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[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Unlike our grandparents, we have the fortune to have a pocket computer companion with us every step of our journey when we travel. Not only can we call people from our smartphones, but we can also download apps that can do just about anything a developer thinks of. Checking on various appointments, flight times and options and maps just takes a few taps from your thumb. We can now focus on the important things while traveling, so make sure you have these top 5 apps for traveling![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Here are the top 5 Apps for Traveling :

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1. Netflix

You probably shouldn’t be watching Netflix all the time when you are on an expensive vacation where you can do new and exciting things. Why then would anyone want to bring out their Netflix subscription on their smartphone when going on a trip?

It just seems unnecessary. I thought about this and went along with that line of thought, and then I realized just how much waiting and sitting around can occur during a vacation, just at the airport alone.

Netflix takes the boredom away, especially if you are travelling alone and all of your friends are sleeping while you wait for your early morning flight. There is an app for every system and a month’s subscription is a lot cheaper than any entertainment you’ll find at the airport. People watching gets boring after four hours or so (believe me, I speak from experience).[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

2. A Virtual Private Network

If you are going to be using Netflix while you wait at the airport, there is a strong chance that you are going to need a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to watch it, which is a tool you are going to want on your journeys anyway. A VPN is a program or app that connects your computer to an offsite server of your choice through a tunnel-like connection. This setup masks your IP address, allowing you to get past the regional restrictions and government blocks that companies and foreign governments so often use to block sites like Netflix.

You will also need to it manage some of the online security risks that come with travelling. You are going to have to use a number of public networks like those found in hotels and cafes to check on your email and figure out your travel finances, but those public networks are unprotected and hackers will lurk on them waiting to intercept passwords and financial data. This can lead to identity theft, which is an awful thing to deal with on your travels. A VPN’s encrypted connection means that no one will see what you are doing or sending on any network, keeping you safe from hackers.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

3. GateGuru

Sometimes airports are the worst thing to befall a trip. They are noisy, often confusing and overpriced to a degree that would be comical if you had any other choice. GateGuru, much like Netflix, is an airport and travel survival tool. It will tell you where you might want to eat and shop at any airport based on other people’s recommendations, and allow you to get a rental car (if you’re interested in such a thing) much more easily.

It is great for planning. It can let you know about security wait times and what you can expect coming into the airport. You can do a search and prepare for what’s coming when you land. The personalized instructions they can provide are fantastic for anyone with enough on their plate as it is, and you can even get a weather report ahead of time without searching for it elsewhere.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

4. Google Maps

I know, it is a rather obvious choice. That doesn’t make it any less of an essential one. Paper maps are often flawed in that they are just so slightly out of date, which means you can get lost quickly. Also, they aren’t so easy to carry around with you and read while on the go. Google Maps can give you detailed instructions get to point B from point A. It can do so if you want to take public transit or just want to walk. Google has made old maps completely obsolete as long as you have an internet connection.

If you want to use the website you probably can from your browser, but you are likely to find the app more intuitive to use. If you are worried about an internet connection, print out some directions while you can and keep it out for easier use. The GPS has always been accurate whenever I’ve used it, and believe me when I say I’ve used it a lot.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

5. Evernote

There are a ton of applications to help you plan for your travels and help you decide the best course of action, but only you know what you want and only you can determine the needs of yourself and your travel companions. You may also want to take notes on surprises that come up or locations (think restaurants) that you want to come back to later. Evernote is perfect for this, because it is the perfect note taking application for nearly any smartphone.

If you are in a hurry you can just take a picture and use it as a note for later. If you are on the move and need to keep an eye out it takes voice recordings as notes too. Its flexibility in this manner makes it perfect for distant lands, and once you come home you can use it to keep track of household chores and work, too. Have an itinerary? Put it in Evernote and stop worrying about reminding yourself.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Of course, this barely touches the surface of what a traveler might find useful to have on their smartphone. New innovations come out every day, so keep an ear out! Do you know of any other apps that would be useful for travelers? Do you have any experiences with the above apps? Please leave a comment below and tell us what you think.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]About the Author: Jess Signet is a blogger and writer that is proud to combine her two greatest loves: travel and technology. She is also interested in new technologies and the latest smartphone releases. She can’t wait for her next trip out of the United States and into a brave new world! Follow her on her blog Tripelio and twitter. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]