best travel apps ipad

7 Useful Apps Every Traveler Should Know About

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

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

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

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

Discover the best apps for travelers:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Mexico Travel News
• Seaweed Updates
• Hidden Travel Gems

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

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

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.

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

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

22 Best Travel Apps Every Traveler Should Know About

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

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

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

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

Available on iOS and Android .

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

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

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

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

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

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

RV Parks & Campgrounds

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

Nike Training Club

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

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

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

This App Will Help You Actually Relax on Vacation

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

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

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

Hostelworld

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

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

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

Available on iOS and Android.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Timeshifter

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

FlightAware

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

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

Related Articles

🔥 Get our iOS 17 eBook for FREE!

Best travel apps for iPhone and iPad in 2024

Updated on:

Whether it’s for business or leisure, travel is today much more comfortable than it was even a decade or so ago. There are cheaper flights and great deals that you can take advantage of, no matter your budget. Moreover, a wide variety of apps make things even simpler by giving you a convenient way to plan and organize your trip from the palm of your hand. So if the travel bug bites you, check out these best travel apps for iPhone and iPad.

• Google Maps
• Booking.com
• TripAdvisor
• Google Translate
• Roadtrippers
• XE Currency
• Wanderlog Trip Planner

1. Google Maps 

No matter where you go, let Google Maps lead the way and ensure that you never get lost. It is an offline map app for over 220 countries and territories. It features hundreds of millions of businesses and places waiting to be discovered by you.

Not only does it help you navigate, but you can also find restaurants near you, make lists of notable places, share your location, and more. You can also check out recommendations from local area experts.

Price: Free

This one is among the best travel planner apps for your iPhone and iPad. It lets you save on flights and hotels and also offers free cancellation for up to 24 hours. Further, you can learn about things to do at your destination and helpful trip reminders if you like.

Plus, you’ll earn double Expedia Rewards points every time you book through the app. Tickets are available for shows, tours, reserve airport shuttles, theme parks, and more. Through alerts, it keeps you updated about flight delays, hotel check-out time, etc.

With a presence at over 600 airports in 700+ cities around the world, Uber is your best friend when it comes to getting around locally in your destination. It allows you to get reasonably priced rides on bikes, cars, and other local transport such as tuk-tuks.

Furthermore, you can see a price estimate before booking and have multiple payment options such as cash or cards. Safety features only add to the convenience. For instance, you can quikcly share your trip status with any contact at any time.

4. Booking.com

No matter what your travel accommodation budget, you’ll find the best place to stay with Booking.com. It has listings for over 27 million hotels, homes, apartments, and other unique places to stay worldwide.

The clean and fast user-interface makes it a breeze to use and sort properties according to your priorities. Moreover, the best part is that you can often ‘book now and pay later.’ This lets you plan your trips even when you’re not absolutely sure about going.

5. Airbnb 

Airbnb is one of the best iOS travel apps that has revolutionized the travel industry. It makes it easy to stay with locals and experience the distinct culture of any place. You can search from over 6 million vacation home rentals in over 191 countries.

Add unique experiences and events to your itinerary, led by native experts. You can also choose to be a host and make money by renting out spare space in your home to travelers. It also pays attention to safety, and all users have to verify their profiles by uploading identification documents.

Hopper helps you out by recommending the best time to book a flight at the best price. You can opt to ‘watch’ trips for up to a year in advance, and the app will advise you if you should go ahead and book or wait for a bit.

This is extremely helpful to save on flight costs, given how airline prices change in unpredictable ways. It currently supports the major airlines in the US, Canada, and other popular destinations around the world. You can also book hotels and rental cars.

7. Skyscanner

Just as its name indicates, this free travel app scans the skies for the best possible flights you can take. No matter where you want to go, Skyscanner will find you the cheapest and fastest flight deals.

It is essentially an aggregator that saves you the tedious task of searching on multiple flight websites. Moreover, a notable feature is that when you’re not sure of where to go, it can find you the cheapest destinations from your starting country. Pretty cool.

This is another top travel app that searches tons of flights, hotels, and rental cars to find you the best deals. It also keeps all your travel plans organized in one place, including free flight status updates, airport terminal maps, and security wait times.

Further, you can pick a destination and choose flexible dates to find out when it’s best to get there. And when you’re planning a group trip, it lets you share search results and more info using iMessage so everyone can stay in the loop.

When it comes to trip planner apps, Tripit is worth checking out. When you’ve got long travel itineraries, it can be challenging to keep track of things and remember when exactly you have to catch the next flight. Tripit makes this super easy by syncing travel plans to your calendar.

After you sign up, every time you book something – a flight, bus, train, hotel, etc. – just send the confirmation email to [email protected], and the app will take care of the rest. It creates a master itinerary that is super easy to reference and edit whenever you wish.

Price: Free (TripIt Pro 1 Year – $48.99)

10. TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor has been one of the most trusted names in the travel industry for years. Their free travel app provides over 830 million reviews of flights, hotels, things to do, cafes, restaurants, and more across the globe.

You can save and organize your travel ideas and view them together on a map too. Further, it has the world’s most extensive collection of tours, attractions, and experiences. You can book using Apple Pay or PayPal and make free cancellations and modifications if needed.

11. Google Translate

Travel is fascinating, but language barriers can be frustrating and stressful. Google Translate comes to the rescue by making it easy to translate between 108 languages through typing. You can also download languages for offline translation.

Further, you can translate text in images for 90 languages and draw text characters instead of typing for 95 languages. Build up your foreign vocabulary by starring and saving translated words and phrases for future reference.

12. Roadtrippers

If you love road tripping, then check out this app that lets you find amazing spots nearby and plan your trips with friends. From local diners to national parks and quirky roadside attractions, it finds something for everyone.

You can get inspired by pre-made trip guides of the most exciting and must-see scenic routes in the USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The free version of the app lets you start planning with up to 7 waypoints.

Price: Free (Roadtrippers Plus Monthly – $6.99)

If you’re anxious about finding your way around an unfamiliar city, Moovit will guide you from point A to B in the most convenient way. It features train and bus times, maps, and real-time instructions that will guide you to move around with confidence.

It currently supports over 3000 cities around the world. It’s almost like a personal transit assistant that gives you step-by-step directions for your chosen mode of transport such as bus, metro, scooter, walk, or even a combination of them.

14. XE Currency

If you’re a globetrotter, it can be challenging to keep up with the different currencies you’re dealing with. This app makes it easier by providing fast conversions in multiple currencies, so you always know how much you’re spending.

Moreover, when you’re exchanging currency, this app can help ensure that you get the best deal at the current rates. It also saves the last updated rates when offline, which is convenient when you don’t have reliable internet access when traveling.

Whether you love it or hate it, packing is something you cannot ignore, no matter what kind of trip you’re going on. Packr can help you out by creating a packing checklist for your suitcase based on 24 pre-defined activities.

Just input some criteria such as your length of stay, the weather conditions, etc., and your packing list will be generated in no time. Moreover, it learns from each trip you take and adjusts the items based on your preferences. Personal Packing Assistant? Check.

Price: Free (In-app Purchases start from $0.99)

16. Wanderlog Trip Planner

Wanderlog is curated from hundreds of travel guides, blogs, and maps to help you create the perfect travel itineraries. Save your plans offline for easy access and automatically import email confirmations to keep track of your reservations.

Further, you can collaborate with travel buddies to ensure that everyone is on the same page. Connect with other travelers through sharing your travel tips and stories. Best of all, you can store information about multiple trips, so it’s’s almost like a personal travel assistant.

Price:  Free

Summing Up!

So, where is your wanderlust taking you next? And which of these great travel apps are you adding to your iPhone? Let us know in the comments below.

You may want to take a peek at:

• Best Apple Watch Travel Apps
• 14 Must-Have Travel Accessories for iPhones
• Best Flight Tracking Apps for iPhone
• Best iPhone and iPad Travel Kit Bags

Want to read more like this?

Join 15,000+ Apple enthusiast to get the latest news and tips from iGeeksBlog+.

We won’t spam, and you will always be able to unsubscribe.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Similar posts you might also like

How long does Apple support iPhones: Everything you need to know

How to Fix Frustrating Ghost Touch Issues on Your iPhone Easily

How to install macOS Sequoia 15 developer beta 8 on Mac

Editorial Guide

Review Policy

© 2024 iGeeks Media Private LTD. All rights reserved.

Privacy Policy

16 Travel Apps That Travel Editors Actually Use

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

• Copy Link copied

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

Courtesy of Good Studio / Shutterstock

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

1. PackPoint

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

(iOS, Free | Android, Free )

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

“I love this language learning app; I use it all the time to prepare for international trips. Drops gamifies the educational experience, using flashcard-like mnemonic matching exercises, or memory devices, to teach vocabulary words. It works much better for my learning style than other language programs that focus on grammatical structure. If I’m going to an unfamiliar country for a short trip, I don’t worry about speaking the language perfectly, I just want to remember important words and phrases quickly. Drops offers more than 50 languages, including Ainu, the language spoken by an Indigenous Japanese culture that lives in Hokkaido.” —Maggie Fuller, Afar contributor

4. Rome2Rio

“Rome2Rio is a handy tool for getting from Point A to Point B. If you put in your starting point and destination, it’ll show you all the ways you could feasibly get there (plane, car, bus, and train), how long each option would take, and how much it would cost. If it’s a public transportation route, it’ll share the specific buses and trains you need to get on (as well as alternatives, should you miss them) and bring you to the appropriate booking websites. Having all the options laid out makes it easy to make an informed decision.” — Bailey Berg, Afar contributor

5. Mobile Passport

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

6. Priority Pass

“Several premium credit cards such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card and the American Express Platinum Card offer Priority Pass memberships to card holders, which grant access to more than 1,500 airport lounges around the world. I have a Priority Pass membership through my credit card, which means I can duck into airport lounges even if I’m flying economy. The problem? I often lose track of my membership card, which is where the app comes in. Not only does it allow you to ‘save’ your card and present it on your phone, it also lets you search eligible lounges and discounts by airport, clueing you in to what amenities you can expect when you arrive.”— Katherine LaGrave, Afar deputy editor

7. Rain Rain

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

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

8. Google Maps

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

9. Citymapper

“My fascination for public transportation borders on obsessive. I feel compelled to check out the buses and trains—and streetcars, ferries, trams, share bikes—in every city I visit. Citymapper, available for 104 international cities, feeds my compulsion. The app suggests routes and alternative routes in destinations from Copenhagen to Tokyo ; it shows maps, fares, and trip length with a breakdown of how much time will be spent on each mode of transportation per option. Notably, the travel app also maps out city routes for wheelchair accessibility . When my husband and I traveled to London with our teens, we discovered Citymapper’s ‘Share Your ETA’ feature. If the kids grew weary of a museum, they would type in the address of our flat, get their directions from the app, and then share their route with us. The feature let us watch their progress until they arrived safe and sound. They felt capable and independent; we felt secure and able to drink at the pub in peace.” —Ann Shields, Afar contributor

10. National Park Trail Guide

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

11. AllTrails: Hike, Bike & Run

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

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

12. Google Translate

“I use Google Translate pretty much whenever I travel to countries where I don’t speak the local language . It’s so simple: All you have to do is enter a word, phrase, or sentence that you want to translate and then indicate the specific languages, such as Japanese to English, or Creole to Spanish. The app can translate meanings in 243 languages, and it lets you save them to your own personal phrasebook so you can remember them when you’re offline. It also offers camera translation in 37 languages, which only requires that you take a picture of a word in order to translate its meaning. Sure, Google’s language tool isn’t the only translation app out there, but it’s definitely the one I use most.”— Sarah Buder

13. HotelTonight

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

14. Xe Currency

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

15. Splitwise

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

16. HappyCow

(iOS, $5 | Android, Free )

“HappyCow is my must-have app for finding vegetarian/vegan restaurants when I travel—or frankly, when I’m at home too. It works like Google Maps for the meat-free set, pointing out all the options but not requiring me to guess how “vegetarian” a place really is. Instead, the map surfaces vegetarian and vegan spots (including regular restaurants that have good choices for non-meat eaters), lets you filter by specs like price and gluten-free, and includes write-ups with information on what kind of options you can expect, what the veggie burgers are made of, and even whether the place serves vegan beer. Entries also include key info like opening hours, payment options, and reviews. There’s a free version of the app that will show you what’s near you, but the full-access version is well worth the small price (currently $5). It lets you search internationally, save your favorites, join and interact with the community of veg travelers (nearly 1 million strong), and leave your own reviews.” —Billie Cohen, Afar executive editor

More travel app recommendations from Afar

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

This article was originally published in 2019 and was most recently updated on July 10, 2024, with new information.

The 10 Best Travel Apps

These days, everyone travels with a smartphone. Beyond the ability to take endless selfies and keep in touch with family back home, they provide us with a never-ending stream of tools and apps to help us plan our travels and deal with any hiccups we encounter on the road.

Unfortunately, while there’s no shortage of travel apps, most of them are terrible.

To help you avoid downloading (and maybe even paying for) apps that aren’t worth your time, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite travel apps. These apps will save you time, money, and help you make the most of your travels. They’re the apps I think every traveler should have on their phone before they leave home.

Table of Contents

1. GetYourGuide

2. loungebuddy, 3. hostelworld, 4. skyscanner, 6. xe currency converter, 7. google translate, 8. happycow, 9. gasbuddy, 10. wanderboat.

Whether you’re in the planning stages and looking for things to fill out your upcoming itinerary or you’re already in a new country and want something to do later that day, GetYourGuide can help. I’ve used them a bunch and always have a great time!

LoungeBuddy takes the pain out of the process. After entering your credit card, airline status, and lounge memberships, the app tells you which lounges you can access at any given airport. It makes even the longest layover tolerable so you can relax and enjoy your travels. And if you don’t have status, you can book lounge access directly through the app. It’s easy to use, and free to download.  

You can also use the app to see who else is staying at the hostel. You can join a group chat for the hostel and connect with travelers to make plans before you arrive. In short, it’s a must-download app for backpackers and solo travelers. The app is free to download.  

The best feature of the app, however, is the ability to search for flights to everywhere . You simply input your departure airport and the dates you want to travel, and it will bring up all the potential options — from cheapest to most expensive — so you can browse for ideas without needing to check each one manually.

If you want to save money on flights, this app is a must. The app is free too.  

The basic version is free while the pro version is $49 USD per year.  

If you have to stay on budget (and don’t want to get ripped off), download this app. It’s free.  

The app can read out your text too so you can hear how it is properly pronounced, and you can also use your camera to take photos of text that it can translate too (which is helpful if you need to read ingredients while shopping, for example). The app is free.  

The app is free but for $9.99 USD per month, you can upgrade to premium, which saves you 20 cents a gallon (up to 50 gallons) and provides 24/7 roadside assistance.

Wanderboat is an AI-based travel companion site that you can use for inspiration on where to go, what to do, and how to build your itinerary. Its recommendations are highly tailored and customizable to your preferences, and it will provide in-depth explanations, images and video to visualize everything you want to include on your trip.

While it’s important to not spend your entire trip on your phone or social media, there are times when using your smartphone can easily improve the quality of your trip, keep you safe, and save you money. By downloading the apps above, you’ll be able to have a much smoother trip, giving you more time, energy, and money to invest in your next adventure.  

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner . It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld . If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• SafetyWing (best for everyone)
• InsureMyTrip (for those 70 and over)
• Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals.

Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip? Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more.

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

Related Posts

GET YOUR  FREE TRAVEL STARTER KIT

Enter your email and get planning cheatsheets including a step by step checklist, packing list, tips cheat sheet, and more so you can plan like a pro!

Best travel apps in 2021

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

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

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

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

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

1. MyTSA (Free: Android; iOS)

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

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

Download MyTSA: Android , iOS

2. Expedia (Android, iOS: Free)

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

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

Download Expedia: Android , iOS

3. Flighty (iOS: Free)

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

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

Download Flighty: iOS

4. Hopper (Android, iOS: Free)

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

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

Download Hopper: Android , iOS

5. iExit (Android, iOS: Free)

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

Download iExit: Android , iOS

6. Waze (Android; iOS)

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

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

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

Download Waze: Android , iOS

7. Skiplagged (Android, iOS: Free)

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

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

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

Download Skiplagged: Android , iOS

8. Flio (Android, iOS: Free)

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

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

Download Flio: Android , iOS

9. AtYourGate (Android, iOS: Free)

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

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

Download AtYourGate: Android , iOS

10. Mobile Passport (Android, iOS: Free)

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

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

Download Mobile Passport: Android , iOS

11. TripIt (Android, iOS: Free)

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

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

Download TripIt: Android , iOS

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

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

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

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

Download App In The Air: Android , iOS

13. GasBuddy (Android, iOS: Free)

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

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

Download GasBuddy: Android , iOS

14. Roadtrippers (Android, iOS: Free)

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

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

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

Download Roadtrippers: Android , iOS

15. PackPoint (Android, iOS: Free)

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

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

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

Download PackPoint: Android , iOS

16. TripAdvisor (Android, iOS: Free)

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

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

Download TripAdvisor: Android , iOS

17. Airbnb (Android, iOS: Free)

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

Download Airbnb: Android , iOS

18. Vrbo (Android, iOS: Free)

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

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

Download Vrbo: Android , iOS

19. Hotel Tonight (Android, iOS: Free)

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

Download HotelTonight: Android , iOS

20. GlobeTips (iOS: Free)

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

Download GlobeTips: iOS

• Best iPhone apps

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

Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.

Google Photos is giving you better control over who shows up in your Memories — here’s how it works

This travel app can now predict delays for your next flight via AI

I used a controller built for streamers to boost my productivity at work — and it's a game changer

Most Popular

• 2 5 best heist movies on Netflix right now
• 3 Amazon is brewing up epic savings on Nespresso machines — 5 deals I'd shop now
• 4 Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro: Which are the best buds?
• 5 Google Pixel 9 Pro XL owners reporting charging issues — here's what you need to know

The Best Apps for the Smart Traveler of 2024

Top 10 apps for the smart traveler, choose the smart traveler app that’s right for you, download before you leave home, tripit — top pick, hopper — best free app, hoteltonight — best last-minute deals, airbnb — most unique experiences, uber — best rideshare app, packpoint — best packing list, citymapper — best for cities, google translate — best translation app, xe currency — best currency converter, loungebuddy — best for airports, smart traveler apps: features summary table.

Written by: BestApp.com App Testing Team - Updated: Oct 15, 2021

If you’re looking for an app to make traveling easier, our top pick is Tripit because it can compile all of your travel details in one place, from flights to car rentals. But if you just need help with one aspect of your trip, such as booking a hotel or a rideshare, you might be better off with one of the other nine options on our list.

How We Chose the Best Apps for Smart Travelers

To put together our list of apps for the smart traveler, we looked for apps that offer core features like a packing list and online booking options. But since every trip is different, you may need to find additional features or even download more than one app.

Most of the apps on our list focus on specific aspects of the travel experience, such as booking a hotel or putting together an itinerary. But there are other things to consider too, such as the local language and the exchange rate in your destination. The more features an app offers, the easier it will be to make changes to your plans or find the information you need to make the most of your trip.

Some apps may not be available in the country you’re traveling to, or you might find it harder to access a reliable internet connection overseas. Be sure to download the app and set up an account before you leave home to make sure it works properly.

Our Smart Traveler App Reviews

Download: Android ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | iOS ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tripit is our top pick because it can compile all of your flight details, rental car reservations, hotel bookings, and even dinner plans into a single itinerary. Unlike some of the other apps on our list, Tripit isn’t a booking platform, so you’ll have to go elsewhere to actually make the bookings. But once you do, you can simply connect your email account or forward your booking confirmations to Tripit. It will automatically display them in an easy-to-read format and even provide real-time updates on flight delays and wait times. Tripit is free, but to unlock some of its features, you’ll have to pay a subscription fee of $49 per year.

Notable features:

• 30-Day Free Trial
• Pro: $49/year
• Support available: Email, Help Center, Ticket

Hopper is the best free app for smart travelers on our list because you can use it to book flights, hotels, rental cars, and more. Because Hopper compiles data from multiple sources, it can show you the cheapest dates to book your trip, notify you if prices are starting to rise, and even freeze prices temporarily so you can come back and buy your tickets later. It can also recommend trip ideas based on cheap flights to and from your nearest airport. Hopper is free, but some tools, such as the price freeze feature, require a deposit.

• Support available: Email, FAQs/Help Articles

HotelTonight is best for last-minute trips and spontaneous travelers, because you can find great deals on same-day hotel rooms and other discounts. Whether you’re in the mood for a weekend getaway or find yourself on an unexpected business trip, HotelTonight can help you find a hotel room at a reasonable price. You can choose from categories like Luxe, Hip, and Crashpad, but you may not be able to select a specific type of room until you check in. HotelTonight isn’t just for last-minute trips either, you can reserve a room up to 100 days ahead of time.

• Support available: Email, Phone, FAQ

Airbnb is the best app on our list for travelers who want to find unique accommodations or travel experiences. You can browse categories such as arts and culture, outdoor adventure, and more, with most accommodations offered by local hosts rather than hotel chains. You can search for a cabin, a castle, a treehouse, or anything else that comes to mind, with everything from shared rooms to entire homes available for booking. You can also use the app to find tours, day trips, and other experiences, even if you don’t use it to book a place to stay.

• Support available: Help Center, Email, Neighborhood Support

Uber is the best rideshare app on our list, because it offers on-demand rides when taking a taxi or public transit would be inconvenient. You can use it to catch a ride to or from the airport, or to get back to your hotel after a late night out. Ride requests, payments, and driver reviews are all handled in the app, so you don’t have to carry cash or wonder how much the ride will cost. You can choose a private ride with UberX, or a shared ride with Uber Pool. There is also a pass for frequent riders that costs $24.99 per month and provides you with member-only discounts.

• 7-Day Free Trial
• Pass: $24.99/month
• Support available: Help Center, Email

PackPoint is the best packing list app for smart travelers because it compiles a custom list based on the length and purpose of your trip. All you need to do is tell it where you’re going, whether it’s a work trip or a vacation, if you’ll have access to laundry facilities, and other key details from your itinerary. PackPoint will automatically check the weather forecast, estimate how much clothing you need to bring, and put together an itemized list tailored to your destination. You can share it with friends or family members who are traveling with you, and connect it to your Tripit account for an all-in-one itinerary and packing list.

• Premium: $2.99
• Support available: Email, Forum

Citymapper is the best travel app for cities because it can help you find your way around your destination, especially if you use public transit. It will show you real-time information on transit options, including train and bus schedules, fares, and delays. It can even show you how many calories you can expect to burn if you walk or bike! Citymapper is available in most U.S. and European cities, but your options may vary depending on your destination. For example, visitors to London can purchase the Citymapper Pass, an all-in-one card that you can use to pay for multiple modes of transit, including Lime scooters.

• Support available: Email, Contact Form

If you’re traveling to a country where you don’t speak the language, Google Translate might be the best translation app for you. While some apps focus on a single language, Google Translate can recognize more than 100. In addition to typing in a word or phrase, you can draw characters or speak into the microphone for a faster translation. You can even aim your camera at a sign or a menu to see it displayed in your own language. Other features include an offline mode and a language detection tool so you can have an instant translator in your pocket at all times.

• Support available: Help Center, Email, Community Forum

Traveling to a different country often means paying in the local currency. A currency conversion app like XE Currency can help ensure that you get the best deal for your money. It’s free to view the exchange rate between two currencies, and you can even set up alerts to notify you when the rate goes up or down. You can use it to time your trip or even decide which country to go to based on the current exchange rate. XE Currency also allows you to send money to a recipient in another currency, with the option to pay by direct debit, credit card, or bank transfer.

Download: Android | iOS ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

LoungeBuddy is the best way to gain access to airport lounges, even if you aren’t a member of any awards programs. All you have to do is enter the airports you’ll be traveling through on your route, and LoungeBuddy will find a lounge pass for you with prices starting at $25. You can buy a pass instantly on the day of your trip, or purchase it ahead of time (up to two months early). If you’re traveling as a family, you can search for kid-friendly play areas too. Other perks include showers, free WiFI, and complimentary beverages, depending on which lounge you choose.

• Support available: Email, Live Chat, Phone, Help Articles/Knowledge Base

What are you looking for?

35 best travel apps [the definitive 2024 guide].

Traveling is one of the best things in the world, but the fact is that it can be difficult to plan a trip , especially when you’re on a budget or you’re just not sure where to start.

Luckily, there are plenty of fantastic apps out there that can help you with so many things! 

Whether you’re looking to …

• Organize a trip
• Find travel inspiration
• Book accommodation
• Or keep entertained on the go

There really are endless options when it comes to apps for travel. 

Some of them will allow you to benefit from in-app discounts, others will help you find the best tours in the area, and many of them are simply there for inspiration! 

Wherever you’re planning to travel, there are some applications out there that will help you along the way and make your life so much easier.

Although the majority of apps in this guide have a desktop version too, it’s often much handier to have the platform right at your fingertips! 

Without further ado, let’s take a look at the best travel apps (in our opinion at least …).

Travellerspoint

The best apps for organizing your trip

1. wanderlog.

Cost: Freemium: Free, Pro Monthly: $16.99 per month, Pro Annual: $49.99

Device: Android / iPhone

Review score: Google Play: 4.7/5, Apple Store: 4.9/5

Best feature: You can collaborate with friends and family if you’re traveling as a group 

Wanderlog is a travel itinerary and trip planner that allows you to create the trip of your dreams without hassle. 

You can create a fully mapped-out itinerary of your travels, take inspiration from free guides, and put a budget together for your trip. 

However, one of the best things about Wanderlog is that you can collaborate on a trip itinerary together. This makes traveling as a group super easy!

Wanderlog is undoubtedly one of the best travel planning apps out there, and has so much to offer.

The free version is incredible, but if you’re looking for enhanced features such as being able to use the service offline or exporting information to Google Maps, then you can pay a subscription fee. 

2. Get Your Guide

Review score: Google Play: 4.7/5, Apple Store: 4.8/5

Best feature: Get Your Guide has a very flexible free cancellation policy

We always use Get Your Guide when we travel as it’s one of the best ways to search for experiences and tours in your chosen destination. 

All you have to do is type in your city or place, and there will be a wide variety of activities available. This can include safaris, city tours, theme parks, and cruises, so there’s something for everyone! 

You can even purchase city passes like this New York City Pass which can save you up to 40% off attractions.

Booking activities and tours through Get Your Guide allows you to look at reviews, book attractions in advance, and compare prices!

They also have a very flexible cancellation policy, no booking fees, and mobile-friendly tickets so you won’t need to print anything out.

Best feature: 24/7 award-winning support so there’s always someone available to help you

Like Get Your Guide, Viator is one of the best travel apps out there for booking activities, experiences, and tours. It’s owned by Tripadvisor and has a fantastic reputation!

There are plenty of reasons to book your activities with Viator including their award-winning support, free cancellation, variety of payment options, and high-quality standards.

There are over 300,000 experiences available to book on their website and app, and this includes destinations in the United States, Europe, Asia, and Australia among others! 

Just type in the place you’re visiting, and you’ll be shown a variety of activities ranging from helicopter tours to hiking. No matter what you’re interested in you’ll find something to your liking.

If you're still in the process of planning a trip and you're unsure of where to choose then check out our guide on the best places to travel to ! 

Cost: Standard: Free, TripIt Pro: $49 per year

Best feature: Being able to sync confirmation emails to your itinerary

TripIt is another highly-rated trip planner if you hadn’t guessed by the name, and it’s a fantastic app for putting together a detailed itinerary. 

The app allows you to sync flight and accommodation confirmations from your email, access the latest travel guidance, and add documents to your travel plans!

There’s a free version that does pretty much everything you need to or you can opt for TripIt Pro which is a paid service. This will allow you to access interactive maps, your flight status, and a fare tracker among other features.

Either way, this is a great travel app for organizing your trip as you can keep everything in one place!

5. Roadtrippers

Cost: Standard: Free, Road Trippers Plus: $29.99 per year

Review score: Google Play: 3.9/5, Apple Store: 4.7/5

Best feature: Roadtrippers Plus allows you to add up to 150 stops on your itinerary

This is one of the best apps for travelers as you’ll get to put together the ultimate road trip itinerary! This includes sights and attractions, places to camp, and activities. 

With Roadtrippers , you can even add fuel and rest stops to your map/itinerary, as well as bars, restaurants, and shops! What more could you need? 

Not only is this app super easy to use, but you’ll have access to a wide range of articles and guides detailing interesting places to visit. 

Driving around the world is our favorite thing to do, and we’ve road-tripped endless countries including Norway , Ireland , Portugal , and Alaska . 

This nifty app makes it so easy to plan the perfect route, so make sure you give it a go! 

The best apps for accommodation

6. booking.com.

Review score: Google Play: 4.6/5, Apple Store: 4.8/5

Best feature: You’ll find plenty of in-app only deals

Booking.com is one of the best vacation rental sites out there and is a fantastic option if you’re looking for accommodation. 

Although there’s a desktop version, having this app at your fingertips will come in handy. In fact, you’ll be able to find plenty of in-app deals which are often cheaper!

We've also got an in-depth guide on how to get cheap hotel rooms if you're interested in further discounts...

If you’re still not convinced, then you can even find cheap flights, rental car deals, and taxis on the app. 

Not only that but you’ll have your booking information (or bookings) in one place, and having the app is a great way to show your hotel address to taxi drivers.

This is undoubtedly one of the best apps for travel so make sure you download it before your trip!

Review score: Google Play: 4.5/5, Apple Store: 4.8/5

Best feature: There are over 5.5 million listings to choose from!

Everyone has heard of Airbnb as it’s revolutionized the accommodation industry since it was founded in 2008. It’s one of the best free travel apps out there so we couldn’t leave it off this list. 

Boasting over 5.5 million accommodation listings worldwide, you’ll find tons of places to stay on this app. Many of the listings are self-contained holiday homes and apartments so you’ll have plenty of space. 

However, you’ll also find a variety of unique accommodation options on Airbnb including cabins, igloos, treehouses, and boats!

This app offers some of the most affordable accommodation options in the world and is a must-have if you’re traveling on a budget.

However, if you’ve got plenty of cash to splash don’t worry as there are lots of luxury stays available too! 

8. Hostelworld

Review score: Google Play: 4.8/5, Apple Store: 4.8/5 

Best feature: 24/7 customer service so there’s always someone there to help

Speaking of traveling on a budget, have you tried Hostelworld ?

