T+L's Top Travel Apps 2010

Advice and Resources

Check for rain

Not only does WeatherBug give you hour-by-hour forecasts and corresponding satellite views but it also has live camera feeds from 1,600 locations around the country. On Android phones, you can set up weather widgets for specific locations; on BlackBerrys, you can upload forecasts to your calendar, so you’ll know what to wear.

Cost: Free–$0.99; $4.99 for enhanced updates and maps.

Runs On: Android, BlackBerry, iPad, iPhone/iPod Touch, Palm WebOS, Symbian, Windows Mobile.

Know what to tip

For detailed information on what to give everyone from concierges and waiters to ski instructors and tour guides in 108 countries and regions, there’s Tipping Tips. What’s more, the app advises what to give based on both the standards of the destination and the level of service received. And if you’re dining with a group, the calculator will break down how much each person owes.

Cost: $0.99.

Runs On: iPad, iPhone/iPod Touch.

Find a restroom

Using your GPS location, address, intersection, or zip code, Sit or Squat provides you with the nearest restrooms, along with maps and even candid user ratings and reviews.

Cost: Free.

Runs On: Android, BlackBerry, iPad, iPhone/iPod Touch.

Stay healthy

An essential part of your digital first-aid kit, MPassport will help you find nearby doctors, dentists, pharmacies, and hospitals and schedule appointments in 20 different cities worldwide, including London, Paris, Madrid, Nairobi, Quito, Beijing, and Hong Kong. It can also translate medication names into other languages.

Cost: Free.

Runs On: iPad, iPhone/iPod Touch.

See what a cruise ship really looks like

With video feeds of more than 100 cruise ships, Cruise Cam lets you see everything from the pool deck to the dining room of a given ship; the app also has cameras at 150 ports of call.

Cost: $1.99.

Runs On: iPad, iPhone/iPod Touch.