Travel Apps

The apps worth having before you leave.

The apps worth having on your phone before you leave, grouped by what they do — maps and navigation, translation, currency, transit and the rest. Download offline content on home Wi-Fi: saved Google Maps areas support basic map use and driving directions, supported Google Translate packs work offline, and XE keeps recently downloaded rates available.

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Download offline content before you leave home. Google Maps areas, supported Google Translate language packs, and recent XE Currency rates remain useful without a connection. Offline capability varies by feature, so test the exact route or language before departure.
Maps & Navigation
The standard — works everywhere
Google Maps iOS · Android
Walking, driving, transit, and cycling directions worldwide when connected. Download an area before departure for offline map browsing and driving directions; transit, cycling, and walking directions generally still need data. Street View helps with advance orientation.
FreeOffline mapsStreet View
Open Google Maps
Fully offline, no tracking, open-source
Organic Maps iOS · Android
Open-source, actively maintained fork of Maps.me built on OpenStreetMap. Works completely offline — no account, no tracking, no ads. Fast and light on battery. Good hiking and cycling trail data. The recommended alternative to Maps.me for users who want a privacy-respecting offline map.
FreeFull offlineNo tracking
Open Organic Maps
Offline OpenStreetMap — older, less maintained
Maps.me iOS · Android
Offline maps covering 200+ countries, still downloadable and usable. Quality and community trust have declined since it dropped open-source development — Organic Maps (listed above) is the actively maintained replacement for most use cases.
FreeFull offline
Open Maps.me
Multi-modal route planner
Rome2rio iOS · Android · Web
Enter any two places on Earth and it shows every way to get there — flights, trains, buses, ferries, rideshare — with costs and travel times. Useful for planning regional legs of a trip where you're not sure what exists.
FreeTrains + busesBooking links
Open Rome2rio
Best for urban transit in major cities
Citymapper iOS · Android
Detailed transit directions in supported cities — subway, bus, rail, bike share, and scooter where available. Saved journeys, metro maps, and scheduled departures can remain available offline; live disruption data still needs a connection.
FreeReal-time transitOffline mode
Open Citymapper
Flights
Proactive flight alerts
Flighty iOS
Tracks live flight status and history. Pro adds push alerts, incoming-aircraft tracking, delay and gate predictions, and other disruption tools; Flighty says some alerts can arrive one to two hours before airline notices.
Free / $59.99/yr ProiPhone only
Open Flighty
Itinerary organizer from email confirmations
TripIt iOS · Android
Forward any booking confirmation email and TripIt builds a unified trip itinerary automatically — flights, hotels, rental cars, restaurant reservations. Pro version adds real-time alerts and seat tracking. Works offline.
Free / $49/yr ProAuto-parse email
Open TripIt
Translation
Point your camera at signs and menus
Google Translate iOS · Android
Text, speech, handwriting, and instant camera translation across its supported languages. Downloadable language packs support offline translation, including camera translation where Google marks the language as available offline.
FreeCamera translateOffline packs
Open Google Translate
Camera, speech, files, and text
DeepL iOS · Android · Web
Text, speech, photo, camera, file, and document translation in its supported languages. Photo translation can overlay results on the original image; feature and language availability varies by platform.
Free / ProPhoto + document translate
Open DeepL
Money & Currency
Offline currency converter
XE Currency iOS · Android
Download exchange rates before you leave. Works fully offline for quick conversions at markets, restaurants, or when negotiating. Tracks multiple currencies at once. No account required.
FreeOffline ratesMulti-currency
Open XE Currency
Spend and send at the mid-market rate
Wise iOS · Android
Account and optional debit card that convert at the mid-market rate plus disclosed fees. Hold and convert 40+ currencies, subject to country eligibility, and withdraw from supported ATMs. Compare fees with your existing card on Cards & ATM.
Free accountMid-market rate40+ currencies
Open Wise
Safety & Alerts
US State Department enrollment + email alerts
Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) Web
US citizens and nationals can register an overseas trip online so the nearest embassy or consulate can send security, health, weather, and Travel Advisory updates by email and make contact in an emergency.
Free web serviceEmail alertsTrip enrollment
Open STEP
Boarding passes + disruption tools
Delta / Airline App iOS · Android
Install the operating airline's app, save the boarding pass before you need it, and add it to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet for gate access without data. During disruptions, the app may expose rebooking options sooner than an airport queue or phone call.
FreeOffline boarding pass
Open Delta / Airline App
eSIM & Connectivity
eSIM marketplace — buy before you land
Airalo iOS · Android
Buy and install a local eSIM for 200+ countries before you leave — no physical SIM swap. Cheaper than carrier international plans for data-heavy trips. Full comparison of eSIM options on the Phone & SIM Abroad page.
Free appPay per plan200+ countries
Open Airalo
International messaging and calls over Wi-Fi
WhatsApp iOS · Android
The default messaging app in most of Europe, Latin America, and Asia. Free calls and messages over Wi-Fi or data. Useful for contacting hotels, restaurants, and tour operators who don't answer email quickly.
FreeVoice + video calls
Open WhatsApp
Planning & Packing
Smart packing list generator
PackPoint iOS · Android
Enter your destination, trip dates, and activities. PackPoint generates a packing list adjusted for the weather forecast and what you're doing — beach day vs. business dinner vs. hiking. Catches things you'd forget.
Free / in-app upgrade
Open PackPoint
Point-and-search for menus, signs, and places
Google Lens iOS · Android (built into Google app)
Translate menus in real time, identify landmarks, search for things visually, scan QR codes. Built into Google Photos and the Google app — no separate download needed on Android; install the Google app on iOS.
FreeCamera translateVisual search
Open Google Lens
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