The best apps for traveling

In this article, I have strived to present a comprehensive and informative list of the most useful travel apps that I have used regularly, have used in the past, or have tested for the purpose of this article. Some apps are indispensable, while others may seem unnecessary but are still enjoyable and practical to try.

To simplify your search for specific travel apps, I have categorized them.

The best travel apps of 2024

The best apps for planning a trip

In this section, you will find all those apps dedicated to organizing and planning a trip, but also, the apps that allow you to record, track, or simply keep organized all of your travel reservations.

TripIt: Travel Planner

This is probably the industry’s most popular app. To organize your reservations, simply forward the emails you receive to the email address provided or connect your inbox directly. The app will automatically display a detailed itinerary based on your reservations, including information regarding flight gates, rental car pickup times, hotel check-ins, and even restaurant reservations if made online.

You can also synchronize the app with your calendar (it supports Google Calendar, Apple iCal, Microsoft Outlook, and many others) to keep all your appointments and other events organized within your travel itinerary.

The app offers all these features free. However, if you’re interested, there is also a pro version ($49 per year) that provides access to additional features such as flight status updates, check-in reminders, and more. While the free version should be adequate for many users, business travelers may find these features especially beneficial.

Android , iOS

FlightAware

If all you are looking for is an app that allows you exclusively to track your flight and receive notifications about delays, cancellations, gates, and whatnot then FlightAware does exactly that. Two other popular apps in this niche are Flightradar24 (Android, iOS) and The Flight Tracker (Android, iOS).

Android , iOS

Sygic Travel Maps Offline & Trip Planner

It offers a wide selection of things to do and see, allowing you to create a day-by-day itinerary. The app also keeps track of your commute time, giving you a clear idea of how busy your planned days are, especially when you’re in the city and rely on walking between points of interest.

Additionally, the app functions as an offline map, intuitively displaying major points of interest, as well as bars, restaurants, banks, and other useful amenities. However, some map features—like offline browsing and access to photos and details of points of interest—are exclusive to the paid version.

The paid version offers a few subscription options: €3.99 monthly, €14.99 annually, or a one-time €19.99 lifetime access fee. Consider trying the paid version for a month, and if you enjoy the additional features, opt for the lifetime access.

Android , iOS

TripCase

This app is primarily designed for business users but can also benefit leisure travelers who want to manage their reservations, similar to TripIt. However, for activity and attraction recommendations, Sygic is a better option.

By linking your email account, the app automatically recognizes many bookings. Alternatively, you can forward confirmation emails to the provided address. Business users will especially appreciate the ability to save invoices to the cloud, keeping them organized and accessible alongside each trip.

Android , iOs

Visit a City

This app is a great tool for anyone looking to organize a city travel itinerary. Upon selecting a destination, it offers detailed itineraries for one or more days, with suggestions ranging from cultural activities to shopping.

Additionally, the app provides travel times between destinations, estimated visit durations, and the option to purchase tickets, book an Uber, and more, directly within the app.

After selecting an itinerary, you can customize it to your preferences. Add restaurants, other points of interest (including nearby places not already included), and hotel reservations. All of this is displayed in a user-friendly interface, making it easy to follow a detailed plan for your day.

Android , iOS

Le migliori app di navigazione

In this section, you’ll find apps that help you navigate various situations, whether you’re exploring a city, driving, or hiking. Here are the right apps for every journey.

Google Maps

Google Maps needs no introduction: it’s the undisputed king of navigation apps, offering incredibly detailed and up-to-date information. Whether you’re driving or exploring a city, Google Maps is invaluable, often integrating seamlessly with local public transportation for a unique navigation experience. But did you know you can save portions of maps offline? This is perfect for traveling abroad without a data connection. To do this, simply open the Google Maps menu and select “Offline maps.” The process is straightforward from there.

Android , iOS

Organic Maps

I used Maps.me for years, but over time they introduced a lot of useless features and eventually even a limit on the amount of maps you could keep offline without getting the paid version, so I switched to Organic Maps, which is basically what Maps.me used to be.

While Google Maps offers offline map downloads, even when traveling abroad with or without a data connection, I often find myself relying on Organic Maps. It might not always match Google Maps’ detail and useful reviews, but for remote areas and trails, there’s simply no comparison.

Organic Maps allows you to download entire countries or regions offline, with maps that don’t expire like Google Maps’. The bookmarking system excels in its functionalities. It permits the addition of notes, color-coding, and remarkably, it enables users to download bookmark sets shared by others. For example, some hostels use this feature to share their favorite nearby points of interest, walking routes, and more.

In my opinion, this app is a must-have for backpackers. If I could only choose one app for travel, Organic Maps would be it.

Android , iOS

Rome2rio

In short, this app searches for all available transportation options (planes, trains, subways, buses, ferries, and taxis) between two points, providing routes with cost and time estimates.

