Even if you’re trying to unplug on your trip, there’s always a reason to make an exception. These apps help take the hassle out of the journey, alert you to local haunts, and can even save you money.
We know there are a zillion travel apps to choose from and—surprisingly—no app to help you do the choosing. This is where a little crowdsourcing came in: We asked our Kimpton fans on Twitter and Facebook to share which travel apps they can’t live without. Out of countless guides, navigational tools, search engines, and organizational resources, many of you were raving about these six:
FLIO
Your time at the airport can fly by when you use FLIO, which has guides to more than 200 airports around the world. There are no more wild guesses on which airport sushi you can trust, or where you can get in a last minute phone charge before boarding. The app gives you reviews and maps of restaurants, bathrooms, power outlet locationsand various ground transport options. Plus, FLIO automatically connects you with the airport’s official WiFi (a cybersecurity plus!), and even provides discounts at airport vendors like lounges and duty-free shops.
TripIt
Like a travel agent in your pocket, this organizational app keeps all of your online ressies in one place. Just forward your email flight confirmations, restaurant and hotel reservationsand more; TripIt pulls it all together into a complete itinerary for each of your trips and alerts you in real time to any schedule changes. As TripIt puts it: It’s “automagical!” If you love perks, (and we know most Kimpton Karma* members do), you can upgrade your TripIt subscription for an annual fee of $49. The upgraded app shows you alternate flights, open seat availabilities, and tracks your reward-program points and miles in one spot. (An ad-free version of the app is also available for just $.99.)
Rome2rio
Whether you’re navigating a long-haul flight from Finland to Bora Bora, or a quick jaunt from Sedona to Portland, Rome2rio’s search engine will tell you how to get there, how long it will take, and how much it will cost. Planes, trains and automobiles is an understatement, this app gives you flight, train, bus, ferry, mass transit, driving, and combination options to help you find something within your budget and schedule. Though Rome2rio is not yet available on Android, the website is optimized for phone and tablet use.
Waze
You always take the fastest route from point A to point B at home, so why take the road most traveled (AKA the one with the heaviest traffic) on a trip? Navigation app Waze gives you real-time traffic updates and direction input from fellow commuters that will help you discover the locals’ secret routes.
AFAR
Afar magazine is a go-to publication for travel tastemaker insight, so it’s only natural that its app follows suit. Full of insider tips—including city essentials, perfect day guides, 3-day itineraries, and more—the app helps you craft a spetacularly ly hip trip in more than 100 cities around the world. Next time you’re heading to a Kimpton destination, create a travel plan that you can access on the app—even when you’re offline—and share your experiences and photos with others.
Roadside America
Ready for a road trip? You’re not until you download this roadside attraction app. Map out sightseeing detours from more than 12,000 featured attractions and oddities in the United States and Canada. A Roadside America purchase includes a guide for one of seven regions in the United States and Canada; access to other regions can be purchased in app for $1.99, or as a full bundle for $5.99.
— Caila Ball-Dionne
Calia Ball-Dionne is a freelance writer and full-time travel enthusiast. You can find more of her writing at CaliaBall.com
*UPDATE: Kimpton Karma became a part of the award-winning IHG Rewards Club program in 2018. Learn more here.
Room777 app tells you where a room is in a particular hotel…great to see square ft of room, sometimes the view from window, and architecural layout of floors/rooms/elevators,etc. Not all hotels will provide this info or info is obtainable. Also you can book room with this app and still get your hotel points etc
Thanks, Marcy, we appreciate the tip!
Well curated list! I have added a few to my Android. Ahhh Kimpton. The gift that keeps on giving.
Tonya, Inner Circle (I think I just might start introducing myself this way … ya know, just because lol).
We’re so glad the list was helpful, Tonya. Inner Circle members are part of the Kimpton family, so feel free to announce it wherever you go!
I have the first two and they are helpful though at times tripit can be a little laggy with sending me my updated request which isnt a huge deal. great post.
Thanks for the feedback, Jenni, and so glad the post was helpful!
The single biggest life changing travel app for me has been DUFL. I travel 100% of the time for business and it has really changed my life. Check it out. http://www.dufl.com
Had to install Rome2rio. Something to just play around with. Love it.
We just complied a list of great apps if you are coming to Iceland to travel around. Hopefully someone will find it useful.
http://www.rent.is/blog/travel-apps-for-iceland/
Happy travels!
Hi,
Recently I came across this great article on your website (https://www.kimptonhotels.com/blog/your-6-favorite-travel-apps-of-2016/). The other day, I was discussing with my colleagues and they suggested that I should submit an article of my own.
Your site is just perfect for what I have written! Would it be okay to submit an article? It is free of charge, of course!
Let me know what you think. Thank You.
Best Regards,
Anelie Ivanova
(anelie.ivanova93@gmail.com)
Your attention to detail is great
Thanks, Julie! Even the smallest detail can make a huge difference.