8 Apps Every Business Traveler Needs

If you remember business travel before smartphones, you know what a gamble it could be to find a good place to eat, or what a headache it was to keep track of a growing pile of expense receipts. Luckily, we now have gadgets that can take some of the guesswork out of business travel and make it more seamless. Of course you know about Google Maps, Yelp and Google Translate, but what else is out there? Here are eight business apps that will make you a business travel pro in no time.

Demystify airfare

Hopper can help you find reasonably priced airfare. It also boasts the Fair Bear feature, which allows you to navigate otherwise baffling airline restrictions and hidden fees. With this app, you’ll not only find an affordable flight, but you’ll also know ahead of time what it costs to check your bags or whether carry-on bags have fees.

Available on iOS and Android, free

Maximize your money

Gone are the days of trying to calculate exchange rates—now we have business apps for that. For international travelers, the XE Currency App keeps track of exchange rates in real time. Now you can know at a glance how much something costs in any currency.

Available on iOS, Android, BlackBerry, Windows Phone and Firefox OS, free

Go paperless

What business traveler, in this high-tech century, has the time to keep track of paper receipts? With Expensify, you simply snap a picture of your receipt and you’re done. This app automatically submits an expense report for you, which leads to what you really want—quicker reimbursement.

Available on iOS and Android, free or paid for additional features

Know the weather and dress for it

Whether you have free hours to explore a new city or a day top-loaded with meetings, you need to know what the weather has in store. Unlike some forecasting apps that are clogged with irrelevant information, Weather Underground offers a straightforward and uncluttered interface. The app allows you to choose which hyperlocal, user-operated weather station provides your forecast. It may seem incredibly basic, but you’d be lost—and wet—without it.

Available on iOS and Android, free

Stay in touch

Traveling with colleagues or friends? Don’t bother with group texts (because there’s inevitably one person who floods the replies) or group emails (because there’s always one person who doesn’t think to reply all). Instead, use PlanChat, which is designed to keep trip details in one place and co-travelers all on the same page.

Available on iOS, free

Stick to your diet

If you’re vegetarian or vegan, you know how tricky it can be to find food while on the road. You need more than just salad to survive, and you need to find restaurants that understand that. Search for plant-diet-friendly restaurants on HappyCow. The app features user reviews and a five-star system you can consult before trying out a new meatless or vegetarian-friendly eatery.

Available on iOS and Android, $4.99/$3.99

Keep time on your side

What time is it? That question can get confusing, especially on an extended trip through multiple time zones. Circa’s elegant and simple interface keeps track of multiple time zones simultaneously without giving you data overload.

Chill out—you’ve earned it

You need a place to take off your shoes and put your feet up at the end of a busy day. The Choice Hotels Mobile App lets you seek and book nearby hotels, tour them virtually and read user-generated reviews. Keep track of your reservations, past and future, or even redeem Choice Privileges rewards points through this useful little app.

Available on iOS and Android, free

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