12 Must Have Travel Apps
From booking hotels to searching for airfare and guided tours, travel apps are designed with travelers in mind.
But how do you choose the best ones?
A good travel app is like a good travel buddy. They’re supposed to make your trip go smoothly, spare you from making mistakes, and help you save time and money.
With so many options, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But don’t worry! This article breaks down the best travel apps rated by fellow travelers and with thousands of reviews.
I always use travel apps when exploring new destinations and can tell you that they make a huge difference regardless of whether you’re going to a new country or exploring a familiar place.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the best apps for all things travel.
1. Hotels.com
Hotels.com is my favorite travel app for browsing hundreds of properties in a given destination. The platform has a bonus system, where you accumulate points or OneKey Cash, based on the price you pay for your accommodations.
The more expensive the place you stay, the more points you get. Once your stay is completed, the cash is available to apply to your next transaction. Despite the name, the platform allows you to choose from hotels, apartment-style properties, bed-and-breakfasts, and hostels. It also allows you to book cars.
The platform offers different types of membership such as silver, gold, and platinum, each offering a variety of perks and discounts. If you frequently book hotels through the app, you can quickly accumulate points and reach platinum status, which offers over 20 percent in discounts on thousands of hotels.
2. Hostelworld
Want to save money and meet like-minded travelers from corners of the globe?
Download Hostelworld, which offers access to thousands of hostels, guest homes, and bed and breakfasts geared toward budget-conscious travelers.
Like other booking platforms, Hostelworld allows you to filter hostels and other properties based on their price, location, and amenities.
You can leave reviews read what other travelers say about a specific property, and read a detailed description, which will help you to make an informed decision.
3. Hopper
Airfare is usually the most expensive component of a trip, and if you want to score a good deal on airplane tickets, Hopper can help you. This app has a built-in algorithm that forecasts the best time to book flights and hotels, showing whether prices will rise or fall and suggesting when to book based on the fluctuations and trends.
When Hopper detects a price drop for flights or hotels users are tracking, it sends a notification, a convenient feature that allows you to avoid looking at your phone every minute.
4. Viator
Viator is a travel app that allows you to book guided tours in places across the globe. Customers can leave reviews through the app, which is helpful for someone traveling to a new destination and wants to book a guided adventure.
Viator grants access to see what other travelers say about a specific experience and make the right decision.
Viator offers private and group tours, but note that the level of service often depends on the specific destination that you visit.
5. Omio
Omio is a great app for booking transportation in different parts of the world. The platform allows you to book bus, rail, and ferry tickets and offers decent discounts and bonus points for frequent users.
I bought bus and train tickets through Omio and only had to show the QR code generated through the app, which is very convenient because you don’t have to print anything.
To book a ticket with Ohio, type in your current location, and desired destination, choose your travel dates, and browse available options.
6. TripAdvisor
TripAdvisor is one of the most popular travel apps, and for good reason. It offers access to thousands of reviews on travel-related activities like landmarks, restaurants, tours, and even specific companies.
Many tour companies are registered on TripAdvisor, and users can always leave a review based on their experience.
Some travelers also use TripAdvisor as a forum to ask questions and receive answers to travel-related questions, if they want to share their expertise with other travelers.
I’ve also used TripAdvisor to find information on transportation services and plan my itineraries around new cities.
7. GasBuddy
If you plan a road trip, download GasBuddy, an app that helps you find the cheapest gas. GasBuddy shows you prices at all gas stations in the area, making it easy to stay within your budget.
It can also pinpoint closed gas stations so you don’t get stuck with an empty tank in the middle of nowhere. On the negative side, the app is known to collect and sell its users’ data, so if privacy is a concern, visit GasBuddy’s website instead.
8. Waze
Waze is essential for a successful road trip because it allows you to avoid police speed traps and gives real-time updates on traffic, accidents, and other issues that could impact your travel time. It also shows construction zones, potholes, and other hazards.
The app has features that help you avoid fines and maximize your time on the road. Waze shows nearby gas stations with real-time fuel prices, estimates your ETA, and has voice directions so you can concentrate on driving instead of constantly looking at your phone.
It helps you stay within the speed limit by showing real-time speed limits on the road you’re driving and alerts you if you’re going over.
9. AllTrails
Every hiker should have the AllTrails app on his or her phone. It provides detailed directions on hiking trails in many destinations, whether it’s a popular national park or a lesser-known recreational area.
To find up-to-date information about a specific hiking trail on this platform, you type its name and location. You will then get a detailed description and basic info like length, difficulty, and key metrics.
Note that you need to pay a yearly fee of $39.99 for a premium version, which allows you to download offline maps. While it might sound like a lot of money, it’s a worthy investment if you’re an avid hiker who needs reliable information about hiking trails and spends time in the backcountry.
10. The Dyrt
The Dyrt is a fairly well-known app among outdoorsy travelers that provides detailed information about campsites, from primitive spots with no amenities and hook-ups to fancy clamping stays.
It also offers detailed information on RV parks, campgrounds, and other places to pitch a tent or park your RV.
The Dyrt is free, but it also has a pro membership, which gives you access to offline maps, and neat features that come in handy when you travel through an area with poor cell phone service and need to find a camping spot on the go.
11. Convertr+
Convertr+ is a must-have for any traveler because it helps you convert different types of measurement units, including weight, distance, and temperature. Another neat feature of Convertr is that it allows you to convert money, so you will always know how much your money is worth in a foreign country.
12. WeatherBug
Although most smartphones have generic weather apps, they are not always accurate. If the weather is a big factor in your trip, download WeatherBug, which outlines the forecasts for millions of cities and towns.
The app has special maps that track key metrics like heat, humidity, precipitation, and wind. It can also estimate the chance of inclement weather and track lightning.
