15 Best Travel Apps That Will Make Your Next Adventure the Best One Yet
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There's nothing in the world more exciting than dreaming up, planning, and clicking "book" on your next trip. But! The shine can wear off quick if you don't do your research. Luckily, there's a solid roster of travel apps out there that can save you time and money before, during, and after your trip. Honestly, what did we even do before the internet?! Long live the smartphone!
Now, the term "travel app" is quite broad, I know. There are currency apps, planning apps, map apps, translation apps, booking apps, and more, all designed to ensure you have the best, most worry-free vacation possible. Some are definitely better than others, but don't worry, that's where I come in. I parsed through everything out there to find you the crème de la crème (it's a hard job, but I did it). So, without further ado, here are the 15 best travel apps to download before your next fabulous getaway. Happy trails (and don't forget your sunscreen)!
Waze
Starting off strong with one of my favorites here: Waze. This navigation app gives you community-based information while you're on the road, sharing insights like whether or not there's traffic, hazards, or even a speeding camera on your drive ahead. IMHO, it also always has the fastest routes compared to other map apps (sorry, not sorry!).
Viator
Wanna see allll the best travel experiences in one place? Viator's gotchu. You can book over 300,000 attractions, tours, shows, and more wherever you are in the world, starting at as little as $20. Pro-tip: this is where you can book "skip the line" tickets at a lot of popular tourist attractions, saving you plenty of time and hassle. (If you know, you know.)
Steller
If you're indecisive as hell (ahem, guilty as charged) then trust me—you wanna download Steller. It uses input from both users and AI to recommend things to do, places to eat, and sights to see during your travels, along with videos and images from people who have been there before. You can also browse other users' itineraries for inspo, so you can steal (borrow?) their best trip ever.
Hopper
Hopper is a travel booking app that analyzes the prices of flights, hotels, and rental cars across le internet so that you can get the best bang for your buck. Basically, it (a) compares prices at different booking websites and (b) predicts when you'll get the best deals on your travels, so you can book accordingly. Bonus: Every time you book with Hopper, the company plants two trees to help offset the carbon footprint of your travels. Helping the earth while having a good time? Sign! Me! Up!
Hostelworld
Hostelworld is all about connecting you to fellow travelers before you even reach your destination. The app allows you to book thousands of hostels, hotels, and communal spaces around the world (16,500 in 180 different countries, to be exact), and lets you communicate with other people staying in the same place. So, if you're on your eat, pray, love journey, you officially know where to start.
EatOkra
Traveling anywhere in the U.S.? Love to eat? If you answered yes to both of these questions, download this app immediately. EatOkra is a guide to Black-owned eateries across the country, helping you check delicious spots off your restaurant bucket list. There are over 9,500 listings on the app, so you'll definitely find something to fill your itinerary (and stomach!) on your next road trip.
Wanderlog
Type A girlies, to the front! Wanderlog is everything you could ever want in a travel-planning app—and I mean everything. You can import your flight and hotel reservations, make a map of all the attractions and restaurants on your radar, create checklists, and even track your group's expenses so it's easier to split things after your adventure is over.
Google Translate
Google Translate is one of those things you don't know you need until you desperately need it, so having the app downloaded onto your phone can be a blessing. Whether you're trying to ask your cab driver something, are lost and need to converse with a local, or are just trying to brush up on your skills, it's truly a lifesaver—but you probably already knew that!
EatWith
When I'm traveling, I'm doing everything in my power to experience the city as the locals do. If you're like me, you'll want to try EatWith, an app that actually lets you dine in the homes of local residents. It's basically the Airbnb of dining, and it's way more personal than just heading to the trendiest restaurant in town. You'll find some home cooks on the app, whereas others have been trained at Michelin-starred restaurants. Either way, you'll be ending the night with a full stomach (and heart!!).
Nomad Her
Nomad Her aims to connect solo women travelers across the globe in hopes of fostering community—and fun, ofc!—in a safe, fulfilling way. There are over 200,000 members on the app, all of whom you can swap travel tricks and tips with. You can also find women who have similar future itineraries to you, so you can link up and do some traveling together.
Timeshifter
Raise your hand if you've ever high-key suffered from jet lag (it's me, I'm raising my hand). Thankfully, Timeshifter exists, and it's one of the highest-rated jet lag apps in the world (yes, they're a thing!). The platform uses neuroscience to help you ease into your new timezone, recommending things like when to get sunlight and when to avoid caffeine. Even astronauts use this app, FYI, so you know it's gotta be good.
Xe
Xe has everything you need to know about international currencies, which, of course, is important information when you're shopping your way across the planet. Open it up and you'll find live exchange rates and historical charts for any currency pair in the world, so you can tell if you're getting ripped off or a good deal when you're trading in your USD. You can also use it to transfer money in 65 currencies to over 170 countries, and it can be used offline, which can be incredibly helpful in a pinch.
HotelTonight
Just like the name says, this app shows you hotels you can get that night—and for a heavily discounted price. It's perfect to have on your phone as a backup in case something goes wrong with your accommodations and you need a last-minute place to stay, or if you just like to live life on the edge. Spontaneous getaways? No problemo.
Wanderu
If you're trying to save $$$ abroad (or even in your own city, tbh), public transportation is where it's at. Wanderu allows you to compare the prices and schedules for buses and trains across North America and Europe, plus book directly on the app so you always know where your tickets are.
Tripadvisor
You know Tripadvisor, you love Tripadvisor. But did you know they have a handy app? It allows you to browse through ratings and recommendations from travelers who've been to your upcoming destinations before you, from hotels to restaurants and all the attractions in between. The platform also lets you save your favorite spots, see them on a map, and plan your itinerary all in one place.
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