What is a business travel app?
A business travel app is a smartphone application that can ease the challenges of business travel by assisting with many processes, from tracking expenses to finding a hotel room. While leisure travelers can use these apps as well, they’re more popular within the business crowd because they help facilitate some aspects of their trips.
The perfect combination of business travel apps can take all the stress out by streamlining work and travel plans.
9 apps that will help with your business travel
Every business traveler and their trips are different, and so are business travel apps.
That’s why we’ve rounded up the best apps, each catering to a different type of traveler. Here are nine of the top aspects that business travel apps can help you with:
1. Planning apps
The TripIt app allows you to keep your entire travel itinerary in one place. Apps can keep all the information you need for your trip—flight schedules, hotel bookings, meeting details—easily accessible and organized in a calendar. The best part is with some apps, you can simply forward all the confirmation emails to your account, and the application will sort and store the information for you.
Platforms: iOS, Android, Windows, and Blackberry
Price: Basic for free, download premium for $49
2. Navigation apps
Avoid getting lost on the road with a navigation app. Try CityMapper, available in big cities across Europe, Asia, and North America. The app provides reliable and accurate routes – great for business days filled with meetings, hotels, and restaurants.
Google Maps is the top navigation app globally. The app allows you to navigate online and offline, pin places in advance, compare transportation options, and share locations. The app offers a wide range of search options, from establishments with Wifi to restaurants with specific dietary considerations.
Platforms: iOS, Android, and Windows
Price: Free
3. Expense tracking apps
No need to hold on to your receipts anymore. With Expensify, you track your expenses by simply taking a photo and uploading it into the app. Their on-the-spot submissions save hours of sorting through old receipts and invoices. Expensify is simple, free, and designed for business travelers.
Platforms: iOS, Android, Windows, and Blackberry
Price: Free
4. Document sharing
Google Drive allows you to continue working on docs from wherever you are. You can make changes to live documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. Access any file you need from your laptop or mobile device. You can also work offline in these docs with the latest version, then update them once you reconnect to the internet. These apps are invaluable for business travelers.
Platforms: iOS, Android, and Windows
Price: Free
5. Airport lounge guides
If you find yourself in a large or unfamiliar airport, Flio can provide detailed information to get you to your plane on time. It features information on thousands of airports, including interactive maps that show gates, baggage claims, lounges, restaurants, shops, and the best ways to get around on public transit.
You can also book access to lounges or a parking spot through the app and receive updates on your flight status.
Platforms: iOS and Android
Price: Basic is free
Lounge buddy allows you to access all the airport lounges in the app’s network – no membership, elite status, or business-class ticket required. Starting at $25, you can purchase lounge access using the app and get instant access to the space you need to work, relax, freshen up, and get ready for your next flight.
Platforms: Android, iOS, Windows Phone, Blackberry
Price: Free
6. Online/offline translation
iTranslate is an app that will help you break down the language barrier in any situation, be it in a business meeting or on the road.
Platforms: Android, iOS, OSX, and Windows
Price: Free
The Google Translate app displays translated words onto your phone or tablet, or speaks them aloud. Also, if you take a picture of a sign, the application will translate its meaning into words.
Download up to 5 languages offline for generating translations without eating up your data while you’re abroad for business.
Platforms: Android and iOS
Price: Free
7. Currency converter
Valuta+ is a simple, user-friendly currency converter app. The app allows you to mark your favorite currencies to save time and automate the process. It works offline, which is useful if you’re out with no internet connection between cities, doing some local shopping, or can’t remember the exchange rate.
Platforms: iOS, Android, and Windows
Price: Free
8. Taxi and transportation apps
Many of the best taxi and ride-sharing apps vary by city, region, and country. There’s a long-standing debate as to which of these is the best. It typically comes down to personal preference, but location may also come into play.
FreeNow is a leading taxi app in many European cities. While Uber used to be considered the top app, it’s now unavailable or illegal in some countries.
Platforms: iOS, Android, and Windows
Price: Free
9. Wallet apps
Apple Wallet keeps you from ever losing your wallet again. Safely tuck your physical wallet and belongings away in your bag while storing your boarding passes, train tickets, and cards in the wallet app. For iOS users, the most convenient part is that a few clicks can display your boarding pass or payment cards, ready to use with Face or Touch ID.
Platforms: iOS devices
Price: Free
Google Pay lets you transform your phone into a digital wallet. As an Android user, you can safely pay using your mobile device, check in for flights and other travel bookings, or even check in to a hotel with nothing more than your Google Wallet. You can even store and use certain types of ID cards.
Platforms: Android, iOS, Windows Phone, Blackberry
Price: Free
