Okay, so I’ve been trying to get better at planning trips. I used to just wing it, show up in a new place, and hope for the best. Sometimes that worked out okay, but other times… not so much. Missed opportunities, wasted time, you name it. So, I decided to dive into the world of itinerary planning apps. Here’s what I did:
Started with a Simple Search
First, I just Googled “best itinerary planning apps”. I got a TON of results, a bunch of listicles and blog posts, all promising the “ultimate” travel app. It was overwhelming, to be honest.
Narrowing Down the Options
I started by making a list of what I actually need in a travel app. I’m not a super-organized person, so I knew I needed something user-friendly. I also wanted something that could help me discover cool things to do, not just organize flights and hotels. Here’s what my basic list looked like:
- Easy to use: No complicated interfaces!
- Activity suggestions: I want ideas, not just a blank slate.
- Offline access: Because I don’t always have reliable Wi-Fi when I’m traveling.
- Collaboration features: Because I want to travel with others.
- Budget features: Because I’m not rich.
Testing Some Apps
Based on my list, I picked a few apps that seemed promising from the search results. I downloaded them and started playing around. Here’s how it went with a couple:
I first downloaded and used a relatively niche app to create my trip, adding friends to the trip, inviting them to edit the itinerary together, and the places and attractions I wanted to go, including addresses and opening and closing times. I put them all in. I also like that it can be used offline, which is convenient.
I also used a popular app, I created a trip in it, then explored the location, and then it recommended some attractions, restaurants, etc., that I could add to my itinerary, which was very convenient.
My Current Workflow
Right now, I’m kind of using a combination of the 2 Apps. I like the first app’s detailed organization and how it lets me see everything clearly. The second app I love how convenient it is to use, and its recommendations.
I used the first app to create the trip, and then the second app to discover and add items to my itinerary.
Still Learning
I’m definitely still figuring this out. There are so many apps out there, and what works for one person might not work for another. The important thing is to find something that fits your travel style and helps you have a better trip. I’m still not a master planner, but I’m definitely getting better, and these apps have been a big help!
