6 Time Saving Travel Apps You Need To Download Before Takeoff

The more I travel, the more situations I encounter where time is of the essence. Through these situations, I have discovered and rediscovered a few very handy time-saving travel apps.

You may already have some of these apps downloaded on your phone. So, I don’t think I’m providing you with some groundbreaking new resources. But I believe a few of these apps can help you far more than you realize. Trust me; using these travel apps to their full potential will make your travel experience 10 times more convenient.

I think there are two apps you probably haven’t heard of. I’ll let you know when we get to those, as they can be game changers for frequent travelers.

MPC (Mobile Passport Control)

The MPC app (Mobile Passport Control) is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection tool that helps U.S. citizens and Canadian visitors enter the United States. It allows you to submit your travel information, passport, and customs declarations up to 4 hours before arriving in the U.S. You’ll receive a QR code to present with your passport to the CBP officer, and you can proceed with expedited entry to the United States.

This is one of the two apps you probably haven’t heard about. It was entirely new to me, but it was a huge help when I discovered it.

I once had a 60-minute layover at the Atlanta airport. If you’ve ever been to the Atlanta airport, you know it can be crowded and unorganized. So, needless to say, I was a bit worried about making my next flight. I had to get through customs and recheck my bags because I was changing airlines. This app was a massive help with saving time and getting to my gate on time

Airline Apps

Your airline’s app is an essential tool for traveling. Generally, in airline apps, you can:

Check in
Pay to check your luggage
Select your seat
Upgrade your seat
See entertainment options
See meal options
Play games
Connect to WIFI
Many mobile providers have partnered with specific airlines to offer complimentary Wi-Fi during flights.

Keep in mind that different airlines offer different features and options. So, it’s a good idea to download the app and explore the options available to you.

I personally keep the major airlines I fly with — Delta, American Airlines, and United — downloaded on my phone. I do have a few international airline apps, as they are pretty common in Europe.

Google/Apple Maps

I often travel to walkable cities, which means I need the best walking routes. Apple Maps helps me easily navigate a city with the best routes and accurate arrival times. This app is a must if you’ll be traveling and need to get around independently. One of the things I love most about this app is that it gives me the freedom to roam and explore without worrying about getting lost or confused about my location in the city.

I make it a habit to pin my hotel in the app for easy access to my hotel location. It’s also helpful because you can see how far away a destination is. If the arrival time is later than I’d like to be out walking, I can grab an Uber or taxi if I don’t feel comfortable walking at night.

My absolute favorite feature in the Apple Maps app is the ability to navigate public transit. The app will inform you of the distance you need to walk, the bus or train to take, the number of stops, and when to get off. It will also give you transfer directions if you need to take more than one bus or train. I love this feature because it eases my biggest fear of getting on or off at the wrong stop and wasting time!

***For reference, I do use Apple Maps. I also listed Google Maps, as many travelers use it. It has some of the same features as Apple Maps, but I’m unsure of the exact ones. It’s a good idea to explore Google Maps if that’s what you’ll be using.***

Google Translate

Out of all the time-saving travel apps in this post, Google Translate is the most underrated. I kid you not, I once bought a 50-inch flat-screen TV in Spain using Google Translate. There was a lot of conversation back and forth because the TVs we kept picking weren’t in stock, and this app was the star of the show.

I love Google Translate because you can speak or type what you need to say, and the other person can read it and respond. It really does make communicating in another language more convenient and a lot less scary.

It’s also an excellent tool for learning common words and phrases before your trip. You can type out a word or phrase and not only have it read back to you in your chosen language, but you can also see what the text looks like to familiarize yourself with specific words.

The camera feature is also awesome for helping you read things like menus and street signs. You can take a picture of a text and have it translated into your chosen language.

As an honorable mention, you can also translate entire websites using Google Translate. However, the reason this feature is only an honorable mention is that it can’t be done in the app. You’ll have to open it in your browser to translate a website. But it’s still a great feature nonetheless.

World Clock

World Clock is the second app I mentioned that you might not have heard of. Essentially, this app provides the time for any location in the world and allows you to save the times for different cities for easy access.

This is great for travelers with a significant time difference between their home and destination. You can easily see the best times to call and communicate with family and friends without sending random texts at 2 a.m. their time and wondering why you haven’t gotten a response.

I’ve had World Clock on my phone for a few years, but I think more people are getting familiar with it. I have noticed they have added ads to the app. There is an option to remove the ads for a fee; however, as of now, the features I mention in this post are entirely free, although you will still see ads.

Uber

Okay, I know Uber isn’t the most unfamiliar app on this list, but I do think it’s an essential time-saving travel app. Although I recommend using other, more affordable transportation for most of your trips, Uber is a familiar and convenient option.

If you are in a time crunch or need to ensure you get somewhere by a specific time, Uber may be the best option, especially if you don’t feel comfortable flagging down a taxi. Booking is convenient, and a driver will typically arrive to pick you up within 15 minutes in most major cities.

One of the best time-saving features is the ability to book your ride up to 90 days in advance. This was great for me when I had a 5 a.m. flight out of Toronto and needed to get to the airport by 3 a.m. I had peace of mind knowing that I had already booked and accepted a ride with a driver.

It’s also great that in many major cities, Uber drivers are registered just like taxi drivers. In the app, you can see information about your driver, such as star reviews, how long they’ve been drivers, and how many rides they’ve done. You can see where you are, how much longer your ride will take, and if your driver has deviated from the route. These are great features and did make me feel a bit more comfortable taking an Uber to the airport at 2:30 a.m.