Best Travel Apps: Top Picks for Planning & Exploring

Every traveler needs a toolkit of apps to plan, explore, and stay safe on the road. This guide covers the best travel apps across all categories: from the best travel planning apps and the best travel itinerary app to the best translation app for travel, the best travel apps for road trips, and even the best offline travel directions app for when you’re out of range. Whether you’re heading to Europe or exploring locally, you’ll find apps for booking flights, hotels, activities, and food, plus budgeting, safety, and health. And since every app relies on connectivity, Jetpac powers them all. With the best eSIM for travel and flexible international eSIM plans, Jetpac keeps you online in 200+ destinations with upfront pricing and no roaming surprises.

You’ve booked your flights, reserved a villa, and started daydreaming about sunsets on the beach. But like every traveler, the real journey begins long before you step on the plane. You’ll search for the cheapest flights, compare hotels, make itineraries, save offline maps, and download translation apps just in case. Then, when you finally land, you’ll need ride-hailing, food delivery, and a way to stay connected, because what good is the best travel app if you don’t have data to use it?

This blog brings all of that together. From the best travel planning apps to the best travel apps for road trips, from currency converters to the best translation app for travel, here’s the ultimate list of tools that make every trip easier. And with the right connectivity, like Jetpac’s best eSIM for travel, you can unlock all these apps anywhere in the world without worrying about roaming costs.

8 Best Travel Apps for Booking Flights

The best travel apps for flights help you compare, book, and even predict prices:

Skyscanner – Flexible searches and price alerts.

Hopper – AI-driven price forecasts.

Kayak – Robust filters and bundled packages.

Momondo – Great for budget carriers in Europe.

Expedia – Strong for packages (flights + hotels).

Trip.com – Popular in Asia, with strong deals.

Kiwi.com – Known for “virtual interlining” across airlines.

Skiplagged – Finds hidden-city ticketing deals.

Google Flights – Fare prediction and simple interface.

Note: We’ve included Google Flights here even though it’s web-only, because it’s one of the most accurate and widely used platforms for finding flights. Many travelers bookmark it alongside their best travel apps and use it daily when planning trips.

7 Best Travel Apps for Hotels and Accommodation

Accommodation options span from budget hostels to luxury resorts. The best travel apps for hotels include:

Booking.com – Largest global inventory.

Airbnb – Apartments and unique stays.

Hotels.com – Rewards program.

Agoda – Strong in Asia.

Expedia – Bundles with flights and cars.

Hostelworld – For budget stays and solo travelers.

Trip.com – Growing platform for hotel deals worldwide.

5 Best Travel Apps for Trip Planning and Itineraries

The best travel planning apps help you stay organized:

TripIt – Builds itineraries from your email.

Roadtrippers – Map your road trip stops.

Wanderlog – Collaborative planning, works offline.

Sygic Travel Maps (Trip Planner) – Includes offline maps and sightseeing guides.

Polarsteps – Tracks your journey visually.

7 Best Travel Apps for Maps and Navigation

Reliable navigation is critical, especially when offline. The best offline travel directions apps include:

Google Maps – Offline mode, public transport, and dining reviews.

Waze – Real-time traffic updates.

HERE WeGo – Great for offline driving.

MAPS.ME – Full offline access, good for walking.

OsmAnd – Popular with cyclists and hikers.

Sygic GPS Navigation – Offline 3D maps with voice guidance.

TomTom GO Navigation – Subscription-based, strong offline support.

8 Best Travel Apps for Local Transport

The best travel apps for Europe and Asia especially focus on rideshare and public transport:

Uber / Lyft – Global coverage in many cities.

Grab – Southeast Asia’s leading app.

Bolt – Europe, Africa, and beyond.

FREE NOW – Popular taxi-hailing app in Europe.

Citymapper – Transit-focused, excellent for major cities.

Moovit – Covers public transport worldwide.

Transit – Real-time bus and train schedules.

BlaBlaCar – Carpooling service across Europe.

Rome2Rio – Multi-modal transport routes globally.

Note: Rome2Rio is mainly a web-based tool, but we’ve kept it on this list because of how useful it is. It’s one of the easiest ways to compare buses, trains, ferries, and flights between destinations worldwide.

7 Best Travel Apps for Activities and Tours

The best travel apps for booking tours and attractions:

GetYourGuide – Tours and tickets with reviews.

Viator – Huge selection, part of Tripadvisor.

Klook – Popular in Asia.

Tiqets – Skip-the-line museum and attraction passes.

Headout – Last-minute experiences in big cities.

Musement – Strong in Europe, offers tours and activities.

Airbnb Experiences – Local-led activities.

14 Best Travel Apps for Staying Connected (eSIM, Wi-Fi & VPN)

Roaming costs are high, these apps keep you online affordably:

Jetpac – Best eSIM for travel; works in 200+ countries with upfront pricing, multi-network access, hotspot sharing, free essentials, and 24/7 support.

Airalo – Large marketplace with local, regional, and global data packs.

Saily – Competitive global plans.

Nomad – Provide regional and global data plans.

Holafly – Known for unlimited data plans.

aloSIM – Pay-as-you-go eSIM with flexible top-ups.

GigSky – Long-running provider with regional coverage.

Flexiroam – Offers global SIM cards and eSIMs.

Wi-Fi Apps

WiFi Map – Crowdsourced global hotspot finder.

Instabridge – Offline hotspot maps, alternative Wi-Fi finder.

VPN & Security

NordVPN – Fast and secure, strong global coverage.

ExpressVPN – Reliable speeds, easy to use.

Proton VPN – Privacy-focused, with a free plan.

Surfshark – Budget-friendly, unlimited devices.

