Family travel puts flight updates, naps, menus, and hotel logistics on the same to-do list. These are the apps I use to keep track and make more room for enjoying the trip.
Some links in this post are affiliate or referral links. I may earn a commission or referral reward if you use them.
01Nara Baby: Less guesswork with toddler jet lag
Nara helps me manage Apollo’s jet lag by showing how much he slept and when. I use that record to plan the next nap or bedtime.
Real trip example
A three-hour time difference, two different travel days
For San Francisco to Boston, we chose an 8:12am nonstop to protect overnight sleep. Apollo’s plane nap lasted just 38 minutes, so we followed his body clock: bedtime was 10:16pm in Boston, or 7:16pm at home.
Returning home, our one-nap toddler took a 23-minute car nap and a 1h07 plane nap. That was 1h30 of sleep across two naps, with the last ending at 2:55pm PT. Normally, back at home, I wouldn't let that first cat nap happen, but because travel days have no rules, I let it proceed. Because of the late ending of the last nap, we shifted bedtime later to 8:44pm PT, even though he started his day at 4:56am PT (7:56am ET).
We protect overnight sleep, adjust to the naps he took, and work back toward his usual routine at home. The next morning, he was back to normal on Pacific time.
From breastfeeding to potty training
Nara has grown with us, too. I logged feeds while breastfeeding, when Apollo’s intervals varied from 2.5 to 5 hours as he grew. I stopped logging when breastfeeding ended. Now I use custom Toilet and Wet Pants routines. He informs when he needs to go nowadays, but I also offer every 1–2 hours. The log helped me learn his patterns and avoid accidents while we traveled during potty training.
02Flighty: Gate change. Glad I was notified before moving everyone.
Flighty sends the delay, gate-change, and aircraft-swap updates I want while juggling Apollo and our bags. I often hear from Flighty before the airline. I’m also an aviation geek, so I use the lifetime plan and enjoy my flight stats: flights taken, distance traveled, and airports visited.
03Google Translate: Hungry toddler. Menu I can’t read.
The camera translation feature on Google Translate helps me read menus, signs, and product labels without typing them out. It’s especially handy when Apollo’s patience at the table is running out.
04Nanit: So you can enjoy your vacation too
Nanit is the best baby monitor for home and travel. I pack the Flex Stand, a spare travel mount, and a travel router for hotel WiFi. The Flex Stand supports live video and alerts.
I can check Apollo from the app without entering the room, have dinner downstairs or a nightcap while being an elevator ride away if needed.
05Google Maps: The map loads when my signal doesn’t
I download our destinations in Google Maps and build a separate Google My Maps itinerary with hotel, restaurant, and sightseeing pins. Seeing what’s nearby helps me group stops and avoid crossing the city twice.
Offline driving directions work within the downloaded area. Walking, cycling, and transit directions need internet, as does My Maps.
06been: Keep a visual record of your child's travels
Apollo has his own been account, linked to the email I created when he was born. I record his cities and countries so one day I can share a map of our earliest adventures.
07WhatsApp: Message home and the concierge
WhatsApp keeps me connected to family and to hotels, concierges, restaurants, and guides abroad. Messages and calls are free over an internet connection. For China, set up WeChat before you go.
08Calculator: Convert prices and units
My iPhone’s Calculator converts currencies, temperatures, distances, and weights. Open the app, select Convert, and choose what you need.
09Your airline’s app: Track bags & collect miles
Get your airline’s app and join its loyalty program. For example, United’s free MileagePlus membership includes free Starlink WiFi on equipped aircraft, and its app tracks checked bags (goodbye printed sticker stubs).
10Your hotel’s app: Message the hotel & collect points
Download the hotel's app and ensure you're a member of its loyalty program. For example, the Marriott Bonvoy app lets me message the hotel without calling or visiting the lobby. Depending on the property, hotel apps also offer room service, menus, opening hours, and mobile keys.
Join the free loyalty program, too. For example, I Prefer offers member rates and internet from its entry tier, with upgrades, early check-in, and late checkout subject to availability. Collect hotel points on qualifying stays alongside points from cards such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve.