I’ve probably got dozens of travel-related apps on my phone. I open some of them practically every time I travel, whilst others I only need in specific countries.

But I don’t want to create yet another generic list of fifty apps that someone found online and has never actually used themselves.

These are the apps that I personally use. They help me find flights, find my way around, make payments, manage mobile data, get around town and survive a long flight.

And because not every popular travel app is actually useful, at the end you’ll also find the ones that didn’t work for me at all.

💬 And most importantly: leave a comment below the article telling me which app you absolutely can’t travel without. I’d love to discover something new.

Cestujlevne.com: discounted flights and a map of places of interest

Yes, the Cestujlevne.com app has to be number one. Not just because it’s ours, but mainly because it includes features that I use myself when travelling.

The most obvious feature is the alerts for new discounted flights. You don’t have to check the website several times a day, and you can set which offers you’re interested in.

For me , however , the map of places found in our destination guides is far more useful when travelling. In the app, you can see individual sights, viewpoints, beaches and other places of interest directly on the map, alongside your current location.

👉 Download the app: Android | iPhone and iPad

Airline apps: I wouldn’t travel without some of them

Airline apps form a separate category on my phone.

I’ve got loads of them installed, and before a flight I always check that I’ve got the specific airline’s app updated and that I’m logged in.

I use them most often for:

• online check-in and boarding pass
• checking my booking
• up-to-date flight information and delay notifications

With some airlines, it’s simply a matter of convenience. With others, the app is practically an essential part of the journey. A typical example is Ryanair, where it’s worth familiarising yourself with the online check-in rules in advance.

You can find an overview of individual airlines, their baggage allowances and rules in our airline profiles.

Revolut: currency exchange and payments between friends

Revolut is one of the apps I use not just when travelling, but practically all the time.

When travelling, I particularly appreciate the clear currency conversion and quick transfers between accounts. I don’t have to work out how much I’ve just paid in korunas, and I can immediately see the currency the merchant used for the transaction.

It also works brilliantly when travelling in a group. One person pays for the hotel, another for the hire car, and someone else for dinner. We then send the money to each other in a matter of seconds.

RevPoints are a whole other story; they can be used, for example, to transfer points to airline loyalty programmes. From time to time, there are also various offers for extra points when paying with selected partners, such as ride-hailing apps.

We’ve described the whole system in more detail in the article ‘How to collect and use RevPoints’. We’ll be preparing further detailed articles about Revolut soon.

Sign up to Revolut with a bonus

Mapy.com: the best offline maps for hiking

For walking trips, hiking and getting out into nature, Mapy.com is the clear winner for me. Google Maps simply can’t compare in this area.

I use Mapy.com for hiking trails, contour lines, nature trails, viewpoints and the option to download a map to my phone. Before setting off, I always check that I’ve saved the area for offline use. That’s because the signal usually drops out just when you need the map the most.

In the free version, you can download one country for offline use. If you need more than one country at a time, you’ll need the premium version.

I use a variety of different maps for getting around town, but I’d be very reluctant to set off on a hike without Mapy.com.

💬 Do you know of any better apps for offline maps? Let us know, thanks!

👉 Download the app: Android | iPhone and iPad

Google Maps: restaurants, opening hours and reviews

I useGoogle Maps for different purposes to Mapy.com.

For me, it’s best mainly for:

• searching for restaurants and cafés
• user reviews
• Street View
• navigating around the city
• basic public transport planning in some places

It’s precisely the information about restaurants, shops and services that’s the main reason why I open Google Maps practically every day.

I’m more cautious when it comes to planning public transport journeys. In some cities it works brilliantly, whilst in others the data is incomplete or out of date. If a particular service really matters, I check it again on the local transport operator’s app.

Similarly, I don’t blindly trust opening hours. For smaller businesses or during public holidays, the reality can differ significantly from the information on Google.

👉 Download the app: Android | iPhone and iPad

Google Translate: an unassuming app that saves the day

What I find most useful about Google Translate is the camera translation feature. Simply point your phone at a menu, ticket machine, sign or instruction leaflet, and you’ll get at least a rough idea of what’s written there.

Voice translation and conversation mode are also handy. It’s not perfect, but it’s usually enough for simple communication in a shop, hotel or on public transport.

Before you set off, I’d recommend downloading the languages you’ll need for offline use. You’ll often find yourself needing the translator in places where you don’t have mobile data or Wi-Fi.

👉 Download the app: Android | iPhone and iPad

Airalo: the eSIM I’ve been using for a long time

There are plenty of apps selling travel eSIMs. Some may be cheaper in a particular country, and some might even offer better value packages.