Whether you’re looking to visit Rome , Thailand , or New Zealand, this fantastic travel app has over 36,000 budget-friendly listings in over 170 countries.

Offering both dorm beds and private rooms, this is the app you’ll want to download if you’re looking for a bargain. Many of the properties also feature plenty of awesome facilities. 

This ranges from an onsite restaurant to a rooftop area, and some of the hostels even offer free walking tours.

Not only does Hostelworld offer ‘ROAMIE’s which are awesome budget travel tours, but they’re also currently working on a ‘common room’ feature where you’ll be able to connect with other travelers!

Best feature: Kayak offers price alerts for accommodation to help you get the best deals! 

Next up on this list is Kayak which is a comparison platform that compares accommodation, car rentals, transport, and more. It's also a great platform for finding cheap flights.

It’s one of the best all-rounded travel apps, and it even lets you set up a price alert system. This means you’ll be notified when the price drops, and you can sometimes save up to 35% off hotels.

Showing results from over 2 million properties, boasting endless verified reviews, and featuring an easy-to-use layout, it’s no wonder that Kayak is such a big hit.

If you’re still not convinced to download this app from the app store, then they also have a rewards system where you can rack up points to redeem against hotel stays!

10. iOverlander

Review score: Google Play: 3.8/5, Apple Store: 3.5/5

Best feature: Offers an endless list of amenities and camping locations to help you with your road trip

There are plenty of fantastic travel apps out there if you’re looking for cheap hotel rooms, but what about if you’re road-tripping?

That’s where iOverlander comes in! 

iOverlander is a nonprofit project that’s run mostly by volunteers, and it’s one of the best apps for travelers if you’re driving a car or motorhome.

Featuring incredible wild camping locations, petrol stations, hostels/hotels, and mechanics in case you run into a snag, this fantastic app has so much to offer. 

This app also allows users to add locations and amenities, so there are always new places being added.

You’ve also got Park4Night which is one of the best travel apps for Europe road trips! 

If you're planning to convert a campervan and hit the road, then honestly we can't recommend this way of exploring enough. However, just keep in mind that van life isn't for everyone.

The best apps for transportation

11. skyscanner.

Review score: Google Play: 4.7/5, Apple Store: 4.7/5

Best feature: You can compare a variety of airlines, flight times, and prices 

Skyscanner is currently one of the best flight apps on the market as it’s a metasearch engine that searches high and low for the cheapest airline prices.

All you need to do is enter your departure airport, destination, and the date you want to fly. You can then filter out the results by the number of stops, duration, and airline.

Skyscanner also has a handy ‘everywhere’ option so you can just enter your departure airport, and find the cheapest flights on offer! 

If you're looking to travel cheaply , then I 100% recommend downloading this app as you'll benefit from some great flight prices.

The one thing to keep in mind is that you won’t be booking your flight directly through Skyscanner, instead, you’ll be taken to a third-party website. 

Always check that website on Trustpilot before booking your flight - we can’t stress this enough! 

There's no denying that Skyscanner is one of the best travel apps for flights so make sure you download it.

Review score: Google Play: 4.8/5, Apple Store: 4.9/5

Best feature: The app is very easy to use, and you just scan the QR code to unlock your e-scooter or e-bike.

Lime is a micro-mobility app that allows you to use e-scooters and e-bikes without having to rent them. You simply have to download the Lime app, and then use it to locate a ‘vehicle’.

All you have to do then is scan the QR code to unlock your e-scooter or e-bike and you’re good to go. Not only is it a great way to get around, but it’s more environmentally friendly too!

Lime is our favorite e-scooter app, although they’re all typically very similar. The exact app you download will depend on the country you’re in so make sure you do your research first. 

For example, Lime is available in certain areas of Australia, Canada , Europe , the United States, and the United Kingdom.

Best feature: Being able to see the price upfront and ETA

Uber has been given some stick over the years (and understandably so) but today, it’s one of the best ways to get around if you’re planning to use taxis.

It’s a ride-hailing service that allows you to book a taxi where you’ll get to see the price upfront, and the estimated time of arrival (ETA). 

For starters, this stops you from getting ripped off and you won’t need to haggle a price if there aren’t any meter-ran taxis in the area. You can even reserve a ride in advance which is always handy! 

There are plenty of other ride-hailing apps to choose from aside from Uber but it all depends on the location you’re planning to visit. Other options include Grab , Lyft , InDrive , and Bolt . 

14. Airline app

Device: Depends on the airline, but the majority of them operate on Android and iPhone

Review score: N/A

Best feature: Many of the airline apps allow you to check in, in advance 

One of our top travel tips is to have the airline app downloaded onto your phone for whoever you’re flying with. 

For example, I always have Ryannair downloaded on my phone as we fly with them a lot when we’re in Europe. If you fly with various airlines, then you can just download and delete airline apps as needed. 

There are plenty of reasons to download an airline app, but the main reason is that they’re more convenient for checking in. 

You no longer have to queue for hours at the airport desk, and you’ll have easy access to your boarding passes! Many of them offer you the chance to purchase add-ons too! 

Review score: Google Play 4.2/5, Apple Store: 4.8/5

Best feature: Busbud offers a rewards program so you can save money every time you use it

Busbud is one of the best tourist apps out there if you’re looking to book transport! Although its name may not suggest it, you can actually use it to book buses, trains, and hotels. 

This app is partnered with some of the world’s best transport providers including Flixbus , Greyhound , Amtrak , and National Express , so it’s a great option if you’re looking to compare prices.

All you have to do is type in your departure point, your destination, and the date of travel and you’ll be offered several options - some for as little as $3!

Other fantastic transport apps include Check My Bus and 12Go Asia with the latter being great for traveling through Southeast Asia.

The best apps for easy travel in your destination

16. google maps.

Review score: Google Play: 4.1/5, Apple Store: 4.7/5

Best feature: You can download offline maps that have your ‘points of interest’ on 

Google Maps is undeniably one of the best apps for traveling! Whether you’re looking to find local businesses, get driving directions, or explore the area, this app has it all. 

Offering maps of over 220 countries and territories, you’ll have no problems getting around your chosen destination with this app. Most of the amenities listed on these maps have reviews and images too! 

However, one of my favorite things about Google Maps is its ‘Your Places’ feature where you can create your own lists and maps! 

In these lists, you can create the ultimate itinerary by bookmarking popular tourist attractions and restaurants, before downloading your map. You can then use your map offline whilst you’re on the go. 

17. Maps.me

Review score: Google Play 4.1/5, Apple Store: 4.7/5

Best feature: Maps.me offers a bookmark collection so you can create your ultimate trip!

Maps.me is very similar to Google Maps and covers six of the seven continents. So, why will you need this one you ask?

Well, Maps.me is very handy for countries that are a bit more rugged. The reason I say this is because these apps are mapped out by photography from cars. 

Unfortunately, there are some areas where Google Maps cars are yet to venture which is where this app comes in…

We actually needed this app quite a lot in Eastern Europe as we traveled through some more off-the-beaten-track locations. In fact, the road markings were much clearer here too! 

So what are you waiting for? Make sure you check out this travel app! 

18. Google Lens

Review score: Google Play: 4.6/5, no specific Google Lens app on the Apple Store

Best feature: Can translate documents for you such as menus and brochures

We’ve all been there, you’re in a foreign country and you’ve sat down at a restaurant. You get excited to try some local cuisine and then you take a look at the menu, and you’ve got no idea what it says…

Luckily, Google Lens is here to help!

All you have to do is take a picture of your intended document, and then the app will translate the text to your preferred language.  

How handy is that!?

It’s a game changer for menus in particular.

Google Lens can also find clothes online from a picture, solve problems, and help you identify a species of flower, I mean it can pretty much do everything! 

Just keep in mind that the only way to access this app on iPhone is to first download the Google app, and then you’ll have to use it through that. 

19. Google Translate

Review score: Google Play: 4.4/5, Apple Store: 4.3/5

Best feature: You’ll have the power of language right at your fingertips!

Google Translate is AMAZING and we’ve used it in nearly every country that we’ve traveled to. 

Many people choose to just google “translate [Language] to English” but it’s handy to have the app installed as it’s often much quicker!

You can translate over 100 different languages with this app, and it’s a great way to interact with the locals if they don’t understand your language. 

If you’re a keen traveler then you’re likely to need Google Translate plenty of times throughout your lifetime. Whether that be translating a road sign, speaking to your taxi driver, or haggling a deal! 

Google Translate is one of my top recommendations when it comes to travel apps as it’s helped us out a lot over the years!

20. Revolut

Review score: Google Play 4.5/5, Apple Store: 4.7/5

Best feature: Allows you to save money on ATM withdrawals whilst abroad 

Using a traditional bank account can get expensive if you’re a long-term traveler or digital nomad , which is why many people apply for a card from Revolut .

This travel card offers fantastic exchange rates, helps you save money on transfer fees, and gives you an allowance of up to $240 for no-fee ATM withdrawals.

Revolut offers a free account and paid plans, with the latter allowing you access to a variety of awesome features including travel insurance, cashback options, and airport lounge access. 

We've actually written an in-depth Revolut review if you're interested in learning more...

Aside from Revolut, there are plenty of other banking apps that you can use including Monzo and Wise ! Before you decide which one to use, do some research and see which company is more suited to you. 

21. NHS App

Review score: Google Play: 3.1/5, Apple Store: 2.9/5

Best feature: You can easily access your health records 

The NHS App is UK-specific, but perhaps your country offers something similar so make sure you do a bit of research before your trip.

The great thing about this app is that it gives you access to the newest version of your health records, your vaccinations, and Covid passes (if they’re required). 

This is vital during today's climate, especially as the pandemic has altered the entry requirements for a variety of countries! 

You’ll also be able to access services online which is always handy, but of course, this will be limited if you’re abroad. 

If your country doesn’t have something similar, then make sure you download a general health app that can give you guidelines. An example of this is My Travel Health ! 

22. Priority Pass

Cost: Standard: $99, Standard Plus: $329, Prestige: $469

Review score: Google Play: 3.8/5, Apple Store: 4.6/5

Best feature: Offers you free (or discounted) access to 1,300+ airport lounges

Priority Pass is an airport lounge access program that requires you to have a membership. 

There are three options; Standard, Standard Plus, and Prestige, and each one has an annual fee. 

However, once you’ve paid the fee you’ll get free (or discounted) access to airport lounges all around the world. This is perfect if you’re traveling a lot or you’re a digital nomad so you work on the go! 

We usually sign up around Black Friday for the cheapest rate, and then use the QR code on the app for access.

Although this may seem like more of a niche travel app, it’s a great one to have if you spend a lot of time traveling! 

The best apps for entertainment purposes 

23. spotify.

Cost: Spotify Free: free, Spotify Premium: $4.99-$15.99 per month

Review score: Google Play: 4.4/5, Apple Store: 4.8/5

Best feature: Allows you to download music and listen offline whilst you’re traveling 

Spotify is a digital music service that gives you access to over 50 million songs ranging from the likes of Queen to local artists that are a little less well-known!

You can download albums, make your own playlists, listen to other users’ playlists, or listen to songs that the app recommends based on your music style. Spotify also has plenty of podcasts that you can listen to!

Although Spotify is one of the most popular music apps, you’ve also got the likes of Amazon Music , YouTube Music , and Apple Music . 

Whichever one you go for, I’d recommend going for a plan that allows you to download songs for offline use! 

24. Audible

Cost: $9.50 per month 

Review score: Google Play: 4.6/5, Apple Store: 4.9/5

Best feature: Amazon Prime members get exclusive offers!

I love listening to audiobooks, especially on long drives as it’s a great way to zone out and learn something new. Either that or I listen to a fiction book which is something I don’t usually have the time to do! 

Audible is the best option for this as it offers unlimited listening time when it comes to podcasts, audiobooks, and audibles! 

Although you have to pay for the service it’s totally worth it in my opinion, as you’ll have access to thousands of options.

So if you’re looking for an app for your vacation then I highly recommend downloading this one! There’s even a free 30-day trial if you’d prefer to try it out first before you commit to it.

25. Netflix

Cost: Basic: $6, Standard: $13, Premium: $19 per month

Review score: Google Play: 4.4/5, Apple Store: 4/5

Best feature: Being able to download movies and watch them online!

Everyone is likely to know Netflix and although it’s not a travel app, it’s very handy whilst you’re on the go. 

It’s one of the best apps for trips, especially if you’re going to have long journeys and flights, or spend a lot of time at the airport. 

There are three plans to choose from, and each one offers unlimited access to thousands of films and tv programs. 

The highlight of Netflix is being able to download your favorite movies and tv shows, and then watch them later offline - just keep in mind that the basic plan doesn’t offer this. 

Disney Plus and Amazon Prime also offers you the chance to download offline movies if you’d prefer to go for something else! 

Cost: Kindle Unlimited: $9.50 per month

Best feature: You’ll have access to millions of books on the go

Kindle is undoubtedly one of the best apps for travelers, especially if you’re a keen reader. 

Unfortunately, when we travel we’re subject to strict luggage allowance which means you can’t take a ton of books with you on holiday. 

This is where a kindle comes in handy, as you can purchase books online and then read them digitally on your device. 

Although you can simply download books to read, you’ve also got Kindle Unlimited which is a subscription service. This service allows you access to select magazine subscriptions, millions of books, and thousands of audiobooks! 

There’s so much choice, and you won’t be short of books to read by the pool!

27. Surfshark

Cost: $2-$13 a month depending on whether you choose to pay monthly, yearly, or every 24 months 

Review score: Google Play: 4.2/5, Apple Store: 4.9/5

Best feature: Allows you to access websites and TV series that would otherwise be inaccessible abroad

Surfshark is the VPN of our choice, and a VPN essentially means ‘Virtual Private Network’. 

It technically works by encrypting communications so you’ll have an anonymous IP address. Not only does this help keep your connection secure, but it’s got plenty of other fantastic features too.

For starters, Surf Shark (or any VPN) allows you to access websites that are inaccessible abroad, so for us a lot of .co.uk websites don’t seem to work overseas. 

You’ll also be able to watch TV shows and films that aren’t available in certain countries , as a VPN essentially changes your IP location. 

Having a VPN is also a great option for digital nomads or those with travel jobs as your connection will always be secure.

The best apps for travel inspiration

28. instagram.

Review score: Google Play: 4/5, Apple Store: 4.7/5

Best feature: Allows you to find some awesome travel destinations 

Instagram is one of the most popular apps in the world as it allows you to keep connected with friends and family, whilst showing off your photography skills.

Although social media can often feel draining, this app has so much to offer if you’re a keen traveler!

Instagram allows you to connect with like-minded travelers, inspire your travels, and find fantastic ‘Instagrammable’ locations that you wouldn’t otherwise know about. 

We follow hundreds of our favorite travel photographers, vloggers, and bloggers, and we’re inundated with new places to add to our bucket list on a daily basis! 

Not only will you get to view new destinations through images and reels, but you’ll often get a more realistic experience through stories too. There’s nothing better than that! 

29. Pinterest

Best feature: Can create your own boards and save ideas to them! 

Next up on this list is Pinterest , which isn’t a travel application but it’s got a lot to offer. 

Pinterest works almost like a huge mood board where you can find inspiration on just about anything, and that goes for fashion, recipes, and home decor. 

The best thing about Pinterest is that you can create boards dedicated to your interests, so in this case, it would be travel! 

