This article was published in 2011 and updated in October 2026.
Your phone is the most useful travel gadget you own. With the right apps it becomes your map, translator, wallet, boarding pass and travel agent, all in one. Several apps from our 2011 list have since disappeared or been renamed, so here is an updated list of ten essential mobile apps for travelers — most of them free, for both iPhone and Android.
1. Google Maps
Still the most important travel app. Google Maps finds your way on foot, by car and by public transport in thousands of cities, shows restaurants and sights with reviews and opening hours, and lets you download offline maps so you can navigate without mobile data. On the iPhone, Apple Maps is a good alternative.
2. Google Translate
Translate menus, signs and conversations in over 100 languages. Point your camera at text for instant translation, use conversation mode to talk with locals, and download languages for offline use before you go.
3. XE Currency
XE shows live exchange rates for every currency and keeps the last rates for offline use, so you always know what something really costs.
4. Kayak
Kayak, already on our 2011 list, compares flights, hotels and rental cars across many booking sites, offers price alerts and keeps your trip plans in one place. Skyscanner and Google Flights are good alternatives for finding cheap flights.
5. Your airline’s app — and a flight tracker
Airline apps handle check-in, mobile boarding passes, seat changes and rebooking when something goes wrong. A flight tracker such as FlightAware or Flighty shows delays, gate changes and where your incoming plane is, often before the airport screens do.
6. TripIt
Forward your booking confirmations to TripIt and it automatically builds a single itinerary with your flights, hotels, rental cars and reservations — handy when you’re juggling several bookings.
7. Uber, Bolt or a local ride-hailing app
Taxi Magic from our 2011 list is now called Curb and still works in many US cities. Ride-hailing apps such as Uber, Lyft and Bolt show the price before you ride and let you pay in the app — useful when you don’t speak the language. Check which service is popular in your destination; in some countries, local apps such as Grab or DiDi dominate.
8. GasBuddy
On a road trip in the US or Canada, GasBuddy helps you find the cheapest fuel nearby, with prices reported by its community. In other countries, Google Maps often shows fuel prices too.
9. A weather app
Check the forecast before you pack and during your trip. The weather app on your phone covers most needs; for detailed radar and severe-weather alerts, apps from national weather services or dedicated weather apps are useful.
10. A travel eSIM app
Instead of expensive roaming or hunting for free Wi-Fi, travel eSIM apps such as Airalo or Holafly let you buy a local data plan before you land and install it in minutes on any eSIM-capable phone. Check your own provider first — some plans, for example within the EU, already include roaming at no extra cost.
Bonus: track your spending
A simple budgeting app, or your banking app’s spending overview, helps you keep an eye on your travel budget. Apps such as Splitwise make it easy to share costs with friends.
Travel tips for your phone
- Download offline maps, translations and boarding passes before you leave.
- Pack a power bank — navigation and photos drain the battery quickly.
- Be careful with public Wi-Fi, and turn on Find My or Find My Device in case your phone gets lost.
With these apps your journey will be easier, more enjoyable and more memorable. Have a great trip!
Write My Essay
Sep 23. 2011
Your post have the information that is helpful and very informative. I would like you to keep up the good work. You know how to make your post understandable for most of the people.
Thumbs up and Thanks
admin
Sep 23. 2011
Welcome to the blog … & thanks for your wishes !!
Alexandra
Sep 24. 2011
Take Phone2Anything from Store2Phone Inc, it’s indispensable in travel!
Suraj
Sep 24. 2011
Although I’m not a great fan of iPhone, but these are some cool apps!
Nishadha
Sep 24. 2011
Thanks for sharing this awesome apps, without a doubt Google maps is the most important one.
Ifham khan
Sep 24. 2011
Yes I m too not the big fan of iphone bcuz i dont have btw thanks for sharing
Julie Hayes
Sep 24. 2011
This ten application on Iphone can really do magic specially when you are on a place that you are not familiar of.
admin
Sep 24. 2011
Yep … anyways thanks for stopping by my blog
TracyAnn0312
Sep 26. 2011
Thanks for sharing great information. At least you give me better idea what’s the best application to use when traveling.
viral
Sep 27. 2011
Your post have the information that is helpful and very informative. ,thnk you
Ysabelle
Sep 29. 2011
Thanks for sharing this useful apps, this info is so informative that is really important for travelers like me.
John
Oct 05. 2011
Trip advisor is absolutely great. nearby restaurants with reviews, best hotels, best tourist activities. Can’t miss this web site or app.
Antennas
Oct 18. 2011
Thanks for the wonderful share, earlier i was using only Google maps, did not know about others. These will definitely help me.
hifu miami
Oct 25. 2011
Those are great apps you have there! I’m thinking of getting Wefi and hopefully it’s for free! It seems like a very helpful apps regardless if you’re a traveler or not.
Adam
Jan 09. 2012
Some indeed handy applications are shared here and I would love to give them a go.