30 must-have travel apps every explorer needs before their next adventure

In today's travel world, smartphones have become essential for planning and enjoying vacations like never before.

Travel apps serve as both inspiration and practical tools, perfect for booking trips, managing logistics, securing restaurant reservations, or finding fitness classes no matter where you are in the world.

Whether it’s last-minute flight changes, day-of hotel bookings, or digital guidebooks and language translators, modern travel tech makes exploring the world far easier.

Apps are your personal travel assistant, helping with city navigation, currency conversions, perfect packing lists, and even local recommendations—there's a solution for everything while on the go.

We've curated a list of the most popular apps here at TPG. Some are well-known, while others might be a bit hidden, but all are worth downloading.

Top apps for trip planning and booking your next adventure

Along with the apps for your favorite airlines and hotel chains, these tools can help you score better deals on flights and accommodations.

Hopper

Hopper has evolved from a simple flight price predictor to a full-fledged online travel agency. It now helps travelers find the best deals on flights, hotels, and rental cars.

Hopper still offers its renowned price prediction feature to guide your booking timing, along with travel protection options and a price freeze to secure the best rates on flights and hotels.

Kiwi

Kiwi is primarily known for booking flights, but it also helps with hotel reservations through its partnership with Booking.com and car rentals via RentalCars.com.

The app offers several standout features, including the 'Deals' section that curates discounted flights and the 'Travel hacks' section, which reveals hidden city ticketing, throwaway ticketing (for cheaper one-way flights), and free price alerts.

Hotel Tonight

Perfect for spontaneous travelers, Hotel Tonight (now part of Airbnb) allows you to book accommodations for the same evening or up to several months ahead in thousands of cities worldwide. Hotels are grouped into categories such as basic, luxe, hip, charming, and solid, so you can pick what suits your style. The 'daily drop' feature lets you swipe for exclusive deals available for just 15 minutes.

At TPG, we're big fans of loyalty programs, and HT Perks is an impressive one. This nine-level rewards system allows you to 'level up' by reaching certain spending milestones, unlocking perks like discounts, VIP support, and credits. The best part? Your levels never expire, so you can keep progressing and enjoying benefits.

Airbnb

For booking home rentals instead of traditional hotels, the Airbnb app is your go-to. Simply enter your destination and dates, then filter the results by home type, price, amenities, and more. When you find the perfect place, you can book it directly through the app.

Airbnb is perfect for managing your trips while traveling. You can access all your bookings in the 'Trips' tab, where you can view your reservations, check addresses or directions, contact hosts, or make changes. After booking, you can also discover and book local experiences like wine tastings, kayak tours, hikes, shows, and concerts in your destination.

TPG App

No travel app list is complete without the TPG App. It helps you track your credit card, airline, and hotel points balances; earn points and miles efficiently by using the right credit card; and check how many points or miles you'll need for your dream vacation. Plus, you can personalize your news feed to see the travel tips and updates that matter most to you.

The TPG App is available for iOS download. Android users can join the waitlist here.

Top apps for trip organization

From keeping your documents organized to ensuring you pack everything you need, these apps will help you stay on top of your travel planning and organization.

TripIt

TripIt helps simplify your travel by organizing all your plans in one place. You can automatically forward your reservations to the app, so you can easily access flight confirmations, tickets, hotel and Airbnb bookings, rental car reservations, ferry tickets, and driving directions without leaving the app.

TripIt also makes it easy to share your itinerary with anyone picking you up at the airport or train station, or anyone who needs to coordinate with you. TripIt Pro subscriptions cost $49 per year and offer perks like real-time flight alerts, security wait times, baggage claim updates, and insights into your loyalty rewards programs.

Roadtrippers

Roadtrippers is perfect for planning that dream road trip. It helps map out your driving route and lets you book hotels and activities along the way. The app is especially handy for discovering unique roadside attractions, hidden gems, great dining spots, and iconic landmarks that you can save for later.

A Roadtrippers Premium membership offers additional features like offline maps, live traffic updates, and overnight RV parking for $59.99 per year. If you're only taking a few road trips a year, you can opt for the Pro membership ($49.99 per year) or the Basic plan ($35.99 per year).

PackPoint

PackPoint eliminates the hassle of packing by showing you exactly what to bring based on your trip length, the weather at your destination, and any activities you have planned. If you have access to laundry facilities, the app even allows you to factor in washing clothes and re-wearing them.

Simply download and install the app, enter your destination city, and input your travel details. Stop waiting until the last minute — start packing well in advance of your trip.

