11 Mobile Apps That Make Traveling Easier (and Safer)

Traveling can be overwhelming. These mobile apps will make life easier before and during your trip: 

#1. TripIt – All of your travel information at your fingertips, anytime you need it.

Whether it’s a business trip, a family vacation or a quick weekend away, TripIt will organize all your information in seconds. Simply forward your confirmation emails to plans@tripit.com and TripIt will take it from there.

Pricing: Free or $49/year Pro plan

#2. GyPSy Guide – Don’t miss out on the best sights and stories. 

GyPSy Guide provides a professional tour guide commentary along scenic drives and road trips.  Their tours highlight the very best of the region with entertaining stories about history, geology, legends, local tips and driving directions, so all you have to do is drive, listen and soak in the scenery.

Pricing: Free to $9.99

#3. PackPoint – Never forget your _____ again!

PackPoint will organize what you need to pack based on length of travel, weather at your destination, and any activities planned during your trip. 

Pricing: $2.99

#4. FlightAware – Live flight tracking. 

FlightAware allows you to track flights online, see a live map of a flight and check on delays, cancellations and gate changes. This app is especially helpful if you have a tight connection or want to track your flight. It’s also useful when picking friends and family up at the airport. You can track their flight and see updated landing times or delays.

Pricing: Free

#5. Calm – Sleep more. Stress less. Live better. 

Flying can cause anxiety — or provide a welcome relief from constant contact with our digital devices. Either way, use travel as an opportunity to relax, meditate or listen to soothing sounds that will lull you into sleep or a deep, relaxed state. Or, perhaps, you’ll simply find it helps pass the time during a long flight. Calm offers meditations on topics such as self-awareness, calming anxiety, breathing, lowering stress levels and happiness, among others. The app also has music options for focusing, relaxing and sleeping.

Pricing: Free

#6. Netflix – watch anywhere.

OK, so Netflix isn’t really a travel app, but it can be a lifesaver during a long flight on an aircraft without seatback inflight entertainment, or at the airport during an unexpected flight delay or boring layovers. If you have a Netflix account, the app allows you to download your favorite shows onto your device to watch offline. Just make sure to download your shows while connected to Wi-Fi before flying and check them again pre-flight to make sure they haven’t expired (you can usually renew any expired downloads but you must be connected to Wi-Fi or data to do so).

Pricing: requires Netflix subscription

#7. Google Translate – Translation made easy. 

Instantly translate words, phrases, and web pages between English and 100+ languages. 

Pricing: Free

#8. Google Maps – Navigate the world faster and easier with Google Maps. 

Over 220 countries and territories mapped and hundreds of millions of businesses and places on the map. Get real-time GPS navigation, traffic, and transit info, and explore local neighborhoods by knowing where to eat, drink and go – no matter what part of the world you’re in.

Pro Tip: Before traveling internationally, download your destination’s map for offline use. 

Pricing: Free

#9. WhatsApp – Simple. Secure. Reliable Messaging.

WhatsApp is a great messaging service for travelers abroad as it uses an internet connection to avoid SMS fees. It works like most other messaging apps: You start by creating an account, then add your friends and family members to contact, and voila! You’re able to call, video chat, send messages, images, voice memos, gifs and files just as you would in, say, iMessage (but with Android users too). Many international driver and tour services will ask you to connect on WhatsApp for coordinating pick-up times, meeting spots, etc.

Pricing: Free

#10. Smart Traveler – Stay safe & informed.

The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service to allow U.S. citizens and nationals traveling and living abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Pricing: Free

#11. Trip Whistle– International emergency phone numbers for travelers abroad. 

There are 196 countries in the world with more than 70 different emergency numbers. Know the right number and get help faster with TripWhistle! Dial local emergency police, fire, and ambulance phone numbers anywhere in the world with a single touch.

Pricing: Free

Sources: The Points Guy, Apple Store, Google Play