1. TunnelBear – Fun, beginner-friendly VPN with an easy interface; free plan has limited data.

7 Best Travel Apps for Budgeting and Money Management

The best travel apps for handling expenses on the go:

Trail Wallet – Built for travelers.

TravelSpend – Splits costs among groups.

Splitwise – Great for group cost-sharing.

Wise (TransferWise) – For global transfers and spending.

Revolut – Multi-currency banking app.

Spendee – Visual money management.

YNAB (You Need a Budget) – Budgeting app for planners.

3 Best Travel Apps for Currency Conversion

XE Currency – The gold standard, works offline.

OANDA Currency Converter – Accurate global rates.

xCurrency – Sleek interface, multiple wallets.

6 Best Travel Apps for Language Translation

The best translation apps for travel are:

Google Translate – Covers 100+ languages, includes camera mode, and offline packs.

DeepL Translate – Accurate translations, especially in European languages.

Microsoft Translator – Good for voice and group chats.

iTranslate – Voice and text translation.

Papago – Specializes in Asian languages.

SayHi – Easy voice-to-voice translation.

6 Best Travel Apps for Safety and Health

Sitata – Health and safety alerts.

Smart Traveler – U.S. State Department advisories.

IFRC First Aid – Offline first aid guidance.

what3words – Pinpoint exact locations anywhere on earth.

Allianz Allyz / TravelSmart – Insurance-linked safety alerts.

International SOS – Health and safety services (membership required).

8 Best Travel Apps for Road Trips and Driving

For the best travel apps for road trips, these stand out:

Roadtrippers – Maps out stops, attractions, routes.

iOverlander – Great for campers and overlanders.

GasBuddy – Find the cheapest fuel nearby.

Waze – Real-time driving directions.

HERE WeGo – Solid offline navigation.

PlugShare – For EV charging stations.

A Better Routeplanner (ABRP) – Excellent for electric vehicle road trips.

Spotify / Audible – Entertainment for long drives.

7 Best Travel Apps for Food and Dining

The best travel apps for eating well abroad:

Tripadvisor – Global reviews.

Google Maps – For local ratings and hours.

OpenTable – Restaurant reservations.

TheFork (LaFourchette) – Discounts and booking across Europe.

HappyCow – Vegan and vegetarian options.

Yelp – Popular in North America.

Zomato – Strong in India and Southeast Asia.

5 Best Travel Apps for Packing and Checklists

Never forget essentials again with the best travel apps for packing:

PackPoint – Smart lists based on destination and weather.

Packing List Checklist – Simple, shareable lists.

Packingbird – Auto-generated packing suggestions.

Todoist – Flexible app for packing and tasks.

Notion – Customizable travel checklist templates.

Must-Have Travel Apps You Shouldn’t Travel Without

If you only install a few, these cover all bases:

Google Maps (navigation).

Skyscanner (flights).

Booking.com or Trip.com (accommodation).

TripIt (itinerary).

GetYourGuide (tours).

Jetpac (the best eSIM for travel with international eSIM plans).

Google Translate or DeepL (language).

XE Currency (conversion).

WhatsApp (communication, now with built-in message translation).

what3words + IFRC First Aid (safety).

The One App That Powers All Your Travel Apps: Jetpac

You can download dozens of the best travel apps for flights, hotels, maps, food, or safety, but none of them work without reliable data. That’s where Jetpac comes in.

Jetpac isn’t just another eSIM. It’s the one app that gives you seamless connectivity whether you’re traveling, holidaying, tripping, backpacking, or on business. With Jetpac, you can unlock all your favorite apps anywhere in the world, without worrying about expensive international roaming charges or hunting down local SIM cards.

Here’s why Jetpac is different:

One eSIM, 200+ destinations – Install once, and use it across countries and continents.

Always-on connectivity – Multi-network access automatically connects you to the strongest local signal.

Transparent pricing – Up to 70% cheaper than roaming with no hidden fees or bill shocks.

Voice + Data in one – Unlike most providers, Jetpac also offers voice plans, so you can make regular calls when you need them.

Hotspot sharing – Connect your laptop or share data with friends, even on unlimited packs.

5G support in 50+ countries – Fast enough for streaming, navigation, and cloud work.

Travel perks – Free lounge access on flight delays and free access to WhatsApp, Google Maps, and Uber, even when your data runs out.

24/7 premium support – Help available anytime, across time zones.

✅ With Jetpac, you don’t just get data. You get the foundation that powers every other app in this best travel apps list, and essential apps like WhatsApp, Uber, and Google Maps remain free only with Jetpac.

FAQs

What is the best app to use for travel?

There isn’t just one, but the most essential best travel apps include Google Maps (navigation), Skyscanner (flights), Booking.com (hotels), TripIt (itineraries), and Jetpac (the best eSIM for travel to keep everything connected).

What is the most downloaded travel app?

Globally, Booking.com and Google Maps rank among the most downloaded travel-related apps. Regionally, rideshare apps like Uber and Grab also top the charts.

Which travel app has the best deals?

For flights, Skyscanner, Kayak, and Hopper are known for the best deals. For hotels, Booking.com and Agoda often show the lowest prices, while Airbnb offers unique stays.

What’s the best app to track everywhere I’ve traveled?

Polarsteps is one of the best travel apps for tracking your journeys, creating visual travel logs with maps and photos. Alternatives include Been (for country counting) and TripAdvisor’s Travel Map.

Does TripIt cost money?

TripIt has a free version that automatically organizes itineraries. The premium version, TripIt Pro, costs about $49/year and adds features like real-time flight alerts and seat tracking.

Is there a free trip planner?

Yes. Wanderlog is a free, collaborative one of the best travel itinerary apps that works offline and lets you plan trips with friends. Sygic Travel also has a free tier with upgrade options.