top travel agent apps for android

Android Police

The best travel apps you need to use in 2024.

Cut down the time and stress of planning a trip

As you're scoping out your next vacation destination, all that wanderlust can romanticize the realities of travel. This means you need to plan an itinerary, pack a bag, have access to a navigation system, and plan out all those Instagram-worthy snapshots you want to show off at your next family reunion. Sometimes the prep leading up to a vacation can bring on some stress, but keep your eyes on that change of scenery, that beach day with your favorite Bluetooth speaker , and all those sightseeing excursions you planned via Google's toolkit . Don't get too overwhelmed—once you've picked the duration and destination of your getaway, you can use a few helpful apps to help you sort out the rest.

No matter how long your trip, you'll have peace of mind knowing you're totally prepared and can focus on being present in all those memory-making experiences. Ready to start planning? These apps will help you with all the prep you can think of.

1 Wanderlog - Trip Planner App

Planning out every aspect of your trip is easy with Wanderlog, and you can add as many tripmates as needed. Even though the app doesn’t allow you to book flights or make reservations, you can forward the information to the app and save it for reference. A free account offers everything you need to plan the perfect trip, but you can upgrade to an annual Pro account ($49.99/year) to unlock advanced features.

The app lets you create an itinerary by adding specific locations to each day. Plus, you can add accompanying notes and checklists, which is handy for tips, reminders, and keeping track of people you want to visit. Wanderlog might be the perfect travel app because it also helps you stay on budget, lets you split costs, and offers suggestions for new places to explore.

2 TripIt: Travel Planner

Like Wanderlog, TripIt helps you build an itinerary, but you can safely keep all necessary information in a single place. Manually add transportation, navigation, lodging, and other notable details, and, to make things easier, you can connect and sync your Inbox to import emails or forward them to TripIt. If needed, you can invite tripmates and let them edit your trip. The app is free, but you can subscribe to Pro for $48.99 per year to access real-time alerts, notifications, and other advanced features that will come in handy if you’re a frequent flyer.

TripIt gives you a safe space to save all types of travel documents and important contacts that are accessible even when you’re offline. Additionally, in partnership with Riskline, the app includes COVID-19 travel guidelines to advise you about the requirements and restrictions for your destination. What a great way to stay informed, so there are no surprises upon arrival!

How would you like to travel and discover new places all from the comfort of your home? If you're looking for your next dream destination or are already there and want to find nearby attractions, this app can help with both. It has made traveling and discovering new places easier than ever with a user-friendly interface. Framey also allows you to share photos from your travels for others to see and get ideas for their own future trips.

Once you find people to follow, you'll be able to see their posts on your home feed. Here, you can like, bookmark, and comment on posts. The ability to see more information about the location, such as its hours, directions, and nearby attractions, is a very useful feature. This can help you decide if it's a place you'd like to visit. Finally, you can use the search function to look for destinations and attractions all over the world, and you're sure to be impressed by the stunning images you'll find here.

Not everyone wants to stay in a hotel or with friends and family when they travel. Sometimes, you want something that is more affordable, has room for the entire family, and feels like home. Airbnb lets verified users rent out their space (usually a house, cabin, or condo) to travelers. You can explore Stays and Experiences based on location, date, and number of guests (including pets). Plus, many filters are available to help you narrow down your results. In addition, each listing has a photo gallery, and you can add listings to your wishlist for later reference.

While Stays are for those planning their own trips, Experiences are in-person and online activities hosted by local experts that let you learn or try something new. You can customize your budget and even book an experience for a private group. For Stays, you can learn more about the host and included amenities, read reviews from past guests, and contact the host if you have more questions. You can even become a host and rent out your personal space if you’re looking to make some extra income.

5 Polarsteps - Travel Planner & Tracker

This free app lets you plan your trips city by city and keeps track of every place you’ve visited with its optional “Travel Tracker” feature. Polarsteps will automatically track your routes and create a digital travel diary, giving you more time to enjoy your trip. Best of all, enabling this feature won’t kill your battery as it only uses about 4% daily.

For each trip, you’ll get a unique link that you can share with family and friends; they’ll be able to view your trip details but won’t have edit access. The digital maps are where Polarsteps shines — you can switch between Satellite and Street view. Once you’ve added all your planned stops, it will show the best routes and approximate travel time. The app also offers destination guides outlining the best places to visit, stay, and eat in a beautiful slideshow format.

6 AllTrails: Hike, Bike & Run

Trails aren’t just for hiking; they’re excellent for biking, running, backpacking, camping, bird-watching, fishing, and more. No matter your preference, this app will show you information and images of trails near and far. You can also use multiple filters and sorting options to find trails that suit your needs. While AllTrails is free and ad-supported, you can upgrade to AllTrails+ for $35.99/year. If you do upgrade, you can print or download maps, get alerts for wrong turns, find trails by distance from you, and view trail elevation in 3D.

The “Navigate” feature shows you a live map as you journey; it ensures you don’t get lost and keeps track of your activities in the app. You can choose a nearby route or start without one if you want to do your own thing. It also keeps track of time, distance, elevation gain, pace, and speed. As you’re journeying, you can add photos, see how many calories you’ve burned, add a waypoint, change routes, and see detailed navigation info . Lastly, you can connect with friends and other members to see and interact with their activities and discover new trails.

7 Tripadvisor: Plan & Book Trips

This app has a lot to offer, and it’s pretty easy to lose track of time as you discover new places locally or around the world and read helpful reviews from other users. In addition, you can plan trips alone or with a tripmate, save places you want to visit, view your saved places on a map, book hotels and experiences, view your bookings, and leave reviews for places you’ve visited. Tripadvisor is free and ad-supported; however, you can join Tripadvisor Plus for member-only pricing and perks at $99/year.

You can add notes and external links to your trips and see an overview of each city featuring a map, tons of local images, hotels, things to do, restaurants, and nearby popular destinations. Booking hotels is done on Expedia, using the in-app browser, letting you compare rates so you don’t overspend. With hotel booking and trip planning in one app, Tripadvisor gives you the best of both worlds.

8 MAPS.ME: Offline maps GPS Nav

Navigation is a huge part of planning a trip, and that’s where this free, ad-supported app comes to the rescue. You can look up any location and download maps for offline navigation to always have access. If needed, you can add terrain and subway layers to maps. To see additional information about a location, either tap a spot on the map or do a search, and it will show the address, coordinates, and distance away from your current location. Using the ruler feature, you can mark multiple points on a map to find the distance between them, which is excellent for planning daily activities.

You can create routes and choose which type of roads you’d like to avoid, like unpaved roads. If you’re traveling across states or countries, MAPS.ME will give you the option to download additional maps for each area so that it can create the best route for you to navigate ( similar to Google Maps ). Downloading multiple maps can be time-consuming but worth it to get the most out of the app. The power-saving mode is handy and can be set to off, automatic, or maximum. With automatic mode, the app will disable battery-draining features as needed.

Have you ever wondered how long the estimated wait time is at an airport, if there are any flight delays, or what items are allowed in your carry-on and checked baggage? MyTSA puts all the information you need to pack, prepare, and travel in one place. It will show you the closest airports to your current location to help you choose the best one and see important details. You can also add airports to your favorites for easy access. You'll also find an "AskTSA" section where you can get live assistance via Messenger and Twitter.

The "Can I Bring" tab has a full breakdown of the most popular items people may want to bring with them, like alcoholic beverages, bottled water, bug repellent, deodorant, electronic toothbrushes, golf clubs, vaping devices, and much more. MyTSA lets you know if you can have the item in your carry-on and checked bags. Some items have special instructions, which you'll see by tapping "see more details." This is extremely helpful to ensure that none of your items have to be left behind.

10 PackPoint travel packing list

Packing is another essential part of traveling; you want to ensure you have everything you need and appropriate clothing for where you’re going. With this app, packing will be the least of your worries. First, you’ll need to enter a little information about your trip: when and where you’re going, the duration, and the intended activities. PackPoint will then generate a packing list based on the expected weather and chosen activities, and you can check them off the list as you pack. New items can be manually added if needed, and you can swipe to remove items you don’t need.

While PackPoint is free, you can upgrade to Premium for a one-time payment of $2.99. Upgrading removes ads and unlocks custom packing templates, custom activities, TripIt integration, and Evernote integration. PackPoint practically does all the thinking for you when it comes to packing, plus it’s incredibly user-friendly, so you can’t beat the price.

It's the perfect time to start planning a trip

From packing apps to apps that help you find hiking and biking trails, the details of your next trip will all fall into place. Forget the travel agency and plan your lodging, activities, and navigation on your smartphone. While it can seem stressful to plan out every detail of your trip, you'll save money doing so, plus have the apps at your fingertips the entire duration of your journey. If you're really trying to stick to a budget, complement your travel planning with these apps for cheap travel .

Best Travel Apps (Updated for 2023)

Travel apps have made going on holiday a completely different experience from the old days of calling a travel agent, and then having to rely on word of mouth once you arrive to find nice things to do and see.

Nowadays your smartphone can book everything from flights, rental cars, and accommodation to let you know what fun and tasty experiences are around you.

At A Glance: Our Top Combo Of Travel Apps

• Best Travel Agent Kayak Jump To Review
• Best For Accommodation Airbnb Jump To Review
• Best For Local Travel Google Maps Jump To Review
• Best For Organization Packpoint Jump To Review
• Best Local Info TripAdvisor Jump To Review

Now that the world is finally opening up again, it’s time to start planning your next trip somewhere fun and beautiful. In this review, we have put together some of the best travel apps around for iOS and Android to help you find, plan, and experience the best vacation possible.

Top Product Overview

Best travel apps, booking flights & accommodation.

Buying the least expensive flights and accommodation is a dark art in this day and age, but luckily there are some apps that make it easier. Have a look at our best flight deals and accommodation booking apps that’ll ensure you’re getting the best price for travel needs.

Not only do they help on price but also with ensuring you find the right place and flight for your wants and needs.

If all you want is a bargain flight then the award-winning app Hopper is right up your street. Available on both iOS and Android , it’s similar to both Kayak and Skyscanner in that you can see the cheapest dates to fly on, but the difference is that Hopper will tell you when to buy your tickets by sending you a notification.

Hopper analyzes billions of flights, watching the price changes, and then informs you when to buy in order to get a deal. The app claims to be able to help you save money. You save 40% on your next booking, so it’s well worth a shot.

The user interface is clean and easy to use, and it only takes 60 seconds to book a flight.

They have now started doing hotel bookings too, and you can set up a tracker for a specific hotel instead of the whole city it’s in.

• Save up to 40% on flights
• Clean and easy to use
• You can track specific hotel costs to save on your booking
• Book a flight within 60 seconds
• It tells you exactly when to buy to save on your booking

Skyscanner is almost an all-in-one travel agent app that’s available on both iOS and Android . You can book flights, hotels, and rent a car from the palm of your hand using this app.

The app works by searching for the cheapest deals and best options through all its travel partners. It shows you the cheapest dates to book, you can set price alerts and if you’re not sure where to go, you can put in your departing airport and search “Anywhere” or “Top Deals” to give you a list of the most affordable destinations available.

Once booked, it’ll update your flight status as need and give you all your info in one place.

Want to know if Skyscanner is legit? Check out this detailed guide .

• All in one travel agent for hotels, flights and car hire
• You can do special searches to find the best deals from your departing airport
• It shows you the cheapest dates to book
• You can set up price alerts
• Handy booking statues info page

Kayak is another all in one travel app for travel agents similar to Skyscanner. They often, in our experience have better deals, but its best to check both.

Kayak searches for the best deal they can find through all their travel partners, whether it’s flights, accommodation, or car hire, they have got you covered. They often have exclusive deals too, that aren’t available anywhere else.

You can set price alerts for your intended trip, use the forecasting tool to see whether it’s worth buying now or if the price may go down, plus it’s a trip planner too.

Kayak’s trip planner gives you important details quickly, like a reservation number or your departure gate, in real-time, even on your Apples Watch.

It’s an awesome all in one travel agent that’s available on both iOS and Android .

ALSO READ: IS KAYAK LEGIT?  

• Trip planner section updates you about your bookings in real-time
• Have exclusive deals no one else does
• Price alerts and a forecasting tool
• Books hotels, flights, and car hire
• It shows you the least expensive dates to book

HotelTonight

We all know the headache and expenses involved when you experience long flight delays or if you lose your accommodation at a moment’s notice. Anything can happen when jet setting around the world and Hotel Tonight is one of those helpful travel apps that makes things a bit easier when it all goes wrong.

Available on both iOS and Android , Hotel Tonight is one of the best travel apps to find you a quick last-minute deal on your accommodation. They have partnered with hundreds of hotels to fill their empty rooms. It works for the hotels and gets you a great deal too.

You can book a room in seconds and you also have the added benefit of Hotel Tonight’s 24/7 customer service that helps fix anything that might have gone wrong. The app now includes a Daily Drop feature offering you the best deal for the day.

Using the travel app, you can book multiple rooms and then share the info into a group chap, making it easy as pie.

• Awesome last-minute hotel deals
• Offers up the deal of the day
• Book multiple rooms and share with a group chat

We have all heard of Airbnb and its model is one we all wish we had thought of. The app allows people to rent out their homes to travelers like us, giving us a sense of a home away from home. It’s often a bit less expensive than a hotel too and is available on both iOS and Android .

Not only can you rent an entire house for your stay, but you can also opt to rent a room giving you a local experience and the chance to get to know some people in the area. There’s also an option to book experiences which are events or activities that are available in your chosen destination.

Once you have found what you’re looking for, you can check hundreds of reviews about your intended booking to make sure it meets your standards. The interface is very easy to use, you can search based on all your requirements, and it displays it on a map for you, so you can see exactly where you might be staying.

• Book a home away from home
• Excellent interface and great searching
• Chance to engage with the local culture
• Save compared to a hotel
• Book experiences in the area with a local guide

Booking.com

Booking.com is available on both iOS and Android and is one of the best travel apps for finding deals on your accommodation.

You can search around your intended area and see the best deals available in seconds. It works for advance bookings and last-minute ones too.

They have thousands of hotels, B&B’s, motels, and hostels linked to their app, and the comparison feature shows you the prices, reviews, amenities, and rating of all the accommodation options near where you want to stay.

The app has over 130 million reviews, so you’ll know exactly what to expect from each establishment to make your decision about whether it’s the place for you or not.

It’s an easy app to use, you can book in seconds without any fees, plus there is 24/7 customer support available too.

RELATED POST : If you are looking for alternatives to Booking.com to book your hotel or vacation property, check out this guide .

• Has one of the largest accommodation databases to give you the most options
• Great for finding advanced and last minute deals
• Easy to use with a great search feature
• Booking is quick and easy with no fees
• Provides a rating and a lot of reviews about every option

Getting Around

When you arrive at a new place you’ve never been before, there’s always that daunting feeling about getting lost. You naturally want to explore but you have to find out how to get from A to B, whether you can walk there, use public transport, do you need a taxi and so on. Luckily, there are some great apps to help you out.

Citymapper, available on both iOS and Android , is one of the best travel apps you can use to find and use public transport. It currently covers 41 cities worldwide and the list is ever-growing.

It’ll find your location if you let it, and then you simply add your destination into the search tool to find all you transportation options. You can even search by arrival time for your destination, showing you when you need to leave by so you’ll never be late.

The app lists the search results by journey time, departing time, cost, and includes public transport, walking, taxis, and floating brands like bicycles, moped, and car-sharing. You can even search for wheelchair-accessible options too.

If you’re on the bus, the Citymapper travel app will tell you when to get off, so you don’t miss your spot. This is really useful when riding around an area you don’t know.

• Finds you all your transport options in 41 countries
• Includes public transport, taxis, and walking
• you can search by arrival time
• Easy to use and displays results with all the details you may need
• Includes searches for wheelchair accessibility, cycle, mopeds, and car sharing

Google Maps

Google Maps is one of the best map apps around. And its one of those must-have free travel apps too!

Available on both the iOS and Android app store, there is a never-ending list of things it can do and tell you about any given area on the planet.

The travel app will give you directions for car travel, walking, cycling, and public transport. While walking, cycling, or driving, it acts as a GPS, telling you when to turn and guiding you to your destination on the fastest route available. It even shows you high traffic areas and helps you avoid them.

When using public transport, the Google Maps app offers up departure times, costs, journey times, and a taxi option too. It’s a pretty reliable worldwide.

If you’re worried about data costs when abroad, you can also download offline maps for specific areas for use when you have no internet connection. So, you don’t have to rely on an internet connection to know where you are or what’s around you.

Not only can you search for how to get from A to B on Google Maps, but also find restaurants, bars, museums, hotels, attractions, and more. The app will also let you know how busy each place is in real-time, so you can wait for the crowds to leave before you get there.

There is now a Your Places page, which allows you to add, view and manage all your favorite places in one place.

• GPS navigation for walking, cycling, and driving worldwide
• Public transport options for all cities worldwide
• Download map areas for use offline
• Find anything around your from restaurants to hotels
• Manage all your favorite places in the Your Places page

If you’re in need of a taxi, Uber is the most convenient app to use. Available on both the iOS and Android app store, it works in 65 countries and over 600 cities to bring reliable taxi services direct to your location.

The travel app saves you have to stand in the rain at a taxi rank or search for a reliable taxi service. All the drivers are rated by other users, so you can guarantee you’re in safe hands and you can share your trip, with all vehicle and driver information with a loved one.

You can request a car within minutes after knowing the rates, time of arrival, and choosing your desired vehicle and driver.

Once booked, you can track your car until it arrives and Uber will let you know when it’s outside. You can trip share or book your own private car, or split the fare with friends, all in the app.

This is a cashless service and everything is paid either via debit or credit card within the app, you can even leave a tip too.

• Works in hundreds of cities
• Request a car to your door
• All drivers are rated to ensure a great service
• Saves you having to search for reliable taxis in a new place
• Track an follow your car, and share your trip details with others
• Book a shared car, private car and split the fare with other passengers

Planning & Organisation

In this busy day and age, there is always something we forget when trying to get on the road for a vacation. It might be your snorkel gear, sun cream, or forgetting to download that book you wanted to read. These apps help you stay organized.

There are also travel apps to show you fun things to do at your destination. If you’re looking for a nice place to eat, some interesting activities to do, or simply want to know all your options so you can make a plan, these apps have you covered.

Life’s so busy that making lists has become the norm to ensure nothing is forgotten. The notes section of our phones are jam-packed with everything from shopping lists to to-do lists, and most likely your vacation packing list. But, what if your list was made for you?

Packpoint, a travel  app available on iOs and Android , takes the headache out of remembering everything. It looks at the weather for your dates and destination, asks you what activities you might be doing (like snorkeling), and then creates a packing list for you based on all this info.

You’ll end up with a list of everything you need to pack, along with general holiday items, which you can then edit. You can remove the things you don’t need, add extras, re-order items, and share your list with others.

• It makes a packing list for you
• Your list is based on the dates, weather and any activities you want to do
• You can add, remove and re-order items
• You can share your list with your travel partners

TripIt, available on both iOS and Android , takes all your travel plans and puts them in one place to give you a master itinerary for your entire trip.

Simply send all your email confirmations to the app and they put together a full itinerary for you that syncs to your calendar and can be shared with your travel partners. You can also store all your travel documents in the atravel pp, so you have everything in one place.

Gone are the days of remembering 8 different connections or looking in your email for multiple confirmations and travel details, Tiplt puts it all together for you in one place.

There is also an option to upgrade to the pro version for $49 per year, and it’s worth it if you fly a lot. The pro version gives you extra features like flight alerts, terminal info, security wait times, airport maps, directions, and a seat tracker that lets you know when better seats are available.

