As the world is adjusting to life beyond the Covid-19 Pandemic, many countries who once relied on tourism as a key economic driver are welcoming back travellers with open arms eager to provide them with an insight into their culture.
From the early days of travel, tourists have relied on maps and guidebooks to navigate their way around a country. This has shifted towards travel apps in the digital age.
If you are planning an international trip get a tourist SIM card for all your calling, SMS & data plans
What are travel apps
Apps are mostly consumed over smart devices such as tablets and smartphones. A travel app is a software application that can be accessed on a smart device. These can be used by tourists and business travellers to make reservations on the move. Think of it as your DIY travel agent.
The mobile app market is extremely competitive; therefore, it is not uncommon for the best travel apps to over a full suite of services so you can plan your experience in one centralised place.
This is best done while staying connected. Make sure you have all of the information that you need to know about an international travel sim card.
Types of travel apps
Planning an international trip is a logistical exercise with many different boxes to tick before travelling to your destination.
Types of travel apps include flight booking apps, accommodation booking apps, currency exchange calculator apps, travel insurance apps, navigation apps, transportation apps and restaurant/tourist attraction recommendation apps.
When logging into your app store, you will no doubt be presented with a whole host of different choices when it comes to travel apps. Depending on the destination, the range of different apps can be many, or it may come down to a choice between one or two apps.
What to consider when choosing a travel app
What you need to consider when selecting a travel app is what you want to get out of the experience and what your budget is. Some apps specifically cater for travellers who want the best experience at an affordable price.
Another thing to consider is whether the app is free to use or whether you have to pay to use it.
Most of the time, travellers want to enjoy their experience without obsessing over meticulously planning their trip. Here are some of the best travel planning apps.
Travel planning apps
Trip It is a popular among tourists. The only thing that travellers need to do is to forward their travel confirmation emails to the service and the app generates a travel schedule.
Sygic Travel Trip Planner offers information on millions of tourist attractions places from famous sights and museums, to parks, cafes, restaurants, and beaches.
Roadtrippers focuses on travellers who plan to see their destination through a road trip. As you plot out your itinerary, suggestions come up so you can find the perfect diner/attraction on your drive.
Kayak is an online travel agency that focuses on finding you great deals on all modes of transportation. However, it can also find deals on accommodation, activities, and travel packages.
TripAdvisor is one of the best travel apps and is widely used. It not only makes recommendations on accommodation, but also activities and restaurants at your destination.
| App | Features |
| Trip It | Travelers forward their travel confirmation emails to the service and the app generates a travel schedule |
| Sygic Travel Trip Planner | Offers information on millions of tourist attractions |
| Roadtrippers | As you plot out your itinerary, suggestions come up so you can find the perfect diner/attraction on your drive |
| Kayak | Focuses on finding you great deals on all modes of transportation. Kyak can also find deals on accommodation, activities, and travel packages. |
| TripAdvisor | Not only makes recommendations on accommodation, but also activities and restaurants at your destination |
Best Travel Planning App: Trip It
Cheap flight booking apps
Want to half one of the biggest expenses associated with travelling? It is possible to fly on a budget.
Skyscanner features a simple search engine for finding a range of flights with options to add hotels and cars. Skyscanner compares many routes and airlines to find the cheapest tickets. The results can be sorted by best, cheapest, or fastest flights.
With Expedia, you can search over a million flights with discounts for booking flights and hotels together. Any searches travellers make are automatically saved. Travellers can then add these to a bundle and save which are combined flight + hotel or flight + car packages.
Kayak features a simple search field with the added benefit of checking boxes to compare Kayak’s prices with other booking sites.
Priceline offers a range of search options as well as deals that suit any traveller’s budget. The app also has a 24/7 helpline, and if you find a lower flight cost, they will give you a 100% refund of the difference.
Cheapoair.com offers a Price Match Promise. If you find your flight at a lower cost, they will match it.
If you want the best experience when it comes to your travel accommodation, these apps have got your back.
| App | Features |
| Skyscanner | Compares many routes and airlines to find the cheapest tickets |
| Expedia | Search over a million flights with discounts for booking flights and hotels together |
| Kayak | Search flights and check boxes to compare Kayak’s prices with other booking sites |
| Priceline | Offers a range of search options as well as deals that suit any traveller’s budget. The app also has a 24/7 helpline, and if you find a lower flight cost, they will give you a 100% refund of the difference. |
| Cheapoair.com | Offers a Price Match Promise. If you find your flight at a lower cost, they will match it |
Best Cheap Flight Booking App: Expedia.
