Traveling without technology almost seems impossible in this day and age. Luckily, technology has made it easier than ever to plan, navigate, and enjoy a seamless travel experience. With just a few essential travel apps on your phone, you can book flights at the best price, find hidden gem restaurants, track expenses, and even translate foreign menus in seconds!
In this guide, I’ve rounded up 10 of my favorite FREE travel apps that have been so incredibly helpful on trips, including my solo adventures! These apps cover navigation, booking, budgeting, language translation, & more—ensuring that you’re fully prepared no matter where your adventures take you. Ready to upgrade your travel game? Let’s dive in!
Please note that this post is NOT sponsored and I have not received any monetary compensation for including these apps on my list. These are genuinely my favorite travel apps!
1. Google Maps (Navigation & Offline Maps)
Overview: Google Maps is the best app out there for maps – much better than the Maps app from Apple in my opinion! Getting lost in an unfamiliar city can be frustrating and time-consuming, but with Google Maps, you’ll always have a reliable guide at your fingertips. This app is more than just a navigation tool—it provides real-time traffic updates, walking and cycling directions, public transportation routes, and even business reviews. As I recently learned on my trip to Dubai — the ability to download maps for offline use is a lifesaver, especially in areas with weak or no internet connection.
- Price: Free
- Offline Mode: Yes, with downloaded maps
- Available On: iOS & Android
- Best For: Navigating cities and finding restaurants, attractions, and transit routes
Pros:
✔ Free and widely available
✔ Real-time traffic updates
✔ Public transport routes included
✔ Offline maps for areas with no data
Cons:
✘ Can be inaccurate in remote locations
✘ Drains battery quickly if used continuously
✘ The business reviews are sometimes inflated and not as accurate as Yelp in my opinion
2. Rome2Rio (Transportation Planning)
Overview: Figuring out the best way to get from one city (or country) to another can be overwhelming, especially when comparing options like flights, buses, trains, and ferries. Rome2Rio simplifies this process by presenting all available transportation options, estimated costs, and travel times in one place. Whether you’re backpacking through Europe or planning a multi-stop itinerary, this app helps you find the most convenient and budget-friendly routes. It’s an excellent tool for travelers looking to optimize their journey without spending hours researching different transit providers.
- Price: Free
- Offline Mode: No
- Available On: iOS & Android
- Best For: Budget travelers looking for the cheapest or fastest way to get between destinations
Pros:
✔ Shows all available transport options
✔ Great for multi-country travel planning
✔ Includes estimated travel times and costs
Cons:
✘ Prices can be outdated; always double-check
✘ No in-app booking—redirects you to third-party sites
3. Skyscanner (Flight Deals & Alerts)
Overview: Booking flights at the best price can be tricky, with prices fluctuating daily. Skyscanner takes the guesswork out of flight booking by comparing prices from hundreds of airlines and travel agencies. Its “Everywhere” search feature is perfect for flexible travelers looking for budget-friendly destinations. You can also set up price alerts to track fare changes and book when prices drop. Whether you’re planning a last-minute getaway or an extended vacation, Skyscanner helps ensure you’re getting the best deal possible.
- Price: Free
- Offline Mode: No
- Available On: iOS & Android
- Best For: Finding cheap flights and tracking fare changes over time.
Pros:
✔ “Everywhere” search finds the cheapest destinations
✔ Price alerts notify you of fare drops
✔ Includes budget airlines often missing from other search engines
Cons:
✘ No direct booking—redirects to third-party websites
✘ Prices can fluctuate frequently
4. Splitwise (Expense Sharing & Budgeting)
Over the years, I’ve taken a few vacations with my friends and this app has been a lifesaver. Splitwise helps you split expenses effortlessly. Whether you’re splitting restaurant bills, hotel stays, or group activities, the app allows users to log expenses, assign amounts to individuals, and keep a running total of who owes what. It supports multiple currencies, making it ideal for international trips, and even integrates with payment apps like PayPal and Venmo for easy reimbursements.
- Price: Free
- Offline Mode: Limited (entries sync when online)
- Available On: iOS & Android
- Best For: Travelers in groups who want a hassle-free way to track and split expenses fairly.
Pros:
✔ Simplifies cost-sharing for group travel and expenses
✔ Supports multiple currencies and automatic conversions
✔ Reduces awkward money conversations by keeping balances clear
Cons:
✘ Requires all group members to use the app for full functionality
✘ No direct payment feature (only integrates with third-party payment apps)
5. Google Translate (Language Assistance)
Overview: For years, I was so scared to travel internationally because of the language barrier. Google Translate helps bridge that gap by offering real-time text and voice translations in over 100 languages. The app also features a camera translation tool, allowing you to point your phone at signs or menus for instant translations. With the ability to download languages for offline use, Google Translate ensures you can communicate effectively, even in areas without Wi-Fi or mobile data.
- Price: Free
- Offline Mode: Yes, with pre-downloaded languages
- Available On: iOS & Android
- Best For: Communicating in foreign countries and understanding signs, menus, and basic phrases.
