best travel money apps

30 essential travel apps every traveler needs before their next trip

When it comes to planning and taking a vacation, travelers rely on their phones now more than ever.

Travel apps are a source of inspiration and are extremely useful for booking and managing logistics — even making restaurant reservations or finding a great fitness class wherever in the world you're flying next.

From apps that help with everything from day-of hotel bookings and last-minute flight changes to those that serve as guidebooks and foreign-language dictionaries, travel is infinitely easier thanks to technology.

Apps can help you navigate a new city, make currency conversions, pack a perfect suitcase and even provide on-the-ground local expertise. Whatever you need when you hit the road, there's an app for that.

We've rounded up the most-loved apps here at TPG. Some may be obvious, and others more obscure, but either way, get ready to download.

Best apps for researching and booking trips

In addition to the apps for the airlines you fly most frequently and your favorite hotel brands, these apps can help you save money on flights and accommodations.

Hopper has changed in recent years from just offering a price prediction tool for flights to being a true online travel agency. The app helps travelers find the cheapest flights, hotels and rental cars.

Of course, Hopper also still offers its signature price prediction technology to help you plan out when to book, as well as travel protection options and a price freeze to help you lock in the lowest possible price on hotels and flights.

Kiwi is used mainly to book flights, but it also helps you book hotels (using its partnership with Booking.com) and car rentals (using its partnership with RentalCars.com).

Some of the app's most interesting features include the "Deals" section, which pulls in discounted flights, and the "Travel hacks" section, which includes options for hidden city ticketing, throwaway ticketing (making one-way flights more affordable) and free price alerts.

Hotel Tonight

A dream for last-minute travelers, Hotel Tonight ( now owned by Airbnb ) lets you book stays for the same evening up to a few months in advance in thousands of cities worldwide. Available hotel rooms are categorized into sections like basic, luxe, hip, charming and solid, so you can select what works for your vibe. Take advantage of the daily drop feature, where you swipe to find a personalized deal with a special price only valid for 15 minutes after unlocked.

At TPG, we love a good loyalty program, and HT Perks, the app's nine-level reward program, is extensive. Not unlike a video game, you "level up" by reaching specific spending thresholds on the app, and you'll gain access to perks like discounts, VIP customer support and credits. Also, your levels never expire, so you can only continue to move up.

To book home rentals instead of hotels, use the Airbnb app. After entering your destination and dates, you can filter results based on the home type, price, requisite amenities and more. If you find something you like, you can book directly through the app.

The app is ideal for managing your trips while on the road — you can access all your bookings under the "Trips" tab, where you can view your reservation (and the address or directions), contact the host or change your reservation. Once you have a booking, you can also explore and book local experiences in your destination, such as wine tastings, kayak tours, hikes, shows and concerts.

We can't talk about travel apps without mentioning the TPG App. Use it to track your credit card, airline and hotel points balances; earn points and miles efficiently through using the right credit card ; and research how many points or miles you'll need to book your dream getaway. You can even curate your own news feed so you see the news and advice that matters most to you first.

The TPG App is available for download on iOS . Android users can join the waitlist here .

Related: The TPG App has arrived — here's why you should download it now

Best apps for organizing a trip

From keeping all your documents in order to perfectly packing your suitcase without forgetting a thing, these are the best apps for organizing travel plans.

TripIt declutters your itineraries and documents by keeping them organized in one place. You can set your reservations to automatically send to TripIt, which lets you view travel confirmations, flight itineraries, tickets, hotel and Airbnb booking information, rental car reservations, ferry tickets and driving directions without ever leaving the app.

TripIt also makes it simple to share your trip plans with whoever picks you up from the airport or train station or anyone else who may need to coordinate with you. TripIt Pro subscriptions cost $49 per year and include extras like real-time flight alerts, security wait times, baggage claim information and updates on your loyalty reward programs.

Roadtrippers

Perfect for organizing that epic road trip you've always wanted to take, Roadtrippers plans out your driving route and lets you book hotels and activities along the way. The app is especially useful for finding interesting and off-the-beaten-path roadside attractions, cool restaurants and can't-miss landmarks you can bookmark.

A Roadtrippers Premium membership includes offline maps, live traffic information, overnight RV parking and more for $59.99 per year. For those looking to only venture on a few road trips per year, the app also offers a Pro ($49.99 per year) and Basic ($35.99 per year) membership.

PackPoint takes all the stress out of packing . The app shows you what to bring based on the length of your trip, the weather in your destination and any activities you're planning along the way. If you have access to laundry facilities at your destination, PackPoint even allows you to account for washing your clothes and wearing them multiple times.

Just download and install the app, type in the city you're visiting and plug in your travel details. So, stop waiting until the day before your trip — or the hours before you have to leave for the airport — and start packing now.

Best apps for navigating the airport and flights

Track flights, navigate airports and find airport lounges with these apps.

LoungeBuddy

LoungeBuddy offers access to premium airport lounges around the world, regardless of the airline or class you're flying. When you create a trip in the app and type in the credit cards you currently hold, it will tell you which lounges you have access to based on the airports you'll be transiting through and how to purchase access if you don't already have it.

You can purchase access on the day you're traveling or up to two months in advance if you're the plan-ahead type. If you prefer to search by lounge or lounge program, the app will tell you exactly what is needed to use them.

Priority Pass

Priority Pass offers access to more than 1,300 lounges worldwide and provides meal vouchers at select airport restaurants across the world for an annual fee starting at $99.

Several cards, including The Platinum Card® from American Express , the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve , offer Priority Pass memberships for all cardholders (enrollment required). Otherwise, you'll have to pay an annual fee to be a member and, depending on your membership tier, a fee to enter each lounge on top of the annual fee.

To use the Priority Pass app, enter the name or code of the airport you're in, and Priority Pass will pull up the lounges or restaurants that you have access to, including photos, hours, amenities and specific location information. For more information on the Priority Pass Program and how to gain lounge access, click here . Enrollment is required for select benefits.

Related: The best credit cards for Priority Pass lounge access

FlightAware

The FlightAware app 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 up friends and family at the airport, as you can track their flight and see updated landing times or delays. AvGeeks will enjoy digging into flight statistics, flight maps and community aviation discussions on the app.

Best apps to use during your flight

Timeshifter.

What better way to cure jet lag than with an app? Timeshifter actually helps you avoid jet lag long before your flight takes off and also offers inflight and post-flight suggestions. The app relies on neuroscience research about sleep and circadian rhythms to provide personalized recommendations, taking into consideration your age, gender and normal sleep patterns — as well as specifics about your trip and travel plans. Timeshifter maps out when you should avoid or seek light, take a nap or try to stay awake. It even tells you if you should consider supplementing with melatonin or caffeine.

Your first jet lag plan is free, then $9.99 per plan, or you can enjoy unlimited plans for a year for $24.99.

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 to 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, as well as stories for adults and content for kids.

A limited selection of meditations and music is available for free (which you can download to use when you're offline or in flight). The premium version of the app costs $14.99 per month or $69.99 annually.

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 layover. 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 preflight 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). Monthly prices vary depending on the plan.

Another app that's not really a travel app, Spotify can still be incredibly useful during tedious travel moments — just pop in those noise-canceling headphones and listen to your favorite music, meditations, podcasts and more.

The app's Premium plans (prices vary) allow you to download all your content offline on your phone, so you'll have it during long flights or when you don't have data or Wi-Fi access. Whether you want to take a morning jog in Bali to your favorite tunes or pass the time with a podcast on the metro in Barcelona, Spotify has it all.

Best apps to use in your destination

From exchanging money and sightseeing to communicating and knowing all the local tips and tricks, you don't want to land in a foreign city for the first time without these key apps.

XE Currency Converter

The XE Currency Converter app quickly provides live, up-to-the-minute currency rates, then allows you to store and view them even when you're offline. You'll never need to wonder if you're really getting a good deal in another country if you have this app.

Google Translate

Google Translate is a translation app that allows you to do it all — translate into more than 100 languages by typing, access 59 languages offline, translate via photo, translate bilingual conversations and even use the handwriting tool to translate.

The app is simple to use, too, with icons at the top you can click on to draw, take a photo, speak or type.

Not quite sure how much to tip when traveling internationally? GlobeTips will advise you on how to tip appropriately in more than 200 countries. It also offers a tip calculator for easy math. Globe also has apps for currency conversion, unit conversion and more that may be useful for travelers.

Related: The ultimate guide to tipping while traveling

For travelers globe-trotting with friends and family members or simply splitting the cost between groups, Tricount calculates shared costs and splits bills so you don't have to think twice about who owes what. Just enter your trip and currency and invite your travel mates to join your trip.

Each time someone pays for something, you enter the amount in Tricount, and the app splits everything up. You can also snap and store photos of receipts in the app. At the end of your trip, it will show the balances of who owes who what, making it easy to settle up.

Metric Conversions

Never be baffled by Celsius temperatures or suitcase weight in kilograms again with the Metric Conversions app . Whether you're measuring flour to cook at your Airbnb, figuring out distances for your Europe road trip or deciding whether to take a sweatshirt with you during your walking tour of the Great Wall of China, this app has you covered with easy conversions in volume, weight, temperature, area and more.

Google Maps

Google Maps is essential when visiting a new city (or even for getting around your hometown). You can map locations, get directions (walking, driving, public transportation, ride-hailing services and beyond) and see how crowded your subway will be in select cities .

You can make restaurant reservations, save your favorite spots and read and write reviews of attractions, eateries, shops and more. Make sure to download specific city or area maps ahead of time for offline access if you know you'll be without internet at your destination. For obvious reasons, the app works best when your GPS is turned on.

WhatsApp is a handy 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 and send messages, images, voice memos, gifs and files just as you would in, say, iMessage (but with Android users too). You can also download WhatsApp on your Windows or Mac computer.

Best apps for planning activities

Traveling is about more than just getting from point A to point B. If you're looking for activities to add to your itinerary, check out these apps.

Meetup is an app designed for interacting with locals and other travelers who have mutual interests or shared hobbies. Whether you're traveling or at home, take what you love and do more of it with Meetup.

The app shows you groups that are formed around particular interests in your city, including yoga, photography, cooking, wine tasting, hiking, cinema and other activities. You can join groups to get updates on particular events you may want to participate in. The app can even help with networking, as there are many groups dedicated to business and technology. You might even be able to join a coworking group. Travelers with kids can participate in family-friendly meetups, and it's a great way for solo travelers to make friends and connect with others.

TheFork is one of the most useful resources for making restaurant reservations in Europe. Similar to OpenTable or Resy, the app lets you browse different restaurants by category and make reservations. TheFork features more than 60,000 restaurants in cities like London, Madrid and Geneva, as well as spots outside of Europe like Sydney, Australia.

The biggest perk is that many restaurant reservations come with discounts — in some cases, you can get up to 50% off your meal just by reserving a table through TheFork. Since we here at TPG are always down for earning rewards, make sure to monitor your YUMS — TheFork's reward system. You'll earn YUMS with each reservation, and when you hit 1,000, you receive a discount on your bill. Foodie travelers should also consider downloading these apps , too.

Happy Cow helps vegan and vegetarian eaters locate more than 180,000 restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries, farmers markets and grocery stores in over 180 countries around the world. The app allows you to filter by not only vegan and vegetarian but also gluten-free and cuisine types. You can also read reviews and get recipes on the app as well.

The app does cost $3.99, but it's a one-time expense.

TripAdvisor

Besides reading reviews of restaurants, hotels and attractions, you can book almost anything on TripAdvisor, from vacation rentals and restaurant reservations to tours and tickets.

The app has grown to include almost all things travel, allowing you to search by destination or interest (like the outdoors, food and drink, family or by the water, for example), which can give you inspiration for a trip or help you get your activities, meals and accommodations organized before traveling or on the fly.

With over 400,000 curated trails, AllTrails can help you find the hike or walk perfect for you and your group. It's not just mountain trails — AllTrails offers city walks, too, like easy meanders through the Marais district in Paris or peaceful strolls through Bangkok's Lumpini Park in Thailand.

See photos, updated weather predictions and key information about each route and connect with other travelers through reviews and forums. Access to AllTrails+ is $35.99 per year, which offers perks like offline maps and wrong turn alerts.

Best apps for staying safe

Use these apps to stay safe when traveling.

Smart Traveler

Smart Traveler is a free service that offers tips and information specifically for U.S. travelers. You can see what visas and vaccines you'll need before traveling and where to find help if you need it during your trip.

Register your trip on the app, which gives your information to local embassies and consulates in your destination. If there's any kind of disaster or tragedy, the local embassy can contact you to see if you need help.

TripWhistle

Another app dedicated to keeping you safe, TripWhistle maps your location and allows you to easily text or send your GPS coordinates or location. It also provides emergency numbers for firefighters, medical personnel and police in nearly 200 countries. After all, 911 is only for U.S.-based emergencies: Each country has its own specific emergency number.

Yes, Uber (or any local ride-hailing service app) is convenient, but it may also keep you safe. Using this app when traveling means you'll never get stuck wandering around in an unfamiliar area late at night or have to deal with unscrupulous taxi drivers trying to scam you. Uber also has in-app safety features such as an emergency assistance button which will allow you to call local emergency services right in the app.

20 Best Travel Apps in 2024 (Plus They’re Free)

We frequently search for the best travel apps to make travel easier. We’ve tested hundreds of travel apps over the years, and we’re often asked to recommend the travel apps we can’t live without.

So, we wrote this post on the 20 best travel apps that helped us to visit every country in the world!

Hi, we’re Rach & Marty!

We’ve visited every country in the world and want to help you get the most out of your travels!

Whether you need an expertly planned itinerary , some experienced hints and tips , or just craving a delicious food adventure , we’ve got you covered!

We may earn affiliate commissions from websites we link to, at no cost to you. Click here for details.

These travel apps were essential to navigating our way through some remote places, saving money, and communicating with locals to experience unforgettable encounters and find unique places to stay.

Whether you’re looking to reserve a hotel room, dorm bed or apartment, book cheap flights, bus or train tickets on the go, translate a restaurant menu, ride local transport or chat with a local in a foreign language, we’ve compiled a list of the best travel apps you should have!

Let’s Dive In! 20 Best Travel Apps To Make Travel Easy

Table of Contents

1. Skyscanner

Skyscanner is the best travel flight app out there! It’s so easy to use and the prices are unbeatable!

Skyscanner is a metasearch engine that compares multiple airlines for the best prices. Just enter your departure airport, destination, and date to find cheap flights. 

You can filter results based on stops, duration, and airline. With the ‘everywhere’ option, discover the cheapest flights from your departure airport. 

Don’t miss out on this one, it’s hands down one of the best travel apps for nabbing cheap flights! It’s worth mentioning here that the Skyscanner app is also a metasearch engine for searching cheap car hire and hotels too. 

Our Favourite Feature: Skyscanner  allows you to compare multiple airlines, flight times, and prices. 

2. Booking.com

No travel app comes close to beating Booking.com to reserve your accommodation for your trip. From budget dorm beds in hostels and affordable hotels in great locations to luxury accommodations, including villas, apartments and everything in between, Booking.com is hands down one of the best travel apps for reserving a place to stay.

Once you’ve made several reservations on Booking.com, you can reclaim awards and discounts on accommodation too. We’ve reached Genius Level 3 from using this app, saving us up to 15% on future reservations.

The Booking.com app makes it easy to keep all your bookings in one place, and you can impress taxi drivers with the app’s handy hotel address feature, translated into the local language.

Download this must-have travel app before you leave on your adventures!

Our Favourite Feature: Booking.com has i n-app only deals and discounts

3. Airalo eSIM

Nowadays, the best way to stay connected on your travels is with Airalo eSIM . 

The Airalo travel app has been essential for us to stay connected in multiple regions and countries as we traverse the globe. 

This travel app allows you to download an eSIM for 190+ countries effortlessly. It’s so easy, and it’s affordable too! Just download, activate and go! 

We LOVE this product. Read more about why we choose eSIM for International Travel.

Our Favourite Feature: Discover eSIMs that cover up to 130+ countries on one eSIM! Choose from Data Only eSIM or Data, Call & Text eSIM to save you   huge $$$. View ALL Discover eSIM Packs here . 

Skype is an excellent means to stay connected with loved ones back home while you’re away.

We use the Skype app when we need to call a business or private number that isn’t on Whatsapp. 

One of the best things about the Skype app is the ability to make free video calls globally, provided that both parties use Skype.

Additionally, you can place calls to landlines or mobile phones for a fee. 

Keeping your Skype credit topped up with $10-20 allows seamless calling from your mobile or landline, making it a cost-effective way to communicate worldwide.

With access to a wifi signal, the possibilities are endless; you can reach any number globally with super affordable bills.

For digital nomads and business owners who are constantly on the move, Skype proves to be an indispensable app. It lets you quickly jump on work calls, making it an ideal tool. 

  Best feature:  Make free calls/video calls to any country worldwide.

5. Google Maps

Google Maps is an essential app for every traveller. It’s one of our phones’ most frequently used travel apps. We especially love that you can save cafes, hotels or places you want to visit and mark that spot with selected labels. 

We use the ‘heart’ label to add our favourite places to eat, and in the notes section, we just add what dish we’d like to eat there.

We like to use the ‘green flag’ label for places we’d like to visit, including attractions and landmarks. There’s a ‘blue bag’ label to pin accommodation options too, this is handy to save our hotel or apartment address and you can customise the label and add notes here too.

Our Favourite Feature:  The option to download and save offline maps. 

6. WISE 

WISE is an online account that lets you send money, get paid, and spend money internationally.

This service has saved us loads of money in international transactions & ATM fees. With a Wise account, you can get paid in other currencies and send money overseas. The app is lightning-fast and super savvy.

This is a must-have travel app for every traveller, especially if you’re planning to travel long-term.

Sign up for a WISE account here  and send your first International transfer for FREE!

Our Favourite Feature:  Fees are transparent and generally low, with no markup on exchange rates. Leave the big fees to the big banks and switch your banking needs to Wise!

7. Google Translate

What a savvy travel app this is! Google Translate is the best travel language app to help you communicate with the people you meet.

The app translates languages incredibly fast! With 100+ languages to access, you’ll breeze through interactions with locals.

From ordering the best meal, asking for directions or purchasing the correct train ticket or bus route, Google Translate has you covered. 

This app was an absolute gem to help us travel in China, that fantastic trip to Taiwan and decode menu items in Japan and Central Asia. 

Our Favourite Feature: Save particular words or phrases so you can access them quickly when needed.

Imagine checking just one place for ALL your travel details and getting notifications if things happen that may affect your trip. TripIt app is your personal travel organiser, and it will make your travelling life a breeze!

TripIt can organise your travel plans no matter where you book. Simply forward your confirmation emails to [email protected] and in a matter of seconds, TripIt will create a comprehensive itinerary for every trip.

We used TripIt to keep our flights, accommodation, bus & train tickets and even reservations for day tours organised so we could access the app at any time and quickly source the information we needed. 

Believe me, you need this in your life! TripIt is free and it’s one of the best travel apps to help you stay organised and stress-free when you’re on the road.

Our Favourite Feature:  You can also sync your plans with your calendar—no copy and pasting necessary.

9. Surfshark VPN 

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a must-have tool to protect your privacy and increase your internet security.

Surfshark VPN  safeguards your connection with military-grade encryption, so you can log into your accounts, make bank transfers, and shop online without worrying that your data may be compromised or hacked.

It works by encrypting communications so you’ll have an anonymous IP address. Surf Shark (or other good VPNs) allows you to access websites that are inaccessible in other countries. 

If you’re in a country such as China that bans many social media networks such as Facebook, by turning on Surfshark VPN, you can still access Facebook if you’re travelling here.

Download Surfshark VPN to put your mind at ease on your travels. 

Our Favourite Feature:  Fast connection, easy-to-use app

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10. Trainline

Trainline  is an international rail and coach booking platform. The user-friendly app allows you to buy instant train tickets and railcards and gain free access to live train times and railway station information. 

It’s so handy; we use the Trainline app to book all our train tickets on the go. It’s especially helpful for those of you wishing to travel around Europe by train .

Our Favourite Feature:  The app has a section called ‘my tickets’, which is helpful for quick access to your already purchased train reservations.

RELATED POST –  7 Best Tips for Traveling to Europe

11. Rome2Rio

This app is excellent for comparing transportation options between destinations. 

Once you enter your origin and destination, the Rome2Rio app searches for train, flight, bus, and ferry options between locations. Cleverly, it also shows the driving distance for trips by car so you can quickly and easily see which option is best for your timing and budget.

We use this app frequently to get a quick idea of the options available to get from A to B anywhere in the world. 

Our Favourite Feature:  If you see a journey you’d like to book there and then, the Rome2Rio app connects you with transportation providers to make a reservation.

12. GetYourGuide

Travel with ease! GetYourGuide is great for discovering excellent experiences and tours. Just enter your city, and the app does the rest! 

Find the best food tours, city tours, cruises, wildlife safaris, island hopping adventures, private transfers, skip-the-line entrance tickets and more! 

GetYourGuide offers city passes like the ‘Vatican City & Rome’ Pass . This sightseeing pass provides free entry to Rome’s most popular attractions and museums, saving you up to 55%!

They’ve got everything from thrilling motorcycle tours in Vietnam to invigorating 14-day hikes in Nepal; reserve your spot here .

Book excellent activities, compare prices and read past guest reviews for peace of mind.

The best part is their flexible cancellation policy, no hidden fees, and mobile-friendly tickets.

Our Favourite Feature:  GetYourGuide offers a flexible free cancellation policy.

The ultimate activity and tour booking companion! Viator is a top-notch travel app with a stellar reputation.

Like GetYourGuide, Viator is one of the best travel apps to book day tours, multi-day adventures, local experiences, entrance tickets and more!

Viator offers excellent customer service, free cancellation, flexible payment options, and an overall excellent product.

Explore 300,000+ experiences across the globe – USA, Asia, Europe, Australia, and beyond! 

Need travel inspiration about where to travel next? Our guide on the cheapest countries to visit this year will help you decide. 

Our Favourite Feature:  Viator app offers 24/7 customer service & support.

Moovit provides travellers with a one-stop-shop journey experience to help them get from point A to B most quickly and efficiently. 

You may be surprised at how savvy this travel app is; a game-changer in my opinion.

Get train, metro and bus times, maps, and real-time arrival information in cities and destinations worldwide to plan your trip confidently and get mooving!! 

Our Favourite Feature:  The app allows you to add a line (frequent journey) to your ‘favourites’ section for quick access and instant information.

15. Grab (and other ride-sharing apps)

Ride-sharing apps have been a saviour for us as we’ve made our way around the world. 

As I understand, Uber was the first ride-sharing app to start the ball rolling, but now there are many fantastic ride-sharing apps that can make your life so much easier out there on the road.

Depending on what country or region of the world you are planning to travel to, we recommend you download the ride-sharing apps below.

• Grab – For travel in Southeast Asia.
• Bolt – For travel in Europe, Tunisia (read these 10 Best Tips for Independent Travel in Tunisia ) and other nations in Africa too. 
• Uber – For travel in the USA, Canada, Europe & Australia
• FreeNow – Travel in Europe (up to 150+ cities)
• BiTaksi – For travel in Turkey.

And there are many more!

Most ride-sharing apps allow you to add your bank card to your profile to take care of the payment. We like this feature because you don’t need any local currency, and it cancels the chance of getting scammed by a taxi driver. Unfortunately, scams do happen.

Read our post about how to avoid 6 common tourist scams in China .

Our Favourite Feature:  Seeing the estimated price and journey time before you make a booking.

16. WhatsApp

Looking for a reliable way to stay connected with friends and family? Look no further than WhatsApp!

This is one of the best travel apps out there, and it’s used worldwide to keep people connected. 

WhatsApp offers a range of features, allowing you to send messages, make calls, and even video call other WhatsApp users for free, as long as you have a wifi connection.

Not only is WhatsApp perfect for keeping in touch with friends and family, but it also comes in handy while travelling. Nations worldwide communicate easily with WhatsApp, so it’s our top choice for the best travel apps to download to your device.

WhatsApp helps you to easily stay in contact with locals, tour operators, hotels, and companies, as many of them are readily available on WhatsApp. 

WhatsApp pairs perfectly with an international eSIM . An easy, reliable and affordable way to help you stay connected with the world.

Stay connected and travel easier out there – choose WhatsApp!

Our Favourite Feature:  The ability to video call, voice call or message other numbers for free, providing you’ve got a wifi connection (or an Airalo eSIM ) 

17. Xe Currency Converter

Use the Xe Currency Converter app to instantly check live market rates for every world currency on your Smartphone or device. 

That’s 170+ currencies that you can convert on the go. If you need to check the conversion of what 1 USD will give you in AUD, you can get your answer on this app within seconds.

We use this app to quickly check the latest exchange rates handing over any currency in an exchange office or even to a money changer on the street. We frequently used this during our overland travels across Central & West Africa . 

If you’ve ever wondered about what it’s like to travel in this region of the world, here are 17 ESSENTIAL Things to Know Before Travelling to West Africa from our experience.

18. Maps.me

Maps.me app is similar to Google Maps in some ways, but it’s much better for navigating rugged terrains!

Whenever we go hiking, we ensure we’ve got our map downloaded on Maps.me; it rarely lets us down. It does a great job of showing the small trails that Google Maps doesn’t usually pick up. 

It covers six continents, making it essential for unexplored or remote spots.

This travel app was handy in Africa, particularly when directing a taxi driver to our nominated address. Maps.me allows you to set up the navigation and press speak on the app, a voice will then guide you in the selected language. You should see the look on the taxi drivers’ faces when we do this; it’s pure amazement.

Maps.me is a must-have travel app for all travellers, especially those hoping to take off-the-beaten-track adventures.

Our Favourite Feature:  Maps.me offers a bookmark collection that allows you to build your ultimate trip!

19. Trusted Housesitters

If you’re planning to travel long-term, Trusted Housesitters is one of the best travel apps I’d recommend you download right now.

Every traveller finds out that accommodation is one of the most significant expenses on the road, and this app can help cancel that out entirely! 

Being a housesitter means free accommodation for you in return for looking after different homes around the globe. Choosing to join Trusted Housesitters was one of the best things we ever did!

Trusted Housesitters  is a fantastic website for saving money and house-sitting worldwide. 

Join now with our invitation  and receive a massive 25% off your membership!

Our Favourite Feature:  Use the filters on the app to set alerts for preferred cities or countries you know you’ll be visiting in the coming months. 

Omio  is the best travel app and booking platform for travellers on the go.

The Omio easy-to-use app is seamless for booking tickets for trains, buses, flights, ferries, and airport transfers so you can focus on the journey.

They’ve got 1,000+ trusted travel partners listed across the platform, giving you many choices and options to book the most direct route at the best price.

It’s quick, reliable and most importantly, Omio offers the best deals too. 

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Heyy, very useful article, thanks! Perhaps to add on your list might also be this super useful app – ATM Fee Saver – gives ATM fees and withdrawal limits in many countries, really needed needed these days as atms abroad can become so expensive. Never seen anything like this before – it us sure to help lots of other international travellers like me!!!

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The 12 Best Budgeting Apps for Travelers

Ashley Rossi

Ashley Rossi is always ready for her next trip. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram for travel tips, destination ideas, and off the beaten path spots.

After interning at SmarterTravel, Ashley joined the team full time in 2015. She's lived on three continents, but still never knows where her next adventure will take her. She's always searching for upcoming destination hotspots, secluded retreats, and hidden gems to share with the world.

Ashley's stories have been featured online on USA Today, Business Insider, TripAdvisor, Huffington Post, Jetsetter, and Yahoo! Travel, as well as other publications.

The Handy Item I Always Pack : "A reusable filtered water bottle—it saves you money, keeps you hydrated, and eliminates waste—win-win."

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Travel Motto : "Travel light, often, and in good company."

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While you’re stuck daydreaming about your next bucket-list vacation, why don’t you get a hold of your finances and make it a reality by first budgeting out your travel expenses? Whether it’s a road trip or international vacation that you’re planning, easily forgettable items like parking fees can add up. That’s why you should use a travel-specific budgeting app to help streamline your costs on your next trip. Here are 12 budget apps to help you plan your expenses.

PocketGuard

Link all of your financial accounts and cards to this app, and it will automatically update and categorize your spending in real time. It then tells you what spending money you have with the “in my pocket” feature. It also automatically builds you a spending budget based on income, bills, and the goals you set. It even finds ways to lower some of your monthly bills for you … sign us up.

Download: iOS | Google Play

Tripcoin lets you enter in your expenses per day and even works offline. It then processes your spending to give you a spending summary of your trip, which you can export for other uses. This lets you see how much you’re spending on each category of your trip, broken down by day, so you can monitor your vacation expenses in real time.

Download: iOS

9 Sneaky Travel Costs You Might Forget to Budget For

Trip Expense Manager

The Trip Expense Manager app is ideal for large traveling groups that need help planning and monitoring travel expenses. For each trip you take, you can add Google users, a list of places to go, and expenses, and even mark who paid which bill.

Download: Google Play

TravelSpend

I love TravelSpend for its easy-to-use features and simple design. How it works: You add expenses as they happen (the app works offline and even converts foreign currencies) and the app tracks your spending by total and by day. You can even follow your spending on a map throughout your vacation.

Wally connects to your current financial accounts and tracks your spending so you can get a handle on your cash flow and spending by category. Wally is useful because unlike some of the other budgeting apps, it lets you use private groups for managing trip spending or other budgets. You can even add reminders, notes, lists, documents, and comments.

Users love TripMate for its simplicity and easy-to-use features, plus it’s all free. This travel expense tracker app lets you create a trip and then add and remove users as needed. You can add expenses, receive a personalized summary, and even get hotel, and other booking-related information.

Trail Wallet

If you’re looking for a travel-specific budget tool and expense tracker, this is your best bet. Input your expenses into Trail Wallet and the app will split them up based on category so you can get a closer look at your spending. Note that only the first 25 items you enter are free.

11 Budget Travel Lies You Should Stop Believing Right Now

This travel expense app makes splitting costs a breeze. Simply invite your travel partners to the trip you’ve created on the app, and each person can enter in his or her expenses. Once the trip is over (and all expenses have been entered) you can see who owes whom what amount.

Splitwise is another useful cost-tracking platform that easily lets you split group expenses while traveling. You can split by percentage or shares, and it’s even available in offline mode. It’s great for international trips, too, as the app is available in seven languages and over 100 currencies. Plus, it’s integrated with Venmo and PayPal for easy payback.

Mint is so much more than just a travel expense app—it connects with all of your bank accounts to give you an overall summary of your cash flow. You can then easily create a budget for different categories, like saving for a vacation.

30 Essential Non-Travel Apps for Travelers

For those who have been involved in the planning of a bachelor or bachelorette party, you know the trials and tribulations that come with splitting large group expenses. This app was created specifically for those organizing large group trips and includes building an itinerary, polls, and chat features as well as ways to track payments and bar tabs within your group.

YNAB (You Need a Budget) is a popular software used for budgeting. While it’s slightly pricey ($84 annually), the positive reviews are endless. On the app version, you can set savings goals and itemize your vaca expenses. There is a free 34-day trial to get you started.

More from SmarterTravel:

• Single Travel: Essential Tips for Planning a Solo Trip
• 5 Ways to Stay Sane When Planning a Trip with Friends
• The 7 Best Trip Planner Apps for Travelers

Ashley Rossi is always ready for her next trip. Follow her on  Twitter   and  Instagram   for travel tips, destination ideas, and off the beaten path spots.

We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

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The Top 8 Travel Apps That'll Help You Save Money

Traveling doesn't need to be expensive. Find out how you can plan a vacation for less, with these money-saving travel apps.

People love to travel and people love to save money. But often these two don’t go hand in hand. Budgeting for travel can be tricky as you often tend to underestimate or overestimate the travel expenses and in both cases, you could lose money.

Thankfully, digital innovations in the travel industry gave rise to thousands of travel apps that not only ease your stress in planning the travel, but also help you save money.

Here are some of the top travel apps to consider on your next trip.

Whether you know exactly where you’re going and need a ticket, or you’re just looking to escape to a random destination , KAYAK is one of the most robust flight comparison tools. In addition to flights, you can also book hotels and car rentals at the best available price.

Keep an eye on the Price Forecast tool of KAYAK uses data from over a billion annual queries to anticipate whether airfares will rise or fall in the coming week. It also suggests package deals where you can save up to 32 percent by choosing a flight and hotel package together versus booking them separately.

You can also set price alerts on your desired route and let KAYAK do the grunt work for you by finding the best deal for you. If you are not connected to the internet it notifies you via text or email as soon as the hotel prices or airfares change.

Download: KAYAK for Android | iOS (Free, in-app purchases available)

2. GasBuddy

If you want to find the cheapest fuel prices in your vicinity, GasBuddy is the go-to app.

