Essential travel apps to download before your next trip

Planning a trip can be exciting, but it also comes with challenges like organizing itineraries and sticking to a budget. While it’s fun to focus on the enjoyable parts, prioritizing safety is just as important. Thankfully, in today’s digital age, travel apps can make your journey smoother and more enjoyable.

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Whether you’re booking flights, finding accommodations, exploring new cities, or discovering local attractions, these apps can be your ultimate travel companions. Before you head out, download these essential tools to ensure a seamless, safe travel experience.

Klook (Free)

Klook makes booking discounted tickets and transportation worldwide simple. It saved me $10 on Gardens by the Bay in Singapore and $13 on the Hong Kong cable car to the Big Buddha. It’s also great for private transfers, like those I used in Vietnam.

Klook’s free rewards program lets you earn points (KlookCash) for future discounts, and additional perks come with member-only rates. Whether you book through the app or website, it’s a great way to save money and avoid long lines.

Booking.com (Free)

Booking.com often offers the lowest rates on accommodations, especially through its app, which features mobile-only discounts of 15-30%. I’ve reached tier three of their Genius loyalty program, unlocking even more savings. Whether you’re booking hotels, cars, or even flights, it’s worth checking their app for competitive prices.

XE Currency Converter (Free)

XE is my go-to currency app. It lets you track up to 10 currencies and works offline using the last updated rates. TIP: Always compare costs when paying in different currencies—local currency is often cheaper than USD.

iPhone Calculator Conversion (Free)

With iOS 18, Apple added a currency and unit conversion feature to its calculator app. Just tap the symbol to the left of the 0 button and enable “Convert” to access options like currency, weight, and speed conversions.

Dollarbird (Paid)

Dollarbird is my favorite expense-tracking app, especially for trips. For $4.99/month or $39.99/year, you can create custom categories, manually add expenses, and export data for analysis. I’ve used it to track spending on my two-month Africa trip and during past travels like my seven-month South America journey.

Splitwise (Free)

Splitwise makes splitting expenses with friends easy. Add items, select participants, and it calculates who owes what. While the free version limits you to three expenses per day per person, it’s still the best app for tracking group costs during travel.

Genius Scan (Free)

This app lets you scan receipts, maps, and brochures to create PDFs, which you can save or share. It’s perfect for organizing work travel receipts and reducing paper clutter.

1Password (Paid)

1Password securely stores all your passwords, banking details, and loyalty programs in one place. It syncs across devices and is easy to use. Pricing starts at $2.99/month, but the convenience and security are worth it.

Airalo (Free)

Airalo offers affordable eSIMs for staying connected in over 200 countries. The app makes it easy to install and monitor usage. Use promo code NEWTOAIRALO15 for 15% off your first purchase.

Google Voice (Free)

Google Voice provides a U.S. phone number for free calls, texts, and voicemail. It’s great for two-step verification while abroad or calling family and customer service. Setup requires a Google account and an existing phone number.

Google Translate (Free)

Google Translate is a must-have. It translates text, photos, and saved phrases, making communication abroad much easier. For Spanish-speaking countries, I also recommend SpanishDICT for conjugations and phrases.

WhatsApp (Free)

WhatsApp is essential for messaging, voice calls, and connecting with businesses worldwide. It’s the primary communication tool in many countries and works across all platforms.

Postagram (Free; $1.60-$2/postcard)

Postagram lets you create personalized postcards with your photos and schedule delivery dates. It’s a great alternative to traditional postcards, especially for sending greetings without waiting in long post office lines.

Maps.me (Free)

This offline GPS app is ideal for hiking and remote travel. Download maps in advance for turn-by-turn navigation, and use it to plan and edit routes. I’ve used it extensively for off-road trips, like in Mongolia, and it’s perfect for my upcoming Namibia road trip.

SafetyWing Travel Insurance

SafetyWing offers travel medical insurance for over 180 countries. Their Essential plan is affordable and easy to use, with a claims process that takes just five minutes through their app.

NordVPN (Paid)

NordVPN ensures secure browsing while traveling, protecting your data during online banking and streaming services. It’s an affordable option with multi-device compatibility.

AirVisual (Free)

AirVisual tracks air quality worldwide, providing updates from government agencies. It’s especially useful in polluted areas or during burning seasons, helping you decide when to wear a mask.