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Even though we received six inches of snow last week, it won’t stop half of the Bay Area‘s population from heading my direction this weekend.
Almost every 5,000-square-foot “cabin” will be occupied here in the Truckee and North Tahoe, California, region. Getting here from there is easy. But sometimes it’s nice to have a little help when you travel.
These 7 travel apps can save you a few headaches as you plan every last detail, find yourself stuck in traffic or want to hit the hidden haunts like a true local.
TripIt
No app has been on my iPhone longer than TripIt, a flight and travel logistics organization tool that sorts everything using your booking confirmation emails.
Send one message to “plans@tripit.com,” and itineraries are assembled in moments. The interface is simple, confirmation numbers are easy to find, and the notification alerts are smart and timely.
Source: TripIt
Uber
This is the Uber of … oh wait. Sorry. If you’re still hesitant to try this global ride-sharing platform, let this summer serve as your awakening.
Not only has the app become a verb, its no-cash convenience and ease of use make it a no-brainer way to get around new places.
If you’re still hesitant to try this global ride-sharing platform, let this summer serve as your awakening.
Storm
If you have a planner in your group who is anywhere close to as right-brained as my wife, you’ve probably been given your trip destination’s weather twice daily since confirming booking.
If that person is using another weather app, they’ll love you for showing them Storm.
Highly accurate and fun to use, this sharp tool gives you alerts, hourly and daily updates, wind speeds (it’s very popular with surfers and boaters), humidity percentages and a large map and radar overview. It’s free, and you can add a bunch of locations to your list.
Hear me out: apply Twitter’s powerful search tool to your location.
This is a fantastic way to find out about small and local eateries, events and shopping hotspots that don’t have the re-marketing funds to track your browsing habits.
It’s also good for flash sales and other discounts when you’re in town. Hashtag your national park, city or attraction to start building your itinerary.
[Tweet “Twitter can reveal local eateries, events, and shopping hotspots.”]
Hipcamp
Not really an app, Hipcamp is a website that curates unique camping and small remote lodgings, ranging from a person’s private backyard to off-the-grid luxury shanties.
Like Airbnb, Hipcamp publishers can register their property, set rates and manage bookings. Many of the destinations have additional blog and user feedback content.
Source: Hipcamp
Beat the Traffic
An Inman colleague highly rated this traffic-avoidance app for travel in and around major cities, a commonality of the contemporary road trip.
Beat the Traffic deftly maneuvers users around freeways and beltlines, alerting them to everything from flood alerts to fender benders. It also lets you view traffic camera footage. Smile.
Travefy
I have not used this software yet, but it’s on my radar because of the numerous group trips we’re on every year.
Moments after landing, we’re already texting in multiple threads to find one another, coordinate meeting times, make drink decisions, etc. It gets quite tedious.
Travefy promises to plan your multi-party trip, streamline communications and review dinner and lodging options. Plus, it helps collect and split payments, which is way better than a “winning” a game of credit card roulette.
Have a technology product you would like to discuss? Email Craig Rowe.