Pros:
✔ Supports 100+ languages
✔ Camera translation for menus and signs
✔ Offline mode available
Cons:
✘ Some translations can be inaccurate
✘ Limited in regions with unique dialects
6. Flush (Public Restroom Finder)
Overview: How cool is this app?! And such an important service especially for those with a weak bladder like me! Public restrooms can be surprisingly hard to find when traveling, especially in unfamiliar cities or rural areas. Flush helps solve this problem by providing a database of over 200,000 public restrooms worldwide, complete with details on accessibility, cleanliness, and whether they require a fee. The offline functionality ensures you can locate a restroom even without internet access, making it a lifesaver during long road trips or city explorations.
- Price: Free
- Offline Mode: Yes
- Available On: iOS & Android
- Best For: Anyone who needs a quick and reliable way to find clean restrooms while traveling
Pros:
✔ Handy for road trips and city exploring
✔ Works offline with preloaded locations
✔ Free to use
Cons:
✘ Some listings may be outdated
✘ Not as comprehensive in rural areas
7. Citymapper (Public Transportation & Navigation)
Navigating public transportation in an unfamiliar city can be overwhelming, but Citymapper simplifies the process by providing real-time transit updates, route planning, and step-by-step directions. Covering major cities worldwide, the app integrates buses, trains, subways, ferries, and even ride-sharing services to help travelers find the fastest and most efficient routes. It also offers offline maps, live departure times, and notifications for service disruptions, making it an essential tool for urban explorers.
- Price: Free (Citymapper Club Pro available for $3.99/month with additional features)
- Offline Mode: Limited (some features require internet)
- Available On: iOS & Android
- Best For: Travelers who rely on public transportation and want real-time transit updates for seamless city navigation
Pros:
✔ Comprehensive public transit coverage with real-time updates
✔ Step-by-step directions, including walking and cycling routes
✔ Service disruption alerts and alternative route suggestions
Cons:
✘ Limited availability in smaller cities and rural areas
✘ Some advanced features require a paid subscription
8. Yelp (Restaurant & Business Reviews)
Finding great places to eat or shop while traveling can be hit or miss, but Yelp makes it easy by providing user-generated reviews and ratings for restaurants, cafes, bars, and local businesses worldwide. With millions of reviews, photos, and detailed information on pricing, hours, and amenities, Yelp helps travelers make informed decisions about where to go. The app also allows users to filter results by cuisine, distance, and ratings, ensuring you find the best spots that fit your preferences and budget.
- Price: Free
- Offline Mode: Limited (some features require internet)
- Available On: iOS & Android
- Best For: Travelers who want to discover top-rated restaurants, cafes, and local businesses with honest reviews before deciding where to go
Pros:
✔ Extensive reviews and photos from real customers
✔ Helpful filters for finding restaurants based on cuisine, price, and ratings
✔ Business details like hours, contact info, and menus
Cons:
✘ Some reviews may be biased or outdated
✘ Not as popular in certain countries, leading to fewer listings
9. Viator (Tours & Activities Booking)
Planning activities and excursions can be overwhelming, but Viator simplifies the process by offering a vast selection of tours, attractions, and experiences worldwide. Whether you’re looking for guided city tours, adventure activities, cultural experiences, or skip-the-line tickets to popular attractions, Viator connects travelers with reputable tour operators. The app provides detailed descriptions, customer reviews, and flexible booking options, making it easy to find and reserve activities that fit your itinerary.
- Price: Free to download; tour prices vary
- Offline Mode: Limited (bookings require internet access)
- Available On: iOS & Android
- Best For: Travelers who want to easily browse and book activities, excursions, and guided tours in advance or on the go.
Pros:
✔ Extensive selection of tours and experiences across the globe
✔ Customer reviews help ensure quality and reliability
✔ Flexible cancellation policies on many bookings
Cons:
✘ Prices can be higher than booking directly with local tour operators
✘ Some tours may have hidden fees or restrictions=
10. WhatsApp (Free Messaging & Calls)
Overview: Staying connected while traveling is essential, and WhatsApp makes it easy with free messaging, voice calls, and video chats over Wi-Fi or mobile data. It’s widely used worldwide, making it a convenient way to communicate with family, friends, and even local businesses like hotels and tour operators. With features like group chats, location sharing, and end-to-end encryption, WhatsApp ensures seamless and secure communication no matter where you are.
- Price: Free
- Offline Mode: No
- Available On: iOS & Android
- Best For: Staying in touch with friends and family while traveling internationally
Pros:
✔ Free international messaging and calls
✔ Encrypted for security
✔ Works on Wi-Fi, saving roaming charges
Cons:
✘ Requires an internet connection
✘ Some countries restrict WhatsApp (e.g., China)
I hope you found this list of travel apps helpful for your next adventure! Did you download one or more of these apps off the list? What travel app do you swear by? I’d love to hear from you – share in the comments below!
