Top 15 iPhone Travel Apps

Available in a dozen or so languages, these apps may one day put Berlitz out of business. Each guide contains around 600 common phrases. And you don't have to worry about pronunciation. Tap the phrase you want to communicate, and it comes out through the iPhone speaker.

The interface for the iPhone's GPS app, Maps comes pre-installed on all units. Although it's not as sophisticated as a dedicated GPS unit, it can help you get directions to travel from here to there. If a GPS signal isn't available, the iPhone can still geotag you using wi-fi and cellular tower info when tracking is turned on.

Tired of waking up in the middle of the night in a hotel room and wondering what time it is? The Night Stand travel app works as a digital clock and has a built-in alarm. Note: Couples who don't need to see the time in blazing numerals can use the free alarm built into the Clock app that comes with every iPhone.

If you like to stay in smaller properties, such as inns and bed-and-breakfasts, use this free app to search for ones in destinations across the USA. You'll get a short description, perhaps some photos, an email link to reservations, a map, and a button to dial the inn directly. Nice touches include recipes and a "nearby" function that allows the GPS on your iPhone to locate inns in the vicinity.

Even though I'm a native, I still need to check the NYC subway map once in a while and this easy iPhone app helps me find what I need. Using the familiar finger navigation, I can drag it to the location where I want to travel and then magnify the location by spreading two fingers apart. Maps similar to this in the App Store cover other urban areas and transportation systems.