Work smarter, not harder.
Trip planning Finding cool things to do Foodie Travellers Getting around abroad Language learning and translating Handy and helpfulFAQs
When it comes to packing for a trip, many of us will have our smartphones near the top of the list. Not only do they allow us to keep in contact with friends and family, but you can also load them with useful travel apps to help get the most out of your holiday.
To help you get started, we've put together a top 10 list of the essential holiday apps that will make travel hassle-free.
Best Holiday Apps Guide
- ➔ Best holiday apps for Trip Planning ➔ Best travel apps for Finding Cool Things to Do ➔ Best holiday apps for Foodie Travellers ➔ Best travel apps for Getting Around Abroad ➔ Best travel apps for Language Learning and Translating ➔ Travel app FAQs
Planning your next holiday?
Sign up today and save up to 20% with exclusive Holiday Extras deals.
What are the best free travel apps?
1. HEHA! Holiday Extras
Best travel app for booking and organising your holiday add-ons
(Image credit: Apple App Store)
A brilliant app for the planning and preparation stages of your holiday. With one search HEHA! will compare all the best holiday extras, like airport parking, airport hotels, lounges and transfers. It'll cleverly tailor these towards your trip based upon your flight, destination and other travel details.
Enjoy exclusive app discounts, receive notifications if any products fall in price, create a shortlist to compare items of interest, browse helpful, related travel content and even check the weather forecast for your destination. HEHA! is like having your very own personal trip advisor, travel expert and holiday assistant rolled into one!
4.9/5
Price: Free
2. Waze
Best community-based traffic and navigation app to get you from A to B
(Image credit: Apple App Store)
Whether you drive a car, taxi or motorbike this GPS navigation app is a real game-changer. Download the Waze app and see real-time road conditions and find the best routes to take before you set off. Quite simply this traffic and navigation route planner app will help you get from A to B with the least hassle, avoiding traffic and unexpected hazards along the way.
This app is free to download and fully customisable, from choosing a unique voice for your journey, selecting the type of fuel you use, or even the type of vehicle you drive, you can tailor the app for a more personal experience. Whether you're travelling to the airport or the destination of your next UK short break - you'll get alerts about traffic, police, hazards and speed cameras as well as find the nearest petrol stations, places to eat and hotels too.
Find out more about how Holiday Extras and Waze are outsmarting traffic together via our travel advice page.
Find out more about the Waze app:
- Waze app UK
- Waze live map
- Waze vs Google Maps
- Which countries does Waze work in?
- How do you turn off the Waze app?
- Traffic updates near me
4.9/5
Price: Free
3. Flightradar24
Best flight tracking app
(Image credit: Apple App Store)
Keep an eye on the sky and stay one step ahead of the crowds. With the Flightradar24 app you'll be able to keep an eye on delays, cancellations, gate changes and diversions, so you're always aware of what's going on.
4.8/5
Price: Free
4. Airbnb
Best travel app for booking accommodation and experiences
(Image credit: Apple App Store)
If you're looking for holiday accommodation then Airbnb could be just the app for you. Find a home away from home with over 6 million choices across 191 countries. You can can tailor your search by price, neighbourhood and nearby amenities to ensure you find the best choices regardless of your taste and requirements. Save your favourite rental homes for future holidays and find new experiences to enjoy while you're away.
4.8/5
Price: Free
5. Google Maps
Best navigation app and itinerary planner
(Image credit: Apple App Store)
The days of the fold-out map are well and truly over! With the Google Maps app, you can search for directions to and from anywhere in the world, and you can even tailor them to different transportation methods. If you're not sure about your internet connection while you're abroad you can download maps ahead of time for the areas you are travelling to access offline.
You can also create your own 'saved lists', where you can pin your favourite attractions, restaurants and bars, and view them all on a custom map. They're a straightforward, visual way to organise all your must-visit places and can be easily shared with friends or kept private.
Check out our Google Maps vs Waze page to find out which of these traffic and navigation apps is the best.
