Map of Istanbul

Before you plan your next adventure, check out these top 10 applications designed for travelers. Take advantage of the tools available for planning and making the most out of your dream vacation. Which did you find helpful? What travel apps do you swear by? Leave a comment and let me know.

Traveling is a preferred leisure activity for many of us. Vacations are meant to relieve stress and create wonderful memories. That being said, traveling also comes with it’s share of stressful moments. Searching for flights, booking hotels, finding the right place to enjoy with your family can make you feel anxious even before the airplane takes off.

Thankfully, there are tools to make the whole experience more positive. Trip planning sources have shifted over the last several years, with social media and mobile devices being used more often. In 2012, five percent of travelers used social networking and four percent used a mobile device to help plan their trip, according to a travel market report made by U.S. Travel Association.

Even though the percentage of travelers who take advantage of technology for traveling is relatively low, people who make use of technology are rapidly increasing. With the advent of mobile applications and the use of smartphones it’s foolish to avoid what modern technology has to offer.

Here is a list of the top 10 travel apps that are essential to planning and enjoying your next trip:

1. TourRadar

This website and mobile app allows you to compare and book group tours across all the continents. You can find tours for different age groups and areas of interest, whether you are a family, student, senior, or interested in safaris or expedition tours.

2. TripIt

This useful app organizes travel plans into an itinerary that keeps all of your trip details in one place. TripIt keeps track of all your confirmation emails for flights and hotels. It helps you manage all your airline flight and confirmation numbers, important addresses, maps, and more. TripIt is a one-stop app for traveling.

3. Wi-Fi Finder

Even on vacation, many of us cannot completely neglect our work. Thanks to Wi-Fi Finder, you never have to worry about finding a Wi-Fi hotspot again. The purpose of this app is to locate free or paid public hotspots, making your life a whole lot easier!

4. Walkie Talkie VoIP

WalkieTalkie VoIP is a must! It delivers benefits that help you maximize your business success on the go. This app allows users to talk between PC’s, Macs and iPhones. I use it every time I travel to keep in touch with my office.

VoIP technology gives business owners more flexibility than ever before. For example, I have been able to travel, stay connected to my office and save money on communication expenses thanks to my VoIP system. If you’re interested, you should check out my VoIP phone system provider. It’s helped me to have a more stress-free holiday experience.

5. Kayak

If you are a frequent traveler you might know this app or at least the website. Kayak helps you utilize thousands of travel sites to book flights, hotels and car rentals. In addition to this, you can also manage your itinerary, check baggage fees and look up airport information.

6. Hipmunk

Instead of just showing you a list of the cheapest flights, this free app understands the “agony” of flying and all the things you should take into consideration. For that reason, it takes layover times into account when recommending the best options for each user.

7. Uber

Get a taxi or a private car from your mobile device. This app sends you a text to let you know your driver is on the way. A photo with the driver’s name and phone number appears on the app. No cash, no worries! Uber bills your credit card at the end of the ride.

8. Packing Pro

We are all guilty of forgetting to pack essential items when traveling. With Packing Pro’s customizable lists, you can plan what to bring for every type of trip, be it a luxurious holiday or a budget backpacking adventure.

9. Photosynth

So, you are in the place of your dreams, like St Mark’s Square, and you want to remember everything around it. No problem! Photosynth takes 3D and 360-degree pictures. It captures images not only from left to right, but also up and down and stitches them together to create a 360-degree view.

10. Xe Currency

Xe Currency is an accurate currency conversion app. You can monitor different currencies simultaneously and rate the highs and lows of the currency before even planning your trip.