While the app is intriguing and worth exploring, I find the data unreliable, particularly in developing countries where information is often incomplete or inaccurate. As I primarily travel to these regions, I’ve stopped using it. However, for those seeking this type of service, it remains the top choice.

Android , iOS

View Ranger

For hiking and trail navigation, ViewRanger is a top-tier app for those seeking more features than what Organic Maps offers. The detailed maps for certain countries are exceptional, allowing you to create custom routes, upload existing ones, view real-time statistics, use augmented reality to identify peaks, and much more.

Unfortunately, offline access and topographic maps require separate purchases. However, it remains an excellent option for those needing advanced navigation features without relying on traditional maps.

Other similar alternatives include Wikiloc (Android, iOS) and AllTrails (Android, iOS), both of which offer offline map access with a subscription. My advice is to try all of these apps and determine which one best suits your needs before committing to a paid version.

Android , iOS

City Mapper

At the opposite end of the spectrum from ViewRanger, we find an app like Citymapper, which focuses solely on navigating urban areas via public transportation. While Google Maps is equally capable and likely has a broader database, Citymapper’s interface is incredibly user-friendly. In the many cities where it’s available, using it is a joy.

Android , iOS

The best apps for marking and remembering trips taken 

In this section, you will find all those apps that help you track and record your trips and share them with the rest of the world.

Polar Steps

In my view, Polarsteps is the ultimate travel companion app for crafting a captivating travel narrative. It’s like a virtual travelogue that allows you to seamlessly compile your journey with photos, destinations, and real-time updates, keeping your loved ones in the loop.

One of its standout features is the ability to track your movements without relying on an internet connection. Polarsteps diligently logs your progress, including kilometers covered, countries visited, and trip duration, and conveniently syncs the data once you regain connectivity.

The app also offers a thoughtful touch by providing the option to create a physical photo album at the end of your trip. It’s a delightful way to preserve your memories and share them with others in a tangible format.

Android , iOS

Mapstr

This app allows you to create a personalized, offline-accessible map. You can pin, comment on, and even add photos to all the places you visit, creating virtual itineraries to share with family, friends, or fellow travelers.

You can organize saved places using handy tags. While I often use Organic Maps for similar features, this app offers valuable extras, like saving photos and integrating with other apps such as Google Maps, Uber, Waze, and many more.

Android , iOS

Visited

If you’re looking for an app to track countries you’ve visited or plan to visit, then Visited might be a good fit. With a simple and clean interface, it displays countries on a map, along with a few statistics like the percentage of countries you’ve visited worldwide. While it may not have any groundbreaking features, it effectively fulfills its purpose if that’s what you need.

Android , iOS

Day One Journal

If you’re looking to replace the classic paper travel diary with an app, then Day One is likely the best option available. Although some features are limited in the free version, it’s still a great alternative for documenting your travel experiences. For a more minimalist version of the Day One Journal, check out Journey (Android, iOS).

Android , iOS

The Best Apps for Managing and Dividing Travel Expenses

In this section, you’ll discover apps that help you track your spending while traveling. This is especially handy if you’re on a budget and struggle with financial discipline. Having a visual and numerical reference can be a game-changer. When you return home, you’ll have a precise understanding of how much your trip cost.

Travel Spend

For backpackers, Travel Spend is undoubtedly one of the best options. This app functions entirely offline and automatically converts your expenses into your preferred currency. Its user-friendly interface offers graphs and statistics about your daily budget, along with detailed breakdowns of your spending categories and more. While the app is free, upgrading to the paid version removes ads and unlocks additional features, like splitting expenses with fellow travelers.

Android, iOS

Splitwise

If you’re looking for an app to easily track and share expenses with fellow travelers, roommates, or groups, Splitwise might be the perfect fit.

The app is well-organized and intuitive. After creating an account, you can invite others to join. As expenses are added, the app automatically calculates who owes what to whom, making settling up at the end of a trip a breeze. My sister raved about it, calling it “terrific.”

Android, iOS

Best Apps for Interacting with Locals and Travelers

If you’re looking to connect with locals, meet fellow travelers, or find companions for your journey, these apps are a great place to start.

Showaround

This app allows you to book authentic tours with locals who offer their time through the platform, either for a small fee or sometimes for free. Their profiles include information like languages spoken and interests, and you can even specify your expectations to ensure a personalized experience.

Android , iOS

Facebook Groups

Technically not a real app, but Facebook groups are a perfect meeting place for travelers, often consisting of thousands of members who are traveling in the region at that given time or who can provide information. These groups often include locals who look forward to interacting with travelers.For example, by posting on the Backpackers Vietnam group something like, “Hi! I’m in Hanoi, anyone want to get together for coffee?” You can be sure someone will respond, and the great thing is that there are such groups for virtually every country, region, or even city.

