My Favorite Travel Appsfeatured

When I was growing up, travel apps didn’t exist. Preparing for a family trip meant going to the Auto Club office, where my mom would get all the paper maps available along with a TripTik, which could be flipped through page by page on a road trip.

But with technology today, there are myriad travel apps that will not only help with the planning process but also help reduce stress and simplify the process of traveling. Over the past few years, I’ve tried a lot of different travel apps and I’ve put together a list of the travel apps I rely on and love the most.

Here are my favorite travel apps:

Google Maps – This is an absolute must-have for any traveler. Not only does it offer you detailed maps with driving or walking directions and turn-by turn navigation instructions along with real-time traffic updates, but it also lets you scope out everything that’s close by along with ratings and reviews. If you’re considering a hotel, for example, and you look at the hotel on Google Maps, you can easily determine how many restaurants are close by, whether it’s close to public transportation, and if you look at the Google Streetview, you can take a “walk” around the neighborhood virtually so there are no surprises once you get there. You can also download maps ahead of time and use them offline. Another tip is to use Google maps to compile lists of restaurants and attractions that you read about or hear about as you’re researching your trip. Then when you are out and about, you can easily access those saved locations along with any notes you made about them.

TripIt – I love this app so much that I have the paid version, but you can do a lot even with the free version. TripIt is an amazing travel organizer, consolidating all your travel plans, including flights, hotels, car rentals, and activities into one itinerary. You simply forward confirmation emails to TripIt and it creates a master itinerary for you, accessible anytime, anywhere – including if you’re offline. You can also manually add plans as well as pdf files with tickets or confirmations. And there’s map functionality as well. 

MPC (Mobile Passport Control) – This is a free app created by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and it’s an absolute must-have if you’re traveling internationally and don’t have Global Entry. This app allows you to enter your passport information, take a photo with your cell phone, and then as your airplane is taxiing to the arrival gate, enter the flight information and generate a QR code that lets you skip the long lines. Returning from my recent trip to France, there were about 50 people in the “regular” line and nobody at all in the Mobile Passport line. 

Splitwise – If you’re traveling with friends or family members and splitting up the cost of taxis, meals, attractions, etc., then this app is super helpful. You can stop stressing about “who owes who” and simply record everything as you go, who paid what and how that particular expense will be split and by whom, and then you sort out everything at the end. (It also can be used for roommates who split expenses for household goods, food, utilities, etc.)  If you really want to get into the detailed reporting, there’s a paid version that includes charts and graphs, currency conversion and more. 

Google Translate – If you’re headed somewhere that English isn’t the native language, then be sure to have this app on your phone. It lets you translate text and voice from one language to the other, and you can take pictures of text to translate it as well. (If you’re in a grocery store or reading a restaurant menu, this is super helpful, though some of the translations are odd and may provide a chuckle or two.) You can download languages ahead of time for offline use. I’ve found that if you’re somewhere without many English speakers, this app is especially helpful. Learn how to say, “Hello, do you speak English?” in the local language and if the answer is no, then simply use Google Translate to do a voice translation. If you show your phone to the other person, sometimes they’ll actually answer you in English. They just weren’t confident enough with their English to necessarily say that they spoke it. 

Rome2Rio – Need to figure out how to get from one place to another, what the options are and how long each option will take and cost? Then you definitely need Rome2Rio. There’s an app and a desktop version and both are super helpful. 

Citymapper – If you’re navigating public transportation in an unfamiliar city, then it’s much easier with this app. Yes, if you want basics, you may be able to find them on Google Maps or Rome2Rio. But this app provides much more detailed information, including routes, schedules, and disruptions, for buses, trains, subways, and even ride-sharing services, ensuring you reach your destination efficiently.

WhatsApp – This popular messaging app offers free text, voice, and video calling over Wi-Fi or data, allowing you to share updates, photos, and make plans without worrying about expensive international charges. Not only will this allow you to connect with friends, family members, and fellow travelers, but you’ll also find that lots of businesses in other countries have WhatsApp numbers set up and that may be the best way to communicate with them. 

Google Lens – Have you ever looked at a photo you took and been unable to recall exactly what that building was, or which city it was in. This app allows you to point your smartphone camera at landmarks, artworks, and text in foreign languages, providing instant information and translations. It also allows you to find information on any photo you have. (Tip for those of you who’ve ever looked at a photo on Instagram or Facebook or anywhere else and wondered where someone bought that couch or lamp or dress, Google Lens just may have the answer for you – not only for that exact item but also for some similar items.)