Best Free Travel Apps of 2015

Smartphones are all the rage these days, and apps are a popular way to make travel easier and cheaper. Why do all the research when you can hit that download button, put in your information, and let the app do all the work for you? We have compiled a quick list of some of our favorite travel apps to make your life easier:

• Airbnb. Free. This app allows you to rent unique places in over 190 cities in any budget. You can use the filters to set your budget, and can even request an entire house. Airbnb allows you to get to know the local neighborhoods on a more personal level.
• Tripit. Free. For the planners to track every detail of their trip. Customize your itinerary and keep plane, train, and dinner reservations all in one tidy little place. 
• Google Translate. Free. Traveling to a foreign country? This app is a lifesaver! You are even able to scan simple text, such as menu items or train time tables, and it will translate it into your desired language.
• Gas Buddy. Free. Road trip? Need to fill up that rental car? This popular travel app searches your location and compares gas prices on the spot. Super helpful way to save a few bucks! 
• Hotel Tonight. Free. Sure, you usually have your hotels all lined up for your entire trip, but sometimes things just don't go as planned. This app helps you find last minute deals on leftover hotel rooms minutes or hours before you need to check in. In a tight spot, it can be a lifesaver. 

While these travel apps are a great way to aid in a stress-free trip, A1 Express will leave you at ease when you drop your car at our lot and hop on our free shuttle to Tampa International Airport. Reserve online today and save. 

Summer Travel Tips

School is almost out and summer is about to be upon us! Not surprisingly, most people take a vacation during this time of the year. With tons of people traveling, the airport's can get a little hectic and stress levels may be high! Check out our list of tips on how to survive traveling to your summer vacation destination:

1. Shoes Off! Well, for TSA scanning, that is! TSA is generally stressful, but can become even more of a burden with the entire family in tow. Before you reach the TSA agents, remove your shoes, take out all liquids etc. Being prepared before you reach the front of the line will help ensure a smooth process.

2. Bend the Rules. Traveling with the kids? We can almost guarantee that you are going to stray from their normal daily routine...and that's okay! Instead of stressing about a missed bedtime, look on the positive side and go with the flow. The kiddos and your mind will thank you!

3. Fly Mid-Week. Want to beat the crowds? [Who doesn't?!] Try and schedule your flights mid-week and enjoy less crowded flights. Stuck leaving on a weekend? Don't fret! See if any flights leave early in the morning, or later in the evening as these are also fantastic times to fly.

4. Call your Bank. Nothing is worse than being stuck away from home with a frozen bank account because you forgot to call and let your company know you are using your credit card out of the state/country. Do this early [now!] before you forget during the bustle of planning your trip!

5. Make Photocopies! Make multiple copies of your passport, ID, flight information etc. to keep on your person in addition to the real thing. Scan these documents and email them to yourself so that you are always able to access them in the event you lose the originals.

Do you really want to stress less this summer? Make your free online reservation for Tampa Airport parking with A1 Express and save time and money!

Cheap Places to Fly to from Tampa

We get it! Life is busy and hectic and sometimes you just can’t get away for the extravagant vacation of your dreams. Just because you can’t afford to jet off to Tahiti doesn’t mean that there aren’t some splendid locations close to Tampa Bay! Check out these destinations that are affordable and easy to fly to from Tampa International Airport:

• Puerto Rico (2 ½ hour flight from TPA). It is no surprise that Puerto Rico is one of the most affordable places for Tampa travelers to go with flights roughly around $180 round trip! Fly on JetBlue and you will receive complementary television and movies during the flight. When you arrive at San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico, be sure to explore the candy-colored shops and watch the sun set over the Caribbean from local Spanish forts.
• Atlanta, Georgia. (1 hour 20 min flight from TPA). Yes, Atlanta is “only” a nine hour drive from Tampa, but why drive eighteen hours round trip when you can leave your car at A1 express and hop on a plane for $138 round trip? If you are craving city life, check out midtown and downtown Atlanta. Olympic Park is always fun to explore and you can even visit where they filmed the popular TV Series “The Walking Dead!”
• Bermuda. (3 hour flight from TPA). Bermuda is a beautiful little island nation off the coast of the eastern United States. Coming in at around $500 round trip, the island is a bit more expensive to fly to, but it is totally worth it! After sampling Bermuda’s famous pink beaches, push your fear factor to its limit with a round of fly boarding, which has you flying over the ocean using a water-powered jetpack! You superhero you!

Once you figure out where you should fly to from Tampa International Airport, make your free online reservation with A1 Express to ensure you get the cheapest TPA airport parking!