top travel management apps

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The best trip planner apps to make your travels easier

Booking a trip can be an exciting yet daunting task. As if booking airfare, hotel, and transportation weren't enough, you also need to consider food, sights, and attractions. As a travel lover myself, I often dread planning and preparing for a trip. Not only do I never have the time, but I often get oversaturated by the vast amount of information found online and the fear of getting scammed. 

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Over the years, I've found the best websites and apps to help smooth out the planning process. These apps help me keep track of all my reservations, send me booking reminders, and guarantee I always find the best prices -- because there is nothing worse than falling for tourist traps or overpriced offerings. 

Whether you are a spontaneous or a nitty-gritty planner traveler, ZDNET has tested and reviewed the best trip planner apps on the market. Our top pick for the best trip planner site and app is Booking.com due to its easy-to-use user interface, extensive booking capabilities, and pricing. However, since not every trip or traveler is the same, we've included several options to help you plan and stay organized during your travels. 

Keep reading to learn more about ZDNET's expert-tested and reviewed trip planner apps. 

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The best trip planner apps of 2023

Booking.com, best overall trip planner.

• Multiple bookings
• Great deals
• Can earn points from bookings and reservations
• Easy to use
• No group planning
• Can't organize bookings per trip

Booking.com features:   Platform: App and website |  Compatibility:  iOS and Android |  Pricing:  Free |  Booking:  Yes |  Group planning:  No

When planning my trips, I always make a stop at the Booking.com app, especially when reserving hotels. I find their user interface visually appealing and easy to use, and that it provides just the right amount of information I need when scrolling through hotel suggestions. Personally, I enjoy that I can add my top picks to my favorites with a quick tap of a heart, glance through reviews, look at cancellation policies, and even find out how far away hotels are from key spots. Through Booking.com, you can also book flights, car rentals, taxis, and city attractions, making it a great all-in-one place to plan and book upcoming weekend getaways or longer vacations. While I have personally never used the car rentals, taxis, or city attractions components of the app, I enjoy knowing that if I ever needed to, I can quickly hop on my phone and glance at the latest offerings. 

My favorite feature when using Booking.com to plan trips is the offers and promotions it displays for users. In the app, when you click your profile, you can see your "Genius" loyalty program status as well as discover the best deals around the world for your specific chosen dates. My only critique of Booking.com is that it does not enable group trip planning or let you organize your bookings per trip. This means if you are planning a trip with a friend, only one person can book and have access to reservations. 

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Best trip planner for organization

• Synced with e-mail inbox
• Organizes reservations no matter where you book
• Works offline
• Can't make any bookings
• Need to pay for advanced features
• UI could use an upgrade

TripIt features:   Platform:  App and website |  Compatibility: iOS and Android | Pricing: Free or $49 per year | Booking: No | Group planning: Yes

In terms of planning a trip, creating an itinerary, and keeping all your information in one place, TripIt is one of the best travel apps to keep yourself organized. When you first create an account, TripIt will sync with your inbox and automatically add all of your upcoming flights and reservations to your account. You can then modify each trip to include as little or as much information as you'd like. As someone who likes to be spontaneous when traveling, I usually only add the essentials: flight information, hotel reservations, and important documents. However, if you like to plan your trips down by the hour, you can also include activities, restaurant reservations, transportation, and more in your trip plan to share with fellow travelers.

As your trip approaches, TripIt will also send you packing reminders, give you COVID-19 travel guidance, and show transportation options. While you can get most of the essential features within the free version of the app (this is the one I use), you can also pay $49 a year to get advanced features such as check-in reminders, real-time flight alerts, point tracking, and even notifications for drops in airfare prices. 

Keep in mind that while TripIt gives you transportation options and finds places near your hotel, you cannot book or make any reservations directly from the app. The app is solely used to organize and keep track of all of your travel plans in one place, no matter where you book them. 

Best AI trip planner

• Personalized travel itinerary
• Hotel booking
• Can modify recommendations
• Group planning enabled
• Only available as a website
• No flight or restaurant booking

Guide features:   Platform: Website  Compatibility: all major browsers |  Pricing:  Free | Booking: Yes, but hotels only | Group Planning: Yes  Generative AI is everyone's favorite buzzword this year, and slowly but surely, it has been making its way across all industries -- including the travel industry. Guide is an innovative AI travel planning tool that creates personalized travel itineraries based on your preferences. (Full disclosure, it's also owned by ZDNET's sister company. It's currently in private beta, but you can join a wait list.) All you need to do is select your destination, the dates, whether you are traveling alone or in a group, your budget, and the types of activities you are looking for, and Guide will do the planning. 

After generating a trip itinerary for you based on your prompt, Guide then lets you modify and customize the itinerary to your liking. I recently used Guide to plan a six-day trip to Austin, Texas, and this was the feature I enjoyed the most, since I had specific restaurants and activities I wanted to incorporate into my trip, but I also needed some additional recommendations. While you can't book flights or restaurant reservations through Guide, you can book and find great hotel deals powered by Expedia on the platform. 

Guide will also give you an overall budget for your trip, a packing list, and a comprehensive list of things to know about your destination -- which may be helpful for some more than others. While my trip to Austin was a solo trip, Guide has a feature where you can invite other fellow travelers to collaborate in planning your trip through Guide's chatbot, GuideBot. This chatbot also works sort of like ChatGPT, where you can ask GuideBot questions about your trip, your destination, or recommendations. Keep in mind you can not ask GuideBot to directly modify your trip for you, and instead need to manually do it yourself -- believe me, I tried. 

Tripadvisor

Best trip planner app for reviews.

• Countless reviews
• Used by travelers worldwide
• Variety of information
• Booking capabilities
• Great for local spots
• Booking is not its strongest feature and you may not always find the best deals
• Doesn't vet reviews

Tripadvisor  features: Platform:  App and website |  Compatibility:  iOS and Android |  Pricing:  Free |  Booking:  Yes |  Group planning:  No

Reading customer reviews is one of the most important steps when planning a trip. While you shouldn't base all of your decisions on reviews, you should consider past customer experiences to get a feel for the brand and company you are about to trust, or the experience you are going to pay for.  When it comes to travel reviews, Tripadvisor is the best trip planner app to rely on. Since the platform has so many reviews for restaurants, activities, accommodations, and locations all over the world, it is always easy and convenient to log onto the app or website to help you make an educated decision. (However, remember that not all Tripadvisor reviews are legit, since the platform does not independently verify customer postings.) Beyond reviews, TripAdvisor also lets you book hotels, restaurants, things to do, and more while also providing detailed insights into their offerings -- including cancellation policies, ratings, and features. 

Tripadvisor's "Travelers' Choice" best-of list is also a popular part of its platform, allowing visitors to see top-rated destinations, hotels, restaurants, and things to do around the world. With Tripadvisor, you can plan a trip yourself from scratch, hire a trip designer, or get a custom itinerary built by AI. 

Best trip planner app for transportation

• Great multi-mode travel comparison
• convenient and seamless transportation booking
• Multiple currency and language availability
• Flight deals and suggestions are not the strongest
• Limited offers depending on the country or city of travel
• Not the most reliable customer service

Omio features:  Platform:  App and website |  Compatibility:  iOS and Android |  Pricing:  Free |  Booking:  Yes, transportation only |  Group planning:  No

I first discovered Omio when a friend recommended it to me while I was studying abroad in Spain, and ever since I downloaded it, it has become my go-to app for booking the best deals and fares on transportation within Europe. The concept behind Omio is simple: You plug in your departure and arrival location, including the number of people you are traveling with, and add whether you are looking for a one-way or round-trip journey. Omio will then show you the best deals by train, bus, or plane to and from your desired destination, including how much time each option will take you and the number of stops. 

The German-based travel booking site is great at aggregating travel information from multiple sites, allowing you to view all of your transportation options in one place. This is incredibly beneficial when planning trips within Europe since there are several ways you can cross each border and often various languages and regulations to keep in mind. Omio is set in English but has multiple additional languages available, as well as currency options. During my time abroad, I solely used Omio to book all of my transportation, including planning a 17-day trip across seven different European countries. Overall, using Omio was not only convenient and seamless but also helped me save hundreds of dollars by helping me maximize my travel time by switching between flights, trains, and buses. 

However, since returning from Europe, I have not used Omio as much as I thought I would -- maybe because I have a car and take most of my trips by plane. And Omio's flight deals and suggestions are not the strongest compared to Booking.com or Skyscanner's, which heavily focus on flight deals. I have also found they have some limitations depending on the country or city you are traveling in. Be mindful of the deals and tickets you buy through Omio since some tickets are non-refundable, and some customers complain their customer service is not the best -- although I have yet to have any issues with them. 

What is the best trip planner app?

Booking.com gets our vote for the best trip planner app due to its wide selection of accommodations, its points and promotions offerings, and its easy-to-use user interface. Not only does Booking.com help you find the best deals throughout your trip, but it will also help you stay organized throughout your trip by keeping all of your reservations in one place. To determine which trip planner app or combination of trip planners is best for you, check out this comparison chart below. 

Which is the right trip planner app for you?

The best trip planner app ultimately depends on your travel and planning style. If you like booking and planning everything in one place while also earning points and getting great deals, then Booking.com is your top app. However, if you are looking for a place to keep all of your accommodations, reservations, and activity details organized, then TripIt is a better app for you. Check out the following chart to help you find the best trip planner app or a combination of apps for you to plan your next adventure. 

How did we choose these trip planner apps?

To find the best trip planner apps, we drew upon real-life experiences and tested their performance and capabilities during our latest trips. Ultimately, we weighted the following factors when choosing which trip planners to include on our list: 

• Features: Each app can vary significantly with the features it offers, whether it is solely to book flights and hotels, help you plan your next trip using AI, or help you find the best deals and booking information, each app on this list can help you address several common inconveniences that present themselves while planning that next adventure.  
• Compatibility: An app is of little use if it does not work with your devices, so we look to see what compatibility each trip-planning app offers and which platforms you can access it from. Personally, I enjoy apps that combine an app and website component since this quickly helps me switch between my wide computer screen and my tiny yet portable iPhone screen. 
• Customer reviews: We study real customer reviews and ratings to evaluate customer satisfaction and service. This is incredibly important since most times when you travel, you visit an unknown city or country, and you should be mindful of past experiences others have had. 
• Cost : Most trip planner apps are free, but you may have to upgrade to receive special access to exclusive features or deals. If your app is already free, it means you only have to pay a small amount (often unnoticeable) when you book your accommodations. 

What is a trip planner app?

A trip planner app is an app that provides organizational features for your upcoming trip. It is often free and incorporates trip planning tools, whether you are traveling by ground, water or air.   

How does a trip planner app work?

A trip planner app can incorporate special features, like an itinerary, calendar, reservation and booking hub, and map assistance. Depending on the app you choose, there is even trip-sharing with friends and family to simplify the entire trip planning process.  

How much does a trip planner app cost?

Most trip planner apps are free, but some may offer in-app purchases to upgrade or enhance your experience. Within this list, only Tripit costs money, but only for their advanced features version, which costs $49 a year. However, you can get access to most if not all, trip-planning features, through their free version. 

Are there alternative trip planner apps worth considering?

As I mentioned earlier, trip planning heavily depends on your personal style of travel and preferences. However, whether you like to plan your trips down by the minute or prefer to just have the basics, there are several apps that can optimize your planning. Here are a few apps worth considering that almost made it onto our list: 

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Proper planning prevents poor purchasing. Get ready for your trip the right way!

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Planning the perfect trip can be almost overwhelming enough to take the fun out of what should be an exciting experience. Thankfully, many travel planning apps are available to help you organize your next getaway, right down to the smallest detail.

Best for Predicting Lowest Flight and Hotel Prices: Hopper

The Watch feature sends push notifications about good deals when it's time to commit.

Some fairly large airlines aren't included in Hopper's analysis.

Hopper's proprietary algorithm tries to predict where flight and lodging prices are headed shortly, letting you wait until the right moment to spring into action and book your trip at the lowest price. The app analyzes billions of prices per day and claims to predict what the cheapest one will be with a 95% accuracy rate.

Download For:

Best for Helping You Remember the Essentials: Packing Pro

An impressive group of sample packing lists provides a good starting point if you don't want to make your own.

In-app purchases are inappropriate for an app you purchased.

Packing Pro is well worth the $2.99 if stuffing your suitcases isn't your favorite pre-trip activity. The app creates customizable packing lists considering essential factors like the trip duration, destination, expected weather conditions, food preferences, and more. Packing Pro's robust item catalog ensures that even the most unique dietary or religious restrictions are satisfied.

Best for Car or RV Trips: Roadtrippers

The hidden gems that can be discovered with this app.

GPS coordination isn't as good as it is in apps like Waze.