Travel accommodation apps
The Hostelworld app has a simple user interface which has interactive map makes it easy to work out whether the hostel you like is anywhere near where you want to be.
HotelTonight provides last-minute discounts on empty hotel rooms. Travellers can search by city or attraction, or on the map, and then check out the reviews and photos from other travellers.
If you are looking to lower your accommodation costs and meet locals while you travel the Couchsurfing app is immensely popular. The Couchsurfing app lets you connect with locals who have space in their home for travellers to stay for free.
Priceline.com is an online travel agency for sourcing discount rates for travel-related purchases such as stays. The company facilitates the provision of travel services from its suppliers to its clients.
Orbitz is one of the most popular cheap travel apps. Like Expedia, travellers are able to source flights along with hotel bookings through one platform.
| App | Features |
| The Hostelworld | Has interactive map makes it easy to work out whether the hostel you like is anywhere near where you want to be |
| HotelTonight | Provides last-minute discounts on empty hotel rooms. Travellers can search by city or attraction, or on the map, and then check out the reviews and photos from other travellers. |
| Couchsurfing | Lets you connect with locals who have space in their home for travellers to stay for free |
| Priceline.com | Online travel agency for sourcing discount rates for travel-related purchases |
| Orbitz | Travellers are able to source flights along with hotel bookings through one platform |
Best Travel Accomodation App: Orbitz
Navigation apps for travellers
If you do not feel like losing yourself in a foreign city (literally), these apps are for you.
One of the most popular apps since the invention of smart technology has been Google Maps. Google Maps a top travel app to have on your smartphone because it offers a bit of everything.
Waze has a range of real-time features which makes it one of the most popular apps available. It combines GPS navigation capabilities with social sharing to get the most up-to-date traffic and travel conditions.
The Sygic navigation and GPS app (powered by TomTom) features detailed 3D and 2D maps of almost every continent on Earth.
Like Google Maps and Waze, MapQuest focuses mainly on maps and driving directions. It also uses voice navigation for walking and driving while exploring new locations in new travel destinations.
Spotted by Locals app provides travellers with city guides featuring suggestions by local residents in 70+ locations. Downloading the app, you are provided with curated suggestions, regular updates, and the ability to view routes in both online and offline modes.
| App | Features |
| Google Maps | Offers a bit of everything |
| Waze | Offers a range of real-time features. Waze has a range of real-time features which makes it one of the most popular apps available. Combines GPS navigation capabilities with social sharing to get the most up-to-date traffic and travel conditions. |
| Sygic navigation and GPS app | Features detailed 3D and 2D maps of almost every continent on Earth |
| MapQuest | Focuses mainly on maps and driving directions. It also uses voice navigation for walking and driving while exploring new locations in new travel destinations. |
| Spotted by Locals | Provides travellers with city guides featuring suggestions by local residents |
Best Navigation App for Travellers: Waze
Travel budget apps
Nobody does anything without a budget these days. These apps have a solution for that.
With PocketGuard, travellers can link all of their financial accounts and cards and it will automatically update and categorize spending in real time.
Tripcoin allows travellers to enter their expenses per day and even works offline. It then processes spending to provide a spending summary of the trip which can be exported for other uses.
The Trip Expense Manager app caters for large traveling groups that need help planning and monitoring travel expenses. The app allows for multiple users to be added at once and provides a list of places to go as well as expenses. In addition, it marks who paid which bill.
With TravelSpend, travellers can add expenses as they happen (the app works offline and even converts foreign currencies) and the app tracks your spending by total and by day. You can even follow your spending on a map throughout your vacation.
TripMate travel expense tracker app lets you create a trip and then add and remove users as needed. You can add expenses, receive a personalized summary, and even get hotel, and other booking-related information.
| App | Features |
| PocketGuard | Link financial accounts and cards and PocketGuard will automatically update and categorize spending in real time |
| Tripcoin | Enter expenses and Tripcoin processes spending to provide a spending summary of the trip which can be exported for other uses. |
| Trip Expense Manager | Allows for multiple users to be added at once and provides a list of places to go as well as expenses. In addition, it marks who paid which bill |
| TravelSpend | Add expenses and the app tracks your spending by total and by day. You can even follow your spending on a map throughout your vacation. |
| TripMate | Lets you create a trip and add expenses, receive a personalized summary, and even get hotel, and other booking-related information. |
Best Travel Budget App: TravelSpend
Packing apps for travellers
Are the suitcase packing fairies on holiday? Don’t stress, you have got this!