• Creates a master itinerary for you
• Stores all your travel documents in one place
• Upgrade to Pro for awesome extra features
• Simple and easy to use

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor, available on iOS and Android , is THE travel app when it comes to information on what’s around you, travel tips, and independent reviews of everything from bars to airlines. The best thing about it is that it works in every country in the world, and it should be on every traveler’s smartphone.

You can search through millions of reviews, pictures, and videos about everything you might use or like to visit. The cover most things from hotels, activities, restaurants, bars, and more.

You can use the Near Me search to find the top reviewed establishments close by, ask travel questions to people who have already been there, and add your own photos and reviews.

It also allows you to access your own travel feed, get ideas for travel, request expert advice, and find friends.

• Gives you access to a worldwide database on what's around you
• Provides independents reviews and media about every establishment
• Useful search features like Near Me
• You can ask questions for advice or knowledge
• Upload your own media and reviews

Learning Languages

There is no better way to enjoy your travels than being able to speak to the locals. Whether it is just ordering at a restaurant, or making new friends in your accommodation, it always pays to learn as much as you can.

Babbel is one of the leaders in online language learning, and a great way to immerse yourself in a new language before or during your travels.

The Babbel App is actually just a way to access language courses on your phone. They also provide access online, if you prefer to do it that way.

Their lessons are very practical and immersive and not heavy on the grammar or other things that typically turn us off (or bore us) when learning a language.

If you want to learn a new language for your next trip, this is a great way to do it.

• Practical and efficient language learning
• Great for beginner or intermediate
• Focus on learning the language fast
• Lots of learning options
• Access on App or Website

Google Translate

The Google Translate app is one of the most helpful travel apps  when you are in a foreign country and have no clue how to speak the local language.

So, if you are talking to a local and need a translation, just allow Google Translate to listen in and tell you what they are saying. It can do the opposite as well, so you can get a two-way conversation going.

It provides a huge range of helpful services. Starting with the ability to literally translate people’s speech (over 100 languages) as well as scanning documents, menus and images.

You can download it on the app store either for your iPhone or Android phone.

Our Top Combo

As you can see, we have labeled our top picks of the best travel apps in the review and we suggest you download them. But if you only want a couple of them, here we are going to imagine that you can only download three, and tell you which combination of apps would be the most useful.

If you can only download three, we would suggest Kayak , Google Maps , and Trip Advisor . With these three apps, you can book everything you need for your vacation, find your way around on your holiday, and know all the fun and tasty things to do too. All the apps are global too, so you’ll be covered no matter where you are on the planet.

The combo covers you with almost all your travel needs from flights, hotels, car hire, public transport, and SatNav, to know of and be able to book every bar, restaurant, or activity around you.

• Overview Guide
• 1 Week Itinerary
• Train Journeys
• Epic Drives
• Stunning Lakes
• Historic Castles
• Lauterbrunnen
• Grindelwald
• Chocolate Tours
• Swiss National Park
• Majestic Mountains
• Spectacular Waterfalls
• Famous Things
• Tasty Fondue
• 10 Day Itinerary
• Cherry Blossoms
• Tokyo Shrines
• Dos and Don’ts
• Osaka Guide
• Osaka Itinerary
• Osaka or Kyoto
• Kyoto Day Trips
• Matsumoto Castle
• Tokyo Luxury Hotels
• Island Hopping
• Best Campsites
• Driving Tips
• Beaune, France
• Barcelona Itinerary
• Spain Itinerary
• Greece Itinerary
• Italy Road Trips
• Berlin Day Trips
• Norway Northern Lights
• Netherlands National Parks
• Mostar, Bosnia
• Best Airlines
• Midwest Ski Resorts
• Florida RV Parks
• Washington RV Parks
• Oregon RV Parks
• Utah Camping
• Texas Camping
• Chicago National Parks
• East Coast National Parks
• Colorado National Parks
• Joshua Tree
• Yellowstone
• Alberta Hikes
• Flashlights
• Water Filters
• Sleeping Pads
• Solar Lanterns
• Tent Brands
• 4-Person Tents
• 4 Seasons Tents
• Backpacking Tents
• Beach Tents
• Cabin Tents
• Multi-room Tents
• Pop-up Tents
• Truck Bed Tents
• Underwear (Men)
• Backpacks Under $100
• Microspikes
• Boonie Hats
• In The World
• New Zealand
• Hardisde Luggage
• Lightweight Luggage
• Luggage Sets
• Spinner Luggage
• Durable Suitcases
• Duffel Bags
• Kids Luggage
• Teen Luggage
• Space Saving Luggage
• Business Carry-Ons
• Garment Carry-Ons
• Suitcases Under $50
• Travel Briefcase
• Zipperless Suitcases
• Rolling Briefcase
• Luggage Straps
• Luxury Brands
• American Tourister
• AmazonBasics
• Delsey Chatelet
• Anti-Theft Backpacks
• Backpacks Under $50
• Baby Carrier Backpacks
• Cooler Backpacks
• Backpacking Backpacks
• Climbing Backpacks
• Backpacks for Back Pain
• Beach Backpacks
• Hiking Backpacks
• Business Travel Backpacks
• Laptop Backpacks
• Backpacks for Tablets
• Commuter Backpacks
• Travel Backpacks (Men)
• Travel Backpacks (Women)
• Waterproof Backpacks
• Wheeled Backpacks
• Down Jackets
• Down Parkas
• Fleece Jackets
• Hardshell Jackets
• Rain Jackets
• Softshell Jackets
• Eco Friendly Jackets
• Gore Tex Alternatives
• Heated Jackets
• Lightweight Jackets
• 3-in-1 Waterproof Jackets
• Parajumper Jackets
• Rain Poncho
• Ski Jackets
• Travel Hoodies
• Travel Jackets
• Winter Coats
• Helly Hansen
• Mammut Jackets
• Patagonia Nanopuff
• Survival Jackets
• Flower Captions
• Waterfall Captions
• Tree Captions
• Sunset Captions
• Sunflower Captions
• Rainbow Captions
• Paddle Boarding Captions
• Hot Air Balloon Captions
• Kayaking Captions
• Airplane Captions For Instagram
• Forest Captions

7 Useful Apps Every Traveler Should Know About

By Harrison Pierce

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Technology continues to make travel easier for millions of people around the globe. New apps offer travelers fresh ways to research a destination, connect with fellow globetrotters, communicate with locals, and track their flights. As a full-time digital nomad , I’ve learned the importance of having the right tools at your disposal when on the road.

Over the past few years, I’ve visited dozens of countries, flown hundreds of thousands of miles, and tested countless apps to find the ones that prove to be the most helpful. And while tools like Meetup, Google Maps, Google Translate, currency converters, and vacation rental , airline, and hotel–specific apps are in fact indispensable on most trips, I find that many of the best travel apps are still undiscovered by my fellow travelers.

Below, seven travel apps that make life on the go markedly easier (and more fun), from real-time flight trackers to photo-sharing gems—all of these apps are free, but some have paid pro versions worth considering. Don’t think these apps are only for full-time travelers—they prove useful for every type of traveler, whether you're in a brand-new destination or back for a return visit.

Discover the best apps for travelers:

Apps for flying, apps for exploring, apps for photo sharing.

My favorite app on this list is Flighty, a must-have for any frequent flier . The free version is fantastic, but I recommend splurging for the premium version, which gives you even more useful information and comes at a reasonable cost of $48 per year. The functionality it provides more than justifies the price.

The free version allows you to input all future flights plus past journeys you've taken within the last year. It provides updated information if any schedule changes occur to upcoming flights and allows you to track all the miles you’ve flown in one place.

The other main benefit is that it allows you to share your flight information with friends and family members who are also on Flighty. They will receive real-time updates about your flight without you having to text them. My parents love to make sure I’m safe so they appreciate getting detailed information about my travels—even while I’m in the air.

Flightradar24 is a favorite app among fellow aviation geeks. It lets you track almost any aircraft you see in the air throughout the day or night. You can track your own flight, a friend's flight, or any plane you see in real-time. It shares plenty of cool data, like the altitude, speed, arrival and departure airports and times, and tail number.

There are tons of eSIM apps on the market, but Airalo is probably my favorite, with digital SIM cards available for dozens of countries. I find it to be the most reliable and offers the best data packages. It can be a little pricey, but it is the best option if you’re only taking short trips. Holafly is another eSIM app that offers unlimited data and works well, but I find the app to be much more glitchy than Airalo and would recommend using the desktop version.

This one is for the planner of the group. Wanderlog merges the best of a bunch of different apps into one. Imagine an app that lets you plan a trip with ease: collaborate with friends as if you’re on Google Docs, manage expense tracking like Splitwise, and have a central place for your reservations, checklists, and more. Tripit is a similar travel planner app, so you can download both and get a feel for which interface you like better.

Been allows you to track the countries you’ve visited and make a wish list of places you can’t wait to cross off your travel bucket list . It gives you information like the percentage of the globe you’ve been to and shows you a world map of your trips. It’s always fun to add in a new country whenever I reach my destination.

This app was introduced to me by fellow nomads I met at a cafe in Montevideo, Uruguay . It automatically tracks your route across the world, allowing you to quickly upload pictures throughout your travels that can be viewed by anyone who has access to your profile. It’s an excellent way to share important moments with loved ones without needing to send photos to each person individually. Users can also create easily accessible guides filled with up-to-date information to help you plan your own trip.

Steller is another app that a friend recently introduced me to, and I’ve quickly fallen in love with it. It uses a combination of AI and user experiences to help you plan trips around the globe. From recommendations of things to see, like the Recoleta Cemetery in Buenos Aires or the Royal Palace of Naples, to full guidebooks created by users, you can get inspired, book experiences, and discover hidden gems within this app.

By signing up you agree to our User Agreement (including the class action waiver and arbitration provisions ), our Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement and to receive marketing and account-related emails from Traveller. You can unsubscribe at any time. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Best travel apps for Android

Whether you're planning your first trip away from home or you're a frequent flier, there are a ton of travel apps available for Android that will help you find the best flight, learn a new language, or get the best information about your desired destination. Here are our favorites.

LiveTrekker

Loungebuddy, xe currency, evaneos travel, google maps.

Why you can trust Android Central Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test .

TripIt lets you store all of your travel plans, including information about your itinerary, hotel, and car rental bookings in one convenient location. It can import this information direct from your email box, and you can easily share your travel plans with your family and friends. It'll even add your trips to your calendar.

TripIt is a free app and service for a basic set of features, but the real benefits come in when you subscribe to TripIt Pro for $49 per year. You get updates on any changes to your flights such as delays or gate changes, and it will also inform you when a better flight becomes available and will let you change your flight plans in-app.

If you travel a lot, or even if you simply want an easy way to share your travel plans with people you know, give Tripit a try.

Download: TripIt (Free)

If you're traveling on a budget or you're after an alternative travel experience, give Airbnb a try. It's free and helps you find places to stay, which are offered by private hosts in over 34,000 cities worldwide.

Whether you're looking for a luxurious house with a pool and hot tub for just you and your family, or you're open to sharing a room or suite with another traveler, Airbnb will help you find the right accommodations for you.

Communicate with the host directly through the app, as well as view pictures and get information about the offered amenities, the area the space is located in, price, and much more.

Download: Airbnb (Free)

LiveTrekker is a free travel diary app that lets you document your travels through interactive maps, pictures, video, voice, and text. In addition, you can share your travel experiences in real time or upload them to the cloud to view or share another time.

With the tap of a button, the app starts tracking your movements via GPS and displaying your route on a satellite map. Annotate this map with photos, video, or text, and you have a detailed documentation of your journey to share with others or play back at any time.

If you enjoy documenting your travels and sharing them with others, download LiveTrekker.

Download: LiveTrekker (Free)

Skyscanner is a great little app for searching for the cheapest flights to anywhere you want to go. You can book flights directly from the app, and you can also search for and book hotels.

Pick a location you want to travel to and the app will quickly find flights to that location and sort them by the cheapest price. Skyscanner is simple to use, and lets you quickly get the information you want.

If you want to find the cheapest flight to anywhere, or you just want to check prices and dream about your next vacation, Skyscanner is for you.

Download: Skyscanner (Free + IAP)

If you're a frequent flier or you know you're going to have a long layover somewhere, having a spot to relax, nosh on some tasty food, and have a little drink while you wait for your next flight may appeal to you.

Almost every airport in the world has lounges that are off-limits to the general public but open to people who have certain perks. Don't worry, though, lounges aren't just for the rich and famous — you may have the needed perks to get in without even knowing it, and that's where LoungeBuddy comes in.

Give the app a little information about yourself, such as whether you're flying business or first class, if you belong to the military, and which credit cards are in your wallet, and the app will let you know if you qualify for lounge access in over 900 airports worldwide. It will even let you book your chosen lounge in-app.

In addition, you can browse photos of each lounge and read reviews from other travelers. For more information, visit LoungeBuddy.com .

Download: LoungeBuddy (Free + IAP)

When you want to know how many pesos your dollar is worth while you're in Mexico, XE Currency, an app from the makers of the trusted currency exchange site, XE.com, will let you know in an instant.

XE Currency updates its rates every minute, so you always have the most accurate information, and it can also be used offline using saved data — no internet? No problem.

In addition to current rates, XE Currency offers market analysis information as well as charts that track your selected currency's rate over time.

If you want up-to-the-minute currency rate information, XE Currency is a must have for you.

Download: XE Currency (Free)

Evaneos Travel is a free travel guide app with absolutely no in-app purchases or advertising. Using information compiled by seasoned travelers, it offers a wealth of information on destinations all over the world.

Evaneos is especially handy for people who want to veer off the beaten path a little bit. Each destination has reviews from other travelers that tell you what you can expect, sights you must see, what to avoid, the best time to go, and much more.

If you crave an adventure on your next trip, pick up the Evaneos Travel app.

Download: Evaneos Travel (Free)

Learn another language for free with Duolingo, a language app that's similar to Rosetta Stone.

As of this writing, you can learn the following languages from Duolingo: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Irish Gaelic, Danish, Swedish, Russian, Ukrainian, Esperanto, Polish, and Turkish.

Each lesson includes a segment where you match a word in your chosen language to a picture and a section where you hear a sentence spoken and must translate it, as well as other types of learning tools.

You can take as much time to complete each section as you like and can also go back and repeat lessons you've already completed. If you're diligent about working with the app, you'll be speaking another language in no time.

If you want to learn another language for free, Duolingo is the app for you.

Download: Duolingo (Free)

You probably already have Google Maps installed on your device, but if for some reason you don't, you can download it from Google Play for free.

Google Maps is a great map app that lets you plan your route and gives you directions to help you get there. It even has indoor maps for large places such as airports, stadiums, and malls. It will even tell you where the nearest restaurants and stores are based on your location.

If you haven't tried Google Maps yet, try it out next time you're traveling.

Download: Google Maps (Free)

While Hipmunk does essentially the same things as many other travel apps that let you find and book flights and hotels, it has an interesting sorting metric for finding the best flight for the lowest cost.

It's called Agony and it's a combination of price, number of stops, and layover time. Flights that score low on Agony will be at the top of the list while flights that score higher will be sorted lower. So if you want the shortest flight with as few layovers as possible, for the cheapest price, you can quickly find it with Hipmunk.

If you're looking for the cheapest and least onerous flight for your next trip, try Hipmunk.

Download: Hipmunk (Free)

What do you use?

Do you use an awesome travel app that we missed out on? Sound off in the comments below!

Be an expert in 5 minutes

Get the latest news from Android Central, your trusted companion in the world of Android

Marc Lagace was an Apps and Games Editor at Android Central between 2016 and 2020. You can reach out to him on Twitter [ @spacelagace .

Spotify updated its app icon on Android after five years, but it’s not all roses

Instagram Notes picks up 'prompts,' friend tags, and more on Android

Google Home app users regain volume control on multiple speakers

Most Popular

• 2 Baseus Blade 2 review: Ultra-sleek 65W power bank with a big caveat
• 3 Meta's mixed reality fitness concept just got invented by someone else
• 4 Google just made a VR partnership we didn't expect
• 5 Galaxy Ring could send out an SOS if you misplace it

• Meta Quest 4
• Google Pixel 9
• Google Pixel 8a
• Apple Vision Pro 2
• Nintendo Switch 2
• Samsung Galaxy Ring
• Yellowstone Season 6
• Recall an Email in Outlook
• Stranger Things Season 5

The best travel apps for iOS and Android

The smartphone is the modern-day travel agent. From the palm of your hand, you can book flights, plan accommodations, and even reserve a seat at a seaside restaurant using nothing more than your phone.

Finding the most affordable flight and hotel and making sure you’ll have plenty of cash to spend during your trip can be challenging. Check out these travel-booking apps to be a master planner. Once your trip is booked, you can use the best flight-tracking apps to make sure traveling is as seamless as possible. You’ll also need some directions once you’ve arrived to make sure you get to your hotel and see everything that you want to see, so we’ve included apps for that too.

• Does a job listing mean Apple TV is getting an Android phone app?
• The Spotify Android app just got an odd design change
• The best iPad Pro cases in 2024

Planning your itinerary

While many of us have canceled travel plans this past year due to restrictions on travel, there’s no time like the present to plan your next vacation. Our favorite travel apps for iOS and Android can help you enjoy a stress-free vacation where all you should be thinking about is having an amazing time.

Airport travel, especially in the United States, can be a confusing and daunting experience. MyTSA, a U.S. government-sponsored app, demystifies all the rules you need to follow in order to avoid a stare down and possible delays by security agents who are trying to do their jobs. Discover which items you can bring with you through the security checkpoint and onto the aircraft, request live assistance from the Transportation Safety Administration, check how historically busy your chosen airport will be on a given day, check crowd-sourced security wait times and offer your own estimates, check for delays and current weather conditions, and find out how to access and sign up for TSA PreCheck to get you through security in a jiffy. New updates customize the Dashboard, let you view airports in a map, and get directions to the airport.

iOS   Android

Flights, hotels, rental cars — Skyscanner has got you covered. The app searches for the most affordable and best options via its travel partners. Similar to Google Flights , you can see the cheapest dates to fly, and you can also get alerts when prices change. If you’re not sure where exactly you want to go, Skyscanner offers a category that lets you explore Top Deals from your nearest airport as well as a curated list of destinations at affordable prices. You can now monitor your bookings with status updates in Trips and move booked flights from one trip to another. This lets you move things around without losing your saved details. New versions let you discover which countries have low entry restrictions and no quarantine regulations. With flexible booking and free cancellation options, you won’t lose money if your plans change.

For many, Kayak is the go-to trip planning destination — and for good reason. Like Skyscanner, Kayak searches across various travel sites for rental cars, hotels, and flights. Kayak often has exclusive deals, and you can set price alerts and use Price Forecast to see whether you should buy now or wait. Kayak also acts as a trip planner, offering important details at a glance, like your hotel confirmation number or gate number. You can also access these details in real time and on devices such as the Apple Watch. The app now suggests hotels at launch and can even pinpoint results if you’re traveling with kids, while the car search now supports addresses. From hotels to guest houses, the app displays different categories of accommodation to help you narrow down where you’re spending the night, complete with sleeping arrangements so you can plan and book your next stay.

If you’re looking for the cheapest possible price for a plane ticket, you need to download Hopper. Like Kayak and Skyscanner, you can look at the cheapest dates to fly, but Hopper prides itself on telling you when to buy your tickets via push notifications. The company says it can save you up to 40% on your next flight by analyzing and tracking billions of flights. The user interface is simple, and Hopper says you can book a flight in 60 seconds or less. You can now set a watch for a specific hotel you want to stay in instead of setting a watch for the entire city where it’s located.

Whether it’s legal in the city you’re visiting or not, Airbnb is a household name. The app undercuts hotels by offering far cheaper prices and a more authentic experience by allowing you to stay with a local, or in their home. The app also offers a feature called Trips , which offers Experiences to choose from during your stay — these are curated events you can partake in with local guides. Eventually, the app will become an all-in-one travel app that lets you plan your day, book a car, and more. The latest update includes improvements to the browsing functionality for a new way of searching.