If dealing with long lines at the airport isn't your idea of fun, then Roadtrippers may be the app for you. Whether you're hitting the highway or off-roading, enter your starting and destination points and let Roadtrippers provide everything you need.

From campsites and outdoor attractions to unique adventures that are off the beaten path, this app is the perfect companion for planning an excursion, no matter if your mode of transportation is a small-sized rental car or a giant RV.

An optional yearly subscription unlocks advanced features, including live traffic monitoring and different map styles.

Best for Finding Bargain Flights: Skiplagged

Frequent travelers can save a significant amount of money.

Airline baggage fee policies can be murky, so read the fine print before booking.

By showing fares to connecting cities that are sometimes cheaper than a direct flight to that city, Skiplagged lets you book flights where you stay at the layover location (your destination) rather than continuing with the connecting flight. When it works, you spend less to reach your desired destination. Skiplagged also lets you book last-minute hotel deals.

Best Overall Trip Planner: Kayak

The Explore feature helps you decide on a destination, suggesting getaways all over the globe based on your maximum budget.

Doesn't always show all available flights on a specific route, potentially causing you to miss out on the best deal.

One of the top all-in-one apps for setting up a trip, Kayak searches hundreds of travel sites instantly to provide multiple deals on a flight, hotel, or rental car in the same location. Kayak also organizes everything in one place and includes up-to-date details on security wait times, along with airport terminal maps.

The app also measures your luggage using your phone's camera, informing you of potential fees and carry-on rules for most airlines.

Best for Avoiding Hidden Fees: Skyscanner

Offers protection to ensure car rental providers don't overcharge for fuel.

In rare instances, flight prices shown in the app are outdated.

Skyscanner should be included in some of the bigger all-in-one planning and booking apps. Offering reliable price alerts, integrated frequent flyer miles, and no additional or hidden fees like you might find elsewhere, Skyscanner usually follows through on its promises and is easy to navigate.

Best Itinerary Planner: Sygic Travel

If you don't want a planned itinerary, Sygic is useful for finding nearby attractions on-the-fly.

Access to Sygic's offline maps requires a paid upgrade to the Premium version.

Sygic Travel lets you plan a detailed itinerary for each day of your trip before you leave home, down to the last detail, like walking distances between attractions.

With over 50 million places included, many with 360-degree videos that make you feel like you're there, the app's smart search filters help you narrow things down to the perfect daily schedule. Collaborative city guides provide an easy-to-use snapshot of the most popular locales around the globe.

Best for Customer Reviews: TripAdvisor

The forums are a great resource for getting specific travel-related questions answered quickly.

Default rankings don't always correlate with customer reviews, so you often need to take a deeper dive to discover the best value.

A stalwart in the travel industry, TripAdvisor isn't unique in providing a one-stop-shop for booking good deals on flights, hotels, and restaurants for your upcoming trip, though it does a dependable job of each. The app sets itself apart with its customer feedback on airlines, lodging, food, and activities. By offering over 500 million opinions from real travelers who've been there and done that, TripAdvisor helps you make informed planning decisions based on others' past experiences.

Best for Organizing Confirmations and Reservations: TripIt

Send information manually, forward confirmation emails, or have the app automatically fetch itineraries from your inbox.

The default notification setting is for an annoying number of alerts.

When you plan a trip, it's not uncommon to receive multiple confirmation emails and itineraries from airlines, hotels, rental car companies, or other sources. Keeping all these details organized can be a hassle.

TripIt solves this problem by taking all your scattered information and organizing it into an easy-to-use main itinerary. This basic functionality is free of charge, while an annual subscription provides the ability to upgrade your seat on upcoming flights and track reward miles, among other perks.

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10 Best Travel TRIP PLANNER APPs To Have in 2024

In a fast-paced world where the stress of work and school is overwhelming, we all need a break to de-stress our minds. Traveling is one good way to take your mind off of stressful things – a breather. And a scheduled vacation gives you something to look forward to.

Whether it’s a local trip alone, a family holiday, or a getaway with your best friends, it just excites you to wish the day would come faster. 

10 Best Trip Planner Apps in 2024

The freeform app.

• TripIt: Travel Planner

Hopper – Flight & Hotel Deals

• Sygic Travel Maps Trip Planner

Roadtrippers: Trip Planner

Tripadvisor, travelspend: track travel expense & trip budget, tripcase – travel organizer app, travel planning apps for your next trip.

The Freeform app is an endless whiteboard that lets users add information from a variety of websites, photos, videos and files.

Because the boards are kept in iCloud, they can be accessed from any device anytime inspiration hits. While you and your travel companions plan your dream trip, the specifics can be shared with several individuals working together on the same whiteboard, making them an ongoing work in progress.

The Freeform app is free to iPhone users on iOS 16.2, iPad users on 16.2, and Mac users on Ventura MacOS Venture 13.1. 

Download the brand-new app here .

Read our full post: Apple Launches New Travel App Freeform – What to Know

Wanderlog Trip Planner App

Wanderlog is your all-in-one destination for planning future trips, sharing travel guides, and blogging past trips.

Its trip planning features are incredibly flexible: you can research destinations and activities, organize reservations by connecting your email, and map out a day itinerary with start/end times. You can also add notes and links all throughout.

Everything is stored offline so you can access your itinerary when traveling abroad. For road trips, it calculates the time and distance between places and exports them to Google Maps (and there are no limits to the number of stops you have on a trip!).

Plus, there’s a fun social component: collaborate with friends on itineraries, write your own travel guide, and blog about past trips. Wanderlog is available on the web and on your smartphone, so you can seamlessly plan while at home and on-the-go.

iOS  /  Android

TripIt: Trip Planner App

If you need any help organizing the dozens of itineraries, TripIt is the app for you. Users simply need to forward your flight, hotel, restaurant, and car rental confirmation emails to [email protected] and the app will create a free master doc for each of your trips. The best thing about this app is that you can get access to your itinerary anywhere, even without an internet connection. 

In addition, the Pro version will find you alternative routes for canceled flights and send out notifications for delayed flights, cancellations, and more from the airlines. 

iOS / Android

Rome2rio is a versatile travel planning app that simplifies the process of finding and booking travel options. It’s a handy tool for travelers seeking to explore various transportation choices between destinations. Rome2rio offers users a comprehensive view of travel options, including flights, trains, buses, ferries, and even driving directions.

Key features of Rome2rio include:

• Route Information: The app provides detailed information on different routes, including estimated travel times, costs, and the number of transfers required.
• Booking Integration: Users can book flights, train tickets, and other transportation options directly through the app, streamlining the booking process.
• Map Integration: Rome2rio integrates with maps, allowing users to visualize their travel routes and explore nearby attractions.
• Multi-Modal Travel: It offers options for combining various modes of transportation, making it easy to plan complex journeys.
• Accurate Pricing: The app provides real-time pricing information, helping users make informed decisions based on their budget.
• Offline Access: Rome2rio offers offline access to previously searched routes, which can be handy when traveling without a data connection.

Hopper is an amazing trip planner app to have on your phone. The app predicts airfares up to 1 year in advance, with 95% accuracy. It analyzes over billions of flight prices and hotels within the day – telling you whether to book your trip now or wait for just a little longer.

Here’s how it works: Key in your destination and a color-coded calendar will display the cheapest and most expensive date to fly. The app will then recommend you to either book the flight now or sit it out and wait for airfare to get cheaper. Also, you can filter predictions to custom-fit your trip – remove long layovers, extra fees, restrictions, and more. 

And if you worry about missing out the cheap flight bookings, don’t be! Hopper will send you a notification when fares have dropped to its lowest point.

SYGIC Travel Maps Trip Planner

Sygic Travel Maps , the new version of Sygic Trip Planner, is the first travel app to display all of the attractions and places a traveler needs to see and visit on a single map.

Sync your trips with the Sygic Travel app and find hidden gems in all cities you visit. The app boast a large database that allows you to find the best hotels, tourist attractions, museums, restaurants, bars, and stores wherever you go.

This mobile app also let you download offline maps and guides, which come in helpful when traveling to remote locations with poor or non-existing Wi-Fi.

It also has a dedicated section to worldwide places of interest for travel business. Get location information for individual cities, countries, continents, or the entire planet.

The app is available in 18 languages.

iOS / Android iOS

Planning on a cross-country road trip ? Roadtrippers is the app for you! Not everyone is fond of waiting long hours at the airport while sitting through your red-eye flight. Hit the road with your friends instead.

Roadtrippers provides everything you need to know on your road trip. Just enter your starting point, destination, and let the app do its work for you! From camping sites to rest stops, outdoor activities, exciting adventures along the way that you didn’t know existed. This app is the perfect buddy for your road trip regardless of your mode of transportation – a sedan, a rental car, or a huge family RV.

Most of us dream of going to places! But planning an amazing trip to places we have not been to is pretty hard as you don’t know where to stay, what to do, places to eat, and adventures to try. We mostly rely on recommendations, most of which are not even right, that we find online. 

TripAdvisor has over millions of travel recommendations on hotels, top dining spots, must-do experiences, and treasured gems to over 8 million destinations at your perusal. It is an all-in-one app that lets you book tables at restaurants and compares low prices on hotels and flights.

You can also follow friends and travel experts for advice that match your interests, watch videos, and read articles. In return, you can share your experiences, reviews, and helpful guides for other users too!

Setting up a budget for your trip is easy, however, sticking to it is hard. TravelSpend will help you with that. It starts with entering your budget and expenses over multiple days so you don’t go overboard. The app helps you in sticking to your budget effectively.

Being in another country is not a problem at all: enter your expenses in any currency and the app will automatically convert it to your home currency.

Track your travel expenses whether going on a solo around-the-world trip or backpacking holiday with your best friends. The app allows you to share your trip with your friends and track your expenses together. Pay debts, split bills, and check your balances – all in the app!

TripCase, a comprehensive travel organizer app, has emerged as a popular choice among travelers seeking a streamlined and efficient way to manage their journey details.

Here’s a breakdown of its key features and functionalities:

Centralized Itinerary Management : TripCase allows users to consolidate all their travel details, including flights, hotels, and car rentals, into a single, easily accessible itinerary.

Real-time Flight Alerts : The app keeps travelers informed with up-to-the-minute notifications on flight statuses, including delays, cancellations, and gate changes.

Itinerary Sharing : TripCase offers a sharing option that enables users to send their travel plans to friends, family, or colleagues.

Travel Directions and Maps : To aid navigation in unfamiliar locations, the app provides directions and maps.

Nearby Recommendations : TripCase offers recommendations for restaurants, attractions, and other services close to the traveler’s location.

Document Storage : For added convenience, the app allows users to store essential travel documents digitally, ensuring that important information like passport details, visas, and insurance policies are readily available.

Customizable Notifications : Users can customize their notification preferences, choosing what types of alerts they receive and how they are notified, tailoring the app to suit individual needs and preferences.

iOS / Android 

Hi, great List. I couldn’t travel without my Apps! I have one App you could check out =) Its called ” ATM Fee Saver” and it gives a list with all ATMs and their fees and limit. I found it super helpful and it really helped me to save some money. Best regards, Charlotte

Thank you for your suggestions! Those apps are very useful and various

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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.

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

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The 7 Best Trip Planner Apps for Travelers

Sarah Schlichter

Deputy Executive Editor Sarah Schlichter's idea of a perfect trip includes spotting exotic animals, hiking through pristine landscapes, exploring new neighborhoods on foot, and soaking up as much art as she can. She often attempts to recreate recipes from her international travels after she gets home (which has twice resulted in accidental kitchen fires—no humans or animals were harmed).

Sarah joined the SmarterTravel team in 2017 after more than a decade at the helm of IndependentTraveler.com. Sarah's practical travel advice has been featured in dozens of news outlets including the New York Times, the Chicago Tribune, USA Today, Budget Travel, and Peter Greenberg Worldwide Radio. Follow her on Twitter @TravelEditor .

The Handy Item I Always Pack: "A journal. Even years later, reading my notes from a trip can bring back incredibly vivid memories."

Ultimate Bucket List Experience: "Road tripping and hiking through the rugged mountains of Patagonia."

Travel Motto: "'To awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world.'—Freya Stark"

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat: "Aisle. I get restless on long flights and like to be able to move around without disturbing anyone else."

Email Sarah at [email protected] .

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Crafting a trip itinerary can be both fun and overwhelming. Which places are an absolute must-visit, and which ones can you skip? How much time should you spend at the art museum, and how close is it to that bookstore you want to check out? And how can you keep all your ideas and bookings neatly organized?

The best trip planner apps can help you answer those questions. I’ve found several that will help you discover the right places to go and organize your day-by-day itinerary in one handy place. Download these apps, and you can pitch your endless spreadsheets and Word docs into the recycle bin.