This is great for travelers, as you can create a variety of awesome boards on ‘bucket list’ experiences, specific countries, budget travel, etc. Then, all you need to do is save those pins and you can come back to them later! 

Pinterest is a very visual platform, and if you want more information you’ll be directed to the pin’s website.

Best feature: You can favorite videos and add them to your own ‘collections’

Although TikTok may not be for everyone, there’s no denying that it’s a fantastic app for travel inspiration! 

TikTok is essentially a video-sharing app and it’s one of the best apps for tourists who are choosing their destination or looking for places to visit after booking a holiday. 

Many travel bloggers, vloggers, and photographers have started to understand the importance of this app as a marketing tool , and that means lots of travel content!

You can favorite the videos that you like and create your own collections e.g. United States, bucket list, Wildlife, etc., and then you can watch them back whenever you like. 

There’s no limit to the number of videos you can save, and you’ll find some great travel tips along the way! 

31. Polar Steps

Review score: Google Play: 4.8/5, Apple Store: 4.8/5

Best feature: The App can physically track your travels whilst you’re on the move

Polar Steps is technically a travel planner and tracker, however, it’s a great app for travel inspiration as you’ll have access to a variety of guides. 

There are plenty of travel guides to read, and all you need to do is search for your destination! From there, you’ll get to see images, attractions in that area, recommended accommodation options, and restaurants. 

Another fantastic feature of Polar Steps is that it can physically track your travels as you go along. Not only will you get to see your travel route, but you can even create a cool travel book with the information! 

You can also add on past trips if you can remember the route, so you’ll have all your travels in the one app.

32. Locationscout

Review score: Google Play: 2.9/5, Apple Store: 3.8/5

Best feature: All the ‘photo spots’ are uploaded onto a map which you’ll have access to

For this travel app guide, I had to include Locationscout ! 

Although it’s not one of the more popular apps, it’s fantastic for those who are looking for some travel inspiration - especially keen photographers. 

Locationscout essentially works by showing ‘photo spots’ in a variety of cities and countries across the world. 

You can then click into each destination (say London for example), and you’ll be given an overview of that place, a grid of ‘photo spots’, and a map that has them all included!

The app then goes further into detail about each photo spot, including information on the best time to visit, tips to get the best photographs, and how to get there. 

If you're a keen photographer looking to improve your skills then why not check out these fantastic online photography classes too!

The best apps for keeping connected with home

Cost: Free (but there’s a cost to ring from landlines or mobiles) 

Review score: Google Play: 4.1/5, Apple Store: 4.5/5

Best feature: Can make free video calls to anywhere in the world! 

Although Skype isn’t considered to be a ‘travel app’ it’s a great way to keep connected with your friends and family back home. 

It allows you to make free video calls worldwide if you’re using skype-to-skype, or you can call from a landline or mobile for a fee. 

If you’re calling from a mobile or landline, then you just need to top up your credit every now and then. As long as you have a WiFi signal, you can call any number in the world and the bill will be extremely cheap! 

Skype is also a great app to have for digital nomads and business owners who are always on the move, in case you need to jump on a work call! Although Zoom is often the more popular option for this! 

34. Whatsapp

Review score: Google Play 4.3/5, Apple Store: 4.7/5

Best feature: Being able to message, call, and video call other numbers for free as long as you’ve got WiFi

Another great app to have if you’re wanting to stay connected to people is Whatsapp !

It's a messaging app that allows you to message, call, and video call other Whatsapp users for free, as long as you’re connected to WiFi.

Not only is Whatsapp useful when it comes to contacting friends and family, but it’s also a great way to keep in contact with people in the region you’re traveling.

Many tour operators, hotels, and companies have Whatsapp, which means you can contact them with any queries and you won’t need to spend money to text or call from your phone. 

If you’re only able to download a couple of apps during your travels, then make sure Whatsapp is one of them!

35. Moonpig

Best feature: You’ll often get in-app discounts 

If you travel a lot, then unfortunately you’re going to miss a lot of birthdays!

Luckily, there are apps out there where you can send birthday cards back home for friends and family members. 

Our favorite is Moonpig as it’s super easy to use, and you can set reminders for birthdays so you don’t forget. 

Not only can you send cards, but Moonpig also has a wide variety of presents, birthday balloons, and flowers available among other items.

They even offer personalized gifts for that someone special , and there are a variety of shipping options to make sure it gets there in time! 

There is a desktop version of Moonpig, but if you download the app you’ll often have access to specific in-app discounts.

Which travel apps will you use?

As you can see, there are so many fantastic apps for traveling. The question is, which ones should you download?

This all depends on what you’re looking to do; book accommodation, find travel inspiration, look for discounts, or keep yourself connected with home! 

Now, everyone knows that phones all have limited memory so it’s not viable to download every single app in this guide. Just make sure you prioritize the ones you think will help the most!

A few of our favorites include Booking.com, Skyscanner, Get Your Guide, Google Maps, and Instagram of course! 

Now you've got an idea of the best tourism apps out there, it's time to start planning your trip.

Here are some guides for inspiration:

• The Best Cheap Places To Travel
• The Best Backpacking Destinations Around the World
• The Cheapest Countries To Visit In Europe

Leave a comment

Let us know what you think.

5 million people can't be wrong

• Shop Now: Amazon Labor Day Tech Sale
• Get These 12 Student Discounts!

The 9 Best Travel Apps for 2024

Plan. Book. Pack. Go!

• University of Colorado at Denver
• Colorado State University
• Payment Services

A great travel app can help you get organized. From booking reservations to managing them, from packing to planning, from eating to paying to communicating to getting around, these are our picks for the best travel apps to help you plan your next adventure.

Best for Travel Planning: Kayak

Researching prices is fast and easy.

Finds independent hotels and short term rentals you may not see otherwise.

Book almost any travel method.

App is user-friendly.

Can't take advantage of loyalty programs you may belong to.

The award-winning travel app Kayak allows you to search for flights, hotels, and car rentals. The clean interface gives you a full list of possible options, including reduced hacker fares, where you book outgoing and returning flights with two separate airlines. Set filters to find exactly what you want quickly and easily.

Not sure if now's the right time to pull the trigger? The app answers that question by indicating when prices will go up.

Not a fan of Kayak? Here are our other favorite travel planning apps .

Download For:

Best for Packing Help: PackPoint

Configure trip lists according to your specific plans.

Simple, easy-to-navigate interface.

Hide irrelevant items and add new items to your list.

Must upgrade to Premium to create custom packing lists.

A delight for anyone who hates packing, PackPoint tells you exactly what to bring. First, enter where you're going, when, and for how long. Choose business or leisure, then select the activities you'll be doing. The app develops a list based on your information and expected weather. Check items off as you pack, or swipe to remove ones you don't need.

The paid-for premium version ($2.99) removes ads, gives you custom activities and packing templates, and integrates TripIt and Evernote.

Best for Last-Minute Hotel Deals: HotelTonight

Book last-minute rooms at great prices.

Browse photos and ratings to get a feel for the hotel.

Can't select your room type.

Prices don't include taxes and fees.

Whether you're a seat-of-your-pants type traveler or want a backup plan in case your reservations don't work out, try HotelTonight. Tell the app where you want to stay and watch the deals appear on your screen. Tap one to get additional details. A few more taps to pay, and you have a room for the night.

You can make reservations further in advance, but the longer you wait, the better the deals are.

Best for Navigating: Citymapper

Find out which method is fastest (for example, train vs. Lyft).

Know the cost of your chosen route ahead of time.

See preferred routes to avoid the rain.

Not all transportation services offer updates through Citymapper.

Not all cities are in the app's coverage area.

Navigating a new city can be maddening if you don't know how to use the local transportation systems. With Citymapper, you'll get around like a local in no time, exploring and enjoying your new surroundings.

Pick your city, then choose a location or your preferred mode of transportation. Citymapper gives you complete, clear instructions on how to reach your destination hassle-free, whether walking, taking an Uber, or traveling by train.

Be sure to switch to the right city before downloading the app.

Best for Travel Tips: Foursquare City Guide

Find great places to eat and drink.

Tips and advice from members of a global community.

Keep a history of the places you've been.

Use of GPS can deplete your battery.

This app makes finding somewhere to eat or a fun activity easy. Enter the area you want to search and what you're looking for, such as breakfast, nightlife, or things to do. Use the flexible filters (distance, price, open now, and places you've been) to narrow your search. Tap your selection to see additional details, including ratings and photos. If you like the location, add it to a custom list.

Best for Finding Your Way Around: Google Maps

Maps for over 220 countries and territories.

Information on hundreds of millions of businesses.

Real-time updates help you beat traffic.

Search and navigate with offline maps.

Some features aren't available in all countries.

Google Maps is great for finding your way around in your city or anywhere in the world. Get the best route with automatic rerouting based on live traffic updates and road closures. Find information about businesses, such as if a restaurant is open. If you're somewhere with spotty internet, download an area map in advance and use it to navigate.

Best Currency Converter: XE Currency

Reliable exchange rates and charts.

Monitor up to 10 currencies.

Access live rates for every world currency and precious metal, including Bitcoin.

Perform global money transfers.

Need the Pro version if you want to monitor more than 10 currencies.

This currency converter and money-transfer tool allows you to determine exchange rates quickly and easily. Type an amount in one denomination and see the results in as many other denominations as you want. To add another currency, tap the editing icon and search for the one that corresponds to the place you'll be visiting.

Use the charts function to see how currency rates fluctuate throughout the day. The app's global transfer function allows you to send and receive money worldwide.

Best Language Translator: iTranslate

Translations are available in more than 100 languages.

Phrasebook has more than 250 predefined phrases.

Switch between dialects and voices.

Must subscribe to the Pro version to unlock some of the most useful features, such as offline translation mode.

Gone are the days of fumbling with a paper dictionary as you try to assemble sentences in a language you don't know. Use this app to type or speak your sentence and get the translation in your chosen language. A handy expansion feature lets you display the result on your screen to show to locals you're trying to communicate with. The iTranslate Phrasebook is a convenient way of looking up and learning common expressions and questions.

Best Food Finder: Zomato

Search by restaurant, cuisine, or dish.

Browse restaurant menus, photos, user ratings, and reviews.

Book a table through the app.

Find restaurants around you in Map View.

The service is not available in most areas.

Perfect for traveling foodies, this app has it all, including recommendations for a nice lunch out, trending restaurants, nightlife picks, delivery services, and where to get food to go—looking for something specific? Search for a dish or ingredient. When you find something yummy, tap it for a map, menu, reviews, and photos. When you're finished, bookmark, share, and review your experience.

Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day

• 8 of Our Favorite Travel Planner Apps in 2024
• The 6 Best Mileage Tracker Apps for 2024
• 10 of Our Favorite Road Trip Planner Apps in 2024
• The 13 Best Android Auto Apps of 2024
• Our 7 Favorite Traffic Apps in 2024
• The 17 Best Wear OS Apps of 2024
• Our 6 Favorite Weather Apps for Phones in 2024
• How to Use Google Translate for Text, Images, and Real-time Conversations
• How to Use Apple Pay on an Apple Watch
• The 9 Best Astrology Apps for 2024
• The 5 Best Translation Apps of 2024
• Our 6 Favorite Offline Translator Apps in 2024
• The 9 Best Summer Apps of 2024
• The 9 Best Workout and Exercise Apps of 2024
• 9 Useful Alcohol Apps in 2024
• Our 8 Favorite Book Reading Apps of 2024

10 Best Travel Apps on iOS COVID is over, vacations are in, and travel apps are more popular than ever.

• 0 Shares Share

According to Statista , the revenue from travel apps will increase by 64% by 2027. But even without the numbers, every traveler can feel it in the air — the urge to use these tools is irresistible. Together with the team from Zoftify , we have prepared a list of the best travel apps for this season that go beyond just booking flights and hotels.

Timeshifter

Timeshifter is an innovative app designed to minimize the effects of jet lag. Users can input their usual sleep patterns, flight details, and desired adjustment speed to the new time zone, and the app responds with a customized plan covering when to be exposed to light, sleep, eat, and avoid screen time. 

The Timeshifter app is ideal for frequent travelers or those embarking on long-haul flights. Adhering to these plans can help adjust your body clock before travel, and reduce jet lag once you arrive. By preparing in advance and making small lifestyle changes as directed in the app, you can feel rested and productive at your destination right away.

PackPoint is a free travel packing list organizer. This app tells you what to put in your luggage based on your destination and trip duration. You select the destination and the travel dates, and it constructs a tailor-made packing list, including clothes, toiletries, chargers, and other important stuff.

A packing list, together with a “Must Haves” checklist, will ensure that you don’t leave behind your important identification, tickets, gadgets, and chargers. It will also estimate the baggage—its size and count—that the things on your list will fill up.

Steven is a no-cost app designed for managing shared expenses and splitting bills among friends and groups. It allows users to create groups for dividing costs like meals, rent, and groceries. Each group member can contribute to a collective balance, and expenses can be split equally or according to specific shares.

The app makes sure all payments are tracked and balanced correctly, simplifying the process of managing shared financial obligations. With its straightforward interface, Steven is an effective tool for ensuring everyone pays their fair share without the need for manual calculations or following up on debts.

Flexiroam is an iOS app that provides international data coverage through the use of eSIM technology. eSIM is a non-physical, embedded SIM right in your smartphone. With this technology, Flexiroam offers its services in over 200 countries on a variety of cellular networks.

Flexiroam has different data plans, and you can buy extra data if you need it. Coverage is on 4G/5G networks if available, bringing you high-speed internet access during travel. The app allows users to monitor their data usage in real time, which helps in avoiding unwanted fees. Flexiroam strives to offer reliable and cost-effective international data coverage, aiming to simplify staying connected while traveling.

Pruvo tracks your existing hotel reservations with free cancellations. If the hotel drops its price post-booking, the app rebooks you at a lower price. It can also suggest other cheaper hotels if there’s a significant drop in prices. For the budget traveler or deal hunter, Pruvo will save hours searching through endless websites for the best deals on hotels. 

There are more than 200,000 hotels worldwide on Pruvo, including the most prominent chains like Marriott and Hilton. According to Pruvo, its users saved up to 60% on hotel costs for its users. The application is free — Pruvo makes money only through commissions from these hotels, so no other fee will be charged.

Wanderlog is a useful travel app for planning and logging your trips. The app provides an intuitive interface to build customized itineraries by adding locations you want to visit. You can save places like museums, restaurants, hotels, and activities to your itinerary and Wanderlog will organize them on a map and timeline for you. 

The app allows you to discover new locations along your route based on your interests. You can also get recommendations for the best things to see and do in each city from local experts and other travelers. Wanderlog makes it easy to keep all your travel plans, bookmarks, photos, and memories in one place so you have a comprehensive diary of your adventures.

Flio is a travel application focused on providing up-to-date information about your flights. It delivers live updates on flight statuses, including delays, gate changes, and baggage details. Additionally, the app offers essential airport information like gate locations and amenities.

If you face any issues with baggage, Flio’s customer service is available around the clock in multiple languages to assist within 48 hours or offer a refund. Flio aims to reduce the typical stresses of air travel, so you can focus more on enjoying your trip.

The Flush app offers a straightforward yet functional approach to finding restrooms in your area. With a database of over 200,000 restrooms, it employs your device’s GPS to display nearby facilities and delivers specifics such as operational hours, available amenities, and user reviews.