However, I’ve been using Airalo from the start; it works well for me and so far I’ve had no compelling reason to switch to another provider.

I buy a data package and install the eSIM whilst I’m still at home. Upon arrival, I simply activate the relevant SIM card and data roaming. I don’t have to search for a mobile operator’s counter at the airport, swap a physical SIM card or communicate in a foreign language.

A travel eSIM isn’t always the cheapest option. For longer stays, a local SIM card might be better value. For shorter trips, though, simplicity usually wins out for me.

We partner with Airalo. When you sign up for the first time via our link, you can get a credit of 3 usd. You can find the current link and code on the Airalo bonus page .

NordVPN: when websites are blocked abroad

I don’t need a VPN on every trip, but I keep NordVPN installed on my phone.

In some countries, specific websites or services are blocked. At other times, I need to access a site that’s only available to users from a particular country.

A VPN is also useful when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks at airports, in hotels or cafés.

I recommend installing the app, logging in and giving it a go before you set off. Once you’re in a country that restricts access to VPNs, it may already be too late.

Of course, a VPN isn’t a magic security shield, and how it works can vary from country to country. However, it’s very useful as a backup tool.

👉 Download the app: Android | iPhone and iPad

Uber, Bolt and Grab: my holy trinity

Uber, Bolt and Grab are my holy trinity of transport apps. Without them, I wouldn’t set off on some journeys at all these days.

Their biggest advantages are the price being known in advance – or at least estimated – the option to pay by card, and the ability to track the driver’s route. I don’t have to worry about cash, language barriers or haggling with a taxi driver over the fare.

Availability varies by country. In some places, only one of these services is available, whilst in others it’s worth comparing prices across two or three apps.

Before you fly, I recommend:

• create an account
• verify your phone number
• add a payment card
• check which service works in your destination country

Having to sort out SMS verification after arrival, with roaming not working, isn’t the ideal start to a holiday.

From time to time, there are discount offers or opportunities to earn more RevPoints. I wouldn’t change my entire mode of transport just for that, but as I’m using the app anyway, I’m happy to take advantage of the offer.

We also describe transport options, including comparisons of Uber, Bolt and Grab from specific airports , in our airport guides.

Local transport apps: Jakdojade, Trainline and DropTicket

In my opinion, there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all public transport app. I’ve found that services focused on a specific country or city work much better for me.

For example, in Poland I use Jakdojade. It works brilliantly for searching for public transport and, in many cities, allows you to buy a ticket straight away.

In the UK, Trainline is unbeatable for me. It’s exceptionally user-friendly for searching for trains, buying tickets, checking connections, getting service updates and storing tickets.

In some parts of Italy, I also find DropTicket useful, as it allows you to buy tickets from local transport operators and access other services.

💬 What are your favourite apps in each country?

Booking.com: mainly for checking confirmed bookings

I book accommodation through Booking.com, but I don’t actually use the app itself very much whilst travelling.

I find it particularly useful for:

• checking existing bookings
• viewing the hotel’s address on a map
• communicating with the accommodation provider
• checking arrival and departure times
• quickly finding my booking confirmation

I prefer to search for new accommodation on a larger screen. In the app, I then have all the necessary details in one place and don’t have to trawl through my emails.

Search for accommodation on Booking.com

GetYourGuide: useful in some places, almost essential in others

I don’t needGetYourGuide in every destination. In some places, however, it’s almost a must-have app for me when booking trips and organised activities.

I particularly appreciate the straightforward communication with the agency, the clear information about the meeting point, and having all my bookings stored in one place.

What’s more, in some destinations it isn’t easy to get in touch with local organisers directly.

I’ve used GetYourGuide to book trips in places such as Zanzibar, Mexico City, Cancún and Koh Samui.

You can find specific experiences and tips in articles such as:

• Things to do in Zanzibar
• A trip to Grutas Tolantongo from Mexico City
• Jet-ski trip to Pig Island on Koh Samui
• A 5-day itinerary for Koh Samui
• A holiday on Mexico’s Caribbean coast

Before booking, I always read the latest reviews of the specific tour operator. GetYourGuide is a marketplace, so the quality of individual tours may vary.

Choose a tour on GetYourGuide

EasyPark: parking without having to search for a pay-and-display machine

If I ’m hiring a carabroad or simply travelling around Europe in my own car, EasyPark comes in handy.

The app works in more than 20 European countries and lets you pay for parking without having to search for a pay-and-display machine, coins or a local parking app. Another advantage is the option to extend your parking session remotely or, conversely, end it early.

It’s not the case that EasyPark works at every car park. I always look out for its logo or the relevant parking zone code.

Bear in mind, too, that paying via the app can be slightly more expensive than buying a ticket from a machine due to a service charge. Even so, convenience usually wins out for me.

