As we bundle up and try to avoid pink-drenched Hallmark stores for the next week, a welcome breather from the cold draws closer for both those in their early 20s and those who wish they still were: spring break. Typically a late March or early April exodus to warmer climes, the time has come to plan your journey during the weeks of college road trips, relief for 9-5ers, and inspiration for most of MTV’s programming.
As spring break is generally remembered fondly as a wallet-friendly holiday, we’ve dug up the best bets for keeping it that way. Here are the 5 best apps for spring break deals:
• Kayak (free for iPhone and Android): You probably already know and enjoy Kayak, so the app should be familiar territory. Compare flight deals, hotel deals, and rental car deals, but don’t stop there: The app also offers personalized price alerts, trip tracking, packing list management, and info on airports and airline fees.
• TripAdvisor (free for iPhone and Android): A GPS-fueled guide of helpful hotel and flight info, TripAdvisor also displays what restaurants and activities are nearby, with price ranges and user reviews built in as well. Take it a step further with the TripAdvisor local city guides and take a free, app-guided walking or driving tour.
• Groupon (free for iPhone and Android): It’s tough to talk about deals of any kind without mentioning ubiquitous daily deal leader Groupon, and spring break deals are no different. The app is a digital organizer of your Groupons and includes the Groupon Now section for real-time coupons to use at eateries near your current location.
• Jetsetter (free for iPhone, not available on Android): Like its website, Jetsetter’s mobile app offers flash sales for hotels around the globe, up to 50% off. Though Jetsetter was invite-only in the past, deals are now open to the public with a free account, making an exotic destination an option even for the budget-minded.
• GasBuddy (free for iPhone and Android): For the spring break road trip, GasBuddy is a great resource to have on hand. It works like this: Users report gas prices and locations, and in turn receive points toward prize give-away entries for rewards like gas gift cards. Search by your preferred gas stations or by a GPS feature when in unknown areas to find the cheapest gas nearby. The lists of prices also tell you how long ago the price was reported, so you can be relatively sure it’ll be accurate when you get to the pump.
Have more great apps for travel deals that we missed? Let us know in the comments section below or connect with us on Twitter.