All of the following trip planner apps are free unless otherwise noted.

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor ( iOS | Android ) is the granddaddy of trip planner apps. Unlike other apps that feature only major cities, TripAdvisor offers listings of both top attractions and hidden gems in just about every corner of the globe, along with restaurants, hotels, and vacation rentals. You can create customized itineraries by saving the places you’re interested in to the app’s new Trips feature . (Trips can be kept private or shared publicly.)

When you search for a city in the app, you’ll see a feed of other users’ trips, photos, videos, reviews, and articles about that destination, all offering ideas and inspiration. For more trip planning help, you can post your questions in the TripAdvisor forums , where destination experts offer in-depth advice.

Visit a City

Visit a City ( iOS | Android ) helps solve two common trip planning challenges: figuring out how long you need to spend at each place, and maximizing your vacation time by grouping nearby attractions together. When you select a destination, the app offers recommended sightseeing guides based on the number of days you plan to spend. For example, I put in that I was going to Paris, for three days and was given several itinerary options, including Top Attractions, Landmarks for Kids, Parks & Museums, Easy Going, and more. The app automatically puts nearby attractions together and lets you know how far apart they are (for instance, “three minutes by walking”). It also includes the estimated time that you’ll spend at each place.

You can edit the itinerary by changing the day you visit a place, revising the amount of time you spend there, or deleting the attraction altogether. (You’ll almost certainly have to do some editing, as the itineraries don’t include lunch or coffee breaks.) You can also book tours through the app and get general travel information about the destination, such as the best time of year to visit or tips for saving money.

The Best Sites to Book a Last Minute Vacation

CityMaps2Go

CityMaps2Go ( iOS | Android ) offers a handy offline maps that you can customize with personal points of interest. Even better, the app displays your location on the map whether you’re connected to data or Wi-Fi. The app includes thousands of offline maps from just about anywhere on Earth, which means it’s useful for travelers who don’t want to pay international data charges when heading overseas. 

You can create different lists for your trip (for example, separate lists for dining, bars, attractions, etc.), and the locations you add to the list will show up on your map. Info cards for each place include a review score, nearby accommodations, some basic information, and the ability to add notes of your own.

The fun part of trip planning is imagining all the cool places you’ll go. What’s not so fun? Figuring out the logistics of getting there. Fortunately, Rome2rio ( iOS | Android ) can help solve that problem. The app searches just about every mode of transportation—plane, train, subway, bus, ferry, taxi, Uber—to recommend the best way to get from point A to point B.

You can enter either two destinations within a given city or two points farther apart, and the app will display your options, including the time it’ll take to travel and the approximate cost. Note that the listings are for planning purposes only, and you can’t actually book your flights or tickets through the app.

TripIt ( iOS | Android ) is a fixture on “best travel apps” lists, and for good reason. It turns an inbox full of scattered booking confirmations and restaurant reservations into a single master itinerary that you can access offline, sync with your phone’s calendar, and share with loved ones. You simply forward each confirmation email to [email protected] and let the app do the rest.

Upgrade to TripIt Pro ($49/year) for other useful features such as real-time flight alerts, rewards program tracking, and the ability to locate alternate flights if your original plans are disrupted.

Culture Trip

The app arm of Culture Trip ( iOS | Android ) aims to bring travelers a little bit out of the mainstream (tagline: “For curious travelers”) by highlighting unique, off-the-beaten-path options in popular destinations. With recommendations for more than 200 destinations around the world, it’s a great way to bring more local perspective to your trip planning. 

The Culture Trip app uses the publication’s content as a starting point; say, an article on the Top 9 Dessert Spots in Amsterdam. While reading the article, you can save individual places to lists that you create and view their location on maps. You can also explore their curated “Culture Trips”—pre-made itineraries for small group travel bookable within the app.

5 Smartphone Essentials You Should Never Travel Without

TripScout ( iOS ) combines articles and videos from well-known travel publishers and local experts to form what it calls “a personalized, always up-to-date travel guide” for destinations around the world. Every point of interest mentioned in the content is mapped, so you can build a customized itinerary showing your intended destinations on a map.

TripScout can also personalize recommendations based on your travel dates, budget, interests, and even the number of people in your travel group. And like some of the other apps on this list, TripScout works entirely offline, potentially saving you from paying international data fees. The only downside? Android users are left out; TripScout is iOS only.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2019, and has been updated to reflect the most current information. SmarterTravel’s Carl Unger contributed to this story.

Follow Sarah Schlichter on Twitter @TravelEditor for more travel tips and inspiration.

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We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

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The 19 Best Travel Planning Apps for Every Type of Traveler

December 1, 2021 15 min read

Planning your next travel adventure can be both exciting and stressful. While searching for amazing destinations and attractions to visit is always fun, keeping track of all of the information relating to your trip isn’t the easiest task. 

If you’ve been using Google docs and sheets or simply storing travel inspiration, confirmations, bookings, and reservations in your email, there’s a better way: using a travel planning app! 

You can discover an array of travel itinerary apps on the market, such as Wanderlog , a free and easy-to-use travel itinerary planner. But deciding which is best for your needs can be challenging. To help, we’ve put together this list of the 19 best travel planner apps on the market. 

To create this guide, we started by searching for the top trip planners online and in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. We then tested these apps and looked at user reviews to create this ultimate list of the best travel planning apps. This extensive list includes a range of apps, from road trip planning apps to itinerary planning apps. No matter what type of traveler you are, we have you covered. 

If you’re looking for a way to simplify travel planning and organization, keep reading! 

Best Overall Travel Planner App: Wanderlog 

We truly believe that Wanderlog is the best overall travel itinerary planning app on the market. Wanderlog allows you to plan detailed day-by-day itineraries, import all of your trip information, and search activity suggestions. It’s also perfect for group travelers and those traveling via a range of transport methods, from flying to taking a road trip. 

You can use Wanderlog in-browser, or download the app for iOS and Android. Wanderlog is 100% free to use, and this free version offers access to almost all of the apps’ features. There is an upgrade option, Wanderlog Pro, that offers added benefits with a one-week free trial.

Wanderlog Features

Activity Suggestions and Access to Pre-Created Trips 

You can search third-party websites and add things to do to your itinerary from online guides, like Tripadvisor or Google Trips. Wanderlog also offers activity suggestions, and you can view trips created by other users for inspiration. 

Storage and Organization of Travel Information 

When using Wanderlog, you can manually add travel information or automatically import reservations, bookings, and other email confirmations by syncing with Gmail. This travel information includes flight info, bus or train reservations,  accommodation details, rental car confirmations, and more. You can also add expenses for places and items on your itinerary, and manage your total budget.

Itinerary Creation 

As you upload travel information and add activities you want to undertake on your trip, a day-by-day itinerary will be created. This itinerary is incredibly easy to edit, and you can add notes to each stop. 

If you don’t need a day-by-day itinerary and want more flexibility in your plans, you can simply create lists, for example, a list of things to do or restaurants to try. 

Access to Maps 

When you add stops to your itinerary or lists, they’ll be displayed on a map. The map feature makes it easy to see where all the attractions you wish to visit are located, allowing you to plan the most efficient itinerary. 

Road Trip Planning

Wanderlog now offers the ability to plan road trips! You can add start and end destinations, plus unlimited stops along the way, and your road trip route will be shown on interactive maps. 

It’s super easy to rearrange these plans, and you can even use our “Road Trip Optimizer” to generate the most efficient route. The total time and distance of your road trip journey will be displayed too.  

Group Collaboration 

Wanderlog makes collaborating with others in your travel group a breeze! You can easily collaborate with others traveling with you by simply adding their email to your trip. Alternatively, you can just share a link to the itinerary. Having done this, all members of your group can collaborate on the plans in real-time. 

Wanderlog Pro Added Features

• Offline access to itineraries and maps
• Exporting of maps to Google Maps
• Auto scanning of travel confirmations in Gmail
• Road trip route optimization  

Who Is Wanderlog For? 

Wanderlog is the best app to plan travel for every type of traveler. From solo travelers to groups, and from the highly organized traveler to those that simply need one place to store information and activity suggestions. Wanderlog also has a highly user-friendly interface, and best of all, it’s free to use! 

Who Is Wanderlog Not For? 

Wanderlog is great for all travelers! Whether you want to organize your travel details, search for an array of activities to enjoy on your trip, or collaborate with fellow travelers, the Wanderlog travel planning app won’t disappoint. 

Does Wanderlog sound like the travel itinerary planner for you? Download the app today ! 

Best Road Trip Planning App: Roadtrippers

If you’re looking for road trip planner apps, Roadtrippers is one of the best options out there! This app is created exclusively for those traveling via car. It not only maps out the best routes for you to follow but also offers suggestions of things to do along the way. 

Roadtrippers can be used online and via their iPhone and Android app. Roadtrippers offers a free Basic version and a paid-for version called RoadTrippers Plus, which costs $29.99 per year.  

Roadtrippers Features

Custom Route Maps

Roadtrippers calculate the best route for you. Simply enter your road trip start and end destination, plus stops along the way if applicable. You can choose the fastest route or ask Roadtrippers to suggest additional stops along the way. 

Activity and Attraction Suggestions 

As just mentioned, Roadtrippers offers suggestions on things to do along your road trip route. These suggestions include activities to try and attractions to visit, as well as dining and accommodation suggestions. 

Gas Cost Estimations 

Once you have a route mapped, Roadtrippers provides an estimation of the total gas cost. This feature is great for those operating on a budget. 

Navigation 

Roadtrippers also help guide you once you set out on the trip with in-app navigation. This feature allows you to stay within the app instead of switching to another navigation app, like Google Maps. 

Roadtrippers Plus Added Features 

• Offline maps
• Collaboration features, allowing multiple travelers to add to the road trip itinerary 
• Live traffic updates 
• Special promotions from Roadtrippers’ travel panthers, such as discounts on hotels 
• Dark mode 
• No in-app ads 

Who Is Roadtrippers For? 

As the name suggests, Roadtrippers is ideal for people planning road trips. The app is helpful for all types of road trip travelers, from those looking for a quick route from A to B to those wanting to visit an array of attractions along a multi-city route. 

Who Is RoadTrippers Not For? 

This app isn’t optimal for those planning different types of travel experiences. For example, if you’ll fly to one city and then want recommendations for tourist attractions, this isn’t the right app for you. You also miss out on features without a paid account, so if you want to benefit from all of a travel apps’ features for free, you may not be interested in RoadTrippers. 

Want to learn more about Roadtrippers? Read our in-depth Roadtrippers review ! 

Best Travel Planning App for Trip Information Organization: TripIt

TripIt is one of the relatively well-known itinerary planning apps that stores all your trip details, like transport and accommodation information, in one place. TripIt can be used via web browser or an app for iOS or Android. 

TripIt has both a free version of the app, with limited features, and a paid-for version called TripIt Pro. You can also purchase TripIt for Teams which is targeted at business travelers.

TripIt Pro: $49 per year with a 30-day free trial

TripIt Teams: Starts at $29 a month for one to ten users 

TripIt Features

TripIt allows you to upload your travel information to one place. Things you can upload include flight details, hotel bookings, and activity reservations. You can manually upload information or email it to TripIt. 

TripIt Pro Added Features 

• Transport fare trackers
• Check-in reminders
• Flight updates
• Seat upgrade information 
• Airport security wait time updates 
• Loyalty/rewards program points tracker 
• Baggage claim location notification 
• Interactive maps
• Ability to share plans with others 
• Features to add documents to your itinerary, such as photos or PDFs 

Who Is TripIt For? 

This is a great app for those that only want to store and organize all the information they already have relating to a trip in one place, and have access to this information on their phone. It’s also very easy to use. 

Those that also want notifications related to their trip all in one place will appreciate the features offered by TripIt Pro. 

Who Is TripIt Not For? 

TripIt is quite a basic itinerary planner. In addition, TripIt doesn’t offer suggestions on things to do in the city you’re visiting. These drawbacks mean that TripIt is best for those that only want to store all of their travel information in one place.

If you’re looking for an app that offers travel suggestions, such as activities to try or landmarks to visit, this isn’t the app for you. Travelers looking for a free travel itinerary app will probably not be interested in TripIt either (you should instead try Wanderlog that’s 100% free to use!) 

Unsure if TripIt is right for you? Read our detailed TripIt review to learn more about the app.

Best Travel Planning App for Documenting Your Trip: Polarsteps

Polarsteps allows you to document your entire trip, along with creating itineraries. This travel app can be used in-browser or via an app and is one of the best free travel planner apps, as you can access all features at no cost. You can pay for a printed travel book with pictures and notes relating to your trip. These books start at approximately $40 for a 24-page book.

