APPS SPECIAL ....Apps can go the extra mile to map out your next adventure

Apps can go the extra mile to map out your next adventure

Let these Android and iOS apps lead you to a hassle-free and memorable trip this year

Regardless of your destination, trip planning is an integral part of an adventure. We live in a golden age of technology where a few taps and swipes on your mobile device can ensure that you get to tick everything on your wishlist, leaving no blind spots. Here are some of the best road trip planner apps for your next expedition:

Roadtrippers

This app will help you find virtually everything you could ever need along the way. Open Roadtrippers and you’ll find millions of locations, including sightseeing, local diners and roadside attractions that Google Maps is prone to miss. Once you have outlined your trip plan, you can share it with your travel buddies.

Waze

Waze hones in on social interaction, but it does so by letting the community decide which routes are the best to take. Users can report nearby collisions, police radar and traffic jams so that you can safely avoid those routes in favour of arriving on time. The app also helps one to find the cheapest fuel prices around, as gathered by the community.

Hotel Tonight

If you dread the uncertainty of driving tired and unable to find a hotel quickly and cheaply in an unknown place, Hotel Tonight is the app for you. Specialising in last-minute hotel deals, Hotel Tonight makes it possible to book a room in three easy taps and one seamless swipe. It also categorises the properties (like basic, hip and luxe) to make it easy for you to choose the right one.

AllTrails

AllTrails is a popular app for curated trail maps where you can not only create your own trails but you can do so by using GPS tracking. It allows users to follow along in real time on the app, while sharing photos and text, as well as maps with others. For travellers it offers a lot in terms of trails, photos, reviews and ratings.

Android Auto

It’s a smartphone integration system that allows you to access your handset through the car’s infotainment system. You can keep your phone stowed in your pocket while you make and take phone calls, receive and send text messages, stream music, and navigate with voice command. The smartphone here acts like a connected dashboard display.

PeakFinder AR

This app lets you explore more mountains than any mountaineer. And how – it shows the names of all mountains and peaks with a 360-degree panorama display. The app functions offline and claims to recognise more than 350,000 peaks around the world — from Mount Everest to the little hill around the corner. 

— Agencies

ETP 10JAN18