Hotel Tonight

Did your Airbnb plans fall through? Did your flights get delayed at your layover? You never know what will happen with your booking, and Hotel Tonight is a reliable service that thrives on last-minute deals. The company partners with hotels to offer discounts on empty rooms, and you’ll be able to book one in under 10 seconds. You also get 24/7 customer service from the Hotel Tonight team in case something goes awry. The app has launched a Daily Drop feature that offers a super-economical deal for the day. You can also book multiple rooms in a single go and broadcast that info via group chat. The new Local Getaways is available at a glance from the new Hotel Tonight widget to show you the best deals nearby.

Booking.com

With Booking.com, you can find the best hotel deals at a moment’s notice, or in advance. The handy hotel comparison feature lets you compare features and prices, with over 135 million reviews from other users to help you choose your accommodation. Hotels, motels, B&Bs, and luxury apartments for your next trip are all bookable in seconds, with paperless confirmation, no booking or credit card fees, and 24/7 support from the Booking.com team.

Get a ride from 600-plus airports in more than 10,000 cities worldwide, Uber is the global king of ridesharing apps . The app pioneered on-demand services, and it can be particularly handy when you’re abroad. You can quickly request a car within the app after perusing an assortment of differing vehicle rates and fare quotes. Afterward, you can connect with your personal driver, track the approaching car’s location, and securely pay your fare using a credit card — no cash needed. Rather than trying to find a taxi or a taxi stand, just bring one straight to you. Uber is constantly updating its app to improve features like trip sharing, ride selection, and tipping. Updates improve localization across the app.

Google Maps

Google Maps is an essential travel app to have. It offers directions for travel by car, on public transit, on foot, by cab, or by bicycle. You’ll find it fairly reliable in offering up local public transportation options in many countries, and you can also download specific areas for offline use. You can also use Maps to find out when places like museums or restaurants close and check to see how busy a place is in real time along with using the app to find local restaurants, bars, and attractions. You can even search for hotels by features like free Wi-Fi, pet friendliness, or air conditioning, for example. You can now view and manage all your favorite places from the Your Places page. You can also use Google Assistant while driving, so you can focus on the road and quickly get estimated arrival times and step-by-step directions to destinations you’ve saved.

With a growing list of countries, Citymapper is one of the best tools to find and use public transportation. It connects with a few ridesharing services, offers the fastest way to arrive at your destination, and best of all, lets you check out subway and train times offline for a number of cities. You can subscribe to specific train or bus lines, and the app can even alert you when you need to get off the bus, which is handy when you’re riding for the first time in a new country. The app now features a SuperRouter that lets you view floating brands like cycles, scooters, mopeds, car sharing with full travel times — including walking and availability. A wheelchair-accessible section is now available for some locations. The newest version features new Routing Powers: Fast for the fastest route, with routes updated and re-ranked every 60 seconds, and Price, which compares fares to find the cheapest route.

Preparation and finding places

There’s always something we forget to do before a trip, whether it’s failing to pack sunscreen or change some currency. Take a look at these apps to keep you on track. Looking for a spot for lunch? Have some extra time and want to check out another museum? Scroll down for apps that offer up things to do and the best-rated places to eat during your stay.

Making a checklist of everything you need to pack can be useful, but what if one’s already made for you? PackPoint looks at the weather forecast for the dates and location of your trip. It will also ask you to select activities you may participate in during your trip, like a meeting for business, a swim at a pool, or a fancy dinner. It will then offer up a list of items you should pack based on these activities, along with general items you’d need on any trip. You can remove items you don’t think are necessary as well as share lists with others in case your friends need some help, too. You can now hide or tap and hold to reorder items on your list.

Xe Currency

While it’s not the prettiest app, Xe Currency is one of the more robust currency converter apps available for both iOS and Android . It’s constantly being updated and offers live exchange rates for every world currency and precious metals. What’s neat is that it can store the most recent rates, so you can access them if your device is offline. Also neat is support for Siri Shortcuts . You can now monitor up to 20 currencies at the same time.

Mobile Passport

Traveling to the U.S.? Mobile Passport lets you skip the regular line to enter the country and is officially authorized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. All you need to do to skip long lines is download this app and add your passport information — you can do this quickly by scanning it with your phone’s camera. Mobile Passport is accepted at more than two dozen airports in the U.S., so check ahead of time to see if your airport supports the app. A premium version is available for $15 per year and offers the convenience of a digital scanner and secure storage of your passports.

TripIt organizes all your travel plans in one place — just email your confirmations to them and they’ll create a master itinerary that syncs to your calendar and can be shared with your travel buddies. You can even store your travel documents in the app. Upgrade to Pro for $49 per year and you’ll enjoy additional features like flight alerts, terminal notifications, and seat tracker, which notifies you if better seats become available, as well as updates on security wait times and searchable airport maps with walking directions. New updates let you find the latest information for airlines you’re travelling with, including food and drinks service, cleaning procedures, middle-seat policy, and more. If your reservations include PDF files, you can share the files you upload — right from the app.

Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor is a catch-all app when it comes to travel. You can quickly peruse millions of reviews, opinions, videos, and photos pertaining to just about anything related to your trip — bars, restaurants, hotels, airlines, and more. You can use Tripadvisor’s Near Me function to find well-reviewed places close by, but the best feature the app has to offer is the number of countries it supports — it’s just about everywhere, making it a necessary guide for every traveler. You can also ask specific travel questions in the app’s forums or add your own reviews in a similar fashion to Yelp. New updates let you access your personal travel feed, find friends and get expert advice, and save travel ideas for the future. Improvements to the app offer access to coronavirus health and safety information for hotels, restaurants and experiences, let you book reservations with free cancellation, and organize and share ideas.

Yelp has officially become the Yellow Pages of restaurants and bars, and its use extends not just to the U.S., but all around the world. Its most powerful feature is the sheer number of reviews housed in the Yelp app — it’s an excellent resource for when you’re looking to hit some of the best spots in the country you’re visiting. Yelp also offers hours of operation, a phone number for listings, and sometimes even a menu, so you can be as prepared as possible before heading out. Businesses have been adding more health and safety information all year.

Language and day-to-day apps

If you’re traveling to a country where your native tongue isn’t the official language, you may as well pack a few of the best language apps to translate on the go or brush up on your language skills. We also have a handful of miscellaneous apps you may find useful during your time abroad.

If you need to get online fast without an expensive cellular connection, WiFi Map is the place to go for worldwide information. This app shows you the nearest free hot spots, complete with passwords and user comments. The app offers full map navigation to get you to the right place and lets you filter your search and test for connection speed. A network scan checks for intruders. There are even offline maps for travelers and a VPN (with the pro version) for secure, anonymous connections. You can also add new Wi-Fi connections yourself to help other travelers in your location.

Google Translate

Google Translate provides translations, which are now more conversational thanks to machine learning , between more than 100 different languages, allowing you to listen to translations out loud and translate dictation and your own handwriting on the screen. You can star your favorite words or phrases for offline access, view dictionary results for a single word or phrase, or use Siri Shortcuts for bilingual conversations. Look for more regional options for speech in English (U.S., U.K., Australia, and India), Bengali (Bangladesh and India), French (France and Canada), and Spanish (Mexico and Spain). You can now continuously translate someone speaking a different language in near real time.

If you’ve booked your trip months ahead of time, try tackling the country’s language in Duolingo. It offers beginner-level courses, but it’s also a great tool for those looking to brush up on a language. You can also chat with bots in select languages, which can be particularly helpful when you’re trying to learn the phrases you’re likely to use the most abroad. You can take placement tests to move up to tougher sections. Leaderboards get you into that competitive spirit with fellow users.

Memrise has more languages than Duolingo, and the app also uses mnemonics to help you memorize words and phrases. You can view video clips of native speakers the first time you try a new word or phrase, which allows you to hear local pronunciation. Swipe to listen to more audio and compare different pronunciations. The company says the app adapts to your learning style over time, and there’s a pro version that lets you unlock even more features, such as an offline mode.

Changing time zones and battling jet lag can make your travels extremely confusing if you’re moving around a lot. Circa, which is iOS-only, helps travelers track the time in the destination they’re heading to and the location they’re currently in. You can set a clock to match the time in your home country or a place where your loved ones are. The app highlights times in both locations where both parties are likely awake. The calendar ring helps you see your current availability or continue swiping to find an available time slot. This app is also compatible with Apple Watch.

WhatsApp is now home to more than a billion users. The app is free, no matter where you are in the world, and operates over a Wi-Fi connection. Add some fun to your conversations by sending stickers, photos, or videos to your contacts. Enable extra security features, like a Face ID or Touch ID, to unlock the app. You need Wi-Fi or a data phone plan to send messages via WhatsApp, but there are no international calling charges. The only downside is that you can only communicate with people who have the app. The newest versions have updated image and video previews, so you can now see more of the media in chat, and all group participants can now change the Disappearing Messages setting by default.

If you’re using a specific app to stay in touch with your loved ones while you’re traveling, but that app isn’t available in certain countries like China , you’ll need to get creative to ensure you don’t fall off the map. We recommend skirting around this issue by using a virtual private network ( VPN ). VPNs keep your private information inaccessible to others who may be on the same network, making it safer to use public Wi-Fi. NordVPN is our favorite service, partially because it has thousands of servers across the planet. This service will cost you about $12 monthly, but you can test whether you’d like to use it in a free seven-day trial. Additionally, they constantly offer promotions for an even lower monthly subscription fee. The VPN is compatible with phones, tablets, or laptops , and you shouldn’t have any trouble with geo-restrictions as NordVPN has servers across the globe ready to adjust to what you need. Ensure you’ll always have a safe connection, no matter where you are in the world, with a VPN .

Editors' Recommendations

• The best free apps for international calling in 2024
• Here’s how iOS 18 could change the way you use your iPhone
• iOS 18 may give Siri the upgrade we’ve been waiting for
• Arc Search, one of the best iPhone apps right now, just got even better
• The Google app on your Android phone is getting a helpful new feature

It's that time of year again! The Unicode Consortium has released a preview of new emoji that will likely be included in a version of iOS 18 later this year or early next year. It will be up to Apple to officially add them to the next iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, macOS, and visionOS versions.

The new emoji announced today include ones for a sleepy face, fingerprint, leafless tree, vegetable root, harp, shovel, and splatter. The emoji examples provided by Unicode serve as starting points for Apple designers to create finished designs and are not the final images Apple will use. Google and other platform users will also work with these emoji as a starting point.

The Apple iPhone is almost universally regarded as one of the best phones you can buy, and if you’re looking for a brand new model, there are plenty of iPhone deals out there to shop. But if you want ultimate iPhone savings we recommend shopping refurbished. Refurbished models make for some of the best Apple deals you can shop, with iPhone 14 deals and iPhone SE deals often among them. Refurbished iPhone deals, however, are somewhat scattered across retailers, so we’ve compiled everything you need in order to land some iPhone savings. Reading onward you’ll find all of the details on the best refurbished iPhone deals you can show right now, as well as some information on which generation of iPhone may be best for you. If brand new is what you’re in search of, you can also check out the current iPhone 15 deals. iPhone XR -- from $156

A refurbished model but one that's unlocked and comes with a full one-year warranty, the Apple iPhone XR is still pretty stylish for its age. It has a large 6.1-inch LCD screen with 1,792 x 828 resolution with Liquid Retina technology ensuring it looks super sharp. Powered by the A12 Bionic chip, it's starting to show its age but still has potential. There's also a 12MP back camera that can shoot 4K videos while the front-facing camera is 7MP and ideal for selfie-taking.

Apple iPhone 15 Plus (left) and Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Apple has just released the iOS 17.5 update for iPhones, which brings a host of new features. For European Union residents, it enables Web Distribution, which means you can sideload apps from the internet and won’t be limited to the App Store.

30 essential travel apps every traveler needs before their next trip

When it comes to planning and taking a vacation, travelers rely on their phones now more than ever.

Travel apps are a source of inspiration and are extremely useful for booking and managing logistics — even making restaurant reservations or finding a great fitness class wherever in the world you're flying next.

From apps that help with everything from day-of hotel bookings and last-minute flight changes to those that serve as guidebooks and foreign-language dictionaries, travel is infinitely easier thanks to technology.

Apps can help you navigate a new city, make currency conversions, pack a perfect suitcase and even provide on-the-ground local expertise. Whatever you need when you hit the road, there's an app for that.

We've rounded up the most-loved apps here at TPG. Some may be obvious, and others more obscure, but either way, get ready to download.

Best apps for researching and booking trips

In addition to the apps for the airlines you fly most frequently and your favorite hotel brands, these apps can help you save money on flights and accommodations.

Hopper has changed in recent years from just offering a price prediction tool for flights to being a true online travel agency. The app helps travelers find the cheapest flights, hotels and rental cars.

Of course, Hopper also still offers its signature price prediction technology to help you plan out when to book, as well as travel protection options and a price freeze to help you lock in the lowest possible price on hotels and flights.

Kiwi is used mainly to book flights, but it also helps you book hotels (using its partnership with Booking.com) and car rentals (using its partnership with RentalCars.com).

Some of the app's most interesting features include the "Deals" section, which pulls in discounted flights, and the "Travel hacks" section, which includes options for hidden city ticketing, throwaway ticketing (making one-way flights more affordable) and free price alerts.

Hotel Tonight

A dream for last-minute travelers, Hotel Tonight ( now owned by Airbnb ) lets you book stays for the same evening up to a few months in advance in thousands of cities worldwide. Available hotel rooms are categorized into sections like basic, luxe, hip, charming and solid, so you can select what works for your vibe. Take advantage of the daily drop feature, where you swipe to find a personalized deal with a special price only valid for 15 minutes after unlocked.

At TPG, we love a good loyalty program, and HT Perks, the app's nine-level reward program, is extensive. Not unlike a video game, you "level up" by reaching specific spending thresholds on the app, and you'll gain access to perks like discounts, VIP customer support and credits. Also, your levels never expire, so you can only continue to move up.

To book home rentals instead of hotels, use the Airbnb app. After entering your destination and dates, you can filter results based on the home type, price, requisite amenities and more. If you find something you like, you can book directly through the app.

The app is ideal for managing your trips while on the road — you can access all your bookings under the "Trips" tab, where you can view your reservation (and the address or directions), contact the host or change your reservation. Once you have a booking, you can also explore and book local experiences in your destination, such as wine tastings, kayak tours, hikes, shows and concerts.

We can't talk about travel apps without mentioning the TPG App. Use it to track your credit card, airline and hotel points balances; earn points and miles efficiently through using the right credit card ; and research how many points or miles you'll need to book your dream getaway. You can even curate your own news feed so you see the news and advice that matters most to you first.

The TPG App is available for download on iOS . Android users can join the waitlist here .

Related: The TPG App has arrived — here's why you should download it now

Best apps for organizing a trip

From keeping all your documents in order to perfectly packing your suitcase without forgetting a thing, these are the best apps for organizing travel plans.

TripIt declutters your itineraries and documents by keeping them organized in one place. You can set your reservations to automatically send to TripIt, which lets you view travel confirmations, flight itineraries, tickets, hotel and Airbnb booking information, rental car reservations, ferry tickets and driving directions without ever leaving the app.

TripIt also makes it simple to share your trip plans with whoever picks you up from the airport or train station or anyone else who may need to coordinate with you. TripIt Pro subscriptions cost $49 per year and include extras like real-time flight alerts, security wait times, baggage claim information and updates on your loyalty reward programs.

Roadtrippers

Perfect for organizing that epic road trip you've always wanted to take, Roadtrippers plans out your driving route and lets you book hotels and activities along the way. The app is especially useful for finding interesting and off-the-beaten-path roadside attractions, cool restaurants and can't-miss landmarks you can bookmark.

A Roadtrippers Premium membership includes offline maps, live traffic information, overnight RV parking and more for $59.99 per year. For those looking to only venture on a few road trips per year, the app also offers a Pro ($49.99 per year) and Basic ($35.99 per year) membership.

PackPoint takes all the stress out of packing . The app shows you what to bring based on the length of your trip, the weather in your destination and any activities you're planning along the way. If you have access to laundry facilities at your destination, PackPoint even allows you to account for washing your clothes and wearing them multiple times.

Just download and install the app, type in the city you're visiting and plug in your travel details. So, stop waiting until the day before your trip — or the hours before you have to leave for the airport — and start packing now.

Best apps for navigating the airport and flights

Track flights, navigate airports and find airport lounges with these apps.

LoungeBuddy

LoungeBuddy offers access to premium airport lounges around the world, regardless of the airline or class you're flying. When you create a trip in the app and type in the credit cards you currently hold, it will tell you which lounges you have access to based on the airports you'll be transiting through and how to purchase access if you don't already have it.

You can purchase access on the day you're traveling or up to two months in advance if you're the plan-ahead type. If you prefer to search by lounge or lounge program, the app will tell you exactly what is needed to use them.

Priority Pass

Priority Pass offers access to more than 1,300 lounges worldwide and provides meal vouchers at select airport restaurants across the world for an annual fee starting at $99.

Several cards, including The Platinum Card® from American Express , the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve , offer Priority Pass memberships for all cardholders (enrollment required). Otherwise, you'll have to pay an annual fee to be a member and, depending on your membership tier, a fee to enter each lounge on top of the annual fee.

To use the Priority Pass app, enter the name or code of the airport you're in, and Priority Pass will pull up the lounges or restaurants that you have access to, including photos, hours, amenities and specific location information. For more information on the Priority Pass Program and how to gain lounge access, click here . Enrollment is required for select benefits.

Related: The best credit cards for Priority Pass lounge access

FlightAware

The FlightAware app allows you to track flights online, see a live map of a flight and check on delays, cancellations and gate changes. This app is especially helpful if you have a tight connection or want to track your flight.

It's also useful when picking up friends and family at the airport, as you can track their flight and see updated landing times or delays. AvGeeks will enjoy digging into flight statistics, flight maps and community aviation discussions on the app.

Best apps to use during your flight

Timeshifter.

What better way to cure jet lag than with an app? Timeshifter actually helps you avoid jet lag long before your flight takes off and also offers inflight and post-flight suggestions. The app relies on neuroscience research about sleep and circadian rhythms to provide personalized recommendations, taking into consideration your age, gender and normal sleep patterns — as well as specifics about your trip and travel plans. Timeshifter maps out when you should avoid or seek light, take a nap or try to stay awake. It even tells you if you should consider supplementing with melatonin or caffeine.

Your first jet lag plan is free, then $9.99 per plan, or you can enjoy unlimited plans for a year for $24.99.

Flying can cause anxiety — or provide a welcome relief from constant contact with our digital devices. Either way, use travel as an opportunity to relax, meditate or listen to soothing sounds that will lull you to sleep or a deep, relaxed state. Or, perhaps, you'll simply find it helps pass the time during a long flight.

Calm offers meditations on topics such as self-awareness, calming anxiety, breathing, lowering stress levels and happiness, among others. The app also has music options for focusing, relaxing and sleeping, as well as stories for adults and content for kids.

A limited selection of meditations and music is available for free (which you can download to use when you're offline or in flight). The premium version of the app costs $14.99 per month or $69.99 annually.

OK, so Netflix isn't really a travel app, but it can be a lifesaver during a long flight on an aircraft without seatback inflight entertainment or at the airport during an unexpected flight delay or boring layover. If you have a Netflix account, the app allows you to download your favorite shows onto your device to watch offline.

Just make sure to download your shows while connected to Wi-Fi before flying and check them again preflight to make sure they haven't expired (you can usually renew any expired downloads, but you must be connected to Wi-Fi or data to do so). Monthly prices vary depending on the plan.

Another app that's not really a travel app, Spotify can still be incredibly useful during tedious travel moments — just pop in those noise-canceling headphones and listen to your favorite music, meditations, podcasts and more.