Polarsteps Features

Trip Itinerary Creation 

You can create a trip itinerary and add as many stops as you like. These stops include different cities, countries, and landmarks/places of interest. A map showing each stop will also be generated. 

Addition of Images, Videos, and Notes 

For every stop added, you can also upload pictures, videos, and a description of the place. This feature is ideal for those looking to document their adventure and makes Polarsteps somewhat of a digital travel scrapbook. 

Access to Pre-Created Trips

You can follow other users (as you would on social media networks) and access their pre-created trips. This is the one discovery feature on the app to help you find additional places to visit. 

Sharing Features 

It’s easy to share trips with other people, like friends and family. You can add followers to your trip, which allows them to see everything you’re doing. Multiple people, however, can not edit and add to a trip from different accounts. 

Who Is Polarsteps For? 

Polarsteps is recommended for those that want to document their entire trip with images, notes, and the like. It’s also perfect for those taking long, multi-city trips, although can be used by those taking shorter trips too. 

Who Is Polarsteps Not For? 

This app isn’t recommended for those looking to create an itinerary that simply keeps all of their travel information in one place. If you don’t want to document your trip via images, notes, and videos, Polarsteps probably won’t be worth using. 

The app also isn’t great for those looking for activity suggestions, you can access the trips of others for ideas, but the Polarsteps will not offer streamlined activity suggestions itself. 

Read our detailed Polarsteps review to discover more about this app. 

Best Alternative to Print Travel Guides: Lonely Planet Guides

Lonely Planet is an extremely well-known travel guide brand. Recently, they launched an app, Lonely Planet Guides, that is quickly becoming one of the  best travel planner apps. Lonely Planet Guides offers attractions and landmark suggestions for over 1,000 cities. You can also access videos, curated collections, and phrasebooks. 

Lonely Planet Guides is accessible via an app for iOS and Android. There is a free version, but it’s very basic, so paying for a subscription is necessary in most cases. Lonely Planet Guides pricing is as follows: 

• One Month: $4.99
• Six Months: $21.99 (or $3.67 a month)
• One Year: $39.99 (or $3.33 a month) 

Lonely Planet Guides Features

Information on Places of Interest 

You have access to information on landmarks and attractions for the majority of cities on the app. This feature is great for discovery and allows you to find the best things to see and do in the city you’re visiting.

If you don’t have a paid subscription, you can only access info on four places of interest per month. 

Custom Maps and Bucket Lists 

If you discover places of interest that you want to visit, you can add them to a map and/or bucket list. Once in the city, you can open your map to easily see where all the attractions you want to visit are located. 

Without a paid plan, you can only add four locations to your map each month. 

Curated Collections

Access to pre-created collections of things to do is available. These are often categorized, for example, the best markets or restaurants to visit. 

Ability to Purchase Tours and Other Tickets 

If you discover an attraction you want to visit or a tour you want to try, you can purchase tickets via a third party directly in the app. 

Paid Subscription Added Features 

• Access to phrasebooks for 19 languages 
• 360-degree immersive experiences 

Who Is Lonely Planet Guides For? 

The Lonely Planet Guides app is ideal for those looking for a digital alternative to traditional print travel guidebooks. It’s also a good choice for those going on a multi-city trip as you have access to information for thousands of cities across the globe, all from your phone. 

Who Is Lonely Planet Guides Not For? 

Lonely Planet Guides isn’t recommended for travelers that are looking for free travel planner apps. It’s also not the best option for those looking to create complete itineraries that include transport and accommodation information as well as places they plan to visit. 

Get all the details on this travel planner app by reading our Lonely Planet Guides review . 

Best Travel Planning App for Those That Want to Explore Like a Local: ViaHero

ViaHero is a travel planning app with a difference. Instead of planning your itinerary yourself, locals to the area (called “Heroes”) will create an itinerary and personalized guidebook for you. Understandably, this comes at a cost. You’ll be charged $40 per day of itinerary planning, with the maximum paid for a guidebook usually being $125. 

Destinations covered include cities in North America, Central and South America, Asia, and Europe. 

ViaHero Features

Custom Guidebook Creation  

After highlighting the types of activities and attractions you’re interested in, your “Hero” will create an itinerary and guidebook. 

A Personalized Map

You’ll also get access to a custom map that features each location mentioned in your guidebook. 

Booking of Activities and Other Travel Arrangements 

If things on your itinerary need booking (and booking doesn’t require prepayment) your local “hero” will make these arrangements for you. 

Ability to Communicate with Your “Hero”  

You can get in touch with your local “hero” at any point before and during your trip. This feature allows you to request changes to your itinerary and ask questions if needed as you explore the city.  

Who Is ViaHero For? 

ViaHero is one of the best travel planner apps for those that have limited time to plan their own trip, plus a decent budget for someone else to do so for them. It’s also a great choice for those that like to explore off the beaten track and get recommendations from locals instead of visiting tourist hotspots. 

Who Is ViaHero Not For? 

Due to the cost, ViaHero isn’t a good option for those traveling on a budget. It also may not be a great choice for those that are visiting a city for the first time and want to see the most popular landmarks and attractions. 

Being a newer service, only “heroes” from a limited number of cities are available at this time. If you’re visiting an area without a local “hero,” you won’t be able to use the service. 

Best Travel Planning App for Those That Love Reviews: Tripadvisor 

Tripadvisor is another of the itinerary planning apps that’s well-known to the majority of travelers. Along with a browser version, Tripadvisor has a convenient app that can help with everything from booking accommodation to discovering places to visit. 

Tripadvisor is free to use and has information for almost every city across the globe. Tripadvisor will offer an overview of the city you search for, along with hotel, restaurant, and activity recommendations. Best of all, all suggestions include reviews from travelers who have visited. 

Tripadvisor Features 

Things to Do  

Tripadvisor suggests a range of places to visit and activities to try in the destination you’re visiting. Along with searching the “Things to Do” section, you can search for specific landmarks and attractions to get more information on them. Whichever way you search, you’ll also have access to reviews from travelers who have visited the landmark or attraction or tried the activity.  

Restaurants 

You can also access restaurant suggestions for the destinations you’re heading to. Again, reviews from those who have dined at each establishment are available. You can also select categories, such as types of cuisine, to narrow down your search. Many restaurants offer the option to reserve via Tripadvisor too. 

Hotels 

Looking for a place to stay? Tripadvisor has you covered! Simply input the dates you need accommodation for, number of guests, and other filters like budget, if applicable, to view hotel results. You can then go straight to the hotel website from Tripadvisor or view deals from hotel booking sites like Hotels.com. 

Itinerary Maps and Lists

When you find activities you want to try, landmarks you intend to visit, and restaurants you wish to dine at, you can add them to a map and list. By adding these things to a map, you can easily see where everything you want to do is located, and develop day-by-day plans. Unfortunately, you can’t create an actual day-to-day itinerary via Tripadvisor. 

Who Is Tripadvisor For? 

This app is great for learning more about attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and accommodation via reviews. If you like to hear opinions from real travelers before committing to plans, you’ll appreciate Tripadvisor. It also has amazing discovery features, making Tripadvisor ideal for travelers that are looking for suggestions on things to do in the locations they’re visiting. 

Who Is Tripadvisor Not For? 

Tripadvisor isn’t ideal for planning day-to-day itineraries. While you can create maps and lists of all the places you want to go, these can’t be separated into individual days. That can be frustrating for travelers, especially if going on a multi-day or week trip. 

Using Tripadvisor to access reviews and combining this research with a full travel itinerary planner, like Wanderlog , is recommended.  

Other Itinerary Planning Apps to Consider 

While we rank the above five as the best travel planner apps on the market, the following eight apps are worth checking out too!

GEOVEA allows you to plan trips, store details like flight and accommodation info, and search for activity suggestions. This travel planning software also has budgeting features. You can estimate the cost of the activities included in the itinerary to see the overall cost of your trip. 

While you can use the company’s website on your phone, there isn’t an app. The standard version of the software is free but comes with limitations. To have full access to the app, you must purchase a subscription which starts at $29.99/year.  

Hipherd is one of the best free travel planner apps for those looking for a place to store travel inspiration. It allows you to save a range of travel content that you find across the web, such as travel articles, videos, and other information on destinations you want to visit.  

As with Pinterest, you can create “boards” to organize content by destination or other categories. You can view the collections of other users too. You can also create maps that show all the attractions you want to visit. Best of all, Hipherd costs nothing to use. 

Inspirock is a free travel itinerary planning  software that creates day-to-day itineraries for you based on data you input. Once a list of suggested places to visit has been generated, you can edit the itinerary to remove and add activities. You can also access accommodation suggestions, car and flight deals, and booking links. 

Learn more about this travel planner by taking a look at our Inspirock review ! 

Jubel is one of the great itinerary planning apps for those that are looking to discover new destinations. You start by answering a questionnaire to highlight travel likes, dislikes, and other preferences. A customized itinerary for a surprise destination is then created for you. This service does come at a cost, with Jubel users needing a trip budget of at least $1,500 for a solo-traveler trip or $1,100/per traveler for multi-person trips. 

Pilot 

Pilot is one of the free travel planner apps that’s perfect for travelers wanting to create itineraries as a group. You can add travel information, like flight bookings, to your online account, along with adding the activities you’ll do each day to an itinerary. It’s also easy to collaborate on one trip itinerary as a group. As mentioned, Pilot is free to use, but there is not a mobile app, so you must use the software in-browser. 

Portico 

Portico is another recommended app for planning itineraries, organizing travel information, and searching for activity suggestions. Travel confirmation emails (transport bookings, accommodation reservations, etc.) can be added manually or simply email them to Portico to add to your account. You can also search for travel inspiration in-app and add places you want to visit to itineraries and lists. Portico is free and can be used in-browser or via an iOS app. 

Tripscout 

Tripscout is one of the best travel planner apps for trip inspiration and high-quality travel content. You can search an array of content in-app to learn about new destinations and attractions. If you discover things you’d like to do and places you’d like to go, you can add them to lists, itineraries, and maps to begin planning your next adventure! Tripscout is also always free to use. 

Tripsy 

Tripsy is another organization-focused itinerary planning app. This app stores travel information, such as flight confirmations and other transport info, restaurant reservations, and the like.  You can also get notifications, for example relating to your flight status, and can easily share your itinerary with friends and family. 

You can integrate your plans with third-party maps and calendars and can email confirmations as well as adding them manually. Tripsy has a free and paid-for Pro version that offers additional benefits, including unlimited itineraries. 

The Best Travel Apps for Flights and Hotels

Need transport or accommodation deals? These four travel planner apps are here to help! 

Snaptravel 

Snaptravel offers amazing deals on flights and hotels. Simply enter your travel dates and destination(s), and a selection of customized offers will be served to you. Customers benefit from rate and fare reductions of 30-50%, and Snaptravel is free to use. 

Discover more about saving on hotels and flights with this app by reading our Snaptravel review . 

Scott’s Cheap Flights 

Scott’s Cheap Flights provides users with incredible flight deals out of their local airport. You’ll receive deal emails each day with fare reductions of up 90% off applied. Scott’s Cheap Flights offers a free version and paid-for options, which allow you to receive business and first-class deals and add multiple departure airports. 

Read our Scott’s Cheap Flights review to learn more about this company! 

Dollar Flight Club 

Dollar Flight Club is another company offering steep discounts on flights. Enter your departure airport at sign-up and you’ll be emailed daily with great deals to an array of destinations. There is a free version, but this only offers access to 20% of deals. For the best results, upgrade to Premium ($69/year) or Premium Plus ($99/year.) Users can expect to save 60-90% on flights, however, you don’t have the option to get deals for specific destinations.  

Want to find out more? Read our Dollar Flight Club review . 

RometoRio 

Rome to Rio offers an array of transport options that work with your trip and are bookable through the app. This free app can show you flights, car rentals, buses, and trains that will allow you to get from point to point on your itinerary. While Rome2Rio isn’t a deal-based app, you can also benefit from cheaper transport rates when using the app. You can also find accommodation and activity suggestions via Rome2Rio, but cannot create itineraries.

Not sure which of these travel planner apps to choose? Give Wanderlog a try ! It costs nothing to do so, and we guarantee that you’ll love it.

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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.

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10 Best Travel Management Software for Planning Trips in 2024

Engineering Team

May 15, 2024

The global corporate travel management industry is growing faster than ever, with business travel spending expected to reach $1.4 trillion this year! The use of technology in the industry is also expected to continue rising as new and innovative travel management software takes the helm in managing business travel logistics, trip planning, and expense management. 

Effective corporate travel management solutions can simplify booking processes, streamline itinerary planning, and make planning trips easier than ever. 

In this article, we will explore the 10 best travel management tools with their features, limitations, pricing, and ratings. 

What Should You Look for in Travel Management Software?

3. sap concur, 9. rocketrip, 10. packpoint.

