What our parents wouldn’t have done to have some of these travel apps on hand when we took family road trips as kids! Instead, they used the old-fashioned travel atlas, and of course the classic AAA Trip Tac. No GPS and no review app to direct them to the right hotel or restaurant. Instead, they planned using maps, personal recommendations, or sometimes just winging it upon arrival.
The days with the husband who is too scared to ask for directions are over, they just enter the destination on their smartphones and let the phone lead the way. Life has become so easy for people to travel and they don’t necessarily need to speak to any of the locals. So what are the best travel apps for family travel? I am here to tell you about our top picks and you probably have most already downloaded on your phone. Traveling with Kids? Here are our Top Tips For Surviving Family Vacations
Top Travel Apps For Family Travel
No matter if you are flying or driving to your next travel destination here are some of the best travel apps we recommend for family travel this year!
Google Maps or Waze: These travel apps are helpful when telling you about traffic and alternative routes. You car may have a GPS but if it’s not been upgraded it may take you a way that does not include some of the new roads built since it was installed.
Gas Buddy : As long as you are not driving with the gas light flashing you can probably spare to drive a few more miles to another exit to get the best gas price. You will always pay more off the highway but why not save a few dollars. Make note that Gas Buddy often shows the lowest price that is for cash purchases only. You may need to stop at an ATM or keep cash on hand for gas purchases when you travel.
Amazon Video or Music Apps: If you are a Amazon prime
YELP: Hungry, tired passengers are no fun. Be sure to find the best restaurants along your route and at your destination by reading other customer reviews.
Hotel Tonight: It is taking you longer than expected to get somewhere and you need to spend the night. You will want this great choice in travel apps to locate hotels with rooms available.
Sunday Drives : Don’t forget the kids: This app points out scenic routes, historical landmarks, fun restaurants and hidden local gems along your route.
Your Airline Apps: Most airlines have an app that will notify you of any gate changes, delays etc. Be sure to have this on hand for your specific airline.
Weather Channel : Know what to pack by seeking out the 10-day forecast for your destination. It’s also great for keeping you up to date on last minute weather changes throughout your visit.
CityGuides : TripAdvisor Offline City Guides pairs maps and suggestions for where to visit, shop, and eat together. You can download offline maps for your cities of choice, too. The app does not automatically install the maps locally (to save space on your iPhone), so just remember to download what you need before you leave an area with a Wi-Fi connection.
Instagram is also a great app to provide a location to your pictures. How often do you take a photo and 1 year from now forget where it was. Plus friends and family might like seeing your adventures.
iCarPark: Reminds you exactly where you parked on a map for easy locating, and also keeps track of time if you have a meter running (If you are parking at an airport just take a photo of the parking garage locator)
Use our favorite travel apps to make sure your next family vacation is a great experience for everyone. There is no need to get lost, feel frustrated, or left without options when you have so many amazing options at your fingertips!
Other great Travel Tips:
- Tips To Keep Your Valuables Safe While Traveling
- 5 Packing Tips For Traveling With Your Dog
- Packing Tips For Traveling With Kids To Disney
I received a Droid Turbo in exchange for my post but all the opinions expressed are 100% my own. VZWBuzz #MoreVA.
Debi says
I love a few of these travel apps. There are a few I have never used. I am downloading them to check them out.
Amanda Love says
I download travel app as needed whenever I travel but the ones I keep on there constantly is the Weather and YP.
daydreamer says
I would also add a decent navigational app Spyglass. It works great when offline, assuming that you pre-download the maps that you need in advance. It shows your accurate coordinates and your current position on a map, allows to mark locations and waypoints, share your locations with friends and much more.
https://itunes.apple.com/app/spyglass/id332639548?mt=8&at=11lLc7&ct=c
Mariana says
I think parents can definitely instill their rules on other kids when they’re supervising them.
Censie says
We are traveling soon. going to download some of these.
Kelly Hutchinson says
We just went on a road trip and we could have used several of these apps. I love Gas Buddy.
Ashley @irishred02 says
I love yelp for when traveling. It helps to find the best places to eat or get your nails done 🙂
AJ @ NutriFitMama says
Great Apps! We use a few of these when we travel also! I love Yelp 🙂
Christine Luken says
I want to try the Sunday Drive app! Sounds like a great way to see less tourist-y things off of the beaten path!
Lois Alter Mark says
These are awesome! I’m going to start downloading right now!
Trisha says
We don’t travel much but these are great apps to have when we do! We could have used Hotel Tonight last summer when we were in Gettysburg and were looking for a place to stay on our way back home. I’ll have to dowload that one!
MT5B says
What a great list. We are traveling more, I will have to check some of these out!
Saidah says
This is perfect. We have a vacation coming up and these apps will come in hsndy.
Lorane says
I have yelp! It works better when I’m in the States not so much in Jamaica. These are all great Apps
becca says
Wow i love a good app especially when traveling. Will try thee out.
Debbie Denny says
I think everyone should abide by the rules when riding with others.
Terry says
My Hubs has a couple of those apps on his phone and his iPad. I should download the CityGuides
Brittany @ Clumps of Mascara says
These are great apps! With Summer and Travel just around the corner, I so appreciate these. Thank you!
Lindsey SIlvestrini says
These are great! We don’t do a whole lot of traveling but I’m sure these apps will come in handy as we do as the kids get older.
Cynthia says
I don’t have a favorite trip app. I know my partner loves to use Trip Advisor. I am very old school and still enjoy pulling out a map! I like to see what cities I am going through and see what they have to offer. Of course, I use a GPS in case I get lost. I will have to jot some of these down and check them out!
Susan says
I’ve used Waze while driving through NYC. It was great because it reroutes you based on real-time traffic statuses. I’ll have to check out some of the other apps you’ve shared since we’ll be doing some traveling next month.
Mary Beth|Cupcakes and Crinoline says
Great post, Maria. I didn’t know about a LOT of these apps. I’m bookmarking for upcoming travel in the summer. Thanks so much for sharing.
Winnie says
My husband is hooked on Google-maps 🙂
It’s very useful and also just traveling n our own country.
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
We have a big road trip planned next week, so I will definitley be using some of these.