Summer is within our grasp and for many, travel plans are in the making. Adding a few apps to your smartphone can enhance your trip whether you're heading overseas or just going camping in the mountains. Traffic reporter Kim Wonderley has some suggestions in this week's Road Report.
If you're still planning trips for a summer getaway, there are a lot of excellent apps to locate the best airfare. Increasingly, it looks like Skyscanner is becoming a popular choice. The award-winning app uses 1,200 sources to find the best route or the cheapest flight. The interface is simple and concise. It can also lead to deals on hotels, car rentals, and more
Once your plans are finalized and you make it to the airport, you've got a lot of time on your hands. If you don't qualify for one of those fancy airport lounges, it can be an uncomfortable waiting process. Check out the free Lounge Buddy app. Lounge Buddy searches more than 300 airport lounges that you can access for the day for a fee. How nice to avail yourself to comfortable seating, charging outlets, free beverages and sometimes even private showers. Lounge Buddy is not available at all airports and unfortunately, SFO is one of them for now.
One of the most annoying things that can happen when you're trekking into parts unknown, is getting lost. Google Maps is a no brainer, however consider also adding MapsMe. Like Google Maps, you can download your maps offline saving you a small fortune in roaming fees. But MapsMe is opened sourced, meaning users can update details. Plus, if you're lost, GPS tracking can find you. MapsMe is available in 345 countries.
If you're going camping under the stars, download the SkyView app. Just open the SkyView app, point your phone at the sky and see what stars and constellations are overhead. This is so simple and brilliant. The free version of this app even lets you tap on a sky object and follow its projected path.