PackTeo allows travellers to add specific details about everything in their luggage like weight and which bag they plan to put it in. Alternatively, the built-in templates mean travellers can pick from typical lists (e.g.: camping, cycling, or international) without having to create lists from scratch.
OneBag encourages packing light with a focus on the weight of each item. This ensures that travellers are keenly aware of just how much stuff is in their bag.
Easy Pack takes a unique bag-centric approach. If you take the same bags on every trip, it is easier to create several listed bags then re-use them for each new trip.
With PackPoint, travellers launch the app and enter a few basic details such as date of your trip, destination and activities and whether it is for business, leisure, or both. PackPoint checks the weather forecast and pre-populates a packing list with a best guess of everything it thinks you might need.
PackKing offers a long list of preloaded activities, like Hiking, Photography, Beach, Dog, and Mobile Office. All of these include their own related items, so it is easy to fine-tune your packing list.
| App | Functionality |
| PackTeo | Add specific details about everything in their luggage like weight and which bag they plan to put it in |
| OneBag | Encourages packing light with a focus on the weight of each item. This ensures that travellers are keenly aware of just how much stuff is in their bag. |
| Easy Pack | Create several listed bags then re-use them for each new trip |
| PackPoint | Enter a few basic details such as date of your trip, destination and activities and whether it is for business, leisure, or both. PackPoint checks the weather forecast and pre-populates a packing list with a best guess of everything it thinks you might need |
| PackKing | Offers a long list of preloaded activities, like Hiking, Photography, Beach, Dog, and Mobile Office. All of these include their own related items, so it is easy to fine-tune your packing list |
Best Packing App for Travellers: PackPoint
Travel diary apps
Sometimes, documenting your experience is a worthwhile exercise that allows you to go back and revisit past experiences.
Driftr is designed as social network for those who live for spending time on the road. The app supports photos and videos and encourages sharing reviews and travel advice—perfect for solo travellers, as well as those who like to share experiences from secluded locations.
Currently only available for iPhone users, Bonjournal features a simple interface for documenting their activities. Not sure if you want to share every moment of your trip? Its privacy settings allow you to keep some entries to yourself.
Polarsteps provides the capability to track your travel route automatically when on the road (while using minimal battery power while doing so) and transforms each travel journal into a visually stunning coffee table book.
Momento is proving popular among travellers thanks to its ability to organize your social network activity from up to eleven different platforms (such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Swarm, Flickr and YouTube) into one neat, cohesive package.
Day One Journal allows you to write entries by hand, with Apple Pencil, or your finger. You can look back through entries via calendar, timeline, or photos, while also being reminded of specifics of that day.
We live in a connected world where our friends and family can share our vacations with us through social media. Make you’re that you are aware about what international roaming is and enjoy the benefits of a international prepaid SIM card.
| App | Functionality |
| Driftr | The app supports photos and videos and encourages sharing reviews and travel advice—perfect for solo travellers, as well as those who like to share experiences from secluded locations |
| Bonjournal | Features a simple interface for documenting their activities. Its privacy settings allow you to keep some entries to yourself |
| Polarsteps | Provides the capability to track your travel route automatically when on the road (while using minimal battery power while doing so) and transforms each travel journal into a visually stunning coffee table book |
| Momento | Organize your social network activity from up to eleven different platforms (such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Swarm, Flickr and YouTube) into one neat, cohesive package |
| Day One Journal | Allows you to write entries by hand, with Apple Pencil, or your finger. You can look back through entries via calendar, timeline, or photos, while also being reminded of specifics of that day |
Best Travel Diary App: Driftr
Free weather apps for travellers
Nobody likes travelling to an exotic destination only to be confined to quarters by the weather. So don’t!
While many may find the amount of information on Weather Bug overwhelming, the app does a good job of focusing on the bits you actually need. Data such as pollen count to barometric pressure, live cams and lightning detection is accessible through the app.
Weather Channel It covers the basics quickly and well, with a now screen that includes temperature and description, and expands to give more info with a single tap.
AccuWeather places itself between Weather Bug and Weather Channel. AccuWeather provides plenty of information in a clear and simple format that does not overload users.
1Weather collates what travellers describe as the right amount of data. It is easy to see current, daily and weekly forecasts for your current location or any other destination.
