The 30 best travel apps for a hassle-free vacation

What are the best travel apps to use? 

Some of us travel for secluded waterfalls and mountain views, while others make it a mission to befriend locals and create future couch-surfing opportunities. But no matter your travel style, you’ll need to figure out two essentials — how to get to your destination and where to sleep. The rest is up to you. Unsurprisingly, travel apps that help you find and book flights and accommodations tend to be the most popular. In 2024, the most downloaded travel apps included Booking.com, Airbnb, Expedia, and Hopper. 

Two other must-have travel apps come courtesy of Google — Google Maps and Google Translate. While the company no longer offers a dedicated travel app (R.I.P. Google Travel), one of our top tips for first-time flyers is to browse the Google Flights site for the cheapest airfare. And speaking of the best websites to plan a trip, we’d be remiss not to mention Lonely Planet — the very same company filling bookstore shelves with its iconic blue guidebooks since 1973. Unfortunately, Lonely Planet discontinued its Guides app in 2022, but its website remains one of the best online resources for putting together a travel itinerary. 

So which other travel apps are worth your storage space in 2025? We’ve crafted this list of travel app recommendations based on popularity and personal experience (the ones we actually love!). Read on to find the best ones for your upcoming trip.

Best travel planning apps 

Maybe a friend inspired you to take a tour of the Nile River, or perhaps you’ve racked up your vacation days but have no clue where to go. Whether you’re knee-deep in planning a trip or just daydreaming about where to go next, these travel planning apps can help guide you.

TripAdvisor

Type just about any destination into a search bar — a park, restaurant, or even a random fountain — and TripAdvisor’s green owl logo is bound to show up somewhere near the top. The app is a one-stop hub for finding hotels, restaurants, flights, vacation rentals, tours, and countless things to do around the globe, all backed by over a billion reviews from fellow travelers on the site. You can filter results by country or city, compare prices, and even book directly through the app, making it a fantastic resource to create an itinerary and organize your bookings. You’ll need an internet connection to use most features on the app, but you’ll be able to download maps and city guides to use them offline. 

Roadtrippers

There’s nothing quite like blasting your favorite playlist and scarfing down gas-station sandwiches on a cross-country road trip. And if you’re hitting the road in the US, Roadtrippers is a fantastic app to plan your itinerary. The free version lets you map out a route with a limited number of stops, while the premium version can generate a customized trip that factors in your budget, who you’re traveling with (e.g., teens, kids, and even pets), and the estimated cost of gas based on your vehicle. While the premium version isn’t free, you will get a 7-day free trial period to test it out (which may just be long enough for your road trip)! 

Culture Trip

Since Lonely Planet discontinued its Guides app (to much of our dismay), you can fill the void with Culture Trip — a free app to browse top attractions, recommended accommodations, the best bites and sips in the city, and ready-made itineraries. You’ll also be able to book travel packages through Culture Trip’s Marketplace, usually in the form of group trips with daily itineraries already mapped out for you. 

Best flight booking apps

If you’d rather chase the deal than the destination, apps that help you compare flight prices are your secret weapon. We’ve rounded up a few of the best apps to find and book flights. 

Hopper

Hopper is one of the most popular flight booking apps out there, designed to help you find the best deals on tickets. If you hop on the app (pun intended) and search for a flight, it’ll highlight your cheapest option, the “best quality” option (which accounts for flight duration, departure and arrival time, and number of layovers), and the “best flight” (a balance between cost and comfort). Beyond flights, the app lets you book hotels and car rentals, offers 24/7 live customer support, and features a rewards system called Carrot Cash, where you can earn in-app currency for future bookings. 

KAYAK

Another household name for flight bookings, KAYAK compares prices across hundreds of travel sites. The app tracks price fluctuations and lets you know whether it’s a good time to book or whether you should wait. If you’re flexible with your destination, you can browse the “explore” section to find the cheapest flights from your current location. Flight bookings aside, KAYAK also makes booking hotels, car rentals, and vacation packages a breeze — think of it as a virtual travel agency. The app is also equipped with a handy feature to measure your bag using your phone’s camera and will let you know whether you’re good to keep it as a carry-on or whether you should check it in. 