Particularly useful for road trips or when visiting unfamiliar locations, Flush becomes an essential tool if you have a medical condition or are just a bit nervous. The app supports offline functionality, enabling you to download information about restrooms at your destination beforehand, which helps avoid excessive data charges abroad. With its crowd-sourced content and live updates on the cleanliness and availability of facilities, Flush ensures you have reliable restroom options when nature calls.

WiFi Map is designed to help you find available public WiFi spots worldwide. This application comes with crowd-based mapping for free internet access points in more than 100 countries, counting over 150 million hotspots.

Within the app, users can search for networks by applying filters such as connection speed, encryption type, and venue location. Before you connect, it’s possible to browse through recent user comments that detail the network’s quality and reliability. After using the network, you also have the chance to leave your own rating and comments, helping future users make informed decisions. Additionally, the app provides the functionality to bookmark your favorite hotspots, making them more readily accessible for subsequent visits.

Stasher offers a service that is useful for securely storing your belongings while traveling. The app links you with an array of local businesses, like hotels, cafes, and shops, that provide luggage storage options either hourly or daily. You just need to pick a “StashPoint” on the app, leave your luggage there, and then go about your day until it’s time to collect your items.

No need to lug heavy bags around or make unnecessary trips back to your accommodation for your belongings. The network of Stasher includes over 1,500 locations spread across 100 cities globally, with different prices and durations. Whether you plan ahead or decide last minute, the app makes it straightforward and economical to handle your luggage when you’re in unfamiliar locations.

News content on AppleMagazine.com is produced by our editorial team and complements more in-depth editorials which you’ll find as part of our weekly publication. AppleMagazine.com provides a comprehensive daily reading experience, offering a wide view of the consumer technology landscape to ensure you're always in the know. Check back every weekday for more.

Editorial Team | Masthead – AppleMagazine Digital Publication

• @http://twitter.com/applemagazine
• Follow me on Facebook
• Send me an email!

You May Also Like

Poker Strategy on the Go: Tips for Winning Big on Mobile Poker Apps

Ethical Sourcing & Supply Chain Software: Apple’s Approach to Responsible Procurement

Four Types of Entertainment Apps to Download in 2024

Unlocking Your Gaming Potential: Tips To Boost Your Performance

Top 5 Apps for iOS to Help You Improve Your Strategy

Why VPNs Are a Must-Have for Apple Users: Safeguarding Privacy in a Digital Age

Smarter Siri: Personal Context Understanding in iOS 18

Apple’s Collaboration with Google: Training Apple Intelligence with Tensor Hardware

How Apple Pay Supports Convenient Crypto Gaming 

Emergency SOS via Satellite Launches in Japan

Transform Your iPhone into a ‘Dumb Phone’ to Minimize Distractions

Unbeatable Deals on AirPods: Lowest Prices Ever on Amazon

• Privacy Overview
• Strictly Necessary Cookies

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

The 20 Best Travel Apps to Help You Make the Most of Your Travels

From trip planners like TripIt to deal finders like Hopper, the best travel apps can streamline every step of the travel process.

Whether you’re a seasoned globetrotter or an occasional traveler, having the right tools at your fingertips can make a world of difference. This is where travel apps come in.

As an avid traveler who’s explored countless destinations across the globe, I’ve come to appreciate the incredible power of technology to transform our journeys. Gone are the days of lugging around bulky guidebooks and paper maps. Today, your smartphone can be your ultimate travel companion, packed with apps that make every aspect of your trip smoother, more enjoyable, and often more budget-friendly.

With so many apps available, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. That’s why want to share my expertise and personal experience with you, highlighting the best travel apps across various categories.

I’ve tested dozens of travel apps, and I’m excited to share with you the cream of the crop. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a month-long adventure, these apps cover everything from trip planning and booking to navigation, language barriers, and even finding travel hacks. Let’s dive in and explore how these digital tools can change your travel experience.

Travel Booking Apps

Skyscanner : your ticket to affordable flights.

Skyscanner has been my go-to app for finding great deals on flights for years. It’s a powerful travel search engine that compares prices for flights, hotels, and car rentals across various providers.

What sets Skyscanner apart is its comprehensive search capabilities. It doesn’t just show you prices for the dates you input—it can show you prices for entire months, helping you find the absolute cheapest days to fly. I’ve saved hundreds of dollars on flights thanks to this feature.

I’ve tested dozens of flight booking websites , and Skyscanner was consistently one of the best at finding the lowest prices.

Momondo : The All-in-One Travel Fare Finder

Momondo is another fantastic tool for finding great travel deals. Like Skyscanner, it’s a travel search engine, but it often finds different results, which is why I always check both.

Momondo provides a clear breakdown of prices and options, making it easy to compare different choices. The app also has a unique “Trip Finder” feature that suggests destinations based on your budget and preferences.

It also offers a price forecast for flights, giving you an idea of whether prices are likely to rise or fall.

Hopper : Predict and Save on Travel Costs

Hopper is like having a crystal ball for travel prices. This innovative app predicts future flight and hotel prices and notifies you of the best times to book.

What makes Hopper unique is its use of big data to predict price trends. It can tell you whether to book now or wait for a better price, and it will send you notifications when prices are expected to rise or fall, potentially saving you hundreds of dollars on your travel bookings.

I’ve found its predictions to be surprisingly accurate, and it’s helped me score some fantastic deals.

Booking.com : The Top Travel Booking App

Booking.com has been my reliable companion for finding and booking accommodations around the world. But it’s more than just a hotel booking site—it’s evolved into a comprehensive travel booking platform for hotels, flights, rental cars, and even entire vacation packages.

What I love about Booking.com is the sheer variety of options it offers. Whether you’re looking for a luxury resort, a budget hostel, or a unique local experience, you’ll find it here. The user reviews and detailed information about each property are invaluable in making informed decisions.

Hotels.com : Earn Free Nights as You Travel

Hotels.com is another excellent option for booking accommodations, with a unique twist that frequent travelers will love.

Their rewards program offers a free night for every ten nights booked through the app, effectively giving you a 10% discount on your stays.

Unlike some hotel loyalty programs that are complex and restrictive, Hotels.com’s program is simple and flexible. You can apply your free nights to a wide range of properties, not just a specific hotel chain.

Hostelworld : Budget Accommodations Made Easy

Staying in a hostel is a budget-friendly alternative to a traditional hotel. It’s an ideal approach for solo travelers. Plus, you’ll get the chance to meet cool people as you travel.

I’ve done my fair share of backpacking on a budget, and Hostelworld is my go-to resource for finding affordable accommodations. It provides detailed descriptions, high-quality photos, and reliable user reviews. These reviews are crucial when you’re trying to find a clean, safe, and social place to stay on a budget.

Hostelworld even has a new chat feature that lets you connect with other travelers who will be staying at your hostel.

Hotel Tonight : Last-Minute Hotel Deals

Hotel Tonight has saved me more than once when I’ve needed a last-minute hotel room. This app specializes in last-minute bookings, offering significant discounts on rooms that hotels are trying to fill at the eleventh hour.

What’s unique about Hotel Tonight is that it can get you into high-end hotels at a fraction of the usual cost. I’ve stayed in luxury hotels for the price of a budget room thanks to this app. It’s perfect for spontaneous trips or when your plans suddenly change.

GetYourGuide : Explore Like a Local

GetYourGuide allows you to book tours, activities, and attractions around the world, often with skip-the-line options that can save you hours of waiting.

What I love about GetYourGuide is the variety of experiences it offers. From guided city tours to cooking classes to museum tickets to outdoor adventures, there’s something for every type of traveler. The user reviews are incredibly helpful in choosing the best activities.

I’ve found some truly unique experiences this way, like a secret food tour in Rome and a sunrise hike in Bali.

Rome2Rio : Multi-Modal Transportation

Rome2Rio is like a Swiss Army knife for planning transportation. This ingenious app helps you plan trips by showing routes that include flights, trains, buses, ferries, and driving options.

It’s been invaluable for me when planning complex itineraries or traveling in areas with less straightforward transportation options.

The best thing about Rome2Rio is that it can piece together multiple different types of travel. If there’s not a direct flight to your destination, you can take a train, then a bus, and then a ferry. The app will show you multiple routes so you can compare prices and travel times.

Travel Planning Apps

Roadtrippers : your ultimate road trip companion.

Have you ever dreamed of taking that perfect road trip, discovering hidden gems along the way? That’s where Roadtrippers comes in. This app never fails to surprise me with its ability to turn a simple drive into an adventure.

Roadtrippers is all about the journey, not just the destination. It maps out your route and suggests attractions, lodging, dining options, and activities along the way. What I love most is how it uncovers those lesser-known spots that often become the highlight of my trips.

Here’s how it works: You input your starting point and destination, and Roadtrippers does the rest. It creates a detailed route with suggested stops, complete with user reviews and information about each location.

Roadtrippers is perfect for those who love to explore and aren’t afraid to take the scenic route.

Timeshifter : Jet Lag's Worst Enemy

Jet lag can really put a damper on your trip, especially if you’re traveling for business or have a packed itinerary. As someone who frequently crosses time zones, I can’t stress enough how much I’ve relied on Timeshifter . 

Timeshifter takes a scientific approach to managing jet lag. It creates a personalized plan based on your sleep patterns, travel itinerary, and your personal preferences. The app tells you when to seek or avoid light, when to sleep or stay awake, and even when to have that all-important cup of coffee.

TripIt : Your Personal Travel Organizer

TripIt is like having a personal assistant who specializes in keeping your travel plans organized. As someone who juggles multiple trips and reservations, I can’t imagine traveling without it.

The beauty of TripIt lies in its simplicity and effectiveness. It consolidates all your travel details—flights, hotel reservations, rental cars, and activities—into one master itinerary. No more frantically searching through emails for confirmation numbers or addresses. It’s all in one place.

Tripsy : Collaborative Trip Planning Made Easy

Tripsy is a relatively new addition to my travel app arsenal, but it’s quickly become my favorite app for group trips. It’s a trip planning and itinerary management app that allows you to organize travel details and collaborate with others.

What sets Tripsy apart is its focus on collaboration. You can create a trip, add all the details like flights and accommodations, and then invite others to view and edit the itinerary. It’s saved me from major headaches when planning family vacations and group getaways with friends.

If you often travel with others and find yourself playing the role of coordinator, Tripsy can make your life much easier.

Travel Hacking Apps: Maximize Your Rewards

Cardpointers : optimize your credit card rewards.

As a frequent traveler, I’m always looking for ways to maximize my credit card rewards, and CardPointers is an awesome tool for doing that. This app helps users manage and maximize their credit card rewards by tracking bonus categories and offers.

To use CardPointers, you input your credit card details, and the app provides recommendations on which card to use based on current offers and bonus categories. It’s like having a personal credit card rewards expert in your pocket.

The Points Guy : Master the Art of Travel Rewards

Think of The Points Guy (TPG) app as your personal travel rewards assistant. It helps you make sense of all those credit card points and airline miles you’ve been collecting, bringing them together in one user-friendly place where you can track your rewards.

Whether you’re a seasoned points collector or just getting started, TPG makes it easier to turn your everyday spending into memorable travel experiences. It’s like having an expert friend who’s always ready with advice on how to make the most of your travel rewards.

The Points Guy (TPG) app is also a treasure trove of information for anyone interested in travel rewards. It provides invaluable guides and tips on how to use travel points and miles effectively.

Other Favorite Travel Apps

Faye : comprehensive travel insurance at your fingertips.

Faye has changed the way I think about travel insurance . This app offers not just insurance coverage, but real-time support and claims processing, making it a comprehensive travel assistance tool.

What sets Faye apart is its user-friendly approach to travel insurance. You can manage everything right inside the easy-to-use app.

To use Faye , you purchase an insurance plan through the app before your trip. During your travels, you can access your policy details, file claims, and get support in real-time if needed.

If you’re looking for reliable and easy-to-use travel insurance, especially for trips to multiple destinations, Faye is worth considering. It’s particularly useful for those who want peace of mind and quick assistance in case of travel disruptions or emergencies.

App In The Air : Your Personal Flight Assistant

App in the Air is one of my most-used apps when I’m in the airport. It lets you track flights, manage itineraries, and receive real-time flight status updates.

You can import your flight information from your confirmation email, and then the app provides detailed flight information, including gate changes, delays, and check-in times. The app even offers airport maps and tips, which have been invaluable when navigating unfamiliar airports during tight connections.

If you’re a frequent flier or anyone who wants detailed flight tracking and travel organization, App in the Air is an excellent tool.

NordVPN : Digital Security While Traveling

In an era where we’re constantly connected, online security has become a crucial concern, especially while traveling. That’s where NordVPN comes in. This app offers a secure VPN service that protects your internet connections and personal data.

To use NordVPN, you simply connect to the VPN service before browsing the internet or using apps that require an internet connection. The app encrypts your internet traffic and hides your IP address, adding a layer of security to your online activities.

If you frequently use public Wi-Fi while traveling, access online banking or other sensitive information on the go, or want to access content that might be restricted in certain countries, NordVPN is an essential tool for your digital safety.

AllTrails : Your Guide to Outdoor Adventures

I’m an avid hiker, and AllTrails is my go-to app for finding great trails wherever I travel. It provides detailed information on hiking, biking, and running trails around the world.

You can find trail maps, read user reviews, view photos, and even use GPS tracking to ensure you stay on the right path.

You can even filter trails by difficulty, length, and features like waterfalls or scenic views.

LoungeBuddy : Elevate Your Airport Experience

LoungeBuddy has transformed the way I view layovers and airport time. This app offers information and booking for airport lounges worldwide, turning potentially tedious wait times into comfortable, productive, or relaxing experiences.

Even if you don’t have elite status or a premium credit card, you can often purchase one-time lounge access through the app. The detailed information about lounge amenities helps you decide if the cost is worth it for your specific needs.

If you have long layovers, frequently travel for business, or simply want to make your airport experience more comfortable, LoungeBuddy is a great app to have. It’s especially useful for those times when you need a quiet place to work or freshen up between flights.

Building Your Travel App Toolkit

As we’ve explored, there’s a wealth of apps available to make every aspect of your travels smoother, more enjoyable, and often more cost-effective. From planning and booking to navigation, language barriers, and even travel hacking, there’s an app for nearly every travel need.

Remember, the key is to choose the apps that best fit your travel style and needs. A business traveler might prioritize apps like TripIt, CardPointers, and Priority Pass, while a budget backpacker might lean more heavily on Hostelworld, Rome2Rio, and GetYourGuide.

Don’t feel like you need to download every app we’ve discussed. Start with a few that address your most pressing travel needs, and gradually expand your digital toolkit as you become more comfortable using these tools.

The beauty of these apps is that they allow you to spend less time worrying about the logistics of travel and more time immersing yourself in the experience. They can help you save money, avoid hassles, and even discover experiences you might have otherwise missed.

What is the best travel app to use?

TripIt , Booking , and Uber are some of the best apps any traveler can have.

What is the most downloaded travel app?

Google Maps is the most downloaded travel app worldwide.

Are travel apps worth it?

Travel apps are definitely worth it. The best travel apps can streamline planning, packing, navigation, and more.

What is the best app to make an itinerary?

TripIt is one of the best apps for planning a trip itinerary.

What is the number 1 flight app?

Skyscanner is the number 1 flight booking app we recommend.

This is a great list and we use most of these apps too. Thanks for including Trail Wallet and I’m glad you’ve found it useful!

