink, See Stuff
Google Maps (Free)
After Apple had their freaking map meltdown with iOS 5, I switched to Google Maps and have not looked back. Turn by turn directions from a company that knows where they are going is awesome. You can also search for stuff in the app and then get directions.
Gogobot (Free) UPDATE – Now called Trip
- iOS
- Android
Gogobot’s travel guide is an interesting way to discover cool places.
TripAdvisor City Guides (Free)
- iOS
- Android (not a thing anymore)
TripAdvisor. Enough Said.
Tripomatic (Free)
Cool way to plan a trip….
Viator (Free)
Over 15,000 tours & activities all over the world…
Around Me (Free)
Choose the nearest Bank, Bar, Gas Station, Hospital, Hotel, Movie Theatre, Restaurant, Supermarket.. pretty much anything.
Foodspotting (Free)
- iOS
- Android
Foodspotting is a visual guide to good food and where to find it. Instead of reviewing restaurants, you can recommend dishes and see what foodspotters, friends and experts recommend wherever you go. Meeting Planners see a lot of cities, now you can see the food before you go…. OK, I get it….. But.
AwayFind (Pricing Varies)
This is cool. Only puts through emails from people that are in a cleared list so you are not always checking email. Have not tried but two crazy people I know swear by it, they LOVE it.
OpenTable (Free)
OpenTable lets you make reservations at over 20,000 restaurants in the US, Canada, and Mexico. Easy, useful.
MenuPages (Free)
- iOS
- Android
Get up-to-date restaurant menus and reviews in New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Boston, Washington, D.C. and South Florida.
Yelp (Free)
You probably already Yelp. If not, it is a review site for restaurants, services, etc. Pretty much everyone has this app (I am not a fan).
Communicating
Vocre ($4.99)
Vocre Translate is a TechCrunch Disrupt & LAUNCH Festival award winning app that uses your voice to communicate with others – no matter the language they speak – making multi-language conversations possible, in real-time… so say they. Does it work? My peeps say yes.
Word Lens (Free)
- iOS
- Android
I do not know how this works (well, I kinda do) but it does. Take a pic with your phone, it translates.
Google Translate
Translation. By Google. It works.
Skype
This is another one of those products that most people use on their computer but never think to get the app. Get the app if you travel, it makes phoning home easy and free.
Uh-Oh
Help Call ($2.99)
iOS
Make emergency calls from your current world location… can you say cool.
Pocket First Aid & CPR ($1.99)
- iOS
- Android (gone from Google Play)
CPR, Choking, other ailments…. get the app if you travel. It is handy and worth every penny.
Music and Fun
Pandora (Free and more)
Pandora is so good I paid for a subscription so I don’t have commercials or time limits. I hate that other app thing… Spotify… it sounds like a stain remover.
Zombie Gunship
You fly. You must pass the time. Why not kill zombies from above? This game is addicting and my favorite way to blow off steam while sitting on a plane.
So now I toss it to you – What are your favorite apps for travel?
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