4.7/5
Price: Free
6. Skyscanner
Best travel app for finding cheap flights
(Image credit: Apple App Store)
Search and compare the cheapest flights with the Skyscanner app. If you already know your travel dates, you'll be able to find the best deals with ease - filter by price, flight duration, number of stops, greener flights and more. If your dates are more flexible, take advantage of the colour-coded calendars and graphs to pinpoint the best time to travel for maximum savings. Make sure to use the 'Top Offers' section to browse awesome deals from budget airlines and Price Alerts for when prices change. You can also use this holiday app to compare hotels and car hire.
4.7/5
Price: Free
7. PackPoint
Best travel app for fuss-free packing
(Image credit: Apple App Store)
We could all use a little help packing our suitcases, and PackPoint can provide exactly that. Answer a few simple questions about your trip and PackPoint will create a customisable packing list for you, including recommendations based on weather forecasts, activities and whether or not you'll have access to laundry facilities. It's easy to cross things off as they're packed or add more as you go along. The standard version of the Packpoint app is free but does include ads and in-app purchases. You can upgrade to the premium version for £2.49 on the Play Store or £2.99 on the App Store to remove these.
4.7/5
Price: Free - £2.99
8. Tripadvisor
Best travel planning app for recommendations and reviews
(Image credit: Apple App Store)
Not sure where to go first? Or if that restaurant is worth a visit? Tripadvisor will give you the answer to these questions and more. Save all the details of the places you're interested in, check out reviews and find out all the important information such as opening times and prices. The Tripadvisor app will even show you local attractions on a map so you can find last-minute gems.
4.7/5
Price: Free
9. XE Currency Converter
Best travel app for currency conversion
(Image credit: Apple App Store)
Transfer rates playing on your mind? With XE Currency Converter you can keep on top of the changing rates, including the option to track up to 20 currencies with alerts and notifications.
You can also use it to check prices. It can sometimes be tricky to work out if you're getting a good deal when you're working in an unfamiliar currency, but XE will help you convert that into something more familiar on the spot. There's a free version of the App with adverts and in app purchases, or you can upgrade to the pro version for £1.18 on the Play Store and £1.99 on the App Store.
4.5/5
Price: Free - £1.99
10. Google Translate
Best translation app (text, speech and images)
(Image credit: Apple App Store)
Concerned you might come up against a language barrier while you're abroad? Although the Google Translate app isn't quite the same as learning a second language, it can definitely help in a pinch. One of the most useful features is the instant camera translation - just point your camera at a sign, or menu and the app will translate it for you in 38 different languages.
4.4/5
Price: Free
All information and prices are correct at the time of writing.
| All the extras you need for hassle-free travel at great prices | ||
| Always know what's happening on the road with Waze | ||
| Track flights around the world and see them move in real-time | ||
| Find perfect places to stay from around the world | ||
| Navigate and explore your world faster and easier | ||
| Search for flights, hotels and more to anywhere in the world | ||
| Helping you pack according to trip type, activities and weather | ||
| Plan your next trip, read reviews and get travel advice | ||
XE Currency Converter | Calculate live currency and foreign exchange rates | ||
| Translate text, speech and images between English and over 100 other languages |
Top
Top 5 Trip Planning and Booking Apps
(Featured app: Hopper. Image credit: Apple App Store)
A lot goes into planning the perfect trip. There's flights to book, accommodation to choose, holiday extras to be ticked off and suitcases to be packed. Juggling everything can be stressful, but thankfully there are trip planner apps out there that can help make the whole process run smoother.
- Skyscanner
- Hopper
- HEHA! in the Holiday Extras App
- LuckyTrip
- Packpoint
Skyscanner is a flight comparison app that does all the hard work for you, trawling hundreds of airlines and travel companies, to find the very best flight deals available. If you're a flexible traveller looking for the ultimate bargain, this app is particularly handy as you can pinpoint the cheapest locations, months and holiday length. Great features include the Price alerts so you'll know straight away if prices drop and the 'Greener choice' label which highlights flights which emit less CO2.