When travelers use the app to pay for gas at stations that accept payment using GasBuddy, they get a discount of $0.10 per gallon for the first fill-up and $0.05 for every gallon pumped after.

Another cool feature is the Gas Price Chart , which you can customize by destination to see the fluctuation of gas prices in the past 18 months, as well as the Trip Cost Calculator , which shows you how much you will spend on gas by entering in specific details, like your car's year, fuel type, tank, and more.

Keep an eye out for additional seasonal and station-specific promotions throughout the year to save even more at the pump.

Download: GasBuddy for Android | iOS (Free, in-app purchases available)

3. Getaround

Getaround is a car-sharing application that lets you rent out your car whenever you’re not using it. Simply put, Getaround is like Airbnb for cars.

Getaround claims that car owners can earn up to $10,000 a year through this app, depending on the type of car they own and how often people rent it. Check out the process of enrolling your car for rent in their owner's manual .

Getaround rental rates start from as low as $4 per hour which is one of the cheapest options available when it comes to short trips. Checkout the renter's manual for more information on renting.

Using Getaround is a win-win for both the car owner and the renter in terms of saving money!

Download: Getaround for Android | iOS (Free)

4. HotelTonight

If you’re one for spontaneous adventures and saving money, then HotelTonight offers the perfect solution by loading up last-minute deals of hotel rooms that are still available.

Every time you see a hotel that has a GEO RATE or HT PERKS badge, you get an extra discount to use on that booking. Or you can exchange it for credit to put toward a future stay at participating hotels.

For example, say you decide not to use the $40 discount on your next booking and save it for a future booking–do that five times and you'll have $200 in Save for Later Credits added to your account to use for a fun future stay. Also, Save for Later Credits never expire.

HotelTonight is available in 1,700 cities and with a database of more than 50,000 properties so you can always get the best deal for an entry-level room or a suite.

Download: HotelTonight for Android | iOS (Free)

Hopper is a flight-watching app that tells you roughly how much flights will cost in a nicely laid-out calendar view. You can set alerts and watch flights for when the price goes down.

You can also use Hopper to gauge how much a trip will cost and when they predict prices to rise or fall. Hopper's calendar view makes it easy to see when flight prices are generally higher and lower for your destination.

Related: Essential Mobile Apps for Digital Nomads

The app has a nice extra feature called Fair Bear , which clearly explains all the restrictions of the airfare you are about to buy (cancellation fees, baggage fees, and so on). Give it a spin before your next trip; you could end up saving more than you expected!

Download: Hopper for Android | iOS (Free, in-app purchases available)

6. Rome2rio

Rome2rio is a multimodal transport planner with worldwide coverage. This means that you can plan local and long-distance trips. The best part is you can use this platform to plan your trips by public transport or by car.

Rome2rio searches any city, town, landmark, attraction, or address around the world. With access to thousands of multi-modal routes, it will tell you how to get from A to B in the cheapest or fastest way possible.

The search engine even knows how to surprise seasoned travelers sometimes by flying to alternative airports or using alternative transport options where you might be able to save some extra money.

Download: Rome2rio for Android | iOS (Free)

7. TravelSpend

TravelSpend is an app to track your spending while traveling the world. It's perfect for you if you're planning your next group vacation with friends or you're already on a vacation. If you travel in a group you can share expenses with friends and family to see who owes who.

It's quick and easy to use and works offline. You can add photos and spread expenses over multiple days. The app will help you to keep track of your travel budget and to save money. Add expenses in any currency; they automatically convert to your home currency.

Split bills, check your balances, and settle debts all within TravelSpend. See your spending data visualized. You'll be able to analyze your spending so you can avoid overspending and eventually save more.

Download: TravelSpend for Android | iOS (Free, in-app purchases available)

Klook offers a simple way to discover activities, attractions, and things to do wherever you travel. You can use it to discover and book in-destination services at the best prices.

Klook offers discounts through partnerships with some of the top attractions and operators worldwide. It ensures all their offerings are at the best price; if you find a better deal you’ll get the difference as a refund.

It also works offline to find discounts whenever the prices drop and send them to your inbox. Finally, you can earn credits whenever you complete a Klook activity, which you can redeem as discounts in your next booking, letting you save even more!

Download: Klook for Android | iOS (Free)

Explore and Save

Traveling is expensive and planning it out can be tough. But with the help of these apps, everything you need to have a fantastic, organized vacation on a budget is available at your fingertips.

Choose the best app depending on the nature of your travel and you are all set for a stress-free and money-saving trip!

7 best travel budget apps for your next vacation

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The summer travel season is picking up, and with this increase in demand comes higher prices on everything from airfare to hotel rooms and more.

At the same time, high inflation continues to impact travel , making budgeting more important than ever. Even if you’re using travel credit cards to offset some of the costs, it’s important to have a budget for all other expenses.

Whether you’re traveling alone or with a group, it can be challenging to track costs and avoid overspending. Luckily, you don’t have to do this entirely on your own. There are lots of great trip budget planner apps that will help you plan travel and track your budget. Some of them even make it easy to coordinate with a large group and split expenses evenly.

If that sounds right up your alley, you’ll want to review our seven best apps to help you travel on a budget:

Best travel budget apps

With so many great travel budget apps on the market, you might be wondering which one to get. It really comes down to your travel style and needs. Are you traveling solo or with a group? Do you need a simple budget tracker or do you want planning tools? There’s something out there for everyone, but here are the best options:

Managing your expenses when you’re traveling for work can be challenging. Expensify lets you track your travel expenses easily. This app lets you upload and share receipts with your accounting team for reimbursement.

If you’re merely tracking expenses for tax purposes, Expensify offers several handy tools. The GPS calculator automatically tracks your eligible mileage for you, so you don’t have to enter it manually. The app also lets you create expense reports by scanning receipts or entering time worked, for billing purposes.

Sign-up is super easy. All you have to do is provide your email address to set up an Expensify account. You can start using the app immediately, which is free for most users. A “Collect” account, which includes accounting and payroll tools, costs $5 per month. Meanwhile, a “Control” account costs $9 per month and allows for multiple approvers, setting expense policies and custom reporting tools.

When you sign up for Expensify, you can get a seven-day free trial of the Collect and Control memberships.

PocketGuard

PocketGuard markets itself as the “#1 budgeting app for college students and overspenders,” but it’s actually a great vacation budget planner as well. That’s because the app uses the “in my pocket” feature to calculate how much disposable income you have available. You can then allocate this towards your travel budget.

All you have to do is provide your income and spending information. PocketGuard will calculate your disposable income accordingly. Vacation planning may not be a priority for you if you’re in debt, but PocketGuard will recommend a strategy for paying it off in the most efficient way. You can use PocketGuard to set financial goals, save money and plan for future travel as a reward.

If you’re a seasoned business traveler, you may already be familiar with the Concur suite (and in some cases, you may be required by your employer to use it). If you aren’t, get ready to meet one of the most robust, full-featured business travel solutions available today.

Within the SAP Concur suite, you’ll find separate modules for managing travel plans and submitting reimbursement requests for travel-related expenses. Concur Expense’s ExpenseIt app for travel expenses makes it easy to take pictures of your paper receipts and automatically categorize them to submit as expense reports. Meanwhile, Concur Travel lets you book your own business travel or make arrangements with your company’s preselected carriers, hotels, and other providers.

SAP Concur offers travel management solutions for organizations of all sizes — from small businesses to enterprise leaders. Business owners and managers can try Concur Expense and Concur Travel for free; individual users who have access to these tools through their employer can download the iOS or Google Play app to get started.

If you’re traveling with a group, it’s not always practical for each person to pay for their own expenses. Pulling out multiple credit cards to cover the group dinner bill is possible, but booking group tours and even airfare can be a hassle when done individually. That’s where Splitwise comes in. The app lets users track shared expenses and the balance owed by each person. This transparency can make it much easier to determine who owes what at the end of a group trip.

Simply download the free app, add group members and each of you can enter shared expenses as they occur. The app will divide up the total equally among all group members. PayPal and Venmo are both integrated into the app, allowing you to seamlessly settle up at the end of the trip.

Bachelorette parties can be challenging in so many ways, but the BACH app simplifies things with budgeting and planning tools designed to make bachelorette parties less stressful. Users can budget, plan and book all activities associated with their bachelorette party. You can even add your friends to the app to communicate and make planning decisions easier, as well as divide up expenses in the app.

While BACH is marketed around bachelorette parties, you can use it to book any type of group activity in participating cities. Use it to plan your girls’ getaway, Friendsgiving, reunion or virtually any other excuse to gather close friends. The BACH app is free to use, though there is a processing fee when you make a booking.

Trabee Pocket

The Trabee Pocket app provides both budget and expense tracking in a user-friendly interface. Trabee lets you set a budget and then enter your expenses to track how much you’re spending in different categories. The app also provides currency conversion, so you can get an accurate sense of your spending.

At the end of your trip, you can even export your expense data to a PDF or CSV file for future budgeting and tax purposes. Overall, this is a solid app if you want a free spending tracker app. Trabee is available on iOS and the Google Play store.

The great thing about Tripcoin is that you can use it without an internet connection, which is especially important if you’re traveling through remote areas. The app’s Dropbox integration also makes it possible to back up your data in case you lose your phone.

Tripcoin’s user-friendly interface makes it easy to set up a trip and break down your spending each day by expense category. You can find out how much you’re spending on transportation, meals, activities and other travel expenses, making it a great way to stay accountable and on top of your budget at each destination.

Tripcoin supports over 150 currencies, converging your spending automatically based on current exchange rates. This ensures accuracy in your budget tracking and ensures you don’t have to perform this tedious task yourself.

The bottom line

With the summer travel season on the upswing, having a travel budget tracker is more important than ever. Planning a vacation on a budget is one thing, but sticking to it can be very challenging. By utilizing some of these apps, you can stay on budget, cut down on unnecessary expenses and plan your travels more efficiently .

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The 22 Best Travel Apps

August 8, 2023

We live in a mobile world saturated with apps, and while not all of them are actually worth investing your time (or money) into, there are quite a few that can actually help you save money and travel better. These travel apps do everything from tracking your travel expenses and unearthing deals on hotels and car rentals to helping you skip the line at immigration or find the cheapest gas to fuel up your car. 

We’ve put together this list of our favorite travel apps designed for travelers who want to save money and travel smart.  

TripIt: For organizing all your flight and travel info 

The TripIt app gathers all the information about an itinerary, from flights to hotels to walking tours, in one convenient place. The app pulls all the relevant details from your confirmation emails—simply forward them to the [email protected] email address and TripIt does the rest. You can then edit any of the entries to include things like driving directions, access codes, or seat assignments.

The features list for the free version is impressive (you can sync plans with your calendar, see neighborhood safety scores, and share your itinerary with others, among other things), but a TripIt Pro subscription comes with some especially handy perks. Pro users also get real-time flight alerts, notice of potential fare refunds, help finding a better seat on the plane, alerts about security wait times, and the ability to upload up to 25 documents to your itinerary.

iOS Android

Flighty: For getting real-time alerts for flight changes 

This user-friendly app (currently only on Apple iOS) helps you keep all the info about your flights in one simple dashboard. Enter in your confirmation codes, and it'll help you stay informed of things like delays and gate changes—often long before you'd hear about them from the airline. Plus it serves as a long of all your travels and gives you a Spotify-Wrapped-style annual report; the “Flighty Passport” shows where you’ve been and how far you’ve traveled—even details like how many hours you spent stuck in delays.

MiFlight: For updates on airport security wait times

There are few worse travel-related feelings than showing up to the airport 45 minutes before your flight to find an epically long security line. MiFlight lets you know how long the security line is at over 100 of the busiest US airports and an additional 100 airports globally. The app collects data from users and is pretty accurate within a few minutes, so you’ll know if you really have to the airport three hours before your flight or if you can wait a bit. ‍

Mobile Passport: For breezing through immigration if you don't have Global Entry 

Don't have Global Entry? Mobile Passport allows US citizens and Canadian visitors to submit their passport and declaration forms to US Customs and Border Protection via the app rather than filling out traditional forms. From there, users can access expedited Mobile Passport lanes, which can be significantly shorter than the general queue. There's a paid version that saves your info or for you free, you can upload it upon landing. ‍

HotelTonight: For discounted rates on short notice

For the flexible or last-minute traveler, HotelTonight offers incredible deals on hotel rooms for same-day bookings (as well as bookings in the near future—up 90 days out). The savings can be significant and every listing has photos and traveler reviews so you know exactly what you’re getting for the price. While they don't yet cover every destination around the world, HotelTonight is available in most major cities and tourist hotspots. One caveat: when you book you aren't guaranteed which room type you'll get, only that it'll fit two adults. 

>> Read our guide to getting the cheapest hotel room every time.

Dayuse: For rooms when you don't need a whole day or overnight 

If you’ve got a long layover or need somewhere to crash for a few hours during the day, the Dayuse app lets you access a selection of hotels where you can book a room with up to 75% off an overnight stay. You pay by the hour (but don't let that conjure up unsavory images; these are nice rooms at legit hotels), and cancellation is free up until the last minute. So next time you've got some time to kill between flights and don't want to just hang in the airport, it's worth checking to see what's available for a quick nap or quiet space to freshen up.

XE Currency: For quick currency conversions 

How much is 10,000 Icelandic kronur in US dollars? If I exchange $50 US, how much should I get in Japanese yen? XE has you covered. This currency exchange app lets you calculate prices with the currency converter and monitor up to 10 different currencies of your choice. You’ll have a better understanding of what you’re spending and whether or not you’re getting ripped off in currency exchanges, plus you can use the app offline.

Splitwise: To tally up split expenses with friends 

With Splitwise you can share bills and IOUs with others, like household bills with roommates or group vacations with friends. If you’re traveling with others and sharing the cost, it’s an easy way to make sure everyone pays up fair and square without making things awkward. ‍

Trail Wallet: To keep track of your travel expenses 

Overspending on your trip is easy to do. You might think you're only spend a bit each day, but if you're not careful, it adds up and soon you're coming home with more credit card debt than souvenirs. Trail Wallet makes it easy to track your expenses while on the road. Organize your expenses by trip or month, set a daily budget, add your expenses (you can scan your bills and receipts), and then review how you’re doing with the app’s insightful breakdowns. 

Gasbuddy: For finding the cheapest gas prices nearby 

The incredibly handy Gasbuddy app lets drivers find the nearest gas station with the lowest-priced gas. Even using this app day-to-day could save you a few hundred dollars per year on gas if you drive frequently, and that’s a lot of vacation savings.

Turo: For cheap car rentals from locals 

With the current rental car shortage, Turo has skyrocketed in popularity. Turo is a car-sharing marketplace where you can book a vehicle from a local host in the US, Canada, the UK, or Germany. It’s an affordable alternative to traditional car rental services, plus they also offer some unique wheels (like sports cars and campervans). ‍

BlaBlaCar: For carpooling long distances 

Need a ride but don't want your own wheels? BlaBlaCar is a global long-distance carpooling service that lets you ride along with a driver who is going the same way and contribute to gas expenses. It’s great for places where bus service or train service is limited. It's basically a more modern, safer, and more convenient version of hitchhiking, and you might make a buddy in the process.

Rome2rio: For all the ways you can get from A to B

With Rome2rio , simply input your starting point and end destination (whether it’s an address or a landmark) and you’ll instantly get results for all your best travel options—including plane, train, car, bus, or ferry—so you can compare time and costs for various options. 

Trainline: For train schedules in Europe 

Sometimes getting there is half the fun, but it helps to be well-informed. The Trainline app aggregates the travel details of more than 270 train and coach operators in 45 countries in Europe and the UK.

Users can search for and book electronic tickets, and Trainline sends alerts just like airfare sites do—so you’ll be able to track train and coach fares and click the buy button when they’re cheaper. Trainline also allows travelers to see train and coach journeys in real-time, so you’ll know about delays or other disruptions in advance.

Transit: For trains and buses in the US

Transit is an incredibly comprehensive real-time transport app for finding the best route around a city. The design is beautiful and you can select which types of transit you want to see (only subway, for example) to remove even more clutter. You’ll even get upcoming departure times for metro lines near you, without ever having to tap a button. ‍

SpotHero: For finding parking lots and garages 

Similar to GasBuddy but for parking lots, SpotHero makes it convenient to find and reserve parking in major US cities by giving you insider access to thousands of garages, lots, and valets, including at the airport. Plus you can save up to 50% off by booking in advance. ‍

>> Read our guide to finding cheap car rentals.

Bounce Luggage Storage: For when you don't want to lug your bags around a city 

There are some great things about staying in an apartment rental. The conundrum of what to do with your luggage before you can check in or after checkout time is not one of them. Enter Bounce Luggage Storage . The app connects you with thousands of spots around the world where you can store your luggage for just a few bucks. It's easy, your luggage is insured against any loss or damage, and it makes travel days a lot less cumbersome. 

AllTrails: Finding and navigating on hikes 

With detailed descriptions of more than 200,000 trails, it’s not surprising that AllTrails is a favorite among hikers and mountain bikers. Simply open the app wherever you go to find hiking trails that are nearby—including GPS driving directions to the trailhead. You can filter by accessibility, trail difficulty, and even by whether it’s a dog-friendly trail. AllTrails can be social, too, with options to share your excursions and follow other users within the app.

The app is free to use, but there is a pro version. Some of the additional benefits of AllTrails Pro are the ability to download offline maps, print topographical maps, and receive real-time information about things like air quality and weather.

WiFi Finder: For finding wifi anywhere 

WiFi Finder gives you access to more than two million hotspots worldwide. All you have to do is type in the address—whether it’s a cafe, airport, restaurant, etc.—and the app provides the rest, when available (it’ll even give you the login info if the network is protected).    ‍

Flush: For finding a toilet when you really need one 

As you might have guessed, the Flush app is all about toilets—specifically finding public toilets when you’re out and about. The app indexes more than 200,000 public lavs all over the world, and you can filter by things like usage fees and disabled access.

When you open the app, you’ll see public toilets near you. Then, if you need them, Flush provides directions for getting there. You can even rate the loo to help other app users and add a new public toilet to the system.

PackPoint: For a complete packing list based on your trip 

PackPoint is a packing app and packing list builder that gives you solid recommendations on what you need to pack based on your length of travel, your destination, and your planned activities. You may need to tweak the list a little, but it’s a great starting point to make sure you have what you need but aren’t overpacking—and can thus save on checked bag fees. ‍

iOS Android ‍

Grab: For just about everything in Southeast Asia

Grab calls itself “The Everyday Everything App,” providing a gateway for everything from food deliveries to car rides to financial services to people in eight Southeast Asian countries.

We’re accustomed to using apps for things like meal and grocery deliveries (GrabFood and GrabMart, respectively), as well as getting from place to place (Grab offers transportation via 4-wheel, 3-wheel, or 2-wheel options). Grab goes beyond those standards with financial services like auto insurance, point-of-sale systems for shops, investment tools, and financial planning.

Bonus: Going has an app, too! 

Get all the same amazing flight deals you love from Going, now in a handy app . Choose from alerts via email, push notification, or both. 

Published August 8, 2023

Last updated March 28, 2024

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22 Best Travel Apps Every Traveler Should Know About

From tracking flight delays, finding last-minute accommodations, and even locating the nearest public restroom, these are the most helpful travel apps to download before you travel.

Using the right travel apps can help you save both time and money , while making the journey much less stressful . Many of these apps also provide local recommendations and hidden gems tourists don't often get to see — and some are completely free.

Whether you're looking for an app that will give you discounts for popular local events, offer a last-minute booking at a fraction of the price, or help you breeze through the airport , these are the 22 best travel apps to download before your next trip.

Citymapper helps travelers find the speediest route to their destination, providing step-by-step instructions on where to find the nearest bus and train stations. You'll be able to see when the next arrivals are, and real-time routing means you'll get updates every minute. The app also has a chat feature that allows you to update friends and family on your E.T.A. wherever you are.

Available on iOS and Android .

PackPoint takes the hassle out of packing by creating a customized list of what you'll need for your getaway. Enter your destination, travel dates, length of stay, and activities that might require special gear, like hiking or swimming, and the app will create a custom packing list you can save for future use. Besides checking weather conditions for you, the app also allows users to share their packing lists with fellow travelers.

The beauty of Rebtel is you don't need an internet connection to call friends and family back home. The app connects to local phone lines to provide you with cheap calls in 51 countries around the world without having to deal with the hassle of getting a local SIM card or racking up your phone bill.

If you're looking to get outdoors, this app will provide you with the area's best hiking, biking, and running trails. In addition to details on length, starting location, and trail quality, AllTrails includes reviews and photos from a community of hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. You'll find useful information like what to pack, obstacles you'll find along the route, and the best scenic spots to check out.

If you find yourself in the middle of a long layover, Dayuse can get you into a hotel room for a few hours for up to 75 percent less than what the typical overnight rate would be. The app features 5,000 hotels in 23 countries, and allows you to make free cancellations at the last minute, in case you manage to catch an earlier flight.

Selections include everything from business hotels to wellness accommodations, with payments made directly when you arrive. You also get full use of the hotel's amenities for the duration of your stay.

The prices of flights can fluctuate, making it tricky to decide if you should book right away or hold off. That's where Hopper comes in, predicting the best time to find the cheapest fares, saving up to 40 percent. The app also has a price-monitoring feature so that you can select a particular flight and receive alerts if the price drops. Through Hopper, users can also compare the prices and amenities of more than 250 airlines and get alerts about airfare flash sales.

RV Parks & Campgrounds

This camping app helps you locate prime RV parks, campgrounds, rest areas, and gas stations across North America. With more than 40,000 facilities, the app sorts locations based on ratings and includes both privately-owned RV parks and public parks to choose from.

Nike Training Club

Hitting the gym while you're traveling can be tough, but with Nike Training Club , you'll feel like you have a personal trainer right in your pocket. That's because you can access hundreds of free workouts from Nike Master Trainers and celebrities like Kevin Hart, Serena Williams, and Cristiano Ronaldo. Audio and video clips help you make sure you're on top of your technique, while personalized training plans will keep you on track.

If you don't have much time to spare at the airport, Grab allows you to check out what food selections are near your gate, and gives you the option to pre-order your meal so you can pick it up on the way. The app currently operates at over 60 airports worldwide, giving you plenty of bites to choose from on your next trip.

GasBuddy is the app you'll want if you're taking a road trip. GasBuddy tracks down where to find the cheapest gas prices, allowing you to filter by price, location, brand, and amenities. It also provides you with deals at nearby convenience stores and price hike alerts so you can nail down the best prices every time.

Want to know what local events are taking place at your destination? Headout will show you the top attractions, shows, tours, and experiences in popular cities like New York, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Orlando, Hawaii, Dubai, and more.

Activities range from catching a Broadway show, yoga in the hills, or taking a helicopter tour, with exclusive last-minute offers that can be up to 80 percent off.

If you need to access the internet during your travels, chances are you'll have to connect to public Wi-Fi, which can be sketchy. TunnelBear allows you to connect privately and securely by providing you a VPN (virtual private network) that will encrypt your browsing data to keep your information hidden from hackers and advertisers. The app comes with 500MB of free browsing data each month, or you can opt for unlimited data at a low monthly rate.

Hostelworld

Hostelworld is where you'll find more than 17,000 hostels, hotels, B&B's, and communal spaces in 178 countries. The app is great for solo travelers looking to meet fellow vacationers during their trip, including a Noticeboard that highlights events and meetups, and a translator that will help you communicate in up to 43 languages.

WeatherBug provides forecasts for millions of locations around the world, with current, hourly, and even 10-day options. The app also has specific weather maps to track everything from lightning and wind to pressure and humidity, and makes staying on top of changes to the weather easy with instant alerts.

Eatwith allows you to dine with locals, in their homes, all over the world. Menus are posted for you to see, while hosts will typically list what they cook, the languages they speak, and any alcohol pairings they'll be serving. Not only does the app give you a chance to meet locals and get superb dining recommendations, but it also allows you to enjoy a high-quality meal for less than what you'd typically pay at a restaurant.

Available on iOS and Android.

Trying to locate a public restroom can be tricky, especially in a new destination. That's where Flush comes in. The app has a database of more than 200,000 toilets, and quickly provides travelers with nearby bathrooms. You can search without an internet connection, and the app will also notify you if a restroom requires a fee.

While banks may charge you a fee for transferring money abroad, Wise allows you to make a transfer based on real-time currency exchanges, so you can send money at rates the company says are up to eight times cheaper than what you'd find at traditional banks.

TripIt makes it easy to put together a cohesive travel itinerary. Simply forward your confirmation emails, like your hotel and flight reservations, or your rental car reservation, and TripIt will build a full itinerary to help you stay organized with all of your plans.

With real-time alerts, you'll know if your flight is delayed or canceled, while the flight finder can help you book a new option should a cancellation occur.

Another good app for the road, Waze gives you community-based data about traffic jams, and information to locate points of interest like the cheapest gas stations and the fastest routes to your destination. Live maps include voice-guided navigation to easily guide you.

Xe provides live exchange rates and charts to keep you on top of money matters during your travels, easily allowing you to choose between different currencies you'd like to convert. It also has a rate alert so that you can monitor your favorite currencies — and it can be used offline.

Timeshifter

If you're sick of the jet lag battle that inevitably comes with travel, check out Timeshifter , an app that helps you to avoid jet lag long before your flight departs. Thanks to neuroscience research on circadian rhythms and sleep, the app provides personalized recommendations that take into account your age, gender, typical sleep patterns, and specifics about your trip. The app will tell you when you should avoid or seek daylight, and when you should stay awake or take a nap. The result? A gentle jet lag experience, which translates to more time exploring your destination.

FlightAware

If you have a tight connection or are picking up friends or family from the airport, look to FlightAware for help. The app tracks flights in real time, so you can see exactly where the aircraft is at any given moment. In addition to providing arrivals and delays, you can also see if weather will have any affect on certain locations.

Evie Carrick is a writer and editor who’s lived in five countries and visited well over 50. She now splits her time between Colorado and Paris, ensuring she doesn't have to live without skiing or L'As du Fallafel.

7 Useful Apps Every Traveler Should Know About

By Harrison Pierce

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Technology continues to make travel easier for millions of people around the globe. New apps offer travelers fresh ways to research a destination, connect with fellow globetrotters, communicate with locals, and track their flights. As a full-time digital nomad , I’ve learned the importance of having the right tools at your disposal when on the road.

Over the past few years, I’ve visited dozens of countries, flown hundreds of thousands of miles, and tested countless apps to find the ones that prove to be the most helpful. And while tools like Meetup, Google Maps, Google Translate, currency converters, and vacation rental , airline, and hotel–specific apps are in fact indispensable on most trips, I find that many of the best travel apps are still undiscovered by my fellow travelers.

Below, seven travel apps that make life on the go markedly easier (and more fun), from real-time flight trackers to photo-sharing gems—all of these apps are free, but some have paid pro versions worth considering. Don’t think these apps are only for full-time travelers—they prove useful for every type of traveler, whether you're in a brand-new destination or back for a return visit.

Discover the best apps for travelers:

Apps for flying, apps for exploring, apps for photo sharing.

My favorite app on this list is Flighty, a must-have for any frequent flier . The free version is fantastic, but I recommend splurging for the premium version, which gives you even more useful information and comes at a reasonable cost of $48 per year. The functionality it provides more than justifies the price.

The free version allows you to input all future flights plus past journeys you've taken within the last year. It provides updated information if any schedule changes occur to upcoming flights and allows you to track all the miles you’ve flown in one place.

The other main benefit is that it allows you to share your flight information with friends and family members who are also on Flighty. They will receive real-time updates about your flight without you having to text them. My parents love to make sure I’m safe so they appreciate getting detailed information about my travels—even while I’m in the air.

Flightradar24 is a favorite app among fellow aviation geeks. It lets you track almost any aircraft you see in the air throughout the day or night. You can track your own flight, a friend's flight, or any plane you see in real-time. It shares plenty of cool data, like the altitude, speed, arrival and departure airports and times, and tail number.

There are tons of eSIM apps on the market, but Airalo is probably my favorite, with digital SIM cards available for dozens of countries. I find it to be the most reliable and offers the best data packages. It can be a little pricey, but it is the best option if you’re only taking short trips. Holafly is another eSIM app that offers unlimited data and works well, but I find the app to be much more glitchy than Airalo and would recommend using the desktop version.

This one is for the planner of the group. Wanderlog merges the best of a bunch of different apps into one. Imagine an app that lets you plan a trip with ease: collaborate with friends as if you’re on Google Docs, manage expense tracking like Splitwise, and have a central place for your reservations, checklists, and more. Tripit is a similar travel planner app, so you can download both and get a feel for which interface you like better.

Been allows you to track the countries you’ve visited and make a wish list of places you can’t wait to cross off your travel bucket list . It gives you information like the percentage of the globe you’ve been to and shows you a world map of your trips. It’s always fun to add in a new country whenever I reach my destination.

This app was introduced to me by fellow nomads I met at a cafe in Montevideo, Uruguay . It automatically tracks your route across the world, allowing you to quickly upload pictures throughout your travels that can be viewed by anyone who has access to your profile. It’s an excellent way to share important moments with loved ones without needing to send photos to each person individually. Users can also create easily accessible guides filled with up-to-date information to help you plan your own trip.

Steller is another app that a friend recently introduced me to, and I’ve quickly fallen in love with it. It uses a combination of AI and user experiences to help you plan trips around the globe. From recommendations of things to see, like the Recoleta Cemetery in Buenos Aires or the Royal Palace of Naples, to full guidebooks created by users, you can get inspired, book experiences, and discover hidden gems within this app.

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40 Best Travel Apps for 2024: Plan, Book, Tech, Tickets & More

Home » Travel Style » Technology and Gear » 40 Best Travel Apps for 2024: Plan, Book, Tech, Tickets & More

This website uses affiliate links which may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Updated: 24th November 2023

During the last decade, how we travel has been thoroughly reshaped. The internet and, more significantly, the smartphone have revolutionised how we plan our trips and explore this planet. Yet, with so many websites, apps, guides and resources now available, it can be overwhelming to decide which travel apps deserve a space on our home screens.

Of course, the travel apps you’ll need to download before your trip will vary depending on where you’re visiting, the type of traveller you are, and your priorities on the road. From those pre-trip essentials, such as finding cheap flights and securing hotel deals, to the boring but necessary tech to manage reservations, money and sometimes even access to the internet, there truly is a travel app for organising everything these days.

Then there are those glorious pocket-size pieces of tech that make our experiences so much richer. Travel apps that allow us to read constellations in the sky above Peru’s Andes, mind-blowing translation software which instantly reads a menu on a long train journey through China , or friend-finding solutions which can connect us with fellow travellers, generous hosts, road trip buddies and even waste-avoiding discount food. Sure, this little device might have taken some of the spontaneity out of our journeys, but there’s no denying that the best travel apps can also enhance our experience while exploring.

Editors note (AI): While I’m sure later in 2024, I’ll update this article again to include some AI travel apps, I haven’t as yet found one I believe is reliable enough. Having tested a selection of itinerary planning AI travel apps using Portugal as a destination (the country I live in, know very well, and write guidebooks for), I’ve received results littered with errors, out-of-date suggestions, or proposals that skip some of the best offbeat experiences in the country — likely because the training material that has been used is also not in-depth or up-to-date. I’m sure when live information integration arrives and things advance this year a few apps will start to stand out. But for now, I’ve skipped any solely AI-powered tools, especially as some seem to have been built exclusively to sell affiliate-linked tours and activities.

In this article...

Best travel apps for flights, lounges and compensation

These are my go-to apps for all things flying. You might also want to consider signing up for cheap flight-finding newsletters so you can get the best deals directly to your inbox.

Skyscanner (free travel app)

For over a decade, Skyscanner has been my preferred travel app for finding flights. While there are plenty of other options these days, such as Kiwi or Kayak, I still always opt for Skyscanner. It has a clean interface, there is no cookie tracking or worries about going incognito, and I nearly always find the best deals here.

Of course, the ‘search everywhere’ feature is always a winner for finding those bargain flights when you are up for going on a trip but don’t really mind where. The app also features ‘Price Alerts’ so you can track fares going up and down and third-party reviews to know how reliable the company advertising the flight is. As a bonus, the Skyscanner travel app now has a ‘Top Deals’ tab for spontaneous trips away alongside additional searches for hotels and car hire. Download on iPhone | Android

If you’ve ever dealt with trying to claim for a delayed flight under EU regulations , you’ll know it can be a challenging process. While there are various protections across the world to ensure compensation when delays or cancellations happen, sometimes it can be a drawn-out and even unsuccessful process. That’s where Colibra comes in, as it takes a different approach and pays out compensation for delays of over one hour or more due to any reason, such as strikes or weather, with the money supposedly hitting your account within 24 hours.

However, it’s good to know that the compensation you’ll receive through Colibra isn’t as high as doing it yourself. Their model works by getting you to download the app and register your flight before arriving at the airport — essentially taking a gamble as you then assign the legal right to Colibra to make the full claim. The advantage is that whether Colibra is successful or not in getting the compensation to them (often, if delays are just an hour or two, there is no cash compensation), you’re guaranteed to get your share of the pot.

The funds for this come from those who have been delayed for over three hours and get compensation via EU rules but take a lower share of their cut from Colibra’s claim, leaving money in the pot for those with shorter delays. There is also a flight booking feature called “Fly Now, Pay If Okay”, which allows you to book flights and pay after flying – thus, if there is a delay of three hours or more, you don’t pay anything. You can read more about how this works on their website. Let’s see if they become one of the best flight booking apps as they expand this feature. Download App

Priority Pass

Frequent flyers who don’t usually fly premium or own a credit card that comes with the benefit of lounge access may want to consider signing up for Priority Pass.

Offering membership to more than 1000 lounges in some 140-plus countries, this travel app, in connection with the Priority Pass Airport Lounge program , allows you and potentially a guest to enjoy all the amenities of a lounge; this usually includes both pre-flight and layovers. There are a few different pricing models, including a lower option with paid entrance to the lounges and a mid-range membership, which allows for ten free lounge visits. Of course, this means if you’re only flying a couple of times a year, it’s most likely not worth it. Sign up here and download the app

Best apps for booking travel by train, bus, ferry or car share

These are some of the best apps for travel planning in Europe; especially helpful if you’re considering an overland trip across the continent to seek out some of Europe’s hidden gems .

Rome 2 Rio (free travel app)

This website really is a leader in finding the best way to travel within or between countries. For example, I didn’t think getting a reliable bus timetable in Sri Lanka was possible until I fired up this trusty app. But where it really excels is when it comes to working out more complicated journeys, especially those that cross borders.

Simply type in your start and end point, and you’ll get a whole list of overland/water/air routes for your trip, often ones that other similar booking sites don’t bring up. The reason for this is that Rome2Rio was created to be a useful resource rather than to make affiliate income (the commission websites make by selling something), and therefore formed one of the most impressive databases of transport options in the world; it even often helps me where Google Maps fails. That said, they have recently started shifting into selling more tickets (also handy), but it seems they still show every option they know. With heaps of helpful info, such as approximate prices, distances, route numbers, and which operators to book with, it’s honestly the travel app I use most, and I can not praise these heroes enough for making multi-country travel so much easier to plan. Download on iPhone | Android

Omio (free travel app)

Omio is one of the best travel apps for planning your travels around Europe, allowing you to book and manage various transport and accommodation options in one interface. They proudly boast of an extensive collection of bookable bus and train options that some other aggregator websites and apps miss.

That said, they don’t cover all operators in every country. So, while this is a handy app for researching, planning and keeping your bookings together, it’s always worth checking local operators too. Often, smaller local players don’t have an integration with travel apps (or don’t want to pay them a commission for taking reservations), so you might need to hunt them out and book directly. Download App

Eurail / Interrail (free travel app)

The Eurail app is a godsend for planning train travel across Europe, as it covers more than 30 countries. While it’s actually designed for Interrail/Eurail pass holders, anyone can access and utilise the planning feature for free. Their travel app particularly stands out when it comes to planning multi-country train trips, often showing far more choices in connections than the other applications and websites I’ve detailed in this section.

For example, I just searched for Lisbon to Paris, and the Eurail planner highlighted all the train connections across Portugal, Spain and France I would need to take. Omio, on the other hand, tells me this journey isn’t possible by train as it sometimes struggles with cross-border rail searches.

While you don’t need to have purchased a pass to use the app, it’s well worth considering buying one if you plan to do a lot of rail travel on the continent over a month or two. If you live in Europe, you should look into the Interrail Pass, while non-European residents will need to learn how to use the Eurail Pass to be sure they get their money’s worth. Either way, their travel app is a great tool to have on your phone, especially as it even works offline. Download iPhone | Download Android

Rail Europe (free travel app)

Acting as an official agent for many of the leading train operators in Europe, Rail Europe is something of a one-stop shop for searching for and booking train travel on the continent and unlike the Eurail app, you don’t need a pass to book your tickets with these guys — hence my inclusion here.

However, not all countries are signed up. For example, in Portugal , you would still need to book with the local CP rail service directly, although much of central and western Europe is covered. Download the Rail Europe App

12Go (free travel app)

While many of my recommendations here are particularly geared up for planning travels around Europe, one of the best websites for researching and booking flights, ferries, buses and trains in Asia is 12GO . They cover a large range of countries, operators and transport options, and you can even book taxis in some countries too. That said, the Android version of their travel app seems to be much better quality than the iPhone version (which is unsurprising given Android holds more than 70% of the market share on the continent), meaning IOS users may find the website more helpful than the app. Download iPhone | Android

FlixBus (free travel app)

FlixBus (and now FlixTrain in Germany) has quickly grown to be one of the biggest inter-country bus operators in Europe. I remember when it first launched, and you’d be on a random local bus that sold tickets through the platform. Nowadays, the majority of the bus routes are operated by the official, modern, and green FlixBuses, although some remain franchises.

While Flix certainly isn’t a luxury option – what is on an 18-hour night bus? – They are fairly reliable and affordable, have toilets, and usually have wifi and plug sockets. Mainly operating in Europe, they also offer limited services in the USA with plans to expand into other markets in 2024. Download App

BlaBlaCar (free travel app)

BlaBlarCar might not appeal to everyone due to safety concerns, but it’s one of the most helpful travel apps for travellers like myself who can’t drive and are reliant on public transport. Sometimes, it’s hard to reach certain places, or you have restricted bus options, and that is where this app can be a life saviour. Think of it as a mix of Uber with normal people driving and pre-planned hitchhiking — it’s essentially a carpooling app which helps drivers split the cost of fuel. If you’re doing a big road trip and are looking to split some costs and share some company, you might even want to add your own trips to the app as a driver rather than a rider.

On the travel app’s simple interface, you search where you are going to and from, like on any other ride-share app, and it will show you any drivers doing the same route on the date you’ve searched for. If you find a good match, you can book a seat in their car and join them on a ride. The price usually is based on sharing the gas. Not only does this help you get from A to B, but it also helps you make new travel friends. I’ve mainly used this in Portugal and Spain, but they cover 22 different countries across Europe & Latin America. Recently, they have started offering bus services in France. Download on iPhone | Android

Best travel apps for accommodation

These are some of the best apps for finding alternative accommodation ideas , hotels, hostels or even free hosts. Just remember, you can often get a better deal directly from a hotel or hostel if you email them directly. This way, they won’t need to pay a commission to the OTA (Online Travel Agency) and can often pass that saving on to you. I haven’t recommended Airbnb here because I’ve seen first-hand how it sucked the life out of Lisbon, but there are a few more sustainable and community-concerned websites that I do love, Faribnb and Ecobnb ; however, as of 2024, they still haven’t launched dedicated apps.

Couchsurfing

Sadly, Couchsurfing is no longer as useful as it once was, which has led to plenty of alternative hosting sites cropping up, such as the free-to-use BeWelcome and women-only Travel Ladies app . However, in terms of membership numbers, Couchsurfing still seems to lead the way — even if it now costs a few dollars a month. There are a lot of complaints from long-term members about how the ethos of the company was destroyed after it went from community-owned to private, yet it still remains one of my favourite resources for both finding cool hangouts and traveller-focused events in new destinations, as well as offering to host, or finding a place to stay while on the road.

That said, the actual travel app isn’t the best (the website is easier to navigate), but it’s still worth having if you’re a member to use the ‘hangout’ and ‘local event’ features. Even though the app was born as a place to offer, or seek, a sofa/bed/room to crash for a night or two, even those who aren’t keen on staying with strangers will find good connections. While the payment model introduced has reduced the number of people active on the platform throughout 2023, I still made plenty of connections in person via the travel app, but mainly in larger cities. Download App

CozyCozy (free travel app)

One of the most interesting and newest accommodation search engines that has cropped up in recent years is CozyCozy , which has both a travel app and a website. I particularly like that it searches not just hotel booking websites but also the likes of Airbnb and VRBO, so you don’t need to run different searches on different platforms to find the best listings or the lowest prices. The filtering for the searches is also quite interesting and helpful. For example, you can look for camping or select the ‘ Unusual Places ‘ tab, which is always interesting for finding a different kind of stay. Think of unique stays such as hiring a houseboat in a marina to call a temporary home, treehouses, or mountain chalets.

The additional filters are also convenient, whether it be free cancellation or accessibility filters, which means not only do you need to search only one website, but you also don’t need to click into individual stays to check they meet your criteria. While CozyCozy only searched in around 40 destinations when it launched, it’s now expanded, with plenty more countries added heading into 2024. Download on iPhone | Android

Booking.com (free travel app)

I used to be a big hotels.com fan due to the book ten nights and get one free, but their app sucks. It’s slow to load, you need great wifi, and I’ve realised that the reward nights for booking ten and then getting an allowance for a free night means the costs are more than rivals. As such, I’ve returned to using booking.com as my go-to travel app for hotel stays. Yes, I know it’s not the best business model for the industry, and often you can get better rates if you email a hotel directly (Booking usually requires that the best ‘public-facing’ price is on their website, something I talk about more in this article on finding luxury travel deals ), but for ease of use and range of accommodation offered, it’s unrivalled.

Two other reasons that Booking is such a catch-all is they now have heaps of Hostel listings (hence why I no longer feel the need to recommend Hostel World) and even plenty of apartment stays, many of which are better value than those I see on Airbnb, particularly because cleaning and platform fees are nearly always included in the final quote.

Booking’s travel app also often has ‘Mobile Only’ pricing, meaning stays can be cheaper on the app than on the website, and after you have booked a certain number of nights, you’ll get access to ‘genius benefits’ such as additional discounts, late checkouts, in-hotel extras and quicker customer service. Having had a few problems in the past — such as hotels not existing or no one available for check-in — I’ve personally always had excellent service in resolving the issue with the support chat, and often an upgrade apology elsewhere at no extra cost. Download App

Best travel apps for tours and tickets

In many destinations, booking tickets for attractions directly is best. However, sometimes you want to book in advance or arrange a tour in a rush, and in those cases, these tour and ticket apps will come in handy.

Get Your Guide (free travel app)

Offering tickets to attractions around the world and a huge range of tours and attractions on their website , Get Your Guide also now has a handy app where you can make use of those tickets without the need to print anything — and I genuinely believe it’s better than competitors like Viator, though recently I have also started to use Tiqets for some museums that were better deals than GYG. I first started using this when I went to Milan to skip the lines for the Duomo rooftop, and if you have ever spent ages waiting to get into a big-ticket attraction, you’ll know how handy those fast-track tickets can be.

Likewise, when you’re planning a trip, it’s a good place to get some inspiration and see what activities are around. Recently, I was looking at stuff to do near home in Portugal and only found out about mountain Quad Bike tours from the app — so it can be a handy research tool too. New users of the app get a host of discounts and exclusives, such as discounts on luggage storage and partner bookings. Download App

TourRadar (free travel app)

TourRadar is another tour booking app, but it covers lots of big operators, such as G Adventures and Intrepid, alongside small local companies. This makes it a great search engine and one of the best travel apps for finding and booking multi-day tours, as they all appear in one place. While GYG is going to be helpful while travelling in general, the TourRadar app is a great resource for finding and booking a group or private tour before arrival. Download App

Best travel apps for maps, road trips, camping and hiking

These are some of the best apps for travelling overland, whether you’re in an RV, hiking, camping, or just looking for the best way to get from A to B.

Roadtrippers

For those who are planning an epic road trip across the USA, this travel app is a great starting point. You can punch in up to 100 stops when planning your route, and the app provides interesting suggestions for other places to pause on the way. Additionally, it allows you to collaborate with friends to pull plans together; it’s a super helpful pre-trip tool. Then, while on the road, the app provides live traffic updates, ensuring you don’t wast valuable vacation time. Download App

Google Maps (free travel app)

I’m not gonna lie: I find the recent November 2023 update to Google Maps frustrating. There seems to be more clicking and a more complicated interface than before. However, it’s still an absolute must for me when travelling, mainly because of the vast database of reviews, photos and public transport options — especially in destinations where it’s linked with public transport GPS to show you bus or train locations — that it provides. I also appreciate that when I’m travelling somewhere without a data connection, I can select which parts of the map to download to my phone to use offline. It’s a staple for me; I just hope in 2024, they revert back from this slightly more clunky interface. Download on iPhone | Android

Maps.Me (free travel app)

Sometimes, Maps.Me is the superior choice, and this can be especially true in more offbeat destinations. I was especially impressed at how much more helpful this travel app was compared to the big players when I visited Oman and Tajikistan.

The maps are downloadable, so you can be offline and still use them anywhere, but the best thing is they are powered by OpenStreetMap, which is open-source, so anyone can update details and add new openings and finds. Often, people also had helpful points for trails and viewpoints. This community aspect (rather than Google’s more curated, business-centric approach) ensures that not only is this one of the best travel apps for navigating more remote destinations, but it can often be the most helpful on certain types of trips. Download on iPhone | Android

While nothing can usually beat a local walking guide’s knowledge, the All Trails app comes pretty close. Hosting a huge database of official — and not-so-official — walking routes, reviews and crowd-sourced paths, this travel app can really help you explore more of a destination on foot or by bike. The free version is okay, but for those often hiking in new destinations, the paid additions may be handy.  Go Janutly is another excellent app to have if you’re looking for local walking trails and routes. Download App

What3Words (free travel app)

This is a unique map that gives a three-word name to every spot in the world. If you are travelling to more remote places where street names aren’t a thing or streets don’t exist, this can help you to get there. Likewise, in case of an emergency, it can be used to give a very precise location to emergency services. When I first listed this travel app here a few years back, it was very niche, but now, as we enter 2024, even delivery companies and guidebooks are using it. Download on iPhone | Android

Best app for travel itinerary management: TripIt (free travel app)

TripIt is a super handy piece of kit that will even auto-scan your emails and compile all your travel plans into one place. If you are a frequent traveller, this can become a super handy PA in your pocket.

The free version is still one of the best travel apps for most average people planning a trip, but if you are often on the road, the business upgrade will make things much more streamlined, compiling all of your plans into one place. Download on iPhone | Android

Best travel apps for documenting (and inspiring) your trip

Beyond the normal suspects, such as TikTok, Instagram, or even starting your own blog, there are a few travel app newcomers for documenting and keeping track of your travel.

Framey (free travel app)

So, if you have become as fed up with Instagram as I have, then you might be seeking a photo-focused app to document your travels and inspire your future trips, and Framey does exactly that. No more endlessly scrolling through random reels; Framey’s feed is the perfect place to share your photos with specific locations and find inspiration from your friends or travel ambassadors/creators. The search function also works great, so you can scan your next travel destination and find quick, bite-sized information underneath fantastic visuals or scroll through ‘collections’, bringing together everything in one place.

While on the road, it’s also a helpful travel app to find your way to key sights and great photo points around your location, thanks to the inbuilt map feature, which pins photos on an easy-to-use road map. Both during and before your trip, you can easily save your favourite finds to your own collections so you don’t miss or forget that perfect spot. Download on iPhone | Android  

Visited App (free travel app)

Simple and easy to use, VisitedApp is one of the best travel apps for country counters to keep track of everywhere they have been. Simply add in your visited destinations, and you can see them both on a list view or a highlighted map. The inspiration section, which works a little like Tinder where you swipe left or right depending on if you want to add it to your ‘wishlist’ is a nice feature as it doesn’t just focus on countries as a whole but also cities, national parks, and regions — with nice photos for inspiration — so you can use it both for documenting where you have been but also where you still want to go.

There are also specific categories for various types of travel, such as Art Museums and Wonders of the World, so you can keep adding to your lists of places you have visited and want to visit. The paid pro version allows you to record the places you have visited in even more detail, such as specific cities or regions. Download on iPhone | Android

Best apps for backpackers and solo travel

These are some of the more useful travel apps if you’re travelling solo or as a backpacker.

Radical Storage (free travel app)

One of the biggest hassles when backpacking is finding a place to stash the bags, especially if you’re not able to check in early or are just stopping somewhere for the day before taking the bus or train. Radical Storage is one of many new handy travel apps (others include Luggage Hero and Bounce) that will help you find a pre-booked place to store your bag if the local bus or train station does not have an option. Usually, the fees are pretty decent, and both times I’ve used it, I’ve had no problems, although sometimes the storage options can be a little obscure, and the exact location isn’t always displayed until after booking. Download App

Travello (free travel app)

Travello has made some significant inroads in the travel world over the past few years and has even been named one of the top apps by the Apple store — it’s come a long way since I first met the founders back in 2016. Still, this will mostly come in handy if you’re travelling in Australia and, to a lesser extent, New Zealand and Asia.

But what is it? Well, think Tinder, but for travellers. With a well-developed interface, this travel app will help you find other travellers with similar interests who are already in or heading to the same areas. You can also search the noticeboard for your upcoming plans and arrange shares/swaps in advance. Recently, they have expanded into selling tours and travel experiences through partners, so you can also book activities directly in the app too, and discounts are applied depending on how many ‘points’ you’ve earned through activity within the app community. Download on iPhone | Android

Meetup (free travel app)

Meetup is great whether you’re travelling or not; I’ve used it to attend events in my home city before. It will help you connect with fellow travellers nearby to attend group events and activities, which can be searched and filtered by interests. If you’re travelling and seeking new connections and people to share experiences with — but don’t want to get Couchsurfing — this is a useful app to have on your phone while travelling. Download App

Top travel apps for staying connected

VPN, eSIM, internet-only mobile numbers — the web has provided a whole new world of ways to stay connected while travelling, and these are some of the most handy travel apps to ensure you don’t get lumped with a hefty data roaming bill.

HolaFly eSim

An eSim is a virtual sim card and provides an alternative to having to buy a new sim card at each destination. There are many benefits to this, such as speed, ease and forward planning, although the costs can sometimes be more than buying a local card. I’ve written a detailed guide to the pros and cons in this eSim for Europe guide . However, HolaFly is my go-to choice, especially since they have started offering some unlimited data packages in certain destinations. Get a 5% discount with my code: DANFLYINGSOLO when you sign up, then Download the App

A VPN is handy for security, but in some places, like when I went on a tour through China, it is essential to keep you connected to all your favourite apps that may be blocked in other countries. I would love to recommend an underdog here, but ExpressVPN is the best and most consistent I have used, so they are the winner. A free alternative is Windscribe , which I’ve found useful in many situations, though sometimes it’s unreliable and doesn’t always work. Enjoy a free trial of ExpressVPN via their website

WhatsApp (free travel app)

I feel like everyone should know and use WhatsApp, but I’ve discovered that plenty of folks in the USA still don’t rate it — though perhaps that’s changing since Meta brought it into the Facebook family.

An end-to-end encrypted communication app, it provides all the benefits of iPhone devices, such as calls, video chat, and messaging over data, but it is open to Android users as well. But the reason this is one of the most helpful travel apps is that in many regions (particularly in some Asian countries), nearly everything is organised through WhatsApp. From booking guest house stays in Indonesia to arranging tour guides in Kazakhstan, without this app, I’d have missed out on a lot of local experiences you won’t find on the big travel aggregators. Download on iPhone | Android

I haven’t personally used Rebtel, but a good friend in the USA recommended I include it in this article as it offers cheap international calls (via actual phone numbers, so it is a good alternative to internet calling) without always needing an internet connection. Thus, it’s a handy app to have if you’re going to be travelling and need a way to call physical numbers rather than communicating through WhatsApp. Signup is required to download the app

Best apps for language translation and learning

These are some of the best language learning apps to master some basics before arriving at a new destination. Of course, these are quite generic, so if you want to take a deeper dive into a specific language, such as learning Spanish online , you’ll likely want a more in-depth course. 

Duolingo (free travel app)

I spent all of 2022 using Duolingo Plus (the paid version of the app) and covered the first half of the Spanish course and all the (Brazilian) Portuguese courses. For me, the adverts in the free version are now really annoying, and I didn’t love the recent redesign; however, as far as free language travel apps go, Duolingo remains one of the best if you have a little patience.

I like the fact it is more like a course in the palm of your hand than a list of jumbled words. It uses repetition and reviewing to make sure you have grasped it and mixes audio learning with visual prompts. You aren’t going to become fluent here, but you will have more than enough to get by. They also have a relatively wide range of languages, although some courses, such as French and Spanish, are more in-depth than others. Download on iPhone | Android

I seem to go through phases with different language apps, dropping in and out when travelling, but now, having moved to Portugal, I’m using language apps not just for a short trip but to support myself in learning a brand new language, Portuguese.

Drops is a relatively new language app, and my favourite thing about it is the different mediums it uses to support learning words. You get both written and audio words, but also visual graphics to help support the learning. You also have complete control over the phrases that you go through this process with, so if you are already confident with certain words, you can tick them off, and they won’t show up in the lesson format. Another thing I love about Drops is their commitment to lesser-known languages and preserving traditional and regional dialects, such as Samoan and Ainu. Download on iPhone | Android

Google Translate (free travel app)

Okay, so it might not be teaching you a language, but it is undoubtedly one of the absolute BEST travel apps that you absolutely must have on your phone. Be sure not just to download the app itself before your trip but also to download the language of the country you’re visiting. Then, the translations will continue to work offline. But it gets even better, as you don’t actually have to type; pointing the camera at a menu or an info board at a translation will near-instantly give you the image back in your own language. The app will even work with voice translations, and I can’t tell you how happy it has made me to be able to talk to locals on night trains in Uzbekistan or hold a basic conversation while hitchhiking in Georgia. Honestly, it’s the best thing Google has ever created. Download on iPhone | Android

Best travel apps for money management

These are some of the best travel apps for money management, whether it’s splitting bills, sending transfers, or working out the exchange rate.  

This super handy and simple travel app will help you keep track of costs on a group trip. I’ve used this on a few of my non-solo travels now, and it’s as easy as tapping in the costs as you go along, so you can easily divide and balance who owes who what at the end of the trip. It is much easier than manually keeping tabs on different people’s payments, and it takes the stress out of talking about money when you just want to make the most of being on the road. Download App

Wise (formerly TransferWise)

A complete game-changer in sending money abroad, the (Transfer)Wise app works uniquely. Rather than physically sending your cash overseas, they have bank accounts in multiple countries, which reduces conversion costs. Say you want to send money from Germany to the UK; you add the money into their German account, and someone else’s money, which is being held in the UK account, goes to yours. Given how low the fees are and the savings you can make when withdrawing cash from certain ATMs, it’s an excellent travel app to have. Another solid alternative is Revolut, which is particularly good if you want to set up a joint account with someone while travelling. Download App

XE Currency Exchange (free travel app)

This is a great and lightweight travel app to keep track of various currencies in your pocket in real time; it also works offline as long as you have updated your rates before leaving the internet connection. XE also has a new premium feature which will alert you when a rate hits the target you have set — handy if you want to withdraw or convert a big amount. Download on iPhone | Android

Best travel apps to improve your trip and experience

These are some of the best apps for travel which will enhance your experience. From stargazing and pollen counts to tracking the time of the month, these are some nice additions to make for a better travel experience.

Too Good To Go

This isn’t so much a travel app, but it is amazing, both for travellers and also in day-to-day life. To combat food waste, it offers businesses the chance to sell their products that may be going out of date or the day’s leftovers at a heavily discounted price to minimise food waste. Not only are you getting some great food at great prices, but you are also helping the environment. For those seeking sustainable travel tips , this could be helpful in a few ways.

Say you are staying in self-catering accommodation; you could order a ‘magic bag’ of discounted fruit and vegetables to help you cook and collect them at the end of the day. Or, perhaps you fancy a hotel-style buffer breakfast but aren’t staying in a hotel? Then you can look for hotels nearby, and often, there is something to collect around 11 am. When I lived in Granada, I would often do this to get a cheap carry-out brunch. You’ll also find restaurants on the app, so if you don’t mind eating later than usual, you can often find delicious meals that are going spare for a fraction of the price of a takeaway. Sadly, the app mainly works in European countries, Canada and the USA. Download on iPhone | Android

Weather Bug

While nearly all smartphones come with basic weather apps, Weather Bug takes it to a whole other level. Whether you suffer from hay fever and want to know the pollen count or need to keep track of lighting and storm warnings, this is a one-stop-shop for all things weather. There’s a whole host of different map options, 18-day forecasting and plenty more nifty additional features, and given how much the weather can impact your trip, it’s a handy travel app to have on hand. Download on iPhone | Android

Flo (free travel app)

Trying to make this list as broad as possible, my dear friend Vicky suggested this travel app, which is especially useful for long-term travellers. In her words: “It monitors when your period is and sends you alerts so you can plan it with travel. It’s SO useful when you’re on the go and don’t know what day it is”. Download on iPhone | Android

SkyView (free travel app)

I started digging this app when I got into night photography, but it’s a staple for anyone who has an obsession with the stars. Simply point it at the sky, and it will tell you which constellations are in the viewfinder. If you want to start photographing the Milky Way, this is a great travel app to get on your phone. Download on iPhone | Android

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I have been recently making photo books of my adventures with an app called Inkifi, their website is . They aren’t as well publicised as some of the other big print apps but their products are innovative and second to none.

great list, thanks for sharing :) i couldnt travel without apps :D there is one app i can recommend checking out, its called “ATM Fee Saver” and it shows atms around with no or low fees for withdrawing money. its super helpful i found :)

hi there – great article. Thought I’ll also share – I came across this app ATM Fee Saver – it gives atm fees and withdrawal limits in some 30-40 countries, it was super helpful, much needed these days. Helped me calculate my own fees also for my amount. Never seen anything like this before – should defo be on your list also, it will helps lots of other international travellers like me!!!

Being techy types as well as keen travellers here are a few different apps that my husband and I like to use:

* TripMapper: great for building our travel itineraries and keeping track of our budget. It also has interactive ‘inspiration’ itineraries you can download and customise which is super helpful.

* Dataman: to keep on top of our data. Our plans give us roaming, but it’s less than our typical monthly amount, so we just set the data cap to our roaming limit when we’re away.

* Surfshark: we got an excellent deal on a multi-year plan. It has been pretty good, and the unlimited device feature works really well for us as we have too many internet-connected devices.

* Flighty: for checking the status of our flights. It’s a beautifully designed app, too.

Thank you so much for that type of information. before this blog i know only about two google and apple . you share a lot of information with us thanks

Nice piece of information specially for those who wants to explore the world by him/her self. I also used to travel and looking for advice which is handy while traveling. Usually, I have few pre-installed apps which are enough for me like Google Maps is the only maps who acts as travel explorer for me in every way like tourist places I need to go, nearby hotels I need to stay, restaurants etc.

How come Xnspy didn’t make the list? It is such a cool app and its GPS location tracking and geofencing works in real-time. If you are traveling with kids and plan to split up and explore, you must get this app. You won’t regret it.

Like your list. Its got some of usual suspects, but the apps for handicapped plus meeting locals are great gems.

I’ve just come across this neat mobile app: potty poche. It highlights visiting the south of France: Languedoc and Provence, with the unique added feature of a public toilet locator for the places to visit; a necessity for France. And it identifies those that are handicap accessible plus has five language versions.

The app categorizes seaside towns, historic Cathar sites, beautiful and perched villages, famous french village movie venues, as well as practical guides to the lavender fields, favorite market towns, and places associated with famous painters.

I found the app on Apple and Google play stores

Very descriptive article it is…!! I usually use the google translate app for travel purposes. It is the best app from the above list. Thank you for the best suggestion I will try other apps also.

There are so many programs do download. I think it would be nice, if someone will made one platform for using all of these benefits on an app. I don’t have all of them, I use usually Airbnb, Skyscanner, Google maps or Maps.me and NordVPN Teams for mobile security. Till now it’s enough for my trips, maybe in the future I will need more, who knows!

Thanks for thelist. It helps me to get an overview about other travel apps. I’m also working on my own on a travel app in my freetime, which helps to create travel routes with AI. If you like it, you can maybe add it to the list :) https://yourtravelroute.com/

Greets David

I recommend “Leap” for planning and budgeting a round the world trip. Also helpful for digital nomads and full-time travellers.

I have found your article very informative and interesting. I appreciate your points of view and I agree with so many. You’ve done a great job with making this clear enough for anyone to understand.

Thanks for sharing this. This helps me a lot. :)

I am a big fan of Airbnb, and I think the good thing is I can go anywhere with my Chinese card. That’s the main reason for me to choose that App. I think your article is really useful for traveler. Thanks!

Nice list! One app which I use a lot is Leap. I heard about it from a movie on a German couple traveling the world. They basically used it to find out how much money they will need for their world travel depending on the countries where they want to go. I got inspired by them to travel the world so I have started using the app as well. It has a financial planner so I hope I will have my savings ready soon :-)

Thanks for the tip Asha!

Wow! I really enjoyed reading this post a lot because whenever I travel in a different country I tend to get lost. A couple summers ago, I went abroad to Spain and got lost many times! One of the apps I saw on this list was Google Translate, which I totally used all the time when I lived with my host mom. WhatsApp was another one I used all the time and I would agree it is very important when you are in another country. One of the favorite apps I read about on this post is Weather Bug because it seems very useful. A lot of the time my usual weather app was not accurate so this app would definitely be beneficial. I liked how you split up each up by using numbers to differentiate each app. It made it very easy to read!

Hey! you should check out Jetzy! its a travel app, and connects you with locals as well as people from all over the world! i think its pretty cool :)

i m still amazed why Make My Trip is not included in the list. No doubt that the apps which you mentioned above are great but we cant ignore make my trip too.

Great list. But what about Sygic Travel? It has offline maps and virtual reality videos… I am missing it here. I can activate you a Premium licence Daniel, if you want. Let me know. :)

Each country have their own favorite travel App. I prefer to use Tripoto while travel and it gives me good ideas about various places and things to do ! Thanks for sharing such a wonderful list !

This is a great post! Apps are so useful for every day life, but for travelling they can really make the experience much smoother and cheaper. Apps like skyscanner are a must for going around the world on a budget and making your travelling hassle free!

Awesome list. I have been hearing only good things about Skyscanner and Rome2Rio looks like heaven sent with all the local transport timings around the world. Herepin seems like a nice startup as it might make it easier to connect with fellow travelers rather than posting on Social Media and asking “who’s around”. A very useful list, thanks.

rome 2 rio just keeps getting better and better and has so much info not even google maps can pull up – god send! :)

Thanks for the great list, these are super handy – didn’t know about half of these. Another app I’d really recommend is Postsnap ( https://www.postsnap.com ), it’s a postcard sending app that’s perfect for sending travelling snaps back home when you’re abroad. Great to be able to use your own photos and write a personal message.

Sounds like a cool app!!

Thanks for this great list! We would like to add Tourlina – the first women-only travel app

Awesome, cheers Dan. I have just downloaded Rome 2 Rio and also the currency one.

Hope they came in handy. Rome2Rio is a lifesaver in some countries.

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The 17 Best Travel Apps to Help You Make the Most of Your Travels

After using hundreds—maybe even thousands—of travel apps, I’ve figured out a workflow that’s simple and straightforward. It uses the fewest number of travel apps possible and it will help you to stay on top of where you’re going and what’s happening around you.

Traveling can be a complicated endeavor.

From keeping track of bookings and finding local sights, to currency conversions and translations, staying on top of what’s going on, where you’re going, and what you’re supposed to be doing can be tricky.

Especially with a constant onslaught of new travel apps, it can be hard to cut through the noise and figure out which are not only the best travel apps but the easiest to use.

After five years of travel on six different continents , and hundreds of tools and travel apps later (maybe even thousands), I’ve trimmed the fat, uninstalled the apps that claim to be the best (but aren’t), and learned what the best travel apps truly are—the ones that are tried and true, and have withheld the test of time.

These travel apps will help you to stay organized and on top of where you’re going and what’s happening around you.

The Best Travel Apps for Booking Flights

Booking a flight is the first step to any trip, and though most people will only check the major sites like Expedia, Priceline, and Travelocity, it’s well worth doing your due diligence, especially for the sake of saving money.

What’s often even more important, though, is user experience. Some apps are clunky and confusing and don’t make finding and booking flights very easy.

There are a lot of booking apps, but I steer clear of most of them, usually relying on my core group of three. With these travel apps, I know that 90% of the time, I’m finding the best deal on flights.

Skyscanner lets you search from city to city, and from country to country, to find the best deals on flights. Got some free time, want a getaway, but not too concerned about where you go? Use the flexible search to search for flights from a particular destination to anywhere.

