What on earth did we do before we had an app for everything? Obviously the modern day cell phone with all it’s app options has changed our lives and some apps have changed the way we travel. I’ve put together this list of 15 travel apps that I think are the best of the best. They will help save you time, keep you organized, and keep you from getting lost. Let’s dig in…
Miscellaneous Travel Apps
1. GyPSy Guide
This app is #1 on the travel app list for good reason – it is my new FAVORITE app! GyPSy Guide is an audio tour app and it’s literally like having a tour guide sitting next to you in the car!
Once you get to the tour area, you just turn it on and a friendly guy (at least my tour guide was a guy) will tell you all kinds of interesting things about the area including a bit of history & things you don’t want to miss. Want to check out one of the places he mentions? He’ll give you turn-by-turn directions!
If he is telling you about a beach, for example, he’ll tell you the name, how to get there, if it’s typically rough water, if it’s good for kids, good for surfing, a favorite of the locals, etc. He’ll cover just about everything you would want to know!
We used this app on a recent trip to Kauai, HI and my whole family absolutely loved it! I can’t recommend it highly enough.
Check out their website to see all the tours they offer (and check often because they are always adding new locations). Tours are priced individually and they offer some bundles as well. Some are as low as $3.99! It’s a great deal! Just buy & download the specific tour(s) you want before you go.
Here’s a link to the website. Here’s a link to the app (the specific tour we used in Kauai).
2. Google Translate
I wish I could speak multiple languages, but for now, I only speak one. So what do you do when traveling to a country where they don’t speak your language? You get the Google Translate app!
This app is SO useful and you can use it several different ways. Use the camera feature when you need a menu, sign, or document translated. Use the conversation feature to translate a conversation with someone – it can translate what they say into your language & vice versa. It’s definitely a must-have travel app when traveling internationally.
Here’s a link to the website. Here’s a link to the app.
3. Airline apps
Get the app for the specific airlines you have booked flights with. It’s the perfect way to see updates on delays, any changes to your flight, etc.
4. The Weather Channel
The app will default to your current location when you open it, but you can also choose to see the weather in other places. It will show you the current weather as well as the forecast for the next 2 weeks. You can even see the hourly weather for a 24-hour period. Use it as you begin to pack for your trip to see what extra things you might need to bring. Use it day-by-day while on your trip so you’ll know what to expect.
Here’s a link to the website. Here’s a link to the app.
5. TripIt
Ok, I’ve always been a little old school when it comes to my trip confirmations/bookings & itineraries. I like to have everything printed out. I always worry about not being able to access the information on my phone when I need it or, worse, losing my phone while on a vacation! So, I haven’t used this app just yet, but I must admit, I am intrigued.
Basically, you forward all of your email confirmations, etc. to the app & it organizes it all for you so you can view your trip and see your itinerary. It will even map out the things you have planned. Another bonus is that you can access the information off-line. But, one of the coolest features is that you can share your itinerary. So, let’s say I book the flights, but my husband books the hotel…it’s all in one place under that trip. Pretty cool! I will definitely give this one a try on my next trip.
Here’s a link to the website. Here’s a link to the app.
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Map & Navigation Apps
6. Citymapper
This one is designed for use in large cities. Put in where you are & where you are going. The app will show you the various transit ways to get there (car, train, subway, ferry, etc). Download the app and city before you go and you can use it offline!
Here’s a link to the website. Here’s a link to the app.
7. Google Maps
You’ve probably heard of and used Google Maps, but just in case…use it for driving directions whether your making your way across town or cross country! Need I say more?
Here’s a link to the website. Here’s a link to the app.
8. MapFactor Navigator
I haven’t personally used this one, but it comes highly recommended by other frequent travelers (I’ll be trying it out myself & will come back and give an update). It is a free navigation app with free offline maps as well. Download the app & maps you want before your trip. There are many customization options with this one too. If you’ve used it, comment below and let us all know what you think about it.
Here’s a link to the website. Here’s a link to the app.
9. All Trails
All Trails is another one of my favorite travel apps! I love it so much, I included it as one of My 14 Hiking Essentials. This app is packed full of hiking trails all over the world. The free version is good, but, if you plan to hike often, I recommend paying the $29.99/year so you can download maps for offline navigation. I’ve personally needed & used the offline navigation MANY times. Some of the best off-the-beaten-path trails are in areas with no cell signal. Having a reliable offline map is a must when hiking to avoid getting lost.
Here’s a link to the website. Here’s a link to the app.
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Booking Apps
10. TrainLine
This is a great app to use for booking train transport in Europe. There are many different train companies out there & many websites in many languages. TrainLine allows you to book & pay for train and bus tickets in one place (and in your language of choice). Your e-tickets are stored in the app as well.