Download on: App Store | Google Play
Price: Free
Timing is super important when it comes to bagging yourself a cheap flight. So, when is the best time to book? That's where Hopper can help. Hopper will advise you on the right time to book your trip for top savings. This app predicts the prices for flights with 95% accuracy, meaning it can recommend when to book straight away or when to wait for a better price. Other handy features include: colour-coded calendars to easily spot the cheapest days to travel and helpful tips and information on details like carry-on allowances.
Download on: App Store | Google Play
Price: Free
HEHA! is the easiest and fastest way to book and organise all your holiday extras. Enter your trip details and HEHA! will do the rest. Enjoy tailored recommendations (including airport parking, hotels, lounges and more) that are perfect for your flight and destination, and exclusive savings of up to 15% off. Create a shortlist to easily compare products and get notifications when watched items drop in price. Also within the app you'll also be able to browse specially curated videos and articles on your destination, along with handy travel tips and tricks.
Download on: App Store | Google Play
Price: Free
Love going away but hate the faff of planning? LuckyTrip is the holiday app you need on your phone. Whether you're a relaxer or adventurer, culture vulture or foodie, with LuckyTrip you can book a perfectly-tailored trip in a single tap. Simply set your budget and preferences then hit Lucky! This nifty and wonderfully addictive travel inspiration app will return personalised getaways to incredible places including the cheapest flights, the best accommodations and unique experiences for you to browse and book. To make things nice and easy you can save trips, share with friends and set up push notifications to alert you to new, awesome deals.
Download on: App Store | Google Play
Price: Free
Ditch the hassle of handwriting checklists, take the stress out of packing and save yourself from that awful sinking feeling at the airport with Packpoint. This intelligent app creates a custom packing list for you based on gender, travel destination, dates, duration, type of trip and even the weather. Add and remove your own personalised items to the list, modify the number of items and check off items as you pack. Packing like a pro just got easy!
Download on: App Store | Google Play
Price: Free - £2.99
Top
Top 5 Travel Apps for Things to Do
(Featured app: Culture Trip. Image credit: Apple App Store)
If you're ready to explore but aren't sure where to start to find the best things to do, see and experience, these travel planner apps are a must-have. From slick trip-organising features to incredible sight-seeing inspiration, these wanderlust-inducing apps will help you get the most out of your adventure.
- Culture Trip
- Tripadvisor
- Withlocals
- Headout
- LikeALocal
The trip planner app, Culture Trip, is the go-to for both travel planning and inspiration. This easy-to-use app is filled to the brim with award-winning travel stories and videos, unique destination guides and recommendations from passionate local experts in over 450 locations. Create wishlists and save your favourite content so you still have access offline while you're out exploring.
Download on: App Store | Google Play
Price: Free
Tripadvisor is a must-have when it comes to trip planning. Get inspiration, read reviews, organise your trip and book excursions all within this awesome travel planner app. We particularly love the 'Trip' feature, where you can save all the places that take your fancy and view them on a map.
Download on: App Store | Google Play
Price: Free
Withlocals connects travellers with trusted locals to help find the very best things to do and places to eat. Watch destination guide videos, chat with local hosts, read reviews and enjoy unique tours and foodie experiences. Avoid tourist traps and discover hidden gems!
Download on: App Store | Google Play
Price: Free
Discover, book and experience the very best events, shows, activities and other awesome things happening near you with Headout. Be inspired and choose from over 3000 experiences worldwide, from cruises down the River Seine in Paris to helicopter tours over the Grand Canyon in Las Vegas. With Headout you can even enjoy exclusive discounts on last-minute tickets.
Download on: App Store | Google Play
Price: Free
LikeALocal is all about helping you find the top, off-the-beaten-track sights, bars and restaurants in hundreds of cities worldwide. The app works 100% offline so you can browse destination guides, tips and tricks from locals and maps while you're out and about. With LikeALocal you can also book tours and connect with locals - there's a handy Q&A section where you ask for recommendations and advice.
Download on: The App Store
Price: Free. Offers In-App Purchases.
Top
Top 5 Food Travel Apps
(Featured app: TheFork. Image credit: Apple App Store)
For many, travelling and trying new foods go hand in hand, so we've rounded up the best food apps that'll guide your taste buds to the good stuff. From top restaurants to unforgettable tours, tastings and experiences, there's something for every foodie traveller.
