The Best Apps for Traveling 2025
There’s an app for everything these days, and when it comes to travel, they can be total lifesavers. Here are some of my go-to apps that have made my adventures smoother, easier, and more fun.
My Top Travel Apps 📱
Citymapper – Perfect for navigating public transportation in major cities. I find it easier and more accurate than Google Maps when it comes to trains, buses, and subways.
Been – A fun way to track where you’ve traveled (or lived) and see what percentage of the world you’ve explored with cool visuals.
Google Maps – A classic. I especially love saving favorite spots to custom lists and downloading offline maps for areas without data.
Google Translate – A must-have in countries where you don’t speak the language. You can translate by typing, speaking, or even scanning text with your camera.
Tricount – Ideal for group trips. It tracks shared expenses and automatically calculates who owes who—no messy math required.
Venmo / Revolut – Quick and easy payment apps for splitting costs. Venmo is best in the U.S., while Revolut is widely used in Europe. (Note: Revolut requires European residency to set up an account.)
OpenTable – A simple way to find and book last-minute restaurant reservations. Great for avoiding the stress of “where should we eat?” debates.
Omio – Book trains or buses to take you around Europe, without the need for booking a flight.
Messaging, Calling and Data
Depending on your phone plan and provider, international data is usually an additional add on. It is best to talk with your provider before your trip in order to understand your options. Regardless of your data plan, I highly recommend downloading WhatsApp. WhatsApp is a free messaging and calling app that works with any phone number, no matter the country code. You will find a lot of tour guides and accommodations will communicate through WhatsApp instead of your default texting app.
Other Handy App Tips
Download your airline’s app before checking in. Many airlines now require mobile boarding passes, and the app makes the airport experience much smoother.
Apple Wallet (iPhone users) – Perfect for tap-to-pay transactions (especially common in Europe), and you can store boarding passes, tickets, and cards all in one place.
Taxi/Ride Sharing apps - Do quick research to see what taxi or ride sharing app the country/city you are visiting uses. Common apps: FREENOW, Uber, Bolt, Lyft
These are just a few of my favorites, but I’m always discovering new apps that make traveling easier. As I find more, I’ll be sure to update this list—because a well-packed phone is just as important as a well-packed suitcase. ✈️📱
