Spring is just around the corner but the winter blues are still here for a little while longer. If you’re looking into planning a last minute vacation, or if you already have your itinerary down, here are some apps that will help you maximize your vacation time.
Kayak (Android + Apple iOS)
From the popular travel website, Kayak.com, comes an app version that is a one stop shop for all of your travel needs. An easy-to-use layout makes searching for the best deals on flights, hotels, and cars a breeze. If that weren’t enough, it also includes super helpful extras like a flight tracker, airport information, currency converter, packing list, and lots more.
Google Places (Android + Apple iOS)
Locate nearby restaurants, hotels, bars, and other attractions complete with Google user reviews on each. Categorized or searchable, this app allows you to use all of the benefits of Google Places, but in a mobile format.
Hotel Tonight (Android + Apple iOS)
All of you last minute trip planners will love this app: save up to 70% on same-day hotel room bookings. The app is free, plus they are currently giving a promo code worth an extra $25 off your first booking—pretty sweet deal. Even I was a bit skeptical, but I did some research and found a room at The Radisson near the Mall of America for $37 with taxes and fees, or Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas for $54. Seriously!? You cannot beat that. Only available for major U.S. cities, but more are added monthly!
MotionX GPS Drive (Apple iOS)
If you’re opting for the scenic route and taking a road trip, this GPS app is a favorite. Only $0.99 gets you free voice turn-by-turn navigation for the first 30 days (perfect if you only need it for a trip). At the end of the 30 days there is NO automatic renewal, but you can opt to add an entire year of voice turn-by-turn for $9.99. This is quite reasonable considering most other navigation applications cost around that per month.
Roadside America (Apple iOS)
What would a road trip be without stopping to take your picture next to every single small-town quirky attraction? By far one of the coolest apps I came across, it plots out all of the quirky attractions and rates them from “mildly interesting” to “worth a detour.” Never miss another giant animal statue or the world’s largest anything, again! $2.99 gets you one region of the country, or for $5.99 you get the whole shebang.
Gas Buddy (Android + Apple iOS)
A free app that will come in handy any time, but specifically if you’re high-tailing it across the U.S. in a gas-guzzling vehicle. Plots out all of the nearest gas stations and shows the current price per gallon.