Flightster

6 ways to make your trips more geeky

• by Shannon Albert
• on October 13th, 2010
• 3 Comments

We have a house of geeks so we’re always looking for new ways to express our geeky sides, even while traveling. Here are some ideas to add a little geekiness to your trips.

1. Apps, apps, apps

So many new and cool apps and lots of them are travel related. Here are some apps you might like:

• TripIt – this is the app that goes with the tripit.com site. TripIt allows you to organize your travel information in one place. After you setup your account, you can simply forward your travel confirmation emails for things like your hotel, flights and rental car and TripIt will parse through those emails and organize the info in one place for you. Available for iPhone, Android and Blackberry.
• Airport Maps – this app allows you to look at terminal maps for most North American airports plus search for dining and shopping near where you’re located. Available for iPhone.
• MyTSA – app created by the TSA providing travelers with the information most requested from the TSA. Functionality includes being able to search for what you can bring on a flight called “Can I bring,” the ability to look for current security wait times, information on airport delays (not specific flights but general airport delays) and general tips such as how to pack liquids, packing tips and traveling with children. Available for iPhone.
• TripAdvisor – the site now has a great app that you can use to look for information on the go. My favorite part of the app is being able to search what’s near you right now so you can easily find a good restaurant or hotel based on your current location and without having to enter an address. I even use the app near home when we’re out and about and just want a good recommendation on a place to eat for dinner. Available for iPhone and Android.
• OntheFly (from ITA Software) – For people like me who have been huge fans of ITA Software for years, the addition of this app that uses the same functionality is a fantastic one. You can also search airports located near where you are to make it even easier. Available for iPhone.
• For more travel app recommendations, TripStyler frequently reviews apps and provides a great overview of each.

2. Geocaching

Going on a road trip? Check for geocaching sites along the way. Not sure what geocaching is? Here’s the definition.

Geocaching is an outdoor activity in which the participants use a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver or other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers (called “geocaches” or “caches”) anywhere in the world.

Use geocaching.com to search for caches along your route and/or download the Groundspeak app for iPhone or Android which will allow you to search for caches based on your location.

3. Educational slant

Going somewhere touristy? How about looking for a way to make it educational? Look for tours or museums that speak to the history of your location. If you have children, there are sometimes field trip type of tours that will present an educational view of your destination. Just verify they allow individual participation and not just groups.

4. Smartphone hotel key

If you have an Android, iPhone or Blackberry and you’re staying at a Holiday Inn in Chicago or Houston, you can be part of a pilot program called MobileKey. If you sign up for the program, you’ll receive a text message on the day of your arrival that will give you your room number and a secure link that will allow you to go into your room and bypass the front desk completely. This program is completely optional for all guests but a fun option for those of us who geek out over new technologies.

Here’s a demo video for how this technology works.

5. Destination Fiction

Headed somewhere and tired of the dry travel books? Try reading some fiction that takes place in your destination which can often capture the essence of the location that a matter-of-fact travel book might not. Conde Nast has a great list of 69 fiction travel books to give you some ideas.

6. Use a Trackstick

The Trackstick is a small device that can be carried in a purse or wallet or installed on a device and will track your entire trip for you using GPS technology. The route, speed, direction, stop times, etc., are all tracked so you have a digital recording of your entire trip. More info on the Trackstick can be found on Trackstick.com.

Other geeks who have some ideas to add to this list? We’re always looking for ways to turn up the geek factor and would love to hear your ideas.

Shannon Albert

Shannon loves to share awesome, fun and hopefully useful info that she's collected and to connect with other travel freaks. She loves the planning part of travel as much as the traveling itself. Shannon's background includes working as a web developer and as a digital producer for an advertising agency. She lives in Texas with her husband, 2 kids and dog. New York City is her favorite city. Her blog is shannonalbert.com.