Must‑Have Travel Apps: Your Complete Trip Planning Toolkit

In today’s world, we rely on our gadgets for nearly everything, including travel. If you’re looking for the best travel apps to plan your trip from start to finish, this post is for you. I’ve compiled a curated list of my go-to tools for booking flights, finding transport, reserving accommodation, navigating offline, managing budgets, and more. This essential toolkit covers everything from maps and public transport to translation and tour bookings – all tested on my trips around the world.

Also check out my post providing useful tips for independently planning your trips.

Note: I will include links of each website/app for ease of reference.

Best Map Apps for Navigation and Offline Use

First and foremost, your essential trip planning toolkit should include a thorough map. I still remember the time when we were exploring the city with the actual paper maps. Many of you probably can’t even imagine that any more. But I still like having paper maps sometimes and keep them, as souvenirs from my trips.

Google Maps: Of course, nothing beats Google Maps so far. It’s the most comprehensive map out there, constantly updated and loaded with data about most of the countries in the world. However, it doesn’t work properly in every country. For instance, South Korea doesn’t provide Google with sufficient data, so you can’t search for the walking directions between two points there (although it still works fine for noting things down and finding public transportation routes in big cities). China has blocked it and you can only use it via VPN. Another limitation is that in the offline mode, even though you see everything, including your pins, you can’t search for directions.

Maps.me: From my experience this is the most comprehensive map you can use in an offline mode. Once you download the relevant areas, you can easily search walking or driving directions between two points. However, it doesn’t always provide sufficient information on transport routes.

Apple Maps: I have heard a lot of good things about these maps, however, it’s exclusive only to Apple users, while I use the cheapest phones possible.

OsmAnd: This app looks similar to maps.me to me. I have used it a bit, but it somehow didn’t stay in my phone, as I use a combination of Google Maps and maps.me, with a local map app. However, if you want a good alternative to the first two I listed, this could be for you.

Sygic GPS Navigation & Maps: If you want to have GPS for driving directions, Sygic works quite well. However, it doesn’t provide information on walking routes or public transport.

Top Public Transport Apps for City Travel

Citymapper: I really love this app for the big cities I have lived in or visited. It provides excellent public transport information, as well as walking directions. The main issue is that it only works well for the listed 105 cities, while having limited data for other parts of the world.

Moovit: Another app providing great information about public transport in cities particularly. I prefer Citymapper in the cities it’s available in, but Moovit covers more cities. So do check this one out.

Rome2Rio: A great app providing you with information about transportation options all over the world. I mainly look at it to see which transport runs in this area and then I book the transport via their own websites. It gives you all your options, including trains, ferries, buses, etc. However, keep in mind that it does not have all information and sometimes some of the options could be missing. The most recent example of missing information was when I was searching for options to get from Kuala Lumpur to Penang. It thought the train is only running to Ipoh and was telling me to take a bus from Ipoh. While in reality the train runs all the way to Butterworth, from which its just 10 minutes ferry ride to Penang. So do double check the information you get from here on other apps and websites.

Accommodation Apps

Whether you prefer to stay in a hostel, a rented apartment or a hotel, here are the apps that will help you book your preferred accommodation. I usually check all the apps and compare their offers and prices, before I commit to book with one of them.

I also thoroughly assess the reviews of the accommodation I plan to book. I start reading the lowest rated reviews and see if the points made there matter to me. For instance, if someone was unhappy that hotel staff didn’t smile at them or that the hotel is on the main road and not so quiet, those points don’t matter to me. On the other hand, if too many low rated reviews say that the bathroom smelled or sheets were not clean, that matters to me a lot.

Apps to Book Hotels

Booking.com: This has been my go-to app for booking hotels and sometimes apartments for many years. I am a Genius member for a long time now. My search criteria are the following: Private bathroom and 8+ ratings. However, if I am travelling to European or East Asian countries and aim at mid-range hotels, then I give 7+ and Hotels, simply because some good hotels have lower ratings (because people have higher expectations from 4+ star hotels and may not like things like hotel staff not helping them carry their luggage, which doesn’t matter to me).

Agoda: Lately this became my second go-to app. I have used it around Europe and Asia. Especially if you are booking closer to your travel dates, Agoda can provide good discounts and offers. Searching here is also quite easy with one problem – you can’t indicate private bathroom in search. Still, it doesn’t have too many hostels, so it’s not difficult to search.