Pulling attractive, location-specific backgrounds from Flickr, Yahoo Weather gives a deceiving first impression. All you are greeted with is a very basic temperature and forecast at the bottom left. Scrolling down, however, reveals a wealth of other detail.
| App | Features |
| Weather Bug | Weather data, as well as extra data such as pollen count to barometric pressure, live cams and lightning detection is accessible through the app |
| Weather Channel It | Basic weather info as well as a now screen that includes temperature and description, and expands to give more info with a single tap |
| AccuWeather | Provides plenty of information in a clear and simple format that does not overload users. |
| 1Weather | See current, daily and weekly forecasts for your current location or any other destination |
| Yahoo Weather | You are greeted with is a very basic temperature and forecast at the bottom left. Scrolling down, however, reveals a wealth of other detail. |
Best Free Weather App for Travellers: Weather Bug
Travel itinerary apps
Wondering around aimlessly is not an enjoyable experience. Be sure to manage this stress effectively.
Guides by Lonely Planet. Travellers are able to download the guide for their destination and get a wealth of information about where to go and what to do. Start with the Must-See section to find out the top spots.
Hopper’s algorithm tries to predict where flight and lodging prices will be placed in the future. The allows travellers to wait until the right moment to spring into action and book their trip at the lowest price.
Skiplagged allows travellers to book flights where you stay at the layover location (your destination) rather than continuing with the connecting flight. This sometimes works out cheaper than flying direct.
Offering reliable price alerts, integrated frequent flyer miles, and no additional or hidden fees like you might find elsewhere, Skyscanner is proving to be popular among travellers.
Sygic Travel allows travellers to plan a detailed itinerary down to the last detail such as walking distances between attractions.
| App | Feature |
| Guides by Lonely Planet | Download the guide for their destination and get a wealth of information about where to go and what to do |
| Hopper | Algorithm tries to predict where flight and lodging prices will be placed in the future. The allows travellers to wait until the right moment to spring into action and book their trip at the lowest price. |
| Skiplagged | Book flights where you stay at the layover location (your destination) rather than continuing with the connecting flight |
| Skyscanner | Offers reliable price alerts, integrated frequent flyer miles, and no additional or hidden fees |
| Sygic Travel | Plan a detailed itinerary down to the last detail such as walking distances between attractions |
Best Travel Itinerary App: Skyscanner
Safety apps for travellers
Whenever you travel internationally, safety is a primary concern. Make sure that you make this a top priority with these apps.
Sitata Travel Safe monitors the world for safety threats, disease outbreaks, violent protests and anything else that might be hazardous during your travels. It ranks locations based on safety ratings and highlights regions with increased levels of risk.
Having a Virtual Private Network (VPN) when traveling abroad is necessary if you want to stay safe when using the internet, especially if you are using an overseas public Wi-Fi spot. NordVPN is a fast, secure and affordable VPN solution.
bSafe helps your friends and family act as a support system so you are always safe. The app sends a live video and audio stream to your selected contacts any time you activate the app via voice alarm.
CloseCircle provides an all-inclusive suite of personal protection. It gives real-time suggestions and support from security experts in cases of danger. CloseCircle also gives you up-to-date travel advice and security information, so you know what you are getting into before and during your travels.
TripLingo contains a lot of travel-related tools, such as a real-time conversation translator, currency converter and Wi-Fi dialler.
As pointed out earlier, it is vitally important that you are still connected to a mobile network, even when you are on vacation. There are massive benefits to having a tourist SIM card.
| App | Feature |
| Sitata Travel Safe | Monitors the world for safety threats, disease outbreaks, violent protests and anything else that might be hazardous during travel |
| NordVPN | Provides a VPN to add a layer of security to public wifi networks |
| bSafe | Sends a live video and audio stream to your selected contacts any time you activate the app via voice alarm |
| CloseCircle | Gives real-time suggestions and support from security experts in cases of danger. CloseCircle also gives you up-to-date travel advice and security information |
| TripLingo | Real-time conversation translator, currency converter and Wi-Fi dialler |
Best Safety App for Travellers: Sitata Travel Safe
Currency conversion apps for travellers
Not many people can do complex maths in their heads. With these apps, you do not have to.
The XE Currency Exchange app is quite popular with most people trading in foreign currencies. With a user-friendly interface, the application showcases the latest data on world currencies & precious metals.
The Easy Currency Converter app supports over 180 world currencies with live exchange rates. Create your own personal currency list by selecting the important currencies. Additionally, the app has the option of working in offline for your convenience.
All Currency Converter supports more than 100 different currencies & its rates are 100% accurate.
Currency is one of the simplest money exchange apps available in the iStore. It offers users to get exchange rates for more than 150 countries and includes cryptocurrencies.