Booking.com

One of the most downloaded travel apps of 2024, Booking.com remains a staple for booking flights for both domestic and international trips, hotels, and rental cars. Despite its popularity, it hasn’t made the top of our list because the flight booking function is only available in certain countries — not all.

Best accommodation apps 

Are you the type to only settle for a five-star hotel, or are you cool with crashing in an eight-bed dorm room shared with strangers? We won’t judge either way — browse our list of the best mobile apps to find and book accommodations that suit your style. 

AirBnb

Another one of the most downloaded travel apps worldwide, AirBnb has become a staple for travelers seeking all kinds of accommodations — from sleek city apartments to cozy A-frame cabins in the woods. But if you’re looking for a once-in-a-lifetime type of stay, you can choose from AirBnb’s “OMG!” selection of recommended quirky accommodations, including a giant potato in Idaho or a guitar-shaped house in South Korea. You can filter by price range, check-in and check-out dates, and non-negotiable amenities like free parking or a washer and dryer. Beyond accommodations, AirBnb also offers “experiences” like cooking classes or guided tours with locals.

Hotels.com

As the name suggests, the app is great for booking hotels, but you’ll also find listings for vacation homes, bed and breakfasts, motels, and apartments to browse and book. Just a heads up — if you’re using the app abroad, you might see listings in the local language and currency. 

HostelWorld

If budget travel is your style, then the HostelWorld app is an absolute must. HostelWorld helps you find the most affordable accommodations, including shared dorms, private single rooms, and sleeping pods. The app also includes a messaging feature that lets you chat with fellow travelers at your hostel or all around the city — an easy way to find new international friends (especially if you’re traveling solo). 

Vrbo 

Short for “Vacation rentals by owners,” Vrbo originally started as an app for booking vacation rentals but has since expanded to offer cottages, cabins, condos, and villas. While many accommodations lean on the pricier side, it’s great for large groups who can split the cost among several people. 

Best navigation apps

Paper maps have become more of a charming relic than an actual tool. Nowadays, most of us rely on the navigation apps on our phone to guide us through unfamiliar streets — here are those worth downloading before your trip. 

Google Maps

Good ol’ Google Maps is perhaps the most reliable, accurate, and versatile navigation app — one which most of us probably already have downloaded. The app shows your current location and how to reach your destination, with time estimates for walking, driving, cycling, and taking public transit. You can search for nearby restaurants, landmarks, shops and check details like their operating hours and photos. While most people use it for navigation, Google Maps can double as a travel planner by letting you pin locations you’d like to visit. You can download maps to use offline in case you lose service, but you’ll get the most out of the app if you have an internet connection.

Waze

Waze is a community-driven app that can give you real-time traffic updates, and warn you about potholes and surprise speed traps set by police. The app can even suggest the best time to hit the road to avoid getting stuck in traffic. If you download its offline maps in advance, you won’t need an internet connection, but you’ll miss out on real-time traffic updates. 

what3words

The what3words app is a hyper-accurate navigation tool that divides the entire world into 3-meter squares, each assigned a unique combination of three words. This is a great tool to have when you’re traveling with a friend and are having trouble finding each other in a new city. You’ll be able to easily share your exact location — even without an internet connection. 

Best transportation apps

Getting from point A to B in a new city can be tricky, especially when you're unfamiliar with local train schedules or how to buy a bus ticket. These transportation apps make moving around easier, cheaper, and far less stressful.

Rome2Rio

As the name suggests, this app is designed to get you from Rome to Rio — or any two places in the world, even across continents. Just plug in your start and end destinations, and the app will spit out the best routes via train, plane, ferry, bus, or car. You’ll also get an approximate cost of tickets, how long your journey will take, and the app’s recommended route and cheapest travel option. 