Top apps for navigating airports and flights

Track flights, navigate airports, and locate airport lounges with these helpful apps.

LoungeBuddy

LoungeBuddy gives you access to premium airport lounges worldwide, no matter your airline or class of service. By entering your trip details and the credit cards you hold, the app will show you which lounges you're eligible for and how to purchase access if you don't have it already.

You can purchase lounge access on the day of your flight or even up to two months in advance if you're the planning type. If you want to search by lounge or lounge program, the app will provide the exact requirements for entry.

Priority Pass

Priority Pass gives you access to over 1,300 lounges worldwide and offers meal vouchers at select airport restaurants for an annual fee starting at $99.

Several credit cards, including The Platinum Card® from American Express, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, and the Chase Sapphire Reserve, provide Priority Pass memberships for cardholders (enrollment required). If you don't have one of these cards, you can still become a member for an annual fee and, depending on your membership level, a fee for each lounge visit.

FlightAware

FlightAware allows you to track flights in real-time, view a live flight map, and stay updated on delays, cancellations, and gate changes. It's especially useful if you have a tight connection or need to monitor your flight's status.

It's also great for picking up friends or family from the airport, allowing you to track their flight and stay updated on their landing times or any delays. AvGeeks will appreciate the app’s flight statistics, flight maps, and community aviation discussions.

Top apps for your flight

Timeshifter

What better way to tackle jet lag than with an app? Timeshifter helps you prevent jet lag before your flight even takes off and gives tips for during and after your flight. Based on neuroscience and research into sleep and circadian rhythms, the app offers personalized advice considering your age, gender, sleep habits, and trip details. It will tell you when to seek or avoid light, take naps, stay awake, or even use melatonin or caffeine to adjust your body clock.

Your first jet lag plan is free, with additional plans available for $9.99 each, or you can opt for unlimited plans for a year at $24.99.

Calm

Flying can trigger anxiety, or it can offer a welcome break from constant digital distractions. Either way, use your travel time to unwind, meditate, or listen to calming sounds that help you relax or drift into sleep. It can also be a great way to pass the time on a long flight.

Calm provides meditations for various topics such as self-awareness, anxiety relief, breathing exercises, stress reduction, and happiness. The app also offers music to aid concentration, relaxation, and sleep, along with soothing stories for adults and content tailored for kids.

A limited selection of meditations and music is available for free, which can be downloaded for offline use, perfect for flights. The premium version costs $14.99 per month or $69.99 annually.

Netflix

While Netflix isn't technically a travel app, it’s a lifesaver during long flights without seatback entertainment or during delays and layovers at the airport. With a Netflix account, you can download your favorite shows to watch offline.

Make sure to download your shows while connected to Wi-Fi before you fly, and double-check them before your flight to ensure they haven’t expired. You can usually renew expired downloads, but you’ll need Wi-Fi or data to do so. Monthly plans vary in price depending on the plan you choose.

Spotify

While not strictly a travel app, Spotify can be a lifesaver during those dull travel moments. Just plug in your noise-canceling headphones and enjoy your favorite music, podcasts, meditations, and more.

Spotify's Premium plans (prices vary) let you download all your content to your phone, so you can enjoy it during long flights or when you're without Wi-Fi or data. Whether you're jogging through Bali with your favorite playlist or passing the time on the metro in Barcelona with a podcast, Spotify has you covered.

Best apps to use in your destination

From money exchange and sightseeing to communication and local tips, you’ll want these essential apps when you land in a new city for the first time.

XE Currency Converter

The XE Currency Converter app gives you live, real-time exchange rates and lets you store them for offline access. With this app, you'll always know if you're getting a fair deal while traveling abroad.

Google Translate

Google Translate is a versatile translation tool that supports over 100 languages. You can type translations, access 59 languages offline, translate text in photos, hold bilingual conversations, and even use handwriting recognition for translations.

The app is user-friendly, with simple icons that let you draw, take photos, speak, or type your translations.

GlobeTips

If you're ever unsure about how much to tip in a foreign country, GlobeTips has you covered. It provides tipping advice for over 200 countries, along with a calculator to make quick conversions. Globe also offers other handy apps for currency and unit conversions, ideal for travelers.

Tricount

If you're traveling with a group or sharing expenses with friends and family, Tricount makes it easy to track who owes what. Simply enter your trip details and currency, then invite your travel companions to join the shared trip.

Whenever someone pays for something, just input the amount into Tricount, and the app will automatically divide the expenses. You can also take pictures of receipts to store in the app. At the end of your journey, it will display who owes whom and how much, making it simple to settle up.

