Finding flights, hotels, and activities online has never been easier with the best Apps.
Trip planning doesn’t have to be a daunting task. While it may feel like a complex puzzle, there’s no need to stress about booking flights, securing accommodations, or crafting the perfect itinerary.
With many free travel apps available for iPhone and Android, you can easily streamline the process. These top-notch travel apps are game-changers, making your journey smoother and more enjoyable before and during your trip. Embrace the tools at your disposal and make travelling a breeze!
Best free travel apps for organising your trip
TripIt
TripIt allows you to organize all your travel details in one convenient location, including hotel and car reservations, airline tickets, and tour itineraries.
This app, available for Android and iPhone, also enables you to share your travel plans with others, making coordinating plans with family and friends easier.
Lonely Planet
The Lonely Planet guides are an excellent resource for travel tips and recommendations. Their city guides are user-friendly and packed with valuable information. The offline map feature is also helpful once you arrive at your destination.
Besides the city guides, the app allows you to shop for tickets and tours. While this feature is helpful for generating ideas, I recommend purchasing tickets directly from the seller or through another website.
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Best Travel App for Packing for Your Trip
PackPoint
With PackPoint, you’ll never forget your underwear or socks again. More importantly, this travel app helps you create a personalised packing list tailored to your destination. Select your trip dates, location, and type of journey, and this handy app takes care of the rest.
Based on your destination, the time of year, and weather forecasts, the app will recommend essential items such as jackets, umbrellas, and beach attire that you might otherwise overlook.
Best travel app for checking flight status
FlightAware Flight Tracker
In an ideal world, all flights would operate smoothly and on time, eliminating the need to check for delays. Unfortunately, this is not the reality, but at least this app can help provide us with peace of mind.
FlightAware allows you to check the real-time status of any commercial flight worldwide. You can also set up flight status alerts and push notifications, which are helpful if you’re concerned about flight delays, gate changes, and cancellations.
FlightAware often notifies passengers of flight changes faster than the airlines do. Be sure to download it before your next trip!
Best free travel Map App
Google Maps
Nobody likes getting lost on holiday, and Google Maps holds a special place at home and abroad. This app offers up-to-date maps and directions in nearly every country around the world. Google Maps also has an offline mode that you can use when you don’t have data.
Best for getting around
Rome2Rio
Rome2Rio is your go-to resource for seamless travel, whether exploring the vibrant streets of Rome, the lively culture of Rio de Janeiro, or anywhere in between. Just enter your desired destination, and Rome2Rio will instantly deliver a range of reliable transportation options to get you there efficiently.
Best travel apps dealing with money
Splitwise
If your group has an arrangement where each person is responsible for purchasing different items—like flights, hotels, and attractions—using an app to track expenses is essential. I highly recommend Splitwise; it effectively ensures that everyone is reimbursed accurately.
Splitwise is a top-notch tool for several reasons. First, it supports tracking expenses in nearly every primary currency. This capability is incredibly beneficial for group trips involving multiple countries, as it allows you to effortlessly manage and monitor expenses in different currencies simultaneously.
XE Currency
This app enables you to monitor foreign exchange rates in real-time. XE Currency is user-friendly, simplifying the task of calculating complex conversions. Even when not connected to the internet, XE Currency remains functional by displaying the most recent rates from your last session with the app.
Best free travel apps for languages
Google Translate
For international travellers, this app is a must-have on your phone. Google Translate is an invaluable tool when you’re in a foreign country and don’t speak the local language. It delivers instant translations in nearly every major language with impressive accuracy.
While it generally performs well, there may be times when you’ll want to dig deeper for more nuanced idioms or phrases. Overall, it’s an essential resource that can greatly enhance your travel experience.
Best app for travel after a trip
Visited
Have you ever thought about getting a scratch map? This one is virtual! Visited allows you to keep track of your travel experiences around the world. It features a convenient map, along with lists and progress trackers that are easy to set up. When you check off a destination or experience from your bucket list, you’ll be one step closer to achieving your travel dreams and goals.
Best travel apps for hotel and accommodation bookings
Booking.com
This app is hands down my top choice for booking hotels. Booking.com stands out for its ease of use and efficiency, giving it a clear advantage over its competitors. Unlike other platforms, such as Hotels.com, which can struggle with mobile compatibility, Booking.com delivers a seamless experience.
With access to 5.8 million properties worldwide, it’s undoubtedly one of the most comprehensive resources for scoring incredible deals. When you use this app frequently, you’ll gain access to the “Genius Rewards Program,” offering exclusive discounts and late check-outs at various hotels. It’s the smart choice for savvy travellers!
Airbnb
Airbnb is user-friendly and customisable, allowing for quick and seamless bookings. Additionally, the interactive map feature gives you a clear idea of where you might want to stay.
Airbnb focuses on accommodations and offers “experiences” in various destinations. I have used the “Airbnb Experiences” feature to purchase tickets for tours and major attractions. While browsing this app, you can find plenty of activities, from tapas tours in Barcelona to bistro visits in Paris.