Companies invest in travel management tools to simplify their corporate travel processes. Here are the features you should look for while selecting one for your needs:

• Easy booking : The travel management booking software should work seamlessly and give you easy access to the best accommodations, flights, and more 
• Easy to use : An intuitive user interface will ensure that your team is able to use the tool easily and save time
• Expense management solution : The best travel management tools also function well as expense management software. This way, you get everything in one place without having to switch software constantly
• Integration : The ability to integrate your corporate travel management software with your daily enterprise software will allow effortless data sharing
• Budget-friendly : Ensure the software meets your budget and helps you save costs. Look for ones that have a transparent pricing policy with zero hidden costs
• Reporting : Advanced reporting capabilities help you find areas with the most spending and curb unnecessary costs 
• User support : User support can make or break your experience. Therefore, ensure your software offers helpful support at all times

10 Best Travel Management Software to Use in 2024 

The best business travel management software is one that meets all your needs. Let’s look at some options: 

As an all-in-one project scheduling , productivity, and planning tool, ClickUp is at the top of our list for the best business travel management software in 2024. You can use ClickUp Docs to create and share itineraries, plan a travel budget, chalk out travel plans, etc.

Elevate your travel planning game with ClickUp’s Map View , designed to bring your itinerary to life visually. This innovative tool allows you to organize your trips geographically and efficiently plan your adventures with a simple click-and-drag interface.

From hotel information to flight details, all your travel details will be available in an easy-to-understand format. Further, you can add nested pages in one Doc to ensure all your travel plans are in the same place. You can also use it as a free schedule maker to avoid last-minute work stress.

If making corporate travel plans is not your forte, don’t worry because ClickUp AI will do it for you! From generating ideas to creating customized travel outlines, it can help you save time and money.

ClickUp also offers several itinerary templates accessible at any time and day, including the excellent ClickUp Travel Planner template, which enables you to make all your travel arrangements and manage corporate travel expenses in one place. 

ClickUp best features

• Collaborate on travel plans, keep all the information organized and accessible, protect your plans with privacy controls, and enhance the overall travel experience with ClickUp Docs
• Generate automatic plans and outlines in a matter of seconds with ClickUp AI and access them anywhere
• Use itinerary templates like ClickUp’s Business Travel Itinerary and travel planner templates to mark and highlight your business travel plans easily. If you are planning a bleisure (business + leisure) trip, you can use ClickUp’s Vacation Planning template for organizing all the relevant details in one place
• Use ClickUp as your daily planner app to plan your day-to-day travel activities, set reminders, and make notes in ClickUp Notepad
• Connect ClickUp with over 1,000 tools such as Slack, YouTube, Google Calendar, Alexa,  Chrome, Zoom, and Google Sheets

ClickUp limitations

• The mobile app lacks some features that are available in the desktop version 
• Some users find it a bit difficult to use in the beginning

ClickUp pricing

• Free forever
• Unlimited : $7/month per user
• Business : $12/month per user
• Enterprise : Contact for pricing
• ClickUp Brain: Available on all paid plans for $5/Workspace member/month

ClickUp ratings and reviews

• G2: 4.7/5 (9,200+ reviews)
• Capterra: 4.7/5 (3,900+ reviews)

With the aim of helping travel professionals save time while providing quality services, Travefy offers a wide range of tools that make business travel convenient. You can add tour information, including accommodations, transportation, and as many details as necessary. 

It supports over 100 supplier integrations and 625+ city guides so that you can make detailed itineraries (with pictures and links!) and save money and time. You can also share travel templates and integrate them with your CRM software. 

Travefy best features

• Create and share itineraries easily with  the drag-and-drop interface
• Make your travel content attractive with a built-in photo library with stunning photos and videos 
• Work efficiently with the 100+ supplier integrations
• Easily access your business trips using the mobile app
• Get automatic flight updates with the live flight database 

Travefy limitations

• Some users have complained about features being difficult to use
• No free version is available 

Travefy pricing

• Monthly : $49 per month
• Quarterly : $44 per month
• Annually : $35 per month
• For more than 25 users, contact Travefy for pricing

*You can add additional users at $25 per month per user.

Travefy ratings and reviews

• G2: 4.5/5 (20+ reviews)
• Capterra: 4.6/5 (15 reviews)

SAP Concur is an all-in-one travel and expense management software. It offers integrated solutions for business travel, expense reporting, and invoice management, thus making it easy to plan and access trip information. 

Further, it also works as travel management booking software, as you can book accommodations, car rentals, flights, and more. You can connect travelers and itineraries across multiple channels to enhance the overall experience. 

SAP Concur best features

• Create, submit, and approve expense reports from anywhere and through any device
• Connect SAP Concur to your CRM, HR, and finance solutions for seamless corporate travel. You can also integrate with apps like Uber, TripIt, American Airlines, and more
• Gain complete control over your business travel by ensuring corporate travel policies compliance and duty of care
• Use the open API to create custom features and integrations for your specific needs

SAP Concur limitations

• Some users have complained about the customer service
• Some reviews also found it difficult to use in the beginning

SAP Concur pricing

• Contact for pricing

SAP Concur ratings and reviews

• G2: 4.0/5 (5,900+ reviews)
• Capterra: 4.3/5 (2000+ reviews)

Packed with features that make planning and traveling easier than ever, TripIt is a stellar app for creating business travel itineraries. All you have to do is share your booking confirmation emails with TripIt’s official email, and it will create a comprehensive itinerary.

Wondering what else it can do? It also allows you to add the trip details directly to your calendar (whichever calendar you use) and access them from anywhere at any time.

If you choose TripIt Pro, you can access features like adding PDFs and photos, check-in reminders, a fare tracker, flight status, baggage claim information, and more.

TripIt best features

• Create a comprehensive itinerary from your confirmation emails in just seconds
• Get reminders for check-in, when to leave, and flight status to stay on track with your time management goals (only on TripIt Pro)
• Get detailed information about terminals and gates, connecting flights, baggage claim, alternate flight options, and better seat availability (only on TripIt Pro)
• Use the app to get your business travel plan at the tip of your fingers

TripIt limitations

• Some users have complained about the outdated interface
• Most features are only available on TripIt Pro
• Doesn’t offer expense reporting

TripIt pricing

• TripIt Free
• TripIt Pro : $49 per year 

TripIt ratings and reviews

• G2: 4.7/5 (40+ reviews)
• Capterra: Unavailable

Happay is a comprehensive corporate travel and expense management solution. Apart from offering advanced features, it also provides advanced AI-powered processes that ensure you have complete control over every aspect of your plan. 

The software has a self-booking tool with multiple suppliers, allowing you to book your preferred hotels, flights, and cabs. You can also plan, capture, report, approve, and reconcile expenses, making expense reporting easy and effective. Web and mobile OCR also enhance expense capture capabilities. 

Moreover, you can use the tool to improve travel policy compliance and increase savings.

Happay best features

• Integrate Happay with software like Oracle, Tally, Microsoft, Uber, RuPay, Visa, and more
• Get detailed reports about top spenders, policy violators, business travelers, time taken for approvals, flights, and hotels for better expense management 
• Connect with multiple suppliers for accommodations and travel on a single platform
• Ensure 100% policy compliance
• Get reminders when the lowest fare is available for your preferred accommodations and flights 
• Use the fare freeze option to reserve a ticket price. This comes in handy when there is a delay in manager approval
• Enjoy tax compliance with airlines, ensuring complete visibility of business travel expenses

Happay limitations

• Some users have complained about slow customer support
• The product application is not completely glitch-free

Happay pricing

Happay ratings and reviews.

• G2: 4.5/5 (300+ reviews)
• Capterra: 4.6/5 (800+ reviews)

Deem offers an effortless and intuitive travel experience with its intelligent features. Your employees can book, edit, and modify their plans from anywhere and using any device. It also ensures their safety (along with your duty of care) with the built-in Safety Check option during booking.  

What makes Deem unique, however, is that it provides carbon emission ratings to help you assess your trip’s environmental impact. So you can make greener and better choices on future trips. 

Deem best features

• Book your travel plans using personalized support provided by Deem
• Get quick, real-time insights into your spending and user engagement 
• Find the most suitable accommodations and flights using the wide range of vendors available on the app. You can also compare fare tiers in a single view
• Integrate it with platforms like Workday, Chrome River, and more
• Get support  in 14 languages 

Deem limitations

• Some users complained about slow loading 
• Some features are not available on the mobile app
• Some users have complained about a lack of flexibility in search results

Deem pricing

Deem ratings and reviews.

• G2: 4.5/5 (200+ reviews)
• Capterra: 4.4/5 (25 reviews)

Rydoo is primarily an expense management solution that allows employees to create, submit, and approve expenses efficiently. You can capture all the expenses on the Rydoo app, and it will also automatically match the transactions via corporate cards against their expenses.

Further, managers can easily automate the approval process for low-risk expenses to speed up approvals. With Rydoo, you can control employee expenses, ensure policy compliance, and increase efficiency. 

Rydoo best features

• Customize your travel policies and automate expense approval, reporting, and reconciliation
• Scan your receipts with the Rydoo app, and it will automatically prepare your expenses for submission, thus eliminating the need for manual data entry
• Get visibility into trips with mileage entries created through Google’s integrated map
• Integrate Rydoo with over 35 tools, including your HR, ERP, and accounting software

Rydoo limitations

• Some users have experienced technical glitches with receipt loading, expense reporting, and deletion
• Some have complained about scanning taking a lot of time

Rydoo pricing

• Essentials: $12 per user per month 
• Pro: $14 per user per month 
• Business: Contact for pricing
• Enterprise: Contact for pricing

Rydoo ratings and reviews

• G2: 4.4/5 (700+ reviews)
• Capterra: 4.4/5 (190+ reviews)

Formerly known as TripActions, Navan is an integrated business travel and expense management solution. It is well-known for maximizing efficiency while minimizing costs with discounted rates and policy controls.

Navan offers AI tools , including Ava (their AI agent), for 24/7 support. The online booking process is seamless, with a wide inventory and personalized results. And that’s not all! It also provides advanced expense reporting capabilities with data insights.

Navan best features

• Get better control over spending with dynamic policies, automated expense reporting, and real-time insights
• Book group travel for up to 50 employees at a time
• Earn loyalty points and rewards for making cost-effective choices
• Track and reduce your organization’s carbon emissions with robust sustainability tools 
• Consult with travel experts and a dedicated team to create unique and tailored travel programs

Navan limitations

• Some users found it more expensive than other options

Navan pricing

Navan ratings and reviews.

• G2: 4.7/5 (7,500+ reviews)
• Capterra: 4.6/5 (170+ reviews)

With the aim of empowering employees and ensuring cost savings, Rocketrip offers transparent performance data and rewards for reducing spending. The platform provides a custom price-to-beat algorithm based on 12 months of your historical data, travel policies, negotiated rates, preferred suppliers, and consultation with your administrators. 

It also integrates traveler employees’ data with your online booking tool, providing custom insights into spending and costs. 

Rocketrip best features

• Increase cost savings with rewards for reducing spending by choosing cheaper flights, downgrading to Economy class, etc. .
• Get detailed real-time expense reports by department, route, and employees, allowing your finance teams to make suitable decisions
• Get complete visibility into current trips and employees’ locations at all times
• Receive travel alerts for risks and track spending above policy

Rocketrip limitations

• The user interface is a little clunky
• The site often crashes and has a slow load time

Rocketrip pricing

Rocketrip ratings and reviews.

• G2: 4.3/5 (10 reviews)

PackPoint is primarily a packing list organizer that helps you decide what goes into your luggage, ensuring you don’t forget any essential items. It bases its suggestions on the length of your trip and details of your travel destination, including its weather and planned activities. 

With PackPoint Premium, you can access many more features, like connecting with TripIt, sharing your packing list, and customizing the app. 

PackPoint best features

• The app is easy to use. All you have to do is add your trip details and select your activities, and you’ll get the packing list ready
• You can integrate PackPoint with TripIt using PackPoint Pro

PackPoint limitations

• Limited features 

PackPoint pricing

• Premium: $2.99

PackPoint ratings and reviews

• G2: Unavailable

Make Travel Planning Easy with Travel Management Tools

A robust travel and expense management solution helps companies save time and money, improve their corporate travel experience, and reduce travel planning stress. Therefore, research your options, take a free trial, and decide whether the software matches your needs. 

With ClickUp, you can use AI to create itineraries, Docs to plan trips, the best templates for travel planning, itineraries, and time logs to ensure your team is on the same page regarding the latest trip plans. Try ClickUp for free today!

Questions? Comments? Visit our Help Center for support.

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Top 15 best free travel management software in 2024

Top 15 free travel management software tools, best free travel management apps for managing business travel booking, 1. travelperk.