As well as being able to search for specific dates, you can check the prices across a whole month. Skyscanner can find some of the best deals by combining carriers for different legs of a journey. This may mean, however, that you need to book separate flights, use a travel agency, and/or collect your bags and check-in again between flights.

Momondo is similar to Skyscanner, in that it compares numerous airlines and travel agencies on a variety of routes to get you from A to B. There is also the option to search for flights to anywhere, and you can opt to also search for airports near your original choice (if a final destination is specified).

Google Flights

Google Flights is another top comparison site for flight tickets. As well as performing basic searches, it also offers a wide range of features to make planning your travels easy. If you’re not yet ready to commit to making a booking, you can monitor different flights.

You can get notifications when prices are likely to increase on a particular route, letting you get in there and book a flight before the price jumps. You can see prices across a region, be shows which flight combinations offer the best value for money (taking into account layovers and so on) and can automatically see alternatives, such as date or time changes, that will give you a saving.

Google Flights doesn’t have a downloadable mobile app but the website does have a fantastic mobile interface, which is just as good.

The Best Travel Apps for Booking Accommodation

I’m a terrible planner, so when it comes to accommodation, I don’t often book in advance. Depending on the type of accommodation I’m looking for, I use one of the following options:

Booking.com

Booking.com has properties to suit most budgets and travel styles, with accommodations located all around the world. There are numerous filters, allowing you to find exactly what you’re looking for. Some properties do not require a deposit or advance payment, with flexible cancellation terms. Do check, however, as the booking terms are not the same for all. If you become a member there are more potential savings to be made.

Hostelworld

A top choice for budget travelers, Hostelworld is ideal for finding beds in dorm rooms. If you love the social aspect of staying in a hostel, but prefer to have some privacy at bedtime, you can also search for private rooms in hostels.

HotelTonight

If you’re taking an impromptu trip or have left booking a place to stay to quite late in the day, HotelTonight is great for finding last-minute deals. No property wants empty rooms for a night, so unsold rooms are advertised, often with savings, on Hotel Tonight. While there may not be so many options to choose between, you can be assured that any listings are at top-notch places. All participant accommodations are screened by HotelTonight. You can search for somewhere to stay in a variety of global cities, searching as far as a week in advance.

If you’re traveling in a larger group, want a home-away-from-home feeling, or are planning a longer stay, Airbnb could be just what you are looking for. It connects private property owners with travelers.

While some hotels and guesthouses use the service to advertise rooms, many of the listings are for regular houses and apartments. They may not be available all of the time; people can make places available when they aren’t actually using them themselves. It’s also, therefore, a great way for home-owning travelers to make some money by renting their own place out when they are on the road. Properties may be vacant or you may share with the owner.

A wide range of facilities may be available; each listing is unique. Airbnb offers an alternative to staying in a traditional accommodation when traveling. There are often discounts for longer stays too.

• 15 Airbnb Alternatives You Should Know About
• Airbnb vs. Hotels: Which is Cheaper?
• Airbnb vs. Vrbo: Which is Better?

The Best Travel App for Tracking Bookings

Using confirmation emails to keep track of booking times, dates, and directions is nearly impossible. Having information in one centralized place in a travel app can make an itinerary much easier to understand. I always use  TripIt  for an at-a-glance view of all upcoming bookings, including flights, accommodation, and transportation.

Depending on who you’re flying with, use the airline’s native app during the check-in process (or Wallet on iOS) to keep track of boarding times and gate changes. Using third-party travel apps for flight and gate tracking can sometimes be cumbersome and they’re not always up to date. That being said, TripIt is usually on the ball!

The Best Travel App for Tracking Rewards Points

Awardwallet.

Staying on top of points, rewards, and miles can be daunting, too, especially with the plethora of rewards programs out there nowadays. Though not a perfect system, AwardWallet is the most comprehensive way to view all your rewards balances in one spot. Their web interface is a little clunky, but their mobile app is pretty great.

The Best Apps to Use While You're Actually Traveling

The first set of apps I recommend for daily use come from Google. Unfortunately, there’s no such thing as Google Travel (yet?), but they do have a suite of tools which are perfect when you’re traveling. And they all work seamlessly with one another.

The original Google app is the first one I check when I arrive in a new city, and usually every morning. They have smart “cards” that dynamically update with various types of location-based information, including local weather, local attractions and photo spots, currency conversions, time back home, updates from your favorite sports teams, and more.

Google Maps

When I find a new place that I want to remember, I switch over to Google Maps and save the location. I also make sure to save the location of my accommodation, local bus or train stations, and other points of interest. Google places a star on each place that you save, so one look at your map shows you where everything you need is located.

Google Maps has also proven to be very accurate when it comes to public transportation schedules. From New York to Melbourne to Athens, Google Maps has proven to be a reliable and up-to-date tool for finding subway and bus stops and knowing what lines are running, and to where.

Google Translate

If I’m having a particularly hard time communicating with locals, Google Translate has become a staple in my app toolkit. With their recent acquisition of WordLens, not only can you translate words and phrases, but you can automatically translate a sign, box label, or menu by taking a photo of it.

Finding local places to eat and go out is never a problem using the crowdsourced Foursquare app. It finds where you are and recommends restaurants, cafes, and nightlife based on your preferences. So, if I like sandwiches and whiskey (which I do), it automatically shows me the best sandwich shops and whiskey bars in my new city, and provides me with tips for what to order when I get there.

Trail Wallet

The only way I’ve been able to keep track of my expenses in places like Thailand is by using the Trail Wallet app. I set a daily and monthly budget and categorically keep track of my expenses throughout the day. It allows me to manage multiple currencies and switch between them seamlessly, automatically updating to my home currency based on the current conversion rate. I can also see what my major expenses are in list form or in a pie chart, and make adjustments to my spending habits based on my track record.

XE Currency

XE Currency provides the most up-to-date and accurate conversion rates. I always check XE before exchanging cash (which I try not to do because exchange booths generally provide the worst rates). It also shows conversion charts so you can keep on top of exchange rates and cash in by withdrawing a larger amount when a currency from an upcoming location drops.

Travel Apps for Keeping Records of Travel Documents

Before going anywhere, take a picture of your important documents and keep scanned copies of your passport and health insurance policies in a folder in Dropbox .

Whenever you find an interesting piece of information about an upcoming destination, paste it into Evernote , alongside the rest of your notes and information that you keep on hand. Evernote allows you to clip emails and web pages so you can hold onto copies of flight tickets, itineraries, visas, directions, or anything else that matters.

• The Best Travel Insurance Companies
• Best Carry On Backpacks For One Bag Travel
• The Best Travel Tips I’ve Learned After 10 Years of Traveling
• 11 Tips to Make Planning Your Travels a Million Times Easier

Travel App FAQs

What is the best travel app to use.

Booking.com is our recommended travel app. It’s easy to use and lets you reserve flights, hotels, rental cars, and more around the globe.

Which app is best for travel bookings?

If you want an app for travel bookings, Booking.com is our top choice.

What is the most downloaded travel app?

Google Maps is the most downloaded travel app, followed by Uber and then Booking.com.

What is the best app to make an itinerary for travel?

The best apps for travel itineraries include Booking.com, Expedia, and Priceline.

What travel app has the best deals?

Priceline has one of the best apps out there for finding deals on flights, accommodations, and rental cars.

Jeremy Scott Foster

This is a great list and we use most of these apps too. Thanks for including Trail Wallet and I’m glad you’ve found it useful!

Of course! Trail Wallet is one of my favorite apps! 🙂

Great list of travel apps. Some of them I was using already, but at least I discovered a few new apps that will be very useful while travelling. Evernote will come in handy among others 🙂

Great! I’m glad you found some new ones. I don’t know what I’d do without Evernote. It helps me keep both my travels and my life organized!

I tried TripIt once and it was a good thing to have – but only because I had a lot of connections (from trains, through coaches, taxis and planes) during my trip so it helped me to keep the record of my journey. Otherwise I don´t use any apps (sometimes google maps but rarely when I am actually on road). But I think I am an exception because I´m not a friend with my smartphone! 😀 I will definitely use Dropbox on my travels out of Europe but so far I haven´t felt the need…thanks for the useful tips anyway 🙂

Google Maps is great when you’re on the road, because it shows you exactly where you are! I never get lost, all thanks to Google 🙂

Simply Decalre is an app to help you organize your receipts for customs declarations, it has real time currency, many other features like snapping a picture for your records. We have used it on the last couple of foreign trips, and it just makes life a whole lot easier. Simple to use. Another great app for your readers.

Fantastic resource man! Ive spent a good chunk of time traveling and I’m always looking for ways to make life on the road easier. Cheers!

That said, I have some thoughts with regards to the prolific use of tech on the road that I thought I’d share. Tech, as wonderful and as convenient as it is, has the ability to withdraw you from the present moment of travel, and all the exciting lessons on offer.

The world is becoming smaller, tech is largely to thank for this, and I appreciate that people nowadays feel the compulsive desire to ‘stay connected’ to current events, homeland, relationships etc. (or sometimes to gloat to those who decided not to join in on the adventure – not recommended). I think for many travelers, especially the younger generation, clinging to tech and searching for the nearest free WiFi is an attempt to bring familiarity with them on their journey. Connection with their familiar life back home provides a level of comfort and security – knowing that people back home care, are informed, and are supporting your ‘crazy’ decisions along the way (even if in reality, they aren’t).

Speaking from experience, this connection to familiarity is useful when you reach a low spot on your travel journey (which all of us will at some point), and it is also a hinderance when it comes to building authentic, genuine connections with the place, the people, and the culture you find yourself amongst.

It is truly a pet annoyance of mine to see people clinging to their smartphones, huddling around the nearest free WiFi zone, and checking facebook / instagram / twitter updates, when there is a wondrous world of activity happening right in front of them.

Tech makes life on the road easier, yes. But it takes away the intimacy of connection with people, places, and cultures that encompass travel. I’m not saying tech is taboo, however I feel that it’s use in the travel society is becoming so prevalent that good old face-to-face relationships are becoming endangered, and a forgotten shade of the travel canvas.

Maybe if people had a better appreciation of self, were more certain of their destiny, and were courageous enough to embrace a new world without the constant desire to cling to their beliefs back home, we would see more genuine connections on the road?

Just some thoughts. Indeed, your apps may in fact reduce the need to be constantly on our smartphones attempting to track the necessities of life. I’ll let you know on that one!

Jason Townsend – www.kickstartacause.com

Thanks so much for your insightful comment. I believe that, in today’s world, with the advent of technology, the most important thing we can do is limit it. I do rely on technology on a daily basis, especially since I work and travel at the same time, but yes, finding the right balance can be hard.

To frame things differently, perhaps staying connected to home allows people who wouldn’t otherwise go travel to feel more comfortable going out into the world. And sometimes, especially when we are constantly surrounded by new people and places, it can be nice to have something comfortable to lean back on.

I think we’re on the same page here. Technology is extremely accessible, and too much of a good thing can definitely be bad. As for me, I make efforts, whenever I can, to put the phone down and just enjoy 🙂

Great reframe Jeremy. That’s an excellent point.I can relate to this in my early traveller days…

Enjoyment comes from the simplest things. Life happens outside the ‘idiot box’ (a.k.a television) 😉

Jason Townsend

I would add diveadvisor to that list for Scuba Diver centric travellers.

It shows you articles on best places to dive, list of dive centres by country etc.

Also, airbnb imo should definitely be on there.

Otherwise cool list 🙂

Oh cool! I hadn’t heard of DiveAdvisor. Going to check it out 🙂

Although Jason rightly pointed out the hindrance that staying connected brings, I do enjoy its conveniences and the help that comes from the apps you listed. In fact, I just re-downloaded the Google App to take advantage of the cards. I forgot how awesome they were and appreciate you mentioning them.

One thing I’d like to add is instagram, and its usefulness when traveling. One time, my wife and I were in Gyeongju in Korea and drunkenly doing a photo search of instagram to see if there was anything we could see one night. This really beautiful pagoda came up and after piecing together enough pigeon Korean to ask a person about it, off we were to a previously unknown place.

Other than that, I like using instagram to see the perspectives that others are employing when taking shots of famous places. Just thought I’d that but besides that, this is a wonderful list. I actually played on the Google app for about ten minutes after reading this, haha. Thanks for sharing, Eric!

I do love Instagram, and these days, especially with the more enhanced location features, it’s increasingly more easy to find people and places nearby. I read an article recently about whether the recent advance in technology has stripped travel of its magic, and though I do think it has to an extent, I also really appreciate the conveniences that it provides.

But ultimately, it’s up to the user to decide how much they use it, and how much they want to get out of the real world vs. the online world.

I agree that keeping track of awards programs/points can be a pain. I am definitely going to look into the AwardWallet. The Foursquare also looks interesting.Thanks for the great tips/suggestions.

I was so optimistic when I saw this list just when I was trying to find how to get to my closest train station in Yongin, but alas, google maps tells me I can’t walk to either one when I walked to the furthest one, has none of the major landmarks I recognize to help orient me, and has no transit directions for the new train line here.

2gis was a GREAT app for this kind of thing, but other than randomly Santiago, Chile, 2 cities in Italy and 1 in Czech Republic, they’re ALL Russian cities. So disheartening!

Great list. Hopefully this can be great for us! Cheers and Thanks for this.

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8 of the best travel apps that travel editors can't live without

By Charlotte Davey

The best travel apps, when used to your advantage, can be the most indispensable companion for a trip. Not only can they save you time and money, but they can also reduce any journey-induced stress. Need to work out costs on a group trip , translate a menu, or get from A to B when you don’t speak the language? There’s an App for that. But just as you don’t need a suitcase laden with unworn clothing, no one needs a phone clogged with gimmicky or useless apps. We asked our jet-setting editors to share the apps they genuinely use while travelling and the lesser-known gems that have saved a holiday. So while the BA App, Rome2Rio, or Monzo might be stalwarts of the frequent flyer’s home screen, here are the clever, hardworking Apps our travel insiders swear by.

Cost: Free to use (Wanderlog Pro includes additional features and costs around £40 per year)

USP: One of the best travel apps for planning every kind of trip, including road trips and group travel: create a trip itinerary, budget costs, organise flights and hotel reservations, and collaborate with friends. After your trip, share a travel guide to inspire other travellers.

Wanderlog brings everything you need to plan your trips into one seamless app experience. Its user-friendly, web-scanning database contains a huge wealth of information about sights, attractions and places to eat and drink. Not only can you find recommended hotspots through the app and add these to a map view, but you can also import reservation and flight details from your emails. Wanderlog is especially ideal for group trips. Your customised itineraries and lists can be edited by multiple people in real time, and users can leave notes for fellow travellers – such as a reminder of the must-have dish or dress code at a restaurant. Smart AI functionality means that the app can offer (editable) auto-generated itineraries as well. And if that isn’t enough, you can track expenses and cost-splitting too, indispensable for larger groups and squabble-prone families. Toyo Odetunde

Cost: Free to download.

USP: Request a chauffeur-driven, class-leading car on-demand or in advance for yourself or on behalf of others.

Wheely is a seriously plush chauffeur service within an easy-to-use app, currently operating in London, Paris , Dubai, and Moscow. What makes this ideal for the frequent flyer is that you can add in your flight details when booking an airport pick-up, so the driver knows exactly what time you’ll be landing (so no risk of them driving off if you’ve been delayed), and they’ll be ready and waiting for you (with your name on a sign) at arrivals. For any other queries, you can live chat with a real person (no bot responses here) – for example, if they can provide a baby seat (which they happily did for a recent family holiday ). Cars come with water and chargers as standard, and drivers are friendly, professional and knowledgeable. Peace of mind at the click of a button. Charlotte Davey

Hong Kong Taxi Cards

Cost: £1.99

USP: With over 9,000 Hong Kong addresses translated into written Chinese and Cantonese, equipped with a function to request additional addresses and get feedback quickly, this is not an ordinary dictionary-type translator app.

This is indispensable for travelling around Hong Kong if you’re not fluent in Cantonese. The App has pretty much every address ready in Chinese and Cantonese, so you can show your taxi driver where you want to go without getting lost in translation. It also has a speaking option which delivers the address fluently, which is really helpful if you have zero grasp of the language. Another handy feature is that the App will show you the journey time and estimate fare – something to remember is that not all taxis have card machines so you’ll need to make sure you have enough cash on you before you hail a cab. Matt Buck

Cost: Free to download (Splitwise Pro costs £2.79)

Sophie Heawood

Arati Menon

Lauren Burvill

CNT Editors

USP: Splitwise is the easiest way to share expenses with friends and family and stop stressing about “who owes who”.

This is a game changer for working out costs on group trips. Everyone in the party signs up, and then you simply enter your expenses as you go – with a description of what it was (flights, accommodation, food, etc) and who it needs to be split between (i.e. the whole group or just those who were in the taxi, for example). It’s a great way to stay on top of costs, from larger expenses to smaller spending, like a round at the bar. At the end of the trip, click ‘simplify debts’, and you should be left with just one transaction each to ensure everyone has paid the same amount. You can label each trip and see who has settled up, and if someone doesn’t pay the App will send them helpful reminders (saving pennies and friendships). Charlotte Davey

Google Translate

USP: Translate between up to 133 languages with instant camera translation.

Google Translate is nothing new, but if you download the app, you can use the camera on your phone to upload signs, labels, or menus for an instant translation. This is a lifesaver for travelling in a country that doesn’t use the English alphabet or a language you’re unsure how to pronounce. The platform is currently proficient in 133 languages, so this is a great one wherever you are in the world. The App also works offline so you don’t need to worry about data roaming charges. Another function that is noteworthy is the speaker option – not only can you point your phone at a sign for a translation, but it will then speak in your chosen language, which is particularly helpful for those who are visually impaired. Charlotte Davey

USP: Find wheelchair-accessible restaurants, cafes, toilets, shops, cinemas, parking lots, bus stops and much more.

Developed by a not-for-profit company based in Germany , this is a great app for wheelchair users, families travelling with prams, or even for those with heavy suitcases navigating public transport. Operating in over 30 countries, a vast number of restaurants, stations, shops, and more are shown on an interactive map with a traffic light system for whether it is fully accessible (green), part accessible (yellow), or not accessible (red). The App replies to users rating places they have visited, so less touristy areas won’t have as much information. Charlotte Davey

Cost: Free to download

USP: Stay connected in over 200 countries and regions. Install an eSIM and get online in minutes with no roaming fees.

Especially handy if you’re travelling through different countries, Airalo allows you to use different eSim cards to keep your data roaming costs down. The App is free to download, and then simply choose the country you’re in, and select a data plan depending on how long you're there and how much you’ll be using your phone. You can often save around £10 for a week's holiday which is worth it if you’re a frequent flyer or watching the pennies while travelling. Sophie Knight

Cost: Free to use. In-app purchases.

USP: Whering is the digital wardrobe and styling app where you can curate, organise, style and plan your outfits.

Whering is essentially a portable digital wardrobe – a ‘Clueless’ style outfit planner on your mobile phone. Fill your in-app wardrobe by uploading photos of your clothes, or by importing images from the app’s cosmic database or your favourite online retailers. Whering will then process these images into sleek, combinable ‘cut-outs’, allowing you to put together countless outfits, looks and mood boards, which can also be organised by occasion. If you’re short on time, or feeling either uninspired or spontaneous, Whering’s AI can deliver outfit suggestions in seconds – even taking into account the weather forecast, ideal when travelling a country you’re not familiar with (or just braving London’s erratic climes). The Planner function is especially great for trips, storing your outfit ideas for specific dates and events. Also great for travel planning is the packing list feature; you can add items to a packing list for a particular destination, and Whering can suggest items you may have forgotten. Toyo Odetunde

Home » Travel Tips

The 21 Best Travel Apps to Download for Your Next Adventure

As much fun as it is to travel, some aspects of traveling can prove to be an absolute headache. From planning your trip to navigating your destination, much more is involved than you want to think about. So, don’t. The power of stress-free travel sits right in the palm of your hand with some of the best travel apps for organizing your itinerary, packing your bags, getting through security, and so much more. If you’re ready for the stress-free adventure of a lifetime, then get ready to download your new favorite travel companions.

Table of Contents

The best travel apps for planning and organizing, the best travel apps for navigating the airport, the best travel apps for your destination.

• The Best Travel Apps for Staying Safe 

The Best Travel Apps for Saving Money

The best travel app for cheap flight deals isn’t an app: it’s next vacay.

Find the perfect flight, plan the perfect route, and pack the perfect bag. Here are the best travel apps to add to your trip planning and organizing for a stress-free travel experience.

Google Travel

Google is a one-stop shop for all your most important search needs, so why shouldn’t that extend to travel, too? Lucky for us, it does. With Google Travel, you can explore flight prices, compare hotel rates, and even check out exciting sights and excursions at your destination.

If you easily get app fatigue, Google Travel keeps things simple by having all your travel needs in one convenient location. You can toggle between the different pages with ease and track hotel and flight price changes with their tracking features. For those just dipping their toes into the world of travel planning, Google Travel puts the world within reach. Even better, because it’s not technically an app, you don’t have to worry about downloading it to use. Just type Google Travel into the search and get right to work.

Feature Highlight: Get the best flight price guaranteed with Google’s price guarantee badge. (If the price drops, Google will pay back the difference.) 

If you’re a disorganized traveler—or even better, if you love staying organized—say hello to your new best friend. TripIt was designed for both the organized and unorganized traveler, helping you build comprehensive itineraries out of all your messy bookings. 

For those who hate doing anything beyond clicking “Book Now,” TripIt makes organization easy by allowing you to forward all your booking confirmations to the app. Or, if you’re particularly fussy about every little detail, you can manually enter them yourself. TripIt then compiles all your bookings into a handy-dandy itinerary that sends out reminders and alerts, letting you know where you need to be and when you need to be there for the most relaxed trip of your life every time.

Feature Highlight: Share your itinerary with friends and family quickly and easily through TripIt’s sharing feature.

IOS | Android

Roadtrippers

While Roadtrippers is specific to road travel, we couldn’t leave it off the list of best travel apps simply because of how stellar it is at what it does. With stops available in the US, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia, plotting out your autoroutes has never been easier. 

The map lets you explore everything from national parks to hidden gems and plan everything from what to eat to where to stop for fuel and even rest your head at night, all along your route. When you add a site, Roadtrippers automatically adjusts your itinerary, or you can choose to plot your course from one of the pre-made trip guides.  

The free version allows you to plan short trips of three stops or less, while the Premium version costs $59.99/year and allows you to add up to 150 stops. 

Feature Highlight: Get estimated gas prices along your route so you can put away the right amount for your gas budget.  

Packing often isn’t the worst part about your travel—it’s making packing lists. So, skip it. 

Instead of stressing over what to pack for a beach vacation or a winter getaway, you can let PackPoint do it for you. The app works by creating custom packing lists for your trip. All you have to do is fill out the important bits: 

• Where you’re going
• When you’re going
• How long you’ll be gone
• Any special activities

From there, PackPoint goes to work to create a custom-fitted packing list for your travels. All that’s left for you to do is pack—and maybe share it with a friend, so they don’t have to suffer the joyless task of creating their own packing list.

Feature Highlight: Connect to TripIt to auto-create packing lists from your trip itinerary. (Only available with PackPoint Premium.)

Get Secret Flight Deals

Is the airport stress stressing you out? Rest assured, you don’t have to dread the airport. With the right apps, you can become an airport pro. Make getting through security a breeze and make your time at the airport your favorite part of travel—or at least, your most relaxed.

MyTSA App 

Ever had a last-minute question about what you can bring in your carry-on? Ever argued with your travel buddies about how early is too early to get to the airport? For the answers to your burning questions, there’s the MyTSA App. Before even stepping foot in the building, you can check out how busy the airport typically is and the projected wait times for TSA checkpoints. Consult the app for delays and double-check how to properly store your food and liquid items so you can all but breeze through security. Next to TSA PreCheck, the MyTSA App is your ticket to an easy and stress-free security check.

Feature Highlight: Use the “Can I Bring” search function to check that those last-minute items you’re packing will clear security. 

LoungebBuddy

Long layovers, hard steel chairs, outlets that don’t work—there’s a lot to dread about your airport experience. So skip the endless hours in uncomfortable seats and make the most of your time on the ground with LoungeBuddy. 

LoungeBuddy is the perfect companion for frequent flyers who spend a fair amount of time waiting for their next flight. With the app, travelers can access over 2,000 airport lounges worldwide, allowing them to see which lounges are available at their airports and what amenities they offer. Don’t already have access through your travel credit card, lounge memberships, or booked ticket? Fear not; LoungeBuddy lets users book access directly through the app. So, no matter where you go, if you’re flying first class or economy, you can always look forward to a premium airport experience every time.

Feature Highlight: Reserve an entrance pass to your lounge months in advance, so you have peace of mind you can enjoy a peaceful escape on the go. 

Airline App

When navigating the airport, from tracking your flight to hunting down your luggage, there’s no better app to have than your airline’s mobile app. While you may not necessarily want to download the app for every airline you use, if you’re a frequent flyer with one airline or flying with a new airline for the first time, it can be especially helpful for managing your account and getting to know the ins and outs of your airport experience with the airline.

Perhaps best of all, these travel apps are always free.

Feature Highlight: Use the navigation maps to scope out where to grab food, where to shop, and, most importantly, where to find your gate.

AA | Delta | United | JetBlue | Southwest

Mobile Passport Control

Operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Mobile Passport Control is a free app that lets you sail through customs upon return to the US. Whereas lengthier programs like TSA PreCheck or Global Entry require a background check, interview, and preapproval, all you need for MPC is proof of citizenship or permanent residence. 

With ID in hand, simply download the app and fill out your info. When you touchdown in the US, start your entry process. All it takes is a few clicks, and you get access to an expedited entry that helps you skip the long lines you’ve come to dread and makes returning to the US even easier than it was to leave.

Feature Highlight: Select up to 12 members of your family to include on one submission form. 

Never fear getting lost or turned around again—or finding yourself in need of a public restroom with none in sight. Run, don’t walk, to these apps that will make navigating your destination and staying connected truly effortless.  

Google Maps

Google Maps is hard to beat for getting around your destination. Offering a bird’s eye view of where you are, Google Maps breaks down how best to get to where you want to go, whether traveling by foot, car, public transit, or even bicycle. 

Travelers can easily find what’s around them, from bars and restaurants to shops and attractions. You don’t even have to leave the app to get more details for most places. Google Maps provides descriptions, pictures, hours of operation, and even reviews from other patrons. The real clincher is the ability to save maps offline so you can access them on the go, whether your cell service is spotty at best or entirely nonexistent. 

Feature Highlight: Use saved “Lists” to curate a map of pinned locations—your favorite attractions, restaurants, bars, and more.

Sometimes, you don’t need all the extra frills; you just need an app that gets you where you need to go. For that, there’s Citymapper. 

While its scope is limited to cities—and major cities at that—Citymapper makes navigating big and confusing cities, including those hardest to navigate , a breeze—or as close as the directionally challenged are likely to get. With real-time public transportation information, detailed breakdowns of routes by bus, train, tube, car, bike, or scooter, and detailed directions for things like which subway station entrance is best, Citymapper makes the big city feel just that teensy bit smaller.

Feature Highlight : Check out your Trip Stats to see fun details like how many calories you burned and how much money you saved on your journey.

XE Currency Converter

Want to know the exchange rate while you’re traveling around Sweden? Japan? New Zealand? With Xe, you can always stay on top of your money and know exactly how far your money will go wherever you are. The app also works without Wi-Fi, so you don’t have to worry about losing this information, either. It stays at your fingertips whether online in a cafe or offline and on the go. 

Feature Highlight: Save and monitor up to 10 currencies at once to quickly and easily check the exchange rate while shopping, dining, or booking that last-minute excursion on-site.

WhatsApp, for the uninitiated, is a lot like iMessage: It lets you text and make calls over Wi-Fi no matter where you are in the world or what device your friends or family use. In addition, the app offers a few other helpful features. WhatsApp Statuses let you keep your family and friends up-to-date on what you’re doing. The group texting feature lets you share polls to vote on what you want to do next. And sharing features allow you to attach documents like travel itineraries and bookings without having to email them. While there’s no best messaging app in the world, WhatsApp is a great start to connecting with everyone anywhere you travel.

Not only is the app free, but it also helps you save money on international messaging fees by letting you avoid them altogether.

Feature Highlight: Share daily moments from your travels with your family on Status. 

Google Translate

At this point, it shouldn’t be a surprise to see another Google app eking out a top spot among the best travel apps. As if getting around in a new country wasn’t hard enough, not knowing the local language can make something as simple as reading street signs confusing. That’s not a problem with Google Translate. 

Manually enter text into the translator to convert it to your native language, or snap a photo and have it translated that way. You can even have the text read to you so you know how to pronounce it correctly. And, of course, if you’re trying to communicate with someone, you can switch the languages to know what to say and how to say it. This makes understanding the world easy, no matter how confusing the street signs get.

Feature Highlight: Download your favorite languages to use offline.

In the immortal words of Jeff Goldblum in Jurassic Park: “When you gotta go, you gotta go.” When you need a restroom while you’re on the go, knowing where to find the closest toilet can be a lifesaver. Flush offers a database of over 200,000 public toilets worldwide. The app lets you know how to get to the closest one, whether there’s a fee, and if the restroom is ADA-accessible. When it comes down to the wire, this app may just save your day, if not your whole trip!

The Best Travel Apps for Staying Safe

Staying safe on the go is just as important as staying safe at home, whether you’re a female traveler going it solo or another in a group of travelers. Be sure to put downloading these travel apps at the top of your to-do list for the best travel experience and a worry-free trip. 

Smart Traveler

Every smart traveler knows that the best way to stay safe while traveling is to do your due diligence beforehand. For that, there’s the Smart Traveler App. Overseen by the U.S. State Department, the app allows travelers to check travel advisories, entry and exit requirements, health and safety warnings, and more before you even start booking your trip. 

Once you settle on your destination, you can register your trip with local embassies through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) and stay one step ahead of emergencies. Become a smart traveler and give yourself some much-needed peace of mind while traveling abroad. 

In the US, 911 is the standard number to call for emergencies. But as any international traveler will know, that’s not always the case abroad. Emergency numbers can differ from country to country and even service to service. And the last thing you want in an emergency is to realize you don’t know who to call. That’s why you download EchoSOS. 

With emergency numbers in over 128 countries, you can quickly and easily access the right number to get help when you need it. Calls can be made directly from the app and show your location, so even if you don’t know where you are, emergency services will. Travel safely and stress-free, with help just a call away.

Feature Highlight: Find nearby emergency rooms and check out their wait times to get help fast on the go.

You might wonder just how safe an app can keep you on your travels. It is only an app after all. But bSafe isn’t just any app. While others might also show where you are in real-time, bSafe takes it a step further with live streaming, so friends and family (added as guardians) can see and hear everything that’s happening. If you find yourself in an unsafe situation, you can activate the SOS alarm. This will immediately start video and audio recording, and send a notification to your guardians. They can then open the alert to see your location, local time, and emergency livestream. Once the danger has passed, you can confirm you’re safe, and the app will again notify your guardians.

With voice activation, a Follow me feature, and a timer alarm, you’ll truly never have to make a journey alone again.

Feature Highlight: Schedule a fake phone call to escape uncomfortable or unsafe situations.

The only thing simpler than getting help with a phone call is getting help with the press of a button. Touted as America’s number one safety app, Noonlight helps you get from point A to point B safely by acting as your personal panic button. If you encounter an unsafe situation or even one that makes you feel uneasy, just open the Noonlight app and hold the button. Once you release it, help will be on the way shortly. But, if there’s no danger, or you reach safety, you can release the button, enter a 4-digit PIN, and be on your way. 

Feature Highlight: Use Timeline to note relevant details, like meeting someone new or an encounter with a suspicious person, to have it shared with authorities if you trigger an alarm.

Always looking for ways to cut down on your travel budget? Say hello to your new favorite cost-conscious travel buddies who can help you find the best deals and the cheapest prices no matter where you are in the world.

Obi: Rideshare

Every traveler, at some point, has wondered if they’re overpaying to get from point A to point B. But outside of downloading every app and comparing prices, there’s not much to do about it—except maybe download just one app. 

With Obi, travelers can compare prices between rideshares like Uber, Lyft, and taxi services to save money. Simply choose a destination, compare prices between available transportation companies, and book. Enjoy the cheapest ride every time with Obi in your pocket.

ATM Fee Saver

Don’t have a handy travel card that reimburses your ATM fees? You don’t have to consider yourself unlucky, just consider downloading the ATM Fee Saver as your budget-conscious travel companion. The ATM Fee Saver helps you find free and low-fee ATMs near you so you can get the cash you need in a hurry without paying a fortune to access your own money. Users can get tips on using ATMs in over 45 countries and chart a course for the closest and cheapest ATM to get money fast while on the go.