- Tripadvisor
- Zomato
- TheFork
- Withlocals
- Eatwith
For many travellers, Tripadvisor is the go-to app for checking out the best places to eat and drink. Use on the fly to find the top eateries nearby or search by specific location. The filters (price, cuisine, meal type, dietary restrictions and many more) make it easier to find the perfect place for you. The millions of customer reviews and photos are key part of the app too - you can really get a feel for the place and what the experience might be like.
Download on: App Store | Google Play
Price: Free
Zomato is a neat little app that lets you search and discover new restaurants to visit and order in from. Browse everything from menus to customer reviews, bookmark favourite spots and make reservations within the app. The specially curated collections are perfect if you're after some inspiration.
Looking for the best bagels in New York or the top restaurants with a view in Rome? Zomanto can help!
Download on: App Store | Google Play
Price: Free
TheFork is similar to our other top picks but with a unique money-saving edge. Discover and book restaurants that offer exclusive deals and special menus so you can bag a sweet 20-50% discount on your bill. The app also has a loyalty programme where you recieve 'Yums' with each booking, which can be converted to money off your next meal.
Download on: App Store | Google Play
Price: Free
For an immersive food experience that you won't forget, download Withlocals. Book everything from food tours to wine tastings, home dinners with locals to cooking classes. With experts in 50+ cities around the world (primarily Europe and Asia at the moment), expect packages like tapas and wine tasting in Barcelona to pizza making with a professional chef in Milan.
Download on: App Store | Google Play
Price: Free
Similar to Withlocals, Eatwith connects travellers with passionate, hand-selected local hosts to provide a personalised and unforgettable food experience. Choose from a range of unique dining experiences, cooking classes and food tours with locals in over 130 countries. Learn to make macarons in Paris or go on a gelato and espresso tasting tour in Rome - tastebuds will be tingled!
Download on: App Store
Price: Free
Top
Top 5 Transport Apps
(Featured app: City Mapper. Image credit: Apple App Store)
We've shortlisted the best holiday apps for transport and navigation so you can explore independently and with confidence on your travels. There's no need to worry about getting lost and needing to stop to ask for directions or decipher signs - armed with these apps, getting from A to B will be a breeze.
- Google Maps
- Citymapper
- Moovit
- Uber
- Komoot
It's no surprise that this well-known app has made this list. Google Maps is a must-have when it comes to journey planning (both on holiday and at home). Whether you're travelling by car, foot or public transport, plan and navigate your route with ease. Additional features include offline maps, street view, and even some indoor maps of a range of airports, shopping centres and stadiums.
Download on: App Store | Google Play
Price: Free
Take the stress out of city travel with Citymapper. Simply enter your desired destination and this real-time journey planner will break down all the methods of getting there, including public transport, walking, cycling, Gett and Uber. Features include offline maps, prices, live departure times, disruption alerts and even a calorie counter! Citymapper is available in 41 cities around the world.
Download on: App Store | Google Play
Price: Free. Offers In-App Purchases
Tell Moovit where you'd like to go and the app will return all of the possible routes, whether that's by foot, bike, taxi, or public transport. Highlights include detailed directions, real-time updates and offline maps. Moovit is particularly great for those travelling by public transport thanks to a feature that tells you how many more stops you have until your destination, so you won't miss it. Moovit is available in 2,000 cities around the world.
Download on: App Store | Google Play
Price: Free
This well-known, handy transport app operates in 700 cities around the world and offers a quick, direct and easy way to get around while you're abroad. With a few taps you can check fares, request and track your car. Pay for your trip and leave an optional tip all within the app.
Download on: App Store | Google Play
Price: Free
Planning to escape urban life and explore outdoors? Komoot is the perfect app to help you plan, navigate and get the most out of your hike, road cycle or mountain bike adventure. Plan down to the last detail with information about path/trail difficulty, surface and distance. App highlights include offline maps, turn-by-turn navigation, smart device connectivity, and the option to save and share your favourite routes.
Download on: App Store | Google Play
Price: Free. Offers In-App Purchases.