The app's Premium plans (prices vary) allow you to download all your content offline on your phone, so you'll have it during long flights or when you don't have data or Wi-Fi access. Whether you want to take a morning jog in Bali to your favorite tunes or pass the time with a podcast on the metro in Barcelona, Spotify has it all.

Best apps to use in your destination

From exchanging money and sightseeing to communicating and knowing all the local tips and tricks, you don't want to land in a foreign city for the first time without these key apps.

XE Currency Converter

The XE Currency Converter app quickly provides live, up-to-the-minute currency rates, then allows you to store and view them even when you're offline. You'll never need to wonder if you're really getting a good deal in another country if you have this app.

Google Translate

Google Translate is a translation app that allows you to do it all — translate into more than 100 languages by typing, access 59 languages offline, translate via photo, translate bilingual conversations and even use the handwriting tool to translate.

The app is simple to use, too, with icons at the top you can click on to draw, take a photo, speak or type.

Not quite sure how much to tip when traveling internationally? GlobeTips will advise you on how to tip appropriately in more than 200 countries. It also offers a tip calculator for easy math. Globe also has apps for currency conversion, unit conversion and more that may be useful for travelers.

Related: The ultimate guide to tipping while traveling

For travelers globe-trotting with friends and family members or simply splitting the cost between groups, Tricount calculates shared costs and splits bills so you don't have to think twice about who owes what. Just enter your trip and currency and invite your travel mates to join your trip.

Each time someone pays for something, you enter the amount in Tricount, and the app splits everything up. You can also snap and store photos of receipts in the app. At the end of your trip, it will show the balances of who owes who what, making it easy to settle up.

Metric Conversions

Never be baffled by Celsius temperatures or suitcase weight in kilograms again with the Metric Conversions app . Whether you're measuring flour to cook at your Airbnb, figuring out distances for your Europe road trip or deciding whether to take a sweatshirt with you during your walking tour of the Great Wall of China, this app has you covered with easy conversions in volume, weight, temperature, area and more.

Google Maps

Google Maps is essential when visiting a new city (or even for getting around your hometown). You can map locations, get directions (walking, driving, public transportation, ride-hailing services and beyond) and see how crowded your subway will be in select cities .

You can make restaurant reservations, save your favorite spots and read and write reviews of attractions, eateries, shops and more. Make sure to download specific city or area maps ahead of time for offline access if you know you'll be without internet at your destination. For obvious reasons, the app works best when your GPS is turned on.

WhatsApp is a handy messaging service for travelers abroad as it uses an internet connection to avoid SMS fees.

It works like most other messaging apps: You start by creating an account, then add your friends and family members to contact and voila! You're able to call, video chat and send messages, images, voice memos, gifs and files just as you would in, say, iMessage (but with Android users too). You can also download WhatsApp on your Windows or Mac computer.

Best apps for planning activities

Traveling is about more than just getting from point A to point B. If you're looking for activities to add to your itinerary, check out these apps.

Meetup is an app designed for interacting with locals and other travelers who have mutual interests or shared hobbies. Whether you're traveling or at home, take what you love and do more of it with Meetup.

The app shows you groups that are formed around particular interests in your city, including yoga, photography, cooking, wine tasting, hiking, cinema and other activities. You can join groups to get updates on particular events you may want to participate in. The app can even help with networking, as there are many groups dedicated to business and technology. You might even be able to join a coworking group. Travelers with kids can participate in family-friendly meetups, and it's a great way for solo travelers to make friends and connect with others.

TheFork is one of the most useful resources for making restaurant reservations in Europe. Similar to OpenTable or Resy, the app lets you browse different restaurants by category and make reservations. TheFork features more than 60,000 restaurants in cities like London, Madrid and Geneva, as well as spots outside of Europe like Sydney, Australia.

The biggest perk is that many restaurant reservations come with discounts — in some cases, you can get up to 50% off your meal just by reserving a table through TheFork. Since we here at TPG are always down for earning rewards, make sure to monitor your YUMS — TheFork's reward system. You'll earn YUMS with each reservation, and when you hit 1,000, you receive a discount on your bill. Foodie travelers should also consider downloading these apps , too.

Happy Cow helps vegan and vegetarian eaters locate more than 180,000 restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries, farmers markets and grocery stores in over 180 countries around the world. The app allows you to filter by not only vegan and vegetarian but also gluten-free and cuisine types. You can also read reviews and get recipes on the app as well.

The app does cost $3.99, but it's a one-time expense.

TripAdvisor

Besides reading reviews of restaurants, hotels and attractions, you can book almost anything on TripAdvisor, from vacation rentals and restaurant reservations to tours and tickets.

The app has grown to include almost all things travel, allowing you to search by destination or interest (like the outdoors, food and drink, family or by the water, for example), which can give you inspiration for a trip or help you get your activities, meals and accommodations organized before traveling or on the fly.

With over 400,000 curated trails, AllTrails can help you find the hike or walk perfect for you and your group. It's not just mountain trails — AllTrails offers city walks, too, like easy meanders through the Marais district in Paris or peaceful strolls through Bangkok's Lumpini Park in Thailand.

See photos, updated weather predictions and key information about each route and connect with other travelers through reviews and forums. Access to AllTrails+ is $35.99 per year, which offers perks like offline maps and wrong turn alerts.

Best apps for staying safe

Use these apps to stay safe when traveling.

Smart Traveler

Smart Traveler is a free service that offers tips and information specifically for U.S. travelers. You can see what visas and vaccines you'll need before traveling and where to find help if you need it during your trip.

Register your trip on the app, which gives your information to local embassies and consulates in your destination. If there's any kind of disaster or tragedy, the local embassy can contact you to see if you need help.

TripWhistle

Another app dedicated to keeping you safe, TripWhistle maps your location and allows you to easily text or send your GPS coordinates or location. It also provides emergency numbers for firefighters, medical personnel and police in nearly 200 countries. After all, 911 is only for U.S.-based emergencies: Each country has its own specific emergency number.

Yes, Uber (or any local ride-hailing service app) is convenient, but it may also keep you safe. Using this app when traveling means you'll never get stuck wandering around in an unfamiliar area late at night or have to deal with unscrupulous taxi drivers trying to scam you. Uber also has in-app safety features such as an emergency assistance button which will allow you to call local emergency services right in the app.

• Generative AI
• Office Suites
• Collaboration Software
• Productivity Software
• Augmented Reality
• Emerging Technology
• Remote Work
• Artificial Intelligence
• Operating Systems
• IT Leadership
• IT Management
• IT Operations
• Cloud Computing
• Computers and Peripherals
• Data Center
• Enterprise Applications
• Vendors and Providers
• Enterprise Buyer’s Guides
• United States
• Netherlands
• United Kingdom
• New Zealand
• Newsletters
• Foundry Careers
• Terms of Service
• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Policy
• Copyright Notice
• Member Preferences
• About AdChoices
• E-commerce Affiliate Relationships
• Your California Privacy Rights

Our Network

• Network World

The best travel apps for Android

Save yourself time, headaches, and even money with these standout android apps for business travel..

For all the ways travel is different these days, one thing hasn’t changed: Moving from one place to another can be a massive hassle. There’s plenty of room for inconvenience and error, and a journey rarely goes according to plan.

But while there’s not much you can do about the late departures, the surly gate attendants, or the smelly fella somehow always seated right next to you (a factor where your mask may come in extra handy, incidentally), there are some tech-centric steps you can take to make your next business trip a little less unpleasant.

Android’s travel app selection has really taken off over the past few years, and the Google Play Store now boasts an impressive array of genuinely useful titles for the traveling professional. After putting numerous standout candidates to the test, these are the apps I’d recommend stowing on your smartphone and keeping at arm’s reach whenever your work next has you hitting the road or flying the (allegedly) friendly skies.

(All apps are free unless otherwise specified.)

Planning and preparing

Organize your packing process.

PackPoint is a travel organization genie. You simply tell it where you’re going, when, and what you’ll be doing — and the app generates a detailed checklist of suggested items for your suitcase.

You can add your own items to the list, as needed, and then use it as a guide to make sure you remember everything, every time.

PackPoint takes some of the pain out of packing for a trip.

PackPoint is free, with an optional one-time $3 upgrade that removes ads and gives you the ability to create your own custom packing templates. The paid version of the app also integrates with TripIt (more on that in a moment), which means it can import your travel plans automatically and create packing lists before you even ask.

Prepare for local navigation

Yeah, yeah, I know: You’re well aware of Google Maps . But what you might not realize — or maybe have just forgotten — is that with a teensy bit of planning, you can download all the data you need for a trip directly into Maps in advance. That way, you can navigate to your heart’s content, even in areas without strong mobile data signals, and you can avoid burning through mobile data unnecessarily on the road.

Here’s the trick: While you’re still in the comfort of your home or office, open up Maps on your phone and search for the city you’ll be visiting. Tap the city’s name within the search interface, then tap its name a second time when it appears in a box at the bottom of the screen.

At that point, you should be taken to a full-screen info page about the city — and within a row of circular icons, you should see one icon with a downward-facing arrow and the word “Download” beneath it. Tap that, then tap “Download” on the confirmation screen that appears. Once the download finishes, you’ll be able to access maps and directions within your destination without the need for an active connection.

Repeat as needed for any additional places on your agenda, then rest easy knowing your navigational guide will be there and waiting — no matter what sort of conditions you encounter.

Manage your air travel

TripIt is an all-around air travel management companion, and it’ll make your life easier in some meaningful ways — especially if you do a fair amount of flying.

At its core, TripIt allows you to forward flight itineraries and other travel-related emails to a special address — or, if you want, to grant it direct access to your inbox so it can find and process such emails on its own — and it then extracts all the relevant details and organizes them into clean and easy-to-follow master itineraries.

Where TripIt really shines, though, is with its optional $49-a-year TripIt Pro service (which you can try out via a free 30-day trial). That service gives you real-time flight updates all throughout your trip — often beating notifications by airlines’ own apps, in my experience, as well as updates to the monitors in the terminal.

Once you travel with TripIt — and specifically its TripIt Pro service — you won’t want to fly without it.

Beyond that, TripIt Pro makes it dead simple to find alternate flights at any point in your adventure. If a connection is canceled or delayed, all it takes is a couple of taps to see what other flights are available — even down to the specific open seats — on your current airline or on another. That’s helped me stay a step ahead of the gate agent on multiple occasions when late departures have put connecting flights in jeopardy.

TripIt Pro comes with a few other perks, too, such as a four-month free trial of the CLEAR expedited airport access program and then a $30 discount on that service’s ongoing annual fee. But the notifications and alternate flight finder are what really make the app invaluable. And while services like App in the Air offer similar sorts of features, no other app has been as consistently helpful, reliable, and easy to use as TripIt in my real-world travel testing. It’s the gold standard of travel organization and a must-have for any frequent flier or business traveler.

Find the best flights

Forget all the clunky, upsell-infested flight-finding services and instead, open up your Chrome Android browser and navigate to Google Flights . All right — so technically, it isn’t an Android app , but Google’s flight-searching system makes it super-easy to find and book flights across all airlines. You can save or share potential itineraries, monitor flights and get notified by email as soon as a specific fare goes up or down, and then buy your tickets directly with whatever airline (or airlines) you choose.

Pro tip: If you want to make the app easier to access, tap Chrome’s three-dot menu icon while viewing the website and select “Add to home screen.” That’ll give you a more traditional mobile-app-like icon that can then pull up the tool with a single tap.

One other utility that might be worth keeping handy is Hopper — but there’s a very specific purpose and also an important asterisk involved. Hopper watches flight prices over long periods of time in order to track trends and show you how fares are likely to fluctuate based on when you fly and when you make your purchase. If you’re booking your own travel and either footing the bill yourself or trying to stay within a limited company budget, that knowledge can be incredibly helpful to have.

Hopper’s airfare-tracking system can give you valuable flight price knowledge.

But Hopper’s ultimate goal is to get you to book your tickets through its service, and that doesn’t necessarily seem like the most advisable thing to do. User reviews on the Play Store mention difficulty changing itineraries once they’re booked with Hopper and challenges getting through to the company’s customer service.

So what I’d suggest is treating Hopper as a resource and not a ticket-purchasing portal: Use it to research optimal travel dates and purchasing windows, if you need to, and then take the info it gives you and plug it directly into either Google Flights or the appropriate airline’s website to buy the tickets directly from the source — and without the potentially problematic middleman.

Speed up your border entry

If you’re traveling internationally — and have a valid passport from the U.S. or Canada — the Mobile Passport app can save you precious time when you enter the U.S. by allowing you to submit your passport info and customs declaration form through the app upon landing and then skip the regular line on your way through border patrol.

Despite its name, the app does not replace your passport; you still need to carry that with you. And not to worry: It’s authorized by the U.S. Customs and Border Protections agency and totally legit .

Track your mileage

If you drive your own car for business, Microsoft’s MileIQ makes it easy as can be to keep track of all your mileage for later reimbursement. Once you set up the app on your phone and activate its “Drive Detection” feature, you don’t have to do a thing: It’ll automatically detect when you’re driving and then log all your miles in the background. It even uses current IRS-mandated reimbursement rates to calculate what you’re owed.

The app has some interesting advanced options, too, such as the ability to set specific work hours and then ignore any drives that occur outside of those times.

MileIQ is free to use for up to 40 drives per month. For unlimited access, you’ll have to pony up $6 a month or $60 for a full year of service.

Pay less for gas

Why pay top dollar for top-offs when you can drive an extra minute from the highway and save yourself (or your company) some money? GasBuddy gives you the insight you need to find fuel that won’t break the bank: You just open up the app, tap the option to find gas near you, and then either look through a list of nearby gas stations and how much they’re currently charging or switch to a map view to see prices plotted out around your present location.

GasBuddy relies on user reports to provide up-to-date info on gas prices in your area.

GasBuddy has a bunch of other features you probably won’t want to mess with, but the app’s price searching ability is worth every penny (particularly since the app is free and thus costs you precisely zero pennies to use).

At your destination

Track your travel expenses.

When it comes to more general expense-tracking, Expensify is the app to have in your arsenal. Expensify lets you simply take photos of receipts with your phone — or forward invoices and receipts via email — and it then extracts the relevant details and organizes them into reports. The app is available on the web as well, and it offers direct-export integrations with QuickBooks, Xero, and other accounting services.

Snap a photo of a receipt — or forward it in via email — and then forget about it with Expensify.

Expensify costs either $5 or $9 per person per month for businesses, depending on your needs. You can try the app out with a free individual plan, too, though that limits you to just 25 imports per month and lacks many of the service’s advanced expense reporting and integration options.

Find a place to stay on short notice

The next time you find yourself unexpectedly stuck somewhere — be it due to a cancelled flight or a road trip gone awry — don’t panic. Instead, snag the free and easy to use HotelTonight app. HotelTonight searches around your current location to find hotels with open and available rooms, but that’s not all: It also scores you legitimate savings on the rates, by way of an apparent deal wherein hotels let the service sell rooms at a discount in order to fill last-minute vacancies. I spot-checked a handful of the app’s recommendations, and the savings were absolutely real.

HotelTonight provides an easy way to find last-minute rooms at discounted rates.

HotelTonight has handy details and ratings for all the hotels it recommends. And once you find something suitable, all it takes is a few taps within the app to book your room and be ready to roll.

Find Wi-Fi anywhere

Why waste money on mobile data when Wi-Fi is all around you and waiting for the taking? Just open WiFi Map to see an interactive map showing available Wi-Fi networks in your area (or any other area you want to search). The app lists out speed information and even provides user-submitted passwords to secured public networks in some instances.

Just note: When you first open WiFi Map, you’ll be pressed to upgrade to a $40-a-year premium subscription. That allows you to eliminate some rather aggressive ads within the app and also gives you the ability to download information in advance for offline viewing. You don’t have to make the upgrade, though (and arguably shouldn’t bother); if you want to use the app for free, just tap the “Continue without subscription” text when the upgrade prompt appears.

Also, when searching for available networks, be sure to tap the three-line menu icon at the top of the results list and change the setting from “Show All” to “Recently Connected.” That’ll weed out old (and thus likely to be inaccurate) info from the list and show you only networks that have been confirmed to work by other users within the last 90 days.

Convert and translate anything

For your next border-crossing journey, let XE Currency Converter convert currency for you without the usual headache. Once you tell the app your home country’s currency and select which foreign currencies you want to convert into, all you have to do is type in a dollar amount to get an instant glimpse at the exact equivalent based on up-to-the-minute conversion rates.

And when language translation is what you require, the aptly named Google Translate app is the tool you want. It’s jam-packed with practical features, such as the ability to translate text instantly from an image you capture with your camera and a “conversation mode” that lets you have a (somewhat awkward) back-and-forth dialog, in real time, with someone speaking a different tongue.

Stay fit wherever you go

Who says you have to stay sedentary just because you’re traveling? Skip the underwhelming hotel “exercise facility” and turn to RunGo to find and navigate popular running trails wherever you are. It’s free to use, with an optional $2-a-month or $15-a-year premium upgrade that gives you a variety of extra features you probably won’t need (unless you really want to sync the app with a Strava activity tracker).

If you’d rather get your heart pumping from the privacy of your own room, snag the Nike Training Club app. It’s filled with easy-to-follow workouts, ranging from the intense and Crossfit-reminiscent “Bodyweight Only Benchmark” to the simple and stretch-oriented “Run Ready Yoga.”

The Nike Training Club app has tons of workouts you can do almost anywhere.

You can find workouts for practically any amount of time you want — as little as five minutes, even! — and you can browse specifically through “no-equipment workouts,” assuming you don’t carry your entire collection of kettlebells with you every time you travel. And best of all? The app is completely free to use.

The only thing you’ll be missing is an excuse.

This article was originally published in June 2018 and most recently updated in September 2021.

Related content

Google spaces cheat sheet: how to get started, privacy policies have gone insane. doubt it consider instacart, within two years, 90% of organizations will suffer a critical tech skills shortage, google partners with magic leap on mixed reality development, from our editors straight to your inbox.

JR Raphael has been covering Android and ChromeOS since their earliest days. You can ingest his advice and insight in his long-standing Android Intelligence column at Computerworld and get even more tasty tech knowledge with his free Android Intelligence newsletter at The Intelligence .

More from this author

A crafty new chrome power-up, your new android home screen command center, goodbye, gemini: a sanity-saving google search switch, gemini is the new google+, most popular authors.

Show me more

Microsoft onedrive cheat sheet: using onedrive in windows.

Apple's mutating supply chain sees winners and losers

China unveils ambitious three-year plan to dominate AI and computing standards

Podcast: Why computing now feels like ‘disposable technology’

Podcast: The AI hype squad hits some major bumps

Why are people still bad at video calls?

Why computing now feels like ‘disposable technology’

The AI hype squad hits some major bumps

Best travel apps in 2021

Beat the traffic, avoid flight delays and find a place to stay on your next trip

The best travel apps are the ones that take all the stress out of a trip, freeing you up to enjoy the journey. And fortunately, you've got a lot of choices when it comes to finding apps that can help you plan your next getaway. 

You'll find everything from trip planners and itinerary generators to online marketplaces for flights and hotels in both the Play Store and Apple's store for apps. Combine one of the best travel apps with some great travel tech , and your chances for a smooth trip will increase dramatically.

• These are the best Android apps overall
• Get better trip photos with the best Android camera apps

Not sure where to look first? We've found a list of the best travel apps for when you're ready to hit the road again after sticking close to home for more than a year.

1. MyTSA (Free: Android; iOS)

Before you hit the road, make sure you've got MyTSA on your smartphone. The official app of the Transportation Security Administration isn't going to win any beauty contests, but it will let you check wait times at security checkpoints at major airpots. And that can help you plan on how much travel time you need to allow.

