My Go-To Travel Apps

MỤC LỤC

Traveling from New York, whether it’s a quick weekend train ride or a longer international trip, I’ve realized that the right apps can make or break the experience. Over the years, I’ve narrowed down my phone to a few essentials — the ones that actually help me plan smarter, move faster, and stress less on the road. Here’s my honest list of travel apps I can’t go without.

Before the Trip: Planning Made Simple

Google Maps (of course)

It’s not just for navigation — I use Google Maps to scout entire neighborhoods before I even book a hotel. The “save” feature lets me mark restaurants, coffee shops, and hidden corners I want to explore later. When I travel abroad, I download offline maps — a lifesaver when Wi-Fi disappears.

Skyscanner

I love how Skyscanner surfaces cheap flights in a clean, visual way. The “Everywhere” search is my go-to when I don’t have a specific destination in mind. It’s helped me plan spontaneous trips out of JFK for less than the cost of dinner in Manhattan.

Airbnb

It’s not just about sleeping — I use Airbnb’s map filters to find homes near good food or public transport. The “Experiences” tab is underrated; I’ve booked walking tours and photography sessions with locals that ended up being my favorite memories from each trip.

During the Trip: Navigation & Connection

Citymapper

Citymapper is hands-down the best public transport app I’ve used. In cities like London or Paris, it’s far more accurate than Google Maps for real-time routes and delays. It even tells you which subway car to enter for the fastest exit.

Google Translate

Essential for ordering food, reading signs, and making small talk with locals. I always download the offline language packs before I go — and the live camera translation feature still feels like science fiction every time I use it.

This is how I stay connected when traveling internationally. Many small guesthouses, tour guides, and even cafés use WhatsApp for communication. It also helps me avoid expensive roaming charges by using Wi-Fi for calls and messages.

TripIt

TripIt quietly organizes my chaos. I just forward my flight, hotel, and car rental confirmations, and it builds a master itinerary for me. No more scrolling through old emails while juggling luggage in an airport line.

Money & Safety on the Go

Wise (formerly TransferWise)

For international travel, Wise is unbeatable for currency conversion and transfers. I keep a small balance in multiple currencies and get real exchange rates, which beats the inflated ones at ATMs or banks.

Google Wallet / Apple Wallet

I’ve started traveling almost cashless. Boarding passes, metro tickets, and even hotel keys — everything goes in Wallet. It’s surprisingly freeing not to dig through paper or worry about losing something.

NordVPN

A bit nerdy, but necessary. Using public Wi-Fi at airports and cafés is risky, so I run NordVPN to keep things secure. It also lets me stream my usual shows when I’m stuck in a foreign hotel room on a rainy night.

For Memories and Notes

Notion

I use Notion like a travel journal. Each trip gets its own page — I paste photos, jot down favorite meals, and save tips for next time. It’s more organized than my camera roll and helps me remember details for future reviews.

Google Photos

It backs up automatically and organizes everything by location. I love how it surfaces old memories on anniversaries — “One year ago, you were in Seoul” — like a digital postcard from the past.

Bonus: For Spontaneous Fun

Rome2Rio

When I’m in a new country and need to figure out how to get from one small town to another, Rome2Rio is magic. It shows trains, buses, flights, and even ferries — with times and prices.

HappyCow

If you’re vegetarian or just like plant-based food when traveling, HappyCow is the Yelp of veggie-friendly restaurants worldwide. I discovered amazing vegan ramen in Tokyo thanks to it.

My Verdict

After years of testing dozens of apps, these are the ones that consistently earn their place on my home screen. They save me time, prevent stress, and help me experience new cities like a local — not just a tourist with a suitcase.

Traveling with fewer, smarter tools feels like freedom. Each of these apps turns my phone into something more than a screen — it becomes my map, translator, travel agent, and digital scrapbook all at once.