Top
Top 5 Language Apps for Travel
(Featured app: Duolingo. Image credit: Apple App Store)
Leave the pocket phrasebooks at home and instead get to grips with reading, speaking and understanding the lingo abroad with just a tap of your phone. Our list includes top-rated apps for learning languages and the best language translation apps for travel.
- Google translate
- iTranslate
- Duolingo
- Memrise
- Busuu
Google translate allows you to translate a whopping 103 languages by text (59 languages offline) along with handy camera translations (37 languages), instant 2-way speech translations (43 languages), and handwriting translations (95 languages).
Download on: App Store | Google Play
Price: Free.
Use the iTranslate app to translate text, pictures and speech in over 100 languages (38 languages offline). We particularly love that you can get an extension for smartwatches for instant voice translations.
Download on: App Store | Google Play
Price: Free. Offers In-App Purchases.
Duolingo is a colourful, user-friendly app designed to help make learning a new language fun. Develop your reading, writing, speaking and listening skills with short, game-like lessons. There's over 30 languages to choose from, including Spanish, French, German, Italian, Chinese, and Japanese, that are all completely free.
Download on: App Store | Google Play
Price: Free. Offers In-App Purchases.
Memrise offers fun and informative courses on a number of languages including Spanish, French, Japanese, German, Korean and Russian.The app uses a mixture of quizzes, images and video clips from native speakers to help you learn and remember everyday words and phrases.
Download on: App Store | Google Play
Price: Free. Offers In-App Purchases - Learning plans start at £6.99.
Busuu is the app for you if you're really serious about learning more than the basics. Busuu offers full courses in 12 languages, covering speaking, reading and writing. This app offers a unique social feature where you can practise your writing and speaking skills with native speakers.
Download on: App Store | Google Play
Price: Free. Offers In-App Purchases - Learning plans start at £7.99.
Top
Top 5 Handy Travel Apps
(Featured app: Wifi Map. Image credit: Apple App Store)
Take a look at our favourite UK travel apps that you probably didn't know you needed until now. From locating the nearest public toilet to working out how much to tip in restaurants, these apps are sure to make your life easier while you're abroad.
- Flush Toilet Finder
- WiFi Map
- Timeshifter
- GlobeTips
- Entertainment of your choice
Never get caught short again when you're out discovering a new place with Flush - the not-so-glamorous holiday app that you probably hadn't thought of, but is oh so handy to have. Simply open the app and you'll be able to view all the closest public toilets to you, even without an internet connection. There's over a whopping 200,000 bathrooms (and growing) in the database! Check out toilet ratings, select your preferred WC and use the map and directions to navigate your way there. You can even identify which restrooms have disabled access and charge a fee.
Download on: App Store | Google Play
Price: Free.
WiFi Map is a handy little holiday app that helps you stay connected, wherever you are in the world, without eating into your data. With over 100 million free hotspots on the database, search by location to find the nearest WiFi hotspots, along with their passwords. Download offline maps to pinpoint places where you can connect while you're travelling without worrying about roaming charges.
Download on: App Store | Google Play
Price: Free.
Tired of feeling groggy and exhausted for days after a long flight? Give Timeshifter a try.
Using the latest sleep and circadian neuroscience, Timeshifter creates a personalised plan to help you fight jet lag as quickly and easily as possible. The plan takes your sleep pattern, chronotype, flight plan and lots more personal preferences into consideration. Enjoy easy to follow advice, notifications to help you stay on track, and a pre-adjustment plan.
Download on: App Store | Google Play
Price: Free. The first jet lag plan is free. After your free plan, purchase individual jet lag plans as-you-go or subscribe for unlimited plans.
Navigating the tipping norms in different countries can be confusing - is a tip required, appreciated or virtually unheard of? Enter GlobeTips.
This app offers tipping advice for over 240 countries. Select your country, enter your bill amount manually or use the bill recognition tech and the app will give you a recommended tip amount (and bill total) based on what is considered best for that specific country. GlobeTips also has a handy bill-splitting feature and can customise if you include or exclude tax in your tip.
Download on: App Store
Price: Free.