Currency Converter Plus Live is one of the most lightweight currency converter app available in the iStore. The application is best known for providing instant custom currency conversions as well as a handy calculator that displays results in local currencies & historical rate charts & graphs.
| App | Feature |
| XE Currency Exchange | The application showcases the latest data on world currencies & precious metals |
| Easy Currency Converter | Supports over 180 world currencies with live exchange rates. Create your own personal currency list by selecting the important currencies |
| All Currency Converter | Supports more than 100 different currencies & its rates are 100% accurate. |
| Currency | Allows users to get exchange rates for more than 150 countries and includes cryptocurrencies |
| Currency Converter Plus Live | Provides instant custom currency conversions as well as a handy calculator that displays results in local currencies & historical rate charts & graphs |
Best Currency Conversion App for Travellers: XE Currency Exchange
Translation apps for travellers
Language barriers is a significant challenge when travelling. Or is it?
iTranslate Voice 3 enables voice-to-voice communication across languages. Simply speak into your phone and the app will translate, and speak, that sentence into one of 42 languages.
Google Translate’s web platform, iOS app and Android app are constantly improving. Their typed translation feature supports 103 different languages, 52 of which continue to work offline (which is perfect for your off-the-grid travel plans). The real zinger is its ever-expanding Word Lens feature, which prompts users to point their phone camera at a nearby sign or piece of text. Word Lens then transforms the original image with an AR text overlay in the user’s preferred language.
No typing is necessary when you use SayHi — simply speak into your device and the app will translate and then transcribe a message to be seen and heard by your counterpart. SayHi has 90 languages and dialects covered, and even allows you to choose the speed at which your translated voice will be expressed.
TextGrabber allows you to point your phone’s camera at the inscrutable text in front of you, and instantly translates it to a language of your choosing.
With Microsoft Translator, users can type the text they want translated, speak aloud, or take a photo of an image containing the text.
| App | Feature |
| iTranslate Voice 3 | Enables voice-to-voice communication across languages |
| Google Translate | Their typed translation feature supports 103 different languages, 52 of which continue to work offline. Point their phone camera at a nearby sign or piece of text. Word Lens then transforms the original image with an AR text overlay in the user’s preferred language |
| SayHi | Simply speak into your device and the app will translate and then transcribe a message to be seen and heard by your counterpart |
| TextGrabber | Point your phone’s camera at the inscrutable text in front of you, and instantly translates it to a language of your choosing |
| Microsoft Translator | type the text they want translated, speak aloud, or take a photo of an image containing the text. |
Best Translation App for Travellers: Google Translate
Apps to find travel buddies
If you do not feel like travelling alone, a buddy is just a click away.
CouchSurfing is a worldwide known travel network app for facilitating connections between travellers and local communities.
UNBLND is a recently launched social network app that connects strangers and turns them into a group of friends. This app instantly puts you in touch with like-minded people by getting you into relevant groups, such as travelling.
Travello’s main purpose is to help you meet other travellers with similar interests close to you, whether you are currently travelling or not.
WorldPackers is a travel app that allows you to plan your dream vacation, meet other travellers, develop your skills or even learn a new language. You can use your experience and education to help out hosts in more than 100 countries around the World.
To find your travelling partner on Travel Buddy, you only need to enter your destination, choose a preferred gender for your travel buddy and finally add your travel dates.
| App | Feature |
| CouchSurfing | Facilitates connections between travellers and local communities |
| UNBLND | The app instantly puts you in touch with like-minded people by getting you into relevant groups, such as travelling |
| Travello | Helps you meet other travellers with similar interests close to you |
| WorldPackers | Allows you to plan your dream vacation, meet other travellers, develop your skills or even learn a new language |
| Travel Buddy | Enter your destination, choose a preferred gender for your travel buddy and add your travel dates |
Best App to find Travel Buddies: CouchSurfing
Travel bucket list apps
If you are travelling somewhere that is rich with culture and memorable sights, these apps are for you.
Tripbucket provides users with information about dream destinations, creates shareable interactive itineraries, plus includes information for what to see and do wherever they are.
The iWish Life Goals, Wishlist, Bucket List app lets you peruse a library of more than 1 200 ideas to get you started on your travel goals as well as letting you add your own original ideas.
Visited: Been Map allows you to track destinations you have visited. But you can also use the app to map out places to include on your bucket list. If you are someone who likes to tick items off a list to track new travel ideas, you will enjoy Visited.
Soon The Everyday Bucket List app is perfect for the busy, on-the-go traveller. In case you cannot access your bucket list items, this handy resource lets you keep track of all the things you would love to remember to do.
