Sometimes we wonder how old school travellers got around and planned trips so easily. We take so much of modern technology for granted. Most of us have never had to use a paper map and compass and before booking and comparison sights like Sky Scanner and Booking.com became popular, booking a flight meant calling up a travel agent or even going to a travel agent in person. Perhaps it created a greater sense of adventure, but it’s not anything I could imagine navigating now. Thankfully, there are so many apps to make everything easier.
What are the best apps for travellers in 2024?
You won’t necessarily need every single app on this list, (45 apps will take up a lot of room on your phone) it depends on your personal travel needs which travel apps you will download. Remember to check the latest reviews and download the apps that align with your travel needs and preferences. The right combination of travel apps can significantly enhance your trip and make your journey more enjoyable and stress-free. Here is my ultimate list of apps and websites that assist with planning, navigating, and enhancing your travel experiences. Please note that the app landscape is constantly evolving, so it’s a good idea to check the latest reviews and rankings on app stores and travel websites.
Google Maps: A reliable navigation app for finding directions, exploring places, and discovering local attractions, restaurants, and hotels.
Airbnb: Allows you to book unique accommodations and experiences with local hosts, often providing a more authentic travel experience.
TripIt: Helps you organize your travel itinerary by consolidating flight, hotel, car rental, and activity information into one easy-to-access place.
Google Translate: Translates text and speech between different languages, essential for overcoming language barriers in foreign countries.
Duolingo: A language learning app that can help you learn basic phrases and vocabulary in different languages before your trip.
Skyscanner or Kayak: These apps are great for comparing flight prices and finding the best deals on airfare.
Rome2rio: Assists in finding the best transportation options between destinations, including flights, trains, buses, and more.
XE Currency: Provides real-time currency exchange rates, helping you stay on top of your expenses in foreign currencies.
Breakfast App: friendly networking with a carefully curated community.
Google Trips: A comprehensive travel planner that organizes your reservations, provides travel guides for popular destinations, and offers customized recommendations.
PackPoint: Helps you create a packing list based on your destination, travel dates, and planned activities.
WhatsApp: The innovating messaging app is now used widley across the world and can be useful for staying in touch with friends and family back home and communicating with locals while travelling.
Uber, Bolt or Lyft: For ridesharing services, these apps are available in many countries and can simplify transportation in unfamiliar cities.
Citymapper: A fantastic app for navigating public transportation in major cities worldwide, providing real-time updates and multiple route options.
MAPS.ME: An offline map app that allows you to download maps and use them without an internet connection, ideal for areas with limited connectivity.
Trail Wallet: An expense tracking app designed for travelers to monitor their spending and stay within their budget.
Get Your Guide: book unique local experiences hosted by residents, allowing you to explore a city from a different perspective.
Google Photos or Drop Box: Automatically backup your photos and videos, freeing up space on your phone and ensuring you don’t lose precious memories.
Polarsteps: Tracks and maps your journey automatically, creating a travel journal of your adventures that you can share with friends and family.
Hopper: Predicts the best time to book flights by analyzing historical data and notifying you when prices drop for your desired destinations.
Hostelworld: If you’re looking for budget-friendly accommodations, these apps are excellent resources for finding hostels and affordable hotels.
Splitwise: Ideal for group travelers, this app simplifies expense splitting and helps avoid awkward money-related conversations.
Google Lens: Allows you to scan and identify landmarks, artworks, and text, providing valuable information about the places you visit.
TravelSpend: Another budget tracking app that helps you monitor your expenses and keep your travel finances in check.
VPN Apps (such as ExpressVPN or NordVPN): Ensures a secure internet connection, especially when using public Wi-Fi, and allows access to geo-restricted content.
Culture Trip: Offers personalized travel recommendations, articles, and city guides for various destinations, making it a great source of inspiration.
Atlas Obscura: catalogs unusual and obscure travel destinations via user-generated content.
Mobile Passport: Expedite your re-entry to the United States by submitting your customs and border protection form through this app.
Google Pay or Apple Pay: Convenient mobile payment apps that can be used in various countries, reducing the need to carry cash and cards.
Food delivery apps: In some cities, apps like UberEats, Deliveroo, Bolt Food, Grab (SE Asia) Yemeksepeti (Turkey) can be useful for having local cuisine delivered to your accommodation.
Grab or Gojek: Popular in Southeast Asia, these apps provide ride-hailing services, food delivery, and more, all within a single platform.
Triposo: An offline travel guide that provides comprehensive information about popular destinations, including sights, activities, and restaurants.
Roadtrippers: Ideal for road trips, this app helps you plan your route, find attractions, accommodations, and places to eat along the way.
TripScout: Offers city guides, walking tours, and local insights to help you discover hidden gems and lesser-known attractions.
Wanderlog: best free travel itinerary & road trip planner app. Wanderlog as a route map showing directions, distances, and driving times between different attractions you might want to visit.
XE Currency: A reliable currency converter app to help you manage your expenses when traveling abroad.
Packr: A packing checklist app that considers the weather forecast and the activities planned for your trip.
Skiplagged: Helps you find “hidden city” flight deals, where you book a cheaper flight that has a layover in your desired destination.
Polarsteps: Automatically tracks your travels and creates a visual travel journal to share with friends and family.
Trail App: Find the best hiking and camping trails with details on difficulty.
Google Flights: A user-friendly flight search app that helps you find the best deals on flights and explore flexible date options.
LoungeBuddy: This app allows you to find, book, and access airport lounges worldwide, providing a comfortable space during layovers and delays.
SitOrSquat Or Flush: both apps that help you find clean and public restrooms nearby while on the go.
GasBuddy: Useful for road trips, this app helps you find the cheapest gas prices in your current location.
AirHelp: Assists you in claiming compensation for flight delays, cancellations, or overbookings.
