Frequent travelers have smartphone travel apps that they rely on for each and every trip.  They know from experience which are their favorites, kept easily accessible. Flying, airline apps are a must-have for everything from boarding passes to in-flight entertainment.  Driving to a destination is often more efficient using the current mapping app than the installed dashboard version. On cruise ships, trains, in hotels and on the street, the apps of today can change, enhance and enrich our travel.  But what about occasional travelers?  Which apps to good load and bring along  and which are best to leave behind?   We have that information for you here.

Flush Toilet Finder
We might as well just get this one out of the way right up front.
Flush Toilet Finder is the quickest, simplest way of finding a public bathroom or restroom. Simply open the app and it will display the nearest toilets to you. It’s free, no in-app purchases and has over 100,000 bathrooms in its database. You can even search for restrooms without an internet connection!

Tipping Tips
Not sure how to tip when traveling?  This one has the answers and I sure wish I had it along the first time I visited Italy,  tipped inappropriately and was obviously held in as high regard as something one would scrape off their shoe.  A good tipping guide and calculator for over 100 countries around the world, there is also a section on cruise ship tipping plus the customary tipping situation for waiters, taxis, porters, hotel staff, safari guides, cruise staff and more.

TripItPro
This one is perfect for the occasional traveler because it keeps travel plans organized and enables the ability to share those plans with others and updates them during travel.  Pick the Pro version and track just about any loyalty program out there by simply forwarding the periodic point statements that come via email to points@tripit.com.  This one just gets smarter all the time, and now has the ability to read and import cruise line itineraries.   Also an engaging app, the people of Tripit have a monthly #TripItChat that we participate in, usually the third Thursday of every month at 5PM Eastern time.

Google 
I like this one because it is easy and smart.  Push the button, ask a question and this one comes back with the answer faster than HAL on 2001: A Space Odyssey.  Really.  Ask the same question to Siri or Cortana; Google wins.  Personally, I am one of those people who lets Google have their way with me…as long as they keep the security level high. Which they do.  So far. Just say “Ok Google” (which admittedly is kind of a creepy notion in and of itself) and find everything from nearby restaurants to the calories in cheesecake. Google also shows you the info you need before you ask, like updates on your favorite teams and traffic alerts.  I also like this one because with the mighty power of Google behind it, odds are the technology will filter down to us more rapidly which means I don’t have to learn a new trick later.   For that reason, try Google Translate, Google Maps and Google

My Currency Converter
Traveling outside of the United States, this one is easy to use in a sea of others that need some help.  My Currency Converter is the simplest, most beautiful currency converter you’ll ever find. It supports over 150 different currencies from all around the world, ranging from the US Dollar to the Colombian Peso! It even supports BitCoin, LiteCoin and Dogecoin! If you’re travelling, this really is a great app to use – you can find out how much your currency is worth in just a few short moments, even

PackPoint Packing List Travel Companion
PackPoint is an intelligent packing app and packing list builder for serious travelers that works nicely for even the most occasional travelers of us all. PackPoint suggests what to pack based on length of travel, weather at your destination, and any activities planned during your trip.  It’s like a nagging wife or meticulous boss; the good part.  Just one helpful suggestion the occasional traveler might not have thought about is worth checking in with this one.

Speedtest Mobile Internet Speed Tester
Might as well know in advance how fast (or slow) the Internet connection is going to be when traveling.  This app brings the ability to find out download and upload speeds.  Good to know anywhere but better to know when comparing to previous Internet situations the occasional traveler experienced at one place or another. Speedtest remembers the places tested enabling us to get excited about a fast connection or forget even trying on one that won’t work well for what we want to do.