My Favorite Travel Apps I’m Using
When I travel, I rely on a few tried-and-true apps that save me time, money, and stress. Over the years, these apps have become part of my planning and daily travel routine. Some help me book experiences, while others keep me connected or make navigating new places easier.
Here are the best travel apps I use regularly, along with some tips and personal stories on how they’ve helped me.
Table of Contents
TripAdvisor
Best for: Researching hotels, restaurants, and attractions
TripAdvisor has been around for years, and while some newer apps have popped up, it’s still one of the most useful tools for travelers. What I like most is the huge volume of reviews from real people. It’s not just the top-rated places that matter, it’s seeing detailed feedback, photos, and tips that help you make smarter choices.
I use TripAdvisor for:
- Hotel research – I always check the latest traveler photos. They often reveal more than edited social media photos.
- Restaurant finds – Perfect for identifying hidden gems. I filter by “traveler ranking” instead of just popularity.
- Things to do – I’ve discovered smaller attractions I never would have heard about otherwise.
When I visited St Maarten, I checked reviews for beach clubs at Orient Bay. That’s how I found Orange Fever, which ended up being the perfect place to spend an afternoon.
Viator
Best for: Booking tours and experiences
Viator makes booking tours easy and stress-free. I like that it gives me transparent reviews, flexible cancellation policies, and tons of choices across nearly every destination. Whether you’re booking a skip-the-line museum ticket in Rome or a sunset sailing in St Maarten, it’s all in one place.
Some of my favorite features:
- Verified reviews – I trust that I’m not walking into a tourist trap.
- Free cancellation – Many tours let you cancel up to 24 hours in advance, which is great if your plans change.
- Wide selection – From walking tours to day trips, I’ve never struggled to find something interesting.
In Paris, I booked a Seine River Dinner Cruise through Viator. The reviews reassured me that the food and experience were worth the splurge! That peace of mind made it one of my favorite activities of the trip.
Wanderlog
Best for: Organizing trip itineraries
Wanderlog is like a personal travel assistant that keeps flights, hotels, activities, and notes all in one place. You can even share it with friends, and they can add their notes!
Why I love it:
- All-in-one organization – No more flipping between email confirmations and maps. You can import your flight and hotel reservations.
- Offline access – I can pull up my itinerary even without Wi-Fi.
- Collaboration in real time– Perfect for group trips since you can share plans.
For my Japan trip, I mapped out my entire 10-day itinerary in Wanderlog. It helped me with train times, adding restaurant reservations, and must-see temples. Having everything in one app meant I wasn’t frantically searching my inbox while standing on a crowded Tokyo street.
⛩️ Check out my 10-Day Japan Itinerary here!
Google Translate
Best for: Breaking language barriers
Google Translate is one of the most underrated travel apps. It’s free, simple, and can completely change how comfortable you feel in a foreign country.
How I use it:
- Menu and Sign translation – Point your camera at a menu or street sign and watch it translate live.
- Conversations – Use voice-to-voice translation when chatting with locals.
- Offline mode – Download a language pack before traveling so it works without Wi-Fi.
In Nara, we visited Todai-ji Temple. We didn’t purchase a guided tour, so we did a self-guided one. All of the signs that displayed information about the temple were in Japanese. Cue, Google Translate! We used the Google Lens feature to take a picture of the sign so we could find out more information about the temple!
Flighty
Best for: Flight tracking and updates
If you’re a frequent flyer, Flighty is worth the download. It tracks your flights with incredible detail, from gate changes to delay predictions. You can track your plane in real-time, even when your phone is in airplane mode! It also keeps track of the lifetime miles you have flown, which is pretty cool to see every year!
Why I use it:
- Instant push notifications – Often faster than airline apps.
- Real-time plane tracking – You can literally see where your plane is coming from.
- Connection insights – Helpful if you’re worried about tight layovers.
On my flight home from St Maarten, Flighty notified me about a delay before the airline even made an announcement. That extra time let me spend more time on the beach than in the airport.
Airalo
Best for: Affordable eSIM data abroad
Airalo lets you buy local or regional eSIMs so you can have data as soon as you land. No need to hunt for a SIM card kiosk at the airport. The app will also tell you if you’re getting low on data, and you can add more before you run out.
Why I like it:
- Instant setup – Install the eSIM before your trip.
- Cheaper than roaming – Big savings compared to your carrier’s international plan. You can purchase 1 GB plans for less than $5USD!
- Global coverage – Works in 200+ countries.
When I landed in St Maarten, I had data immediately thanks to Airalo. It made finding my airport transportation driver easy, and I didn’t have to pay sky-high roaming fees.
NordVPN
Best for: Safe internet connection
Public Wi-Fi is convenient, but it’s not always safe. That’s where a VPN comes in. It encrypts your connection and lets you access websites as if you’re in your home country.
How I use it:
- Secure browsing at airports, hotels, and restaurants Wi-Fi
- Streaming – Watch U.S. Netflix, Hulu, or other streaming services abroad
- Privacy – Protects personal info when using public networks
In Paris, I used NordVPN to download a Netflix show for the plane that wasn’t available in France. It also gave me peace of mind when connecting to random Wi-Fi networks across the city.
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BONUS: Best Europe Travel Apps
Traveling in Europe comes with unique challenges, especially around trains and public transportation. These apps make it much easier to find the best route and book transportation.
Rail Europe
Europe’s train system is fantastic, but it can be overwhelming with multiple booking platforms. Rail Europe consolidates it all into one app so you can:
- Book tickets for major routes in advance
- Check real-time schedules and platform info
- Compare prices across different train operators
Example: I used Rail Europe to book tickets from Paris to Reims, Reims to Epernay, and Epernay to Paris. I was able to book all together in one transaction. I had all the tickets in one place and available on my phone the day I needed them.
CityMapper
CityMapper is hands-down the best app for navigating big cities in Europe. It shows step-by-step directions for subways, buses, trams, and even walking.
Why use it:
- Real-time updates on delays and closures
- Local details like which subway car to ride for the fastest exit
- Coverage in dozens of European cities
Example: CityMapper helped me figure out the quickest way to Versailles from Paris during a rail closure. Google Maps didn’t show the disruption, but CityMapper gave me alternative routes immediately.
TheFork
TheFork helps you book restaurants across Europe and often includes real discounts. It is great for last-minute tables and local spots that do not list on other apps.
How to use it:
- Instant reservations with live availability
- Deals that can cut the bill by a large margin
- Helpful photos and diner reviews
Dining in Europe is a treat, but reservations can be tricky. That’s where TheFork comes in. It’s perfect for travelers who want to avoid tourist traps and eat where locals go.
Final Thoughts
Travel apps make my trips more seamless, less stressful, and often more affordable. From booking experiences to staying connected and navigating new cities, these apps are my essentials.
I’ve learned that having the right tools can completely change how enjoyable a trip feels. Whether you’re exploring Europe by train, navigating Japan’s language barrier, or simply trying to find the best local restaurant, these apps will make your travels easier.
These are my favorite travel apps, but I’d love to know—what’s the one app you never travel without?
