Best Free Travel Apps

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, Rocket Parking will leave you at ease when you drop your car at our lot and hop on our free shuttle to Houston International Airport. Reserve online today and save. 

What to Wear on a Flight

Whether you are flying on a short domestic flight, or a long-haul international one, your in-flight wardrobe must be considered. We have some helpful tips on what to wear when you fly out of Houston International Airport:

• Choose loose, breathable fabrics. Tight tops or pants can restrict blood flow, and no one wants an accident thousands of feet off the ground. In addition, comfy, natural fabrics are easier to relax in.
• Comfy shoes. You will most likely be screened at TSA, so take that into account before donning your high top lace up Converse. If you are going straight to a business meeting as soon as you land, pack a small pair of heels in your personal item for when you land, or stick to professional but comfortable ballet flats.
• Dress relatively conservatively. Don't arrive at the gate wearing shirts with curse words or scantily clad humans on them. Airlines have been known to turn away passengers or make them turn their shirts inside out before even letting them board. If you wouldn't wear it to church with your Grandma, don't even think about wearing it on a plane.
• Layer it up! What if it is 90 degrees when you board your flight and then in-flight temperature drops to a frigid 73. Those shorts or dress you chose to wore suddenly will be doing more harm than good. Dress in layers when flying so you are able to add and subtract clothing articles depending on the climate. 
• Deodorant and clean clothing. It may be tempting to douse yourself in perfume or cologne before a flight, but resist the urge. Many people are allergic to the scent and you may even find yourself hard to stand in such close quarters. Wear strong deodorant and clean clothing and you should be all set. 

Once you have your in-flight wardrobe squared away, don't forget to make your online reservation with Rocket Parking to save on your Houston Airport Parking! 

5 Winter Car Care Tips

We can imagine it now: you are sitting on your computer or tablet and you are scoffing at this title. "We barely even get that much snow in Texas," you say! While this may be true, many people travel up north during the winter for work, family, pleasure etc. If you will be driving in the snow this winter, check out these five tips to keep your car in tip top shape:

1. Clean the inside of your windshield with shaving cream. Seriously! Not only will shaving cream clean your window, it will aid in preventing fog and moisture buildup. The less you have to run the defroster, the better!
2. Unfreeze your keys. Sticking your car keys into an almost certainly frozen car door lock will open the door to a whole bunch of potential problems! Keys may break or the lock may be too frozen to even turn! To remedy this, keep a lighter handy and warm your key before trying to insert it. In a pinch, hand sanitizer will help unfreeze as well.
3. Cover your window. Scraping your windshield can be a hassle. Save yourself the trouble by purchasing old drop clothes, a rug, or any type of thick material and placing it over your windshield. When you are ready to leave, simply yank the cloth off your windshield and all of the pesky snow will come off too! 
4. Stuck? Use cardboard! Weather your car is stuck in the slushy mud at home, work, or the grocery store, cardboard boxes should be nearby. Place a flattened cardboard box in front of your wheels and your car will make it to safety a lot easier.
5. Face east. When possible, park your car facing an easterly direction. Since the sun rises from the east, you will have a little help from nature's heat in starting the unfreezing process on those cold winter mornings. 

Leave your car in the care of Rocket Parking as you head for the snowy tundra's of the north! We want to make your Houston Airport Parking experience as hassle-free as possible! 

5 "Must See" Travel Destinations for 2015

We are halfway through the first month of 2015, and if you haven't started planning your vacations for this year, you should probably start! Flight options from Houston Airport are continually increasing, and choosing a destination can be quite time consuming! To start your 2015 off right, we have a list of the top five "must see" travel destinations for 2015:

Milan, Italy

Milan, Italy certainly isn't a new, or even an up-and-coming destination, so why does it make our top five for places to travel from Houston in 2015? This year, Milan is hosting a 2015 expo on "the future of food" that will draw over 20 million visitors! This expo brings along with it tons of new architecture unique to Milan and hundreds of cuisines from across the world. 

Singapore

As if you needed a reason to visit Singapore in the first place, this year, the country will celebrate its 50th year of independence with parades and merry making all year. The country is extremely safe and the urban areas are shockingly clean. Tourists can enjoy wide expanses of green spaces, cultural heritage, a national art museum, and world-class hotels and dining.

Oman

Most people have never even heard of this Middle Eastern country, located right next to the United Arab Emirates. Have you always wanted to travel to the Middle East and experience the culture and cuisine of this mysterious world? Oman is the safest Middle Eastern country in 2015 and is a highly anticipated destination to visit this year. 

Durham, North Carolina

8 hour flights and international border crossings not your idea of fun? Durham, N.C. is a lot closer to home and just as interesting as overseas destinations! Durham is boasting all the latest cuisine innovations, from fair-trade coffee shops and micro-breweries, to the best local diners you can find. This year, Durham is debuting a "tree house" hotel, where guests will stay some 20 feet above the ground.

Dominican Republic

If you are okay with a shorter flight [under 4 hours from most USA cities], but still want to visit an exotic destination, the Dominican Republic may be just right for you! Instead of visiting the "usual" high-tourist areas of the Dominican Republic, consider visiting the country's pristine northern shore. The north shore will have much less traffic and the beaches and hotels are a far cry away from "ordinary."

Before embarking on your 2015 trip of the year, don't forget to make your online parking reservation with Rocket Parking. We want to ensure that your Houston International Airport flight experience is a smooth as possible by ensuring we get you to your gate on time so you don't have to worry about airport parking!