FlixBus

If you’ve backpacked around Europe, you might have taken a FlixBus or two. The app lets you book long-distance bus trips between cities — and even countries — at a reasonable price, making it a staple for European budget travel. Sure, you might end up twisted like a pretzel trying to sleep through an 8-hour ride, but if saving money is the priority, FlixBus is your friend. Prices can drop to hilariously low rates — we’re talking US$6 for a cross-country trip. No promises of course, but it’s worth browsing the app if you’re feeling spontaneous. Aside from booking tickets, the FlixBus app also details exactly where your bus stop is located and the pit stops you’ll be making along your journey. 

Uber

Available in more than 10,000 cities worldwide, Uber has revolutionized the way we get around while traveling. Since everything is handled through the ride-hailing app — from directions to payment — you won’t have to worry about language barriers, carrying local currency, or haggling for a better rate. Uber can also be safer than taking a taxi, since rides are tracked in real time and the driver’s info is logged. 

Best language translation apps

If you’re traveling to a non-English speaking country, chances are you’ll hit a language barrier at some point. Luckily, we live in a time where you can knock that barrier down right from your phone with a language translation app — here are our top two picks.

Google Translate

Undoubtedly one of the most trusted language translation apps in existence, Google Translate now offers over 200 languages thanks to a major update in 2024 that added 110 new ones. It’s a great app for travelers needing to bridge the gap between their native tongue and the local language. You’ll find features like voice input for spoken translation, “conversation” mode for real-time bilingual exchanges, and Google Lens integration, which lets you snap a photo of text and have it instantly translated. You can download select languages to use it offline, but you’ll need an internet connection to access the app’s full gambit. 

DeepL Translate

DeepL markets itself as the “world’s most accurate translator,” using advanced AI to produce the most natural translations as opposed to awkward word-for-word ones. The app currently supports over 30 languages and includes features like voice input for spoken translations and camera functionality for translating written text on the spot. One drawback is that you'll need an internet connection to use the app — you won’t be able to download languages in advance. 

Best apps for those who travel for nature

If your idea of a perfect trip involves less city-center shopping sprees and more six-hour hikes to catch a sunrise, this list’s for you. Here are a few apps for travelers packing hiking boots and tents for their trip. 

AllTrails

Looking for trails, parks, lakes, rivers, beaches, and other natural marvels around the world? Then you’ll love the community-driven AllTrails app, where users can log and rate trails by difficulty, distance, elevation gain, and whether the route is a loop or point to point. The listings usually include photos, estimated hiking times, and reviews from fellow trekkers. You can also use the app as a hiking diary, saving the trails you’ve completed and summits you’ve conquered. 

The Dyrt

Exclusive to the US, The Dyrt is a phenomenal app for campers and one of the best RV travel apps, where you can find campgrounds, free camping spots, RV sites, and cabins across the country. It’s free to download, but upgrading to the pro version unlocks perks like offline maps, cell service coverage maps, and public land maps that show you free camping areas managed by the Bureau of Land Management and US Forest Service. 

National Park Trail Guide

If you want to visit beautiful sites in the US, you’ve likely got at least one National Park on your list — and the National Park Trail Guide app is a great resource for making the most out of your visit. Similar to AllTrails, it provides key info like trail difficulty, distance, and elevation gain, plus natural landmarks you won’t want to miss along your journey. 

More fun and useful travel apps worth downloading

Not all travel apps fit neatly into one category, but plenty are worth a spot on your home screen. Check out our favorite wildcard travel apps worth downloading. 

FREETOUR.com

Ever spotted a tour group trailing behind a guide holding an orange umbrella? Chances are it was organized by FREETOUR.com, a great app for finding free tours all over the world, including most European countries, Thailand, Vietnam, Canada, and the US. As the company name implies, you’ll mostly find free tours, but you can also get private paid tours in the language of your choosing (for example, a tour of Toronto hosted in Portuguese). While the tours are free, it’s courteous (and highly appreciated) to give tips at the end. 