The app includes historical wait-time data while also giving you the option of checking crowd-sourced reports of how long security lines are at that moment. The ability to search what you can bring on a plane, get live assistance and find out info on the TSA PreCheck program make this a good app for travelers to keep handy on their smartphone.

Download MyTSA: Android , iOS

2. Expedia (Android, iOS: Free)

If you're a frequent traveller, you need a good all-in-one travel app, and Expedia is a tried-and-true option. You can book every aspect of your trip through Expedia, including hotels, flights and rental cars. The app also lets you bundle deals on travel and lodging, look for cruises, and research things to do when you arrive at your destination. 

If you're looking to stretch your travel budget even farther, Expedia promises exclusive deals for mobile users, with members of Expedia's rewards program enjoying additional perks. 

Download Expedia: Android , iOS

3. Flighty (iOS: Free)

There are flight trackers, and then there's Flighty, an iOS app for people who really want to know the location and arrival time of their plane. The free version of the app gives you basic flight-tracking tools, but pay up for a subscription ($8.99 a month or $49.99 per year), and you get access to more sophisticated features such as push notifications, syncing with TripIt or with calendars, and an assistant to help with your flight connections. 

Flighty also claims to be able to predict flight delays by monitoring inbound planes for 25 hours and monitoring FAA-mandated delays. You can check out the portions of the paid app for free during a 14-day trial.

Download Flighty: iOS

4. Hopper (Android, iOS: Free)

Another app bringing big data and predictive algorithms to the world of air travel is Hopper It uses a massive database of airline prices and historical trends to predict when prices to a destination are likely to be lowest, when they're likely to change, and the best time to buy a ticket for a particular date and destination. 

You can watch flights on specific dates or destinations, and the app will advise you whether it's worth it to buy now or to wait, tell you the dates when it's likely cheapest to fly, estimate changes in price, and notify you of price drops or rises. You can also save your payment details within the app for quick booking.

Download Hopper: Android , iOS

5. iExit (Android, iOS: Free)

If your travel plans involve a lot of driving, iExit works as a handy freeway exit guide, listing nearby highway exits, as well as the kind of businesses and amenities there are nearby. Need to gas up or find some good food or a place to stay for the night? iExit’s search tools come to the rescue, showing you nearby gas stations (with price data powered by GasBuddy), motels, and even deals and discounts from nearby businesses.

Download iExit: Android , iOS

6. Waze (Android; iOS)

Nothing gets a vacation off on the wrong foot like getting stuck in traffic. Waze can't eliminate the traffic, but it can help you get around any jams, especially if you're in an unfamiliar city. 

The navigation app feeds your smartphone real-time traffic information, based on reports from other Waze users. That data includes accidents, speed traps and other hazards that might keep you from getting to your destination in a timely fashion. 

Other features sure to impress travelers include automatic rerouting, cheap gas alerts and the ability to send your ETA to anyone waiting at your final stop.

Download Waze: Android , iOS

7. Skiplagged (Android, iOS: Free)

If you're traveling light and looking to save a few bucks, check out Skiplagged. It's a neat app that can keep your travel costs down by taking advantage of "hidden city flights", where flyers get off at a layover, instead of at the final destination. 

Enter your origin and destination, and Skiplagged will show you the cost of a direct flight, as well as any cheaper "hidden city" flights that have your intended destination as a layover. The caveat? Stick to carry-on luggage, as any checked-in bags will go all the way to the flight's final destination. 

Skiplagged also allows you to book hotels, including last-minute deals and special offers.

Download Skiplagged: Android , iOS

8. Flio (Android, iOS: Free)

Flio aims to be the all-in-one companion app for harried travelers making their way through airports worldwide. An official partner of 300 airports, Flio also has info on thousands more. That lets the app feature terminal maps, a boarding pass scanner, a flight tracker and directions to shuttle buses and booking options for everything from parking to lounge access. 

The app's sheer variety of services and features make it a great addition to the app toolkit of frequent fliers and vacationers alike.

Download Flio: Android , iOS

9. AtYourGate (Android, iOS: Free)

AtYourGate is another helpful airport companion that focuses more about retail opportunities while you're killing time waiting at the airport. If you need food, supplies (like say a phone charger to replace the one you forgot to pack), or last-minute gifts, you can browse the AtYourGate app for nearby shops and restaurants instead of having to wander around the airport. 

AtYourGate users can order food or other items, pay through the app, and even arrange for the item to be delivered to them right at their gate, lounge, or other location. AtYourGate currently operates in a select number of major airports, including JFK, La Guardia, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Portland, San Diego, and Newark.

Download AtYourGate: Android , iOS

10. Mobile Passport (Android, iOS: Free)

Mobile Passport is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection-approved app that helps speed you through lengthy immigration lines. It allows anyone with U.S. or Canadian passports to submit their passport control and customs declarations through the app, replacing paper forms and providing faster processing in a number of major US airports where the Mobile Passport service is supported. 

The app will save you a good amount of time in line, but it’s no reason to leave your physical passport at home. Mobile Passport is a companion app, not a replacement.

Download Mobile Passport: Android , iOS

11. TripIt (Android, iOS: Free)

TripIt promises to cut back on the travel hassle by consolidating your travel plans into a simple, convenient itinerary. Viewable online and synced to your cell phone, you can also share itineraries with your contacts. 

You just link your email account to TripIt, and the service will automatically dig through your inbox for reservation confirmations and other forms. Using that data, TripIt builds an organized itinerary of your flight boarding times, hotel check-ins and more. While TripIt is a free download, a $48.99 annual subscription gets you features like real-time flight alerts and updates on how long airport lines are.

Download TripIt: Android , iOS

12. App In The Air (Android, iOS: Free)

App In The Air is designed to help you through the entire process of your airplane flight, serving as a booking assistant that reminds you of your gate, ETA, check-in requirements, baggage tips, and more. 

The app condenses all of this important information so that it's easy to refer to at a glance, while also providing handy extras. You can view a summary of your airline's baggage rules (or even have an augmented reality overlay that you can use to measure your baggage to see if it will fit for carry-on or overhead guidelines). 

Travelers can integrate the app with TripIt, track loyalty rewards, view airplane amenities and even forward their details to their Apple Watch or Android Wear device. A premium subscription ($29.99 per year) includes real-time flight status updates, automated check-ins, and more.

Download App In The Air: Android , iOS

13. GasBuddy (Android, iOS: Free)

If road trips are more your thing, consider GasBuddy, a mobile app that helps users track down the cheapest gas in their region. Users can tap into their GPS location through their phone, or search by address or zip code to find the nearby gas prices.

As many of the prices are based on user reports, GasBuddy rewards users with points for reporting and updating a station's prices, with points making you eligible for regular raffles of prizes like free gas.

Download GasBuddy: Android , iOS

14. Roadtrippers (Android, iOS: Free)

Another handy travel companion when you hit the road is the aptly named Roadtrippers, a trip planning and itinerary app that lets you plot your next road trip, and helps you discover destinations, attractions, and useful stops along the way. 

With Roadtrippers, you can share your route and schedule with friends and family. The app helps users find everything from diners and dives to hotels, restaurants, national parks, roadside attractions and other scenic points of interest. 

If doing that research on a small phone screen stresses you out, you can plan trips in the Roadtrippers web portal if you prefer, saving locations and stops into a trip plan which you can sync across multiple devices for easy reference.

Download Roadtrippers: Android , iOS

15. PackPoint (Android, iOS: Free)

PackPoint is a travel packing wizard that provides a checklist of travel essentials that you'll need to pack, depending on the nature of your trip. 

Simply create a trip profile with your destination, length of stay and purpose of travel. PackPoint then creates a customized packing and luggage checklist that takes into account whether you're traveling for business or pleasure, the type and amount of clothing to pack based on the weather forecast and other factors. 

The app also comes with a variety of premium features, such as TripIt integration for automatic packing list creation.

Download PackPoint: Android , iOS

16. TripAdvisor (Android, iOS: Free)

TripAdvisor is your crowd-sourced guide to hotels, restaurants and attractions worldwide. The app allows you to browse through plenty of reviews, images and videos featuring various establishments worldwide to get a better idea of what awaits you at your destination. 

You can also access contact details; search for nearby establishments; explore restaurants by food type, price range or rating; check out air fares; and even add to the knowledge base by posting your own reviews, images and entries for the places you visit. There are even some handy "Near Me Now" features to alert you of nearby points of interest once you're on the scene.

Download TripAdvisor: Android , iOS

17. Airbnb (Android, iOS: Free)

Airbnb is a marketplace app that allows users to search for and find unique accommodations across the world, from mom-and-pop B&Bs for a night, to a small apartment for a week, or even a castle for a month. There's no shortage of quirky and unique establishments. Airbnb covers a range of prices in more than 34,000 cities across almost 200 countries, which means the adventurous or flexible traveler has some interesting choices for accommodations on their next trip.

Download Airbnb: Android , iOS

18. Vrbo (Android, iOS: Free)

Vrbo's mobile app is another option for finding places to stay on your next trip. At Vrbo, the emphasis is on vacation rentals, and with 2 million unique places to stay in 190-plus countries, you've got plenty of options. 

Use the Vrbo app to search for vacation homes, plan your trip and book your lodging. The app also gives you access to key booking details — what is the Wi-Fi password at your rental property, anyway? — and lets you share your itinerary with friends and family.

Download Vrbo: Android , iOS

19. Hotel Tonight (Android, iOS: Free)

If you unexpectedly need to look for last minute hotel rooms, check out  HotelTonight. It offers last-minute discounts on vacancies and same-night accommodations from top-rated hotels. Users can search by category and quality such as Basic, Hip or Luxe; view information on nearby hotels; and quickly book accommodations from within the app.

Download HotelTonight: Android , iOS

20. GlobeTips (iOS: Free)

How much should you tip? GlobeTips is a handy app that can tell you how much gratuity is customary wherever you are in the world. In addition to global tipping guides, GlobeTips includes a calculator for automatically calculating the tip, splitting the bill, and handling sales tax.

Download GlobeTips: iOS

• Best iPhone apps

Sign up to get the BEST of Tom’s Guide direct to your inbox.

Upgrade your life with a daily dose of the biggest tech news, lifestyle hacks and our curated analysis. Be the first to know about cutting-edge gadgets and the hottest deals.

Google News went down for millions worldwide in mysterious outage

Google could be adding a new social spin to Google Photos — here’s what we know

Netflix top 10 shows — here’s the 3 worth watching right now

Most Popular

• 2 I have never bought an official phone case, and I won’t until Apple and Samsung make some changes
• 3 Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 — here's the 6 biggest rumored upgrades
• 4 What are we most excited to see at Computex 2024? Here's what to expect
• 5 Essentia Stratami Organic mattress review 2024

• English (UK)
• English (CA)
• Deutsch (DE)
• Deutsch (CH)

Top 8 travel management apps for Android & iOS

Best iphone & android app for travel management overall.

• Check flight prices
• Check-in for flights straight from the mobile app
• Book airport lounges
• Get mobile tickets and paperless confirmation - open train or flight tickets directly from your device
• Get hotel and car rental office directions straight from Google Maps or Apple Maps
• Receive check-in instructions for hotels or Airbnbs
• Know about last-minute changes to your travel plans

The best travel management apps for Android

#1 - tripit, #2 - google maps, #3 - expensify, best travel management apps for ios, #1 - salestrip, #3 - citymapper, #4 - currency, how to choose the best travel apps for android and ios.

• Planning and preparing
• Book hotels
• Book trains
• Travel expenses
• Currency conversion
• Language translation - you could use Google Translate for this

Make business travel simpler with TravelPerk

Make business travel simpler. Forever.

• See our platform in action . Trusted by thousands of companies worldwide, TravelPerk makes business travel simpler to manage with more flexibility, full control of spending with easy reporting, and options to offset your carbon footprint.
• Find hundreds of resources on all things business travel, from tips on traveling more sustainably, to advice on setting up a business travel policy, and managing your expenses. Our latest e-books and blog posts have you covered.
• Never miss another update. Stay in touch with us on social for the latest product releases, upcoming events, and articles fresh off the press.

The 5 best car rental companies in Canada

The 5 best online travel agencies in Scotland

The 5 best online travel agencies in the Czech Republic

• Business Travel Management
• Offset Carbon Footprint
• Flexible travel
• Travelperk Sustainability Policy
• Corporate Travel Resources
• Corporate Travel Glossary
• For Travel Managers
• For Finance Teams
• For Travelers
• Thoughts from TravelPerk
• Careers Hiring
• User Reviews
• Integrations
• Privacy Center
• Help Center
• Privacy Policy
• Cookies Policy
• Modern Slavery Act | Statement
• Supplier Code of Conduct

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes

We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

22 Best Travel Apps Every Traveler Should Know About

From tracking flight delays, finding last-minute accommodations, and even locating the nearest public restroom, these are the most helpful travel apps to download before you travel.

Using the right travel apps can help you save both time and money , while making the journey much less stressful . Many of these apps also provide local recommendations and hidden gems tourists don't often get to see — and some are completely free.

Whether you're looking for an app that will give you discounts for popular local events, offer a last-minute booking at a fraction of the price, or help you breeze through the airport , these are the 22 best travel apps to download before your next trip.

Citymapper helps travelers find the speediest route to their destination, providing step-by-step instructions on where to find the nearest bus and train stations. You'll be able to see when the next arrivals are, and real-time routing means you'll get updates every minute. The app also has a chat feature that allows you to update friends and family on your E.T.A. wherever you are.

Available on iOS and Android .

PackPoint takes the hassle out of packing by creating a customized list of what you'll need for your getaway. Enter your destination, travel dates, length of stay, and activities that might require special gear, like hiking or swimming, and the app will create a custom packing list you can save for future use. Besides checking weather conditions for you, the app also allows users to share their packing lists with fellow travelers.

The beauty of Rebtel is you don't need an internet connection to call friends and family back home. The app connects to local phone lines to provide you with cheap calls in 51 countries around the world without having to deal with the hassle of getting a local SIM card or racking up your phone bill.

If you're looking to get outdoors, this app will provide you with the area's best hiking, biking, and running trails. In addition to details on length, starting location, and trail quality, AllTrails includes reviews and photos from a community of hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. You'll find useful information like what to pack, obstacles you'll find along the route, and the best scenic spots to check out.

If you find yourself in the middle of a long layover, Dayuse can get you into a hotel room for a few hours for up to 75 percent less than what the typical overnight rate would be. The app features 5,000 hotels in 23 countries, and allows you to make free cancellations at the last minute, in case you manage to catch an earlier flight.

Selections include everything from business hotels to wellness accommodations, with payments made directly when you arrive. You also get full use of the hotel's amenities for the duration of your stay.

The prices of flights can fluctuate, making it tricky to decide if you should book right away or hold off. That's where Hopper comes in, predicting the best time to find the cheapest fares, saving up to 40 percent. The app also has a price-monitoring feature so that you can select a particular flight and receive alerts if the price drops. Through Hopper, users can also compare the prices and amenities of more than 250 airlines and get alerts about airfare flash sales.

RV Parks & Campgrounds

This camping app helps you locate prime RV parks, campgrounds, rest areas, and gas stations across North America. With more than 40,000 facilities, the app sorts locations based on ratings and includes both privately-owned RV parks and public parks to choose from.

Nike Training Club

Hitting the gym while you're traveling can be tough, but with Nike Training Club , you'll feel like you have a personal trainer right in your pocket. That's because you can access hundreds of free workouts from Nike Master Trainers and celebrities like Kevin Hart, Serena Williams, and Cristiano Ronaldo. Audio and video clips help you make sure you're on top of your technique, while personalized training plans will keep you on track.

If you don't have much time to spare at the airport, Grab allows you to check out what food selections are near your gate, and gives you the option to pre-order your meal so you can pick it up on the way. The app currently operates at over 60 airports worldwide, giving you plenty of bites to choose from on your next trip.

GasBuddy is the app you'll want if you're taking a road trip. GasBuddy tracks down where to find the cheapest gas prices, allowing you to filter by price, location, brand, and amenities. It also provides you with deals at nearby convenience stores and price hike alerts so you can nail down the best prices every time.

Want to know what local events are taking place at your destination? Headout will show you the top attractions, shows, tours, and experiences in popular cities like New York, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Orlando, Hawaii, Dubai, and more.

Activities range from catching a Broadway show, yoga in the hills, or taking a helicopter tour, with exclusive last-minute offers that can be up to 80 percent off.

If you need to access the internet during your travels, chances are you'll have to connect to public Wi-Fi, which can be sketchy. TunnelBear allows you to connect privately and securely by providing you a VPN (virtual private network) that will encrypt your browsing data to keep your information hidden from hackers and advertisers. The app comes with 500MB of free browsing data each month, or you can opt for unlimited data at a low monthly rate.

Hostelworld

Hostelworld is where you'll find more than 17,000 hostels, hotels, B&B's, and communal spaces in 178 countries. The app is great for solo travelers looking to meet fellow vacationers during their trip, including a Noticeboard that highlights events and meetups, and a translator that will help you communicate in up to 43 languages.

WeatherBug provides forecasts for millions of locations around the world, with current, hourly, and even 10-day options. The app also has specific weather maps to track everything from lightning and wind to pressure and humidity, and makes staying on top of changes to the weather easy with instant alerts.

Eatwith allows you to dine with locals, in their homes, all over the world. Menus are posted for you to see, while hosts will typically list what they cook, the languages they speak, and any alcohol pairings they'll be serving. Not only does the app give you a chance to meet locals and get superb dining recommendations, but it also allows you to enjoy a high-quality meal for less than what you'd typically pay at a restaurant.

Available on iOS and Android.

Trying to locate a public restroom can be tricky, especially in a new destination. That's where Flush comes in. The app has a database of more than 200,000 toilets, and quickly provides travelers with nearby bathrooms. You can search without an internet connection, and the app will also notify you if a restroom requires a fee.

While banks may charge you a fee for transferring money abroad, Wise allows you to make a transfer based on real-time currency exchanges, so you can send money at rates the company says are up to eight times cheaper than what you'd find at traditional banks.

TripIt makes it easy to put together a cohesive travel itinerary. Simply forward your confirmation emails, like your hotel and flight reservations, or your rental car reservation, and TripIt will build a full itinerary to help you stay organized with all of your plans.

With real-time alerts, you'll know if your flight is delayed or canceled, while the flight finder can help you book a new option should a cancellation occur.

Another good app for the road, Waze gives you community-based data about traffic jams, and information to locate points of interest like the cheapest gas stations and the fastest routes to your destination. Live maps include voice-guided navigation to easily guide you.

Xe provides live exchange rates and charts to keep you on top of money matters during your travels, easily allowing you to choose between different currencies you'd like to convert. It also has a rate alert so that you can monitor your favorite currencies — and it can be used offline.

Timeshifter

If you're sick of the jet lag battle that inevitably comes with travel, check out Timeshifter , an app that helps you to avoid jet lag long before your flight departs. Thanks to neuroscience research on circadian rhythms and sleep, the app provides personalized recommendations that take into account your age, gender, typical sleep patterns, and specifics about your trip. The app will tell you when you should avoid or seek daylight, and when you should stay awake or take a nap. The result? A gentle jet lag experience, which translates to more time exploring your destination.

FlightAware

If you have a tight connection or are picking up friends or family from the airport, look to FlightAware for help. The app tracks flights in real time, so you can see exactly where the aircraft is at any given moment. In addition to providing arrivals and delays, you can also see if weather will have any affect on certain locations.

Evie Carrick is a writer and editor who’s lived in five countries and visited well over 50. She now splits her time between Colorado and Paris, ensuring she doesn't have to live without skiing or L'As du Fallafel.

Related Articles

16 Travel Apps That Travel Editors Actually Use

Afar editors hand-picked these apps to make traveling easier at every step of your trip, from outlining a packing list and booking hotels to figuring out exchange rates and translating words..