Trip.com: This is a Chinese owned website/app. It is quite useful in Asian countries with good rates. I have used it in several countries, including in China, in smaller locations, like Pingyao where accommodation options on other websites were very limited.

Hotels.com: Another good app for searching hotels. I found a good deal here a few times.

Expedia: While Expedia is not only for hotel bookings, it’s a great tool for this as well. You can search for hotels, flights, as well as ground transport here.

Apps to Book Apartments, Hostels, etc.

Airbnb: This app was very popular over the years. Although it is slowly declining in popularity, it is still widely used. I have used it a few times, especially in locations, where hotels are too expensive. However, when possible I prefer to avoid the hassle and go for the hotels. I have had some bad experiences with Airbnb, like most people: once the sheets and the whole apartment smelled terrible; another time the building security didn’t let us in, although the host told us they would. That just creates additional hassle.

Vrbo: This app is similar to Airbnb. I have never used it, but the idea is the same as with Airbnb.

Homestay: Another app with the similar idea of booking apartments, or rooms. One thing is that in some parts of the world, where Airbnb is banned, this one isn’t. For instance, I booked places on this for Iran.

Hostelworld: This app allows to book hostels around the world. I have used it to book a separate room in hostels a couple of times.

Couchsurfing: This app connects you with locals who offer their couch, spare bedroom, etc. to travelers for free. Many people use this to get to know people from different cultures. However, I am quite careful about this sort of things. Make sure to vet the person and follow the safety rules.

Airline Apps

Definitely download the app of the airlines you are flying with for that particular trip. All airlines I can think of have their own apps, which not only keep your flight information and boarding passes but notify you with updates on your flights. You can often see your gate and the gate changes through those apps and get a lot of useful information.

I always have the relevant apps in my phone, depending which airline I am flying with at the moment. I find that low cost airlines have very well-developed user friendly apps – in many cases even better than higher end airlines.

Flight Searching Apps for Finding the Best Deals

While I usually book directly with the airlines, the third parties are great to look at different options and compare prices. You might find great discounts you want to use.

Skyscanner: This is my go-to search engine for comparing flight prices and finding dates when it’s cheaper to fly. If you are flexible with your dates and destinations, it is possible to give “everywhere” in the destination field and choose “cheapest month”, instead of indicating the exact date. This way you can find the cheapest destinations and find out when is it better to fly there. If you want to go somewhere specific and have specific dates, Skyscanner is still good in providing you with all airline options you have.

Expedia: Another search engine that works similar to Scyscanner.

Hopper: The advantage of this app is that it gives you an option to save your search and updates you on the price changes. It gives you advice on when is it more reasonable to book your flight.

Apps for Booking Trains, Buses, and Ground Transport

Trainline: This website is great for booking train tickets around Europe. I find the app very comfortable to use. Their rates are same as the official train website rates although they add a small commission in the end (it’s about 4%). I used it multiple times in Spain, UK, Germany, etc. and I always have the app on my phone, while planning or traveling in Europe.

Omio: You can use Omio for trains, buses and flights as well. It’s very convenient, as it shows you all options you have between the locations you indicate. It offers options around the world. I have used it in Asia and Europe successfully.

12Go: They mainly work for traveling around Asia, although they have outliers, like New Zealand and Australia, as well as several European and Middle Eastern countries. I have mainly used them in South East Asia and it was very convenient showing options for trains, buses and minivans.

Trip.com: Great option for booking train and bus tickets, as well as hotels. I have used it in several Asian countries and it’s very convenient to book and use your tickets.

Klook: Klook not only has options for a number of attractions and tours, but also for train and bus tickets. It’s one of my favorite apps conveniently allowing to book tickets and collect points to use on future bookings.

Flixbus: I have used it for bus travel in Europe. While there are sometimes delays, the company offers a great way for budget travelers to explore multiple cities. If you are ok with long bus journeys and sometimes overnight travel, Flixbus will save you a lot of money.

Busbud: If you don’t have options with Flixbus, Busbud has a huge network of buses around the world.

Rail Europe: Similarly to Trainline, Rail Europe allows to book train tickets around Europe for a small commission.

Car Rental Apps for Self-Driving Trips

I mostly travel by public transport, therefore, my knowledge of rental cars is relatively limited, compared to booking all the other modes of transportation. However, I have rented cars together with hubby a few times.

Discovercars: This is one of the biggest rental car sites/apps, which works in many countries around the world. I have booked them a couple of time with no issues. Make sure to double check the driving license requirements in the country you are visiting. Some countries may allow, if you use your home country license, others require international driving license.

