Being a frequent traveler, I make use of my Android phone and tablet heavily while on the go.  While using the web browser is fine on its own, native apps really provide a superior user experience in some cases.  The following apps are ones that I use on every trip, and also at home.

Google Maps

This is a must install app if you are doing a lot of travel.  In addition to walking and driving directions with GPS navigation, you can get reviews for restaurants and hotels.  This is pre-installed on most Android devices, but you can also download Maps from the Google Play store.

Yelp

If you like to do a lot of planning on the day of the trip (don’t tell Louisa, she doesn’t like doing that), then Yelp is a good companion to help you find restaurants, hotels, and other attractions.  I find recommendations from Yelp (and other travel apps) to be a great resource when travelling to a new area.  You can download Yelp from the Google Play store.

Kayak and TripIt

Kayak is well known for its flight, hotel, and rental car search abilities, but my favorite feature of the Android app is My Trips.  This feature allows you track your flights, hotels, cars, and other activities in a single place.  If you are familiar with TripIt, you will find many familiar features here.  I actually did use TripIt until I moved over to Kayak for its more polished interface (in my opinion).  That being said, you really can’t go wrong with either app. You can download Kayak and TripIt from the Google Play store.

Foursquare

Foursquare is primarily known as a social app that you can use to check-in to various venues and earn badges.  While this can be fun, I also find that it is a great way to remember exactly which attractions and restaurants I visited while on a trip.  Louisa and I have used the history feature on Foursquare many times when writing a trip recap on the site.  You can download Foursquare from the Google Play store.

E-Readers – Kindle, Nook, and Moon+ Reader

Whether you use Kindle, Nook, or an ePUB reader like Moon+ Reader, ebooks are a great way to pass the time on a long flight or drive.  For example, I read A Walk For Sunshine on a cross-country flight earlier this year entirely on my Xoom. (Great book, very inspiring.)  Yeah, I probably should have slept instead, but reading was much more fun.  Download Kindle, Nook, and Moon+ Reader at the Google Play store.

Other Apps?

Do you have any favorites that I haven’t mentioned here?  Feel free to leave a comment with your favorite apps below.