• Copy Link copied

These must-have apps for iOS and Android make it easier to organize your travel plans, whether you need to book flights and hotel rooms or translate words from a different language.

Courtesy of Good Studio / Shutterstock

Most seasoned travelers develop their own techniques for planning and orchestrating trips that go smoothly. But even for people who travel frequently, parts of the trip-taking process can still be complicated. AFAR editors, past and present, are certainly no strangers to travel tasks like booking flights and hotels; renting cars for road trips ; or navigating public transportation and language barriers in unfamiliar cities. Whether you’re trying to stay calm during a turbulent flight or just need assistance converting currency rates, our editors swear by these essential travel apps.

1. PackPoint

(iOS, Free | Android, Free ) “PackPoint does a great job at simplifying the art of how to pack a suitcase . I love this app because it personalizes your packing list depending on where you’re going and the activities you have planned. All you have to do is download the app, plug in the destination, and input information about your upcoming travels such as duration and time of year. Then, PackPoint provides you with trip-specific packing recommendations based on the weather in your destination and the activities you have planned. The app even takes more nuanced details into account, such as whether you’ll have access to laundry facilities where you’re going and have the ability to wash and rewear your clothes. Even though I’m a pretty organized person, I keep turning back to this super helpful packing app to help me channel my inner Marie Kondo .” —Sarah Buder

(iOS, Free | Android, Free ) “I’ve been using this app for seven years and it’s my absolute favorite. TripIt automatically tracks your confirmation emails for flight itineraries, hotel or Airbnb bookings, car rentals, restaurant reservations, and even any event tickets you might buy, then populates those travel plans into a little itinerary that you can view in one place. The easy-to-use organizational app makes it simple to share the consolidated information with family or friends, so you can send them your itinerary directly and avoid having to answer repeated texts like, “When are you landing again?” to coordinate an airport pickup. TripIt even features a personalized Travel Stats page for really data-hungry folks who want to know how many trips they’ve taken or countries they’ve visited—and that’s just in the free version! The pro version costs $49 per year and includes extras like real-time flight alerts, TSA wait times, and loyalty reward program updates.” —Sara Button

(iOS, Free | Android, Free )

“I love this language learning app; I use it all the time to prepare for international trips. Drops gamifies the educational experience, using flashcard-like mnemonic matching exercises, or memory devices, to teach vocabulary words. It works much better for my learning style than other language programs that focus on grammatical structure. If I’m going to an unfamiliar country for a short trip, I don’t worry about speaking the language perfectly, I just want to remember important words and phrases quickly. Drops offers 36 languages, including Ainu, the language spoken by an Indigenous Japanese culture that lives in Hokkaido.” —Maggie Fuller

4. Rome2rio

“Rio2rio is a handy tool for getting from Point A to Point B. If you put in your starting point and destination, it’ll show you all the ways you could feasibly get there (plane, car, bus, and train), how long each option would take, and how much it would cost. If it’s a public transportation route, it’ll share the specific buses and trains you need to get on (as well as alternatives, should you miss them) and bring you to the appropriate booking websites. Having all the options laid out makes it easy to make an informed decision.” — Bailey Berg

5. Mobile Passport

“I learned about Mobile Passport from AFAR’s marketing director Katie Galeotti, who said she sometimes gets through U.S. Customs and Border Protection even faster than her husband, who has Global Entry . I decided to try it out the next time I returned from a trip abroad. Before going through customs at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), I downloaded the free app, filled out my declaration forms and passport information, then submitted the mobile documents for inspection and approval. Lo and behold, I was able to move through separate, faster customs lines at SFO in about five minutes just by showing my encrypted receipt. Since I really hate waiting around airports ( even for checked luggage ), I can’t say how satisfying it was to breeze out of SFO after a long international flight.” —Sara Button

6. Priority Pass

“Several premium credit cards such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card and the American Express Platinum Card offer Priority Pass memberships to card holders, which grant access to more than 1,300 airport lounges around the world. I have a Priority Pass membership through my credit card, which means I can duck into airport lounges even if I’m flying economy. The problem? I often lose track of my membership card, which is where the app comes in. Not only does it allow you to ‘save’ your card and present it on your phone, it also lets you search eligible lounges and discounts by airport, clueing you in to what amenities you can expect when you arrive.”— Katherine LaGrave

7. Rain Rain

“If you’ve ever been 30,000 feet in the air, stuck ahead of a seat-kicker, and need to find your chill, then Rain Rain is for you. The free app on both iOS and Android has dozens of sounds, including nine variations of rain and real-life noise-tracks that cover everything from ‘Mississippi at Night’ to ‘Fish Tank.’ You can zen out to gentle wind chimes or an alarm clock ticking, and even create your own sound combinations, like ‘Car in the Rain’ layered on top of ‘Cicadas.’ There are no ads, and you can even set a time limit for the sounds to fade out. I’m already calmer just thinking about it.” —Katherine LaGrave

Mobile apps can help travelers understand public transportation options and also map out other routes, such as by bike.

8. Google Maps

“I use Google Maps all the time in my everyday life, and that certainly doesn’t change when I travel. The navigational app helps me find handy spots like banks or gas stations; understand public transportation options, including buses, trains, and ride-sharing services; map out walking and cycling routes; and keep track of restaurant reservations. It also allows me to easily share my location with travel buddies and create customized maps with flagged locations that I want to visit, which I can download for later use when I’m offline.”— Sara Button

9. Citymapper

“My fascination for public transportation borders on obsessive. I feel compelled to check out the buses and trains—and streetcars, ferries, trams, share bikes—in every city I visit. Citymapper, available for 40 international cities, feeds my compulsion. The app suggests routes and alternative routes in destinations from Copenhagen to Tokyo ; it shows maps, fares, and trip length with a breakdown of how much time will be spent on each mode of transportation per option. Notably, the travel app also maps out city routes for wheelchair accessibility . When my husband and I traveled to London with our teens, we discovered Citymapper’s ‘Share Your ETA’ feature. If the kids grew weary of a museum, they would type in the address of our flat, get their directions from the app, and then share their route with us. The feature let us watch their progress until they arrived safe and sound. They felt capable and independent; we felt secure and able to drink at the pub in peace.” —Ann Shields

10. National Park Trail Guide

“This outdoor adventure app offers guides to 63 national parks, monuments, and recreation areas with need-to-know information on food, accommodation, and activities, as well as detailed trail and annual climate data. The mobile app is actually very useful when you’re in the park, but I personally like to use it in the early stages of planning for inspiration. Before a road trip or camping adventure , I’ll browse through a national park’s most beautiful features or best hikes to get excited about my trip.” —Maggie Fuller

11. AllTrails: Hike, Bike & Run

“AllTrails is an app that helps you find hikes within a given area, with information about the degree of difficulty, length, elevation gain, current conditions, and route type (loop or out-and-back). It also offers reviews and photos from people who have hiked it recently. AllTrails also has a (far superior) paid version, called AllTrails+ , that allows users to download maps for offline use, which important in the backcountry. It also pushes alerts if you make a wrong turn and find trails by distance from you (as opposed to filtering through the myriad trails in the area yourself).” — Bailey Berg

Translation apps and currency converters can come in handy for travelers who don’t speak the local language in a given destination.

12. Google Translate

“I use Google Translate pretty much whenever I travel to countries where I don’t speak the local language . It’s so simple: All you have to do is enter a word, phrase, or sentence that you want to translate and then indicate the specific languages, such as Japanese to English, or Creole to Spanish. The app can translate meanings in 103 languages, and it lets you save them to your own personal phrasebook so you can remember them when you’re offline. It also offers camera translation in 37 languages, which only requires that you take a picture of a word in order to translate its meaning. Sure, Google’s language tool isn’t the only translation app out there, but it’s definitely the one I use most.”— Sarah Buder

13. HotelTonight

“HotelTonight lets you book last-minute hotel rooms at incredibly affordable rates in cities like New York City , Paris , and Barcelona . The app’s inventory is well vetted, with legitimately cool boutique hotels categorized by easy-to-use filters like basic, solid, hip, luxe. I became a HotelTonight devotee recently, during my second pregnancy. I was absolutely exhausted but I couldn’t nap at home because my toddler would come find me and, with her adorable gap-toothed grin, yell, ‘TIME TO GET UP, MOMMY!’ So I made a deal with my husband: If I could find a good hotel deal in Manhattan for under $150, I could book it day-of and sneak away for a few hours (or a night’s) sleep. I started pulling up HotelTonight daily—I was desperate—and filtered by neighborhoods I was in for meetings or ‘hip’ hotels like the Ace or Moxy that were half their normal price. The app makes staying at top hotels in traditionally pricey cities more of a bargain—though I bet HotelTonight’s founder never expected it to appeal to the secondary market of overtired moms. I booked the Ace and cherished every minute.” —Laura Dannen Redman

14. XE Currency

“Math has never been my strongest subject, which makes doing currency conversions in my head essentially my travel kryptonite. It’s not the sexiest app out there, but XE Currency converter is probably the app I use the most when I travel abroad. Before your trip, just add the currency of the country you’re traveling to into your list on the app. Then when you land, all you have to do is plug in the price you want to convert to U.S. dollars or otherwise, and the app will spit out a rate equivalent in mere seconds. It’s super easy to use on the fly while you’re shopping or at a restaurant. You can even use the app to view rate conversions when you’re offline, as long as you saved the relevant currency to the app while using Wi-Fi.” —Lyndsey Matthews

15. Splitwise

“This app tracks shared expenses. If you’re traveling with friends on a group trip , it spares you the awkward conversations about whose credit card pays for dinner or who’s going to call the Lyft, and it prevents resentment that could arise from anyone paying more or less than their fair share. If you’re extra nerdy, like me and my friends, you can turn it into a game! You try to work it out so at the end of the trip everyone has wound up paying as close to the same amount as possible.” —Jeremy Saum

16. HappyCow

(iOS, $3.99 | Android, $3.99 )

HappyCow is my must-have app for finding vegetarian/vegan restaurants when I travel—or frankly, when I’m at home too. It works like Google Maps for the meat-free set, pointing out all the options but not requiring me to guess how “vegetarian” a place really is. Instead, the map surfaces vegetarian and vegan spots (including regular restaurants that have good choices for non-meat eaters), lets you filter by specs like price and gluten-free, and includes write-ups with information on what kind of options you can expect, what the veggie burgers are made of, and even whether the place serves vegan beer. Entries also include key info like opening hours, payment options, and reviews. There’s a free version of the app that will show you what’s near you, but the full-access version is well worth the small price (currently $3.99). It lets you search internationally, save your favorites, join and interact with the community of veg travelers (nearly 1 million strong), and leave your own reviews.” —Billie Cohen

More travel app recommendations from AFAR

→ The Most Helpful Translation Apps for Travelers → 6 Awesome Hiking Apps for Adventurous Travelers → Navigate the National Parks Better With These Essential Apps → Free Apps and Websites That Make Eco-Friendly Travel Easy

This article was originally published in 2019 and was most recently updated on February 13, 2023 with new information.

• Custom Software Developers
• Software Development Companies in US
• Software Development Companies in India
• Software Development Companies in UK
• Software Development Companies In Canada
• Mobile App Development Companies
• Mobile App Development Companies in US
• Mobile App Development Companies in India
• Mobile App Development Companies in UK
• Mobile App Development Companies in Canada
• Web Development Agencies
• Web Development Companies in USA
• Web Development Companies in India
• AI Development Companies
• AI Development Companies in India
• AI Development Companies in Canada
• AI Companies in Australia
• AI Development Companies in the USA
• Digital Marketing Companies
• Digital Marketing Companies in US
• SEO Agencies in United Kingdom
• SEO Companies in UAE
• Healthcare Apps
• Fintech Apps
• Social Media Apps
• Education Apps
• Productivity Apps
• Travel Apps
• Shopping Apps
• Dating Apps
• Capcut Review
• Yoga Go Review
• Lucky Date Review
• Temu Review
• QuillBot Review
• Discord Review
• Cutout Pro Review
• Calm Meditate Review
• Coursera Review
• Opinion Pieces
• Success Stories
• 40 under 40
• Women in Tech
• Top Billionaire
• Top 2000 Companies
• Press Release
• Get featured In MAD
• Contribute On MAD
• Service Offerings
• Brand & Products
• Top Agencies
• Top Products
• For Agencies
• For Products

Best Travel Apps in 2024 for Android & iPhone

• Personal finance

List of Best Apps for Travel

Google maps.

Download Google Maps :

Tech specifications.

Google Maps is a must-have for travel, covering over 220 countries and territories. It helps you quickly find millions of businesses and local spots. You can check out dining, entertainment, and events worldwide. This ensures you're never out of the loop, no matter where you are on the globe.

Google Maps is counted among the top travel apps known for making journeys smoother. The app shows you the best routes and traffic in real time. Thus, assisting you in finding public transport easily. Its additional abilities include automatic rerouting, ensuring you can avoid traffic jams, incidents, and road closures to reach your destination without unnecessary delays.

Google can easily replace plenty of the best navigation apps out there to make discovering new places easy. It suggests restaurants, events, and activities that fit your interests. You can stay on top of the latest trends and openings, get personalized recommendations, and make confident choices.

Google Maps also makes planning with friends simple. Share your favorite spots, create lists, follow tips from locals, and help others by reviewing places and adding new photos, missing roads, places, etc.

Why we picked it?

Google Maps is chosen for its comprehensive coverage of over 220 countries. It leverages the best capabilities of machine learning to personalize recommendations for dining and entertainment.

Key Features of Google Maps, one of the best apps for travel

• Entirely free app to have a look at real-time maps and traffic conditions
• You can download maps and access them without the internet anytime
• With real-time updates, get ETAs to reach your destination
• The re-route option provides you with the details of the best alternative routes

Booking.com

Download Booking.com :

Booking.com stands as one of the best travel booking apps that simplify your journey from start to finish. With the help of this app, you can book your entire trip on one platform. The app includes accommodations, flights, car rentals, taxis, and more. Additionally, the app also offers free cancellation options at most properties. Thus providing you with flexibility according to your needs.

Moreover, Booking.com provides you 24/7 customer service in over 40 languages. It offers you exclusive mobile-only discounts and lets you enjoy the best deals on accommodations. The platform also comes with diverse accommodation types so that users can easily find the perfect place for their stay. This includes hotels,  apartments, homes, villas, and more.

With the help of this app, you don’t need paper confirmation of your reservation. You can manage your bookings on the go. It frees users to make changes whenever and wherever they want. Also, booking.com allows you to explore local attractions and make the most of your trip amazing. 

In fact, you can even share your experiences and seek local advice on the app's Travel Communities forums. The Booking.com app can be your one-stop solution and a great alternative to the best hotel booking apps to plan your trip smoothly. The app will make your trip unforgettable. 

Booking.com was easy to pick for this list because of its global recognition and world-class services. Its reputation outshines plenty of its alternatives among the best travel planning apps.

Key Features of Booking.com, one of the best travel guide booking apps

• Free cancellation at most hotels, apartments, and other properties
• The app allows you to book hotels at the last minute quickly
• You can book domestic or international flights on the go with ease
• You can rent a car from all the major companies

Download Airbnb :

Airbnb changes the way you find and book places to stay with its Airbnb categories feature. You can pick a list of homes that stand out based on their style, location, or nearby fun activities. Whether you want a cozy cabin with great views or an apartment by the beach, Airbnb Categories helps you find the perfect spot for your trip.

Finding what you need is easy with more than 100 filters. Narrow down your choices effortlessly by filtering according to specific amenities, such as pools and fireplaces, or focus on accessibility features. Airbnb makes it easy for you to stay your way.

The Airbnb app keeps all your travel info in one place. It's easy to look up your plans or share them, talk to your Host, and stay updated on your booking. The app helps you manage your trip smoothly, from arriving to using wifi.

With Airbnb Experiences, you can really get to know a place through activities led by locals. These experiences let you dive into the culture, either in person or online. From outdoor adventures to home-based activities, you can book, save, or share them easily on the Airbnb app, making your travels unforgettable.

We selected Airbnb for our listicle because it revolutionizes accommodation booking by offering unique stays tailored to style, location, and activities. It provides extensive filters for customization and integrated travel management through its app.

Features of Airbnb, one of the best travel booking apps

• Airbnb offers a wide range of unique and personalized lodging choices
• You can easily refine your searches with over 100 filters
• The app keeps all essential travel information in one place
• You can participate in fun and immersive activities led by local hosts

Download TripIt :

TripIt is a top travel app that makes planning your trips easy. Just send your travel bookings to [email protected], and it will organize them into one detailed plan. You won't have to search your emails for travel info anymore. You can upload PDFs, photos, boarding passes, digital passport QR codes, and more, consolidating everything in one place for easy tracking.

But that's not all. TripIt is also considered the best travel app for road trips. It offers map tools to plan your route on Google Maps or Apple Maps. TripIt gets you covered with information powered by Rome2Rio. And when you're on the move, easily pinpoint the nearest restaurants, parking, ATMs, and other essentials. This means you have everything you need for travel in one app, making your trips better.

For the price of checking a bag, you can get TripIt Pro for even more benefits. It gives you real-time flight status alerts, updates, and reminders to check-in. Plus, if your flight price drops after booking, TripIt Pro will tell you so you might get a refund.

TripIt was picked for its ability to simplify travel planning by centralizing bookings, documents, and essential services in one app. It is convenient and organized for all types of trips.

Features of TripIt, one of the best travel apps

• Check out interactive maps for your destinations to stay on track
• With the area score, make sure your safety is not compromised
• Save details such as flight boarding time, booking number, and more
• Upload PDFs, photos, boarding passes, and digital passports

Download Wingie :

Wingie is an easy-to-use travel app that helps you book flights and other essentials. It's affordable and safe. The app is a one-stop shop for planning and managing your travel, covering everything from flights to activities. 

With a vast array of options and features, this app can cater to the diverse needs and preferences of different travelers. Whether you are ready to set on a spontaneous weekend getaway or are planning to go on a trip for months, Wingie has the perfect options for all. The app is free and comes with an intuitive interface, making it suitable for all kinds of travelers. 

Wingie works with top airlines like Flynas, Saudi Arabian Airlines, and more to offer cheap tickets and stays. It also gives discounts and promo codes to save more on travel.

Like other apps, Wingie provides instant bookings for flights worldwide at good prices. It offers fast service, personalized tips, and tools to keep track of your trip. Download Wingie for a more convenient and comfortable travel experience.

The app comes with comprehensive features that simplify travel planning, offering affordability, safety, and instant bookings with top airlines. Its intuitive interface and personalized tips cater to all traveler types, enhancing convenience.

Features of Wingie, one of the best travel apps

• Real-time bookings and reservations
• Works in collaboration with popular airlines
• Frequent discounts and promo codes on travel bookings
• Exceptional customer support and service for all users

Download Citymapper :

Citymapper is an all-in-one transportation solution that combines various modes of travel. This can include buses, subways, trains, ferries, cabs, ride-shares, e-scooters, and even walking routes. 

Top travel apps like Citymapper offer routes you might have never known existed. It lets you discover the most efficient ways to navigate your city. Another thing is that the app provides turn-by-turn navigation for transit, walking, cycling, and scooter journeys. 

For those looking for flexibility, the app enables easy comparisons of cab fares and the convenient ride. You can also hop on a shared bike or the nearest scooter. It allows users to stay updated with delays and the estimated time of arrival (ETA). This ensures you never miss a bus, train, or ferry again. 

The real-time train and bus tracker allows you to follow your public transportation as it arrives. The data is displayed on a real-time map for an easier user experience. Daily updates keep you informed on your lock screen about real-time bus arrivals, subway, ferry, and train times. The app even sends out alerts for status changes, along with alternative routes. 

Citymapper was chosen for our listicle because it's a comprehensive travel app that integrates multiple modes of transport. It offers efficient navigation, real-time tracking, and updates on public transportation.

