The 12 most useful travel apps I use as a traveller

Travel has come a long way since I first went abroad. Holidays as a kid meant travellers’ cheques and physical maps. As I grew older, it also meant Nokia phones with very expensive international texts. As I began my nomadic journey, I experienced the introduction of smartphones and innovative apps.

Yes, there was something charming about family holidays where you would use local currency to buy souvenirs and get lost following a physical map. But it was a lot of faff!

Having a device packed with the right tools and reliable internet access has enabled me to fine-tune my travel experience. The apps I have mentioned in this guide make everything an absolute breeze, from the initial booking stages to navigating unfamiliar streets, making purchases, and translating languages.

Many of these travel apps require a solid, high-speed data connection to function properly. This is why I always recommend starting with a reliable eSIM like Saily, so you are never left searching for a signal whilst trying to book a ride or translate the name of an ingredient on a food product.

For communication

Staying in touch is my priority when landing in a new country. I look for tools that offer reliability without the high costs of traditional roaming.

Saily eSIM

The most important app in my travel folder is Saily, in my opinion, the best eSIM provider. It provides a seamless way to get online without hunting for local SIM cards at the airport.

Their app allows you to download an eSIM to your smartphone, which gives you instant access to the internet whilst abroad. They have eSIM plans available in over 200 destinations across the world, with a variety of data options, from a few GB to unlimited. You can even now get eSIM data options on some airlines! Find out more in my Saily review.

The bonus of Saily’s app is its built-in ad blocker tool, which saves me up to 28.6% of data by blocking advertisements that would usually show when I’m browsing the internet. Moreover, it includes a web protection tool that blocks any malicious sites.

For those of us on the road for months at a time, I highly recommend their Ultra plan. It is an ongoing monthly subscription that offers unlimited global data, airport lounge passes, fast security passes, and a full suite of security tools, making it the perfect set-up and forget option for long-term travel.

I have been using the Saily Ultra plan on my latest 1.5-month trip around South America. I’ve been hopping between Chile, Argentina, and Brazil. The Ultra plan has made it incredibly simple to change countries. No need to install new eSIMs! Plus, it has allowed me to access airport lounges, like at London Heathrow, before my flight to Chile.

Get your Saily eSIM here with 10% off

Whatsapp

WhatsApp is the app I use more than any other for daily communication. It is how I stay in touch with family back home and connect with the new people I meet on my adventures.

Most countries rely on it, though you might find Line is more popular in Japan and Thailand, or Zalo in Vietnam. I use WhatsApp to book almost everything, from tours to hotel requests, like when I hiked in the Andes, and when I stayed at the Intercity hotel in São Paulo.

Having a data connection through my Saily eSIM (mentioned above) means I can even make voice and video calls through the app without worrying about extortionate international fees.

For bookings

Planning a trip is much easier when you have all your reservations in one place. These booking travel apps help me manage everything from long-haul flights to hotel stays.

Skyscanner

I always start my journey on Skyscanner to compare flight prices across different airlines. I find it much easier to navigate and use compared to other flight search engines.

A clever tip is to double up your search by using a VPN like NordVPN. By changing your virtual location to another country, you can sometimes find lower prices or deals only available in specific currencies.

Booking.com

I generally prefer to avoid Airbnb where possible and stick to hotels and aparthotels. This helps avoid pushing local people out of their own neighbourhoods whilst often providing a more reliable experience.

Booking.com has a fantastic mix of niche stays and larger hotels. I especially value their sustainability filters, which make it easier to find properties that align with my ethical values.

If you are a remote worker like me, then you may also want to check out some of these digital nomad accommodation sites.

Viator

Viator is my go-to for booking tours because the platform is so intuitive. It has a huge variety of options that connect you directly with local guides. I’ve used it to book walking tours of cities, airport transfers, hikes in the Andes mountains, day trips to vineyards, and so much more.

The messaging tools within the app are particularly helpful for asking questions before you arrive. It gives me peace of mind to know I can easily reach my guide if I have trouble finding a meeting point.

For security

Digital security is vital when your entire business is run from a laptop. I never connect to public networks without taking precautions.

