For even the most seasoned loss prevention road warriors, the challenges of travel can add apprehension and anxiety. Whether it’s an unexpected change in weather, finding the right hotel, deciding where to eat, or being comfortable in transit, stressful times will inevitably arise when traveling.
Thankfully society has bloomed with the tools of technology, offering solutions to both simple and complicated problems at the touch of a finger. Today we live in a world where we can access everything we are looking for and more in a matter of seconds. New apps are developed daily, many of which create a smoother travel experience for us and are conducive to convenient planning. Here, we explore some of the best on-the-go apps for your convenience to take with you on your next trip.
Weather Apps 
- Weather on the Way– Ideal for traveling in the car or long road trips, this app provides real-time weather updates and forecasts throughout your route. Plus, it’s compatible with CarPlay.
- WeatherBug– Known to be the best freeweather app, WeatherBug offers real-time weather updates and forecasts from any location worldwide with additional features such as radar maps, severe weather alerts, live camera feeds, and more.
- Drive Weather– This app uses the National Weather Service’s weather forecast, showing travelers what to expect along their route. This platform allows for comparison of different routes, creating stops, interactively changing departure time, and other features.
Hotel Booking Apps
- Booking.com– On this app, you can book last minute or months in advance. It includes all sorts of properties from hotels and motels to homes and apartments. The platform provides 24/7 customer service, helpful blogs, and more.
- Airbnb– This platform allows you to cut out the middleman and communicate with the rental owner themselves. You have the option to choose the exact type of stay you’re looking for, from apartments to mansions to remote cabins in the woods.
- Hotels.com– If you’re searching for more affordable hotel stays, hotels.com is the place to look. This app offers countless offers on hotels, both for last minute, and pre-planned bookings.
Food Apps
- Yelp– The main attraction of this app is the reviews consumers leave based on their experiences. Providing a realistic view of restaurants, the platform includes information such as menus, the atmosphere, and more, with photos.
- Foodspotting– Do you decide on where to eat based on photos of the food? Then this app is for you. Functioning like a social app, Foodspotting utilizes user photos to show you what might strike your fancy. Follow your friends and favorite dishes, rather than only restaurants.
- Zomato– Like Yelp, this app is designed to search for and discover new places to eat at or even order in from. You can browse through pictures, menus, and reviews of the restaurants to decide, and you can even use their map feature to find your way.
- Find Me Gluten Free– for people with celiacs, this app helps you effortlessly find celiac friendly restaurants and read about experiences from other members of the celiac and gluten-free community.
Stress Management Apps
LP Practitioners deal with stress on a daily basis, but there are certainly ways to manage it and apps can help.
- Headspace– This is a great tool for reducing stress through everyday mindfulness, meditations, sleepcasts, and exercises.
- Calm– Much like Headspace, this a great app for meditation, sleep, and relaxation. It features soothing soundscapes and gentle aesthetics.
- Sanvello-This platform aims to better mental health and is based on cognitive behavioral therapy combined with relaxation and wellness techniques. As you work with the app, it caters to your specific needs over time. It is a great tool for those with anxiety.
Travel Items
For you work travel warriors, the following list of items can be handy and make a lengthy trip more bearable.
- Organizer pouch– Nothing is more irritating than being crammed in an airplane seat and having to dig through your carry-on to find the simple item you’re searching for. With this compact and lightweight pouch, you can keep all your items stored in a more organized, accessible way.
- Memory foam neck rest– As a personal user of this item, I can confidently say it is a game changer. With extreme flexibility, you can twist this into the shape that suits your needs best. It works incredibly well for lower back pain during travel.
- Memory foam car cushion– I’m a personal user of this item as well and know that the memory foam car cushion is perfect for helping with better driving posture and relieving discomfort of a long drive. I use this for my office seat as I work remotely, too!
- Headphones– Headphones during a flight are a must. AirPods Pro offers a feature that cancels out any background noise, allowing for a more peaceful atmosphere. Even without this feature, though, having headphones to listen to music, a podcast, audiobook, or to watch a movie can make travel much more enjoyable.
- High quality water bottle– Investing in a high quality water bottle is vital. I personally prefer a stainless-steel water bottle to keep my drink cool while traveling, but either way, staying hydrated during travel helps maintain energy levels to keep you going (along with many other things too, of course).
If you know where to look and are willing to take a few moments to plan ahead, these simple travel aids can make those business trips easier than ever. Today you can leave bad meals, bad hotels, and bad vibes in the past. Take advantage of these tools for a smoother, more enjoyable journey!