Do you know that over 70% of US travelers use their smartphones when traveling? But how do you know what best travel apps to to download?
Travelers use mobile devices for almost every aspect of travel. This includes booking trips, planning activities, directions, locating restaurants, reviews and so much more. Maybe because I know what it’s like to travel without a smartphone, the more I travel, the more I appreciate mine.
Traveling is easier now thanks to being able to quickly search for things online plus a variety of helpful apps. With so many available apps and new ones popping up almost daily, how do you choose the right ones?
There are 15 best travel apps you need to download.
What is the best travel site?
With so many various travel sites out there how do you figure out which one is the best?
I really think it depends on what you are looking for in a trip, vacation or travel experience.
- Planning travel
- Searching for flights
- Booking travel (hotels, flights, experiences)
- Information on what to do in a particular location
- How to stay healthy while traveling
- Where to eat when on vacation or traveling
Since I like to book most of my travel directly instead of using third party booking sites, I recommended downloading a variety of travel apps instead of using one main travel site.
What are the best free travel apps?
After doing my own research when it comes to the best free travel apps, I have learned that there are lots of apps for iPhone and also for Android too.
What’s really great is that some of them actually help you to be a better and more informed traveler, instead of feeling like travel is difficult or has ruined your life.
There are apps that can help you plan, book, pack, get lost, explore, translate, track, take free virtual tours, save your money and a whole lot more.
Before you start planning, packing your best travel essentials, or leaving for your next trip, you should definitely download some of these apps to get the most out of your travel experiences.
Also, if you easily sign up for my newsletter (at the bottom of this post), you will be instantly directed to a free travel resource page where you can download an incredible travel cheat sheet that is perfect for all types of trips.
15 Best Travel Apps
1. Skiplagged
This is one of the travel apps I have used the longest. My favorite feature is that you don’t have to know where you want to go because Skiplagged will show you when you can find the cheapest flights to certain destinations.
Download the free app, or even use the desktop site to start saving money when booking airfare and hotels.
With Skiplagged you don’t have to worry about experiencing fraud when booking travel, like some other third party sites, because you will be getting the best available rates anywhere.
Skipplagged is how I discovered last year that the least expensive time to visit Paris was March, and I was able to take a budget friendly trip there.
2. TripIt
Even the free version of this incredible and best travel itinerary app will have all your trip plans organized in seconds.
Simply forward your travel confirmations to plans@tripit.com so TripIt can create a master itinerary for you.
Not only does it create a schedule for your travels, but TripIt can also can help you navigate your way around while traveling.
Easily sync your travel plans to your calendar or share them via text or email.
This is one of my favorite apps to use when I travel without my kids, especially so my family can stay updated on where I am.
Guess what else this app can do? Track flight compensation eligibility if your flight is delayed. TripIt is one of the most intuitive apps I have ever come across.
3. Google Translate
This is the best translation app in my opinion and it’s extremely helpful when you are traveling in another country and don’t speak the language.
Google translate helps you connect and communicate, while also learning about a new language at the same time.
You will be able to speak, snap a picture, write or type in order to talk to someone who speaks a different language.
I loved that many of the Uber drivers in Paris used Google Translate.
4. Duolingo
Learn a language for free with this app anywhere at anytime. Duolingo makes learning a language fun thanks to earning points, racing the clock and being able to level up.
This app helped me brush up on my French before visiting Paris. There is also Duolingo Plus, which is ad-free, lets you save courses offline, plus supports their mission of bringing free education to millions.
5. Trail Wallet
This app was created by a couple who has been traveling full time since 2010. Budget, track expenses in your home or local currencies, see how much left you have to spend while traveling and more.
My teenage son traveled to Europe this summer without us and he definitely used this app. I like that he was able to take photos of his receipts, upload to the app, then share the information with us no matter where he was in the world.
6. My Disney Experience
Plan your vacation, manage your reservations, select/modify Fast Passes and get attraction plus special events like Not So Scary wait times with this magical app.
The fun doesn’t stop there with My Disney Experience because you can also shop for awesome Disney merchandise, find character greeting locations and make dining reservations right from your smartphone.
The only thing this app can’t do is get rid of the crowds, but there are some crowded Disney Park strategies.
7. Hopper
Make booking travel easier with this app that predicts prices to save you money, while also helping you book flights and hotels.
This is one of the best travel planning apps around.
8. Splitwise
This app doesn’t only have to be used for travel, but it really helps when traveling with people that you are sharing expenses with.
We used this app on a girls trip earlier this year and it was great for keeping track of expenses and calculating who owes who and how much.
9. Mobile Passport
The Mobile Passport app enables U.S. passport holders and Canadian visitors to submit their passport and declaration information to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) via their mobile device instead of completing the traditional paper form.
They can then access separate, expedited Mobile Passport lanes in the Federal inspection area, which saves time.
10. Uber
Peace of mind so you can count on a ride even when you are far away from home.
The Uber app and service has been so helpful to me when traveling, especially since I don’t usually like to rent my own car.
No need to worry about directions, language barriers or making sure you have cash on hand since everything is done right through the Uber app.
I find Uber useful for getting around whether I am traveling to see a Broadway show in New York City or even exploring Europe for free on my own.
11. Roadtrippers
We are a family who loves a good road trip, especially when we have the car ready to go with the best road trip essentials.
Last year we road tripped it 12 hours straight through from Colorado to New Mexico and then ended up at this luxurious resort in Arizona.
Roadtrippers is a free app and desktop site that will route your road trip while helping you discover places in between to explore. This is not only one of the best travel map app, but it has also become one of our best road trip friends.
This app is so powerful it even includes fuel cost estimation and a function to explore places within a set distance from your route. This is also a favorite tool when it comes to best RV travel apps.
I love that Roadtrippers also provides road trip tips, travel inspiration for your bucket list and encouragement to actually go off the beaten path.
12. Packr
Packing for travel is always something I often hear stresses people out. Packr will make your life much easier, along with my carry on luggage essentials.
This app is the best travel essential and ultimate travel packing list.
Not sure about the weather when and where you are traveling? Packr will give you the 8 day forecast and the packing list will automatically update depending on the weather and temperature.
This app offers support for multi-destination trips and for parents there is a family mode when you have to pack for the kids.
13. XE Currency
What to know an international travel secret? When talking about best international travel apps, XE Currency is definitely at the top of the list. This free app gives you access to the world’s currencies right at your fingertips.
When traveling internationally I find this app so helpful for easily calculating foreign exchange rates.
14. Flio
Flio is your personal smartphone flight companion. Thanks to Flio’s real time flight status system, you get instant updates on your boarding time, gate, delays and where to pick up your luggage.
That’s not all this app can do… Flio is also an airport guide (lounges, food, shopping, terminal maps), provides discounts and vouchers to help save you time and money, and also a social app.
15. GlobeTips
The only issue about this free travel app is that I wish I knew about it sooner. Tipping varies from country to country and it’s tough to know when to tip, when not to tip and how much.
GlobeTips app detects the country you are in automatically, helps if you need to split the check, calculates the amount and provides a complete tipping guidance based on the local culture and traditions.
GlobeTips offers tipping advice for 240 countries and regions.
Do you have any favorite or best travel apps?
Download and give some of these a try before your next trip and I promise you won’t be disappointed.
These free apps will help you with planning everything from long weekend getaways to free travel, while also encouraging you to explore more, both near and far.
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