Eight iPhone Apps to Ease Holiday Travel Stress

by Nathan Eddy

This app gives you access to real-time flight status from around the world, as well as weather radar updates, route maps and push alerts. Users can check gate numbers, delays and cancellations, and search by aircraft type, speed and altitude. Theres also a feature that allows users to shake the iPhone and track a random flight, if so inclined.

If youre on the roads this holiday season, chances are youll either be trapped in traffic or driving well over the speed limit to make up for lost time. Trapster gives you a hand in making up miles without getting pulled over by alerting you as you approach speed cameras, red light cameras and radar detectors.

No surprises here: This app is dedicated to getting you to the cheapest gas in your area and includes price timestamps, prices for all grades and the distance to the station displayed. Station pricing is provided by GasBuddy.com, and you can sort results by distance or by price.

Another app directed at air travelers, Live ATC Air Radio allows users to listen in on live conversations between pilots and air traffic controllers around the world. While it might not get you to your destination any faster, you never know when you might hear a pilot say: Have you ever been in a Turkish prison?

The holidays are stressful enough without trying to keep in touch with friends and family around the globe, but Postman makes it easier, allowing you to snap a photo and create a postcard to send. The app allows cards to be posted to Facebook, Twitter or sent via e-mail, so while you may not see everyone this year, you can let them know youre thinking of them.

This app helps prevent you from forgetting the cranberry sauce again. Packing Pro features lists that make sure the user has organized and packed everything they need for that trip to the in-laws house (aspirin, of course) and creates lists based on temperature at destination, preferences for clothes washing and sample packing lists for families and couples.

This popular free app helps you find neighborhood eateries and filters by price and cuisine. The app also includes ratings and reviews from newspapers, bloggers and fellow eaters, so youll know the right spots to go.

Everyone needs a break from a long haul, and the Rest Stop app gives users a list of rest areas complete with a list of facilities and a Map Zoom option connecting to Google Map for user-friendly rest stop locations in your area or down the road.