Other key TravelPerk features include:

• A user-friendly, intuitive online booking tool
• A freemium model, simple pricing, and no minimum contract
• Comprehensive and up-to-date travel alerts for peace of mind
• Automated travel policies and in-app approval system
• Extensive reporting capabilities and expense dashboards
• A risk management solution
• A simplified travel expense process
• 24/7 business travel assistance

TravelPerk pricing

• TravelPerk offers a free Starter plan, with access to the following crucial tools: Industry-leading travel inventory of flights, hotels, trains, and cars
• 24/7 customer support
• Travel data reports
• Consolidated invoicing
• Travel agent service
• Access to TravelPerk’s negotiated rates
• 5 free bookings per month

TravelPerk ratings

• G2 rating : 4.6 / 5, based on 1533 ratings
• Capterra rating : 4.8 / 5, based on 403 ratings

Start saving money on business travel for your company today!

2. booking.com for business.

Booking.com’s key features include:

• Advanced search filters
• Multilingual customer support
• Low-cost guarantee feature

Booking.com pricing

Booking.com for business ratings.

• G2 rating : 4.1/5 ( 13 reviews )

3. Kayak for Business

Other key Kayak for Business features include:

• Discounted corporate rates
• Points reward program
• Price alert function
• Reporting and tracking functionality
• Expense integration
• Price predictions

Kayak for Business pricing

Kayak for business ratings.

• G2 rating : none

4. Enterprise for Business

Key features of Enterprise for Business:

• 5% business discount on rental cars booked through Enterprise 
• Dedicated account manager for your business 
• Employees can bypass check-in counter for better experiences
• Ability to ensure travelers comply with internal travel policies 
• Spend forecasting based on current rates

Enterprise for Business pricing

Enterprise for business ratings.

• G2 ratings : none

5. Hotel Engine

Key features of Hotel Engine:

• Up to 60% off corporate hotel accommodations  
• Expenses dashboard makes streamlined billing and expense reports more manageable
• Customizable dashboards and analytics makes travel spend easier to track and control
• 24/7 support for your team 
• Group travel bookings let you keep your whole team on the same page

Hotel Engine pricing

Hotel engine ratings.

• G2 ratings : 4 / 5, based on 13 reviews  
• Capterra ratings : 4.8 / 5, based on 5 reviews

6. Airbnb for Work

Key features of Airbnb for Work:

• Ability to book a variety of spaces for long trips, offsites, and more
• Trips dashboard to see all of your team’s upcoming and past trips
• Invoices and reporting tools make it easy to sync with your expense management platforms
• Price alerts and payment groups help ensure compliance 
• Add employees to your team to let them make their own booking with the company card, simplifying booking and reducing micro-management while eliminating reimbursements

Airbnb for Work pricing

Airbnb for work ratings, best free travel management apps for managing travel expenses.

Soldo pricing

• Pro 5: From £30/month for up to 5 users (up to 2 admins/accountants).
• Pro 10: From  £60/month for up to  10 users (up to 3 admins/accountants)
• Premium: From  £90/month for up to 10 users (up to 3 admins/managers).

Soldo ratings

• G2 rating : 4.5 / 5, based on 140 reviews
• Capterra rating : 4.7 / 5, based on 91 reviews

Pleo pricing

• Essential Plan: £12/user/month. Users can be reimbursed with or without cards, with free ATM withdrawals and spend limits available.
• Advanced Plan: £14/user/month, offering 1% cashback, unlimited entity management, a Customer Success Manager, free external bookkeeper access and open API access.

Pleo ratings

• G2 rating : 4.7 / 5, based on 1,041 reviews
• Capterra rating : 4.9 /5, based on 190 reviews

Ramp pricing

Ramp ratings.

• G2 rating : 4.8 / 5, based on 1,902 ratings
• Capterra rating : 4.9 / 5, based on 178 ratings

10. BILL Spend & Expense (previously Divvy)

BILL Spend & Expense pricing

Bill spend & expense ratings.

• G2 rating : 4.5 / 5, based on 1,257 ratings
• Capterra rating : 4.7 / 5, based on 412 ratings

Other Tools and add-ons

11. app in the air.

App in the Air pricing

App in the air ratings.

Key features of MileIQ:

• Automatic mileage tracking
• IRS compliant mileage logs
• Easy reporting dashboards to see where your employees travel 
• Single dashboard to track compliance and policies for as many employees as you need
• Integrated payment and billing options make mileage payments easier than ever

MileIQ pricing

Mileiq ratings.

• G2 ratings : 4.2 / 5, based on 66 reviews
• Capterra rating : 5 / 5, based on 2 reviews

13. Tripkicks

Tripkicks key features include:

• Highlighting preferred suppliers to ensure travel program compliance
• Health and safety alerts
• Up-to-date COVID-19 information
• Highlighting less-expensive alternatives
• Monitoring of travel spend against budget to optimize cost savings

Tripkicks pricing

Tripkicks ratings, 14. packpoint.

PackPoint pricing

Packpoint ratings.

That said, there’s many helpful features of TripIT:

• Mobile itinerary and notifications, automatically generated from your travel documents
• Carbon footprint shows you offset options for your travel plans
• Document storage lets you add PDFs, QR codes and more to your itinerary 
• Calendar sync updates your calendar with your travel plans

TripIt pricing

Tripit ratings.

• G2 ratings : 4.7 / 5, based on 43 reviews  

Does my company need to use travel management software?

Here are a few ways travel management software can save you time and money:.

• Booking processes can be completed in a few minutes and a couple of clicks
• You can make significant cost savings by accessing discounted corporate rates , larger travel inventories, and VAT refundable invoices
• You can reduce travel and expense costs by integrating your travel policy into the software
• Employees can self-book their travel, reducing the micro-management involved in traditional booking processes
• You can relieve your admin of handling all travel arrangements, booking requests, itinerary changes, and cancellations

What to look for in travel management software

Here are the key features to look out for when browsing travel management software:.

• The ability to integrate travel policies and approval workflows
• Access to real-time travel spend data and reporting functionality
• A wide range of business integrations (e.g. Slack, Ramp, PayHawk) that fit with your company’s tech stack
• A simple and intuitive user experience that supports self-booking
• Access to 24/7 customer support
• Extensive inventories and flexible booking options
• Consolidated invoice management

Find the best travel and expense management software

Sit back and save on business travel today

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.

10 Most impactful travel technology companies in 2024

5 best corporate travel management apps

The 8 best business travel management companies in Europe

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Getting organized: The best task management software

Level up your team’s task management system to boost efficiency and enhance collaboration.

By the team at Slack May 24th, 2024

A to-do list can get you only so far. More often, we find ourselves spending too much time prioritizing countless tasks to ensure that a project goes smoothly. Task management systems can make complex projects easier to handle.

If you’re looking to add task management software to your team’s toolkit, we’re here to help. We’ve sifted through this saturated market to identify the best task management programs to streamline and automate your workflows in 2024.

What is a task management app?

Task management refers to the process of overseeing a task from beginning to end, including planning, implementation, quality assurance, and tracking and reporting status updates. If you’re managing various tasks among different work projects, a task management tool can make it easier to prioritize action items and stay organized, on schedule and on budget.

What to look for in a task management program

The best task management software should be easily accessible to stakeholders and provide a user-friendly, visual representation of your in-progress tasks and where each one stands in its lifecycle. Many platforms use graphs, charts, lists and other graphics to clearly display information in a way that’s easy to understand. Look for a task management app that:

• Creates a digital “paper trail”
• Gives everyone on the team input
• Clearly displays the status of each task
• Tracks due dates
• Automates repetitive tasks

Who uses task management software?

Just about any team can benefit from good task management technology. If you’re working with multiple people on multiple projects or initiatives, you can probably use help planning, prioritizing, tracking and organizing your team’s ideas, responsibilities and to-do items. The best task management tools integrate seamlessly into your existing work process and can even automate certain workflows , letting your team focus on the most important tasks.

Benefits of task management software

Task management software helps you handle projects more efficiently, with a reduced risk of human error. The advantages of using a task management app include:

• More visibility and trust between teams and management
• Less mental clutter
• Uniform, streamlined processes
• Time savings
• Lower likelihood of redundant efforts and having to repeat tasks
• Flexibility for team members to access projects and tasks at their convenience

How to choose the right task management software

The best task management app should help your team navigate its biggest roadblocks. Here’s how to pick the best platform for you.

1. Identify your team’s specific requirements

Your team is unique, and your chosen time management system should adapt to your needs and processes. What sorts of projects does your team handle, and how many do you typically tackle at a time? How big is your team? Will you need mobile access, or scalability if your team is growing? What about remote work support?

2. Evaluate the user interface and ease of use

The best task and project management software should be quick to learn and easy to understand. Think about how your team members will actually use the software in their day-to-day work.

For example, if your team will need to use its task management app while they’re in the field or otherwise away from their desks, you should prioritize platforms with strong mobile apps. And if your team is not particularly tech-savvy, you’ll want software with a simple, intuitive interface.

3. Consider integrations with your existing tech stack

Task management doesn’t happen in a vacuum; you probably already have a set of tools you know and like. Look for a task management app that seamlessly integrates with those tools so your team can move quickly and easily between managing projects and completing them.

4. Look for automation capabilities

The best task management systems can help you cut down on actual labor hours by automating repetitive tasks that don’t require much human input.

Slack’s Workflow Builder , for example, simplifies processes by automating repetitive workflows, such as sending follow-up surveys after certain meetings or delivering paperwork to new hires on their first day. This frees up users to focus on larger tasks, which can boost engagement and productivity. It also cuts down on manual errors and context switching.

The best task management software

Our picks for the best task management trackers are user-friendly and compatible with other popular tech tools. These apps offer customization options and automation features. Plus, they integrate with Slack .

Asana ranks among the most popular task management software solutions, offering a clean layout that makes it easy to delegate responsibilities and track projects, subtasks and status. The project management platform also features AI-powered tools for goal-setting and reporting.

Project management software Wrike makes our list thanks to its highly customizable workflows and data visualizations. Users can assign and check work in Wrike, streamlining processes and boosting team collaboration .

Flow is a simple task management app that packs a powerful punch. You can zoom out for a high-level overview of each project and then zoom back in to track each individual task. Easily view your own tasks and those delegated to other team members.

Work management platform Trello makes collaboration and organization easy with customizable boards, cards and lists that break down even the most complex projects into sensible, digestible steps.

Jira Cloud , an agile task management tool, is designed for big, complex projects across various industries. The software walks you step-by-step through designing and customizing each project. AI-powered support features make Jira even easier to use.

Are you more of a visual collaborator? Miro is one of the best for visually oriented people and projects. From mind mapping to real-time data visualization and digital sticky notes, it offers a full-scale collaboration platform for agile teams. Plus, Miro is free.

The highly customizable Workast lets users plan, implement and complete projects all in its work management platform. It integrates with a wide variety of applications and makes everything you need for each project, from forms to meeting notes, readily available with just a couple of clicks.

Notion , another free task management platform, stands out for its easy drag-and-drop format. Even those unfamiliar with other project management platforms can easily get the hang of Notion’s intuitive interface. The software makes it simple to break down your project into bite-size steps that make sense for your team’s work style.

Cloud-based Figma , along with its whiteboard companion, FigJam, takes remote collaboration on design projects to the next level. This task management app focuses on interface design, making it easy for distributed teams to brainstorm, prototype, diagram and even keep digital sticky notes as they work through each project’s lifecycle.

Monday.com is a flexible operating service that lets users create their own project management apps, no coding required. Use it to easily tweak and scale your workflows as needed, and automate simple workflows to save time and reduce errors.

Integrate your favorite task management software with Slack

Slack makes your favorite task management tools work even better for you. Integrating your task management software with Slack can give you important reminders, real-time status updates and automated workflows right in the AI-powered collaboration platform you know and love. To get the most out of your task management system, contact Slack’s sales team or sign up today.

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• 7 Best iPad POS Systems

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7 Best iPad POS Systems Of 2024

Updated: May 24, 2024, 1:32pm

Reviewed By

A point-of-sale (POS) system helps businesses manage daily operations, accept payments from customers, track inventory, and create receipts. If the business is a mobile operation or has no need for a large POS setup, owners should consider an iPad POS system. These operate the same way full-scale POS systems do, except they use an Apple iPad. This means lower maintenance and minimal setup. In addition, iPad POS systems are a fraction of the cost compared to full setups.

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Best iPad POS Systems of 2024

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Shopify POS

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Aloha cloud, forbes advisor ratings, benefits of ipad pos systems, how to choose an ipad pos system, how to use an ipad pos system, methodology, frequently asked questions (faqs).