Lens Buddy

Traveling solo means you won’t always have someone on hand to snap photos of you (unless a kind stranger helps you out), and running back and forth with a self-timer isn’t ideal. Lens Buddy acts as your personal paparazzo — just set your phone down in a safe spot and the app will take multiple pictures at your chosen time intervals. It doesn’t require an internet connection, so it can be used offline and will save your pics.

PackPoint 

If you're guilty of scrambling last-minute every time you pack for a weekend trip, PackPoint can help you manage with ease. The app builds a personalized packing list based on your destination’s weather, the length of your trip, and the activities you have planned. It even accounts for logistics like whether you're sticking to a carry-on or you’ll have access to a washing machine.

XE Currency Converter 

Too many of us have fallen victim to spending more on a knick-knack than we intended because we were too lazy to do the currency conversion in our heads. With the XE Currency Converter app, you’ll no longer have an excuse — you can easily check currency exchange rates without an internet connection. The app also lets you send money internationally, similar to Revolut or Wise. 

European Coffee Trip

One of the best travel apps for Europe in our humble opinion, European Coffee Trip is a must-have app for lovers of specialty coffee and indie cafes. The app helps you find cozy cafes across the continent, with each listing showing opening hours, types of coffee being served, and other details like whether the cafe is dog-friendly or offers vegan options. 

been

If you travel like it’s your day job, the been app is the perfect place to track — you guessed it — where you’ve been. You’ll be able to log all the countries, US states, and cities you’ve visited or lived in, complete with travel details like the dates of your stay and how you got there. The app’s defining feature is a personalized map of the world with the countries you’ve been, complete with stats for how much of the world you’ve seen. 

Happy Cow

Traveling with dietary restrictions is no easy feat, but thankfully, apps like Happy Cow exist — the holy grail for finding vegan and vegetarian options abroad. Happy Cow helps you discover restaurants, markets, or other food establishments serving up strictly vegan and vegetarian eats as well as regular places offering plant-based options on the menu. Just look for the purple cow — most veg-friendly restaurants will have it displayed right on the door (or in some cases, on the food stall). You’ll also find helpful info like opening hours, price ranges, and directions in the app.

Atlas Obscura

Step aside, Eiffel Tower! Atlas Obscura paves a path to the more peculiar places on Earth, like a potato vending machine in Belgium, a rat temple in India, or a park of pre-Columbian supernatural beings in Peru. You can turn on your location to get off-the-beaten-path recommendations near you or browse oddities in far-away cities to visit in your lifetime. 

Saily

While a handful of the travel apps on this list offer an offline mode, you’ll need a reliable internet connection for most of them to run. An easy way to stay connected while you travel is with an eSIM (virtual SIM card), which you can get through an eSIM app like Saily. Two major benefits of an eSIM are that you won’t have to worry about finding a SIM card in person or pay hefty international roaming fees. With Saily, you can find data plans for 200+ destinations worldwide and enjoy built-in security features that add a layer of online security while helping you use less of your data. 

Stay connected with the Saily eSIM app

Affordable mobile data plans for every journey.

Download Saily

The best travel apps of 2025: Final takeaways

Whether you’ve racked up enough air miles for a lifetime of free flights or you’re brand new to travel, you can find a few apps to make your trip smoother. 

• Essentials like Google Maps, Google Translate, and Rome2Rio are great for any traveler out there. 

• If you’re on a tight budget, FlixBus, HostelWorld, and FREETOUR.com can help you stretch your funds. 

• When you’re overwhelmed with planning a trip, apps like Culture Trip, TripAdvisor, and Atlas Obscura will give you a great place to start. 

The Saily eSIM app will help all your apps run, since most require an internet connection. Download the Saily eSIM app to find an affordable mobile data plan for your trip and install the eSIM before you travel so you’ll be connected the moment you get to your destination.