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The Travel Apps Worth Installing Before a Trip

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A smartphone can replace a stack of guidebooks, maps, phrasebooks and paper tickets, but only if it has the right apps installed before you leave. The most useful ones match the stages of a trip: planning, booking, getting around, communicating, managing money and staying organized. Here are widely used options for each stage, along with tips for getting the most from them.

Planning

  • Google Travel and TripAdvisor: research destinations, attractions, hotels and restaurants, and read traveler reviews.
  • Rome2Rio: shows the ways to get between two places, including trains, buses, ferries, flights and driving, with rough times and prices. It is especially useful for multi-stop trips.
  • Official tourism and government apps: many cities and countries offer apps with event listings, opening hours and transport information.

Tip: save places of interest to a map list before you travel, so they are easy to find when you arrive.

Booking

  • Google Flights, Skyscanner and Kayak: compare flight prices across airlines and set alerts for price changes.
  • Booking.com, Expedia, Hotels.com and Airbnb: compare accommodation, read reviews and manage reservations.
  • Airline and hotel apps: check in online, choose seats, receive gate change notifications and use mobile boarding passes.

Tip: after finding a good price on a comparison site, check the airline or hotel's own website too. Booking directly can make changes and customer service easier.

Getting around

  • Google Maps and Apple Maps: walking, driving and public transport directions in many countries. Download offline maps before you travel in case you lose signal.
  • Citymapper: detailed public transport directions in many major cities, including live departure times.
  • Maps.me and similar offline apps: useful for hiking trails and areas with poor coverage.
  • Ride-hailing apps: Uber operates in many countries, but local alternatives, such as Bolt in parts of Europe and Africa or Grab in Southeast Asia, are often more widely used. Check which one dominates your destination.
  • Local transit apps: many cities offer official apps for buying tickets and checking schedules.

Communicating

  • Google Translate: translates text, speech and, using the camera, signs and menus. Download languages for offline use before you go.
  • DeepL: known for natural-sounding text translations in supported languages.
  • WhatsApp and other messaging apps: widely used to contact hotels, tour operators and new friends in many countries.

Money

  • Currency converters such as XE: quick conversions, including offline with saved rates.
  • Multi-currency accounts such as Wise and Revolut: let you hold and spend foreign currencies, often with lower fees than traditional banks. Compare fees and protections before relying on them.
  • Your bank's app: lets you freeze a card instantly if it is lost or stolen, and track spending abroad.
  • Splitwise: tracks shared expenses on group trips so everyone pays their share.

Staying organized

  • TripIt: forwards confirmation emails into a single itinerary with flights, hotels and reservations.
  • Cloud storage: keep copies of passports, insurance and bookings in secure cloud storage for access if documents are lost.
  • Mobile Passport Control: eligible travelers entering the United States at participating airports can submit passport and customs information through the official US Customs and Border Protection app.

Staying safe

  • Smart Traveler: US citizens can enroll in the State Department's STEP program to receive safety alerts.
  • Location sharing: share your live location with a trusted contact through your phone's built-in features.
  • Weather apps: check forecasts and severe weather alerts for your destination.

Before you leave

  • Download apps and log in while you have reliable Wi-Fi.
  • Save offline maps and translation packs.
  • Check your phone plan's roaming charges or buy a local or eSIM data plan.
  • Pack a power bank, since navigation and translation drain batteries quickly.
  • Delete or turn off apps you don't need to save storage and battery.

With a handful of well-chosen apps, a phone becomes a guide, translator, wallet and travel agent, making it easier to handle surprises and focus on enjoying the trip.