Strides Habit Tracker tracks progress on the goals or habit improvements that you set up. Are you in training for a physically challenging trip? This will keep you in check.
| App | Features |
| Tripbucket | Provides users with information about dream destinations, creates shareable interactive itineraries, plus includes information for what to see and do wherever they are |
| iWish Life Goals, Wishlist, Bucket List | Lets you peruse a library of more than 1 200 ideas to get you started on your travel goals as well as letting you add your own original ideas |
| Visited: Been Map | Allows you to track destinations you have visited. But you can also use the app to map out places to include on your bucket list |
| Soon The Everyday Bucket List | Access your bucket list items |
| Strides Habit Tracker | Tracks progress on the goals or habit improvements that you set up |
Best Travel Bucket List App: Tripbucket
Local tour guides apps
Do you want to have a local tour guide at your fingertips? No problem!
Viator is the industry leader in tours, activities, attraction tickets and local tour guides with more than 1 300 destinations worldwide.
Getyourguide focuses on booking tickets for attractions or many things to do around the world, Getyourguide also offers a broad selection of local tour guides.
Worldwide known Airbnb Experiences offers over 15,000 unique experiences, activities, tours and things to do all around the world.
Tours by Locals focuses on connecting travellers with local tour guides worldwide. Reliable marketplace for customizable private tours and local guides.
GuruWalk is a community of free tour guides. It helps to connect travellers to tour guides worldwide. Travelers connect with local tour guides and pay whatever amount they seem fair.
| App | Feature |
| Viator | All in one Travel Guide Solution |
| Getyourguide | Books tickets for attractions or many things to do around the world |
| Airbnb Experiences | Offers over 15,000 unique experiences, activities, tours and things to do all around the world |
| Tours by Locals | Focuses on connecting travellers with local tour guides worldwide |
| GuruWalk | Helps to connect travellers to tour guides worldwide |
Best Local Tour Guide App: Tours by Locals
Transport apps for travellers
Not many people can navigate complex cities by foot. You will always need a reliable form of transport.
Citymapper is one of the best tourism apps for navigating urban public transport, whether you are using the train, tube, bus, Uber cabs or even getting on your bike.
Uber is proving extremely popular for its ability to digitally hail cars to take you from A to B, getting an estimated fare before you set off.
Rome2Rio is one of the best places to start planning a cross-country or cross-continent trip. Plugged into an exhaustive list of airlines, train, bus, and ferry companies, the site and apps quickly come up with a variety of transport options to suit your time and budget.
Most useful for getting directions within cities, Here WeGo (formerly Here Maps) also has support for traveling longer routes by walking, cycling, public transport, car-sharing, and more.
Rather than trying to cover everywhere in the world reasonably well, Citymapper takes an alternative approach: being the best transport planner for a smaller range of cities. The app covers around 40 medium to large cities.
| App | Feature |
| Citymapper | Navigates public transport |
| Uber | Gets you from A to B |
| Rome2Rio | Plugged into an exhaustive list of airlines, train, bus, and ferry companies, the site and apps quickly come up with a variety of transport options to suit your time and budget |
| Here WeGo (formerly Here Maps) | Useful for getting directions within cities |
| Citymapper | Best transport planner for a smaller range of cities |
Best Transport App for Travellers: Uber
Airport navigation apps
Never get lost in airports again with these apps.
If you often refer to the airport as your “second home,” this is the app for you. GateGuru tracks departure and arrival times, terminals, and your boarding gate, but serves as a resource for the rest of the airport, too.
FlightBoard is like an airport departures/arrivals board for your pocket, giving you real-time readouts of flight numbers, destinations, gates, and departure times for more than 3 000 airports around the world.
Nearly every major airport around the world has a private lounge of some sort. LoungeBuddy helps you sort out the best from the rest. Once you add your airline status and memberships to the app, you will be directed to lounges that you are eligible to visit. You can view hours, photos, and a list of amenities, so you can find out if the lounge will have a shower or a fully stocked bar long before you arrive.
TripAdvisor is where you will want to head for airport tips, including immigration procedures, cheapest routes into the city center, and so on. You will also be able to find detailed reviews of layover hotels near the airport.
