The Best Apps for Travel

Having to rely on our phones so much is an annoying reality but these are the best apps can which can aid in a smoother travel experience.

Airalo– First and foremost, an eSIM with a local data package is so much cheaper than what many US-based plans will charge you for data. These are easy to install with Airalo’s easy-to-follow instructions and you can still use your own number for texting and calling. You can monitor your data from the app and top up your data should you need to. Use code NATALI68613 to get $3 off your purchase. (Note- I will also receive $3 if you complete a purchase. Thank you in advance.)

CityMapper– I like this for navigating cities in North America and Europe. Just like Google Maps, you put in your destination and it shows you all of your options on how to get there and it also includes approximate time and pricing. They also have an option to show routes for disability access. I like the interface much better than Google or Apple Maps.

Xe– This app is handy when you are somewhere like Colombia or Thailand where the local currency has a lot more zeros than the USD or Euro. It has live currency exchange rates so you can figure out exactly how much something costs. I like to keep an approximation in my head, too, like 1000 Thai Baht is about $30 US.

Viator/TripAdvisor/Get Your Guide– these are excellent ways of finding and booking tours. You can create wish lists, too, which helps a ton in planning.

WhatsApp- This is for the Americans. No one outside of the US really uses SMS/iMessage, all communication is done through WhatsApp. Some hotels will have WhatsApp as a way to communicate with them. Tour guides may reach out to you to coordinate a meeting location or give other important details. Restaurants may want to communicate about a reservation. It is definitely worth having.

Apps for airlines, hotels, and trains you will be using on your trip. This makes seeing and managing your reservations so much easier than searching through emails, saved PDFs, and *gasp* paper. Also, research the local public transport. If you can’t use Apple/GooglePay, some transit systems have cards you can prepay in your phone’s wallet. For an iPhone, open the wallet app and tap the + in the upper right corner, tap “transit card” and see if the transit system you will be using is on there. YouTube is a great place to look for explainers on using different transport systems.

Apple or Google Translate– this can make communication so much easier in areas where English is not widely spoken. Be sure to download the local languages to take full advantage of the app’s features.

Rick Steves Audio Europe– Rick. The OG travel influencer and all-around solid human being. I love his narrated, self-guided walking tours. I’ve done a number of them. They are easy to follow and well-researched. It’s a nice way to get to know a city when you arrive.