The 12 of the best free apps that will make traveling a breeze!

Before I purchased my Ipod Touch last month, I couldn’t give two hoots and a holler about apps.  I saw it as just another way to waste time and for someone to separate you from your money.  Now….I see the error of my ways.  It’s my new addiction and I don’t need no cure!  Seriously, you could literally find yourself sliding your fingers back and forth over a rectangular piece of glass for hours on end and somehow manage to not get committed! There’s something for everyone….even for morons.  There are a whole host of applications for every possible situation, especially for travelers.  After doing a littl…erm…a lot of research, I have picked twelve must haves if you are serious about traveling and staying organized and entertained and won’t cost a cent.

1) PageOnce Trip Tracker is a neat app that allows you to record all of your frequent flier program account information securely in one place.  Once that’s done, it will automagically import all of your flight information to your Ipod touch or Iphone automatically.  It’s a great way to keep tabs on any frequent flier miles that’s earned because you will be notified via email when you do.  I’m pretty bad at keeping up with stuff like that, so this is a treasure.  Also, it keeps track of any hotel or car rental reservations that you have booked during the trip.

2)  Pulse News Mini captures a montage of some of your favorite websites.  You can literally view several news sites, entertainment sites, sports sites….all at once.  Once you tap on an article, it will pop up and allow you to read it.  You can share said article via email or social media.  It also allows you to sync stories offline, so you will never be without your latest news stories.  It’s compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 3.1.3 or late and best yet, is free!

3)  Tripadvisor is something that I always refer to when I’m planning a vacation or even activities at home.  It’s pretty much a review site that rates accommodations, activities and restaurants from all over the world.  The reviews are written by fellow travelers who have first hand knowledge, so you get their opinion of their experience and probably a few choice words on how things could improve if they were displeased.  The good news is that you get the good reviews too.  It’s just nice to get some insight before booking and regretting it later. Compatible with iPhone, Android, Ovi, Palm and iPod.

4)  GateGuru – is another user driven app that reviews 115 airports’ services.  Travelers can weigh in on how long it takes to get through checkpoints at each terminal.  You can get info on the restaurants located in each concourse as to which has the best eats.  Also, reviews and tips about the airport in general are freely given.  One tap of your stylus gets you a view of the airport map and you can bookmark your favorite airports.  Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 3.0 or later.

5) UrbanSpoon – Hungry and in a new town?  UrbanSpoon allows you to select a location, the type of food you want and the price that you want to pay.  What could be simpler?

6) Bu.mp allows you to share info with someone by simply placing your phone in your hand and bumping knuckles with the person you want to transfer info to.  You can transfer app links (you still have to pay for the ones that cost dinero), photos, contact, etc.  Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 3.0 or later.

If you’re in your local calling area, you can call anyone in the world for free. Or, if you have access to a Wi-Fi network, you can call anyone anywhere, even when you are abroad. (Just make sure you are on airplane mode so you aren’t hit with roaming charges.)  I can see it being particularly useful to reconnect if you and your travel partner are separated in a crowd.  Currently the app is available for the iPhone 4 and 3GS, iPod Touch, EVO 4G and Galaxy S.

10)  Gas Buddy – Finds the cheapest gas on the go – for free! In one click, locate gas stations near you and see their current gas prices. Never overpay for gas again. GasBuddy is a community of users working together to update gas prices and help everyone save on gas!

11)  MetrO – The smartphone universe is chock full of public transportation apps for cities across the world. MetrO, however, covers some 400 cities, and while most individual city apps may be a bit more comprehensive, MetrO is more than adequate for most traveler’s needs. Users download the app, and then add the cities they want. MetrO can plot routes for you and shows your location on a map so you can see what’s nearby.  Compatible with Palm, PocketPC, iPhone, BlackBerry and Smartphone.