1. FlightTrack Pro
If you're traveling by air, you want this app, which tracks departure and arrival information, gate numbers, flight changes, delays and other must-know tidbits for your trip. Should your flight get canceled, the app will help you find an alternate itinerary to book.FlightTrack Pro also offers complete international compatibility for trips out of the country.
Cost: $9.99
2. GasBuddy
We all have our favorite local gas spots, where we know prices are guaranteed to be low. But what about when you're in an area with a totally different range of gas prices? GasBuddy helps you find the cheapest gas near you.Cost: FREE
3. HearPlanet
HearPlanet is akin to having a knowledgeable local in your pocket at all times. The app turns your iPhone into an audio tour guide. Learn about your surroundings just about anywhere — the app includes some 300,000 locations around the globe.Cost: $2.99
4. OffMaps 2
If you rely on your iPhone's native Maps app to navigate, you could find yourself in a bind with roaming data. OffMaps 2 lets you download and save maps for offline browsing. The app even bookmarks your locations.Cost: $0.99 for the first two maps; $5.99 for unlimited maps.
5. Packing Pro
If you're the type of person who always forgets something important, this app may be worth the small investment. Packing Pro has recommended lists for all sorts of trips. Plus, save lists from previous itineraries.Cost: $2.99
6. Phöne Tracker
If you're traveling in a group that likes to split up — or you have kids you're worried about losing — use Phöne Tracker to monitor where your travel companions are at all times. The app turns your iPhone into a GPS, visible to whomever you authorize.The downside: Many reviewers say it eats up battery life quickly.
Cost: $2.99
7. Photosynth
Share interactive, panoramic images of your travels with friends and family back home. This app stitches together your photos, and lets you scroll both from left to right and up and down.Cost: FREE
8. Postagram
Snail mail notes and postcards still have their appeal. Try sending Postagrams, which turn your smartphone photography into real postcards.Cost: FREE, but each postcard costs $0.99.
9. SitOrSquat
For when you really need a bathroom, and can't seem to find a store to creep into unnoticed. If there are several nearby options, read reviews for individual toilet facilities.Cost: FREE
10. Skype Wi-Fi
If you hate constantly signing up for different paid Wi-Fi locations, ease those dreaded logins with this app. Skype Wi-Fi uses money from your Skype account to pay for different hotspot providers (such as Boingo) in airports, hotels or train stations.Cost: FREE
11. Translator With Speech
This app is great if you're travelling to a place where you don't speak the native language. Plus, it accomplishes more than your average pocket translator — it will read out your translations in 40 different languages.The app does require Wi-Fi or 3G, which can be a problem when roaming.
Cost: FREE
12. TripIt
Do you frequently find yourself scrambling through your inbox, searching for travel confirmation emails? If so, TripIt can make travelling a lot less painful by organizing all your reservations into clean itineraries. The app recognizes confirmation emails from more than 3,000 services — all you need to do is forward your messages.Cost: FREE
13. WhatsApp
WhatsApp is an Internet-based texting service, which lets you send word, picture or voice messages to any smartphone user with the app. Because it's Internet-based, you can text from one country to another, without applied data charges.WhatsApp is also a great group messenger, when you're trying to text people who have different types of smartphones.
Cost: FREE
14. Wi-Fi Finder
If you're looking for a good place to set up your laptop and get some work done, use Wi-Fi Finder to locate nearby hotspots. You can even apply a filter to target only free results. The app features more than 650,000 locations in more than 144 countries, so hopefully you'll be able to find Wi-Fi near you.Cost: FREE
15. XE Currency
This pocket currency converter provides real-time conversion rates, so you can make sure you're not losing too much money when exchanging cash.Or use the app to calculate how much of your native currency you're spending as you shop abroad.
Cost: FREE
We all have our favorite apps that we use every day, but what about apps that sidestep our usual routine?
If you’re travelling out of town this summer, odds are you could use a few more tools in your iPhone. We’ve rounded up 15 iPhone apps to make your vacation more efficient, relaxed and fun.
Worried about Internet connection, exchange rates or language barriers while you’re abroad? We’ve got offline solutions, a currency converter and pocket translators. Think you’ll have trouble mastering a new public transportation system or finding the best gas prices during a road trip? We’ve included apps that help you get where you need to go, while finding the cheapest gas stations.
If you have a vacation coming this August — or any time, really — we recommend you try out some of these handy 15 apps to ease your travel experience.
What are your go-to apps when you’re travelling? Let us know in the comments if we missed on of your favorites.
Image courtesy of iStockphoto, YinYang
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