Best eSIM and Connectivity Apps for Travel

Airalo: I have only recently started using E-sims, as none of my previous phones were compatible for this. Therefore, I have relatively limited experience with this and haven’t used in many countries. However, Airalo worked well for me recently. I will report back once I use it more extensively.

Review and Recommendation Apps for Places to Visit

In addition to Google reviews and information, there are some other options you could look at to get suggestions. I don’t use any of these for booking anything, just to search information.

Tripadvisor: Even though Tripadvisor lately has evolved into tour booking engine, it still remains a good way to look at attractions, food places, hotels, etc and read people’s reviews. Besides, it has quite good forums, which provide you with substantial advice on different destinations.

Culture trip: Like Tripadvisor, this also became more of a tour booking website lately. But I still do like this for its guides. I have found many interesting cafes and restaurants, as well as authentic places to visit via this app.

Headout: It’s a great way to find out about different things to do while travelling

Likealocal: A very lovely app providing guides and recommendations from the locals about places to visit, eat and do.

Weather Apps for Travelers

You probably already have weather apps for where you live, however, they are even more useful while travelling to make sure that you pack what you need according to the weather, as well as don’t get caught in rain without an umbrella or in a cold weather without your coat. None of these forecasts are full proof of course and they can be wrong, however, they give quite a good idea.

Yahoo Weather: I know not many people use this app, it is less popular among the weather apps, however, I find that it has given me quite accurate information most of the time. Currently, I only have this weather app on my phone.

Weatherbug – I found this one to be quite useful as well. The best part of it is that it warns you when there’s rain within 10 miles from your location. The warnings don’t necessarily mean that the rain will come to you but, hey! Better be warned, no?

Meteoblue: Gives more accurate information when you are in relatively remote villages.

Itinerary Planning Apps to Organize Your Trip

I use Google maps for planning my itinerary through pinning everything I want to visit and color coding them. On my map, greens are the sightseeing spots, yellows – restaurants and food places, blue – for cafes, while red – for hotels. This way I plan my way around according to which places are closer together.

However, some people prefer to have step-by-step itinerary with their flight and train booking information, etc. for this the following apps are useful:

Wanderlog: Lately, this is the most beloved map for people planning an itinerary. Its free version provides you with an option to pin places and make an itinerary. However, the free version doesn’t have access to Google maps, which I use extensively. I prefer not to input all mypins in another map.

Tripit: Another app, which uses your flight, train and hotel bookings and other information from your email to come up with an itinerary for you. I have never allowed it this, but from what I understand, it can search your email to find all bookings itself, so that you don’t have to input the information.

Visit A City: This app provides preplanned itineraries for various cities. It doesn’t have them for all cities, generally only for major ones, however it can be useful sometimes. You can also add or remove places, as you prefer and customize the offered itineraries. I have played with it quite a lot and it really is very useful and an easy way to make the itinerary.

Currency and Budgeting Apps

Xe currency converter: Always a very useful app for whenever you forget the exchange rates.

Translation Apps for Language Help Abroad

Google translate: I have extensively used this app, particularly in countries, the alphabet of which I can’t read. Its option of translating from a photo (even in the offline mode) is very helpful. You just need to download the relevant language pack in your phone to use it in offline mode.

DeepL Translate: I haven’t used this in action so far, but from what I have heard, it gives more accurate translation, than google.

You can also get the country specific translate apps, which are usually more accurate. For instance, Papago is great for Korean.

VPN Apps to Access Restricted Services While Traveling

Some countries in the world restrict certain apps. For example, in Oman you can’t call via Skype without VPN, in China you can’t use Google maps, etc. To find a way around this, you will need a VPN downloaded to your phone, preferably before your trip. All VPNs, particularly free ones, will slow your phone down somewhat. If you want better connectivity, you would have to get a paid VPN.

Tunnelbear: Its free version has limited data connectivity. However, among the free options I have checked, it works best. On top of its efficiency, I also love the cute bear on my screen 🙂

ExpressVPN: Its free option is only temporary, after that you would have to pay the monthly fee. If you definitely need good connection with vpn not significantly slowing your phone down, then you would need a paid app.

NordVPN: If you need a reliable connection either for work or being in touch with family, NordVPN is one of the best options. It doesn’t have a free trial, but has a money back guarantee, if it doesn’t work out for you.

