Planning a summer vacation is no small feat, especially when you have a family. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of top-rated travel apps to help you on your summer adventures! We’ve got every part of the trip covered, from booking a flight to finding the best restaurants. No stress, no hassle. You’ve got this!
First things first, you’ve gotta decide on a destination. Want to hit the beach? Road trip across the U.S.? The possibilities are endless. No matter where you decide to go, make sure you have a smartphone that can keep up with you this summer! Come see us at your local Cellular Sales store and check out our hot summer deals.
Flights, Lodging and Rental Cars… oh my!
Once you decide where you’re going, the next step is getting there… preferably as safely and cost effectively as possible.
Airline tickets can fluctuate in price for several reasons, so it’s hard to know exactly when and where to book a flight to secure the best ticket price. That’s where Hopper comes in.
Hopper is a flight-prediction app that helps you book the flight you need when it’s the cheapest. Just select what airport you’re leaving from, what airport you’d like to fly into, and when you plan to travel, and Hopper will watch those ticket prices across major airlines. You’ll be notified when prices change and receive helpful advice from the app about when to keep waiting for a better price or when to hurry and book now. You can book your flight right through the app, too.
Skiplagged for iOS and Android
Skiplagged is another helpful app that finds you the cheapest flights and hotels that other search engines won’t show you, like hidden-city flights. You can filter flights by duration, number of layovers, takeoff / landing times, and more! You’ll be alerted when fare prices drop and can book right through the app.
If you don’t want to pay outlandish prices for a hotel room, Airbnb is a helpful alternative. Airbnb is a network of local homeowners who host their homes, apartments, and condos for travelers like you, all for a low nightly rate. You can search by price, neighborhood, and amenities and save homes you like to revisit later. Whether you just need a place to sleep in between destinations or want to rent a whole vacation home for your family to enjoy, Airbnb might be a cost-effective option.
If you’re looking to book your flights, hotels, and rental cars all in one place, Kayak is the app to do it. It searches hundreds of other travel sites for the best prices, as well as offers mobile-only rates and private deals. It’s basically a handheld travel assistant. Kayak also notifies you of fare price changes, best times to book, and flight status updates.
Planning on traveling by car this summer? Hum is a great travel companion. Just plug it into your car and access features like 24/7 roadside assistance, maintenance reminders, navigation and more. With the HumX, you can connect up to 10 devices to the built-in Wi-Fi hotspot on Verizon’s award-winning network. Wherever you decide to go this summer, Hum is with you every step of the way.
Let’s Get Ready to Rumble!
Now that your destination has been chosen and your travel arrangements have been booked… time to pack. PackPoint is a free packing planner that helps you organize and prioritize what you’re putting in your suitcase. It makes sure you have what you need based on length of travel, weather at your destination, and any activities you have planned while on your trip. You can even save your list and share it with friends and family, just in case they need some help, too.
Another helpful app to use while packing is the MyTSA app. You can quickly search which items can be brought on an airplane with you and which should be left at home. You can even request live assistance from a TSA agent if you have any pressing questions.
Are We There Yet?
Citymapper for iOS and Android
Now that you’ve finally made it to your summer vacation destination, you might need a little help getting around. Citymapper is the ultimate transit app, connecting you to the fastest bus, subway, train or taxi in your area. It combines all possible transportation options and points you to the fastest route and travel method. Citymapper also sends you real-time departure and delay alerts, so you’ll never miss a train or bus.
If you’re driving yourself or walking, Maps.Me is a useful navigation app that gives you access to maps without needing Wi-Fi access. No matter where you are, you can search locations and follow accurate GPS navigation.
Houston, We Have a Problem…
Sometimes, no matter how much you plan out your vacation, the unexpected happens. The best thing you can do is try to be prepared and stay positive.
If you’ve ever experienced flight delays or cancellations, you can use AirHelp to see if you’re entitled to any compensation from the airline. AirHelp provides legal resources to airline passengers who have experienced flight delays, cancellations and overbookings. They follow your claim with the airline and offer guidance along the way.
Prey Anti Theft for iOS and Android
Unfortunately, theft is also a possibility while on vacation. To better protect your smartphone or tablet, download the Prey Anti Theft app. You can always see the GPS location of your device and remotely set a security lock so intruders can’t go through your phone. You can even set off a security alarm and silently take photos of the thief. This data can be used to help police find your stolen device as soon as possible.
It’s also possible to accidentally get hurt while traveling. That’s when the First Aid app from the American Red Cross can come in handy. This app puts expert advice for everyday emergencies in the palm of your hand and guides you with videos and step-by-step instructions.