Having a friend or family member pick you up at the airport? You will want to tell them about Just Landed. The app provides basic flight tracking, but even more valuable is a tool that lets them know exactly when to head to the terminal, based on their current location, traffic conditions, and your flight’s estimated arrival.
| App | Feature |
| GateGuru | Tracks departure and arrival times, terminals, and your boarding gate |
| FlightBoard | Provides real-time readouts of flight numbers, destinations, gates, and departure times for more than 3 000 airports around the world |
| LoungeBuddy | Get directed to lounges that you are eligible to visit. You can view hours, photos, and a list of amenities, so you can find out if the lounge will have a shower or a fully stocked bar long before you arrive. |
| TripAdvisor | Provides information on airport tips, including immigration procedures, cheapest routes into the city center, and so on |
| Landed | provides basic flight tracking, but even more valuable is a tool that lets them know exactly when to head to the terminal, based on their current location, traffic conditions, and your flight’s estimated arrival |
Best Airport Navigation App: GateGuru
Travel guide apps
If you want to make travelling easy, these apps are for you.
Hopper makes traveling easy. There is nothing more frustrating than seeing a flight you had booked being sold for a cheaper price just weeks later. With Hopper, users can input their travel plans, and the app will tell them when is the best time to book their flight.
Culture Trip’s travel app provides hyper-local information and recommendations no matter where you are traveling. Create a profile and you can bookmark and like stories, and the app’s intelligent search will filter your results based on the locations and attractions you really want to see.
Airports can sap the energy out of you, and there is nothing more envy-inducing than watching people swan into the executive lounges, knowing they will be enjoying complimentary food and drink, showers, comfortable chairs, and more. This is at your fingertips with LoungeBuddy.
Before you head to a new country, it is wise to at least try and learn some of the language. Duolingo helps people learn new languages in an entertaining game-like fashion.
If you are brave enough to take on an unfamiliar public transport system, there’s help at hand. Citymapper is aimed at commuters, so you know you are only getting the best travel advice within a city.
| App | Feature |
| Hopper | Users can input their travel plans, and the app will tell them when is the best time to book their flight |
| Culture Trip | Provides hyper-local information and recommendations no matter where you are traveling. Create a profile and you can bookmark and like stories, and the app’s intelligent search will filter your results based on the locations and attractions you really want to see. |
| Lounge Buddy | Get directed to lounges that you are eligible to visit. You can view hours, photos, and a list of amenities, so you can find out if the lounge will have a shower or a fully stocked bar long before you arrive. |
| Duolingo | Helps people learn new languages in an entertaining game-like fashion. |
| Citymapper | Aimed at commuters, so you know you are only getting the best travel advice within a city |
Best Travel Guide App: Duolingo
Flight tracking apps for travellers
There is nothing more stressful then worrying about whether your flight will be on time. Finding out this information is just a click away.
FlightAware Flight Tracker allows you to check the flight status of any aircraft by its registration, route, airline, flight number, or airport code. The app uses a specialised radar overlay to enhance its flight tracker map and push notifications to keep you up to date.
Flightview – Flight Tracker features weather information at both the arrival and departure airports of your flight as well as information relating to your aircraft’s previous routes, up to two previous days, for insight into its on-time performance.
FlightStats has the ability to check your flight status, timeline, and watch its path via a built-in map. The app also provides information relating to any delays in either flight departure or arrival times, as well as gate information and weather conditions, including a seven-day forecast.
Plane Finder – Flight Tracker lets you search for flights and aircraft using 23 different markers and displays airline logos next to planes for easy identification.
Flight Board (Android) provides information for departures and arrivals, including which terminal you will board and disembark from.
| App | Feature |
| FlightAware Flight Tracker | Allows you to check the flight status of any aircraft by its registration, route, airline, flight number, or airport code |
| Flightview | Features weather information at both the arrival and departure airports of your flight as well as information relating to your aircraft’s previous routes, up to two previous days, for insight into its on-time performance. |
| FlightStats | Allows travellers to check flight status, timeline, and watch its path via a built-in map |
| Plane Finder | Lets you search for flights and aircraft using 23 different markers and displays airline logos next to planes for easy identification |
| Flight Board | Provides information for departures and arrivals, including which terminal you will board and disembark from |
Best Flight Tracking App for Travellers: FlightAware Flight Tracker
Car rental apps for travellers
If you don’t trust public transport, then these apps are for you.
Getaround (iOS, Android) If you are planning a rental car app like Getaround then you need to consider unique features like ‘unlock your car through the app’ and allow users to hire a car of their choice from a Toyota to a BMW.
Kayak is a full-fledged travel app navigator from restaurants to hospitals to airports. If you are someone with a travel service wanting to enter the online cab world, then this can be one of your opportunities to discover. This Kayak car rental app allows people to function offline.
Zipcar is available on a daily and hourly basis with gas, liability insurance, mileage, and dedicated parking facilities.