👉 Download the app: Android | iPhone and iPad

Windy: weather for hikes and day trips

For a quick check of the weather, the app on my phone is often enough. But if I’m planning a hike, a trip to the seaside or an activity that depends on wind and rainfall, I open Windy.

Unlike a simple sun or rain icon, Windy allows you to track precipitation trends, wind speed and multiple forecast models.

Before an important hike, I don’t rely on just one piece of data. I compare the different models and check whether their forecasts at least roughly agree.

In my view, it’s worth subscribing to the premium version for the duration of your trip. It offers a more detailed forecast and more frequent model updates. This doesn’t mean the weather will be predicted perfectly, but you’ll be working with more up-to-date and detailed data.

👉 Download the app: Android | iPhone and iPad

YouTube Premium: my best investment for long-haul flights

I considerYouTube Premium to be one of the best investments for travelling.

Before a long flight, I download videos, documentaries or interviews, and can then watch them without an internet connection. On top of that, there’s ad-free playback and the option to listen to content in the background.

Without YouTube Premium, I’d really hate to have to endure some of those long flights.

The only important thing is not to forget to download the videos whilst still at home or using the hotel Wi-Fi, and to check before you travel that they’re actually available offline.

Flightradar24: not just for aviation enthusiasts

I must admit that the main reason I have Flightradar24 on my phone is because I’m fascinated by aeroplanes. I can spend ages watching the traffic above the airport or finding out where a plane I can see overhead is heading.

But Flightradar24 is also a very practical travel app.

It’s often the quickest way for me to find out the actual status of arrivals and departures at the airport. When I’m waiting for my flight, I look up my flight, and it often shows the expected delay before you receive an official notification from the airline.

If a delay does occur, do also check when you’re entitled to compensation for a delayed flight.

👉 Download the app: Android | iPhone and iPad

Settle Up: splitting shared expenses

When travelling with friends, we use Settle Up.

We gradually enter into the app who paid for the hotel, car hire, petrol, food or shared tickets. At the end of the trip, Settle Up calculates who owes what to whom and how to minimise the number of payments as much as possible.

It’s much more practical than keeping hold of receipts or painstakingly piecing together all the expenses at the end of the trip.

Settle Up calculates the total for us, and we usually transfer the money via Revolut.

👉 Download the app: Android | iPhone and iPad

What I sort out before departure

Simply installing the apps isn’t enough. Whilst still at home, I usually check a few things:

• I download an offline map of my destination country on Maps.com
• I download the required language for Google Translate
• I install and set up an eSIM
• I log into the airline’s app
• I save my boarding pass
• verify my payment cards on Uber, Bolt or Grab
• I’ll download videos and podcasts

It takes a few minutes, but once I arrive, I won’t have to rely on airport Wi-Fi, working roaming or verification texts.

Apps I don’t download or haven’t found useful

Just because an app appears on almost every list of travel apps doesn’t necessarily mean it’s actually useful.

The following three services haven’t convinced me so far.

Rome2Rio: practically unusable for me

Rome2Rio looks great on paper. You enter two locations and the app is supposed to show you how to get between them by plane, train, bus, ferry or a combination of several modes of transport.

In practice, however, I find it mostly completely unusable.

The results tend to be too general, and when I need a specific timetable, the current price or a genuinely usable connection, I still have to look elsewhere.

So far, Rome2Rio has almost never given me anything that’s actually helped me plan my journey.

I much prefer to look for information directly from the transport operator, on Google Maps, in a local app or in our guidebooks.

Moovit: too much out-of-date information

I’ve had repeated bad experiences with Moovit.

I’ve come across far too many instances where the information was out of date, incomplete or came from unofficial sources.

Whenever possible, I use the local transport operator’s official app.

Flush: a good idea but lacking sufficient data

The idea behind the Flush app is brilliant. You open the map and the app shows you the nearest public toilet.

The problem is that, in my experience, its list is woefully incomplete.

A database of public toilets in which a large proportion of public toilets are missing is practically useless to me when travelling.

In the end, I just end up looking for a toilet on Google Maps, in a shopping centre, a restaurant or at a station, or I simply ask someone on the spot.

What do you download?

Now it’s your turn.

Which app do you think is missing from this list? Which app could you no longer do without when travelling abroad? And conversely, do you have an app that absolutely everyone recommends, but which hasn’t worked out for you at all?

It doesn’t have to be a globally renowned service. It’s precisely tips on local apps for transport, parking, sightseeing or buying tickets that tend to be the most interesting for me and other travellers.

I’d be happy to try out the most useful tips, and we can add to the article as we go along. So: what are you downloading?