Key Features of Citymapper, one of the best apps for travel

• You get personalized city navigation
• You can share your live trip with your friends
• Get offline access to the official NYC subway map
• You will get all the information on your wearable device

TripAdvisor

Download TripAdvisor :

The TripAdvisor app is your go-to travel solution for every need. It offers advice and tools for smooth trips. The app comes with one of the biggest travel communities, which gives you access to millions of reviews. So you can plan your trips confidently. Find top spots nearby and see them on a map to enjoy your destination fully.

You can handle all your travel planning in one place with the TripAdvisor app. Book hotels, tours, activities, and other experiences with the peace of mind of free cancellation options. Find fantastic dining spots nearby and make restaurant reservations with ease. 

You can get the best hotel deals by comparing prices from over 200 sites. The app makes it easy to organize your trip with the Trips tool, letting you save and sort recommended spots. You can also share plans with friends for an organized trip.

Not only can you get advice, but you can also give it by posting your own reviews and photos. Join the TripAdvisor community to share tips and connect with other travelers. The app gives you all you need to plan, enjoy, and share your journeys.

The TripAdvisor app was chosen for its comprehensive travel planning features, extensive community reviews, managing bookings, dining reservations, and trip organization all in one place.

Feature of TripAdvisor, the best app for bookings and travel

• Read reviews and discover deals on flights, hotels, or other transports
• The app has over 859 million real reviews submitted by experienced travelers
• Customize your trips according to your preferences and use maps and guides
• Have a look at bookings and modify or cancel them as per your preferences

Download Navan :

Navan, previously known as TripActions, is one of the best travel apps for iPhone and Android and is designed to make your journeys seamless and enjoyable. With Navan, planning your trip becomes a breeze. From booking flights to reserving hotels, everything is at your fingertips. The app offers a wide range of options to suit all tastes and budgets, ensuring you find the perfect fit for your trip.

It empowers you to make trip changes or cancellations with just a few taps, ensuring your travel plans remain flexible. The support team of Navan is also credited for its reputation as the best trip-planning app. The support team is readily available to help if you ever need assistance.

Navan keeps all your travel details in one place. You won't need to search for bookings or receipts, even offline. Everything is organized for you. You can also earn points with your favorite hotel and airline loyalty programs through Navan, whether for work or personal travel. This helps you reach loyalty goals and enjoy benefits. 

Speaking of rewards, Navan Rewards gives back when you book budget-friendly options for work. You can redeem these rewards for gift cards, personal travel, or even business travel upgrades, making your trips even more rewarding.

Navan handles your travel expenses with their corporate cards. They automatically track and sort transactions, cutting down on expense reports. Navan makes travel management easy so that you can focus on your trip.

We selected Navan for our listicle because it streamlines travel planning across devices. The app comes with unique features like offline access, loyalty points, and rewards that enhance the overall travel experience and management.

Feature of Navan, one of the best free travel apps

• Manage and find all of your trip details within the app itself
• Use deals and offers to reduce the cost of transportation and accommodation
• With a 24/7 helpline via chat, phone, or email, access help anytime you need it
• Book hotels, flights, cabs, and other reservations from the single app itself

Download Uber :

The Uber app is not your direct travel companion, but it is ready to connect you with rides from nearly any location to almost any destination. It can be your one-stop solution when you have already decided where to go but don’t have a mode of transport. 

With Uber, you can easily check price estimates for your trip. As one of the top ride-hailing apps and best travel apps for Android and iOS, it ensures transparency and budget-friendliness. You'll always know what to expect regarding cost, giving you peace of mind during your travels.

One of Uber's top priorities is your safety. They have implemented multiple safety features that almost guarantee a secure journey for men and women. You can share your trip with trusted contacts. It gives them the ability to follow your route in real time. Additionally, if an emergency strikes, contacting services is just a tap away, providing an extra layer of protection.

You can also rate and tip your driver. This helps to maintain Uber's high service quality. Moreover, just like other best travel apps for Android and iOS, Uber is user-friendly. It makes using the app easy even if you’re not that tech-savvy. It's a reliable way to travel safely and comfortably.

Uber was chosen for its safety, cost transparency, and convenience. It stands out as a user-friendly, top ride-hailing app for seamless travel experiences.

Features of Uber, one of the best apps for traveling

• Select destinations and get accurate price estimates from the app itself
• With a safety alarm, inform authorities instantly if you face any trouble
• Share your trips with your connections for extra caution
• Tip or rate your driver to let Uber know about your experience

Download Cabify :

A competitor to Uber, Cabify is certainly making its name among the top travel apps out there. The app focuses on your safety and lets you share your trip details with loved ones. They can see your route, driver, and where you are, making your ride safer.

This user-friendly app is lightning-fast and straightforward to use. Ordering a cab ride or making a delivery is as quick and easy as a sprint by Usain Bolt. Thus making your life more convenient.

The app offers different travel options for various needs. Choose Cabify for daily rides or Taxi for quick trips. Not only does Cabify offer transportation for people, but it also delivers packages. Their drivers can transport your items from one place to another, whether in cars or on motorcycles. It makes the app stand out and promises a more comprehensive service to its users.

Cabify lets you customize your ride. You can pick how to pay and what music to listen to. It's made for everyone, including those with visual impairments or other disabilities. Cabify is a top choice for safe, reliable, and green travel that meets your specific needs.

Cabify is among the renowned iOS and Android travel apps that make traveling easy. It allows users to break free from local transportation services and enables them to move around at their own convenience.

Features of Cabify, one of the best traveling apps

• Schedule or book real-time taxi services anytime and anywhere
• The cab service is available in more than 85 cities
• In security measures, you will get ventilated and sanitized
• cabsCabify is a carbon-neutral organization

Bag relevant views, higher downloads & real shares for your app

In this article:, different types of best trip planning apps, how to choose the best travel planning apps, what are the benefits of using travel apps, 1. flight and transportation booking apps.

These applications allow you to book flights, trains, and buses. They allow you to compare rates, dates, and times to discover the greatest value. Popular ones are Skyscanner and Kayak. They're fantastic since they save you time and money by doing all of the legwork in locating affordable tickets.

2. Accommodation Booking Apps

Looking for somewhere to stay? Accommodation apps are your go-to. These apps are designed to provide different choices of accommodation for the users. Their database includes hotels, hostels, and vacation rentals. They frequently include reviews, allowing you to select the ideal location.

3. Language Translation Apps

Not fluent in the local language? No problem. Translation apps like Google Translate or Duolingo can help you communicate. They translate words, phrases, and even voice conversations. This makes ordering food, asking for directions, and making new friends much easier.

4. Navigation Apps

Getting about in a new environment might be difficult. Navigation apps such as Google Maps and Citymapper make it simple. these types of apps are often considered the most downloaded travel apps. It provides you with directions for walking, driving, or taking public transportation. the app also provides accurate time estimation of your trip destination, which is really useful.

5. Ride-hailing apps

If you’re traveling without a vehicle, intercity traveling is not something you can do effortlessly. You have to know about public transport, which comes with its own challenges. Ride-hailing comes as a saver in these situations. Uber and Lyft are some of the best traveling apps in this area, capable enough to fulfill your travel needs.

6. Travel Planner Apps

When you plan a trip you have to take care of a lot of things like hotel booking, travel tickets, itinerary, and a lot more. So, planning apps help you juggle these balls together. You can keep track of your bookings, flights, and activities all in one place. Apps like TripIt are great for staying organized. They ensure you have all your travel details handy when you need them.

1. Trip Type

Trip type makes a big difference when selecting a travel plan for themselves. Users need to determine their trip type, whether it's a solo adventure, family vacation, business trip, or group travel. Look for apps that cater to your specific needs and preferences.

2. Destinations

The area where you’re traveling is also a considerable factor. It determines whether you want to give priority to a language translation app or want a ride-hailing app to travel locally. Thus, users should choose apps that cover their intended destinations. Some apps are more comprehensive and offer information and services for a wide range of locations, while others focus on specific regions.

3. User Reviews

You can also read user reviews and ratings to gauge the app's reliability, ease of use, and the quality of the services it provides. It makes a big difference as it provides the ground reality of the app’s functionality. For this, users need to pay attention to recent reviews to ensure the app is up to date.

4. Features

Features identification can also be a defining factor in selecting the right app. Common features include flight and hotel booking, trip planning, navigation, language translation, and currency conversion. Select apps that offer the functionalities most relevant to your trip.

5. Offline Access

When you travel, you’re not always connected to the grid. Remote areas often do not have a cellular network. So, relying only on online apps may not be wise. If you’re also traveling to a place where the network is not always promised, users should look for apps that allow offline access to crucial information like maps, itineraries, and travel guides. This is especially important when traveling to areas with limited internet connectivity.

While most apps may provide free services, some essential features might be paid for. Thus, consider your budget for the trip. Some apps offer discounts, cashback, or special deals. Choose apps that align with your budget and offer the best value for your money.

7. Security

It goes without saying that security should be a priority. Thus, ensuring safety when making online payments or sharing personal information is a must while traveling. Users can opt for well-established apps with a track record of protecting user data.

8. Language Support

If you're traveling to a foreign country, select apps that offer language translation or assistance in the local language. This can be extremely helpful for communication and navigation.

9. Local Insight

While traveling to an unknown town or state, you might be unaware of some local gems that tourists often skip. Selecting apps that provide local insights and recommendations can provide you access to these locations. So that you can follow the road that has not been taken.

1. Ease of Use - Right off the bat, travel apps are super convenient. With travel apps, travellers are able to plan their whole trip from their phones. Users can book flights, find a place to stay, and figure out what to do, all in one spot. The app acts as a travel agent for you and does most of the heavy lifting but without the extra cost.

2. Up-to-date Info - Another big plus is getting the latest information right when you need it. Travelers need to stay on top of their bookings or any updates that might impact their itinerary. For example, if your flight gets delayed or there’s a sudden rainstorm, the app can tell you about it in real-time. This way, you can quickly change your plans without any stress.

3. Tailored Just for You - Personalization is the new hot thing for consumers. And, with the abundance of data, personalization is not only possible but a norm in the app development industry. Similarly, travel apps help you get to know what you like. They suggest places to eat and things to see that fit your taste. It makes the traveling experience more convenient and fun for the user.

4. Finding Your Way - Remember trying to read a paper map? Not easy, right? Well, these apps have sorted the problem out for you. Travel apps help you navigate easily in a place you know essentially nothing about. With the help of GPS location tracking, these apps can provide accurate and reliable information about your location or anywhere you want to go. So you can roam around easily without having to worry about getting lost.

5. Breaking Down Language Barriers - Traveling where you don’t speak the language can be tough. But travel apps can translate for you. They help you talk to locals, read signs, and even order food. It’s like having a translator right there with you.

6. Saving Money - Saving money is yet another great merit that travel apps provide to their users. These apps show you deals on flights, hotels, and activities so you can select the best one out of the lot. They also let you compare prices so you can find the best option. This way, you can spend less on getting there and more on enjoying your trip.

7. It Makes Booking Easy - Anyone who has traveled frequently knows that booking hotels, flights, and other things can be a hassle. It requires research and know-how. But not with travel apps. These apps allow you to book, edit, and cancel your bookings at any time of the day or night. Users can arrange their whole trip from their phones. No more juggling different websites or waiting on hold. It’s quick and painless.

8. Connecting with Others - Travel apps can also connect you with other travelers. You can share your experiences, read reviews, and maybe even meet up with new friends. It’s a great way to make your travels even more memorable.

9. Staying Safe - Being safe is really important. Travel apps offer helpful features like emergency numbers, sharing your location, and warnings about any dangers nearby. It’s comforting to know you have support if you need it.

10. All-in-One Guide - Besides providing booking and navigating features, travel apps can also be your personal guidebook that fits in your pocket. These apps have extensive database libraries that include information on must-see places, local customs, and hidden gems. You can dive deep into the culture and make the most of your trip.

If not properly planned, traveling can be quite hectic. However, these apps we talked about above let you handle the necessary tasks like booking transportation and accommodations with comfort. Moreover, as it is a fast process, you do not have to plan for months before or worry about bookings to get full when you reach your destination. 

With our strategically designed marketing solutions

MobileAppDaily Team

MobileAppDaily Desk

MobileAppDaily host a team of experienced technical writers, industry wizards, and app experts who have an exact knack of content that caters to the needs of the mobile app targeted audience. We strive to bring you the best of tech!

Latest Products

Keep checking your mailbox for the latest around tech.

Top 10 Best Apps for International Travel in 2024 (My Essentials!)

By Author Paulina

Posted on Published: March 12, 2024  - Last updated: March 20, 2024

Here’s a curated list of the top best apps for international travel that you should download now!

About to leave and move to a new venture but still need to learn about flight deals, translation services, encrypted messaging, and personal health?

Well, it’s no longer a problem now! In the previous articles, I discussed the best eSIM Europe and eSIM USA to help my audience choose the best option.

Here I come again with all the details you should know before traveling abroad. 

In this article, you’ll learn the best apps for international travel that will make your traveling experience easy-breezy!

Nonetheless, the exciting part is that all the apps have great free versions, so you don’t have to worry about your budget.

You, dear reader, support this blog. When you purchase through a link, I may earn a small commission. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Table of Contents

Overview: Best Apps for International Travel

What are the best apps for international travel.

When traveling to a foreign country, you must know the best apps for international travel. 

Language is the most common hurdle to meeting the first need, so my pick is Google Translate. Be sure to choose the right one!

Another important aspect is budget-friendly transportation deals. Omio is a transportation search platform that helps you plan local and long-distance travel abroad. Finding the nearest bank, hotel, restaurant, and more will no longer be a struggle, as Google Maps quickly provides the fastest route options. Booking international flights in the blink of an eye is possible through WayAway , which helps you find and book international flights more easily, quickly, and affordably than other service providers.

To help you opt for the best of all, I’m sharing a few of the best travel apps you should consider before leaving, or else you’ll suffer.

Do you need help deciding which is the cheapest or fastest option? Omio has it all! 

This app is the ultimate tool for helping you choose the best option for driving, bus, train, or flying between cities.

It uses a database of flight paths, train lines, bus routes, and ferry schedules.

Depending on it, suggests an efficient and pocket-friendly solution to help you get from one destination to another in a single go. Also, it’s free to use!

Finding and booking international flights has always been challenging! 

With NowAway , you can book international flights quickly and easily. WayAway’s search engine often provides less expensive options than comparable services.

WISH SETTING UP AN eSIM WAS EASY?

It can be with your free checklist!

• Exact steps to follow
• Easy instructions
• Have your eSim ready to use in seconds

Check your inbox to download your free eSim checklist! Don’t forget to check your Spam too 🙂

3. Google Translate

The language barrier is a widespread problem when traveling abroad. Google solves this problem with its app, Google Translate , which is a must-have for anyone planning a foreign visit. This app is fun and easy to use to translate text from various sources, which includes:

• Image Translation
• Translation from voice recording
• 2-person conversation translation

4. Duolingo

Learning a new language is now easy with Duolingo . It can help you learn a language with easy vocabulary before your foreign trip.

5. Google Maps

Google Maps is the most convenient app for finding the nearest bank, hotel, restaurant, and more.

It facilitates information by providing the fastest local and regional transportation route options.

You can also use it offline without Wi-Fi or the data network. To use it offline, simply download and save maps and save on international data roaming charges.

Some of the prominent features that make it unique from other service providers:

• Provides the fastest and easiest route options
• Find any location at just your fingertips
• Accessible offline with downloaded locations

6. Maps.me 

The name says it all! I suggest Maps. me at the top of our list as the best travel app for international travel due to its functionality to cover every nook and corner of the world. 

It accurately provides routes for the tiniest trails from the Himalayas to significant cities.

You can use it both online and offline. Just download the country map you want and use it without having any Wi-Fi or data network.

Here’s why it’s the best app as compared to other apps:

• It works both online and offline
• Covers almost the tiniest routes
• Easy to use and download

Waze has similar functionality but could be better than Maps. me. But, it is my go-to choice when driving abroad.

Notably, it provides accurate navigation, so you can rely on it to find the easiest route. 

It also alerts you to speeding cameras or police checkpoints in many countries.

8. Holafly App

Holafy is an eSIM service provider with many plans that fit your travel needs. 

It is famous for its unlimited data plans, good area coverage, fast and reliable internet, dual SIM functionality, and 24-hour technical support in many languages.

Recently Holafy launched the eSim App for Android and iPhone . That helps the user to manage things at their fingertips.

It is super easy to install the eSIM, and it allows you to avoid roaming charges in Europe, it’s one of the best eSim for Europe with unlimited data .

I can also change the currency between EUR and USD.

Imagine having this cool Holafy digital eSIM that you can use whenever you want, but you can still use your regular SIM card whenever you need it. It’s like having the best of both worlds!

Read my Holafly eSim Review to know more about my personal view and experience.

Signal is a messaging service app that allows you to make international calls and send free text messages over Wi-Fi or a data network.

It allows its users to link to their existing contact lists. You can also send files, photos, videos, and voice notes to your loved ones in a single go!

10. Smart Traveler

Smart Traveler is a helpful tool designed by the U.S. State Department for US citizens to send them alerts when traveling to an unstable region.

This app provides information about every country worldwide, including travel warnings and alerts, so that users can plan their trips accordingly.

You can also enroll in their Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) app, which lets you register your trip with the nearest embassy or consulate.

Tips for Choosing Apps for International Travel

Traveling to a new country is adventurous and equally risky. The smart ones will gather all their knowledge before stepping out.

Today, the world is becoming digital, increasing the usage of intelligent apps. To travel worry-free, you should dig into as much information as possible.

I have already visited many places, and you’ll count my experience as one of the best because I always made wise decisions. Let me help you with my expert advice!

I decide on apps based on their:

• Reliability and trustability score
• Budget-friendly prices and deals
• Around-the-clock customer service
• Easy to manage and can be downloaded on any Android or IOS device
• Accessibility over the areas I’m going to visit

These are some of the pro tips for selecting the best international travel apps you can use when planning your trip.

My final thoughts on the best apps for traveling abroad

In this blog, I shared some of my experiences with the best international travel apps that help you make good decisions. 

Language barriers, easy and fastest route selection, budget-friendly eSIMs, and booking international flights are common problems every individual faces when traveling.

Regarding removing a language barrier, Google Translate is best if you want to connect with other nationals in their country. 

It is easy to use and can translate from image, voice, and conversation between two persons. 

Omio is the fastest and cheapest app that helps you choose the best possible option for driving, bus, train, or flying between cities. It’s a free tool.

FAQ about Apps for International Travel

What app do you need to travel in europe.

NowAway , Omio , Google Translate, and eSIM Holafly are must-haves when traveling to Europe and the best apps for International travel. It assists with real-time transportation schedules, detailed directions, combating language issues, efficient eSIM services, and accurate information about public transportation options.

What is the best app to make an itinerary?

When planning trips, the Wanderlog app is the best. It’s a free-to-use app and is useful for road trips. To plan your trip peacefully, Wanderlog can help you plan your journey with the best possible route. 

Which is the best eSim for Europe Travel , the USA, Canada, or Italy?

Holafly and Yesim are the best eSim for Europe and best apps for international travel, especially regarding reliability and packages. Airalo is also one of the finest eSIM service providers, the best eSIM for USA travel . Also, I rank Bouygues Telecom as one of the best eSIM for Italy .

Best international travel apps for iPhone?

To combat the language barrier, iPhone users must have the Google Translate app on their phones. The Airbnb app is good for finding hotels and rental homes based on trip length. NowAway is the best app for booking international flights.

Best Android apps for international travel?

To find the best route between towns, cities, or countries, try Omio , the best for planning trips globally. Get instant directions for travel by car, public transit, foot, cab, or bicycle with Google Maps.