NordVPN

I use NordVPN every single day (my favourite VPN service) because I am often working from random cafes with public Wi-Fi. It encrypts my connection to keep my personal data and blog backend safe from prying eyes.

It is also helpful for accessing apps from back home that might be geo-blocked in the country I am visiting. It makes me feel as though I am still browsing from my own living room, regardless of where I actually am.

With NordVPN, you can use up to 10 devices simultaneously. If you need a more permanent solution for work, you can even set up a Dedicated IP to avoid those annoying “suspicious login” alerts from your bank.

If you are a nomad like me, you will also love their Meshnet feature. It allows you to create a secure, private network between your devices, meaning I can grab files from my home computer whilst sitting in a cafe in Bangkok as if I were using a local cable.

I also value their Threat Protection Pro feature, which blocks trackers and malicious websites before they even load. You can find out even more in my NordVPN review.

Sign up to NordVPN here

For navigation

Finding your way around a new city can be stressful without the right maps. These tools ensure I never get lost, miss a meeting or a tour meetup.

Google Maps

Google Maps has saved me more times than I can count when I have managed to get myself completely lost. It is also my primary tool for finding local restaurants. As a vegan traveller, I can quickly scan recent reviews to see if other travellers have had a good experience with the plant-based options.

I also love using the Street View feature before I even arrive to get a feel for the area where I will be staying.

Citymapper

In major cities like London, Citymapper is absolutely essential for navigating the transit system. I use it constantly to find the quickest routes, which is vital when tube lines are delayed or out of service.

It even tells you which part of the train is best to sit in for your exit. They are expanding rapidly and now cover many cities across Europe and the US, as well as growing hubs in Asia and places like Mexico City.

For translating

Language barriers can be a challenge, especially when you are trying to explain things that go beyond the local pleasantries, like dietary requirements. I use a combination of two tools to make sure I am understood.

DeepL

DeepL is widely considered one of the most accurate translation tools available. It is brilliant at picking up natural uses of language, which helps avoid things getting lost in translation.

I use it for more complex tasks, such as writing emails to guesthouses or messages to taxi drivers (like when they are organising to meet me at the airport). It ensures my requests are clear and polite in the local language.

Google Translate

For quick tasks, Google Translate is my daily companion. The camera feature allows me to scan ingredient lists in real time. It is a lifesaver when I am in a supermarket and need to be 100% sure about what I am buying.

This is especially important for me as a vegan traveller. For example, there have been times when I have found a product with a “vegan” label, and then I use the Google Translate app with the camera function, and find that the product still contains hidden animal products (typically in Asian countries like Japan).

For money

Managing different currencies and paying for stuff like a local requires apps that are made for travellers. I use these two money travel apps to keep my finances in check whilst I travel.

Wise

The Wise app provides access to money regardless of where I am in the world. It is a fantastic tool for tracking finances, switching between currencies, and making payments within a single interface.

It offers the real currency exchange rate without any hidden markups. I also never have any problems using it in ATMs, restaurants, and shops abroad.

You can get a digital card instantly to use on your phone via Apple or Google Pay, which is a great backup. This was incredibly useful when my physical card was stolen in Cuba. I was able to quickly freeze the card in the app and transfer money to my sister, so I was not left stranded.

Splitwise

When I am travelling with a group, Splitwise is the only way to keep things fair. It provides you with a space to track every shared expense and does the maths for you.

You simply set up a group with your friends or family and add any purchases in the currency you paid in. Throughout your trip, you can check who owes what to ensure everything remains balanced.

At the end of the trip, you pay your friends what you owe and select it as settled within the app. It is perfect for splitting the cost of a large feast without any awkwardness at the end of the meal.

Just bear in mind that the free version has daily entry limits. If you are on a busy trip with lots of small purchases, you might find the Pro version is a worthwhile investment.

Final thoughts

Ultimately, travel is about the experiences we have and the people we meet, but these apps help remove the friction that can sometimes get in the way. Whether it is finding a safe vegan meal or navigating a new metro system, having these tools at your fingertips is a game-changer.

Just remember that almost all of these tools rely on a steady internet connection to work their magic. Without data, you might find yourself back in the days of physical maps and confusing paper tickets. To keep things simple and secure, I highly recommend setting yourself up with a Saily eSIM before you fly.