Travel Apptitude: Best Apps For Planning Your Trip
Photo Credit: Apple App Store
Minube
Price: Free
Available In App Store
Available In Google Play
Before you start planning anything you have to decide where you want to go. That's where Minube comes in. Minube is a free app that features user-created guides to places all over the world. Browse through brilliant photo galleries and read through detailed plans of where to go and what to see in each location. When you find a location you like you can download the corresponding guide to your tablet or smartphone and take it with you wherever you go regardless of internet availability.
Photo Credit: Apple App Store
TripIt
Price: Free With Ads Or $0.99 With No Ads
Available In App Store
Available In Google Play
Now that you've got your destination selected, it's time to start creating an itinerary. TripIT is like a personal assistant in the palm of your hand. There are two versions of TripIt. With the basic free version travelers can forward all of their confirmation emails to plans@tripit.com. Once the app receives a confirmation email it automatically uploads all important information to your personalized itinerary for viewing anytime with or without internet.
TripIt Pro features the itinerary feature of basic TripIt plus real time alerts for delays, flight cancellations, available flight refunds and will even inform you when the specific seat you want opens up on a plane. TripIt Pro users can also share their itinerary with those in their inner cirlce and are eligible for VIP benefits from TripIt partners.
Photo Credit: Apple App Store
WeatherPro
Price: $2.99
Available In App Store
Available In Google Play
You've got your destination set and the itinerary is made, next up is preparing for the weather. WeatherPro was developed by Europe's largest independent weather company and features over two million locations worldwide. WeatherPro provides detailed weather forecasts up to seven days in advance featuring temperature, air pressure, humidity, wind speed, wind direction and the probability of if and how much precipitation will fall. You can select an unlimited number of locations to keep track of in addition to an automated "my location" update so you will always know what's ahead where you are and where you're going.
Photo Credit: Apple App Store
Packing Pro
Price: $2.99
Available In App Store
Not Available In Google Play
Once everything is planned out and you know exactly what you're going to need, you still have to pack it all up. Packing Pro is an app that makes sure nothing you need gets left behind. Create lists of items to pack within the app for each member of the group and share them amongst all compatible devices. Packing Pro also offers premade sample lists based on what kind of travel you are embarking on. Couples, families, business trips and campers all have their own sample lists to choose from. The app will even provide you with a "packing assistant" by suggesting items based on criteria like the number of children you take with you, the temperature of where you're going and the availability of clothes washing services.
Photo Credit: Apple App Store
XE Currency
Price: Free
Available In App Store
Available In Google Play
At this point you've got almost everything nailed down, but what about that pesky conversion rate? XE Currency takes the guess work out of figuring out how your money will convert by displaying live exchange rates for every single currency on the planet. To find out how much a specific purchase will set you back, the app also includes a free currency calculator. You can even check out historical charts and track the ebbs and flows of currency rates through history.