The Hertz app allows users to rent a car quickly, modify a car reservation, find a location, and redeem or check Hertz Gold Plus Rewards points.
The Enterprise Rent-A-Car app is a personal assistant for the car rental counter. The user is allowed to modify a reservation, view the pickup and drop locations, information about the current rental car item, 24/7 customer support, and roadside assistance.
| App | Feature |
| Getaround | Car rental booking |
| Kayak | Search flights and secure car rental. Check boxes to compare Kayak’s prices with other booking sites |
| Zipcar | Car Rental Booking |
| Hertz | Ren a car quickly, modify a car reservation, find a location, and redeem or check Hertz Gold Plus Rewards points |
| Enterprise Rent-A-Car | The user is allowed to modify a reservation, view the pickup and drop locations, information about the current rental car item, 24/7 customer support, and roadside assistance |
Best Car Rental App for Travellers: Hertz
Restaurant apps for travellers
Dining can be a culinary experience on its own.
Zomato is a worldwide app that is specifically designed to search for and discover new places to eat at or even order in from. You can browse through pictures, menus, and reviews of the restaurants to decide and even use their map feature to find your way.
Foodspotting is designed for the individual who uses his or her eyes to decide on dinner. Working like a social app, Foodspotting utilizes user photos to show you what looks good to eat.
With more than 7 500 food trucks registered and ready to be found, Roaming Hunger is the app made for food truck lovers.
Powered by chefs, ChefsFeed gives recommendations on restaurants and dishes by chefs themselves. It also has some inside info on the world of cooking and food, along with playful videos.
Zagat is one of the most trusted names in dining reviews. The app is considered a book that is continually updated with reviews of more than 30 000 restaurants across the United States and the world.
| App | Feature |
| Zomato | Browse through pictures, menus, and reviews of the restaurants to decide and even use their map feature to find your way |
| Foodspotting | Working like a social app, Foodspotting utilizes user photos to show you what looks good to eat |
| Roaming Hunger | App made for food truck lovers. |
| ChefsFeed | Gives recommendations on restaurants and dishes by chefs themselves. It also has some inside info on the world of cooking and food, along with playful videos |
| Zagat | The app is considered a book that is continually updated with reviews of more than 30 000 restaurants across the United States and the world. |
Best Restaurant App for Travellers: Zomato
Couch surfing apps for travellers
If you don’t mind housesitting for someone while travelling, then make sure that you go to the right place.
Instead of booking a hotel room, you might be wondering if there are cheaper options out there.
TrustedHoussitter is a couch surfing website that combines the passion for travel and pets in one. On this platform, people offer free accommodation in exchange for taking care of their pets, plants, or houses.
Airbnb’s success grew over the course thanks to the growing demand for traveling on a budget. The platform offers accommodations owned by locals or people residing in a particular area for a longer period.
Are you a student who wants to travel? Do you have a spare bedroom? Do you want to save some bucks but still want to travel the world? The HomeStay app can help you with that.
HomeAway is a place where you can find every kind of rental property, from houses, studios, condominiums to cosy cottages.
Unlike other sites, Tripping allows you to sift through millions of available bookings from sites such as HomeAway, TripAdvisor, Booking.com and more. Due to this extensive list of properties, you can filter in as many ways as you like to find something you are comfortable with.
| App | Feature |
| TrustedHoussitter | People offer free accommodation in exchange for taking care of their pets, plants, or houses |
| Airbnb | The platform offers accommodations owned by locals or people residing in a particular area for a longer period. |
| HomeStay | Couchsurfing app for students |
| HomeAway | Is a place where you can find every kind of rental property, from houses, studios, condominiums to cosy cottages |
| Tripping | Allows you to sift through millions of available bookings from sites such as HomeAway, TripAdvisor, Booking.com and more |
Best Couch Surfing App for Travellers: Airbnb
Travel app FAQ’s
- Will the travel app that I select be available in my preferred language?
Yes. Most of the apps have an option to use the app in your native or preferred language.
- Are these travel apps free?
Most of the app suggested in this article are free and may feature some advertisements.
- Are these travel apps available on both Andoid and iOS?
Most travel apps aim to reach the widest audience and will be availbile for both Android and iOS users.
- Do travel apps require you to be logged onto a mobile network?
The majority of travels apps do require users to be logged into a mobile network. However, some apps do have offline functionality.
- Do some of these travel apps have more than one functionality? Is there an app where i can find cheap flights, book accommodation and arrange car rental?
The majority of travel apps do have a wide range of functionality and some do offer users the opportunity to perform multiple actions.
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