• Best POS Systems
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On Shopify’s Website

Pricing starts at

$7 per month for casual sellers $51 per month ($38 per year) for retail sellers

Mobile payments

Key features

Syncs with Shopify online store, smart inventory management

• Clover : Best for flexibility
• Square Stand : Best for small businesses
• Shopify POS : Best for omnichannel businesses
• Lightspeed : Best for niche businesses
• PayPal POS : Best for no monthly fee
• Aloha Cloud : Best for restaurants
• Erply : Best for food service businesses

Why You Can Trust Forbes Advisor Small Business

The Forbes Advisor Small Business team is committed to bringing you unbiased rankings and information with full editorial independence. We use product data, strategic methodologies and expert insights to inform all of our content to guide you in making the best decisions for your business journey.

To find the best POS systems for small businesses, we considered 19 of the top POS providers in the space and narrowed it down to seven, which we then evaluated across five key categories and 30 different metrics. Our ratings consider factors, such as transparent pricing, employee self-sufficiency, compatibility with third-party integrations and access to customer support and ratings. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

BEST FOR FLEXIBILITY

Software integration

Inventory management.

Clover appears regularly in our lists of best POS systems for good reason. With its powerful features, seamless software integration and efficient inventory management, it provides an exceptional user experience. Clover’s user-friendly interface and extensive functionality make it a top choice for businesses of all sizes.

Clover’s standout features include its comprehensive inventory management capabilities, allowing businesses to track stock levels, generate reports and manage vendor relationships easily. The system also offers seamless software integration, enabling businesses to integrate with various third-party applications and services, enhancing overall operational efficiency.

While not offered for every business type, its free plan is useful if your business qualifies for its Starter plan (available via web browser on your iPad), especially for small businesses seeking a cost-effective solution without compromising on features. While the free plan only supports card-not-present transactions, it still offers substantial value to businesses in the digital realm.

Learn more: Read our full Clover review.

Who should use it:

Clover is ideal for restaurants and retailers alike.

• Can customize item or order-level discounts
• Can engage clients with its client database
• Allows for a monthly plan or pay-in-full options
• Clover Capital allows for a cash advance on your future sales
• Its free plan only supports card-not-present transactions
• Promotions, loyalty programs and gift cards unavailable with Starter plan

Best Overall iPad POS

Square is a sleek and intuitive point-of-sale system that can help you manage your business, whether it’s a brick-and-mortar store or a pop-up stall at a craft market. You can use it as a register or accept credit card payments quickly. Businesses can manage inventory, sell both in store and online, manage customer relationships, manage teams, complete payroll, download reports and manage finances.

The best part of using Square is there’s no monthly fee for its retail and restaurant software. Instead, you pay per transaction. This fee is 2.65% for each in-person transaction. Businesses can receive their money as soon as the following business day. However, it offers a Plus plan for $35 CAD per month (plus processing fees), allowing for advanced features suitable for retailers, restaurants and appointment-based businesses, such as salons.

The hardware you need is a Square Stand for $249 CAD. This includes an iPad stand with a magstripe reader and three-port USB hub, plus a Square Reader and its charging dock. If you don’t have an iPad yet, you can add a compatible one to your cart for $449 CAD. Other hardware options include a register for $899 CAD, contactless and chip Square Reader for $69 CAD or a Square Terminal for $399 CAD.

With its per-transaction fee and no monthly subscription charge, Square is best for businesses processing a lower volume of transactions. Higher-volume transaction businesses may benefit from other iPad POS solutions offering volume discounts.

• No contracts
• Sets up in minutes
• AMEX has the same processing fees as other credit cards
• Higher transaction fees
• Limited support options
• Cables can impede turning the Stand

Best for Omnichannel Businesses

Software Integration

Inventory management.

Shopify POS is an excellent POS system for businesses that need to manage their inventory across multiple channels—wherever your customers are. The iPad sales app lets you sell items while on the go and then sync all of your orders with Shopify. Each sales avenue is available and connected to your customers, no matter how they find your business.

You can use the Shopify app to monitor online orders, monitor in-store inventory, make changes to your products and create new shipments. The app also lets you manage your employees, which makes it a brilliant solution for small businesses with multiple locations.

Shopify e-commerce pricing is required for an omnichannel experience, which starts at $38 CAD per month and goes up to $517 CAD per month if paid month-to-month. Transaction fees start at 2.4% plus $0.30 CAD with the Advanced plan and go up to 2.9% plus $0.30 CAD  per transaction on the Basic plan. For high-volume sellers, a Plus plan is also available starting at $2,300 USD ($3,144.81 CAD) per month.

Businesses can manage their customers across the entire sales cycle. This includes everything from accepting payments on the go, integrating with social media, processing online orders and managing inventory across channels.

Learn more: Read our full Shopify review.

Businesses that need an omnichannel experience for their customers—selling online, in person and via social media in a connected manner.

• Customers can use gift cards with any Shopify POS plan
• Free 14-day trial
• Unlimited products
• Offers hardware, but the iPad stand is often sold out
• No free plan
• No reports with the Basic package

Best for Niche Businesses

Lightspeed POS can run via any browser but also has an iPad app and mobile card reader. Niche shops can appreciate its inventory optimization, analytics, free one-on-one onboarding and tools to manage multiple revenue streams. Popular niche retail shops include vape, liquor, cannabidiol (CBD), bike, pet, toy and gift shops. Lightspeed also has POS systems built specifically for restaurants and golf courses.

Retail plans start at $119 CAD per month and go up to $269 CAD per month. Its restaurant POS starts at $89 CAD per month but for add-ons you’ll need to contact the sales team directly. For Golf POS pricing, you must request a quote from its sales team.

Card-present transaction fees are 2.6% plus $0.10 CAD per transaction. Lightspeed offers a variety of hardware for its POS solution, but you’ll have to request a quote. The pricing depends on what types of products you sell and the number of locations.

Restaurants, golf clubs and specialty niche shops, such as vape stores and toy stores, can appreciate Lightspeed POS’s e-commerce features, contactless payments and customer loyalty solutions.

• Advanced e-commerce solutions for a true omnichannel experience
• Offers a drag-and-drop email builder for customer loyalty emails
• Built-in SEO tools
• No upfront hardware pricing
• Add-ons can increase monthly costs significantly
• No built-in payment processing

Best for No Monthly Fee

PayPal POS is our top recommendation for businesses seeking an iPad POS system without the burden of a monthly fee. With its cost-effective pricing structure, it provides a great solution for businesses looking to minimize ongoing expenses while still enjoying essential POS functionalities.

The significant advantage of PayPal POS is its ability to accept multiple payment methods, including contactless payments and digital wallets, without any extra fees or hardware requirements. This makes it an ideal choice for businesses that prioritize convenience and flexibility in payment processing.

Businesses can track and manage their products efficiently thanks to its inventory management feature. This ensures accurate stock levels, organized product catalogues and the ability to make informed business decisions.

PayPal POS is suitable for businesses of all sizes, particularly those seeking a POS system without a monthly fee.

• You’ll only pay a transaction fee
• Accept contactless payments
• Its manual card entry and invoice transactions are steep

Best for Restaurants

Aloha Cloud offers features tailored specifically for the restaurant industry. Its front-of-house capabilities provide an easy-to-use interface across different screens, ensuring a consistent experience for staff. The back-of-house integration improves communication and reduces food waste with a fully integrated kitchen display system (KDS).

The system also offers customer engagement and loyalty tools, enabling restaurants to attract, retain and grow their customer base. With email marketing, loyalty programs and e-commerce capabilities, Aloha Cloud helps businesses enhance customer relationships and drive repeat business.

Reporting and analytics are another highlight of Aloha Cloud. The system provides clear data and insights to help restaurant owners make informed decisions with confidence. It allows for monitoring sales performance, managing staff schedules and accessing actionable insights to optimize operations.

Aloha Cloud is an ideal choice for restaurants of all sizes.

• Front-of-house and back-of-house capabilities
• Loyalty features
• 24/7 support
• No middle-tier plan
• Charges extra for many standard services

Best for Foodservice Businesses

One of the key advantages of Erply for foodservice businesses is its easy-to-use POS system, which enables efficient order taking, table management and payment processing. The POS mobile app allows staff to take orders and process payments directly at the table, improving overall service speed and customer satisfaction.

Erply also provides inventory management features that are vital for foodservice businesses. With real-time inventory tracking, product management and supplier management capabilities, Erply helps businesses optimize stock levels, streamline ordering processes and reduce waste.

Erply offers advanced reporting and analytics tools, allowing foodservice businesses to gain valuable insights into sales performance, customer behaviour and inventory trends. These insights enable data-driven decision-making, helping businesses make informed choices to drive profitability and growth.

Erply is ideal for foodservice businesses, such as restaurants, cafes, bars and quick service establishments.

• Real-time inventory tracking
• Allows application programming interface (API) access
• Manage suppliers
• The cancellation process requires you to send an email to its billing team
• No back office access with its free plan
• Mobility: iPad POS systems offer the advantage of mobility, allowing businesses to take orders, process payments and manage operations from anywhere within their establishment.
• User-friendly interface: iPad POS systems generally feature intuitive and user-friendly interfaces, making them easy to learn and navigate for both staff and customers.
• Cost-effective: iPad POS systems often have lower upfront costs than traditional POS systems. They utilize existing hardware, such as iPads or tablets, reducing the need for specialized equipment.
• Space-saving: With a compact design, iPad POS systems take up minimal counter space, allowing businesses to maximize their available workspace.
• Integration with business tools: Many iPad POS systems offer seamless integration with various business tools, such as inventory management, customer relationship management (CRM) and accounting software, streamlining operations and improving efficiency.
• Enhanced customer experience: iPad POS systems enable businesses to provide faster and more personalized service, with features that include tableside ordering, digital menus and instant payment processing, resulting in a better overall customer experience.
• Real-time reporting and analytics: iPad POS systems provide real-time reporting and analytics capabilities, allowing businesses to access up-to-date sales data, track inventory levels and gain valuable insights for making informed business decisions.
• Scalability: iPad POS systems are often scalable, making them suitable for businesses of different sizes. They can accommodate additional registers or locations easily as the business grows.
• Cloud-based data storage: Many iPad POS systems utilize cloud-based data storage, ensuring that business data is securely backed up and accessible from multiple devices.
• Flexibility: iPad POS systems offer flexibility in terms of customization, allowing businesses to tailor the system to their specific needs and adapt it to different types of establishments, such as retail stores, restaurants or service-based businesses.

Choosing an iPad POS system requires considering various factors. Here’s a guide on how to choose an iPad POS system, including essential features and pricing and fees:

Essential Features

• POS functionality: Ensure the iPad POS system provides core features, such as order taking, payment processing, receipt printing and inventory management.
• Customization and scalability: Look for a system that allows customization to meet your specific business needs. Consider its scalability to accommodate future growth and additional locations.
• Integration capabilities: Check if the iPad POS system can integrate with other essential business tools, such as accounting software, CRM systems or e-commerce platforms for seamless operations.
• User-friendly interface: Choose a system with an intuitive and easy-to-use interface that requires minimal training for staff to navigate efficiently.
• Mobility and offline mode: If mobility is important for your business, opt for an iPad POS system that supports offline mode, enabling you to continue processing transactions even without an internet connection.

Pricing & Fees

• Upfront costs: Evaluate the initial investment required, including hardware, software licenses and setup fees. Consider if the system offers affordable pricing options that align with your budget.
• Subscription or transaction fees: Determine if the iPad POS system charges a monthly or annual subscription fee. Additionally, check for any transaction fees or additional charges for specific features or integrations. You’ll almost always have processing fees, too.
• Hardware compatibility: To avoid expensive proprietary equipment, ensure that the system is compatible with widely available and cost-effective hardware, such as iPads or tablets.
• Value for money: Consider the overall value that the iPad POS system provides in terms of its features, functionality, customer support and potential cost savings in streamlining operations.
• Long-term costs: Assess any potential costs associated with system updates, upgrades or ongoing technical support to understand the long-term financial implications of choosing the iPad POS system.

