Top 10 iPhone Apps for Travelers

I love my iPhone Apps!  And I regularly download, try out, and occasionally delete those apps while in search of those that will make my life easier.  Every few days it seems like there’s a new app out, just begging for me to give it a try.  I rarely download an application that I have to pay for unless I’ve first had the opportunity to give it a try.  There are too many “cute” apps that don’t really do a thing for me.

Here’s my list of the Top 10 application that I think are of use to travelers (listed in no particular order):

1. The Weather Channel – Check the weather at home, where you’re traveling, or where you happen to be at any given time.  Useful for planning what to pack, how to plan your vacation schedule, and all sorts of practical things.
2. Urbanspoon – Shake up your eating choices – literally – with this fun to use restaurant finder.  The app will hone in on your current location, giving you a variety of dining choices.  Pre-set your choices, or just let random selections come up.  Shake the iPhone and a new selection comes up.  I use this one a lot – even at home.
3. Currency – Converts dollars to pounds to Euros to Kunas and a whole lot more.  An excellent resource for international travel and money decisions.
4. AAA Discounts – A recent download frame, I now use this one all the time, whether at home or on the road.  The app zeroes in on your current location, then lists businesses in the area that offer AAA discounts.  No need to carry around the AAA guidebook, or look everything up on your computer before leaving home.  It’s right at your finger tips on your iPhone.  (NOTE:  I hear there is also a Blackberry version.)
5. Open Table – The online restaurant reservation site goes mobile, and it’s just as easy to use.  View available reservation times at restaurants around the country, and make your reservation right from your phone.
6. Seattle Metro – This is the Seattle bus schedule and service, and is a handy reference guide when I’m popping around town.  Find the local bus schedule, subway map/service schedule, or train schedule of the city or area where you’ll be visiting.  You won’t need to stand in front of a map wondering where to go because you’ll have the info at your fingertips.  (NOTE:  Some of these are FREE, other are available for around 99 cents.
7. Facebook – Keep in touch with your social media crowd, sharing your messages and photos.  This app lets you update and comment while on the run.
8. Skype – The great online phone and messaging service for your phone.  Now you don’t need a computer and/or headset, just make the calls from your phone for FREE or nearly free.
9. Flight Tracker – If you spend your travel time transiting airports, you know how important it is to know the status of your flight.  Learn about a timely delay and make changes on the fly.  Alerting you to a key delay will more than return purchase price investment, and business travelers will find themselves using it regularly.
10. Twitterific – There are other Twitter apps out there, but this is the one that I prefer.  Easy to use, and easy to send those 140 character messages to people.  Great to use at a conference to get people together, or let them know where the action is.  Not all travelers will be as enamored with this app as I am, but twitterers will want to give it a try.

What’s your favorite travel app?  Let me know if I missed a must-have!

Photo credit: William Hook @flickr