Taxi and Ride-Hailing Apps

I prefer public transport over taxis due to budget and safety reasons. However, sometimes taxis can be very convenient or your only option. Rather than hailing one on the street, using an app is safer. Plus, you won’t have to haggle with the driver, you will have fixed price on the app. In many cities one of the internationally used apps works, however, for some you have to download local apps. Make sure to double check in advance.

Uber – this still remains the most widely used taxi service in the world. It is used in over 70 countries, but it’s still not available in many parts of the world.

Bolt – an Estonian company, which nowadays already works in 45 countries, although it started only from Europe. I use this app in my daily life, as well as while traveling.

Lyft – a US-based company, which has connections with other networks and can be used in many countries in the world.

Grab – works in South East Asia. We have used it extensively after getting local numbers.

Careem – covers Middle Eastern and African countries.

Didi – a Chinese company, which can be used in some Asian and Latin American countries and even Austalia.

Other more country specific apps include: Kakao T – Korea, Ola – India, Otaxi – Oman, etc.

Apps to Book Attractions, Tours, and Events

Depending on a country, the museums, palaces and so on can be cheaper on their own official websites. However, there are many cases, when third party websites and passes offer better deals. Besides, if the attraction you want to visit is sold out, you can still get some skip the line tickets through third parties most of the time. So definitely have a look at these and compare with the official website prices:

Klook: I find that this major app provides discounts on many major sightseeing spots. Plus, it has Klook passes in many cities and depending on which attractions you want to see, this actually can get you a good discount. It saved us 20 USD per person on 2 attractions in Singapore for example.

Tiqets: They provide reasonable prices for booking attractions around the world. I have used them in Italy, UK and other mainly European locations with great success, whenever the official attraction websites were inconvenient.

Ticketmaster: They started in the UK and now they cover a number of European countries, plus US and Australia. They offer good resource for concerts, theatre and sports events.

GetYourGuide: A large database of activities, including attraction tickets and tours. The biggest appeal of it is that it provides options for booking last minute. If certain attraction tickets are sold out, you can still join GYG offered tours or just buy Skip the Line tickets from them. This will definitely cost you extra, but you won’t miss out. So double check the prices of the attractions before booking.

Viator: Viator also offers numerous options for tours and attraction tickets. It can also be a good backup plan, when tickets are sold out. So definitely keep this app at hand when traveling.

GoCity: Go city has a coverage of 28 big cities around the world from Sydney to Singapore to Amsterdam to New York. If you are planning a whirlwind itinerary of one of these cities, the passes can save you a lot. The app and website will even build you an itinerary if you indicate your preferences. I have used their London Pass several times, including for my parents and it was a great option that saved us a lot of money. I also got the Amsterdam Pass. However, if you are a slow traveler or if your interests include less expensive attractions, definitely make sure to calculate, if the passes will be reasonable for you.

Big Bus Tours: The company is one of the well-known city sightseeing buses around the world. It’s for the first time visitors, who want to get a feel of the city and hop on and off the transport. I use them, when I travel with parents, as they get tired walking too much. These buses allow us to easily commute around the main attractions without much effort.

There are also local third party apps and sites, such as Trazy for Korea that you could use with relatively reasonable prices, if you won’t be able to get tickets on official website.

Whichever third party app you use, always double check the prices before booking.

Flight Tracking Apps to Monitor Your Journey

Flightradar24 – a great app for tracking the flights in real time.

Apps for Socializing, Meetups and Local Events

Meetup: I have used this app extensively and found it very useful. For instance, in London the London Cultureseekers group had great joint short trips or visited theatre and museums together, etc. I have met a lot of great people through this group. This app is not working in all locations that well, but do check it out.

Eventbrite: It provides you with information about events happening nearby and details on how to book.

Another great way to connect with people and socialize is Facebook groups. They are organized by destination and interests, so you may find other like-minded travelers via them. Also Couchsurfing mentioned above works for this as well.

Some people use different dating apps, like Tinder, for socializing or casual dating as well and have many good and bad stories. That’s something I never tried so I am not sure how likely is it for you to find people to socialize with.

Fun Travel Apps to Track and Record Your Adventures

Places been: This app won’t help you in planning or during your trip, but it’s a fun way to keep record of your travels. It records the countries and cities you have been to and shows them on the map, as well as allows you to list all the UNESCO world heritage sites you have visited.

Note: There are numerous country-specific apps, which you can also use. I include them in my country guides throughout this blog. 

If you know of any other great apps that would substitute or supplement this list, I would be happy to hear about them. I am always in search of different tools that help with my travels.

 

See also

Step-by-step guide for planning an independent trip