Feature Highlight: Use the calculator to estimate any fees for your ATM withdrawal amount.

Ready to hit the road? GasBuddy makes it easier and cheaper than ever. With the app, travelers can search for the cheapest gas prices along their route, get tips on using less gas, and even score free gas rewards from shopping at favorite retailers. With GasBuddy, you can stop worrying about running out of gas or paying more at the pump and simply enjoy the ride.

Feature Highlight: Track your driving habits to make future trips more fuel-efficient and save at the pump.

Want to get the cheapest flight deals to destinations all over the world? Try out Next Vacay. It’s as easy as downloading your favorite app without taking up more precious phone storage. Just enter your email, select your airport, and you can get deals delivered right to your inbox. Never miss an incredible deal or a life-changing trip ever again. So sign up and discover the best way to save time, money, and stress—because the best travel app isn’t an app at all; it’s Next Vacay .

Related Posts

The Best Travel Apps to Save Time and Money

S martphones are the biggest revolution to happen to travel since the internet. Whether you want to have a video call with your parents, get directions to your hotel, calculate the exchange rate for the country you're visiting, or overcome language barriers with a cute girl you've met in France, all this and more is possible with the best travel apps for your smartphone.

Thanks to these apps, smartphones have become essential tools in our travels, and we'd never take a long-term trip without them. So ask the front desk for the wifi password, fire up your app store, and start downloading – here's the best travel apps for 2017.

CityMaps2Go

The gist: An offline maps app that provides GPS and maps, even without wifi or data. Similar to Google Maps, but optimized for travel.

Price:  Free or $9.99USD for Pro version (downloads Wikipedia articles on attractions)

Why it's awesome:  It's a maps app that works offline, even with GPS to indicate your position, without requiring data roaming enabled. You can also mark up the maps with attractions, hotels, restaurants, and transit stops, all listed within the app.

To use the app, you must pre-download the maps for the area you're travelling to while on wifi. You can even download   the   Wikipedia articles for attractions in an area, which make for a great travel guide (Pro version only).

Tips: This app is great for making smooth arrivals into a new city. Before flying, hop on wifi and download the map for your destination. Then add markers for the airport, your accommodation, and transit stops (if applicable). On arrival, simply open the app and follow your GPS position to make your transfer hassle-free!

The gist: A flight search app that offers price alerts and broad searching to get the best flight prices every time.

Price: Free

Why it's awesome:  It has broad search capabilities, no booking fees, and you can track flights to get instant alerts when prices go up or down. You can also search entire months at a time to find the cheapest day to fly (a great way to spot  error fares ), or search without a destination (select “Everywhere”) to see the cheapest countries you can fly to, making this one of the best travel apps for flights.

Tips:  Travelling during peak period? Use the app's price alerts to get notified of price changes. Just put in your origin and destination, your travel dates, and do a search. Then tap the grey bell icon on the bottom left of the screen . Your alert will be saved, and you'll get a notification when prices go down or up.

Want more tips on snagging cheap flights? Check out our complete guide here .

The gist: Organize your entire trip itinerary from a single app, and edit a trip together with your friends and family.

Why it's awesome: TripIt keeps you organized and updated in realtime of all flights and reservations for your trip. It sends current flight notification pop-ups to your phone including delays, gate changes, and cancellations (pro plan only).

To use, simply forward the confirmation e-mail for your reservation to [email protected] and TripIt will add all the important information from the e-mail to your itinerary, including dates, locations, costs, and directions. For anything else, you can manually add entries to your itinerary from the website or mobile app.

Tips:  This is one of the best travel apps to share and edit trips with friends and family. You can even use the app offline while you're travelling to check your trip details. If you add friends to your itinerary, they will get realtime updates including flight delays, cancellations, etc.

LoungeBuddy

The gist:  Get info and ratings on airport lounges, automatically see which ones you have access to, or instantly buy affordable lounge access while you're on your layover, straight from your phone.

Price: Free to download, get $10 USD credit for a lounge pass with referral code  guYu66zaHY (go to account settings, “Credit”, and enter credit code)

Why it's awesome: If you thought airport lounges were just for the frequent flyers and business class, think again. Airport lounge access may require certain tickets or flyer status, but many can be entered simply by carrying the right credit card, or by purchasing access yourself.

LoungeBuddy tracks airport lounges around the world, and will let you know if you have access by analyzing the details of your trip. If you don't have access, you can purchase a pass right within the app at a great price. Lounges can definitely be worth paying for when you have a long layover, often granting access to showers, buffet meals, and even unlimited beer and wine. Sometimes you just gotta treat ‘yo self!

Tips:  Connect to your TripIt account from the settings screen to automatically have your trips imported and analyzed for free lounge access. Unexpectedly long layover? Use LoungeBuddy to buy last-minute entry to airport lounges at a great price.

Google Translate

The gist: Translate to and from every major language by typing, talking, drawing, or pointing your phone camera at printed text, even without an internet connection .

Why it's awesome:  Almost all of the app can be used offline. Type words and sentences to translate, save common phrases for easy access, and even point your camera at signs and menus for instant translation. You can even have a 2-way conversation with another person while the app translates in the middle.

Tips: In a linguistic pickle? The app acts as a real-time translator where 2 people can take turns speaking into the phone while it types the translation. When at attractions such as museums without English signage, simply use the camera feature to read the text live.

HotelTonight and HotelQuickly

The gist: Get access to last-minute hotel rooms needing to be filled at a deep discount.

Price: Free to download $35 USD off your first HotelTonight booking with promo code JAVERY56 15% off your first HotelQuickly booking with promo code TAVERY

Why it's awesome:  Hotels will list unsold rooms for the upcoming days in these apps at special discounted prices in order to fill capacity. It's a great way to get a discount on more expensive hotels, but it usually doesn't help much in making budget hotels or hostels any cheaper. HotelTonight works best in North America , while HotelQuickly is best for Asia-Pacific . Both apps work everywhere, so be sure to download both and compare for the best prices.

Tips: You can book up to 7 days in advance, and sometimes you'll get even better deals (“geo rates”) when the app detects that you are in town via GPS.

Download HotelTonight (free): iPhone • Android

Get 10% off your first HotelQuickly booking with promo code “TAVERY” (tap the “Account” tab, then tap “Redeem code” and enter the code)

Guides by Lonely Planet

The gist: The Lonely Planet travel guides you know and love, reinvented for the smartphone era, and totally free.

Price:  Free

Why it's awesome: This app has all the important info you need on a destination, like maps, attractions, hotels, and restaurants, but optimised for your phone. See what's interesting nearby using the interactive map, which you can even save for use offline. Get an overview of the city and it's must-see neighborhoods, and even use the built-in currency converter for calculating prices on the go.

XE Currency

The gist:  A realtime currency calculator that can instantly obtain the exchange rate for any number of currencies, all at once.

Why it's awesome:  Have real exchange rates for the country you're visiting in the palm of your hand. It even works offline, using the exchange rates from the last time you were on wifi. If you're doing some shopping or plan to use a currency exchange booth, this app will give you the latest exchange rates to make sure you aren't being scammed.

Tips: In order to get exchange rates as close to the app as possible without any markup, make sure you sign up for  the best credit and debit cards for travel   before your trip, so you don't pay unnecessary international transaction fees.

FlightAware

The gist: Track important information about your flight like boarding time, terminal and gate number, and delays, all from a slick, easy-to-use interface.

Why it's awesome:  Receive important info like your flight boarding gate, progress, delays, and arrival time. You can even check out your flight route on an interactive map. To use, just search for your flight by flight number, airport, or city.

Tips: Create an account and you can sign up for push notifications, so you'll know when your boarding gate changes, or when a flight arrives (in case you're waiting to pick someone up).

The gist:  Stay in someone's home to get a local experience at prices that usually beat hotels and even hostels, especially for 2 or more people

Price: Free to download, $38 USD off your first booking with our referral code

Why it's awesome: Airbnb listings are usually much more affordable than hotels, and provide you with a local's experience in interesting homes and apartments. For 2 or more people, this is almost always cheaper than even 2 hostel dorm beds.

Tips: If you're flexible with dates, don't enter any. It will show more availability in your price range and you can adapt your trip based on that.

The gist: Download important or interesting articles from the web to your phone for reading offline anytime.

Why it's awesome:  Sometimes the best travel information doesn't come from a book or an app, but from a website like, say, Thrifty Nomads! Pocket makes it easy to download an entire article with images and have it available offline . For example, it can be tough to find a reliable internet connection while visiting the Galapagos Islands. If I add this article  Exploring Galapagos Islands on the Cheap  to Pocket before my trip, I can reference the article anytime from the Pocket app while in the Galapagos, no internet connection required. Too easy!

Tips: The app can provide recommended articles based on your interests or currently trending posts. Try adding tags to articles for more organization, like tagging by country or city name.

The gist: Instantly summon a private driver to your location from your smartphone. Cheaper, safer (no “taxi scams”), and more convenient (set your destination and pay in app) than a taxi while travelling.

Price: Free to download, $10 off your first ride with promo code uberthriftynomads

Why it's awesome: Tourists are commonly targeted for taxi scams . These include having your driver take you to a club where he gets a commission, taking longer routes than necessary, or turning off the taxi metre and charging an expensive flat rate.

Uber eliminates all of this. Your entire route is logged to Uber's servers, so if your driver takes the wrong route, you can easily report a complaint from the app for an instant refund. Drivers all receive ratings from customers, so if their ratings are too low, they will lose their job.

Uber also eliminates  language barriers . When travelling China, we found that very few taxi drivers spoke English. Thanks to using Uber instead, our drivers already knew our destination via the app, and there was no confusion paying them since our whole trip was automatically charged to a credit card. Too easy!

Tips: Surge pricing can happen during peak travel times. If you see this pop, cancel the trip and try again later (e.g. even just a couple minutes can be enough for it to drop, though sometimes it can also go up too!)

The gist: Mix and match soothing sounds like rain, thunder, campfire, wind, and waves. Perfect for falling asleep on a plane or in a noisy hostel.

Price: $1.99 USD

Why it's awesome:  Outdo earplugs and sleep like a baby when you combine a pair of in-ear headphones and Noizio, an app that generates a variety of relaxing white noises. Not only does this drown out the crying infant next to you, but the white noise is soothing and calms you to sleep. There's a huge variety of sounds, and you can turn each sound on and off, or adjust their individual volumes to lull you into that perfect sleep.

Tips: Save your favorite mixes of sounds as a preset. Set the sleep timer to turn off the sound automatically after a set amount of time.

Google Maps

The gist: The ultimate app for maps, driving and transit directions, restaurants, and attractions, now available offline.

Why it's awesome:  Trying to decipher  public transit in an unfamiliar city can be a nightmare. Just type in your origin and destination, and Google Maps makes transit simple, listing the exact buses or trains to take, where to catch them, and when to transfer.

For when you don't have an internet connection, you can download  offline maps in the app while on wi-fi. The functionality while offline is limited, but the essentials are all there, like searching for addresses and attractions, or getting driving directions.

Tips:  If the transit directions you get seem overly complex, try tapping the “Options” button and changing the route from “Best route” to “Fewer transfers”.

Yelp and TripAdvisor

The gist:  Find the best restaurants and attractions around you using your phone's GPS

Why it's awesome:  Yelp is used by locals more than it is tourists, and they have a great review filter that hides fake reviews, so you can trust that you're getting a good recommendation. There are plenty of handy categories and filters to find the type of food you're looking for. We use Yelp both at home and abroad, and it rarely disappoints.

In places where Yelp isn't available, we turn to TripAdvisor. In addition to restaurants, you'll also find reviews on hotels and attractions. TripAdvisor has listings from all over the world, but we find the quality of the reviews can be hit and miss. Use your discretion to sort out who is high maintenance versus legitimate complaints.

Tips: Apply useful filters to Yelp like “Open now”, or search for a specific type of food.

For more tips on tackling reviews, check out our guide on Hotel Reviews: What to Look For & What to Ignore .

The Thrifty Gist

• Find flights and track price changes with  Skyscanner , track their status with FlightAware , and enjoy exclusive airport lounge access with LoungeBuddy
• Find your way around and make your own marked up maps you can use offline with CityMaps2Go , get transit directions with Google Maps , and avoid taxi scams by using Uber
• Overcome language barriers in both conversations and in print with Google Translate , even without an internet connection
• Find the best things to see and places to eat with Guides by Lonely Planet , Yelp , and TripAdvisor
• Block out noise and sleep soundly with Noizio
• Find last-minute hotel deals with HotelTonight and HotelQuickly
• Keep tabs on currency exchange rates and avoid getting ripped off with XE Currency
• Save handy webpages (like this one!) offline to your phone for easy access with Pocket

And there you have it – the best travel apps that are sure to save you time and money on your next trip. Have any essential apps that we've missed? Let us know in the comments below!

The 23 Best Travel Apps for Android & iOS

B elow is a great list of the Best Travel Apps  that are the most useful for planning a trip, getting around, finding friends, and saving money along the way. Most apps are free and available for Android and iOS.

Instead of combing through dozens of the latest travel apps to determine which tools are the most useful for travelers, I went to the best source; travel bloggers. I asked some of the most seasoned travel bloggers about their favorite travel app .

23 Best Travel Apps

The world seems to be in the throes of a love affair with Starbucks that just refuses to die. For serious coffee lovers, finding a decent barista-brewed coffee can sometimes be a challenge, especially when you are traveling and don’t know the local area. 

Beanhunter uses GPS to find your location and points you in the direction of the best coffee shops in your area. You can read reviews from coffee gurus who have been there before you, and leave your own reviews for others. The best bit – no chain shops are included on the app; this is for independent, specialty shops only.

—   courtesy of Marianne Rogerson from Mum on the Move    Make sure to Follow her on Instagram @hungrymaz

CityMaps2Go

I work, live and travel in countries that are off the usual travel plans. The problem that I encounter more often is that I have difficulties in finding my way through the country, especially if I am on a road trip, as signs are not very common.

The Internet is not always available, and even when I can find cheap sims or Wi-Fi, the network is almost always really bad. And when I am technologically fine, the problems come with GoogleMaps, which obviously does not show all the tracks in the middle of Uganda or Madagascar. A solution that I found is CityMaps2Go .

It is updated and it works offline. In the free version, you can download all the maps of a country, but for less than 10$ you can have the pro version, with all the world downloadable. And once in a while it is available for free, a very nice deal!

Dosh  is a free app that allows you to save money while traveling. The app promises to put money back in your pocket “auto-magically”. Simply shop as usual and any business also signed up with Dosh, will turn into a cash back bonus.

The app helps you start earning cash back (in the form of Dosh) when you shop at any of their partners that include retail stores, restaurants, and hotels. The cashback (dosh) goes into your DOSH wallet and is easily viewable in the app. Your cashback then converts into real money that you can transfer to your bank or PayPal account.

— courtesy of me; alexa from 52Perfectdays Please follow me on Instagram @52Perfectdays

My favorite and most used travel app has nothing to do with searching for flights or hotels. But, it has everything to do with organizing the chaos that is travel planning and life in general. It’s Evernote , one of the most popular productivity apps on the market. The free version has plenty of features that will help you get organized. Not only can you make typewritten notes and lists, you also have an option to create audio notes (voice recordings), camera notes that let you save a picture directly to your Evernote, and ink notes when you need to make a drawing.

Web clipper browser extension allows you to bookmark and save full web pages (including an option of saving text-only version of a page), emails, PDFs, and images. Free version of Evernote can be used on up to two devices. I like to plan my trips (create lists of must-visit places, must-eat foods, and daily schedules) on my computer. Evernote automatically syncs notes on all devices so when I am out and about I can easily access my notes on the phone.

— courtesy of Yulia Dyukova from  thefoodiemiles.com  Follow her on Instagram @thefoodfamilies

If you’re a wanderer, there’s nothing like the thrill of stumbling upon something amazing. But what about the great things in the other direction, or down another street? That’s where my favorite travel app, Field Trip , comes in. The Field Trip app is filled with information about interesting sights around you from a variety of categories, including architecture, historic places & events, lifestyle, food, drinks, & fun, cool & unique, and art & museums. Field Trip will send you notifications as you move, helping you find cool places to check out. The thrill of finding a fantastic new spot is one of the best parts of traveling. While it’s great to randomly find those yourself, a useful travel app like Field Trip can help you find even more of them.

—   courtesy of Jonathan Sacks – Everybody Hates A Tourist   Please follow him on Instagram @everybodyhatesatourist

I’ve been using Foursquare extensively for years. I’ve found that it’s a lot more unbiased than Yelp is and has better photos. So why do I love using the app for travel? It’s a really intuitive way to find and save different types of list for a place, category, and more. You can also search other users’ list if you don’t have the time to make your own.

It’s also great for on-the-fly suggestions. I’ve found incredible places on accident using the app in multiple cities and not just major ones. This is key when you’re wandering around and #hangry. Another plus about Foursquare is that it connects with Swarm, so that you can always look up that place in that neighborhood in Paris that you went to two years ago! — courtesy of Anna from  www.ventureandeat.com  Follow her on Instagram:  @ventureandeat

While I may be biased,  Get Stoked  is a Thailand-based travel app that my partner and I developed. The idea behind it is that this app allows you to browse through things to do and instantly message companies as soon as you get to a place. We currently have playlists on various things to do in all the main hotspots around Thailand. Instead of leafing through outdated brochures or spending hours reading articles online, you can just open our app and find all our top recommendations on things to do. What I love about the app (if I can say so myself) is the fact that I can instantly message companies to ask them any questions about tour availability. No more walking under the hot sun trying to haggle and bargain! —  courtesy of  Anna Faustino from  www.adventureinyou.com . Follow her on Instagram @adventrurein_you ! 

Google Maps

There is only one app that I repeatedly use across all the countries that we visit:  Google Maps . Prior to travelling anywhere I “favourite” key places of interest that we may like to visit on our adventure so it’s ready to go when we land. Google Maps also has the key ability of providing local transport options. Worried about it chewing up your data? You can download some country maps in advance as well. I found Google Maps most useful on our trip to Japan where the train stations can be very confusing. This app not only lets you know when the train is coming but identifies the platform and has it colour coded too so there’s not getting lost. It’s brilliant and so easy to use – even my 8 year old can work it! — courstesy of Leah from the Kid Bucket List  Follow her on Instagram  @thekidbucketlist

Google Translate

Google Translate is a must have travel app when you are traveling to a place where you can’t speak or read the language.  If you want to communicate with someone in a foreign language, you can type something and Google Translate will translate it to one of 103 languages.  The other person can either read the translation on your phone or there is a voice that says what you wrote in their language.  You can even draw characters instead of using your keyboard for most of the languages.

The app offers additional cool and useful features for some of the languages including the ability to use your camera to translate text instantly and two-way automatic speech translation.  Google Translate can even be used offline by downloading language packs ahead of time. —   courtesy of Patti from The Savvy Globetrotter  Follow her on Twitter @   https://twitter.com/savvyglobetrot

HotelTonight

HotelTonight is one of my favorite travel apps for finding and booking last minute hotel deals.  Hotel deals are exclusively available on the app – you cannot search for or book hotels on their website. HotelTonight is able to offer lower rates because they work with hotels that give them last minute discounts on their empty rooms.   The app is fast and simple to use with categories (like basic, hip and luxe) to make it easy to find a hotel in your budget.  As the name implies, you can book a room for the same night, but they also offer discounted hotels up to week in advance. — Matilda from The Travel Sisters  https://twitter.com/travel_sisters

Our favorite travel app is Instagram . Whilst it’s more famous as a social media app, we’ve found it one of the most invaluable apps for getting inspiration for our travel planning as well as with connecting with locals in that destination or fellow travelers. We always check out the hashtag or geo location of the place we want to visit, which helps us get an idea of what the highlights are and also, gives us inspiration of what sort of photos/poses we want to take. We also found fellow travelers do the same thing and we’ve reached out and made many new friends with them. We also love to meet locals when we travel, particularly in the gay community. Often, the local LGBT communities will have their own hashtag and have found this a great way to connect with them. Our use of Instagram has flourished since we began our travels and we highly recommend it to all travelers to use. —  courtesy of Stefan and Sebastien from  nomadicboys.com . Follow them on Instagram @nomadicboy s

Everyone’s got their fun travel apps (myself included) but at the end of the day when you’re gallivanting around the world you’ve got to keep your s**t safe. My number one app rec? KeepSafe . It’s a FREE password protected app that allows you to store photos, documents and more. I highly recommend taking photos of your passport, birth certificate, credit cards, and anything else of importance, and locking them in them in the KeepSafe “vault”, ensuring you have access to all of your important personal information. And if your phone gets jacked? Your information is safe and password protected. I use the free version, but for a couple bucks you also have the option to upgrade to premium. Must have! Travel on Nomads!  —  courtesy of Aaron Radcliffe from NomadsNation.com & Please follow on Instagram   @aaronradcliffe_nomadsnation

If you haven’t heard already, there is an amazing app called  Maps.Me   which allows you to download maps and use them offline  FOR FREE . They have detailed maps from all over the world so you only download what you need – and you can even do responsive, A to B directions on them! You can wave goodbye to the GPS charge car hire companies try and stick you with – and have no worries at all about racking up a huge data bill. Maps. me is the best map app you could ever have!” — courtesy of Vicki Garside from  maketimetoseetheworld.com  Follow her on Instagram @maketimetoseetheworld

Period Tracker

One of my favorite travel apps is for the solo female travelers! Travel can wreck havoc on your menstrual cycle sometimes, due to long flights and a change in your diet and exercise regime. Therefore, I love to use Period Tracker to keep track of my monthly cycle. It’s free to download and will tell you when you’re ovulating and when you need to be ready with your feminine hygiene products. It’s a good way to know when you need to be prepared, especially if you’re going to be in the backcountry camping or going on a long hike. — courtesy of  Alice Teacake from  www.teacaketravels.com  Follow her on Instagram @teacaketravels

When I’m checking into my flight online I always like to look at one of my favorite travel apps, SeatGuru to work out where the best place on each flight is to sit. Each airline has different aircraft models and seat layouts. By using Seatguru the app allows me to locate the best seat location with insider tips from frequent flyers. I love how the app is kept up-to-date to ensure the best information is available. Especially when a flight is longer than three hours its great to get advice such as seats that don’t decline, locations for power plugs and notes such as if the seat is by a toilet and would cause noise. The perfect app for smart travelers that like to plan ahead and travel in comfort. —   courtesy of Dave Brett from Travel Dave UK . Follow him on Instagram

I couldn’t travel with Spotify premium. I need music on tap to be the soundtrack of my trips. Luckily for me, my husband makes playlists for everywhere we go and with Spotify you can follow them (you can too @ Craig Armit). No 3G? No problem! Spoty let’s you download to your phone or device in WiFi and use out with. Need new music? They also create a weekly ‘Discovery’ playlists for you of music similar to what you’ve been listening to. No inspiration? Just browse the themed Spotify playlists – Indie, Sunday chill, summer vibes, wedding playlists, etc. Podcasts are also available. All of this is included in your monthly payment, no wonder Taylor Swift came grovelling back to Team Spotify! — Gemma from www.twoscotsabroad.com  Follow her on Instagram @twoscotsabroad

 TraffickCam

TraffickCam is an app that enables travelers to help combat sex trafficking around the world. After downloading the app you can upload photos of the hotel rooms you stay in while traveling. The app asks for the hotel name, room number, and up to four photos. They recommend taking two photos of the entire room from varying locations, one picture from the foot of the bed, and one photo of the bathroom from the doorway. Traffickers typically post photos of their victims in hotel rooms for advertisements to online trafficking sites. The photographs you upload on the TraffickCam app can be used to help find those in sex trafficking rings. Once you’ve uploaded your photos to TraffickCam, it is saved in a database so that investigators can easily search and match images with those posted on trafficking sites. —  courtesy of Logan & Kallsy from Pages of Travel   Follow them on Instagram @pagesoftravel  

Trail Wallet

As a budget traveller, Trail Wallet has to be my absolute favourite travel app. Although I cringed a bit at the $4.99 price tag (your first 25 entries are free, but you have to pay to add more), it has turned out to be worth every single penny. At it’s core, Trail Wallet allows you to set a daily budget, input your spending, and see how much you’ve spent each day and over your whole trip in both your home and the country’s currency. The feature I probably turn the most often too, though, is the pie chart, which shows how much you’ve spent in one of any number of categories. The app is also highly customizable, which means no matter what kind of traveller you are it can work for you. — courtesy of Addie from AddieAbroad.com  Follow her on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/addieabroad/

 TripHax

As a budget traveler, Trail Wallet has to be my absolute favorite travel app. Although I cringed a bit at the $4.99 price tag (your first 25 entries are free, but you have to pay to add more), it has turned out to be worth every single penny.

At its core, Trail Wallet allows you to set a daily budget, input your spending, and see how much you’ve spent each day and over your whole trip in both your home and the country’s currency. The feature I probably turn the most often too, though, is the pie chart, which shows how much you’ve spent in one of any number of categories.

The app is also highly customizable, which means no matter what kind of traveler you are it can work for you. — courtesy of Addie from AddieAbroad.com  

One of our recent favorite travel apps is TripHax – a multinational platform for travelers. It provides information that helps travelers to save money, time or to visit interesting places. Every user can upload/share the smart “Hacks” (as we call the pieces of advice) and can search for such, uploaded by others.

The most powerful feature is that in return of one uploaded hack users can get plentiful of useful information from every point of the Earth. The platform can function online and offline. Users can save some important hacks for offline usage. Every user can brand their profile page and redirect followers to their personal social media page. That makes it easy to share TripHax content to social media platforms.

We love the platform because it builds a loyal community of travelers, willing to help each other!  — courtesy of  Bistra from  www.themagicoftraveling.com  and follow her on Twitter URL  @tmoftraveling

TripIt is one of my favorite travel apps from the last few years. It not only helps you organize all your travel plans in just one place but as long you give Tripit access to your inbox, all the information related to your upcoming trips such as hotel and flight bookings are automatically pulled from your inbox to your Tripit account. That’s how you can create a master itinerary. With the pro version, you also get notifications of any travel delays and cancellations as well as other important information. I cannot live without it. When traveling I use this app more than my agenda! — courtesy of Inma Gregorio from www.aworldtotravel.com   Please also follow on Instagram @aworldtotravel

Although there are many genuine taxi drivers out there, there are many that prey on tourists. Thankfully, there also Uber . Gone are the days when taxi drivers can say the “meter isn’t working”: with Uber you can now see how much a journey will cost you before you get in. This allows travelers to not only avoid unfair taxi fares, but also to more accurately plan trips and to decide whether it’s worth taking a taxi or another form of transport instead.

 Apps like Uber have raised a lot of concern over safety, but in many ways it’s much safer. With Uber, your taxi trip (including the car’s licence plate) is monitored. You can even set your account up to let a next of kin know whenever you take a trip. And, if you ever forget something in a taxi, you’ll have the contact details for the taxi driver to hand. – –  courtesy of  James Cave from  www.portugalist.com  Please follow him on Facebook @portugalistdotcom

I may very well be the only successful travel blogger in the world who has never owned a smartphone. Fortunately my wife/business partner Mary does, and Waze is the one app we simply cannot live without. How do we love this GPS app?

Let us count the Waze ! First off, it uses user-generated data to tell you the quickest route from point A to point B, adjusting in real-time to accidents, congestion, etc. It finds CRAZY backroad juke moves to avoid traffic (which we loathe), and has even introduced us to awesome shortcuts in our own area.

Better still, it will alert you to stalled vehicles, objects in the road, and even police speed traps ahead. We’ve been using Waze on all our road trips for the past year, and can’t imagine driving long distances without it. It may even convince me to finally get my own smartphone!  –- – courtesy of Bret Love of Green Global Travel  Follow him on Twitter:  @GreenGlobalTrvl

One of the best ways of experiencing a new destination is by trying the local food. In most of cases, it is best to follow the recommendations of the locals when it comes to where to eat, what to order, etc.

One app that makes this process super simple is – Zomato . Not only can you read the reviews, but you can also read the entire menus of most of the restaurants that are listed on this app.

I love this feature because it gives me the ability to quickly find a restaurant that fits my budget, find walking directions to it, and figure out what to order while I’m there as per the recommendations.  – – courtesy of Sonal Kwatra Paladini of  Drifter Planet  & Please follow on Twitter @DrifterPlanet

There you have it! The  Best Travel Apps  that are the most useful for planning a trip, getting around, finding friends, and saving money along the way. Have a favorite app that isn’t included in our list? Please share it below in the comments!

Recommended Travel Resources

• Travel Insurance: World Nomads .
• Transport: CheapOAir and Skyscanner (Best Sites to Research Flight Prices) 
• Best Car Rental Deals: Rentalcars.com
• Best Sites to Find Hotel Deals: Hotels.com and Booking.com
• My Favorite Hotel Review Website: TripAdvisor
• Best Tours: Viator and Get Your Guide

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Our 5 Favorite Money Saving Travel Tools

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We love to travel. In fact, we love planning our trips almost as much as traveling itself. We spend months scouring the best travel apps, reading reviews and searching for the perfect places to fly, see, and stay. Honestly, we probably change our plans six or seven times before we actually book them.

When you travel as much as we do, you always have to be conscious of your budget. We save over $10,000 a year on travel costs using rewards cards. So, obviously, making the most of our points and miles is a huuuge key to our strategy.

But, it isn’t just about saving money. Even more than pinching pennies, we really strive to get the most value we can from our points. It’s important to us that we get the most bang for our proverbial point buck.

Of course, all of this doesn’t just happen. It takes time and research to make sure you’re visiting the most important sites and getting the best deals available. So, even though we’re a bit old school when it comes to technology, we do rely on some of the best travel apps to help us find the best use of our travel points and dollars. Here’s a list of some of our favorite travel tools, most of them we use on a daily basis.

5 Best Travel Apps for Saving Money

1) best travel app for reviews –  tripadvisor.

If you’ve traveled at all, you’ve almost certainly used TripAdvisor. Personally, we’re addicted.

Reading reviews is one of our favorite ways to relax. Seriously, if you don’t find us working on the blog or spending time with the kids, we’re probably on TripAdvisor. I’d estimate we spend three to four hours every week reading user reviews of hotels, condos, and different tours. Not only does it generate great ideas for what to do and where to stay, it also gives us a really good idea of what to expect. Plus, some of the ridiculous stuff people say is super entertaining.

For us, the best and easiest way to use TripAdvisor is to get their free mobile app. It’s available for both iOS and Android devices. Personally, we use it for the user reviews and photos, but you can also use it to compare prices of hotels, airlines, tours, and more. Get your free TripAdvisor Mobile App here.

2) Best App for Comparing Airfare –  ITA Matrix

Leave it to Google to create one of the best travel apps around. The ITA Matrix is our favorite way to compare flights from multiple airlines. Simply select your dates, type in your departure and destination information, and the ITA Matrix will search all of the major carriers for available flights. It then lists all those flights for you, complete with pricing and layover info.

Typically, we use the ITA Matrix on our laptops, however there is a mobile app available that does the same thing. While this is our favorite app to compare airline pricing, please note that you can’t make any purchases from the app. It’s for informational purposes only, so you’ll have to navigate to the airline’s website to buy. Also, be sure to check for airline specific deals and seating assignments when you book.

3) Best App for Booking Hotels – Expedia

Expedia is probably our all-around favorite travel tool to use. It’s super versatile, allowing you to search and compare almost everything you need for your travels. You can find everything from hotel rooms to rental cars, and you can book them directly from the site. We usually use it when searching for hotel and rental car rates.

Even though we try to keep our cell phones clutter free, Expedia is one travel app we can’t live without. No matter where we are, we can open the app and search for the lowest prices. You can also find sales that are exclusive only to the mobile app, so you’ll save even more there.  Plus, the app is free and they even give you an incentive for signing up. Get $25 off your first hotel $100 hotel booking through the app by clicking here , then click the mobile link. From there, simply send a message to your smartphone and download the app. Even if you only use the app once (which would just be silly!!!), you still get the cash.

4) Best Travel App for Condos – VRBO

Although we usually use credit card rewards to get free hotel stays , sometimes a hotel isn’t enough. When we travel with family, we often prefer staying in condos! Staying in a vacation rental saves us money because we have access to a kitchen (less eating out). Plus, it usually means we’re able to stay right in the heart of the action. Before we travel with the kids or friends, we’re always sure to check VRBO for condos in the area.

We’ve used VRBO (and occassionally AirBnB) to rent condos in Playa del Carmen, St. Thomas, Gulf Shores, San Juan (Puerto Rico), and more. (Check out the condo we rented And with the user reviews available right on the site, we’ve never had an issue with any of them. In fact, the owners are typically excited to have you stay there. VRBO has a mobile app available for both the iOS and Android devices which you can find here . Again, just scroll down the page and type in your cell phone number to have the app sent to your smartphone..

