7 Apps Every Business Traveler Should Have
By: Jasir Alavi
Tags: Business Travel, Corporate Travel, Mobile Apps, Best Travel Apps, Travel

A list of great travel apps that can make your journey as well as you experience at the destination be amazing and hassle free.

Technology has definitely made the world a more connected place. Traveling for business can be exciting and stressful at the same time, and there are hundreds of apps out that try to make it easier for the travelers. A good travel app can make your journey to and from your destination go as smoothly as possible, whether you’re a few towns away or at the opposite side of the world.

Here are seven such app (and a few honorable mentions) that are a must for business travelers. Each app on this list is available for both iOS as well as Android devices:

1. Kindle App

Long flights and trains are often the boring part of business trips, especially if you’re traveling alone. So can be waiting at the airports, lobbies and even at meeting places. Books are a great way to pass the time — helping you relax even as they engage your minds. Selecting books for travel is a hassle. Even if you own a Kindle device, chances you may not pack it are high. An easier way is to get the Kindle app on your iPhone or Android mobile devices. With millions of books available to choose from including a lot of free ones too. Most books cost less than their print versions as well. Google Play Books is another great service.

Kindle App : iPhone | Android

Google Play Books: iPhone | Android

2. Flight Radar 24

This free app lets you keep track of your flight departures and arrivals. It’s always a good idea to check your flight status before your drive to airport to avoid unnecessary waits whether you’re going there to catch a flight or to receive someone. The app even lets you live track the flights and check historical arrival/departure times. Apart from the flight info, it also provides info about various Airports around the world. There’s also a paid version of the app that provide more historical data, details of the aircrafts in use and air traffic control details among many other things.

Mobile: iPhone | Android

Website: www.flightradar24.com

3. Xe Currency converter

Getting the right Forex rates is a concern every traveler has. There are plenty of currency converter apps, but unlike most others Xe has packaged all your currency needs into this one neat app. Their free app lets you compare prices anywhere while traveling abroad to be sure you’re getting the best exchange rates. Xe is one of the most trusted name when it comes to currency exchange rates. Since 2009, the Xe currency converter has been connecting the world through currency exchange by providing reliable exchange rates and currency charts for free.

Mobile: iPhone | Android

Website: www.xe.com/currencyconverter

4. Meetup: Local Groups & Events

With new trends like bleisure gaining popularity, business travelers are increasingly looking for ways to get more out of their trips. Most travelers, especially the millennials, now consider booking city tours or sightseeing activities along with their trips. Meetup offers a more intuitive way to connect with locals and participate in activities and events of your interest. The app allows users to host activities and categorize them in an easy to access manner. You can explore events by category, search by keyword, or see what’s popular in the area you’re in.

Mobile: iPhone | Android

Website: www.meetup.com

5. Trip Advisor

But if you’re like most and rather stick to the popular activities or don’t have enough time for the meetup kind of activities, Trip Advisor is here to help. Apart from planning and booking activities and sightseeing tours offered by professional service providers, this free app lets you browse reviews from locals and like-minded travelers. It also give you detailed information about various attractions and activities and includes videos, photos, tips and articles from travelers that helps you plan better.

Mobile: iPhone | Android

Website: www.tripadvisor.com/

6. The Weather Channel

Should you pack an extra sweater? Get sunscreens? Are the driving conditions going to be harsh? What outdoor activities are possible at the destination this week? Having a weather app helps you plan ahead better and avoid inconveniences during your visit. The Weather Channel has been at the forefront of providing users with weather updates and forecasts. It’s one of the most downloaded and best rated apps out there. It comes with weather graphs, live alerts, trending conditions and weather reports that help you plan up to 15 days in advance.

Mobile: iPhone | Android

Web: www.weather.com

7. Jet Lag Apps

Almost all business travelers must have suffered from jet lag, especially on longhaul flights. There’s really no magical cure that works for everyone. But there are some things — or should I say apps — that could help. I was surprised that technology could really help heal our tired body and confused mind even on 12-hour timezone shifts. But it all comes down to science. By regulating your circadian rhythms, suggesting how and when to avoid light and take naps, and helping you choose what to eat or drink among other personalized instructions designed to tune your internal body clock, these apps could help mitigate your jet lag.

• Timeshifter iPhone | Android

• Entrain (free) iPhone | Android

• Stopjetlag iPhone | Android

Other Useful Apps

Here are the honorable mentions. They didn’t make it to our top 7, but are as much useful for most business travelers out there.

• AwardWallet

A great app that lets you track almost any type of loyalty points, such as frequent flier miles, hotel points, or credit card points.

Mobile: iPhone | Android

• WiFi Map

Control your mobile data cost with the largest WiFi database in the world that lists 150 million and growing hotspots available worldwide.

Mobile: iPhone | Android

• Adobe Scan

A scanner app that turns anything — receipts, notes, documents, photos, business cards, whiteboards — into PDFs with text you can reuse from each scan.

Mobile: iPhone | Android

• Medito

A free-forever meditation app with guided courses, sleep sounds, breathing exercises, a stress & anxiety pack, and much more.

Mobile: iPhone | Android

So what are your favorite apps that you would never travel without?