Of course! Trail Wallet is one of my favorite apps! 🙂

Great list of travel apps. Some of them I was using already, but at least I discovered a few new apps that will be very useful while travelling. Evernote will come in handy among others 🙂

Great! I’m glad you found some new ones. I don’t know what I’d do without Evernote. It helps me keep both my travels and my life organized!

I tried TripIt once and it was a good thing to have – but only because I had a lot of connections (from trains, through coaches, taxis and planes) during my trip so it helped me to keep the record of my journey. Otherwise I don´t use any apps (sometimes google maps but rarely when I am actually on road). But I think I am an exception because I´m not a friend with my smartphone! 😀 I will definitely use Dropbox on my travels out of Europe but so far I haven´t felt the need…thanks for the useful tips anyway 🙂

Google Maps is great when you’re on the road, because it shows you exactly where you are! I never get lost, all thanks to Google 🙂

Simply Decalre is an app to help you organize your receipts for customs declarations, it has real time currency, many other features like snapping a picture for your records. We have used it on the last couple of foreign trips, and it just makes life a whole lot easier. Simple to use. Another great app for your readers.

Fantastic resource man! Ive spent a good chunk of time traveling and I’m always looking for ways to make life on the road easier. Cheers!

That said, I have some thoughts with regards to the prolific use of tech on the road that I thought I’d share. Tech, as wonderful and as convenient as it is, has the ability to withdraw you from the present moment of travel, and all the exciting lessons on offer.

The world is becoming smaller, tech is largely to thank for this, and I appreciate that people nowadays feel the compulsive desire to ‘stay connected’ to current events, homeland, relationships etc. (or sometimes to gloat to those who decided not to join in on the adventure – not recommended). I think for many travelers, especially the younger generation, clinging to tech and searching for the nearest free WiFi is an attempt to bring familiarity with them on their journey. Connection with their familiar life back home provides a level of comfort and security – knowing that people back home care, are informed, and are supporting your ‘crazy’ decisions along the way (even if in reality, they aren’t).

Speaking from experience, this connection to familiarity is useful when you reach a low spot on your travel journey (which all of us will at some point), and it is also a hinderance when it comes to building authentic, genuine connections with the place, the people, and the culture you find yourself amongst.

It is truly a pet annoyance of mine to see people clinging to their smartphones, huddling around the nearest free WiFi zone, and checking facebook / instagram / twitter updates, when there is a wondrous world of activity happening right in front of them.

Tech makes life on the road easier, yes. But it takes away the intimacy of connection with people, places, and cultures that encompass travel. I’m not saying tech is taboo, however I feel that it’s use in the travel society is becoming so prevalent that good old face-to-face relationships are becoming endangered, and a forgotten shade of the travel canvas.

Maybe if people had a better appreciation of self, were more certain of their destiny, and were courageous enough to embrace a new world without the constant desire to cling to their beliefs back home, we would see more genuine connections on the road?

Just some thoughts. Indeed, your apps may in fact reduce the need to be constantly on our smartphones attempting to track the necessities of life. I’ll let you know on that one!

Jason Townsend – www.kickstartacause.com

Thanks so much for your insightful comment. I believe that, in today’s world, with the advent of technology, the most important thing we can do is limit it. I do rely on technology on a daily basis, especially since I work and travel at the same time, but yes, finding the right balance can be hard.

To frame things differently, perhaps staying connected to home allows people who wouldn’t otherwise go travel to feel more comfortable going out into the world. And sometimes, especially when we are constantly surrounded by new people and places, it can be nice to have something comfortable to lean back on.

I think we’re on the same page here. Technology is extremely accessible, and too much of a good thing can definitely be bad. As for me, I make efforts, whenever I can, to put the phone down and just enjoy 🙂

Great reframe Jeremy. That’s an excellent point.I can relate to this in my early traveller days…

Enjoyment comes from the simplest things. Life happens outside the ‘idiot box’ (a.k.a television) 😉

Jason Townsend

I would add diveadvisor to that list for Scuba Diver centric travellers.

It shows you articles on best places to dive, list of dive centres by country etc.

Also, airbnb imo should definitely be on there.

Otherwise cool list 🙂

Oh cool! I hadn’t heard of DiveAdvisor. Going to check it out 🙂

Although Jason rightly pointed out the hindrance that staying connected brings, I do enjoy its conveniences and the help that comes from the apps you listed. In fact, I just re-downloaded the Google App to take advantage of the cards. I forgot how awesome they were and appreciate you mentioning them.

One thing I’d like to add is instagram, and its usefulness when traveling. One time, my wife and I were in Gyeongju in Korea and drunkenly doing a photo search of instagram to see if there was anything we could see one night. This really beautiful pagoda came up and after piecing together enough pigeon Korean to ask a person about it, off we were to a previously unknown place.

Other than that, I like using instagram to see the perspectives that others are employing when taking shots of famous places. Just thought I’d that but besides that, this is a wonderful list. I actually played on the Google app for about ten minutes after reading this, haha. Thanks for sharing, Eric!

I do love Instagram, and these days, especially with the more enhanced location features, it’s increasingly more easy to find people and places nearby. I read an article recently about whether the recent advance in technology has stripped travel of its magic, and though I do think it has to an extent, I also really appreciate the conveniences that it provides.

But ultimately, it’s up to the user to decide how much they use it, and how much they want to get out of the real world vs. the online world.

I agree that keeping track of awards programs/points can be a pain. I am definitely going to look into the AwardWallet. The Foursquare also looks interesting.Thanks for the great tips/suggestions.

I was so optimistic when I saw this list just when I was trying to find how to get to my closest train station in Yongin, but alas, google maps tells me I can’t walk to either one when I walked to the furthest one, has none of the major landmarks I recognize to help orient me, and has no transit directions for the new train line here.

2gis was a GREAT app for this kind of thing, but other than randomly Santiago, Chile, 2 cities in Italy and 1 in Czech Republic, they’re ALL Russian cities. So disheartening!

Great list. Hopefully this can be great for us! Cheers and Thanks for this.

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

Search our latest articles, reviews and gear guides

• TravelFreak on Instagram
• TravelFreak on Facebook
• TravelFreak on Twitter
• TravelFreak on Pinterest

Sign up now and get the best gear, travel tips, deals and destinations, straight to your inbox.

Thank you for signing up!

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

The best travel apps for iOS and Android

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

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

Planning your itinerary

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

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

iOS   Android

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

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

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

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

Hotel Tonight

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

Booking.com

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

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

Google Maps

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

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

Preparation and finding places

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

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

Xe Currency

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

Mobile Passport

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

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

Tripadvisor

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

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

Language and day-to-day apps

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

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

Google Translate

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

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

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

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

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

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

Editors’ Recommendations

• The best webcams for Teams, Zoom, streaming, low light, and more
• The App Store is about to become optional on some iPhones
• Best refurbished iPhone deals: Get an iPhone 14 for $474
• The best iPhones in 2024: Which iPhone is right for you?
• One of the best Android launchers is in trouble

If it’s time for you to trade in an old device or otherwise make the jump to a new smartphone, we’ve got some savings in store for you. The best phone deals currently taking place include some popular phones such as iPhone 15 deals, Samsung Galaxy S24 deals, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra deals, and Google Pixel 8 deals. But there are also some lesser known phone models out there offering impressive savings as well. We’ve rounded up all of the best phone deals we feel are worth taking a look at right now, and you’ll find all of them below. And with previous phone generations holding up well you may also want to check out refurbished iPhone deals, iPhone 14 deals, iPhone SE deals, Samsung Galaxy S23 deals, and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra deals. Nokia C21 — $72, was $75

The Nokia C21 is the perfect entry-level phone, and one of the few smartphones you can find for under $100. It’s unlocked so you can set it up with the carrier of your choosing, and it runs on Android 11 so you know you’ll be getting access to all sorts of compatible apps. The phone’s polycarbonate design makes it durable, its 6.5-inch HD+ display makes it incredibly watchable, and its all-day battery life will allow you to take it just about anywhere without having to worry about plugging in.

Sideloading Android apps is about to get quite a bit more annoying if Google has its way. The changes come from new policies implemented by Google, which will add an extra step when downloading apps from third-party sites like APKMirror.

For those who aren’t familiar with the concept, sideloading an Android app allows you to download and install an app that may not be in the Google Play Store for various reasons, such as regional restrictions, censorship, or policy reasons. Sideloading an app does require enabling developer settings to allow for third-party apps, and you do take a certain degree of your own device safety into your hands, which is why it’s disabled by default.

Today ended up being a big day for iPhone and Apple fans. Why? Apple kicked off the week by releasing its iOS 18.1 developer beta -- aka, the first iOS 18 beta with Apple Intelligence features included.

It's a notable step forward for Apple's big AI push, though the Apple Intelligence experience available in the iOS 18.1 beta isn't a full or finished product. Not every Apple Intelligence feature is available to use, including Apple's most impressive one.

To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then   View saved stories .

• The Big Story
• Newsletters
• Steven Levy's Plaintext Column
• WIRED Classics from the Archive
• WIRED Insider
• WIRED Consulting

The Best iPad to Buy (and a Few to Avoid)

If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more . Please also consider subscribing to WIRED

Best for Most People Apple iPad (2022, 10th Gen) Read more

The Best Upgrade Apple iPad Air (2024, M2) Read more

Best for Portability Apple iPad Mini (2021, 6th Gen) Read more

The Overkill Tablet Apple iPad Pro (M4, 2024, 11-Inch and 13-Inch ) Read more

Buying an iPad should be simple. You just get whatever’s new, right? If only. Apple sells four main iPad models, each with its own strengths. In addition, a growing number of older iPads are floating around the eBays of the world. Since all of these devices look pretty much the same, it’s important to know what you’re buying and what you should pay for it. This guide covers the best iPad models available right now, what’s coming up, the important differences between models, and the old models that exist (including the ones you shouldn’t buy at any price). We also talk about which Apple Pencil is right for you.

Be sure to check out all our buying guides , including the Best iPad Accessories , Best iPhones , Best iPhone 15 Cases , Best Tablets , and Best MacBooks .

Updated June 2024: We added our thoughts on the new 13-inch iPad Air with M2.

Special offer for Gear readers: Get WIRED for just $5 ($25 off) . This includes unlimited access to WIRED. com , full Gear coverage, and subscriber-only newsletters. Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day.

Best for Most People

We originally said the iPad (10th-gen) ( 7/10, WIRED Review ) was an awkward choice—it was too expensive for a basic iPad and the ninth-generation version was a better value. But now that Apple reduced the price of this iPad by $100 and also discontinued the previous version (although you can still find it at third-party retailers), we think the 10th-gen is the best for most people.

Apple has modernized the design with uniform slim bezels around a larger 10.9-inch Liquid Retina (IPS LCD) display. There's finally a USB-C port instead of Lightning, so you can charge it with the same cable as you use to charge a MacBook (or iPhone 15). The cellular model now supports 5G, and like on the iPad Air, the Touch ID sensor is integrated into the power button that sits on the top edge of the slate. The rear camera has been upgraded to 12 megapixels, instead of 8 megapixels. But, perhaps most importantly, the 12-MP selfie camera has been moved to the center of the iPad (in landscape mode), so you’ll no longer have to uncomfortably stare to the side during video calls.

It's powered by Apple's A14 Bionic chip—the same that's in the iPhone 12—which Apple claims delivers 20 percent faster performance and a 10 percent bump in graphics over the ninth-gen model; it never felt sluggish in our testing. However, it's worth noting it still doesn't have a fully laminated display. So, there's an air gap between the screen and the glass, which can make interactions with the Apple Pencil feel a smidge imprecise. You also don't get second-gen Apple Pencil support—it only works with the first-gen stylus; now that the Lightning port is gone, you need to use an adapter to recharge the Pencil. (It's included if you buy a new first-gen Apple Pencil , but if you already have one, the adapter is $9 .) This iPad also supports the Magic Keyboard Folio and the original Smart Folio case ). Read our Best iPad Accessories guide for more alternatives.

The Best Upgrade

Note: A previous version of this article stated that the iPad Air used the M4 chip; it uses the M2. It also stated it's compatible with the second-generation Apple Pencil and the new Magic Keyboard; it supports the Apple Pencil (USB-C) and the first-generation Magic Keyboard. The text below has been corrected to reflect this.

Even the most basic iPad is plenty powerful for most tasks, but the 2024 iPad Air steps things up with an all-new M2 processor—the same one that powers the 13-inch MacBook Air and MacBook Pro from 2022. It's worth noting, however, that it has an 8-core CPU and 9-core GPU—Apple originally claimed the latter was a 10-core GPU, but the company has since updated its site with the correct specs. Compared to the M1, Apple claims the M2 is almost 50 percent faster than the M1-powered version and three times faster than the iPad with the A14 Bionic chip. Coming from the M1-powered iPad Air, I didn’t notice much of a difference with the M2 chip. Performance was smooth, even with a variety of apps running simultaneously. You'll likely only notice a difference if you're coming from an older A-series chip.

You also now have the choice between an 11-inch and a 13-inch Liquid Retina display. The latter is an ideal choice for those who don't want to spend money on an iPad Pro if all you want is a bigger screen. The design (which originally debuted on the 2020 iPad Air ) remains unchanged, with slim bezels, a USB-C port, and Touch ID built into the top power button. The only difference is the front-facing camera placement—Apple moved the 12-megapixel sensor in landscape orientation (with support for Center Stage).

The 13-inch iPad Air ( 8/10, WIRED Recommends ) is worth it solely for the bigger and brighter display. Whether you're using the iPad as your main screen or secondary display to work off of, it's a lot more comfortable to stare at for long periods. It's great for entertainment too—the viewing experience is just far more enjoyable on a bigger tablet. But if you're eyeing the 11-inch model, we recommend looking into the M1-powered iPad Air instead. It packs a slightly smaller 10.9-inch screen, but it's still a great choice, especially if you don't want to spend too much. Apple no longer sells it directly, but we suggest finding it on sale for $450 or less ($550 or less for the 256-gigabyte version ). The M2-powered versions also have the same battery life as the previous version—Apple claims 10 hours of web browsing or watching video on Wi-Fi. On a busy workday, using Chrome, Slack, Safari, and Zoom, I reached 5 percent after about six hours.

Supported accessories can get a little confusing. It's compatible with the Apple Pencil (USB-C) and the new Apple Pencil Pro . It won't work with the second-generation Apple Pencil though. It also works with the first-generation Magic Keyboard case and not the latest redesigned version. If you don't need a keyboard and trackpad, Apple also offers the Smart Folio case .

Best for Portability

The iPad Mini looks like no iPad Mini that came before ( 8/10, WIRED Recommends ). Apple's 2021 refresh mimics the design of the iPad Pro, with slimmer bezels around the 8.3-inch screen. It's a little shorter than its predecessor, and its compact size makes it the best slate to take with you everywhere. You might even be able to fit it into your cargo pants pocket. It loses the Home button but doesn't adopt Face ID—like on the iPad Air and 10th-gen iPad, Touch ID is baked into the power button. It has sub-6 5G connectivity if you add a cellular plan, but best of all is the USB-C charging port, so you can recharge it with your MacBook charger.

With the A15 Bionic processor (released in 2021 with the iPhone 13), it can handle pretty much any intensive app or game. It has improved cameras on the front and back (plus Center Stage on the selfie cam) and second-generation Apple Pencil support , so the stylus magnetically attaches to the edge and charges simultaneously. It won't roll off the desk! The iPad Mini has frequently dropped to $400, so try to catch it on sale.

