The Best Travel Apps

Technology has touched every aspect of our lives in recent years, and travel is no exception. Myriad incredible travel apps make operating in foreign lands easier than ever. From WAZE for driving abroad to WhatsApp to stay connected and Google Translate, the options are endless and truly exciting.

Of course, some apps outperform others by a long shot. Which ones should you download for your next far-flung adventures? Keep reading for our guide to the best travel apps of 2024.

Apps for Translation and Communication

Google Translate is already a fantastic tool. But it’s tough to beat this Google travel app when you factor in the camera and voice functions. It allows you to translate text from various sources, including voice recordings, images, and even two-person conversations!

WhatsApp is the best way to stay connected with the folks at home when you’re out and about. It’s also fantastic for international conversations in general. This free cross-platform messaging service lets users with smartphones, Windows PCs, and Macs stay in touch. Whether that means exchanging photos, texts, audio, or videos. Best of all, it’s free, no matter the device or location. 

For those interested in absorbing local culture, nothing beats getting immersed in the language. Drops is a language-learning app that helps you do this. And the app approaches linguistic mastery in a fun, user-friendly way. Instead of rote learning and grammatical drills, the app gamifies learning. 

Apps for Getting Around

If you haven’t given WAZE a whirl yet, what are you waiting for? It allows contributors to make updates in real-time. This feature makes it especially accurate for identifying temporary road issues, like closures, as well as navigating unmarked or unpaved roads that Google may miss. Travelers who drive in Central and South America recommend it, noting it’s an app also used by locals.  

For travelers whose go-to stateside is Google Maps, the navigational app is equally fantastic internationally. It’ll keep you on track when it comes to must-know locations like gas stations, banks, and transportation options. It helps you keep track of restaurant reservations and provides an easy way to share your location with travel companions. You can also customize maps with flagged points of interest to be downloaded for use offline. 

Uber is virtually everywhere, so make sure you have the app on your phone. Although in-app options vary from country to country, the basic idea remains the same. But convenience and familiarity aren’t the only advantages. With Uber, you don’t have to speak the same language as your driver. You don’t have to transact in the local currency, and you cut out the need for haggling. 

Rome2rio’s another excellent app for getting around while traveling. Just plug in the starting and end points and let the app work magic. It’ll spit out a list of every possible way to bring your travel plans to life. These include options like cars, buses, trains, and airplanes. For public transportation, Rome2rio also provides vital information about the specific trains and buses you need to take. Having all possible options in your hands makes planning and informed decision-making easier. 

Travefy’s itinerary view app is a must for staying on track and communicating with your travel advisor. This trip planner app simplifies the process, allowing you to keep all pertinent trip information in one spot effortlessly. And the itineraries are visually stunning and sure to amp up pre-vacation excitement!

Apps That Show You the Money

International monetary exchange can be a pain when traveling overseas and lead to expensive and unexpected charges. But Revolut’s on a mission to change all of that. This banking app makes exchanging currency a cinch, and it helps you avoid international transaction and ATM fees. Expats living abroad use it every day, and the premium plan is totally worth it for those who travel often.

XE Currency is simple and to the point. It will keep you updated with real-time currency conversion, ensuring you never spend more than you need to—no matter what currency you’re exchanging in. 

Are you traveling with others and need to split expenses? Instead of carrying a calculator everywhere you go, get Splitwise. The app makes splitting expenses effortless, even when factoring in multiple people and currencies. It also allows you to “simplify debt,” keeping tabs anytime someone doles out dough for a fellow traveler. It’ll track debt across your entire journey, spitting out an honest figure at the end.

Apps That Help You Explore Nature

The unforgettable adventures we plan for families often include wildlife observation. That’s where the Merlin Bird ID comes in handy. This free global bird guide comes with photos, sounds, maps, and everything else you need to enjoy time scoping out feathered friends. It also has a feature where you answer three simple questions to get a list of possible bird species when you see something that stumps you.

Picture This is another handy app that lets you interact with nature while learning about the world. It contains a powerful plant identifier that covers trees, herbs, flowers, and more. And it provides matches in a matter of seconds. It also includes an online plant encyclopedia to help you develop your green thumb. 

AllTrails lets you take advantage of popular nature trails worldwide. It includes information about elevation gain, difficulty, current conditions, and more to ensure you always choose the right recreational trail. When you opt for the paid version, AllTrails+, you gain access to downloadable maps for offline excursions. 

Stargazing can be a fun option when traveling, especially when visiting places with low light pollution. To make the most of these opportunities. Keep SkyView on your phone. To use it, point your phone towards the sky, and you’ll gain immediate access to a wide range of features, including stars, constellations, planets, and satellite identification. 

Apps to Keep Little Hands Busy

Keeping little hands busy and minds engaged while traveling is a must, especially during airplane flights, long car rides, and during airport layovers. But who wants to carry around a mountain of books, crayons, puzzles, and the like? Fortunately, you don’t have to with Crayola Create and Play. The “Colors of the World” section contains exciting coloring pages with colors designed to represent races and ethnicities realistically. 

The Barefoot Atlas puts the world at your children’s fingertips. The Touch Press iPad app is based on the titular book and invites kids to explore the world. But it’s so much more than a fancy atlas. It also contains Compton’s Multimedia Encyclopedia, which allows kids to explore fun subjects like the moon landing, world cultures, and what it’s like to go on an African safari.  

More Travel Apps You’ll Love

Whether you’re an audiobook, podcast junkie, or both, Audible is with you on the go. It provides instant access to entertainment, and all you need to remember are your EarPods. 

Reading devices and apps are another thing you don’t want to forget. Whether you swear by Kindle, Nook, or something else, there’s no better way to pack a whole library! Other easy-to-use reading apps include Google Play and Apple Books. 

For an exciting way to track your journeys in real time, get Polar Steps. This app lets you record your adventures by adding points along your route, as well as notes and pictures. The result? An interactive and gorgeous collection of memories you can easily share with family and friends back home.  

One of the most stressful parts of pre-travel planning is packing. But PackPoint is on a mission to take the stress out of the prep work. The app creates automatically generated packing lists based on your destination of choice. The list can be designed around the weather and activities you have planned. And you can also make custom packing lists. 

The Best Travel Apps

The travel apps listed above will help you conquer every aspect of travel, from getting around and exchanging money to communicating with locals, keeping kids entertained, and interacting with nature. But did we miss anything? We’d love to hear about the apps you love and use. Shoot us an email to let us know what you recommend. 

Of course, even better than a travel app is the assistance of a real-life human being when planning your next itinerary. As travel advisors with plenty of experience journeying with kids, we bring unique expertise to the table. We also have the local connections and knowledge to ensure your next trip is as meaningful, sustainable, and kid-friendly as possible. Contact us now to find out more about the exciting adventures we design and how to get your family in on the action!

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