5) Best Airline App – Southwest

We’re not travelers who care to fly first class. We’d much rather save the money and get from point A to point B as quickly and cheaply as possible. Since there’s a hub in our home town, that means we fly Southwest a lot. For us, the Southwest App is easily one of the best travel apps for us to keep on our phones. Plus, we use the desktop site several times a week.

From the Southwest Mobile App, we’re able to search for flights, check our flight status, and access our Southwest Rapid Rewards® accounts. We’re also able to check-in for our flights, which is really important for snagging good seats since Southwest has general seating. Finally, we can book or change our flights, which is very convenient if we find a better fare. If you fly domestic or to the Caribbean, the Southwest app is definitely one you should have.

Using the Best Travel Apps

Traveling is a ton of fun, but it can be stressful if you don’t plan ahead. Using the best travel apps helps you find the perfect locations to stay and visit, plus they might save you money doing it.

Of course, if pricing is your only concern , you still need to check around. Even the best apps don’t get it right all the time. Compare prices at several different websites before you make a final decision to book. If you do, you’re sure to discover wonderful places at great prices.

What are your favorite travel tools to use? Did we leave any out? Let us know in the comments below.

Greg Johnson is the co-founder of Club Thrifty and an expert in personal finance, family travel, and credit card rewards. His work and commentary have been featured in publications like Newsweek , Kiplinger’s Personal Finance , Dough Roller , CreditCardReviews.com , and more. He also works as a freelance personal finance editor at Bankrate.com.

Greg travels the world for about 20 weeks each year and has visited over 40 countries. He holds two bachelor's degrees, is the co-author of the book Zero Down Your Debt , and owns his own independent travel agency. Learn more about Greg here.

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32 Comments

Nice, Greg. I haven’t tried ITA Matrix. I’ll have to test that out soon! My favorite travel app is TripIt. I love being able update my travel info just by forwarding confirmation emails. I had the Pro version for a while and it was super handy being able track flight delays.

I actually don’t use TripIt, but I’m pretty sure Holly has. I may have to check it out for myself!

I’ve used ITA Matrix before. A great app for finding flights. That went I’m not using reward with Southwest. 🙂

Yeah, it is a great little tool. If you are looking at more than one airline, ITA Matrix is the way to go.

I’ve never used the ITA Matrix before because we generally just use Southwest at this point with a Companion Pass!! 🙂 But in the next year we plan to start flying more frequently so I will need to check that out.

Isn’t the Companion Pass the greatest thing ever? Love that thing!

How does one go about getting a companion pass ?? I found your site & I absolutely love all the info, but am fairly new at using all these tips. Don’t know why, I am 61, but husband & I just retired so planning more time for travel. Thanks for any help !! ?

Hey Debra, To earn the Companion Pass, you need to either earn 110,000 Southwest points in one calendar year or fly 100 one-way flights. For most people, the 100 flights won’t work, so earning the points is usually the way to go.

I love that you mentioned TripAdvisor first. Sadly we don’t do much travelling but whenever we go out to dinner even in our local area I always find myself nosing around TripAdvisor for reviews (I also love it when there are customer pictures, you can spy on how good the food looks too!). TripAdvisor is perfect for the extreme planner who wants to know exactly what they’re getting, which is me to a T (and also sounds like you guys).

Yep, we are definitely planners…although we’ve been leaving some room for spontaneity lately. We pretty much only look at the user photos. That way you get a really good idea of what stuff actually looks like before it is filtered and airbrushed by professional photographers.

I agree that Tripadvisor and Expedia are very helpful! I’ve never used ITA Matrix before, though I’d like to check it out. We haven’t flown as a family of four, but that ends this Friday. Our little one is so excited to fly on a “jet plane.”

I’ll never forget the first time our kids got on a plane! They were so pumped, and they still love it. Have a great trip!

I’m so guilty of going right to Southwest’s website when it comes to booking hotels. I will definitely check out IA Matrix. Usually, I spend time on Google Flights if we’re not flying Southwest (which is basically never). Thanks for the round up!

You bet. We love these tools, and highly recommend all of them!

I love Southwest!! I have yet to have a bad experience.

Yep. We fly Southwest all the time and have never had a bad experience. Of course, we just missed the huge outage a few weeks ago, so that helps keep me positive 🙂

We regularly use all of these, well with the exception of ITA Matrix as we love SW so much, to save money on travel. TripAdvisor is usually our first stop when researching travel – it’s good both for info and a laugh!

Right?!? How can you go wrong when something is funny AND informative?

I’ve never used ITA Matrix before, I’ll need to check it out. My favorite is definitely TripAdvisor – I don’t think I’ve ever booked a hotel without checking the reviews on TripAdvisor first!

Totally. We were just on it looking at hotels last night 🙂

We use TripAdvisor when planning our trips and love Southwest too. When we traveled to the Florida Keys this summer, one of the boat drivers for our parasailing adventure made the comment to us that TripAdvisor can “make or break” a business down there!

I’ve never heard of ITA Matrix, but will be sure to check it out before booking our next trip. Thanks!

Yeah, TripAdvisor is a really big deal for companies in the tourism industry. I’ve had many ask us specifically to leave a good review for them on TripAdvisor if we were satisfied.

Are the prices on the AirBNB site in American dollars?

Hey Chris! AirBnB automatically adjusts the currency to the default currency of the country you live in. So, if you live in the US but are renting a place in Paris, your price would be converted from Euros and show on your screen as USD. Hope that helps.

Love the list Greg! I’ve used trip advisor, vrbo, and the southwest app so I’ll vouch for those too. All great and easy to use. I usually fly Delta since I’m near a hub and their app is also very well designed. I actually recently used vrbo to book a place for a group of us going skiing in December. And even better I’ll be paying for my portion with rewards points!

Nice work! Using a cashback card or a travel credit?

Trip Advisor is awesome! I’m like you, I read the comments because I find them highly entertaining. Now I just need to travel more so I can check out some of these other apps!

It’s a great resource for reviews and traveler photos…and a little levity 🙂

I think the only thing missing is a points tracking tool. I personally like AwardWallet. Although points could easily be tracked in a spreadsheet so you may not need an app.

How providential that you wrote this article this week, Greg. My wife and I are finishing up plans for a trip to Vegas in October. I thought I had probably found the best deals available, but now I am going to cross-reference ITA matrix to be sure. Thanks for the tip!

If you travel outside the country, download an app called Simply Declare for tracking your purchases for Custom purposes, in real time currency. http://Www.Simplydeclare.Com is made for the thrifty traveller

I have never heard about ITA Matrix before – I checked it out and it is really cool. I have saved it for my future use. Thank you for sharing.

–Michael

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7 of the Best Money-Making Apps of 2024

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For those looking to earn money in an easily accessible way, apps provide plenty of avenues to consider. You can use your smartphone to take surveys, pick up a side gig , sell your unwanted stuff and more.

Here’s the scoop on seven free money-making apps. NerdWallet considered apps with at least 3.8 stars and 25,000 reviews in both Google Play and the iOS App Store.

7 of the best apps to make money

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• S corporations
• For groceries and gas
• Find data usage settings on your iPhone or Android
• New income-driven repayment plan calculator
• 3. Low financial investment
• Medicare Part B IRMAA
• 1. Gather your documents.
• Example 1. Start at $0 and save at your own pace
• You don’t always fly solo
• Americans prefer chip cards, but may be confused by them
• 2. Require a CPA, law license or enrolled agent designation
• 1. Child tax credit
• How medical debt affects credit scores
• GA income tax rates: Married filing separately
• Single-trigger RSUs: time-based vesting
• What about if your car breaks down?
• 2. Social media marketing
• How being an authorized user can help you build credit
• If you're younger than 59½ and the account is less than 5 years old
• If any of these situations apply to you
• Step 1: Enter your personal information
• Crypto trading fees
• 1. Do chores and odd jobs around the house or neighborhood
• 1. Decide how you want to invest in the stock market
• Why it’s the best
• 1. Know what you owe and how much you can pay
• 2. Research the stocks you want to buy
• Illinois earned income tax credit (EITC)
• 2. It’s not as financially fruitful if you’re in a low tax bracket
• Sole proprietorship taxes for LLCs
• 3. Start a meal-prep business
• 1. Automatic 401(k) enrollment
• 1. Dividend stocks
• Ally Bank Wire Transfer Fees
• Pay with miles from partner airlines
• 1. Set financial goals
• Premium Duo: $14.99 per month
• Chase First Banking
• 1. Transfer your points to a partner
• Learn a language
• Earning rewards
• 2. Le Royal Monceau (Paris, France) - Accor Live Limitless (ALL)
• Diversification
• Deciding to strike
• Personal guarantee
• 2. Business consulting
• Big three prepaid plans
• 1. Consider your vending machine options
• For upgraded bookings and group travel
• 50% of your income: needs
• Standard: $15.49 per month
• Changes that will impact most students
• Securities-based line of credit example
• Our pick for: Rich travel rewards
• Supplemental group life insurance
• Florida condo insurance rates by coverage level
• 2. Redemption flexibility
• 2. Air Canada Aeroplan
• Restaurants Care Resilience Fund grants
• Your retirement planning
• You fly at least three times a year with Frontier
• Ductwork and design: $500 to $7,500
• Symbotic Inc. (SYM)
• 2. Child and dependent care credit
• 2. Hybrid bar/coffee shop
• Air Canada checked bag allowance
• Pricing guides
• Robo-advisors
• 4. Pro-bono financial planning services
• Realtor vs. real estate agent
• Fare flexibility/ticket changes
• Using the other driver’s auto insurance provider
• Contact the car's seller and ask questions
• 3. Freelance graphic design
• Small-cap biotech stocks
• Consolidate debt with a balance transfer credit card
• Find a program
• Amica: Best for customer service
• 2. The American Express® Gold Card still features strong benefits
• 2. Babysit, walk dogs and feed pets for pay
• Know what incentives you qualify for
• 2. Car wash services
• What is a good VantageScore?
• The cheapest large car insurance company
• It’s the only way to buy a car
• 4. Create a food waste solution
• Trusts and estates
• 2. Decide what type of investor you are
• 2. Calculate your investing budget
• Income taxes for single-member LLCs
• You can make progress toward elite status without flying
• The Platinum Card® from American Express
• Bank of America Wire Transfer Fees
• 2. Get a transcript if you need one.
• Premium Family: $16.99 per month
• 2. Big travel rewards
• 1. Open an investment account
• Relief that costs money
• Nonrefundable tax credit
• 1. Know what you own — and why
• Understand you’re probably a speculator, not an investor
• Pro: No monthly payment or interest
• Directly from the U.S. government
• Flexibility
• Fueling/charging costs
• If you're younger than 59½ and the account is at least 5 years old
• Step 2: Account for multiple jobs
• Delta and Sixt status match
• Use AAdvantage miles to get to Morocco and beyond
• 1. Guarantees future insurability
• Ongoing discount
• 3. Air France/KLM Flying Blue
• Verizon Small Business Digital Ready
• 3. American opportunity tax credit
• Better academic outcomes
• How collision insurance works when the other driver is at fault
• Online brokerage account
• How unpaid medical bills can harm your credit
• Stabilization
• 5. Financial advisor consultations
• Double-trigger RSUs: performance-based goals
• Winner: Alaska Airlines
• Sign-up bonus
• Baggage and boarding
• 2. Ask for higher credit limits
• SALT deduction for income taxes
• How being an authorized user could hurt your credit
• Simple redemption options
• 3. Marketing services
• Step 1. Open the initial CDs
• Centralized exchange: Often for beginners
• If you qualify for a hardship withdrawal
• Premium: $22.99 per month
• Types of residency statuses in Arizona
• Funding and minimums
• Changes and cancellations
• 2. Evaluate your sunlight exposure
• 2. Pack essentials in your carry-on
• 3. If you're going for it, you have only until Dec. 31
• Your good credit earns a very low interest rate
• 5. Capitalize on plant-based foods
• Farmers Market Promotion Program
• How a claim affects Florida condo insurance rates
• Advantages of a lady bird deed
• Will pre-qualifying affect my credit score?
• Chase Wire Transfer Fees
• 3. Use the proper forms.
• Example 2. Start with $10,000 and make $400 in interest in one year
• 3. Look for friends in high places
• 3. Liquor store
• Refundable tax credit
• Redeeming points
• 3. The Savoy (London, England) - Accor Live Limitless (ALL)
• Difference between a real estate agent and a broker
• How business lines of credit work
• Provide other collateral
• Carefully craft your listing
• Online lenders
• 4. Freelance writing
• Consumer costs mounting
• Limited partnerships
• Brand partnerships
• Auto rental collision damage waiver
• You'll likely miss out on introductory offers
• Rewards-based crowdfunding
• For flights booked in a travel portal
• 1. Research the pay
• 30% of your income: wants
• 2. Test websites and apps
• 3. Sell your stuff in person or online
• It’s not what you can borrow, it’s what you can afford
• Changes to acceleration in GDP
• EveryDollar
• 2. A new 401(k) employer contribution option
• Average cost
• Amica: Best for customer satisfaction
• 1. Academic tutor
• 2. Apply for a credit card consolidation loan
• How to enroll in Clear
• 2. Track your money
• Premium Student: $5.99 per month
• What consumers should do: Assess your financial situation to figure out which type of advisor is best for you
• 4. Lifetime learning credit
• Resident status rules
• 2. Research commodity ETFs
• Digital card 'assistants'
• How it works
• Gameway (Gaming lounge)
• State Farm: Best overall customer satisfaction
• 2. Skip EarlyBird (but still get a good spot in the boarding line)
• Reconsider spending habits
• APR ranges for bank lenders
• Can you strike without a union?
• Get a vehicle history report
• National Endowment for the Arts
• Apply for certification
• 4. Real estate business
• Crypto.com DeFi Wallet: 4.8 out of 5 stars
• 3. Auto repair
• Illinois K-12 education expense credit
• Basic company information
• Other ways to access M Club lounges
• 6. Start a dropshipping business
• At a glance
• Compare insurance rates for 20-year-olds
• 2. Dividend index funds and exchange-traded funds
• Possible Finance: No-credit-check, high-interest installment loans
• Income taxes for multi-member LLCs
• 1. Find a CPO car
• What if I didn't get an extension?
• What do I need to pre-qualify for a personal loan?
• Wells Fargo Wire Transfer Fees
• 4. Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
• San Francisco Women’s Entrepreneurship Fund
• VA and USDA loans: 0% down payment
• Transfer points from Chase, American Express or Capital One
• 4. Consider a payment plan if you can't afford your tax bill.
• You hate being nickeled and dimed
• Can you cancel and get your money back?
• The type of central air unit: $600 to $24,000
• 3. AmEx Offers
• Promises that are too good to be true
• 4. Handyman or contractor
• The five-year rule for Roth IRAs
• Partially refundable tax credit
• Boost your resume
• Collision insurance vs. comprehensive insurance vs. full coverage insurance
• Managed brokerage account
• Online financial planning services
• Personal loans
• Changing landscape
• Start small and diversify
• Business credit
• Con: You have to pay all at once
• CD opening deposit
• Introductory 0% APR
• Call your auto insurance provider no matter what
• Pick established products
• 2. Narrow your focus
• 2. Choose your insurance deductible
• Maintenance and repair costs
• If you’re 59½ or older and the account is less than 5 years old
• 2. Be aware of potential costs
• Step 3: Claim dependents, including children
• Changes that will impact low-income students
• USAA life insurance riders
• Cities with the top five highest annual rent increases:
• 2. Understand your options
• 3. Estimate and compare the cost of solar panels for homes
• 4. Tax-loss harvesting is most useful if you’re investing in individual stocks, actively managed funds and/or exchange-traded funds
• 2. Retirement accounts
• Specific shares
• Medicare Select policies add network requirements
• Getting the best HELOC rate
• 3. A long 0% intro APR period
• 2. Car washing
• 1. Choose a stock screener
• 401(k)s vs. pension plans
• How would your finances compare?
• 5. Student loan interest deduction
• Part-year resident status rules
• Average monthly car payment by credit score
• Online retailers
• Home equity loans pros and cons
• 4. Waldorf Astoria Versailles – Trianon Palace (Versailles, France) - Hilton Honors
• Seat selection
• Obtain an ITIN and EIN
• Set a fair price
• High rewards rate
• 5. E-book writing
• SALT deduction for sales taxes
• Be strategic about major purchases
• Six months of Uber One membership
• You might miss out on annual rewards
• Step 2. Reinvest each CD when it matures
• All-in-one exchanges: Trade more than crypto
• 20% of your income: savings and debt
• Does basic economy get a carry-on on United?
• 4. Sell lemonade in the summer or hot cocoa in the winter
• Credit Karma
• Pass-through allowance
• 3. Required minimum distributions
• Contact your previous employer
• One step further: Search for single legs
• Straightforward sign-up bonus
• Disney California Adventure
• 3. Choose how much you want to invest
• For dining rewards
• Disadvantages of a lady bird deed
• Founders First Job Creators Quest Grant
• How Clear works at the airport
• Your interest rate
• 5. Don't be afraid to ask for help.
• What about third parties like Orbitz, Expedia and Hotels.com?
• Intro APR and balance transfer period
• Find an in-network ATM abroad
• Where to get it
• Advantages of sticking with one bank
• Environmental concerns
• 2. Trust in diversification
• Cost to own an inground pool
• Company assets
• Blanket coverage
• Pro: It’s easier to qualify
• Spacing out credit card applications
• CD maturity date
• What happens to a striker’s job?
• No annual fee
• A return to 'normal'
• Merchandise
• 5. Event planning
• Country Financial: Best for using an agent
• If you're 59½ or older and the account is at least 5 years old
• 3. Budget for taxes
• Step 4: Refine your withholdings
• Availability
• 2. Choose an investment account
• Foresters life insurance riders
• 3. Decide how many shares to buy
• Applying for an IRS payment plan online
• Ownership and management team
• 1. With more time for interest to accrue, you will pay more
• 7. Curate subscription boxes
• Value-Added Producer Grant
• 4. A valuable sign-up bonus for new cardholders
• 3. Decide where to buy mutual funds
• You can score Delta SkyMiles Deals
• Chase Sapphire Reserve®
• 5. Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards
• 3. Child care
• Conventional mortgages: As low as 3% down payment
• Medicare Part D IRMAA in 2024
• You’ll only fly Frontier once or twice per year
• Our picks for employee card spending limits
• 6. Adoption credit
• Nonresident status rules
• 5. Automotive repairs
• Costs could be comparable or cheaper
• 1. Online advice services
• Beware penny stock scams
• Work longer — or part time
• How merchant cash advances work
• 1. Can the borrower pay its bonds?
• Earning rates
• Large sign-up bonus
• Alaska Airlines
• 3. Set up balance alerts to stay on top of spending
• Economic Development Administration
• 3. Evaluate other factors
• Research top private equity firms
• Methodology
• Decentralized exchanges: Competitive prices, but more complex
• Los Angeles
• 3. Learn to use AI tools
• Cities with the top five annual rent price declines or smallest increases:
• Our pick for: Intro APR + high rewards on everyday spending
• 3. Arrive at the airport two hours early
• Illinois tax deductions
• Use your British Airways Avios
• 2. Acts as a savings vehicle for your child
• 5. You must keep your apples and oranges straight
• The cheapest midsize car insurance company
• Average 401(k) match
• Is rental car coverage primary or secondary?
• Airport lounge access
• 3. Budget for emergencies
• What about travel insurance?
• Check for existing protection
• 4. Do a background search
• Buying a put example
• If you've owned your account for less than five years ...
• General liability insurance
• 2. Take a cut with affiliate marketing
• How to dispute a medical bill on your reports
• Additional financing
• Managing multiple billing cycles
• Interact with the community
• Determine if the car is selling for a fair price
• 6. Translation
• SALT deduction for property taxes
• 6. Video production
• Qualifying for a traditional IRA when you have a 401(k) or other employer plan
• Baggage delay insurance
• Allow up to 50% of your income for needs
• But wait, there’s more 
• Reasons for unfreezing your credit
• 4. Watch for scams
• If you are converting your 401(k) to an IRA
• Step 5: Sign and date your W-4
• Crypto selection
• 5. Teach others a skill
• Common stocks vs. preferred stocks

3. Swagbucks

• Zengo Wallet: 4.8 out of 5 stars
• 4. Personal trainers
• Company history
• Put contributions into a Roth
• Home supply is still limited
• Search databases
• More about the best Florida condo insurance companies
• If your tax rate is low now and you expect it to be higher in retirement
• Choosing corporate tax status for your LLC
• 2. Verify its condition
• How long will it take to pre-qualify?
• 6. JetBlue TrueBlue
• 4. Pet sitting or dog walker
• 2. Set a target for future earnings growth rate
• Winner for ease of miles: Qatar Privilege Club
• FHA loans: As low as 3.5% down payment
• 7. Earned income tax credit
• Virtual card numbers
• How to protect a copyright
• APR ranges for credit union lenders
• Con: You’ll likely pay much more than you get
• Deductibles
• Can you negotiate with GivemetheVIN?
• Credit unions
• Example interest checking APYs at select institutions
• Personal loan calculator
• What factors affect the amount you can borrow
• Health insurance deduction
• Partnership agreements
• How much does a Disney Lightning Pass cost?
• Bid and ask
• Ages 35 to 44
• How do I make sure coverage applies to my rental?
• 4. Select a provider to open your Roth IRA
• Find a car loan
• How much does Clear cost without the Delta discount?
• Where to get auto insurance quotes
• Size of the AC system
• 4. Up to $200 in annual credit for airline incidental fees
• 6. Home cleaning
• Redeeming rewards
• Traditional human financial advisors
• Home equity loans
• 5. Hotel del Coronado (near San Diego, California) - Hilton Honors
• Next: Best for online quotes, claims
• 3. Consider buying the dip
• What buyers and sellers should ask real estate agents
• Scheduled personal property coverage
• Timing credit applications with big future purchases
• CDs at a bank vs. credit union
• Upgradeability
• American Airlines
• You want to earn travel rewards
• Grant databases
• Look for private equity exchange-traded funds
• Stock mutual funds = higher potential returns (or losses)
• 7. Podcasting
• Valuation metrics
• Euphoria and despair
• Economic data
• Should you buy or sell based on these signals?
• Does your Known Traveler Number change when you change your name?
• IHG Rewards to Hertz status match
• Illinois exemption allowance
• Applying for an IRS payment plan by phone or mail
• Mission statement
• 8. Create an airport-centric app
• Our pick for: No credit check at all
• 4. Catch-up contributions
• 3. Bonds and bond index funds
• If your tax rate is higher now than you expect it to be in retirement
• 5. Lawn care business
• Jumbo loans: As low as 5%-10% down payment (varies)
• Average annual full coverage car insurance premium by company
• Consider do-it-yourself monitoring and recovery
• 5. Compare tax preparation fees
• 8. Charitable donation deduction
• And when you retire ...
• Commercial property insurance
• 2. Book in Chase's travel portal
• Pay with a credit card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees
• Disadvantages of sticking with one bank
• 1. Cash dividends
• Wait to collect Social Security
• Expand your reach
• Will GivemetheVIN buy my car if I owe on it?
• Know the code
• 4. Pay your bill before your issuer reports to the credit bureaus
• More approachable travel prices
• Use a debt repayment method
• Discounted rates
• Traditional IRA limits in 2023-2024
• Tax credits
• QuickBooks Online: Cloud-based accounting
• Tips for unfreezing your credit
• Salt Lake City
• 4. Keep your ID handy
• 3. Covers costs if the worst were to happen
• 2. Lenders usually charge higher interest rates for long-term auto loans
• Business mileage
• Dun & Bradstreet business credit scores
• Larger footprint
• Purchasing stocks
• Magic Kingdom
• Attractions eligible for individual Lightning Lane passes
• What coverage is included?
• 5. No late fee the first time you pay late
• EarnIn: No-credit-check cash advances
• 3. Make the purchase
• Redemption values are unpredictable
• SBA 7(a) loan fees
• 1. Find a dividend-paying stock
• Other student loan calculators
• Our pick for: Grocery spending, commuting and streaming service subscriptions
• Cards that offer Clear statement credits
• Hotel elite status
• 4. Tackle high-interest debt
• Installation and labor: $75 to $250 per hour
• 5. Up to $200 in Uber cash for rides
• What consumers should do: Know your options for money management
• 7. IT and computer services
• 3. Get free Wi-Fi (365 times)
• UCC lien on specific collateral
• How invoice financing works
• Types of CDs
• SALT deduction for personal property taxes
• Subscriptions
• Costs and fees to keep in mind
• 5. Watch for burnout symptoms
• Functionality
• 4. Take advantage of government incentives
• 4. Buy stocks using the right order type for you
• 6. Don’t sell your losers just to get the tax break
• 9. Become a destination wedding planner
• Volume, average volume and day’s range
• State Departments of Agriculture
• America’s Seed Fund
• EMV transactions take longer, but not by much
• 9. Medical expenses deduction
• 3. Purchase the commodity ETF
• Tax credits for people with kids
• Home equity lines of credit pros and cons
• Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
• Buy now, pay later loans
• 2. Stock dividends
• Small-cap stocks and value stocks may outperform
• Check the volume
• Humana Medicare Part D
• Competitive rewards rate for average credit
• Follow the rules
• Does GivemetheVIN buy leased vehicles?
• Meet in a public place
• 8. Writing a blog
• 8. IT consulting
• Erie: Best in the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest
• Use Affirm as a payment option
• Lost luggage reimbursement
• Leave 30% of your income for wants
• Trading vs. investing
• Is it easy to sync my Global Entry membership with a new passport?
• How can I qualify to borrow more?
• 3. Call your lender
• 5. Newborn and post-pregnancy services
• Earning miles and scoring other Oneworld perks when flying Royal Air Maroc
• Product/service and customer
• Home office deduction
• What isn't covered?
• For dining/grocery/entertainment rewards, no annual fee
• How do I access a HELOC?
• You can't really optimize redemptions for value
• SBA 504 loan fees
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
• United Airlines MileagePlus
• 6. Housecleaning
• 3. Tap your home equity for a loan or line of credit
• 3. Use the P/E ratio to find potentially undervalued stocks
• Friend and family loans
• Lower fares than everyone else (six per reservation)
• Should you invest in retail stocks in 2023?
• Average annual full coverage car insurance premium by age
• 6. Up to $200 in annual hotel credit
• Texts and social media
• Business interruption insurance
• 6. The Venetian Resort Las Vegas and Palazzo at the Venetian Resort (Las Vegas, Nevada) - IHG Rewards Club
• 2. Free or cheap financial apps
• How to plan your inground pool installation
• How we picked the airlines to evaluate
• GET MORE MILES, MORE BENEFITS WITH A DELTA CARD
• Research the people
• Pros of biotech stocks
• 4. Consider extra coverage
• Virtual cheers
• QuickBooks Desktop Pro Plus: Better value without industry-specific features
• Equity-based crowdfunding
• 3. Other AmEx cards do provide lounge access
• 5. Wear easy-to-remove shoes
• Split between a traditional and Roth IRA to defer taxes
• 10. Make local guides
• 5. Education savings and loan debt
• Ages 45 to 54
• Rideshare insurance costs by company
• Revocable life insurance trusts
• Andover Companies: Best coverage
• WomensNet Grants
• 6. Reconsider tax preparers who don't e-file
• 10. Deduction for state and local taxes
• 8. Pet store, grooming and boarding
• 3. Land a brand deal and make sponsored content
• 3. Dividend reinvestment programs (DRIPs)
• Blanket lien
• Your credit utilization
• Do workers get paid while on strike?
• Where does GivemetheVIN buy cars?
• Do a visual inspection
• Other Ally Bank reviews
• 3. Turn to qualitative stock research
• Walmart Foundation
• Luxury programs
• Bond mutual funds = lower returns (but lower risk)
• 9. Catering
• Federal protections are minimal in the U.S.
• 4. Take surveys for money
• Conventional loans
• 6. Find local gigs through Nextdoor
• Individual stocks vs. funds
• Guarda: 4.6 out of 5 stars
• 7. Put the cash from the sale to good use
• 3. Investment accounts for kids
• Self-employment tax
• Home prices keep climbing
• Equifax business credit scores
• What vehicle rentals are excluded?
• How much does a HELOC cost?
• 6. No foreign transaction fees
• 4. Real estate investment trusts (REITs)
• 4. Understand mutual fund fees
• 2. Evaluate the stock
• Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
• 7. Housesitting
• 5. Plan for retirement
• Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) Rating
• 7. Up to $300 Equinox credit
• Evaluate the risk
• High-interest installment loans
• 4. Think about getting a second opinion
• Hedging against future downturns
• Be prepared to research
• Opportunity to upgrade
• Delta Air Lines
• 9. Freelance researching
• 5. Monitor your total credit utilization
• SALT tax deduction 2023
• Make multiple credit card payments per month
• But wait, there’s more
• Capital gains tax rate 2023
• Market orders
• Future goals
• Cheapest car insurance after a speeding ticket
• Your money management style
• EPS (TTM) and earnings date
• When are taxes due in October?
• National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) grant
• 1. You avoid having the IRS do it for you.
• Rental car elite status
• 7. Confirm they'll sign on the dotted line
• 11. Mortgage interest deduction
• The program is too expensive
• Which is better when?
• 4. Special dividends
• Progressive: Best for bundling business, auto coverage
• How we chose the winner
• Audi on Demand fair fueling promise
• Can I drop off my car instead of having it picked up at my home or office?
• Test drive the car
• Cons of biotech stocks
• Bucket lists still unsatisfied
• 5. Get a quote
• 10. Social media management
• Cruising further from the U.S.
• Emissions and efficiency
• 2. Find the right location for your vending machine
• 7. Freelance
• Can you travel with your maiden name passport?
• Our pick for: Everyday spending
• 5. Pick a purchase method that works for you
• 6. Enrichment activities for children
• Pay bills on time
• 3. You have a higher risk of developing negative equity
• 11. Create a local grocery delivery service
• Hollywood Studios
• Ages 55 to 64
• How long will the rental be covered?
• 5. Gather your paperwork
• Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Grants
• Emirates Skywards
• 8. Errand-running
• How to get Clear membership at no cost for you and a family member
• Consumers benefit from the extra security EMV provides
• 8. $300 SoulCycle credit
• Buying a put vs. shorting example
• 9. Salon or barbershop
• 7. Nemacolin (Farmington, Pennsylvania) - I Prefer Rewards
• 4. Fly on holidays for free drinks
• Jewelry warranties
• Average online personal loan rates over time
• Your payment history
• 10. Freelance coding and web design
• Stay skeptical
• Venture capital
• Money market mutual funds = lowest returns, lowest risk
• Additional standard deduction 2023 (taxes due 2024)
• Trip delay reimbursement
• Commit 20% of your income to savings and debt paydown
• Schedule 1 : Additional income and adjustments to income
• Changes that will impact students with siblings in college
• First trimester
• Leverage elite status
• Bonus features
• Our pick for: Beginner-friendly features
• 6. Saver's tax credit
• Mutual funds
• Ex-dividend date
• Irrevocable life insurance trusts (ILITs)
• Compare car insurance rates for 35-year-olds
• Top-tier Diamond status is hard to reach
• 3. Decide how much stock you want to buy
• Program for Investors in Microentrepreneurs
• 2. You can pay your tax bill in installments.
• 8. Check if they would have your back
• 12. Gambling loss deduction
• Commodity ETF pros
• Try paying in cash dollars
• Reducing or waiving your collision deductible
• 5. Preferred dividends
• How long do strikes usually last?
• What if someone else’s name is on the title?
• Why is there a SALT cap?
• Bank of America Charitable Foundation
• What's next?
• Certain repositioning cruises
• On-platform storage: Easy to use, with some risks
• You can use credit card benefits to travel in basic economy
• 3. Learn the difference between investing in stocks and funds
• Capital gains tax rate 2024
• Custodial wallet
• Exodus: 4.5 out of 5 stars
• Keep credit utilization below 30%
• 12. Start a virtual event planning company
• Experian business credit scores
• Sign-up bonuses
• What if I don’t have personal auto insurance?
• 7. An account-locking function
• Afterpay: No-credit-check buy now, pay later loans
• American Express
• What do I need for my loan application?
• British Airways Executive Club
• 9. Seasonal chores
• 4. Focus on market cap to screen out risky companies
• 6. Optimize your finances with tax planning
• Free airfare for kids on some flights
• 1. Examine your cooling needs
• 9. Up to $240 in digital entertainment credit
• 4. Sell some merch
• 5. Focus on the long term
• Consistency is key
• Average bank personal loan rates over time
• Aetna Medicare Part D
• Your credit age
• Have the car inspected by a mechanic
• Frontier Airlines
• Tap into savings to pay down debt
• How much does it cost?
• 11. Business planning service
• USAA: Best for military and veterans
• Additional standard deduction 2024 (taxes due 2025)
• 8. Tutor your peers
• WANT TSA PRECHECK FOR FREE?
• Account linking
• Sole proprietorship taxation: Income and self-employed taxes
• Animal Kingdom
• 1-year target estimate
• Ages 65 to 74
• U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite® Card
• 3. The government might owe you money.
• Statement credits
• 13. IRA contributions deduction
• Commodity ETF cons
• 10. Gas station
• Your major doesn’t support it
• Chase Freedom Flex℠
• 6. Dividend funds
• Tips for reducing the cost of an inground pool
• How we assigned star ratings
• You and your things
• Individual biotech stocks
• Example CD APYs at select institutions
• Mini CD ladder
• Schedule 2 : Additional taxes
• 5. Make money from your blog with affiliate links
• Government-backed loans
• 7. Mobile apps and entertainment for children
• Keep credit accounts open
• 4. You could fall into a cycle of negative equity
• Competition remains steady
• 7. Hardship withdrawals
• Credit cards for earning American AAdvantage miles
• How does coverage vary for international rentals?
• For everyday spending
• 5. Money market funds
• Iberia Plus
• 10. Selling handmade crafts
• 4. Borrow from your 401(k)
• FedEx Small Business Grant Contest
• 2. Time it right
• 10. $189 Clear credit
• 8. Grand Hotel Tremezzo (Lake Como, Italy) - I Prefer Rewards
• 5. Watch for sales (They happen frequently)
• Jewelry service plans
• Average credit union personal loan rates over time
• Predictability
• 11. Software and app development
• 12. Tax consulting
• Trip cancellation/interruption insurance
• Start with the elevator pitch
• Cheapest car insurance after an accident
• 13. Sell zero-waste products
• AARP membership
• Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park
• Moving averages
• 6. Pick your investments
• 8. Social Security number alerts
• Government bonds
• 4. You can avoid problems getting a loan.
• Payday alternative loans
• 14. 401(k) contributions deduction
• 11. Grocery store
• How we verified our data
• JetBlue Airways
• Consider a personal loan
• Illiquidity
• Know what’s inside
• Uneven splits
• Noncustodial wallets: More effort, more security
• Second trimester
• 9. Take surveys
• Coinbase Wallet: 4.4 out of 5 stars
• Limit orders
• Space out credit applications
• Consider paying with miles
• Watch the calendar
• 11. Making greeting cards
• 3. Look for equipment rebates and tax credits
• 11. Reimbursement of application fees for TSA Precheck or Global Entry
• Cash back or gift cards
• 5. Offer memberships
• 2. Is now the right time to buy bonds?
• 4. Put your stock research into context
• In case of medical emergencies
• Use an Affirm virtual card
• Schedule 3 : Additional credits and payments
• Perks await when you fly economy with elite status
• 8. Shared accessories and attire
• 14. Make products for pets
• Stock splits
• Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park
• What is the procedure for filing a claim?
• The FruitGuys Community Fund
• 9. Cash at checkout
• 5. Manage your mutual fund portfolio
• Chubb: Best for high-value homes
• InboxDollars Surveys
• 5. Safeguard your Social Security.
• 7. Invest to build your future goals
• What consumers should do: Consider the pros and cons of a robo-advisor
• Tax credits for low-to-middle-income households
• 6. Take advantage where you can
• 12. Business coaching
• Biotech stock ETFs
• Carnegie Corporation
• Charging/filling up
• Monitor your credit reports
• Stick to the basics
• 5. Repair and maintenance costs increase with a car’s age
• Our pick for: Fixed monthly payments
• 8. Emergency savings
• Is Lightning Lane worth it? 
• Set cash aside
• 12. Art teacher
• 5. Research the stocks
• 12. Up to $100 in statement credits annually at Saks Fifth Avenue
• 15. Saver’s credit
• 9. The Royal at Atlantis (Paradise Island, Bahamas) - Marriott Bonvoy
• Dividend per share (DPS)
• 13. PR agency
• How to have more taxes taken out of your paycheck
• 6. Sell your wares on Etsy
• Third trimester
• 10. Search for regular jobs for kids
• A few other fee-related details to note
• Wash sale rules
• Customer support
• Solar panel incentives by state
• 15. Create custom clothing
• Inheritance and gifts
• Support and resistance
• Dwelling coverage
• Identify grants that are suited to your business
• Access to other deals and promotions
• 12. Drugstore
• Amazon or Apple purchases
• Free online tax filing software compared
• Cigna Medicare Part D
• Other people and their things
• Southwest Airlines
• 13. College consulting
• Transparency, regulation and data
• Don't just forget about it
• Example money market account APYs at select institutions
• Our pick for: Flat-rate travel rewards
• 6. Respect other passengers' space
• Upgrading to Main Plus
• 6. High-yield savings accounts
• Citi Prestige® Card
• Google Opinion Rewards
• 13. Musician
• Our pick for: Utilities, commuting and more
• 8. Grow your financial well-being
• Home equity loan
• 13. Walmart+ Monthly Membership Credit
• 16. Health savings account contributions deduction
• Dividend yield
• Appendix: How the math works in our examples
• Pharmacy choice
• USAA vs. State Farm home insurance
• Trust Wallet: 4.3 out of 5 stars
• Be passionate
• Schedule SE
• Prepared to put down roots?
• For seasonal spending
• Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge
• Consider using a retirement account
• 401(k) hardship withdrawals
• How to protect a trademark
• Paying with a private-party auto loan
• Ford Foundation
• 14. Professional organizing
• How to have less taxes taken out of your paycheck
• 4. Set a budget for your stock market investment
• Cost basis calculations
• Cheapest car insurance after a DUI
• User experience
• 4. Education accounts
• Utility-based clean energy incentives
• 16. Sell vintage clothing online
• Pros of a 203(k) loan
• Capital One
• 14. Music lessons
• 5. Enter a debt management plan
• Confirm grant details
• 17. Self-employment expenses deduction
• 13. Antique or thrift store
• 10. The Royal Hawaiian (Honolulu, Hawaii) - Marriott Bonvoy
• American Family
• Labor and delivery
• 9. Shared home improvement equipment
• Travelers vs. Allstate home insurance
• Real estate
• 3. Which bonds are right for my portfolio?
• Just the car
• Paying with a personal loan
• 14. Tutoring
• 15. Photography
• You're able to use Affirm Pay in 4
• 3. Find your vending machine
• Where is the best place to exchange currency?
• 7. Self-publish an e-book
• Dollar-cost averaging
• 7. Have a backup plan ready
• Keep it succinct
• Additional taxes
• 17. Begin niche blogging
• Cons of a 203(k) loan
• Personal property
• Corporate bonds
• 15. Farmers market vendor
• Vanguard 500 Index Fund (VFIAX)
• 9. Estate planning: Protect your financial well-being
• Home equity line of credit
• 14. Access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection at airports
• 18. Home office deduction
• 14. Fitness studio or gym
• Tax credits for investing in retirement
• Coca‑Cola Foundation
• Business loans
• How to use a W-4 to owe nothing on a tax return
• MetaMask: 4.0 out of 5 stars
• How do you get a perfect credit score?
• Our pick for: An upgrade path
• Young Farmer Grant Program
• Prepare and submit applications
• 11. The Algonquin (New York City, New York) - Marriott Bonvoy
• Dividend payout ratio
• Paying by cash or check
• Spirit Airlines
• 15. Online fitness trainer
• How do I find a currency exchange near me?
• USAA vs. Allstate home insurance
• How's your job security?
• Golden crosses and death crosses
• 16. Candle maker
• Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund (VTSAX)
• 15. Centurion Lounge Complimentary Guest Access
• 19. Educator expenses deduction
• Enroll in the Always Audi program
• 16. Event space
• You're booking essential travel but lack the funds to pay in full
• 11. Monetize your social media accounts