Holiday Travel Tips

Even though you may live in sunny Houston, you are still going to have to deal with weather and crowds when traveling home for the holidays. Whether you are traveling for a holiday cruise, exotic vacation, or flying home from Houston International Airport for family festivities, it is important to remember that millions of other Americans are going to be doing the same exact thing this winter! In addition, it always seems that poor weather conditions show up around holiday travel time! What luck.

Don't let long car rides, cramped airplanes, invasive security, or bad weather get you down; You are going on a relaxing cruise or traveling to visit your beloved family back home! Regardless of your plans, you will be thankful for our winter holiday travel tips:

1. Plan ahead and do your research. Driving to your destination? Research alternate travel routes ahead of time in case major traffic blocks the interstate. Depending on where you are driving from, you may be able to find some fun mini-destinations such as National Parks to visit on your way! Flying? Make sure you check your airlines baggage restrictions ahead of time to avoid stress on the day of your flight.
2. Pack accordingly. Packing light during winter travel is always suggested. If you can get away with just a carry on, that would be even better! This way, you won't have to worry about your luggage getting lost in transit. If you do check your bags, make sure that you pack at least two pairs of extra clothes, your phone charger, and whatever necessities you may need in your carry on just in case. 
3. Pack earplugs. Sure popping in headphones and listening to music is often a great way to zone out at a busy airport or loud car ride, but sometimes a person just needs silence! These little lifesavers can also ensure you get a few hours of shuteye before arriving at your destination.
4. Reserve your parking in advance. Since you and millions of people will be traveling this winter season, it is important to reserve your Houston Airport Parking in advance! Reserving ahead with Rocket Parking will often save you money, and certainly saves you the stress of searching for a spot last minute.
5. Travel early or late in the day. Do you really want to beat the rush? Traveling during hours when most people want to be asleep can save you a whole lot of hassle since the roads will be less busy and the airports less crowded. 
6. Eat well and stay hydrated. This may seem like a simple tip, but it is often overlooked, as travelers rush to pack the car, struggle to read the GPS or fight with TSA about their luggage. Drinking water and eating regularly timed meals and snacks will make you feel oh so much better when you arrive at your final destination. 

Best and Worst Airports 2014

It is no secret that airport travel can be stressful! Thankfully, Houston Airport doesn't fall on the "worst" list! IAH is actually ranked as #19 on the "best" list! Make your online reservation with Rocket Parking and see how stress-free travel can be! By comparing the percentage of positive and negative tweets about each airport, these are rankings, ordered from best to worst:

BEST AIRPORTS:

1. Orlando International, Florida (MCO)
2. Salt Lake City, Utah (SLC)
3. Miami International, Florida (MIA)
4. Minneapolis-St. Paul International, Minnesota (MSP)
5. Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas (DFW)
6. San Francisco International, California (SFO)
7. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County, Michigan (DTW)
8. Hartsfield-Jackson, Atlanta, Georgia (ATL)
9. Charlotte Douglas International, North Carolina (CLT)
10. Los Angeles International, California (LAX)
11. John F. Kennedy, New York, New York (JFK)
12. Boston International, Massachusetts (BOS)
13. Denver International, Colorado (DEN)
14. Phoenix International, Arizona (PHX)
15. Seattle-Tacoma International, Washington (SEA)
16. Newark International, New Jersey (EWR)
17. Chicago O'Hare, Illinois (ORD)
18. LaGuardia, New York, New York (LGA)
19. George Bush International, Houston, Texas (IAH)
20. Philadelphia International, Pennsylvania (PHL)

WORST AIRPORTS:

1. La Guardia International, New York (LGA)
2. Los Angeles International, California (LAX)
3. Honolulu International, Hawaii (HNL)
4. Newark Liberty International, New Jersey (EWR)
5. John F. Kennedy International, New York (JFK)
6. Philadelphia International, Pennsylvania (PHL)
7. Miami International, Florida (MIA)
8. Cancun International, Mexico ()
9. Las Vegas McCarran International, Nevada (LAS)
10. Washington Dulles International, D.C. (IAD)

Cheap Houston Airport Parking!

Who doesn't love cheap airport parking?! 

Next time you fly out of Houston's Bush Intercontinental Airport IAH, leave your car with Rocket Parking and pay cheap Houston Airport Parking rates. When you park with us, you receive huge discounts on IAH's expensive daily parking prices. In addition, our cheap Houston Airport parking rates include free online reservations, luggage assistance, complementary shuttle service, and secure parking. 

We are proud to offer free online reservations for our customers! For the best rates and most convenient experience, we suggest that you make a free online reservation before the day of your trip. 

Check out our cheap Houston Airport parking rates:

Open Air Parking: $5.24
Covered Parking: $6.24

Cheap Places to Fly from Houston

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 Houston! Check out these destinations that are affordable and easy to fly to from Houston’s Bush Intercontinental Airport:

·         Atlanta, Georgia. (1 hour 20 min flight from IAH). Yes, Atlanta is “only” an eleven hour drive from Houston, but why drive twenty-two hours round trip when you can leave your car at Rocket Parking and hop on a plane for $198 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!”

·         Boston, MA. (3 hour 45 min flight from IAH). For only $198 round trip you can jet off to Boston to enjoy some salty New England sea breezes. Tour the popular Fenway Park or take a walk along the spectacular Atlantic waterfront.

·         San Diego, CA. (2 hour 57 min flight from IAH). A flight to San Diego=$281. Seeing a friend or family member stationed in the United States Military=priceless. Take a trip to San Diego to visit an enlisted friend or family member or just to enjoy the beautiful Pacific Ocean and famed San Diego Zoo!

Once you figure out where you should fly to from Houston’s Bush Intercontinental Airport, make your free online reservation with Rocket Parking to ensure you get the cheapest IAH airport parking!