The Overkill Tablet

Apple's latest iPad Pro tablets ( 6/10, WIRED Review ) pack the largest amount of notable upgrades we've seen in years. You'll now have the choice between an 11-inch and a slightly larger 13-inch size. I tested the 13-inch and recommend the bigger size if you plan on working off the iPad Pro full-time. Apple also upgraded the display from mini-LED to OLED (on both sizes). Known as Ultra Retina XDR, it's made of a new display technology called Tandem OLED which consists of two fused OLED layers, resulting in a brighter screen. Apple says both sizes can hit 1,600 nits of peak brightness in HDR and 1,000 nits with SDR content. I didn't notice a difference coming from mini-LED, but you'll certainly notice it if you're coming from an older iPad Pro with a Liquid Retina display. For an extra $100, you can also opt for nano-textured glass on the 1-TB or 2-TB configurations. The matte finish reduces glare but still feels the same as standard glass. This is also the thinnest Apple product yet. The 13-inch model is 5.1 mm thick (1.3 mm thinner than the previous version), while the 11-inch measures 5.3 mm (0.8 mm thinner than the 2022 model). They're also lighter, coming in at 1.28 pounds and 0.98 pounds, respectively.

Apple made some changes to its camera systems on both the front and back too. The rear camera now consists of a single 12-megapixel wide camera (the company nixed the 10-megapixel ultrawide camera included in the previous version), along with a lidar scanner and a new adaptive True Tone flash to improve document scanning in harsh lighting. It works well! Tapping Scan Document when the page is under the camera works well, and is a lot quicker than using the feature via the Notes app on my iPhone. As with the iPad Air and iPad (10th-gen), the front-facing camera has been moved to the center top edge of the tablet. These new models are also compatible with the new Magic Keyboard , Apple Pencil Pro , and Smart Folio case. It's worth noting they're not backward compatible with older accessories—not only because of the new thin and light chassis but also because the magnets on the back of the tablet have been rearranged.

The iPad Pro is powered by an all-new M4 chip with a CPU that can handle up to 10 cores (models with 256 GB and 512 GB come with a 9-core CPU), which Apple says delivers up to 1.5 times faster CPU performance compared to the M2 in the previous iPad Pro, while the 10-core GPU is up to four times faster. It doesn't feel all that different from using an M2-powered iPad Pro—performance is smooth, responsive, and snappy. But it's tough to recommend this tablet right now. It's expensive and it feels like the processor's full capabilities remain to be seen. We recommend holding off until Apple announces iPadOS 18 at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference in June. Even if the groundbreaking features don't pan out, the M2-powered iPad Pro is still a great option. You can find it at third-party retailers (wait until it's on sale).

Exclusive iPadOS Features

With iPadOS 16 and iPadOS 17 , there are a few features only available on M1, M2, and M4-powered iPad models, while others are exclusive to the iPad Pro. The iPad Air (2022, 5th gen), 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2021, 5th gen), and 11-inch iPad Pro (2021, 3rd gen) have an M1 chip; the 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2022, 6th gen), 11-inch iPad Pro (2022, 4th gen), iPad Air (2024) have an M2 chip; the iPad Pro (2024) has an M4 chip. Below, we break down which features are available on what iPad model. Be sure to also check out our iPadOS 17 feature roundup .

• Reference Mode: Available on the 12.9-inch iPad Pro with M1, M2, and M4. Reference Mode allows you to use the tablet as a reference monitor to ensure color accuracy and consistent image quality when editing photos or videos with a secondary display.
• Stage Manager: Available on iPads with M1, M2, M4, and older iPad Pro models (2018 onward) with the A12X and A12Z chips . For a desktop-like multitasking experience, Stage Manager allows you to resize windows, overlap them, and group them together. You'll also see recently used apps and windows appear on the left side of your screen.
• External Display Support: Available on iPads with M1, M2, and M4. When using Stage Manager, you can also connect the iPad Pro and iPad Air to an external display with resolutions up to 6K. That way, instead of mirroring the iPad to the display, you can access four apps on the external display and four apps on the tablet.
• Virtual Memory Swap: Available on iPads with M1, M2, and M4. If you're in need of more memory for RAM-intensive apps, Virtual Memory Swap will increase the available memory for all your apps and provide up to 16 GB for more taxing apps. If you're using an M1-powered iPad Air, this feature is only available on the 256-GB version.
• Apple Pencil Hover: Available on both sizes of the iPad Pro (M2 and M4) and iPad Air (M2). Using the second-generation Apple Pencil (on the M2-powered iPad Pro) and Apple Pencil Pro, you can hover the stylus millimeters above the screen and see a preview of what will happen before touching the display. For example, with a third-party graphic editing app like Pixelmator, hovering allows you to cycle through presets to see a live preview, or you can hover over a cropped photo to see the original image.

Which Apple Pencil Should You Buy?

The Apple Pencil is a must-have for any iPad owner who takes a lot of notes or likes to draw. (You can even use it to sign documents.) iPadOS also has handwriting support within certain search fields and apps (like Notes), so you don't need to switch to the keyboard every time you want to type. Apple recently debuted a new Pencil, so now there are four to choose from. Here are the differences:

Apple Pencil (1st-gen) for $99 : The first-gen Pencil is quite old at this point but still functions well and includes pressure sensitivity (the lines get thicker as you press down harder on the screen) and tilt sensitivity (for shading). Unlike the other two Apple Pencils, this one has a glossy finish instead of matte (if that matters), and it also is completely rounded, so it will roll off surfaces. There are no magnets, so you can't stick it to the tablet for safekeeping. It has a Lightning connector, so to charge it, you'll have to remove the cap and plug it into the iPad's charging port. (If your iPad still has a Lightning port, you can buy a USB-C adapter .) It's compatible with the iPad (6th gen and later), iPad Air (3rd gen), iPad Mini (5th gen), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1st and 2nd gen), iPad Pro 10.5-inch, and iPad Pro 9.7-inch.

Apple Pencil (USB-C) for $79 : Apple's new USB-C Apple Pencil is a bit perplexing. It doesn't come with pressure sensitivity, so it's better suited for note-takers rather than artists. It can attach magnetically to the sides of an iPad, so you don't need to find a place to store it, but it doesn't support wireless charging, so you'll have to pair and charge it via USB-C. It does support Hover Mode, which allows you to preview what will happen before touching the display, but this is exclusive to the M2-powered iPad Pro and iPad Air. It's compatible with iPad (10th gen), iPad Air (4th, 5th gen, and M2), iPad Mini (6th gen), iPad Pro 11-inch (1st gen and later, including M4), and iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd gen and later, including M4).

Apple Pencil (2nd-gen) for $129 : The second-generation Apple Pencil comes with all the same capabilities as the 1st-gen and USB-C versions, plus wireless pairing and charging (it'll charge when it magnetically sticks to the top edge of supported iPads). It also adds a double-tap feature that lets you quickly switch between tools by tapping on the Apple Pencil twice. It's compatible with the iPad Air (4th gen and later), iPad Mini (6th gen), iPad Pro 11-inch (1st gen and later), and the 12.9-inch (3rd gen and later). It's not compatible with the iPad Air (M2) or iPad Pro (M4).

Apple Pencil Pro for $129 : Apple's newest Pro Pencil is now the most feature-packed of them all. It looks identical to the second-generation model, complete with a matte finish, but it also comes with a few new capabilities. There's now a “squeeze” feature that opens up a tool palette (in addition to the double-tap feature) and a new haptic engine inside that gives off feedback as you squeeze. A built-in gyroscope sensor allows you to change the orientation of the tools as you twist it (for finer control), and it has support for Apple's Find My network to track the stylus when you lose it. It's only compatible with the iPad Air (M2) and iPad Pro (M4). ( C'mon, why isn't it backward-compatible? )

Which iPad Do You Own?

There are tons of iPads out in the world, and it can be tough to figure out exactly what model you own if you're thinking of selling it or you're just looking for accessories and want to make sure they'll work with your iPad. Apple also doesn't name its slates sequentially as it does with the iPhone, only adding to the confusion. No matter. Finding your model is simple.

• Look at the back of your iPad. Etched on the back cover, near where it says "Designed by Apple in California," should be a model number starting with the letter A.
• Head to this website from Apple . Look for your corresponding model number, and that's it! You found your iPad model. (Pro tip: Use your browser's "Find in Page" function to type in your model number and find it quickly.)

Accessory makers usually indicate which iPad a case, folio, or keyboard cover is designed to work with. If you see a retailer mentioning a specific generation, this is Apple's current lineup:

• iPad : 10th generation (2022)
• iPad Mini : 6th generation (2021)
• iPad Air 11-inch : 6th generation (M2, 2024)
• iPad Air 13-inch : 1st generation (M2, 2024)
• iPad Pro 11-inch : 5th generation (M4, 2024)
• iPad Pro 13-inch : 7th generation (M4, 2024)

More Great iPad Accessories

If you're purchasing a new iPad, there are a variety of accessories you can buy to help you get the most out of your tablet. Below, we've highlighted some of our favorites, all of which you can find in our Best iPad Accessories guide . We're currently testing accessories for the new iPad Pro (M4) and iPad Air (M2) and will share our thoughts soon.

Zugu Case for $50 : This is our favorite folio case for the iPad for multiple reasons. It's not only durable (complete with a rigid bumper), but it has a magnetized cover that stays shut and a flap that allows you to position the screen at eight different angles. The case is magnetic too, allowing you to stick it on the fridge securely. It's also reasonably priced, comes in an array of colors, and has a spot for your Apple Pencil.

Logitech Combo Touch (10th-gen) for $160 : The Combo Touch comes with a built-in keyboard, trackpad, and kickstand, making it ideal for getting work done on your iPad. It's also detachable, so you can easily remove the keyboard when you don't need it. It connects via Apple's Smart Connector, meaning you never need to tinker with Bluetooth or bother charging it.

Paperlike Charcoal Folio Case for $70 : Paperlike is known for its screen protector, but the company also offers a great case. It's designed to feel like a sketchbook, complete with a polyester fabric cover that feels lightweight and high-quality. You can also prop your iPad up at two different levels. It doesn't come with an Apple Pencil slot, but there is a large flap closure that keeps it from falling out. We tested it with the iPad Air , but it's also available for the iPad Pro (both sizes).

Apple Magic Trackpad 2 for $110 : For a spacious trackpad, the Magic Trackpad 2 is a great choice. Instead of physical buttons, it has Force Touch sensors where you can feel different levels of pressure on the pad. With support for various iPadOS gestures, you won't have to touch the screen as much. It automatically pairs with your iPad via Bluetooth and recharges with the Lightning port.

Logitech K380 Bluetooth Keyboard for $40 : If you prefer an external keyboard, it's hard to go wrong with the Logitech K380. It's lightweight and portable and can be connected to up to three devices via Bluetooth (with dedicated buttons to switch between them). The keyboard is powered by AAA batteries, which lasted us around four months, so you don't have to worry about carrying a charger around.

Twelve South HoverBar Duo 2.0 for $80 : The HoverBar serves two purposes. You can mount it to the side of your bed, kitchen counter, or shelf (to view content comfortably and hands-free) or you can use the included stand at your desk. With the 2nd-gen version, you can now remove the arm from the clamp and attach it directly to the stand—making it easier to swap between both modes.

Twelve South StayGo Mini USB-C Hub for $59 : Regardless of the iPad model, ports are limited. This hub from Twelve South has an 85-watt USB-C port with passthrough charging, a USB-A port, an HDMI, and a headphone jack. If you have trouble fitting it on an iPad with a case, the included socket-USB-C-to-plug-USB-C cable will fix this.

Other Good iPads

Apple no longer sells these iPads, but these slightly older models are still good options, as long as you can find them for the right discount. We recommend checking third-party retailers (like Amazon , Best Buy , and B&H ). We also suggest cross-checking the price with the latest models to make sure you're spending a fair amount less on the older tablet.

• iPad Pro (2022, 6th Gen) : These iPad Pro tablets ( 7/10, WIRED Review ) use the same M2 chip that's inside the MacBook Air (2022) , Mac Mini , and iPad Air (2024). It also has an excellent mini-LED screen (with a 120-Hz screen refresh rate ) along with a dual camera system (with a lidar sensor), a front-facing camera with support for Center Stage, as well as great speakers and mics. It's compatible with the original Magic Keyboard case , second-generation Apple Pencil , and Apple Pencil with USB-C . We only recommend it if you can find the 11-inch for $749 or less and the 12.9-inch for $900 or less.
• iPad Air (2022, 5th Gen) : This iPad Air has an M1 processor (which can also be found in the 2020 MacBook Air), a 10.9-inch LCD screen, a USB-C port, Touch ID built into the top power button, and support for 5G. It's a great, lightweight tablet that's plenty powerful for most tasks. It packs support for the second-generation Apple Pencil , Apple Pencil with USB-C , and the Magic Keyboard case . We only recommend it for $450 or less.
• iPad (2021, 9th Gen) : The ninth-generation iPad ( 8/10, WIRED Recommends ) has a 10.2-inch display, the classic Home button with Touch ID, an A13 Bionic chip (which debuted on the iPhone 11), support for True Tone, and a 12-megapixel front-facing camera (with Center Stage). It is compatible with the first-generation Apple Pencil and Apple's Smart Keyboard . If you're looking for a basic tablet that's also affordable, this is a great option.

The older models mentioned below are growing increasingly hard to find. Don't expect any of them to be your forever iPad, but they should last for a couple of years. Just don't forget to cross-check prices to make sure you can find them at lower prices than the more recent models.

The iPad (8th Gen) isn't that old (it came out in 2020), but it's tough to recommend seeing as how the 9th-generation version (2021) goes on sale for $250 often. We only suggest the older version if you can find it for less than that. As for the iPad Air (2020) we recommend spending between $300 to $350. Regarding the iPad Mini (5th Gen) , don't spend more than $250.

About Those Older Pros

Apple has always packed a little extra into its iPad Pro tablets. It's still totally fine to buy new (not refurbished) versions of the 2021 11-inch iPad Pro and the 12.9-inch iPad Pro , but try not to spend more than $600 and $850, respectively. The same goes for the 2020 11-inch iPad Pro and the 2020 12.9 incher , but avoid spending more than $500 and $700. Anything more and you may as well buy the latest. These models are all powerful and match the current Pro slates in many ways; they also work with the first-generation Magic Keyboard with Trackpad . But again, cross-check prices with more recent models.

The older 2018 iPad Pro , 10.5-inch , 10-inch, and 13-inch iPad Pro tablets are not worth buying (if you can even find them). They're just too old.

Avoid These iPads!

Just don’t. Yes, money is tight, but your sanity is important. There’s a chance an older iPad could perform decently, but unless someone is giving you one, try to hunt for a newer model. Many of the older iPads no longer receive software updates, and they'll seem quite slow compared to your phone and your computer.

The Mini 1 through 4 and iPad 1 through 7 have low-resolution, pixelated screens or are just too old. Forget buying one of the old 2014 iPad Air 1 or 2015 Air 2—those are too long in the tooth. Peruse our Best Tablets guide for ideas if you don't want to spend a lot. If you’re buying something for a child to use, our guide to the Best Kids' Tablets has good options with kid-friendly features and parental controls.

Is Now a Good Time to Buy?

