Travel Apps for Travelers: My 20 Favorite Apps to Make Traveling Easier

I’ve compiled a list of my favorite travel apps for travelers who are either new to traveling, don’t do it often, or are simply always looking for any app that makes a trip just a little less stressful. I love all of these apps and use most of them on every trip these days.

I’ve said it before, but if I had to lose either my wallet or my phone while traveling? Take my money. Nowadays, our phones are our lifelines, but it’s especially true when traveling.

So much is stored in that small rectangle, from itineraries and stay details to communications and money management.

Essential Apps for Planning and Organization

Google Sheets and Docs for Travel Planning

The Google Suite is my most-used set of apps and the travel apps for travelers I recommend the most. I map out my budget in Sheets, finesse an itinerary in Docs, and more.

Plus, I trust Google in general for comparing flights, stays, and attractions to get the most bang for my buck. Using the suite is also incredibly useful if you’re ever in a dead zone and need to access documents offline.

Airalo for International Data and Connectivity

I was introduced to Airalo by a classmate during my pastry course in Scotland, and I can’t believe I was missing out for so long! I’ve always been bad about getting international coverage while traveling – which is not smart – and just relied on my off-and-on WiFi connections to get me through.

Airalo is truly so easy to use and so much cheaper than having something like a “travel pass” or even an international plan through your wireless provider (thanks for nothing, Verizon). 

Apps for Booking Flights, Accommodation, and Experiences

Airbnb, Booking.com, and Hostelworld for Stays

Some of my most used sites for nighty night are Airbnb, Booking.com, Hostelworld, and the occasional Hotels Tonight (though recently it seems the “deals” aren’t often that much better than comparing prices on Google).

Don’t skirt Hostelworld. Even if you’re not a “hostel” person, you can find non-hostel stays, like homestays, in the app as well as private rooms in a hostel that offer a lovely night’s rest to rival that of a hotel.

GetYourGuide, Viator, and TripAdvisor for Local Tours & Food Recommendations

When it comes to finding things to do in the area I’m exploring, Get Your Guide, Viator, and now, even Airbnb, are my go-tos. Having these apps on my phone not only makes it easy to book but also access quickly tickets as needed.

The TripAdvisor app is my trusty source for ideas, but especially food recommendations. It’s so hard to trust reviews nowadays, but when a restaurant has a top ranking on TripAdvisor (none of this “featured on” crap but an actual top ranking), it has yet to fail me.

Airline Apps for Flight Updates and Boarding

I’ve met people who don’t keep their respective airline apps on their phones, but I highly recommend it. Whether you’re flying Spirit or Emirates, having the airline’s app on your phone will keep you immediately updated on any gate changes and flight delays.

Plus, your airline’s app offers easy access for check-in, flight adjustments, and your ticket to board.

Travel Apps for Travelers Budgeting and Managing Money

Splitwise and Venmo for Shared Expenses

The Splitwise app has made my trips with friends or a road trip with my mom so much easier to track all expenses. That friend who’s always bad about covering their share? Not no more!

From a gas station snack to a bed and breakfast, track every charge right in your designated group on Splitwise. When the trip is over, and all expenses are in, just cash out – literally or via Venmo. I mean, if you don’t have Venmo on your phone at this point… you’re missing out on some serious $$ convenience.

Easily Divide the Bill with Tab

The Tab app is a great for travel app for travelers or simply a dinner with friends. As the honorary friend who doesn’t drink, I appreciate the ability to split the “tab” so that my portion is just… my portion.

Just take a photo of your receipt (or manually enter it), divide it by who bought what, and voila! It even accounts for tax and tip.

Navigation and Local Essentials

Google Maps for Directions and Saved Places

Save attractions, cafes, galleries, and more in Maps (plus, obviously, directions). This honestly might be my most used travel app for travelers (and quite the hack)!

Whenever someone recommends anything from a town to a local bakery, I save it into a designated group in Maps. This way, when I’m in a new area, I already have places saved that I want to hit up!

Flush for Finding Nearby Restrooms

This app also gets the award for the best name. As someone who has tummy troubles pretty consistently on trips, but also tries to stay hydrated, this app is my BFF.

Something about knowing where a toilet is just really puts me at ease. When I was living in New York City, I pulled this bad boy up all the time cause hell if I want to pay for the potty (at least not in America).

Google Translate for Communication

Another shout-out for the Google Suite. While there are many translation apps on the market nowadays, Google Translate is my trusty source when I quickly need to decipher a menu or talk to a local.

Communication and Safety Apps

WhatsApp for Messaging Abroad

Sharing this one as it’s widely used outside of the United States. Honestly, WhatsApp might be the most used for texts and calls by those internationally.

If you need to connect with a tour guide or meet a friend while exploring, most likely your Messages app isn’t going to reach them. Having WhatsApp set up on your phone is a must!

Find My and Wallet for Location and Ticket Management

My trusty Apple travel apps for travelers are Find My to help ease the stress (and sometimes annoyance) of loved ones while I’m traveling. They can see my location when I get to where I’m going, plus it’s also peace of mind knowing that someone not on my trip could find me if something were to happen.

Wallet is my backup app, and as a type-A personality, having that is a necessity. Keep track of your credit cards as well as your tour and flight tickets easily within this app. 

Tips for Using Travel Apps for Travelers Effectively

Organize Apps by Function

I keep the majority of these apps in one “folder” on my phone, simply labeled “Travel,” but for the ones I can use in my day-to-day life, I break them out. Consider how you use your apps, and what system will make it easiest for you to find what you need quickly.

For example, most of my apps like Kayak or Booking.com live in “Travel,” but I have a separate folder for Venmo and Splitwise with other apps related to “Finance.”

Keep Offline Versions Where Possible

Again, this is what I love about Google Suite, since all their apps (that I commonly use) have the ability to function offline. You can save offline maps if you’re traveling to more remote destinations where the connection may be spotty. Or keep your itinerary Doc updated when you have WiFi so you can view it offline when you don’t.

Test Apps Before You Travel

While some of these apps are a-OK to test out live, when you’re in a new location, it will likely bring you some peace of mind to give a few of them a go before you leave home.

If you want to learn how to walk to a saved location in Google Maps offline, put your phone on airplane mode and follow your blue dot. Or try the Flush app the next time you’re out and about, to see what the toilet situation is like.