Before setting off on your travels it's always good to have a few apps ready and waiting to help pass the time on a long-haul flight, or to help unwind after a busy day exploring. Take a look at a few of our favourites that work perfectly offline. Just remember to pack your charger!
- Kindle - So much easier than cramming multiple books into your luggage. You don't even need a Kindle device. Download on: App Store | Google Play Price: Free. Amazon offers a free trial for 30 days. Subscription costs £7.99 a month.
- Netflix - Binge your way through your flight. The offline mode allows you to download all your favourite TV shows and films. Download on: App Store | Google Play Price: Free. Netflix offers a 1 month free trial. Subscription starts at £5.99 per month.
- Colorfy - Adult colouring books are all the rage and now you can enjoy this calming and addictive pastime on your phone. Download on: App Store | Google Play Price: Free.
- Spotify - Get hooked on a new podcast or listen to your favourite songs. You'll need Spotify Premium to enjoy these features offline - why not sign up for the 1 month free trial just before you head off on holiday? Download on: App Store | Google Play Price: Free. Spotify offers a 1 month free trial. Subscription costs £9.99 per month.
Top
Travel App FAQs
(Featured app: KAYAK. Image credit: Apple App Store)
Find out more via our top 5 best route planner apps page for 2023. We also have guides to the top 20 driving apps, top 10 sat nav apps and the top 10 navigation apps available on the market today. The NHS app is always a helpful one to have downloaded on your phone, especially for searching trusted information on hundreds of conditions and getting instant advice. If you find yourself needing to see a doctor on your travels, for non-emergency advice or treatment, the Air Doctor app could really come in handy. Air Doctor helps make getting the medical care you need, a little less overwhelming. Within the app you can browse over 20,000 trusted and licensed doctors in 75 countries across the globe, that speak your language, and book an in-person or online doctor visit in minutes. Plus, if you have travel insurance, the cost of consultations are typically covered by your provider. Some of our most highly recommended apps to use when travelling include: Yes, the Trip.com app is free for iOS and Android users. Download on: App Store | Google Play Booking.com is the largest and most popular travel website, attracting nearly 457.4M monthly visits in April 2023. The SafeTravels app streamlines the travel experience by enabling Travel Agents and Tour Companies to provide all trip information and communications conveniently in one place. The app also allows travellers to create and share their Emergency Travel Profile, including information like travel insurance, emergency contacts, and medical information. Download on: App Store | Google Play Travel apps offer convenience, real-time updates, super savings, local insights, organisation tips, and language assistance, enhancing the travel experience. From apps that help you get the best deal on your flights to those that introduce you to hidden foodie gems while on your holiday, travel is infinitely easier thanks to handy apps. There are a number of popular, user-friendly apps for booking international flights, offering competitive prices, convenient search features like price alerts and flexible date searches, and other helpful tools for finding the best deals. Our top 5 options include: Google’s travel app, Trip, has shut down and is no longer available for download. The trip planning app was previously free for both Android and iOS devices. TripIt and Wanderlog are both popular travel planning apps, each with its own set of features and strengths. TripIt is the ideal choice for travellers seeking automatic itinerary creation and real-time flight updates, while Wanderlog is well-suited for those who prefer a flexible, collaborative, and social approach to trip planning. No, Wanderlog is free for Android and iOS devices. TripIt is owned by SAP Concur, a subsidiary of SAP SE.What are the best travel apps for Android?
All of our top recommended travel apps are available for Android and Apple users. Check out our 10 best travel apps for Android below:What are the best route planner apps?
The top route planner apps available on Android and iPhone include:Are there any helpful medical apps to have while travelling?
What's the best app to use when travelling?
Is the Trip app free?
What is the most used travel website?
Is there a Safe Travels app?
Why are travel apps good?
Which app is best for international flight booking?
How do I create a budget for travel?
How can I travel for free in the UK?
Free travel in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland
Free travel in London
Is Google Travel app free?
Which is better, TripIt or Wanderlog?
Does Wanderlog cost money?
Which is the best tour planner?
For navigating on your travels:
For booking flights and accommodation:
For find the best things to do, see and experience:
For organising your trip:
Who owns TripIt?
Top