7. Poshmark

• 2. Use tax-advantaged accounts
• Have structure
• 18. Become an e-book writer
• Travelers vs. Geico home insurance
• How much does Disney Genie+ cost?
• Loss of use
• Soft vs. hard credit inquiry
• 15. Tutoring business
• Where can you exchange currency for free?
• 10. Vacation rentals
• 5. ABLE Accounts
• Property-based passive income ideas
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
• 17. Retail arbitrage
• Consider backup funding options
• Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund (VBTLX)
• Home equity loans and lines of credit
• Cash-out refinance
• 20. Solar tax credit
• 12. The US Grant (San Diego, California) - Marriott Bonvoy
• Pre-qualify to compare offers
• 16. SEO consulting
• Home Depot Foundation Veteran Housing Grants Program
• 17. Interior decorating
• Can you pay estimated taxes at any time?
• 8. Get advertising revenue from your blog or YouTube channel
• 12. Get paid to stream on Twitch
• 5. Focus on investing for the long-term
• Cheapest auto insurance for poor credit
• Personal liability
• 16. Upgrade to Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
• 16. Ice cream shop
• Tax credits for education
• United Airlines
• Auto Club Group
• USAA vs. Geico home insurance
• Our pick for: Customizable bonus categories
• Electrum: 2.5 out of 5 stars
• 19. Start ghostwriting
• Are you financially prepared?
• Attractions eligible for Genie+
• For general travel
• Fund-a-Farmer Grants
• 18. Graphic designer
• Vanguard Balanced Index Fund (VBIAX)
• 21. Energy efficient home improvement tax credit
• Selling a put example
• 18. Woodworking or furniture building
• What happens if I forget to pay my quarterly taxes?
• 3. Rebalance with dividends
• 11. Electronics repair
• Write it later
• Earthquakes
• 1. Decide what type of investor you are.
• More from NerdWallet
• Compare car insurance rates for drivers with a DUI
• 8. Buy a rental property
• No-credit-check loan example
• Complete financial plan and investment advice
• 17. Upgrade to Hilton Honors Gold status
• 17. Dry cleaner
• 13. St. Ermin’s Hotel (London, England) - Marriott Bonvoy
• Use Audi on Demand rewards points
• 17. Selling handmade goods
• Business credit cards
• 4. Explore your financing options
• 5. Optimize your stock portfolio
• 20. Become a resume writer
• Our pick for: No security deposit, low annual fee
• 19. Technology tutor
• Vanguard Growth Index Fund (VIGAX)
• Personal loan
• 22. Electric vehicle tax credit
• Clif Family Foundation
• Testing a resistance level
• Medical payments
• 18. Money-saving perks for stays booked through The Hotel Collection
• Gifting large sums of money to family
• 18. Bookstore
• 19. Graphic design
• How can I make paying quarterly taxes easier?
• 6. Manage your stock portfolio
• 4. Use the home sales exclusion
• Get a test reader
• 21. Open a coworking space
• Winter weather
• Brighter Future Fund
• 9. Rent out your own house
• California earned income tax credit (CalEITC)
• 20. Blogger
• Vanguard Small Cap Index Fund (VSMAX)
• Specialized guidance and/or want to meet with an advisor face-to-face
• Pay with a Visa Infinite card
• 18. Virtual thrift shop
• 9. Become an Instagram influencer
• 6. Know when to sell stocks — and when not to
• Loss assessment
• 19. Complimentary benefits through Fine Hotels & Resorts
• 19. Bed and breakfast
• 14. Prince de Galles (Paris, France) - Marriott Bonvoy
• 20. Clothing boutique
• Business grants
• 1. Has the W-4 form changed?
• California young child tax credit (YCTC)
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
• 21. Podcaster
• Our pick for: Your choice of expenses
• Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund (VTIAX)
• Cash advance apps
• Paying for vacations, cars or other stuff
• Auto-Owners
• 5. Look into tax-loss harvesting
• 12. Academics courses
• 22. Become an online coach
• Is Genie+ worth it?
• 10. Get a roommate
• Portfolio management only
• 20. Floral shop
• The Hartford
• Tax credits for green purchases
• 19. Affiliate marketing
• 21. Bed and breakfast
• California child and dependent care tax credit
• 22. Social media influencer
• Laid-back loans
• 15. Hotel du Louvre (Paris, France) - World of Hyatt
• Kubota Hometown Proud Grant Program
• 2. What does it mean to be exempt from taxes?
• 2. Choose how much you want to invest.
• 23. Flip failing websites
• Our pick for: No security deposit, low annual fee, potentially high credit limit
• For Hilton lovers
• Alternative investment passive income ideas
• NJM: Best small regional insurer
• How much are car insurance quotes?
• 20. Free shipping with ShopRunner
• 21. Gardening and landscaping
• Jewelers Mutual
• Use a credit card with rental car collision damage waiver
• 20. Accounting or bookkeeping
• 22. Food truck
• 10. Monetize your Twitch channel
• 6. Consider a robo-advisor
• Our pick for: Bank of America® customers
• Ledger: 5.0 out of 5 stars
• Cheapest car insurance for young drivers
• Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund
• California adoption cost tax credit
• 23. Live-streaming gamer
• Joint bank accounts
• 13. Language courses
• 24. Become a web developer
• 21. Concierge service
• Above-the-line deductions
• Progressive
• 3. Gather your paperwork.
• 11. Peer-to-peer lending
• California nonrefundable renters tax credit
• 24. Photographer or videographer
• 22. Nail salon and spa
• 21. Telemarketing
• Amazon Web Services (AWS) Imagine Grant
• 23. Restaurant or cafe
• 5. Stock your vending machine with inventory
• 25. Start a podcast
• Winner for premium seating classes: Etihad
• Buy now, pay later
• 22. Low fares through the International Airline Program
• 16. Hotel Martinez (Cannes, France) - World of Hyatt
• 3. When should I review my W-4?
• Trezor: 4 out of 5 stars
• 25. Web designer
• Below-the-line deductions
• 23. Photography
• 22. Online personal assistant
• 24. Craft brewery
• 26. Be a social media influencer
• American Express® Gold Card
• Which factors determine car insurance quotes?
• 23. Savings with the Cruise Privileges Program
• 11. Sell your photography
• 14. Business or marketing courses
• 4. Pick your investments.
• Tornadoes and high wind
• Our pick for: Average credit and rewards
• For Amazon and Whole Foods devotees
• Compare auto insurance rates for drivers with poor credit
• 12. Private equity
• 26. Transcription
• 24. Clothing boutique
• 17. Hemingways Nairobi (Nairobi, Kenya) - World of Hyatt
• 23. Data entry
• 4. Can I adjust my W-4 multiple times throughout the year?
• 24. Car Rental Privileges
• 25. Ice cream shop
• 6. Make the right investments
• SafePal: 3.8 out of 5 stars
• Cheapest car insurance for senior drivers
• 27. Create online courses
• 25. Daycare
• 24. Transcription
• Our pick for: Paying rent
• Online loans
• 27. Data entry
• 25. Deals through the Amex Auto Purchasing Program
• 26. Personal chef
• 15. Personal wellness
• What should you do if you’re invested in these REITs?
• 28. Become a marketing consultant
• 26. Brewery or winery
• 25. Travel planning
• The Hanover
• 13. Crypto staking
• 28. Create an app or online game
• Our pick for: Earning more automatically
• 26. An extra point when booking Platinum Destinations Vacations
• State Farm Good Neighbor Citizenship Company Grants
• 27. Landscape services
• Co-signed or joint loans
• Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card *
• 27. Hardware store
• 29. Develop an app
• Our pick for: Average credit and no annual fee
• 27. Additional value through the InCircle rewards program
• 26. Cybersecurity and IT consulting
• 28. Pet grooming
• 12. Become a dog walker with Rover or Wag
• For devoted Walmart fans
• Look up the insurer’s financial strength
• 28. Catering company
• 16. Courses in hobbies or interests
• Secured loans
• 28. AmEx Carbon Emissions Tracker
• Google Ad Grants
• 29. Florist
• 30. Make a smart appliance
• 29. Real estate agency
• Product creation passive income ideas
• 27. Online therapy
• 31. Tap into virtual reality experiences
• Family loans
• Research the insurer’s reputation for customer service
• 30. Event venue and planner
• 30. Massage therapist
• 1. Look at customer satisfaction scores
• 13. Sell unused gift cards
• 17. Bookkeeping and accounting
• Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
• Winner for lowest fees: Tie
• 29. The Global Dining Access by Resy
• 28. PR consulting
• 32. Make a niche dating site
• Our pick for: Limited credit
• 14. Write content
• Individual stocks
• 31. Tattoo and piercing shop
• The Unless Project
• 2. Consider financial strength
• Roth IRA withdrawal rules
• For Target loyalists
• Payment plans
• Erie: Most generous coverage
• 30. Exclusive events
• 33. Develop a chatbot
• 32. Veterinary office
• 29. Podcasting
• 31. Nutritionist
• 3. Evaluate the policy options
• 18. Consulting
• Roth IRA withdrawal penalty
• Credit union loans
• 31. An open invitation to events with Membership Experiences
• 14. List your spare bedroom on Airbnb
• 34. Offer matchmaking skills
• Compare insurance rates for drivers with an accident
• 33. Food truck
• 32. Personal trainer or fitness instructor
• Capital Good Fund
• Dividend stocks
• 32. A better view with American Express Preferred Access
• 30. Life coaching
• 4. Get prices from a handful of companies
• 35. Be a virtual assistant
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
• 34. Health clinic
• Aldi Cares Community Grants
• Our pick for: Good credit
• 15. Publish a digital course
• Our pick for: Wholesale shoppers
• 33. Beauty services
• For Costco customers
• 31. Video production
• 19. IT support
• 36. Reinvent exercising
• 34. Life coach
• Car-related passive income ideas
• 33. No foreign transaction fees
• 32. Resume writing and career coaching
• Zendesk Tech for Good Impact Awards
• 37. Create eco-friendly, health-friendly makeup and beauty products
• Nationwide: Best online experience
• 15. Sell your gently used clothes
• 34. Upgrade with points
• 20. Graphic design
• 38. Open a food truck or restaurant pop-up
• 16. Wrap your car with ads
• United Club℠ Infinite Card
• Meet a local demand
• 33. Dropshipping
• Our pick for: Travel
• 35. No preset spending limit
• The Audacious Project
• 39. Start an organization business
• 36. Daycare provider
• 17. Rent out a parking space
• 36. A lower annual fee on additional cards
• 40. Do interior design for young professionals
• Scout locations
• 34. Recruiting
• 16. Trade in old phones, electronics for cash
• 21. Social media management
• 37. CreditSecure
• Wells Fargo nonprofit grants
• 37. Senior care provider
• 35. Marketing consulting
• How to compare renters insurance
• Openly: Fewest consumer complaints
• Calculate the costs of starting a business
• 38. Interpreter or translator
• Our pick for: Instant gratification
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
• 36. Online fundraising or grant writing
• 39. Housecleaning
• 17. Get a babysitting gig
• 22. Marketing copywriter
• 38. Cell phone protection
• 37. Online course teaching
• 1. Review your mission
• 39. Purchase protection
• 38. Online cooking instruction
• 40. Automotive repair
• 23. Virtual assistant services
• 1. Gather your information
• 2. Refine your search with keywords
• 40. Return protection
• 41. Handyman services
• 18. Rent out your car
• 39. YouTube channel
• Our pick for: Personalized rewards
• 41. Extended warranty
• You have a roommate
• 3. Narrow down based on location
• 42. Dry cleaners
• State Farm: Best perks
• 42. Baggage insurance plan
• 40. Voiceover work
• 2. Choose the right liability car insurance coverage levels
• 43. Hardware store
• 1. Do your research
• 43. Car rental loss and damage insurance
• 4. Look for organizations with similar values
• You’re on a tight budget
• 19. Sign up for TaskRabbit
• 41. Start a team
• 44. Self-storage business
• 2. Get organized and make it official
• 44. Premium Car Rental Protection
• Verizon Visa® Card
• 5. Consider hiring a grant writer
• 45. Freelance copywriting and content creation
• You would want new items if your belongings were destroyed
• 45. Trip delay insurance
• How do you want to make money?
• 46. Rideshare driver
• 20. Become a private tutor
• 3. Find the right financing
• 46. Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
• You own expensive jewelry or electronics
• How will you find work?
• 47. Website development and design
• 47. Premium Global Assist Hotline
• 48. Sell clothes online
• 3. Decide if you need full coverage car insurance
• You’re a first-time home buyer
• How much autonomy do you want?
• You have a dog
• 21. Drive for Uber, Lyft
• 49. SEO consultant
• 50. App development
• You live in a high-risk area
• Cell phone protection
• 22. Make deliveries for Amazon, Uber Eats
• Purchase protection
• 4. Collect and compare car insurance quotes
• Return protection
• 23. Find work as a housesitter
• Extended warranty
• You own valuable items
• Baggage insurance plan
• Car rental loss and damage insurance
• 24. Sign up to be a mystery shopper
• You own an older home
• Trip delay insurance
• Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
• 25. Put your drone to work
• Compare car insurance companies
• Conditions common to your dog’s breed
• Your dog’s energy and activities
• Wellness expenses
• Decide whether your cat needs insurance
• 1. Check whether your pet is eligible
• 2. Research what’s covered
• 3. Decide how much coverage you want
• 4. Understand reimbursements and deductibles
• 5. Check waiting periods
• 6. Examine extra costs
• 7. Compare quotes

The best money-making apps

How it works: Ibotta lets you earn cash back on in-store and online purchases at over 2,000 supported retailers. Originally for groceries, it has expanded to include clothing, entertainment and eating out, pet supplies and other categories. Offers can be product or retailer-specific. For others, you’ll need to complete an additional task such as watching a video or taking a poll.

There are three possible ways to earn cash back in stores: Add offers and submit your receipt in the app after your shopping trip (you have 7 days to send in your receipt through the app), link your retailer loyalty accounts or purchase a retailer gift card through the Ibotta app. For online purchases, you shop through the app or with the Ibotta browser extension on your computer.

Payment: PayPal, digital gift card or direct to a bank account.

Pros: You’ll receive cash back on in-store purchases quickly — typically within 24 hours. Ibotta also offers a welcome bonus to new users, referral bonuses and a variety of payment methods.

Cons: Making money can be a slow process. You must have at least $20 in cash back to redeem your earnings (some gift cards require at least $25 in earnings). For online shopping, the pending period for earning cash back varies by retailer. Ibotta also charges an account maintenance fee for inactive (no activity for 180 days) or deactivated accounts. The fee is deducted from your balance, not your bank account.

Download: Android , iOS .

How it works: Rakuten (formerly known as Ebates) rewards shoppers with cash back on purchases from well-known retailers, restaurants and food delivery services. Users can also earn cash back on travel, gift cards and more. It’s straightforward: Create an account, tap on the store where you want to shop in the app, then make the transaction through the portal. You can also link a credit or debit card to your Rakuten account to earn cash back in-store — as long as you activate the deal through the app first. Rakuten credits the cash back to your account after it confirms the purchase with the retailer.

Payment: PayPal or "Big Fat Check."

Pros: Thousands of stores and purchases are eligible for cash back, so you’ll likely find deals where you already shop. New users can earn a welcome bonus after their first qualified purchase. You can also earn sign-up and referral bonuses. You can make an impact with your cash back earnings by donating a portion to nonprofit partners.

Cons: As with most cash-back services , you have to spend money to make money. You won’t see your earnings right away, either; Rakuten sends out payments every three months on the company's payment schedule, and you need to hit the minimum cash-back balance to get paid. Unlike other apps like Ibotta, you have to remember to initiate your purchase in the app first. If you forget and make your purchase outside of the app, you can't get credit retroactively.

How it works: Swagbucks is a cash-back and rewards app . You earn points, called "SB," by shopping online (there are over 1,500 participating retailers), taking surveys, watching videos, playing games or fulfilling other tasks through Swagbucks. You can redeem those points for gift cards or get cash back to your PayPal account. The total points awarded can vary by task. For example, surveys are typically worth about 40 to 200 SB points each. The minimum balance required to redeem depends on the payout option you choose, but some gift cards are available for as low as 110 SB.

Payment: E-gift card or PayPal. You can also redeem SB for Bitcoin through the new Cryptovoucher Gift Card options.

Pros: Swagbucks offers many easy ways to earn rewards, and there’s no waiting period to cash in. Payments usually arrive within 10 business days after redemption. You can also get a $10 bonus with a qualifying $25 purchase when you join.

Cons: It doesn’t pay much; one SB is worth about a cent. With many tasks valued at pennies, it can take a fair amount of time and effort to make substantial money. Additionally, you won’t qualify for every survey or task, although users can earn up to 5 SB per day if they disqualify. Users often report getting kicked out of surveys in the middle of taking them. This can be due to demographics or dishonest or inconsistent answers, according to Swagbucks.

How it works: Fiverr is a freelancing marketplace that features gigs in over 200 categories, such as programming and video and animation. Create an account first, then you can set your profile as a "seller" highlighting your expertise. Post the gig you’re offering, which will include pricing and a description of your services. Pricing ranges from $5 to $995. Clients, known as "buyers," can click through and place orders. You’ll get paid once you complete the job. Fiverr assigns seller levels based on performance. As you move up each tier, you’ll be able to sell more “extras,” such as a faster delivery time.

Payment: PayPal, direct to a bank account, Payoneer or credit to a Fiverr Revenue Card (a prepaid card). Minimum withdrawal amounts vary, and your payment processor may charge a withdrawal fee, depending on which option you choose.

Pros: You don’t have to worry about tracking down buyers because they come to you. You can also earn tips. Fiverr also boasts its flexibility, allowing sellers to complete gigs in their own time or around their 9-5 jobs.

Cons: Fiverr takes 20% of your earnings for every gig, including tips, and there’s a standard 14-day waiting period to withdraw money after completing an order (top-tier sellers wait seven days for funds to clear).

How it works: Upwork connects freelancers to gigs in writing, design, marketing and other categories on the marketplace. First, you’ll create a profile. It should include information such as the field you’re interested in plus your qualifications, availability and desired rate. Then, you can submit proposals. Clients will review them and offer projects if you seem like a good fit.

You begin each month with a set number of “Connects,” which are like credits that allow you to contact prospective clients. You can earn or pay a small sum for more Connects, but you won’t be charged when clients contact you. You can get paid on an hourly or per-project basis.

Payment: Direct to U.S. Bank, direct to your bank account, wire transfer, Instant Pay, PayPal and Payoneer. Charges apply to some payment options, so be sure to check Upwork for details.

Pros: Upwork helps take the work out of seeking out clients, establishing relationships and getting paid. The service also gives you the flexibility to set your preferred rate and schedule.

Cons: The app is free to download, but initiating contact with lots of clients costs money. Users also get charged a service fee. Upwork takes a 10% cut of your earnings based on how much you’ve billed a client. The more you earn, the more you get to keep. However, you won’t get paid until 10 days after the billing period ends. Remember, too, that you’re competing with other freelancers on the platform. That means clients may choose those who’ve set lower rates.

How it works: OfferUp, which combined with competitor Letgo in 2020, functions as a local marketplace you can use to sell your stuff . If you want to reach a broader audience, OfferUp also allows shipping anywhere within the United States except for Alaska, Arkansas and Hawaii. Create an account and snap a picture of your smartphone, car, sofa or whatever it is you’re selling. Once you add a title, description and price, you can post your listing and chat with buyers directly through the app. Then, you'll ship to or arrange a meeting with the buyer.

Payment: When selling locally, OfferUp recommends sellers take cash from buyers and stay clear of accepting payments by check, cashier's check or using other apps. For shipments, sellers can set up deposits to a debit card or bank account.

Pros: Creating a listing is simple and fast, and you’ll get paid instantly when you make a cash sale. You can also view a prospective buyer’s reviews and ratings to get an idea of how trustworthy they are beforehand. If you ship your item, the buyer pays the cost, and OfferUp provides the label.

Cons: You’re responsible for meeting local buyers in person and handling transactions. Sellers must pay a 12.9% service fee, or a minimum of $1.99, for shipments. To be successful, you’ll likely need to invest in a printer so you can print the shipping labels and mail items to buyers.

How it works: The Poshmark app is tailor-made for selling clothes , accessories and even home decor. After signing up, you take or upload photos of your item, fill out a description, price it and share the listing. You can also feature items in the app’s "Posh Parties," which are virtual shopping events centered around particular brands, categories and themes. Poshmark emails you a prepaid and pre-addressed shipping label once a purchase is made. Then, you send the package via USPS.

Payment: Check, PayPal, Venmo, Instant Transfer or direct deposit to a bank account.

Pros: Poshmark facilitates the entire process, from selling to shipping. Plus, you don’t have to meet with strangers to make a sale. The company will cover lost packages and handle issues between you and the buyer. Getting paid is relatively quick, too; Poshmark issues the money within three days of the buyer receiving the order.

Cons: You’ll pay a fee for selling through Poshmark . The company takes a $2.95 commission for sales under $15 and a 20% commission for sales of $15 or above.

A Life Away

29 Travel Apps to Save Money & Time in the UK or Europe

Ready to take the hassle out of your next trip to the UK or Europe? Travel apps have come a long way to make your travels easier and save you from overspending, but sorting through the many apps out there takes a ton of time. 

From navigating city transportation to finding the best deals on flights and hotels, I’ve sorted through the best apps for you. These 29 apps will help you make the most of your precious travel time and money.

This article contains affiliate links, which means that I may earn a small commission when you make a purchase. Affiliate links cost you nothing to use, and they help keep my content free – a win-win! For more information, see the affiliate disclosure .

Know before you go

💷 Currency: Great British Pound (£) is used throughout the UK.

🕰️ Time zone: The entire UK is in one time zone, Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). From late March to late October, the whole country moves an hour forward to British Summer Time (BST).

🔌 Plugging in electronics: Electric sockets in the UK are unlike those in Europe or the US. If you are visiting from outside the UK, you will likely need this universal travel adaptor .

📱 Using your smartphone: If you want to use your phone data while visiting, the easiest and cheapest solution is to purchase an e-sim for your trip.

🚘 Car rentals: Americans can rent a car in the UK with a valid US driver’s license from any state. Driving in the UK is not for the faint of heart, and I recommend checking out my guide to driving in the UK before you set out!

🚊 Train booking: All major UK cities, and many other destinations in between, can be reached by train. Check train routes, ticket prices, and get your tickets directly through Trainline .

Best Travel Apps for Flights

WayAway is a flight aggregator, which means that it searches for flights across multiple airlines at once. If you’re searching for flights to get around Europe, this app will help you find budget airline options.

One thing I love about this app that sets it apart is its ability to display the extra baggage charges that tend to come with low-cost carriers. This helps you know just how much that flight will really cost if you’re traveling with luggage.

Skyscanner has long been a favorite for flight bargain hunters. If you have flexible travel dates, use Skyscanner to find the cheapest flights across an entire month. 

You can also put in your local airport and search for destinations from there. This is particularly helpful if you book your travel in and out of Europe first and then decide where to visit based on flight pricing and availability. 

Kayak’s flight aggregator is great for scoping out flight prices. It also offers a price forecast tool that helps you estimate whether you’re better off booking now or later for the best deal.

You can also use Kayak to book hotels and rental cars. This makes their package deals combining the three sometimes a really good value.

Non-app honorable mention: Google Flights

This one doesn’t have an app to download, but if you’re just starting to plan your trip, it is worth checking flight rates through Google Flights. It doesn’t always beat aggregators like SkyScanner or Kayak, but is always worth a check.

Best Travel Apps for Hotels and Lodging

Booking.com.

This is always my first stop to find a place to stay. I’ve used Booking for tons of hotel stays, apartment rentals like this spot in Edinburgh’s old city , and unique stays like this farm we enjoyed in Belgium .

The photos and rating system give a really accurate look at where you’ll stay before you commit so you don’t waste money on poor accommodations. Many hotels also let you cancel even up to 24 hours prior to arrival, so you can book without worrying about your plans shifting. 

I don’t use AirBnB as much anymore because I’ve heard too many stories of last-minute cancellations and bizarre stays that don’t match the promised description. Having said that, it’s still worth a check if you’re going to stay in one place for at least a week and need to accommodate a family or group. I recommend not booking a stay in a property if it hasn’t been positively reviewed by at least five recent stays.  

HotelTonight

If you do have a last-minute change in your plans (or you just enjoy flying by the seat of your pants), then keep HotelTonight at the ready. This app specializes in finding last-minute deals, making it easy to find a place to stay without splashing out on last-minute price hikes. 

Best Travel Apps for Trains, Buses, and Transportation

Trainline is my absolute go-to source for all train journeys in the UK and Europe. Check timetables easily and book the best fares right in the app. Paper tickets can be picked up in stations, or you can show your tickets in the app. I use Trainline to book all of my trains in and out of London.

To give you an example, it is sometimes cheaper to buy tickets to London that break at a station along the way. Trainline identifies these split fares and gives you the option to purchase split tickets instead of a single direct ticket. You never get off the train, just have two tickets instead of one saved on the app. I do this all the time.