Using an iPad POS system is generally straightforward. Here’s a general guide on how to use an iPad POS system:

• Hardware setup: Set up your iPad and any accompanying hardware, such as a cash drawer, receipt printer and card reader, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Install the POS app: Download and install the iPad POS app from the App Store that corresponds to your chosen POS system. Create an account or sign in to an existing account.
• Menu and inventory setup: Set up your menu items, products and inventory within the POS system. Add item names, prices, modifiers and any other relevant details.
• Staff management: Create user accounts for your staff members within the POS system, assigning roles and permissions as needed. This helps track sales and manage access rights.
• Sales and checkout: Use the iPad POS system to take orders from customers. Select items from the menu, add modifiers or options and input quantities. Apply any discounts or promotions as necessary.
• Payment processing: Choose the appropriate payment method, such as cash, credit card or mobile payment, and process the payment through the iPad POS system. Follow the prompts and ensure the transaction is securely completed.
• Printing receipts: If you have a receipt printer connected, select the option to print the receipt for the customer. Alternatively, you can choose to email the receipt to the customer.
• Reporting and analytics: Use the iPad POS system’s reporting and analytics features to access sales data, track inventory levels, and gain insights into your business’ performance. This helps inform decision-making and identify areas for improvement.
• End-of-day procedures: Perform end-of-day procedures, such as reconciling cash drawer totals, running closing reports and ensuring all transactions are accurately recorded.
• Ongoing maintenance and updates: Regularly update the iPad POS app to ensure you have the latest features, security patches and bug fixes. Maintain your hardware, keeping it clean and functional.

To determine the best iPad POS systems for small businesses, our team followed a meticulous evaluation process, considering the following categories with their respective weights:

• Pricing and fees (10%): We assessed the pricing plans offered by each iPad POS system, including factors, such as free trial availability, starting price tier and highest price tier. Pricing accounted for 10% of the total score.
• General features (30%): We analyzed the general features of the iPad POS systems thoroughly, focusing specifically on their suitability for retail and restaurant businesses, mobile payment acceptance, built-in payment processing, software integrations, inventory management and e-commerce integration. General features contributed to 30% of the total score.
• Additional features (20%): We evaluated the additional features offered by the iPad POS systems, which included multilocation support, employee scheduling, contactless payment support, availability of hardware bundles, gift card management, self-service capabilities, reports and analytics, free card reader, table management and loyalty programs. Additional features held a weightage of 20% of the total score.
• Reviews and ratings (10%): We considered the ratings and reviews from trusted platforms, such as Trustpilot, G2 and Capterra to gauge the satisfaction level of customers. The criteria included Trustpilot rating and number of reviews, G2 rating and number of reviews and Capterra rating and number of reviews. Reviews and ratings contributed to 10% of the total score.
• Expert score (30%): Our team of experts thoroughly examined the features, value for money, popularity and ease of use of each iPad POS system. This expert analysis accounted for 30% of the total score.

By applying these specific categories and their respective weights, we were able to evaluate and rank the best iPad POS systems objectively, ensuring a comprehensive assessment of their pricing, features, reviews and expert analysis.

What is the easiest iPad POS system to use?

Out of all of the POS systems we evaluated for the iPad, the Square Stand is by far the easiest to use. Setup takes only minutes before adding your inventory. It’s so easy, the company doesn’t even need to offer many support solutions.

Can you connect a cash drawer to an iPad?

Many iPad POS systems offer hardware for your business. These include cash drawers and card readers.

How do I choose the right POS system for my business?

The best POS system for your business depends on a variety of factors, including the type of business you have, your budget and the features you need. In many situations, it makes sense to invest in the best system you can afford, and preferably, the system can grow with your business.

Does Apple make a POS system?

Apple does not make POS systems. In its retail stores, it uses EasyPay, but is only for employees.

What are the different types of POS systems?

There are full-service terminals, mobile POS systems, cloud-based POS systems and web-based POS systems. Full-service terminals are the most expensive type of POS system. They’re typically used by large retailers and restaurants with multiple locations. Mobile POS systems are less expensive than full-service terminals, and they’re often used by smaller retailers or food service operations such as food trucks.

What does a POS system do?

A POS system is a software and hardware system that businesses use to take payments, track sales, manage inventory and connect to other business systems. With its reports and analytics, business owners can also make informed decisions about their business.

Kathy Haan, MBA is a former financial advisor-turned-writer and business coach. For over a decade, she’s helped small business owners make money online. When she’s not trying out the latest tech or travel blogging with her family, you can find her curling up with a good novel.

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Memorial Day weekend 2024 travel will be busiest at these times: How to avoid traffic jams

If you’re traveling for Memorial Day weekend , be prepared to run into some crowds. The next holiday weekend – taking place May 25 to 27 – is slated to see a record-breaking number of travelers, according to AAA. 

A projected 43.8 million Americans are expected to pack their bags for trips over 50 miles or more over the holiday weekend – a 4% increase from last year and close to 2005’s previous record of 44 million. 

“We haven’t seen Memorial Day weekend travel numbers like these in almost 20 years,” said Paula Twidale, Senior Vice President of AAA Travel, in a press release. “We’re projecting an additional one million travelers this holiday weekend compared to 2019, which not only means we’re exceeding pre-pandemic levels but also signals a very busy summer travel season ahead.”

Both roads and airports will be extremely busy, with a historic number of roadtrippers since AAA began tracking data in 2000. That’s 38.4 million drivers, up 4% from last year. 

A predicted 3.51 million airline passengers are expected to hit the skies over the holiday weekend, a 4.8% increase from 2023. This will make for the most crowded Memorial Day weekend at airports since 2005, AAA said. 

Learn more: Best travel insurance

Here’s everything you need to know about traffic if you’re hoping for a Memorial Day weekend getaway.

Summer is just around the corner. Here's everything you need to know for your summertime trip.

What are the most popular destinations for Memorial Day weekend travel?

Most popular domestic destinations:

• Las Vegas, 
• Anaheim/Los Angeles

Most popular international destinations:

• Vancouver, Canada

What are the best times to drive for Memorial Day weekend? 

To avoid the worst traffic, drivers leaving for their long weekend trip on Thursday, May 23, and Friday, May 24, should hit the road before 11 a.m. or after 7 p.m. Thursday and 8 p.m. Friday. 

Travelers driving on Saturday, May 25, who leave before 1 p.m. and after 6 p.m., will be able to avoid the worst traffic jams. On Sunday, drivers should head out before 1 p.m. to avoid the worst congestion. 

Travelers returning home on Monday, May 27, should embark after 7 p.m. if they want to dodge peak traffic. 

What are the worst times to drive by car for Memorial Day weekend?

Travelers should expect the worst traffic on Thursday between noon and 6 p.m. 

Friday between noon and 7 p.m. since they’ll encounter commuter congestion as well. 

Over the weekend, peak traffic is anticipated to be between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday and between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Sunday. 

On Memorial Day, drivers heading back home can expect peak traffic between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., aka peak rush hour time.

Peak congestion times in major US cities

Travelers who are going through major metropolitan areas should unfortunately expect travel times to be up to 90% longer than usual, according to Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX. “Travelers should stay up to date on traffic apps, 511 services, and local news stations to avoid sitting in traffic longer than necessary,” Pishue said in a statement. 

• Worst route: Atlanta to Savannah via I-16 E
• Worst day: Saturday, May 25
• Worst time: 4:45 p.m. 
• Estimated travel time: 5 hours, 31 minutes
• 54% increased travel time
• Worst route: Manchester to Boston via I-93 S
• Worst day: Sunday, May 26
• Worst time: 8:45 a.m.
• Estimated travel time: 1 hour, 48 minutes
• 50% increased travel time 
• Worst route: Milwaukee to Chicago via I-94 E 
• Worst time: 4:30 p.m.
• Estimated travel time: 2 hours, 25 minutes
• 27% increased travel time
• Worst route: Fort Collins to Denver via I-25 
• Worst time: 4:15 p.m.
• Estimated travel time: 1 hour, 24 minutes
• 56% increased travel time

Los Angeles

• Worst route: LA to Bakersfield via I-5 N 
• Worst day: Thursday, May 23
• Worst time: 6:15 p.m.
• Estimated travel time: 2 hours, 45 minutes
• 84% increased travel time
• Worst route: New York to Albany via I-87N 
• Worst time: 11:45 a.m. 
• Estimated travel time: 2 hours, 37 minutes

Philadelphia

• Worst route: Philadelphia to Baltimore/DC 
• Worst day: Friday, May 24
• Worst time: 7:30 a.m.
• 64% increased travel time

San Francisco

• Worst route:  San Francisco to Napa via I-80 E
• Worst time: 11 a.m.
• Estimated travel time: 1 hour, 34 minutes

Washington, D.C.

• Worst route: Washington, DC to Baltimore via Balt/Wash Pkwy N 
• Worst time: 2:15 p.m.
• Estimated travel time: 1 hour, 21 minutes
• 72% increased travel time

Kathleen Wong is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Hawaii. You can reach her at [email protected] .

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The top 10 US beaches for 2024, according to ‘Dr. Beach’

If you want to enjoy the top US beach in 2024, pack your bags for Hawaii. Stephen Leatherman, aka “Dr. Beach,” is out with his annual list of the 10 best beaches.

By Forrest Brown, CNN

Published May 24, 2024 8:15 AM PDT | Updated May 24, 2024 8:15 AM PDT

As the weather warms up, millions of Americans will be flocking to beaches. If you’re one of them, Wyatt Werneth, with the American Lifeguard Association, has what you’ll need to know to keep your family safe.

(CNN) — If you want to enjoy the top US beach in 2024, then make like “The Brady Bunch” and pack your bags for Hawaii.

Duke Kahanamoku Beach on the island of Oahu crowns the list of the 10 best US beaches put out annually by “Dr. Beach,” aka coastal scientist Stephen Leatherman.

Kahanamoku is no fluke pick, either. It was the No. 2 beach in Leatherman’s 2023 list . What makes it such a favorite?

The sandy haven “is located at the west end of Waikiki Beach, far from the large crowds elsewhere,” Leatherman said in a Thursday news release.

“It is the widest beach on this stretch of world-famous sands and protected by an offshore coral reef, making it a good beach for families with children.  The nearby Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon is also a favorite bathing and swimming spot,” said Leatherman, a professor in the Department of Earth & Environment at Florida International University in Miami.

Hawaii is king in 2024

The 50th state has the most entries on the top 10, sporting a total of three slots on the coveted list. So if you’re willing to island hop in Hawaii, you can score a top 10 beach trifecta in one state.

Like many beautiful places around the world, Hawaii is grappling with how to handle crowds and sometimes unruly tourists, like the ones who trespassed at the Haiku Stairs on Oahu even as they were being dismantled. Go Hawaii, the state’s tourism website, has a webpage devoted to tips on how to respect the islands’ culture and environment.

Duke Kahanamoku Beach, Oahu, Hawaii. This stretch of sand is located on the west end of Waikiki Beach, away from large crowds. (tropicalpixsingapore/iStock Unreleased/Getty Images via CNN Newsource)

Elsewhere, New York and Florida have two beaches each on the list. And then South Carolina, Massachusetts and California landed one spot each to finish filling out the top 10.

Leatherman has been evaluating beaches and producing the annual list since 1991.  He uses 50 criteria to grade the beaches, which include water and sand quality, the size of waves, the shape of the beach, wildlife, public safety and cleanliness.

If Hawaii isn’t on your travel calendar, the No. 2 beach is in the highly populated Northeast.

Coopers Beach, located on Long Island, New York, is “shielded from the cold Labrador currents in the beautiful village of Southampton. The beach is backed by large sand dunes covered by American beach grass interspersed with extravagant mansions,” Leatherman said in the release. Coopers was the No. 3 beach in 2023.

The No. 6 beach in the United States is also located on Long Island.

As for the Sunshine State’s two entries, both beaches are on the Gulf coast, edging out its Atlantic-facing beaches.

Top 10 US beaches for 2024

1. Duke Kahanamoku Beach: Oahu, Hawaii

2. Coopers Beach: Southampton, New York

3. Wailea Beach: Maui, Hawaii

4. Caladesi Island State Park: Dunedin/Clearwater, Florida

5. Beachwalker Park: Kiawah Island, South Carolina

6. Main Beach: East Hampton, New York

7. Poipu Beach: Kauai, Hawaii

8. Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park: Naples, Florida

9. Coast Guard Beach: Cape Cod, Massachusetts

10. Coronado Beach: San Diego, California

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Elektrostal, visit elektrostal, check elektrostal hotel availability, popular places to visit.

• Electrostal History and Art Museum

You can spend time exploring the galleries in Electrostal History and Art Museum in Elektrostal. Take in the museums while you're in the area.

• Cities near Elektrostal

• Places of interest
• Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center
• Peter the Great Military Academy
• Central Museum of the Air Forces at Monino
• History of Russian Scarfs and Shawls Museum
• Balashikha Arena
• Ramenskii History and Art Museum
• Balashikha Museum of History and Local Lore
• Pekhorka Park
• Drama Theatre BOOM
• Bykovo Manor
• Malenky Puppet Theater
• Likino Dulevo Museum of Local Lore
• Pavlovsky Posad Museum of Art and History
• Saturn Stadium
• Orekhovo Zuevsky City Exhibition Hall
• Noginsk Museum and Exhibition Center
• Fairy Tale Children's Model Puppet Theater
• Fifth House Gallery
• Church of Vladimir
• Malakhovka Museum of History and Culture