Couchsurfing

This section wouldn’t be complete without mentioning one of the platforms that has revolutionized travel for many people. Couchsurfing lets you stay with locals for free. Many of these hosts are eager to immerse you in local culture and show you around the city. With a community of over 15 million users and hosts in over 200,000 cities, your travel companion is never too far away.

Android , iOS

The best translation apps

In this section, you will find all those apps that help you with what for many is the reason for not traveling abroad independently: language.

Google Translate

I doubt it is a surprise to see Google Translate in this category. What some people may not know, however, are the many features the app offers, among which we find the ability to download offline the dictionary of as many as 59 languages, instant translation of text and images by simply pointing the camera, real-time translation of a conversation, and even the ability to draw characters instead of writing them. A true Swiss Army knife of languages.

Android, iOS

WordReference 

Google Translator usually does its job, but when it comes to expressions, words with multiple meanings depending on the context, or if you simply want practical examples of how to use a particular word, then WordReference is, in my opinion, the best app for it. Unfortunately, the app only works when connected to the internet.

Android , iOS

Duolingo

If you prefer learning languages rather than using a dictionary, or if you simply want to improve your foreign language skills or learn the basics for interacting with locals, Duolingo offers lessons for over 35 languages entirely for free, all from your smartphone.

If you want something more structured, check out Babbel. There is no free version but you can take advantage of the trial to see if it is worth paying for the subscription. In this case, the app also works offline which is really handy, especially when traveling.

Android, iOS

Other useful travel apps

In this section, you will find a list of apps that basically do not belong to any of the previous categories, but can definitely come in handy.

XE Currency Converter

Of all the currency conversion apps I’ve tried, this is my favorite. The interface is simple and intuitive. Currencies saved as favorites are displayed on the dashboard, it works offline, and it provides graphs on exchange rate trends. Additionally, the keypad for data entry also functions as a calculator. What more could you need?

Android , iOS

Unit Converter

Staying on the topic of conversions, as we travel we realize that not everyone uses the same units of measurement and often find ourselves confused, to say the least. This app works perfectly offline and allows you to convert any unit of measure you might need. My app of choice is available exclusively for Android, but if you use iOS this seems to be a great alternative.

Android

PackPoint

Really interesting idea for anyone struggling to pack before departure. The app, once you enter data such as destination, travel time, activities, and weather, returns a checkable list of everything you will need to take with you. Personally, I refer to my list before I leave on a trip but the idea is still interesting, give it a try!

Android , iOS

Hola VPN

If you want to access geo-restricted services while abroad, bypass censorship in countries like China, or protect your privacy on public networks, a VPN is essential.

A VPN acts as a secure tunnel between the site or service you want to access and your internet service provider (ISP). This prevents both parties from seeing your real location and the data you’re transmitting. Personally, I’ve used Hola VPN for my occasional needs. While the speed isn’t exceptional, it’s free and meets my basic requirements on Android. Unfortunately, it’s paid on iOS. if you’re looking for a free app, check out Tunnel Bear, the first 500 mega of each month is free. 

Android

Mobile Banking

Having a bank with a good associated app is essential when traveling abroad. Not only can you perform virtually any transaction directly from your smartphone, but you can often block associated cards with a simple click. You can even choose to block only online payments, cash withdrawals, or atm use. This last option is particularly useful in case of theft or if your card data has been compromised on a web platform, allowing you to continue using the card exclusively for secure withdrawals.

If you want to read an article on what are the best accounts for traveling check out this page.

Snapseed

When it comes to editing your images directly from your mobile device, Snapseed is my favorite app. Its features are on a professional level, yet the controls are incredibly easy and intuitive. Additionally, it allows you to work with RAW files, and it’s completely free. Perfect for making quick edits on the go!

Android , iOS

Pocket

Pocket is an app I use regularly, not just on the go. Its main function is to make any web page available offline, which is perfect for saving articles that you want to re-read later or don’t have time to read at the moment. The app is cross-platform, allowing you to save articles from your PC and read them on your smartphone, or vice versa. There’s also a Google Chrome extension.

In addition to saving articles for offline reading, you can organize them by category, view them in “article mode” without images and web formatting, listen to articles, take notes, and more. It’s definitely one of my favorite apps.

Android , iOS

In conclusion, for every app that made it to this list, there are probably at least a couple, if not dozens, of great alternatives. Listing them all is virtually impossible. However, if you have any nice apps to recommend that I haven’t listed, I’m more than happy to take a look at them and test them to improve the article. Feel free to comment below!

Are you planning a trip? Check out these posts:

The best cards for traveling

What to bring on your trip

Do you have any questions? Updated information? Feel free to leave a comment or message me on Instagram!

If you found this article helpful, please consider purchasing your travel insurance through one of the links on this site, doing so supports my work at no additional cost to you. For EU & UK Residents, i recommend True Traveller. For everyone else i recommend HeyMondo (5% discount). Thanks!

For donations/pizzas and virtual beers 🙂 

Did you like the post? Pin it!

 


Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

*

*