My Go-To Apps and Sites to Plan Travel Like a Pro

Planning travel is one of my favorite things to do, but it can also get overwhelming! For those of us who work a 9-5, trip planning can feel like another full-time job in and of itself.

I recently planned a 3-week trip to New Zealand and Tahiti, and–with so many moving parts involved–I knew I needed to stay super organized. That’s where these five apps and sites came in to save the day. Here’s exactly how to use each app for the planning process:

• Timeshifter

• TripIt

• Rome2Rio

• Flighty

• ResortPass

1. Timeshifter (@timeshifter)

Purpose: Beat jet lag before it even starts.

This is my go-to app for adjusting to new time zones ahead of long trips. I’ll start using Timeshifter about 2 weeks before my trip to gradually shift my sleep schedule and make sure jet lag doesn’t ruin my first few days.

I absolutely hate losing precious travel days to exhaustion, so this app is a game-changer for helping me stay energized and ready to explore from the moment I land!

2. TripIt (@tripitcom)

Purpose: Keep all travel plans organized in one place.

TripIt is an absolute lifesaver for managing all my reservations. For my upcoming trip, I’ve already loaded it up with:

• Rental car bookings

• Hotel confirmations

• Flight numbers and details

• Activities and tours I’ve scheduled

  
  

Everything syncs automatically when you forward confirmation emails, so I never have to dig through my inbox at the last minute. It also lets me share itineraries with family or friends, which is super helpful when coordinating group travel.

3. Rome2Rio (@rome2rio_official)

Purpose: Figure out how to get from point A to point B.

With so many stops planned on this trip, including flights, ferries, and buses, Rome2Rio has been a lifesaver for figuring out transportation options between locations. It’s perfect for mapping out routes and comparing costs and travel times so I can make smarter decisions.

Pro tip: It also includes estimated fares, so you can budget transportation costs before you even book tickets.

4. Flighty (@flightyapp)

Purpose: Track all flights in real time.

My upcoming trip has six separate flights, so staying on top of schedules, delays, and gate changes is a must. Flighty automatically tracks my flights and sends real-time updates, even before the airline notifies me.

It also keeps historical flight data, so I can check how reliable certain routes are when booking future trips.

5. ResortPass (@resortpass)

Purpose: Enjoy luxury resort amenities without staying overnight.

Who doesn’t want to experience luxury without paying luxury prices? ResortPass lets me book day passes to pools, spas, and rooftops at 5-star hotels around the world—no overnight stay required.

I already have my eye on a few options for Tahiti to squeeze in some extra pampering during my trip without blowing my budget!

Any Recommendations I Missed?

These apps have been my go-to tools for keeping this trip organized and stress-free, but I’m always on the lookout for more! If you have any favorite travel planning apps or websites that I should try, drop your recommendations in the comments below or message me on Instagram–I’d love to hear what you’re using!

Happy planning and happy travels!