Here’s a link to the website. Here’s a link to the app.
11. Expedia
Expedia is perfect for all-in-one travel booking. You can book your flight, hotel, rental car, cruise, & excursions all through Expedia. It’s the first place I go to look at hotel prices (if I’m not planning on an Airbnb or VRBO) and rental cars. With the app, you can see real-time updates and have access to all your booking information at your finger tips. If you join Expedia Rewards (it’s free to join), you will build up points that can be applied later for discounts (and you get double points when you use the app to book).
Here’s a link to the website. Here’s a link to the app.
12. VRBO & Airbnb
Both VRBO & Airbnb are great alternatives to traditional hotels. For me, they are my preferred lodging option when available. I love that we often have the option to have a full kitchen, separate bedrooms and washer & dryer – all for rates that are comparable to hotel prices. You won’t get a free continental breakfast, but in my opinion it is well worth the trade off.
I wrote all about what I love about Airbnb rentals in an earlier article Why Airbnb or VRBO? 6 Reasons To Try It Now! VRBO and Airbnb are very similar. I actually use both of them equally. About the only difference between the two is that VRBO only offers rentals where you get the entire place to yourself (the whole condo, apartment, house, guest house, etc.). Airbnb offers these as well as options to rent a portion of a shared space – you can rent a room in someone’s house or rent a bed in a hostel, for example.
VRBO: Here’s a link to the website. Here’s a link to the app.
Airbnb: Here’s a link to the website. Here’s a link to the app.
13. Hopper
I use Hopper to watch flight prices. If I’m planning a trip to Las Vegas, for example, I can get alerts from Hopper as prices change. They’ll let me know when they think I’m likely to get the best price. I love this app!
Once I’m alerted to a low price, then I get busy checking the price on various sites to make sure I get the best deal. Check out How To Find Cheap Flights to see exactly how to get the absolute BEST price!
Here’s a link to the website. Here’s a link to the app.
Money Apps
14. Globeconvert Currency & Units
This app converts over 160 currencies and pretty much anything else you might need to convert. The app works off-line and you can set your favorites to make it quick an easy to use.
Here’s a link to the website. Here’s a link to the app.
Camping Apps
15. iOverlander
This is the perfect app for campers of all types all over the world! Find campsites, propane filling stations, dump stations, showers, tourist attractions and more. The app will show you free places you can camp, traditional campsites, and wild camping sites. Plus, it provides you the GPS coordinates for each point of interest as well as other useful information.
Here’s a link to the website. Here’s a link to the app.
There you have it – the apps you need to make your next vacation perfect. Try one or all of them on your next vacation and let me know what you think! Check out How To Plan A Trip next!
Until next time…
Until next time…
About The Author
My mission is to inspire and empower families to prioritize travel now, creating unforgettable memories and deeper connections with their loved ones.
I provide guidance and practical solutions to help busy parents integrate travel into their lives, fostering joy, fulfillment, and stress-free adventures. Don’t wait until it’s too late; the time to travel is now.
Learn more about me & My Travel Obsession here.
My Favorite Travel Booking Apps & Websites
⭐MY TRAVEL OBSESSION:
- Products & Services – My Travel Obsession's travel planning products, services, and freebies!
- What To Pack – See all of my personal favorite travel items.
- Travel Resources – Resources that I use most when planning, booking & traveling.
🏡FOR FINDING GREAT PLACES TO STAY:
- VRBO – My #1 recommendation for family-friendly lodging options.
- Expedia – My favorite for hotel bookings.
🚗FOR CAR & RV RENTALS:
- Discover Cars & Sixt – My favorite sites for rental cars worldwide.
- Turo.com – Rent a car from an individual owner – It's like VRBO for cars!
- RVShare – Rent an RV for your next family road trip!
🚁FOR ACTIVITIES, EXCURSIONS, & TOURS:
- Viator & Get Your Guide – The best sites to find and book activities & excursions.
- Gypsy Guide – An AWESOME audio tour app. ALWAYS check to see if they have a tour available.
🩺FOR TRAVEL INSURANCE:
- SafetyWing – The lowest-cost travel insurance out there. Several options starting as low as $42 for 4 weeks of coverage.
✈FOR FINDING GREAT FLIGHT DEALS:
- Going (formerly Scott's Cheap Flights) – My #1 recommendation for saving big $$$ on flights. Sign up for a free 14-day trial.
🥾FOR HIKING:
- AllTrails – THE APP for hikers. I recommend paying for the pro version so you can use the navigation feature while hiking.
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