While experienced travelers usually are able to find cheap airplane tickets, discount hotel rooms, and cheap vacation packages, the right travel apps can help make a trip all the more successful.

The following are some of the most useful travel apps:

·       TripIt’s free app helps you track your itinerary by giving you access to flight numbers, gate information and frequent flier numbers from emails you forward..  Using this information it creates a master trip itinerary that can be accessed from anywhere.

·       Lonely Planet’s app allows you to explore your options.  It offers travel guides to almost 60 cities providing specifics for everything from how to get a bus pass for the MUNI in San Francisco to when to catch the ferry to visit Alcatraz.

·       Google Earth’s free satellite app provides images to zoom in almost anywhere with unbelievable detail.  This intuitive app makes it easy to check out a hotel’s rooftop pool deck or the locations of various parking lots.

·       GateGuru’s free app offers searchable directories for 92 U.S. airports and over a dozen international airports.  It helps customers facing flight delays find ATMs, where to go for coffee, or a 10 minute message station.  Some locations include user reviews, rankings, and photos.

·       FlightTrack Pro’s app is an essential aid when dealing with flight delays and needing a contingency plan.  Not only does it store and track your flights, it accesses key information such as gate changes and weather reports for 5,000 airports and 1,400 airlines.  If you need to find alternative flights, it is easy to search for options while you are standing in line to speak to an airline agent or while still flying.

·       Howcast’s free app proves user created video tutorials on everything from taxi strategies in New York City to nude beach etiquette.

·       Goby’s free app searches for events and activities near you including live music shows, family friendly outings and outdoor pursuits, displaying them on a map with details and photos.

·       Yelp’s free app uses your GPS mapped location and identifies the highest user rated places near you, including restaurants, dentists, hair stylists and mechanics.