Metric Conversions

The Metric Conversions app ensures you never get confused by measurements again. Whether you're converting ingredients for a meal at your Airbnb, calculating distances for a road trip through Europe, or deciding if you need a jacket for your hike along the Great Wall of China, this app handles conversions for volume, weight, temperature, area, and more.

Google Maps

Google Maps is a must-have for navigating a new city — or even your own. It lets you find locations, get directions for walking, driving, public transport, or rideshares, and even check how crowded subways are in select cities.

With Google Maps, you can book restaurant reservations, keep track of your favorite spots, and read or write reviews for attractions, restaurants, stores, and more. Be sure to download offline maps for specific cities or areas before you travel if you're concerned about being without internet. And remember, the app works best with your GPS turned on.

WhatsApp

WhatsApp is a great messaging app for international travelers, as it uses your internet connection to avoid expensive SMS charges.

It functions like any other messaging app: Create an account, add contacts, and you're all set. You can send text messages, photos, voice memos, GIFs, and files, and make calls or video chats just like on iMessage, but it's compatible with Android too. WhatsApp is also available on Windows and Mac computers.

Top apps for finding activities

Travel isn't just about reaching your destination—it's also about the experiences you have along the way. If you're looking to fill your itinerary with exciting things to do, these apps are perfect for helping you plan.

Meetup

Meetup is an app that connects you with locals and fellow travelers who share your interests. Whether you're at home or abroad, use Meetup to discover events and activities tailored to your passions.

The app connects you to groups based on shared interests in your city, ranging from yoga and photography to cooking, wine tasting, hiking, cinema, and more. You can join groups for updates on specific events you'd like to attend, and it also helps with networking through professional groups focused on business and technology. For solo travelers, it's a great way to make new friends, while families with children can find family-oriented meetups.

TheFork

TheFork is a go-to app for restaurant reservations across Europe, offering a user-friendly way to browse and book tables at over 60,000 restaurants in cities like London, Madrid, and Geneva. The app also covers international destinations like Sydney, Australia.

One of the best features of TheFork is the discount program—many reservations come with up to 50% off your meal. Plus, you can earn YUMS with every reservation, which add up to discounts once you reach 1,000 points. For food lovers, TheFork is a must-have, but make sure to check out other apps for foodies as well.

Happy Cow

Happy Cow is the ultimate app for vegan and vegetarian travelers, helping you find over 180,000 places worldwide, including restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries, farmers markets, and grocery stores. It covers over 180 countries and allows you to filter by dietary preferences such as vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and specific types of cuisine. You can also check reviews and explore recipes directly on the app.

The app costs $3.99, but it's a one-time purchase.

TripAdvisor

With TripAdvisor, you can not only read reviews of restaurants, hotels, and attractions but also book a wide range of services. From vacation rentals and restaurant reservations to tours and tickets, this app makes planning and booking your trips a breeze.

TripAdvisor has expanded to cover nearly every aspect of travel. You can search by destination or interest, such as outdoor activities, food and drink, family-friendly options, or water-based adventures. Whether you're looking for inspiration or organizing your activities, meals, and accommodations, this app has you covered.

AllTrails

With more than 400,000 carefully curated trails, AllTrails helps you find the perfect hike or walk. It's not limited to rugged mountain paths — the app also features scenic city walks like a casual stroll through Paris' Marais district or a peaceful walk in Bangkok's Lumpini Park.

AllTrails provides key details about each trail, including photos, weather updates, and important information. You can also connect with other hikers through reviews and forums. For $35.99 per year, AllTrails+ offers perks like offline maps and alerts if you stray from the path.

Best apps for staying safe

These apps are designed to help you stay safe while you're traveling.

Smart Traveler

Smart Traveler is a free resource for U.S. citizens, offering essential travel information such as visa and vaccination requirements. It also provides guidance on where to find help during your trip if needed.

Register your trip with this app to share your details with local embassies and consulates in your destination. In case of an emergency or disaster, the embassy can reach out to check if you need assistance.

TripWhistle

TripWhistle is another app designed with your safety in mind. It tracks your location and lets you easily share your GPS coordinates or current position. Additionally, it provides emergency contact numbers for police, medical services, and fire departments in nearly 200 countries. Remember, different countries have their own emergency numbers — 911 is only for the U.S.

Uber

While Uber (or other local ride-hailing services) is incredibly convenient, it also offers added security. By using the app, you'll avoid the hassle of wandering through unfamiliar areas late at night or encountering dishonest taxi drivers. Uber comes with built-in safety features, such as an emergency assistance button, which allows you to contact local emergency services directly through the app.