Dealing with travel accommodations is rarely fun, and particularly not during the holidays. This year be prepared for any situation and have on hand these five leading travel apps — all built in the Boston area.
For each app we included what situation it is ideal for and what mobile platforms (iPhone, Android, Blackberry, Palm, Windows Phone 7) it’s available for.
FlightView: For real-time flight information
Ideal for: Tracking flights
Available for: iPhone, Android, Blackberry, Palm, mobile site
Twitter: @flightview
Allston-based FlightView is perfect if you’re looking to track flight information, be it yours or your friends and family that you’re expecting. The app allows you to not only see a flights status (delayed, en route, canceled) but you can also view its en-route location on a map with a slick weather overlay to predict any possibility for delays. You can even view in-flight details such as the plane’s position, speed and altitude.
If you or your traveling friends and family have long flights, use the “My Trips” feature to group flight legs and add notes to itineraries, such as car rental or hotel reservation information.
WHERE: For when you need location-specific answers
Ideal for: Exploration, new cities, recommendations
Available for: iPhone, Android, Blackberry, Palm Pre, and Windows Phone 7
Twitter: @where
The WHERE apps are like a one-stop-shop for answering most any question on demand when on the go, like where to eat, drink, go for entertainment from water parks to movies, or get local info on things like comparing gas prices to the news.
This Boston-based app delivered over a billion mobile ads in a month earlier this year and recently got a makeover, now boasting a recommendation engine that offers “best bets.” Going to a new unfamiliar place over the holidays or New Years or have time to explore? Try their location-tailored guides on things like where to find budget-friendly brunch spots or bars.
Kayak: For if you spend any time around airports
Ideal for: booking travel, accommodation comparisons, flight information, airport information
Available for: iPhone, Android, Blackberry.
Twitter: @kayak
Kayak’s app is a must-have for anyone making travel accommodations on the go or finding information quickly. Dubbed “your travel search engine,” the company’s app is the travel version of the swiss army knife.
Kayak has you covered at every point around your flight; pre-flight comparisons, booking tickets, and flight statuses, to searching for stores at the Airport. Have to stay overnight or for an extended period during a layover? Check for area car rentals or hotels with the Kayak app.
EveryScape Eats: For choosing that special restaurant
Ideal for: Finding restaurants
Available for: iPhone
Twitter: @everyscape
When looking for a special restaurant for around the holidays and New Years, you usually go straight to the photo section. Everyscape lets you go one dimension further with their visual, interior tours of restaurants. Just last week this Waltham-based company announced a partnership with Bing.
Everscape allows you to take visual, interior tours of restaurants. Download their “visual dining guide” apps, which are offered to all the major cities across the U.S. See something you like? Click to quickly call to get more info, make reservations, or order takeout.
TripAdvisor: For booking and reviewing travel on the go
Ideal for: Booking travel, accommodation reviews and comparisons, writing reviews
Available for: iPhone, Android
Twitter: @tripadvisor
The TripAdvisor app is your arsenal for booking travel when on the go. Compare hotel, restaurants, things to do, airfare, and even book reservations to them from within the app. The app also has a “near me now” feature, although the app is made for large domestic city and international travel more than hyper local.
Have a specific travel question, like about currency exchange for your New Years in Mexico? Check out their location-based forums or post the question yourself. Don’t forget to use this app and add to its 40 million reviews at the places you visit.
