The Best Travel Apps to Download Now for 2023-24
There is no lack of information in today’s world. With mini supercomputers in our pockets, the world is truly at our fingertips. However, knowing where to find the best information is important. Rest easy, we’ve done the work for you and put together a list of the top 12 apps to download now and familiarize yourself with before your next trip.
Our Picks - Top 12 Travel Apps to Download Before Your Next Trip
1. GetYourGuide
Price: Free
What the app offers: GetYourGuide is a one-stop shop for finding the best tours, attractions, and activities around the world, ranging from museum tours to helicopter rides. Find local sports, culture, food, and nature-related activities, read reviews, compare prices, and get updated when items you are interested in are about to fill up. The app also allows you to update your preferred language and currency.
2. Skyscanner
Price: Free
What the app offers: Skyscanner is a must for budget travelers! The app allows you to search for the best value on flights with endless search options. You can look for options to specific destinations within a certain month, search for flights to anywhere from your desired departure airport, and filter your results by duration, number of layovers, airlines, and more. The app also allows you to search for deals on hotels and rental cars. Keep in mind - when you find what you are looking for Skyscanner will send you to the merchant’s website and you will book directly through them, not Skyscanner.
3. TripIt
Price: Basic Version, Free; TripIt Pro, $49/Year
What the app offers: TripIt is one of the highest rated trip planning apps. The app is simple - forward your confirmation emails for flights, hotels, restaurants, and more to the app and a detailed trip itinerary will be put together for you. The app includes additional features such as a place to store travel documents and travel contacts and it archives all of your trips so you can go back and reference them later. For $49 per year you can upgrade to TripIt Pro which will unlock features such as seat trackers, real-time flight updates, credit card point trackers, and the ability to collaborate with others when trip planning.
Price: Free
What the app offers: Currency rates are constantly changing. XE Currency Converter makes it easy to check exchange rates compared to your preferred currency. Keeping an app like this handy will help you understand prices when traveling abroad and will ultimately save you money!
Price: Free
What the app offers: Arguably one of the most daunting aspects of international travel is the language barrier. Be prepared by keeping a translation app like Google Translate handy while traveling in new countries. Google Translate allows you to easily type in and translate words and phrases. Additionally, the app allows you to speak into it, take pictures of printed text, and download languages in order to use features offline.
6. Booking.com
Price: Free
What the app offers: Booking.com is one of the top rated apps for finding the best value on accommodations around the world. Search your destination and choose specific or broad travel dates - the app will show you results that include reviews, features such as included breakfasts, sustainability scores, cancellation policies, and more. With in-app deals, countless options for filtering results, and the ability to also find deals on flights, car rentals, taxis, and attractions, this app download should not be skipped!
7. Uber
Price: Basic Version, Free; Uber One, $9.99/Month
What the app offers: As everyone’s favorite rideshare app, Uber really is a must-have before your next trip. Not only do rideshare apps typically offer much lower rates than taxi services, you are able to view prices and estimated drop off times at the time of booking. Uber has also added countless features throughout the years including food delivery, advanced ride scheduling, and Uber One, their paid version that offers in-app deals and waived cancellation fees. Remember that rideshare apps vary from country to country. Additional popular rideshare apps throughout the world include Lyft, Grab, BlaBlaCar, InDrive, and Bolt. Make sure to check which services are available at your destination before you head out.
8. Google Maps
Price: Free
What the app offers: Having a maps app at your fingertips in a new city is one of the most important ways to prepare for a trip! Google Maps is not just for driving directions - users can find walking, biking, and public transit directions to destinations, search for local attractions, and download locations and itineraries to use maps offline.
9. Surfshark
Price: Surfshark Starter, $2.49/Month; Surfshark One, $3.19/Month; Surfshark One+, $4.97/Month (prices based on current promotion for 24 month subscription, prices increase after initial 24 month period)
What the app offers: Keeping your data safe while traveling is essential, especially as a digital nomad or remote worker. With over 3,200 servers in 100 countries, Surfshark allows you to safely surf the web as if you were on your home wifi network while exploring the world.
10. WhatsApp
Price: Free
What the app offers: Staying connected to loved ones while traveling is so important! Since many cell phone carriers charge outrageous prices for international coverage, WhatsApp is a great, free option that allows you to message, call, and video chat with other users anywhere in the world. WhatsApp does require a wifi connection and data rates may apply.
11. PackPoint
Price: Basic Version, Free; PackPoint Premium, $2.99/Annually
What the app offers: If you are constantly dreading the daunting task of packing for a trip, PackPoint is the app for you! Easily generate a packing list based on your trip location, dates, duration, and activities. The app will check the weather during your trip and allows you to select whether you will have access to laundry services or not, creating a customized list for your specific trip. Upgrade to the paid version to unlock pairing features with TripIt, create customized lists, and add custom activities.
12. AccuWeather
Price: Basic Version, Free; Premium, $9.99/Annually; Premium+, $19.99/Annually
What the app offers: Regarded as one of the most accurate weather apps, AccuWeather is a must for all travelers. The app provides hyper-local weather information including temperature, humidity, and air quality. Also explore health and activity information, breaking weather news, and extended forecasts.
This is definitely not a comprehensive list, as there are hundreds of travel apps out there. Honorable mentions to this list include specific airline apps, entertainment apps, especially those that allow you to download content and access it offline, and rewards programs. At the end of the day, being a prepared traveler with the right information at the ready will make any trip safer, smoother, and more enjoyable!
Tell us which apps we missed in the comments below!