Put Travel Tools at Your Fingertips With These Handy Apps

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For today’s tech-savvy traveler, a world of travel-related information, entertainment and tools can be accessed in the palm of the hand via a smartphone and the right travel apps. And with so many fun activities and destinations available to explore on the Grand Strand, the extra help and guidance can definitely come in handy.

When you and your vacation crew are ready to venture out in the Myrtle Beach area, consider keeping these top travel apps close at hand to keep you informed and to ease your exploration:

TripIt: This travel-planning app serves as a one-stop organizer for all of your travel details. Once any element of a trip is booked — flights, hotels, car rentals or any other reservations — users can simply forward their confirmation email to a designated TripIt email address, and the app will instantly place their plans in a centralized master itinerary. The app will then help users find a better seat on the plane, keep a lookout for flight refunds and changes, remember check-in details and follow flight alerts, monitor the length of security lines are and more. For more info, visit tripit.com

Packpoint: For travelers who always seem to forget to pack something they really could’ve used on the trip, this app will create a custom packing list after users provide a short list of trip details such as destination, trip length, trip purpose, etc. The app will even check the weather before offering its packing tips, and allows them to share their packing list with fellow travelers. Learn more at packpnt.com.

Yelp: For new-to-town vacationers (or even lifelong residents) looking to get crowd-sourced opinions on the best places to eat, drink, sleep, play and more, this app provides a fast and easy way to search for nearby businesses, then read user reviews about them. Learn more and download the app at yelp.com.

Uber: For travelers without their own set of wheels, this app provides an easy way to secure reliable ground transportation in minutes in more than 600 cities worldwide, plus the ability to choose from among available vehicles, see the fare up front, follow the in-transit vehicle’s location before arrival, and pay and tip the driver cash-free using the credit card associated with the account. Get all the details and download the app at uber.com.

Google Maps: Need directions? Look no further. This mapping app offers street maps, real-time traffic info, turn-by-turn directions, route-planning help, and even satellite and street-view imagery to help travelers get where they’re going quickly and easily — whether they’re trekking by car, foot, bicycle, plane or public transportation. Download the app from Google Play or the Apple Store.

Trail Wallet: Travelers on a budget (which, let’s be honest, includes most of us) can use this app to keep a close eye on their spending during a getaway. Created to be simple, clear and intuitive, the app allows users to organize expenses by trip or month, set daily budgets, and easily add new expenses on the go. Later, the app helps users analyze their travel spending to determine where they did well and where their expenditures could use some work. Visit voyagetravelapps.com to learn more.

After a day of exploring the Grand Strand with some app-provided guidance, head back to your comfortable accommodations and wide-ranging amenities at The Cottages at North Beach Plantation to rest up for more sightseeing in the Myrtle Beach area. Book your getaway to the Carolina coast today — and start planning some good times on the Grand Strand!