16 apps that fix the most annoying things about traveling

Angela Franklin/Unsplash

When it comes to traveling, there are plenty of annoying little problems that can put a damper on your trip.

You may not know it, but there's a way to skip the long customs line at the airport, find a last-minute hotel room for cheap, and renew your passport without ever leaving your home. All you need to do is download a few apps.

Before you plan your next weekend getaway or book a flight to some sunny paradise, check out these must-have travel apps for your iPhone or Android device.

Officially authorized by US Customs and Border Protection, Mobile Passport lets you breeze through customs at 24 major airports in the US.

Mobile Passport

The problem: When you return to the US after traveling internationally, you often have to wait in an extremely long, slow-moving customs line.

The solution: Mobile Passport expedites the customs process, so you don't have to wait in line for hours. Just enter your basic passport information and answer a few questions about your trip. Then, when you arrive in the US, you can skip the regular line and go to the Mobile Passport line.

Price: Free on iOS and Android

WiFi Map lets you unlock free Wi-Fi passwords at hundreds of locations nearby, wherever you are in the world.

Apple

The problem: It's not always easy to find free Wi-Fi when you're traveling, and international data plans are expensive.

The solution: WiFi Map shows you locations nearby that offer free Wi-Fi, along with the passwords for those hotspots. Even better, you can download free offline maps before you visit certain cities, so you can get Wi-Fi passwords even when your phone isn't connected to the internet.

You can also buy the premium version of the app for $4.99, which gives you access to more Wi-Fi spots in remote areas.

Price: Free on iOS and Android

Moovit helps you navigate local transit with live step-by-step directions that update in real time.

Apple

The problem: Navigation apps like Google Maps or Citymapper tend to fall short when it comes to local transit in unfamiliar cities.

The solution: Moovit is a powerful local transit app that constantly updates, so you won't get lost or waste time waiting for a bus that's not coming. Unlike apps like Google Maps, you won't have to check your phone constantly during your subway, train, or bus ride since Moovit tells you exactly how many stops are left until you need to get off.

You can even download offline maps, so you can use Moovit when your phone isn't connected to the internet.

Price: Free on iOS and Android

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