It depends on what you're in the market for. Apple released a new iPad Air and iPad Pro in May. But Apple hasn't released a new base iPad and iPad Mini since 2022 and 2021, respectively. Both are still solid choices if you don't want the least and greatest. But we suggest holding off if you'd prefer those specific iPads with more recent processors.

WIRED COUPONS

Turbo Tax Live Assisted - 10% off

H&R Block Coupons & Offers

Enjoy $15 Off Your Orders With Instacart Coupon

DoorDash Promo Code: 25% off your order

Summer Savings $10 Off Finish Line Coupon

Groupon Promo Code: Extra 10% off Your Next Order

5 Android Apps You Need To Have Installed If You Like To Travel

I n this day and age, a smartphone is practically a must-bring on trips. After all, how else can you effortlessly and conveniently take photos and videos of your favorite moments? However, there's actually more to your mobile device than simply capturing pictures and recording videos — you can use it to plan and enhance every aspect of your trip, too. That's thanks to the myriad of travel apps available in the market today, transforming your phone into a powerful virtual travel companion that fits in your pocket.

These travel apps come in all sorts of forms. There are some for creating a comprehensive travel plan, while a few help you book transportation and accommodation. If you're an avid traveler in search of the perfect apps to use for your next getaway, you've come to the right place. We've compiled five of the essential Android apps that provide functionalities ranging from itinerary building to language translation.

Read more: 12 Things You Should Stop Doing On Your Android Phone Immediately

For Organizing Your Trip: Travel Life

There are two types of travelers in this world. One just wings it, and the other plans even the most minor details. If you're the second type, you'll want to have a trip planner app like Travel Life installed on your phone. Travel Life serves as the centralized location for all your travel essentials and information. You can build your itinerary here, with each entry complete with the location name, description of what you'll do or see, exact address of the location, and start and end times you'll be. If you don't have any specific attractions or landmarks in mind, Travel Life's itinerary builder can suggest popular places and experiences for you to try out.

Another handy feature you can find in the app is the expense tracker, where you can keep an eye on both your personal expenses and those of your group. It can even conveniently display how much you owe a person or how much someone else owes you. Additionally, the app includes sections for your accommodation and transportation bookings, packing list, things to do before the trip, and loose notes you'd like to be mindful of. 

In addition, you can manage your documents within Travel Life. Just upload a file or take a photo of your travel document, whether that's your passport, flight itinerary, or ID. All personal documents imported into the app won't be saved to the cloud nor shared with the public, ensuring your data is safe.

For Navigation: Maps.me

The last thing you'd want to do on your trip is to get lost. Yes, it's true that being lost in a new city may be an adventure in itself, as you could stumble upon excellent restaurants and shops that you otherwise would have missed. Still, getting lost is the worst possible thing if you're in a rush to make it to a dinner reservation or a booked yacht cruise. To prevent such incidents on your next trip, it's a good idea to have Maps.me  on your phone. Maps.me is an offline navigation app , so you can rely on it when you're somewhere without Wi-Fi or cell coverage. You just need to download the map of the area you'll be visiting in advance, and you're good to go.

Just like any other navigation app, Maps.me allows you to search for whatever location you want to go to. You can type the location name in the search bar or tap on one of the pre-made categories (e.g., where to eat, hotel, groceries, sights, gas) to automatically look up those establishments in your area. The app will then tell you how far the location is and how long it will take for you to reach it. You can also add as many stops to your route as you want for easier navigation. All of your favorite locations can be bookmarked for later use (which will also show on your map), eliminating the need to search for them again.

For Translation: Microsoft Translator

Unless you're a superhuman who speaks all 7,000+ languages across the world or you exclusively visit cities speaking the same language as you, you'll always need a tool to help you communicate with the locals. One of the leading translator apps in the market to consider is Microsoft Translator . It supports at least 100 languages, from mainstream ones like Spanish, French, and German to less spoken ones, such as Inuinnaqtun, Upper Sorbian, and Yucatec Maya.

To translate from one language to the next, you can use one of the three accepted input options: text, photo, and voice. For the text input, simply choose the language pair and type the phrase or sentence you wish to translate. In the case of the photo input, you'll be prompted to either take a picture using the in-app camera or upload one from your gallery. Finally, you have the voice input. Start by picking your original language and the language you want to translate to. Then, tap on the mic icon, start speaking, and listen to the translated phrase or sentence. 

If you're talking to someone and want to have a more seamless conversation, you can switch the voice input to "split" mode. This displays two microphones at the same time and eliminates the need to switch the original language every time one of you talks. Microsoft Translator also includes a phrasebook featuring everyday phrases and sentences typically used when traveling. It's categorized into sections like Dining, Lodging, and Travel and Directions, so you can find what you need right away.

For Booking Accommodations And Things To Do: Airbnb

While staying in fancy hotels with breakfast buffets and Olympic-sized pools is a dream, there are always those travels where you're on a budget or you simply prefer to stay in cozy, home-like places. On such occasions, Airbnb is your best friend. 

Airbnb is one of the most popular accommodation booking apps out there, and for good reason. You can find a variety of listings here that can be filtered into categories like beachfront, tiny homes, tropical, and amazing views. The listings are complete with all the details you'd need to know about the guesthouses, from the in-room amenities to the house rules. If you'd like to know something that's not mentioned in the listing, you can use the app to message the host directly.

Airbnb is also great for researching potential lodging well in advance of your trip. Say you're traveling to Bali in 18 months. It's too soon to reserve your accommodation, but you can still get a feel of the rooms available. Just browse through the Airbnb listings and tap on the heart icon to save those places in your account. That way, you can start limiting your options and spare yourself from the hassle of picking out one of the thousands of rooms weeks before your trip. You can simply go to your curated favorites and choose from there. Beyond accommodation options, Airbnb lets you book experiences, too. This can range from city walking tours to art workshops.

For Journaling Your Adventures: Travel Diaries

Traveling is one of the best ways to make unforgettable memories, but you shouldn't let your photos just sit in your gallery and gather digital dust. Instead, keep them in a stylish travel journal app such as Travel Diaries . True to its name, Travel Diaries works just like your typical digital diary, but it's specifically designed for journaling your travels.

Each of your trips serves as an individual diary, and within one diary, you can create multiple entries (referred to as chapters) where you can write about your experiences. If your trip spans multiple days, each day can have its own chapter. For a more detailed approach, you can add separate chapters for each location or city you visit instead. Aside from documenting your thoughts and experiences in words, Travel Diaries lets you upload photos of your key moments to each chapter too. Just change the layout of the chapter into one of the many options available, and you'll be able to add up to four images to each chapter.

After finishing the diary, you can then convert it to a physical copy for you to enjoy. Travel Diaries offers two ways to do so. You can go the DIY route and download your diary as a PDF that you can print out yourself. However, this feature is only available to premium users. Alternatively, you can opt to order a physical copy directly from the app. This allows you to choose the format, whether it's a hardcover book, a softcover edition, or in the style of a magazine.

Read the original article on SlashGear .

Apple Card best free co-branded credit card, says JD Power survey

The JD Power 2024 US Credit Card Satisfaction Study has found the Apple Card to be the best co-branded credit card with no annual fee …

Apple says it’s the fourth consecutive year the card has “been awarded a No. 1 ranking,” though the actual categories have varied:

• 2021: Best Midsize Credit Card Issuer
• 2022: Best Midsize Credit Card Issuer
• 2023: Best Co-Brand Credit Card – No Annual Fee segment (excluding airline cards)
• 2024: Best Co-Brand Credit Card – No Annual Fee segment (excluding airline cards)

The awards are based on customer satisfaction ratings, factoring in scores for categories like Account Management, Customer Service, and New Account Experience.

Apple highlighted the key features of the card:

Introduced in 2019, Apple Card was built with users’ financial health in mind. Apple Card has absolutely no fees and is designed to offer users an easy and secure way to track purchases and manage spending from Wallet while receiving up to three percent Daily Cash on every purchase. With Apple Card Family, users can also share an Apple Card account with anyone added to their Family Sharing group. Users can also open a Savings account through Apple Card and choose to have their Daily Cash automatically deposited there, allowing users to get even more value from their Daily Cash. Savings comes with no fees, no minimum deposits, and no minimum balance requirements, and also allows users to transfer additional funds from a linked bank account to further grow their savings.

The APR charged on card balances depends on your credit score, and ranges from 19.24% to 29.49%.

Image: Apple

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Check out 9to5Mac on YouTube for more Apple news:

A new kind of credit card. Created by Apple, no…

Ben Lovejoy is a British technology writer and EU Editor for 9to5Mac. He’s known for his op-eds and diary pieces, exploring his experience of Apple products over time, for a more rounded review. He also writes fiction, with two technothriller novels, a couple of SF shorts and a rom-com!

Ben Lovejoy's favorite gear

Dell 49-inch curved monitor

Manage push notifications

How-To Geek

The best android apps for road trips and travel.

Your changes have been saved

Email is sent

Email has already been sent

Please verify your email address.

You’ve reached your account maximum for followed topics.

How to Get Google to Pay for Your Android Apps

Always do this before handing your android phone to someone, android users should disable 2g connectivity, says google.

Road trips are a great way to explore new places and create memories. Whether you're planning a cross-country adventure or a weekend getaway, having the right apps on your Android phone can make the trip smoother and stress-free. Here are the best Android apps to take your road trip experience to the next level.

1 Google Maps

Google Maps is your go-to app for any road trip, whether an interstate journey or a dash to the supermarket.

Google Maps gives turn-by-turn directions, real-time traffic updates, and alternative route suggestions. You can also download maps for offline use, which is handy in areas with spotty internet coverage. Google Maps also helps you discover nearby attractions, restaurants, and gas stations, making it a handy tool for travelers.

Waze is another great navigation and maps app, especially if you want to avoid traffic jams , accidents,and speed and police traps. Unlike Google Maps, Waze relies heavily on user-generated data. This means that you get real-time updates on road conditions, accidents, and police activity from other drivers. This community-driven approach makes Waze a reliable app for finding the quickest and safest routes.

Its social features allow you to see where your friends are on the road. That is perfect for keeping track of friends when on a joint road trip.

3 Roadtrippers - Trip Planner

There's more to a road trip than getting from one place to another. Roadtrippers solves that.This trip planner helps you find interesting stops along your route. Whether it's quirky roadside attractions, scenic views, or historical landmarks, Roadtrippers helps you find and plan stops that can turn an ordinary trip into an extraordinary adventure. The app also provides information on accommodations, dining, and entertainment options, allowing you to create a customized travel itinerary.

They also have road trip tips and blogs on their website.

Every road trip needs fuel. GasBuddy makes that chore easier by finding the cheapest gas prices around you. The app relies on prices reported by its users, which means you get up-to-date information on gas stations' pricing. You can also earn points for reporting prices, which can be redeemed for prizes. GasBuddy’s trip cost calculator estimates how much you'll spend on gas based on your vehicle's fuel efficiency and the distance of your trip, helping you budget more effectively.

When you're on the road, finding good places to eat and things to do is essential. Yelp is a trusted resource for discovering restaurants, bars, cafes, and attractions. With lots of reviews from real users, you can get insights into the best local spots around you.

Yelp’s search filters allow you to find places that meet your criteria, such as open now, outdoor seating, or family-friendly. The app also offers deals and discounts at participating businesses, helping you save money while exploring new areas.

Finding a comfortable place to stay is very important for any road trip. Airbnb offers a vast selection of accommodations , from budget-friendly rooms to entire luxurious homes. Whether you're looking for a cozy cabin in the mountains or a beachfront villa, Airbnb has options to suit every traveler’s needs. The app’s user reviews and ratings ensure you can find a reliable place to stay. Plus, the ability to book directly through the app makes the process seamless and convenient.

7 Booking.com

Another excellent app for booking accommodation is Booking.com . With millions of listings worldwide, you can find hotels, motels, hostels, and more. The app offers flexible booking options, allowing you to filter results based on your preferences, such as free cancellation policies or no prepayment required.

Booking.com also provides user reviews and ratings, helping you make informed choices. Additionally, the app’s loyalty program, Genius, offers discounts and perks for frequent travelers.

Long drives can get monotonous, but with Spotify , you can keep entertained with music , podcasts, and audio books. Create custom playlists for your trip, or choose from Spotify’s curated road trip playlists. The DJ feature is a cool option for road trips. It recommends old songs and helps you discover new artistes and genres.

For those who prefer audio books , Audible is a fantastic app to have on your road trip. With thousands of titles across various genres, Audible offers something for everyone. Whether you want to dive into a gripping thriller, learn something new with a non-fiction title, or enjoy a light-hearted comedy, Audible has you covered. The app’s seamless playback and ability to download books for offline listening make it an excellent companion for long drives. The Audible Originals also provides exclusive content you can’t find anywhere else.

10 AllTrails

If your road trip itinerary involves hiking, AllTrails is a must-have app. It has a load of information about trails with maps, photos, and reviews inclusive. Whether you're looking for a short, easy walk or a challenging hike, AllTrails helps you find the perfect trail . The app also allows you to download maps for offline use, so you can navigate even when you’re out of cell service range.

11 The Dyrt

Camping enthusiasts are in luck! The Dyrt is incredibly useful for discovering and booking campgrounds. It provides extensive information on campgrounds across the United States of America, including user reviews and photos. You can search for campgrounds based on location, type, and facilities, making it easy to find a site that suits your needs.

The Dyrt Pro also offers offline access, so you can find and navigate to campsites even without internet service and Camp ground discounts when you book on their site.

These apps are invaluable when making a road trip, so before you hit the road, make sure to download them to ensure a smooth, enjoyable, and memorable adventure.

• Apps & Web Apps

HappyHopper: Find Happy Hours 17+

Find happy hours near me, happy hopper, designed for ipad.

• 5.0 • 4 Ratings

Screenshots

Description.

The Ultimate Guide to Dining Specials and Happy Hours near you! Welcome to Happy Hopper, the premier happy hour app designed to help you find the best food and drink deals in your area. Whether you're looking to take it easy after work, catch up with friends, or explore new dining spots, Happy Hopper has you covered with the largest database of happy hour specials from restaurants and bars nationwide. Features: - Discover Deals: Easily find happy hour deals and specials on food and drinks near you with our intuitive search functionality. - Nationwide Coverage: Access a comprehensive list of restaurants and bars offering happy hour specials across all cities in the US and Canada, updated regularly to ensure you never miss a great deal. - Map View: Use our accessible map view to quickly locate happy hour deals in your area and plan your next outing. - Save Your Favorites: Bookmark your favorite happy hour spots and deals for quick access anytime. Why Choose Happy Hopper? - Local Focus with Nationwide Reach: We specialize in happy hour deals and food specials, ensuring you get the most relevant and up-to-date information, no matter where you are in the US or Canada. - Easy to Use: Our user-friendly interface makes it simple to browse and discover the best happy hour menus around you. Download Happy Hopper today and start saving on your next night out! Enjoy great food and drinks at unbeatable prices with the most extensive happy hour app in the country!

Ratings and Reviews

Money saver.

Happy Hopper is my go to! As someone who loves to go out I’ve saved so much money using this app

Developer Response ,

Thanks for the feedback! We're glad you're enjoying Happy Hopper and saving money. Let us know if there's anything we can improve!

App Privacy

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

Data Not Linked to You

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

• Contact Info

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

Information

• App Support
• Privacy Policy