Hola! I’m Paulina, a seasoned travelette who crossed the Atlantic Ocean by Boat HitchHiking. On my blog, find expert insights for an extraordinary holiday through outdoor and sustainable travel like hiking, cycling, and sailing. Let’s embark on unforgettable journeys together! 🌍🚀

Itinerary Mobile App for Travel Agents

An app your clients will love..

Travefy makes it easy to give your clients a mobile app to view their itinerary before and during their trip.

Simple itinerary delivery.

In addition to online and PDF versions of your itineraries, you can also deliver itineraries to your customers via Travefy's unbranded "Trip Plans" mobile app. We left it unbranded so that your logo and contact details are in the spotlight.

Made for Android and iOS, these fully native apps are simple and easy to use for clients and allow them to access that trip plans offline.

Impress clients.

Give clients their itinerary with full offline access to their travel plans all in one professional app.

Seamless communication.

Take your service to the next level with integrated cient communication tools. Chat with clients simply and conveniently through the app.

Take it for a spin.

Click on this app demo to explore the Trip Plans app that your clients can download for free to view their itinerary and chat with you.

How It Works

Use Travefy Professional to build beautiful itineraries, trip plans, and quotes. If subscribed to a Plus account, when you click "Send to Clients", simply choose the option to send your customers an email with a download link for the Trip Plans App for Android or iOS.

It's free for your client to download the Trip Plans App. And once installed, they'll have offline access to their beautiful and professional itinerary right from their phone. And don't worry - any changes you make to their trip update automatically.

It's that simple.

• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

SIXT rent a car Magazine

Travel Tips and News

Top Travel Apps for 2023 | Android & iOS

These days, planning a trip involves more than visiting a travel agent and deciding which package vacation to book. You need to find deals on flights or car rentals, choose a hotel or apartment rental, figure out how you will split the cost with friends, and then find activities you want to do at your destination. While this can all seem a little daunting, there are a lot of smartphone apps out there to do some of the work for you. That’s why we’ve compiled some of the top travel apps out there. That way you can spend more time reading up on all the amazing things you will see and do and less time figuring out all the intricate details.

Getting There

Finding lodging, splitting costs, getting around.

• Finding Activities and Restaurants

The most important part of planning a vacation is figuring out how to get there at the price or comfort level that you want. You’ll be happy to know that there are several apps out there to help you find your best options.

This app (and popular website) can give you destination inspirations depending on what kind of trip you want and shows you fluctuations in flight prices so you can figure out when to book. You can get alerts when prices change on a flight, and also read reviews from other travelers for airlines and online travel agents. Just keep in mind that not every airline is included in Skyscanner searches.

Availability: iOS, Android

This app predicts prices on flights up to 1 year in advance, based on historical price averages. You can put in a price alert for your trip and get notified of changes. There is also the price predictor that can tell you if you should book now or wait. And you have the option to book a hotel through the app.

Ah yes, the old standby that searches through other travel sights for the best deals. You can search for your desired vacation spot and then sign up to receive alerts of price changes. The flexible search option also lets you see prices during a certain time period. If you use the app, you can also see mobile-only deals for flights, hotels and car rentals. However, you may not find all airlines included in your search.

While most of the other apps on this list also allow you to book a hotel, Kiwi is more of a one-trick pony focused on flights. You can either put in a specific destination or look for inspiration and then set price alerts. You can also store your boarding passes for offline access, get airport lounge access, look at airport maps and find destination guides. Last, but not least, you can use the app to measure your suitcase to see if it qualifies as cabin baggage.

This app features a price calendar so you can see when it’s cheapest to fly. You can also do an “anywhere search” and see flight prices to destinations around the world on a map, or you can put in filters. If you need a hotel at your destination, you can draw a circle around the area you want to search in and only see results from within the boundaries.

Whether you want to stay in a 5-star hotel or a funky apartment in the city center, there’s an app for that. There are ways to find a last-minute hotel room or accommodations at a luxury hotel, as well as finding the best price on the Internet for where you want to stay. Here are a few that will come in handy for your next trip or last-minute adventure.

You can book hotels, but also vacation rentals, apartments, hostels and luxury resorts in this app. Look for last-minute deals and also if you are a frequent booker you can take advantage of their rewards program.

Hotel Tonight

This is the app to use for last-minute reservations, as the name implies. It compiles unsold rooms at participating hotels, and you get a good deal on them plus lots of photos to see what the property looks like. They have also introduced a mystery deal of the day, but you have to book within 15 minutes to take advantage of it.

Yes, you can search in the app for unique apartments, houses or rooms for your next trip. But did you know you can also find activities and book tours or other experiences at your destination? You can read other travelers’ reviews and see an accommodation’s ratings. Also, you can save those you like for later, share your lists with friends or family and also communicate with the host through the app.

If you are looking for a room in a luxury hotel, and booking at the last minute, this is the app for you. The options at the moment are only in a selection of major cities (mostly in the US, but also London and Bangkok) and at a handful of curated hotels, but you will be assured a one-of-a-kind experience.

Trivago is a great resource for seeing the best deals on lodging. In addition to prices, you can also see reviews from different sites the hotel is listed on. You can search based on destination or current location.

This app is all-in-one for your entire trip. You can search for hotels, flights, trains, and cars. Plus, in the app, you can get real-time flight updates and exclusive deals that are not available on the desktop site. This app is especially useful if traveling in Asian countries like China, Korea, and Taiwan.

Booking.com

Owned by the same company as Priceline and Kayak, this is your one-stop app for finding a place to stay, plus flights and car rental. You can search for hotels, resorts or vacation rentals based on your preferences, message with the property through the app, and see some details about your booking while offline. Plus, if you book frequently through the app you can get discounts through their free “Genius” loyalty program.

If you plan to travel with friends or family, it can get complicated to split the cost of meals, car rental, gas or accommodations. But it doesn’t have to be so difficult! If you all download an app or 2 before your trip you can make splitting travel costs easy. And one pro tip: Many larger banks have their own payment function in their app (like Chase QuickPay), so you might not even have to download something new!

Most of your (American) friends will already have this one downloaded, so it’s an easy way to split costs. You can request money from someone or send someone money from a linked bank account. It’s also easy to search for someone by name or user name.

Send or receive money through your linked bank account or PayPal Cash. You can even collect money from groups in case you want to take your friend out for a group birthday dinner while on vacation. A bonus is that some businesses also allow you to pay using the PayPal app.

This app is specifically for splitting a restaurant bill by snapping a picture of the receipt. Then you can select the items that you ate or drank, and it will calculate how much each person needs to pay including tax and tip.

You can easily split bills with people in the Splitwise app. Organize expenses for a trip, add expenses on the go and pay friends back. You can see at a glance how much everyone has paid or how much you need to pay. Expenses can even be split by percentage or by shares.

Google Maps

The king of transit apps offers a lot in terms of uses. You can find driving, walking, and public transit directions, among other uses. However, it’s worth noting that the public transit part can sometimes be inaccurate if there is construction or another reason that trains are not running, especially on the weekend.

Uber service is not available everywhere around the world, but if it is it’s a great way to get around if you don’t want to download the local taxi app, worry about giving directions in a place where you don’t speak the language or have cash on you.

If you are traveling to a major city and plan to use public transit, Citymapper is a great resource. While its focus is showing you the quickest way from Point A to Point B using public transit, you can also find routes for walking, cycling, and driving.

Traffic can ruin plans when you are on vacation. If you download Waze you can stay a step ahead and avoid user-reported road closures or accidents that are slowing down traffic. It also gives you driving directions and live traffic updates. One caveat is that Waze seems to be used primarily in the US, Canada, and some European countries.

Finding Activities + Restaurants

What’s the final piece of the puzzle after you’ve planned transportation, lodging, and paying for your trip? What to do when you get there!

Tripadvisor

Your one-stop-shop to find local attractions, restaurants, and more. Tripadvisor gives you reviews from other travelers as well as general information for sightseeing options. There are forums within the app where you can find answers to questions or ask a question about your destination, and you can even book tickets for museums.

Find restaurants and other businesses and read other peoples’ reviews of them. This can be a great resource for finding options for food, activities, and services in an unfamiliar city, but it’s best to take the ratings with a grain of salt.

Sixt in the USA

• Dallas Airport
• Atlanta Airport
• Chicago Airport
• Denver Airport
• Houston Airport
• Minneapolis Airport
• SeaTac Airport
• Las Vegas Airport
• All Sixt US Locations
• Long-term car rental
• Luxury car rental

SIXT WORLDWIDE

All SIXT Services

Follow us on.

MTA Companion

About this app

Data safety.

What's new

App support, more by axus travel app, llc.

Search results for

Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission. Learn more.

I planned 30 trips in 3 years, and this is the app that kept me sane

Published on May 25, 2024

Around three years ago, my husband and I moved from Lebanon to Paris. Going from a country where we had to plan every trip months in advance to a country where we could hop on a train and go anywhere in Europe was life-changing. No Visa applications, no SIM card change, and no new travel insurance to buy — how could we resist? So off we went. One trip turned into another, then another, and another… And here we are today, with over 30 trips under our belt and one app to help us manage the madness: Wanderlog .

Now, before you think I’m made of money, I’ll be clear: Not all of these were week-long vacations. Many were short single-day trips to nearby towns or weekend trips. But I digress. We’re here to talk about Wanderlog.

I’ve already written about the app a few times, and I’ve mentioned it on podcasts and on Twitter to people who ask me about travel app recommendations — and to those who don’t ask me. I’ve been a Wanderlog fan since the day I stumbled on the app in the Play Store because there’s nothing like it. Trust me, I’ve looked. So let me perform some free publicity because this is one of the best Android apps out there, and it deserves to be known.

Do you use a travel planning app?

Exploring cities in wanderlog is a time-saver.

The first time-saving hack in Wanderlog comes in when I start planning a trip. I just add the city or town’s name and the app will scour the internet for articles and recommendations, then list all the places there. Everything from the best brunch places in Barcelona to the must-visit attractions in Saint-Quentin, the nicest photo spots in Rouen, or the list of spas around Geneva — it’s all there.

I can simply tap to add a place to my trip, which saves me countless hours of planning. I don’t need to browse articles, manually type the name of a place in Google Maps, see if it fits the rest of my plan or is too out of the way, and then add it. I can do this inside the same app in a split second.

It takes me no longer than 10 minutes to get a preliminary plan for any trip. Now, I can use my actual research time to look for off-the-beaten-track things to do, like escape rooms, unknown attractions, and unique activities, instead of wasting it on the basic itinerary.

Personal lists vs. itinerary planning

The second feature I love the most about Wanderlog is how well it fits my travel philosophy. See, for any given trip, I have a list of things I’d like to check out and activities or places I’ve already booked. The former are fluid options; the latter are set in stone.

And Wanderlog allows me to have this flexibility. There is an itinerary for activities I’ve booked at a specific date and/or time, and then there are general lists where I can group the things I would like to do, secondary places to check out, good restaurants, local markets, escape rooms, and more.

Every list or itinerary day gets a different icon and color. Plus, I can always show or hide these on the map to avoid crowding it with all the optional stuff.

Better yet, when I add places to the itinerary, I can tap to show the time it’d take me to go from one place to another by foot, transit, or car. Perfect for planning tight schedules!

Google Maps data, distance, notes, and more

Then there’s everything else Wanderlog offers that just pushes it further ahead of any other travel planning app I’ve tried. Sure, I can add my flights or train reservations, my hotel, and my car rental, if any, but there’s a lot more here.

Wanderlog grabs Google Maps data like opening hours, websites, phone numbers, and photos for every place I add. Places have a card with my own personal notes, which I can format, add links or bullets to, and more. I use this a lot when I find a deal on an entrance ticket, specific information about the best time to visit an attraction, or really any other personal notes I need to remember on the day of the trip. There are also general notes to be added, which serve me well when I want to save information about local transit cards, specific customs, or local products to buy.

Wanderlog is available on Android ( Play Store ) and iOS ( iTunes ), including tablets, and on the web. I especially appreciate that any updates I make on my Android phone show up immediately on my tablet, computer, and everything else. This makes planning trips with my husband super easy. We usually sit with one laptop and one tablet or phone, and we both add and edit things as we figure out what we want to do. Oh, and you can easily share a trip with a friend. As a matter of fact, this is the first thing the app asks you about before creating your trip.

I’ve been using Wanderlog for three years and I’ve stuck with the free version so far. For approximately $5 a month, the Pro version adds a dark mode, an offline mode, Google Maps exports, and more — not features I really need. Closing a pop-up reminder for the Pro subscription every now and then doesn’t bother me much, either. But to be fair, given how often I use the app and how much I love it, I’m starting to feel bad for not giving it my support.

If you’re looking for an app to help you plan trips, try Wanderlog. It is the travel planner to end all travel planners. It can easily replace lists in Maps, spreadsheets, Chrome bookmarks, calendar events, personal notes, and more. I used to get exhausted planning one or two trips a year; now, I can plan 10 trips a year and have time to spare. That’s how good this app is.

You might like

• Homes for sale
• Foreclosures homes
• New construction for sale
• All new construction
• New home construction
• Housing market
• Recently sold homes
• Property records
• Home buying checklist
• Home buyers reveal: 'What I wish I had known before buying my first home'
• First-time home buyer resource center
• More home buying insights
• Success stories
• Seller's marketplace
• See what your home is worth
• Learn how to sell your home
• How to select an agent
• Compare agents & pick the right one
• Selling your home? Don't neglect these 6 maintenance tasks - or else
• More home selling insights
• Apartments for rent
• Manage rentals
• List your rentals
• Screen tenants
• Create a lease
• Collect rent online
• Renters resource center
• Should I rent or buy?
• Debunked! 8 myths about renting you should stop believing immediately
• Rental report
• More renting insights
• Get pre-approved
• Mortgage rates
• Home equity financing rates
• Refinance rates
• Finance advice
• For veterans

Mortgage calculator

Refinance calculator.

• How much house can I afford
• Rent vs. buy
• 6 ways home buyers mess up getting a mortgage
• Mortgage guide
• Learn about home insurance
• More finance insights
• Search for real estate agent
• 6 reasons you should never buy or sell a home without an agent
• Difference between agent, broker & Realtor ®
• Listing vs. buyer agent
• How to find a REALTOR ®
• Real estate agents reveal the toughest home buyers they've ever met
• More news around REALTORS ®
• The latest news
• Housing trends
• Real estate news
• Celebrity real estate
• Unique homes
• Corporate blog
• Home improvement
• 2024 housing market predictions
• 2023 hottest zip codes
• Complete guide on how to sell your home
• Veterans home buyer guide
• USDA home loan guide
• Home insurance guide
• Real estate videos
• Housing resources

Mortgage Rates

Mortgage tools, affordability calculator, rent or buy calculator, veteran home loan center, mortgage tips.

5 Most Common Questions About Mortgages—Answered

Learning the Lingo: Mortgages Explained, From ARMs to Points

Expert Home-Buying Advice for Our Nation's Veterans

How to Buy a Home With Bad Credit (Yes, You Can)

Mortgage Rates by State

• Connecticut
• District of Columbia
• Massachusetts
• Mississippi
• New Hampshire
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• West Virginia

Mortgage Rates by Loan Type

• 30 year fixed
• 20 year fixed
• 15 year fixed

National Park Service 4+

The official app of 420+ parks, national park service, designed for ipad.

• #55 in Travel
• 4.1 • 692 Ratings

Screenshots

Description.

The Official NPS App – Your Ultimate National Park Companion! • Explore 420+ national parks effortlessly with interactive maps, self-guided tours, and essential on-the-ground information. • Interactive Maps: Plan your trip with detailed park maps, including points of interest, trails, and essential information. • Park Tours: Discover park highlights with self-guided tours, just like having a ranger by your side. • Amenities: Find transportation, dining, restrooms, and more for a hassle-free visit. • Plan Your Visit: Access fee and pass information, operating hours, and other essential details to help you plan your visit. • Accessibility: Enjoy a fully accessible experience with audio descriptions for points of interest and exhibits, making it inclusive for all. • Offline Use: No internet? No worries! Download park content for offline exploration, perfect for remote areas. • Share Your Visit: Create virtual postcards to share your park experiences with friends and family. • Things to Do: Explore hiking, bus tours, museums, ranger programs, and more for a fun-filled visit. • News, Alerts & Events: Stay updated with park news and events. • Passport Stamps, Fees & More: Access park-specific details all in one place. Discover all 420+ National Park System sites, from iconic landmarks like Yellowstone and Yosemite to hidden gems. Download the official NPS App now for an unforgettable park adventure!

Version 1.17

Stability enhancements

Ratings and Reviews

692 Ratings

Very good app. Maps need improvement

Overall, I think this app is pretty well put together, and anyone visiting a National Park or NPS-maintained site should have this app downloaded. It is very nice that you can download individual parks for offline use. This is especially helpful for parks where there might not be cell service. However, there are a couple things that I would change about the app. First, there should be a way to link your park passes (daily entry, tours, A the B, etc.) to the app. That way you can have everything organized in one place. Second, the maps for individual parks, especially the larger ones, are way too cluttered. Using Yellowstone as an example, there are 515 unique markers on the Yellowstone map. Before it was shuttered, the old Yellowstone app had the PERFECT setup for the map. It would have large markers for the most used points of interest (Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic, Mammoth Hot Springs, etc.), while having smaller markers for less used points (trailheads, vault toilets, picnic areas, etc.) Then, when you zoomed out on the map, you would only see the large, important markers. As you zoomed in, the smaller, less used markers would appear. This helped tremendously by keeping the map from being too littered with markers and by making it easy to find the famous points of interest that most people will be looking for.

Useful app but info not available from other devices

The information on the NPS Park app is very helpful. It contains detailed information about the parks, history, access, parking, lodging, and other amenities. A few areas of improvement would be: 1. to be able to retrieve information saved on one device from another device For example, if you save all the parks that you have visited over the years onto one phone, you can’t retrieve it from a tablet or laptop. On top of which once you get a new phone there’s no way to transfer the information. You have to enter it all over again since there’s no way to retrieve that history. 2. The app has a lot of good information but is not the most intuitive to navigate. Frequently you are told where you can locate information, but there is no link provided to let you go to that page. 3. A note to the NPS developers. While there are buttons on each page that ask whether the page was helpful, there is no place to provide general feedback so that the end-user could provide suggestions.

Awesome start. Hoping for many more features.

Honestly this is one of my favorite apps. Even if I’m not traveling, I like to load the app and explore parks from afar. I love how much love and energy went into this app. It’s obvious that the content comes from people who love the parks as much as we do. Here’s what I’d love to see: Improve offline access: being able to save parks for offline use is awesome. However, the app spends a really long time trying to load when you don’t have internet access before finally giving an error message and then loading after a delay. I wish the app would start in offline mode (offline is default) and then access the internet once the app is loaded. Sort by ability or activity level: I wish I didn’t have to load every single item in a list to see if a trail or thing is ADA accessible. Maybe add an icon to the items on a list… or add a filter. Passport stamp locations: I love this feature. Can the items on this list be clickable? Take me to the entry for that visitors center, so I can find info on accessing it. More pictures: I’m disabled and physical access can be an issue. It’s so cool to be able to see places I’ll never be able to visit. Show me the super advanced hikes I’ll never get to. And show us more wildlife we might have trouble seeing on our visit! I’ve got a million suggestions but you all are busy people. Thanks for making a cool app. Looking forward to updates.

App Privacy

The developer, National Park Service , indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

Data Not Linked to You

The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity:

• Diagnostics

Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More

Information

• Developer Website
• App Support
• Privacy Policy

Featured In

More by this developer.

NPS Independence Junior Ranger

NPS Audio Description Tours

NPS Kenai Fjords

You Might Also Like

National Park Trail Guide

NPS Parks App

Harvest Hosts - RV Camping

GuideAlong | GPS Audio Tours

Recreation.gov

Campendium - RV & Tent Camping