Trainline can also help you out with train bookings in Europe. When we traveled to Belgium, I bought all of our train tickets for travel between cities through Trainline. When you’re looking at ticket machines that offer a wide range of ticket types, it can be reassuring to make your purchase with a service that will help you choose the right thing.

Not sure if you should take a train, plane, or bus to your destination? Omio will check all of the available routes and help you buy tickets on your chosen route. This is excellent if you’re headed away from major cities where buses become the best method for public transport, but also want to check for train and air routes on other parts of your journey.

Tickets can be printed if you want a hard copy, or you can save digital copies on your smartphone.

Should you book that train or pick up a rental car? Rome2Rio will tell you all the ways you can travel from point A to point B, including estimated travel times. When you find a route that looks good, you can click into it to get all the details on stops and find a link to buy tickets if you choose public transportation. 

Rome2Rio will help you save time by highlighting the quickest routes. It might surprise you to find that some routes that seem short take much longer by train than driving, but sometimes long routes are a real breeze on the rails. For example, travel between London to Edinburgh is faster by train than car. It may even be faster to take the train than fly on this route, once you factor in getting to the airport and security lines.

Sometimes you just want to drop yourself in a taxi. This app works similar to ride-sharing apps, but will instead hail a local cab. It works across Europe and the UK. You’ll be able to see your rate and can pay through the app or directly. This makes it easier to avoid surprise fares or scams.

This one is all about the bus routes. If you’re headed somewhere the trains don’t easily reach, or where transportation routes are more sporadic in general, then check out FlixBus. 

FlixBus runs its own bus fleet, so you aren’t booking through them to another bus company. One route I think looks promising is London to Newquay. Driving in Cornwall can be tricky for tourists, but this brings you right to the heart of the beautiful Cornish north coast.

You’ll only need this app if you’re taking a Eurostar route between the UK and Europe. The app does make it easy to buy your tickets directly and is the easiest way to store tickets for your speedy trip through the Chunnel.

Best Travel Apps to Manage Travel Money

The answer to the travel fund dilemma! I already recommend Wise for anyone moving money between the US and the UK, but Wise also makes converting money for travel so simple. 

Opening an account in any currency is simple and free. If I were planning a trip from the US to the UK, I’d open an account in US Dollars and an account in British Pounds. Then stash your travel money in the US Dollars account until you’re ready to convert. Wise offers better conversion rates than many banks, and way better than you’ll find in travel money shops. 

You can get a digital card to use with ApplePay, paying like a local on your trip. If you want to access cash, then request a Wise debit card to use at any cashpoint. The debit card gives you up to two free withdrawals up to £200 per month. For more withdrawals, there is a low fee of 1.75%.

ATM Fee Saver

When you want to withdraw cash from an ATM, the last thing you want is to be surprised by ridiculous cashpoint machine fees. ATM Fee Saver lets you in on the fees charged by ATMs

near your location, making it easy to find low-fee or no-fee options. The app covers over 35 top tourist destinations, including the UK. 

GlobeConvert

GlobeConvert helps you put the cost of things in perspective. Use the simple conversion calculator to input a price in the local currency and check what that means in your home currency. This makes it much easier to conceptualize whether that souvenir purchase is a good deal, or an expensive splurge.

The app also can run other conversions. For instance, if you’re an American checking the weather, it can run those Celsius numbers into the Fahrenheit measure you’re used to.

Traveling with family or friends? This app simplifies tracking who paid for what. I tried this one out on a trip back to the US where we met up and split costs with friends. Everyone adds in what they paid for and the app automatically divides up the charges and sorts out who owes money to who.

The basic version of the app is free, though the paid version opens up more options like tracking multiple currencies. Something to consider if your trip is going to be spent in several places.

Do you get anxious when it comes to tipping in a new place? Tipping culture is very different outside the US and even varies amongst European countries. This app gives you quick overviews by country so you can easily tell what’s expected. It also includes a tip calculator that aligns with the country expectations so you know for sure that you’re tipping just the right amount.

Best Travel Apps for Finding Your Way and Communicating

Google maps and apple maps.

It’s probably already on your phone and it does what you need. I use Google Maps to sort out directions, available modes for transport, and save favorites like spots I’d like to eat so they’re easy to find on the fly. You can even download an offline map for an entire city in advance.

If you’re an Apple fan, I find that Apple Maps works just as well in the UK and Europe. I slightly prefer Apple Maps for driving directions around the UK.

If you want a little more oomph from your maps service, then check out CityMapper. This app will tell you the best routes to get around in a city, with helpful details like lockscreen notices that you’ve almost arrived at your bus stop. Several features can be used offline, so you won’t be navigating blind down in the depths of the London Tube system.

Europe is great for widespread WiFi, but sometimes you need to access your cell data (like when you’re hopelessly lost and forgot to download an offline map, not that I’ve ever done that). Airalo lets you buy an e-sim that loads to your phone automatically and grants cheap access to a short-term data plan. Stay connected for less.

WiFi is the navigation lifeblood for travelers. Use this app to locate WiFi networks near your location wherever you travel. The information is crowdsourced from users, so it does sometimes include outdated details. It’s a great start in the right direction, though, and sometimes discloses passwords for places like coffee shop networks.

Google Translate

Travel is meant to take you out of your comfort zone and give you access to new experiences. When it comes to navigating a foreign language, you might be feeling anxious about communicating with locals or reading signs and menus. 

Google Translate is an all-in-one app that removes language barriers. You can type in language for a quick translation, use the microphone to translate a conversation, or simply point your camera at a restaurant menu for a translated image. 

Best Travel Apps for Tours & Activities

Getyourguide.

GetYourGuide takes the aggregator approach of services like Kayak and applies it to travel experiences. Whether you’re looking to join a walking tour, find entry tickets to popular tourist spots, or book a full day trip experience, GetYourGuide will find it. 

Booking is easy and you can cancel plans up to 24 hours in advance if your plans change. There are a lot of options in major cities like London. Smaller towns off-the-beaten track may not have as much to offer. I recommend checking out the reviews before you book to make sure the experience will be what you expect.  

Viator is also an aggregator for tours, entry tickets, and unique experiences. Slightly less known in Europe and UK compared to GetYourGuide, but Viator is still worth checking out to compare prices. 

Rick Steves Audio Europe

Check out the massive library of audio tours, all available for free from this handy app. Whether you’re visiting the British Museum or the streets of Pompeii, learn something new without needing to book a tour guide. 

Best Travel Apps for Restaurants and Food Delivery

Sort through the restaurants near you by price, type of food, and more. This app will help you find restaurants across the UK and Europe. Menus are displayed for most and you can even book reservations directly through the app.

Are you or your travel companions vegetarian or vegan? Take the guesswork out of where you can eat on your travels with this app that highlights veggie-friendly restaurants. Limit your search to only restaurants with fully vegan or vegetarian menus, or find general restaurants that offer vegetarian meals.

Save favorites in advance, and even access offline maps to easily find your way on the go. The Happy Cow website also maintains a blog with top vegan and vegetarian restaurant lists for major European and UK cities.

Sometimes you are too exhausted from traveling to face another restaurant meal. Deliveroo offers food delivery services across the UK for easy ordering. Find and book your meal and it will be delivered right to your door. 

Just Eat is also a food delivery service, but this one has a broader reach across many European countries. They also operate in the US and Canada, so you may already be familiar with their app. Simply book a meal in the app and get it delivered directly to you.

Make Your Next Trip Simple

Your next trip to the UK or Europe should be filled with discovery instead of headaches. Let technology save you time and money, so you can focus on having a great time. I hope you find this list of useful apps helpful as you head off on an incredible adventure!

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The best budgeting apps for 2024

Now that mint has been shut down, here are the best 6 budgeting apps to help you spend and save wisely in 2024..

I recently found myself on the hunt for a new budgeting app. As a former Mint user, I knew I'd be forced to track my finances elsewhere come March 2024 when Inuit planned to shut down the service for good. I used Mint as a trusted place to track all of my accounts, monitor my credit score, follow a monthly spending plan and even set goals like building a rainy-day fund and paying down my mortgage faster. After giving Inuit's other financial app, Credit Karma , a shot and being unimpressed, I decided to immerse myself in the world of budgeting apps. Mint had been around for more than 10 years, but in that time, many other apps popped up that claimed to help you do all of the same things with your money and more. I set out to try the top competitors in the hopes that I'd find a new one that I could turn to for all of my financial needs, and to help you find the best budgeting app for you.

Quicken Simplifi

The best budgeting app overall for 2024, monarch money, runner up - best budgeting app overall, the best free budgeting app, copilot money, the best up-and-comer, honorable mention, pocketguard, how we tested.

Before I dove in and started testing out budgeting apps, I had to do some research. To find a list of apps to try out, I consulted trusty ol’ Google (and even trustier Reddit); read reviews of popular apps on the App Store; and also asked friends and colleagues what budget tracking apps they might be using. Some of the apps I found were free and these, of course, show loads of ads (excuse me, “offers”) to stay in business. But most of the available apps require paid subscriptions, with prices typically topping out around $100 a year, or $15 a month. (Spoiler: My top pick is cheaper than that.)

All of the services I chose to test needed to do several things: import all of your account data into one place; offer budgeting tools; and track your spending, net worth and credit score. Except where noted, all of these apps are available for iOS, Android and on the web.

Once I had my shortlist of six apps, I got to work setting them up. For the sake of thoroughly testing these apps, I made a point of adding every account to every budgeting app, no matter how small or immaterial the balance. What ensued was a veritable Groundhog Day of two-factor authentication. Just hours of entering passwords and one-time passcodes, for the same banks half a dozen times over. Hopefully, you only have to do this once.

No pun intended, but what I like about Quicken Simplifi is its simplicity. Whereas other budgeting apps try to distinguish themselves with dark themes and customizable emoji, Simplifi has a clean user interface, with a landing page that you just keep scrolling through to get a detailed overview of all your stats. These include your top-line balances; net worth; recent spending; upcoming recurring payments; a snapshot of your spending plan; top spending categories; achievements; and any watchlists you’ve set up. You can also set up savings goals elsewhere in the app. I also appreciate how it offers neat, almost playful visualizations without ever looking cluttered. I felt at home in the mobile and web dashboards after a day or so, which is faster than I adapted to some competing services (I’m looking at you, YNAB and Monarch).

Getting set up with Simplifi was mostly painless. I was particularly impressed at how easily it connected to Fidelity; not all budget trackers do, for whatever reason. This is also one of the only services I tested that gives you the option of inviting a spouse or financial advisor to co-manage your account. One thing I would add to my initial assessment of the app, having used it for a few months now: I wish Simplifi offered Zillow integration for easily tracking your home value (or at least a rough estimate of it). Various competitors including Monarch Money and Copilot Money work with Zillow, so clearly there's a Zillow API available for use. As it stands, Simplifi users must add real estate manually like any other asset.

In practice, Simplifi miscategorized some of my expenses, but nothing out of the ordinary compared to any of these budget trackers. As you’re reviewing transactions, you can also mark if you’re expecting a refund, which is a unique feature among the services I tested. Simplifi also estimated my regular income better than some other apps I tested. Most of all, I appreciated the option of being able to categorize some, but not all, purchases from a merchant as recurring. For instance, I can add my two Amazon subscribe-and-saves as recurring payments, without having to create a broad-strokes rule for every Amazon purchase.

The budgeting feature is also self-explanatory. Just check that your regular income is accurate and be sure to set up recurring payments, making note of which are bills and which are subscriptions. This is important because Simplifi shows you your total take-home income as well as an “income after bills” figure. That number includes, well, bills but not discretionary subscriptions. From there, you can add spending targets by category in the “planned spending” bucket. Planned spending can also include one-time expenditures, not just monthly budgets. When you create a budget, Simplifi will suggest a number based on a six-month average.

Not dealbreakers, but two things to keep in mind as you get started: Simplifi is notable in that you can’t set up an account through Apple or Google. There is also no option for a free trial, though Quicken promises a “30-day money back guarantee.”

• Easy-to-use app with a gentle learning curve
• Does a good job detecting recurring income and bills
• Less expensive than the competition
• Lets you share app access with a spouse or financial advisor
• Handy refund tracker
• No free trial
• You can't create an account using your Apple or Google ID
• No Zillow integration

Monarch Money grew on me. My first impression of the budgeting app, which was founded by a former Mint product manager, was that it's more difficult to use than others on this list, including Simplifi, NerdWallet and Copilot. And it is. Editing expense categories, adding recurring transactions and creating rules, for example, is a little more complicated than it needs to be, especially in the mobile app. (My advice: Use the web app for fine-tuning details.) Monarch also didn’t get my income right; I had to edit it.

Once you’re set up, though, Monarch offers an impressive level of granularity. In the budgets section, you can see a bona fide balance sheet showing budgets and actuals for each category. You'll also find a forecast, for the year or by month. And recurring expenses can be set not just by merchant, but other parameters as well. For instance, while most Amazon purchases might be marked as “shopping,” those for the amounts of $54.18 or $34.18 are definitely baby supplies, and can be automatically marked as such each time, not to mention programmed as recurring payments. Weirdly, though, there’s no way to mark certain recurring payments as bills, specifically.

Not long after I first published this story in December 2023, Monarch introduced a detailed reporting section where you can create on-demand graphs based on things like accounts, categories and tags. That feature is available just on the web version of the app for now. As part of this same update, Monarch added support for an aggregator that makes it possible to automatically update the value of your car. This, combined with the existing Zillow integration for tracking your home value, makes it easy to quickly add a non-liquid asset like a vehicle or real estate, and have it show up in your net worth graph.

The mobile app is mostly self-explanatory. The main dashboard shows your net worth; your four most recent transactions; a month-over-month spending comparison; income month-to-date; upcoming bills; an investments snapshot; a list of any goals you’ve set; and, finally, a link to your month-in-review. That month-in-review is more detailed than most, delving into cash flow; top income and expense categories; cash flow trends; changes to your net worth, assets and liabilities; plus asset and liability breakdowns. In February 2024, Monarch expanded on the net worth graph , so that if you click on the Accounts tab you can see how your net worth changed over different periods of time, including one month, three months, six months, a year or all time.

On the main screen, you’ll also find tabs for accounts, transactions, cash flow, budget and recurring. Like many of the other apps featured here, Monarch can auto-detect recurring expenses and income, even if it gets the category wrong. (They all do to an extent.) Expense categories are marked by emoji, which you can customize if you’re so inclined.

Monarch Money uses a combination of networks to connect with banks, including Plaid, MX and Finicity, a competing network owned by Mastercard. (I have a quick explainer on Plaid, the industry standard in this space, toward the end of this guide.) As part of an update in late December, Monarch has also made it easier to connect through those other two networks, if for some reason Plaid fails. Similar to NerdWallet, I found myself completing two-factor authentication every time I wanted to get past the Plaid screen to add another account. Notably, Monarch is the only other app I tested that allows you to grant access to someone else in your family — likely a spouse or financial advisor.

Additionally, Monarch just added the ability to track Apple Card, Apple Cash, and Savings accounts, thanks to new functionality brought with the iOS 17.4 update. It's not the only one either; currently, Copilot and YNAB have also added similar functionality that will be available to anyone with the latest versions of their respective apps on a device running iOS 17.4. Instead of manually uploading statements, the new functionality allows apps like Monarch's to automatically pull in transactions and balance history. That should make it easier to account for spending on Apple cards and accounts throughout the month.

Monarch also recently launched investment transactions in beta. It also says bill tracking and an overhauled goals system are coming soon. Monarch hasn't provided a timeline for that last one, except to say that the improved goals feature is coming in early 2024.

• Lots of detail and opportunities for customization
• Helpful “goals” feature
• You can grant account access to other people
• Chrome extension for importing from Mint
• Month-in-review recap is more thorough than most
• Car value syncing
• Zillow integration
• Steeper learning curve than some other budget trackers
• The mobile app feels restricted and less intuitive than the web version
• Doesn’t seem to distinguish between bills and other recurring expenses
• Some bugginess on mobile around creating rules for expense categories

You may know NerdWallet as a site that offers a mix of personal finance news, explainers and guides. I see it often when I google a financial term I don’t know and sure enough, it’s one of the sites I’m most likely to click on. As it happens, NerdWallet also has the distinction of offering one of the only free budgeting apps I tested. In fact, there is no paid version; nothing is locked behind a paywall. The main catch: There are ads everywhere.

Even with the inescapable credit card offers, NerdWallet has a clean, easy-to-understand user interface, which includes both a web and a mobile app. The key metrics that it highlights most prominently are your cash flow, net worth and credit score. I particularly enjoyed the weekly insights, which delve into things like where you spent the most money or how much you paid in fees — and how that compares to the previous month. Because this is NerdWallet, an encyclopedia of financial info, you get some particularly specific category options when setting up your accounts (think: a Roth or non-Roth IRA).

As a budgeting app, NerdWallet is more than serviceable, if a bit basic. Like other apps I tested, you can set up recurring bills. Importantly, it follows the popular 50/30/20 budgeting rule, which has you putting 50% of your budget toward things you need, 30% toward things you want, and the remaining 20% into savings or debt repayments. If this works for you, great — just know that you can’t customize your budget to the same degree as some competing apps. You can’t currently create custom spending categories, though a note inside the dashboard section of the app says “you’ll be able to customize them in the future.” You also can’t move items from the wants column to “needs” or vice versa but “In the future, you'll be able to move specific transactions to actively manage what falls into each group.” A NerdWallet spokesperson declined to provide an ETA, though.

Lastly, it’s worth noting that NerdWallet had one of the most onerous setup processes of any app I tested. I don’t think this is a dealbreaker, as you’ll only have to do it once and, hopefully, you aren’t setting up six or seven apps in tandem as I was. What made NerdWallet’s onboarding especially tedious is that every time I wanted to add an account, I had to go through a two-factor authentication process to even get past the Plaid splash screen, and that’s not including the 2FA I had set up at each of my banks. This is a security policy on NerdWallet’s end, not Plaid’s, a Plaid spokesperson says.

Precisely because NerdWallet is one of the only budget trackers to offer credit score monitoring, it also needs more of your personal info during setup, including your birthday, address, phone number and the last four digits of your social security number. It’s the same with Credit Karma, which also does credit score monitoring.

Related to the setup process, I found that NerdWallet was less adept than other apps at automatically detecting my regular income. In my case, it counted a large one-time wire transfer as income, at which point my only other option was to enter my income manually (which is slightly annoying because I would have needed my pay stub handy to double-check my take-home pay).

• Easy to use
• Helpful weekly insights
• NerdWallet has a deep well of helpful financial explainers and guides
• One of the few options that offers credit score monitoring
• Ads everywhere
• No customization for spending categories
• Less adept at detecting regular income
• One of the more tedious setup processes

Copilot Money might be the best-looking budgeting app I tested. It also has the distinction of being exclusive to iOS and Macs — at least for now. Andres Ugarte, the company’s CEO, has publicly promised that Android and web apps are coming in 2024 (more likely the second half of the year, Ugarte tells me). But until it follows through, I can’t recommend Copilot for most people with so many good competitors out there.

There are other features that Copilot is missing, which I’ll get into. But it is promising, and one to keep an eye on. It’s just a fast, efficient, well designed app, and Android users will be in for a treat when they’ll finally be able to download it. It makes good use of colors, emoji and graphs to help you understand at a glance how you’re doing on everything from your budgets to your investment performance to your credit card debt over time. In particular, Copilot does a better job than almost any other app of visualizing your recurring monthly expenses.

Behind those punchy colors and cutesy emoji, though, is some sophisticated performance. Copilot’s AI-powered “Intelligence” gets smarter as you go at categorizing your expenses. (You can also add your own categories, complete with your choice of emoji.) It’s not perfect. Copilot miscategorized some purchases (they all do), but it makes it easier to edit than most. On top of that, the internal search feature is very fast; it starts whittling down results in your transaction history as soon as you begin typing.

Copilot is also unique in offering Amazon and Venmo integrations, allowing you to see transaction details. With Amazon, this requires just signing into your Amazon account via an in-app browser. For Venmo, you have to set up [email protected] as a forwarding address and then create a filter, wherein emails from [email protected] are automatically forwarded to [email protected]. Like Monarch Money, you can also add any property you own and track its value through Zillow, which is integrated with the app.

While the app is heavily automated, I still appreciate that Copilot marks new transactions for review. It’s a good way to both weed out fraudulent charges, and also be somewhat intentional about your spending habits.

Like Monarch Money, Copilot updated its app to make it easier to connect to banks through networks other than Plaid. As part of the same update, Copilot said it has improved its connections to both American Express and Fidelity which, again, can be a bugbear for some budget tracking apps. In an even more recent update, Copilot added a Mint import option, which other budgeting apps have begun to offer as well.

Because the app is relatively new (it launched in early 2020), the company is still catching up to the competition on some table-stakes features. Ugarte told me that his team is almost done building out a detailed cash flow section, which could launch before the end of 2023, but more likely in early 2024. On its website , Copilot also promises a raft of AI-powered features that build on its current “Intelligence” platform, the one that powers its smart expense categorization. These include “smart financial goals,” natural language search, a chat interface, forecasting and benchmarking. That benchmarking, Ugarte tells me, is meant to give people a sense of how they’re doing compared to other Copilot users, on both spending and investment performance. Most of these features should arrive in the new year.

Copilot does a couple interesting things for new customers that distinguish it from the competition. There’s a “demo mode” that feels like a game simulator; no need to add your own accounts. The company is also offering two free months with RIPMINT — a more generous introductory offer than most. When it finally does come time to pony up, the $7.92 monthly plan is cheaper than some competing apps, although the $95-a-year-option is in the same ballpark.

• Standalone Mac app
• Lower monthly price than some competing apps
• Does a good job visualizing recurring expenses
• Optional Amazon, Venmo and Zillow integration
• “To review” section is handy
• No web or Android app yet
• Miscategorized more expenses than our top pick
• Lots of otherwise common features are still in development

YNAB is, by its own admission , “different from anything you’ve tried before.” The app, whose name is short for You Need a Budget, promotes a so-called zero-based budgeting system, which forces you to assign a purpose for every dollar you earn. A frequently used analogy is to put each dollar in an envelope; you can always move money from one envelope to another in a pinch. These envelopes can include rent and utilities, along with unforeseen expenses like holiday gifts and the inevitable car repair. The idea is that if you budget a certain amount for the unknowns each month, they won’t feel like they’re sneaking up on you.

Importantly, YNAB is only concerned with the money you have in your accounts now. The app does not ask you to provide your take-home income or set up recurring income payments (although there is a way to do this). The money you will make later in the month through your salaried job is not relevant, because YNAB does not engage in forecasting.

The app is harder to learn than any other here, and it requires more ongoing effort from the user. And YNAB knows that. Inside both the mobile and web apps are links to videos and other tutorials. Although I never quite got comfortable with the user interface, I did come to appreciate YNAB’s insistence on intentionality. Forcing users to draft a new budget each month and to review each transaction is not necessarily a bad thing. As YNAB says on its website, “Sure, you’ve got pie charts showing that you spent an obscene amount of money in restaurants — but you’ve still spent an obscene amount of money in restaurants.” I can see this approach being useful for people who don’t tend to have a lot of cash in reserve at a given time, or who have spending habits they want to correct (to riff off of YNAB’s own example, ordering Seamless four times a week).

My colleague Valentina Palladino, knowing I was working on this guide, penned a respectful rebuttal , explaining why she’s been using YNAB for years. Perhaps, like her, you have major savings goals you want to achieve, whether it’s paying for a wedding or buying a house. I suggest you give her column a read. For me, though, YNAB’s approach feels like overkill.

• Particularly strong emphasis on budgeting
• Unique “zero-dollar” approach to financial planning that some people swear by
• Steep learning curve
• Harder to use certain features on the mobile app than on the web

PocketGuard is one of the only reputable free budget trackers I found in my research. Just know it’s far more restricted at the free tier than NerdWallet. In my testing, I was prompted to pay after I attempted to link more than two bank accounts. So much for free, unless you keep things simple with one cash account and one credit card. When it comes time to upgrade to PocketGuard Plus, you have three options: pay $7.99 a month, $34.99 a year or $79.99 for a one-time lifetime license. That lifetime option is actually one of the few unique selling points for me: I’m sure some people will appreciate paying once and never having to, uh, budget for it again.

From the main screen, you’ll see tabs for accounts, insights, transactions and the “Plan,” which is where you see recurring payments stacked on top of what looks like a budget. The main overview screen shows you your net worth, total assets and debts; net income and total spending for the month; upcoming bills; a handy reminder of when your next paycheck lands; any debt payoff plan you have; and any goals.

Like some other apps, including Quicken Simplifi, PocketGuard promotes an “after bills” approach, where you enter all of your recurring bills, and then PocketGuard shows you what’s left, and that’s what you’re supposed to be budgeting: your disposable income. Obviously, other apps have a different philosophy: take into account all of your post-tax income and use it to pay the bills, purchase things you want and maybe even save a little. But in PocketGuard, it’s the “in your pocket” number that’s most prominent. To PocketGuard’s credit, it does a good job visualizing which bills are upcoming and which ones you’ve already paid.

PocketGuard has also publicly committed to adding some popular features in early 2024. These include rollover budgeting in January 2024, categorization rules in February and shared household access in March.

Although PocketGuard’s UI is easy enough to understand, it lacks polish. The “accounts” tab is a little busy, and doesn’t show totals for categories like cash or investments. Seemingly small details like weirdly phrased or punctuated copy occasionally make the app feel janky. More than once, it prompted me to update the app when no updates were available. The web version, meanwhile, feels like the mobile app blown up to a larger format and doesn’t take advantage of the extra screen real estate.

Of note, although PocketGuard does work with Plaid, its primary bank-connecting platform is actually Finicity. Setting up my accounts through Finicity was mostly a straightforward process. I did encounter one hiccup: Finicity would not connect to my SoFi account. I was able to do it through Plaid, but PocketGuard doesn’t make it easy to access Plaid in the app. The only way, as far as I can tell, is to knowingly search for the name of a bank that isn’t available through Finicity, at which point you get the option to try Plaid instead. Like I said: the experience can be janky.

• One of the only budget trackers with a free plan
• You can avoid an ongoing subscription fee by opting for a one-time lifetime license
• Less expensive than most competitors
• Helpful “upcoming bills” view in the app
• The free version is so restricted that the “free” label feels misleading; the user experience feels less polished than some competing apps
• The web app doesn’t take advantage of the larger screen space on desktop

What is Plaid and how does it work?

Each of the apps I tested uses the same underlying network, called Plaid, to pull in financial data, so it’s worth explaining what it is and how it works. Plaid was founded as a fintech startup in 2013 and is today the industry standard in connecting banks with third-party apps. Plaid works with over 12,000 financial institutions across the US, Canada and Europe. Additionally, more than 8,000 third-party apps and services rely on Plaid, the company claims .

To be clear, you don’t need a dedicated Plaid app to use it; the technology is baked into a wide array of apps, including all of the budgeting apps listed in this guide. Once you find the “add an account” option in whichever one you’re using, you’ll see a menu of commonly used banks. There’s also a search field you can use to look yours up directly. Once you find yours, you’ll be prompted to enter your login credentials. If you have two-factor authentication set up, you’ll need to enter a one-time passcode as well.

As the middleman, Plaid is a passthrough for information that may include your account balances, transaction history, account type and routing or account number. Plaid uses encryption, and says it has a policy of not selling or renting customer data to other companies. However, I would not be doing my job if I didn’t note that in 2022 Plaid was forced to pay $58 million to consumers in a class action suit for collecting “more financial data than was needed.” As part of the settlement, Plaid was compelled to change some of its business practices.

In a statement provided to Engadget, a Plaid spokesperson said the company continues to deny the allegations underpinning the lawsuit and that “the crux of the non-financial terms in the settlement are focused on us accelerating workstreams already underway related to giving people more transparency into Plaid’s role in connecting their accounts, and ensuring that our workstreams around data minimization remain on track.”

Why did Mint shut down?

When parent company Intuit announced in December 2023 that it would shut down Mint, it did not provide a reason why it made the decision to do so. It did say that Mint's millions of users would be funneled over to its other finance app, Credit Karma. "Credit Karma is thrilled to invite all Minters to continue their financial journey on Credit Karma, where they will have access to Credit Karma’s suite of features, products, tools and services, including some of Mint’s most popular features," Mint wrote on its product blog . In our testing, we found that Credit Karma isn't an exact replacement for Mint — so if you're still looking for a Mint alternative , you have some decent options.

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3 apps that help you manage your money in new ways

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If you can’t afford an accountant, try an app on your smartphone. Many budgeting apps can help you track spending, monitor expenses and see how your investments are doing. Here are the best budget apps we recommend for 2022.

If you’ve never used a budgeting app, you’re probably unsure about what to expect. Think of them as tools you can tailor to your finances. You use these apps to plan where every dollar goes.

They’re different from coupon apps, which you use right before making a purchase. Tap or click here for five apps that will save you money on things you’re already buying . Budgeting apps are unique in that they empower you to be mindful about your spending, boost your savings and create personalized budget plans.

That’s why we’re sharing three of the best budget apps

You’ve probably heard about Mint, which is pretty standard. It has high ratings in both Google Play and the App Store. Tap or click here to use Mint to manage your finances all in one place .

Folks love it because it’s free, and it’s easy to use across platforms because it syncs different account types. Although that’s impressive, it’s not ideal for people who want to plan ahead for their money.

Mint is best for people who want to track it and see where it’s going. So if you’re looking for a more active way to control your money, here are three apps that let you manage it in new ways.

1. You need a budget. No, really. YNAB !

When you look up the best budgeting apps online, you’ll probably find YNAB neck in neck with Mint for the top spot. That’s because YNAB has a ton of robust features you can use to take charge of your personal finance goals.

Although Mint lets you regularly review your accounts, YNAB enables you to be more proactive. You get reports on net worth, spending and income vs. expense.

Unlike Mint, which only lets you set a budget for a month, YNAB can set budgets for a few months in advance. However, you have to pay after the free trial period ends. Costs are $14.99/month or almost $100 for a year.

However, it may be worth it if you want a budgeting app that lets you get your hands in the dirt. You can be proactive, which may help you save more money than other options. It’s easy to use and doesn’t have ads or offers cluttering your screen.

2. Get on top of your money with PocketGuard

If you tend to overspend, this is the app for you. PocketGuard uses an algorithm to track your expenses, income and savings goals. It’s a simple and easy way to see how much you spend every day.

Instead of crunching numbers, you can whip out PocketGuard and see how it simplifies expense tracking and bill monitoring. PocketGuard’s In My Pocket feature shows you have much disposable income after paying your bills, saving for goals and setting aside cash for needs and wants.

It creates different reports so you can understand your finance health from different angles. For example, it may share a report on your spending habits, so you can realize where you’re spending too much money.

These customizable reports help you get a better understanding of your financial situation. Since you can connect multiple accounts, you can get a bird’s eye view of your financial situation all in one place. You can track your spending and pay off debts by setting schedules and personalized payback strategies.

Oh, and PocketGuard comes with a bill organizer feature so you stop missing due dates. It’s a great way to stretch your dollar even further — although it has a bit of a learning curve. Don’t be discouraged if you aren’t using it to the fullest potential right away. There’s a lot to learn, so take your time and let PocketGuard help you.

3. Qube Money mixes modern convenience with old school style

Remember the old cash envelope system? People would create envelopes and write “Vacation budget” or “College budget.” Over time, they’d slide cash into each envelope until they finally reached their goal.

Now that everything is digitized, few people use that system anymore. But if you’re longing for a return to those old budgeting styles, you’re in luck. Qube Money is like the old envelope system — but in app form. It uses a digital card system you can use to set different budgets.

First, you transfer money into your Qube Cloud. Then, you can create different qubes, or envelopes, to reflect your budgeting goals. If you want, the app can automatically split your money equally into different accounts.

Qube Money has customized features to give you maximum control over your budgets. For instance, you can choose which envelope you’re spending from before making a big purchase. You can even set it up to automatically limit spending habits. Even better, it has a robust security system due to its Default Zero features.

5 best budgeting apps to help get your finances in order

A budgeting app for people who hate budgeting

Two cheap budgeting apps that don’t require the cloud

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Donald Trump could face prison time if he is convicted in upcoming NY hush money trial

If former President Donald Trump is convicted on all counts in his New York criminal hush money trial that begins April 15, he could theoretically face more than a decade in prison.

But most legal experts who spoke to USA TODAY said such a dramatic outcome is unlikely. Instead, he would likely be sentenced to something between probation and four years in prison. And he would probably still be out, free to campaign for president as the presumptive or actual 2024 Republican nominee, while his all-but-certain appeal was pending.

Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to cover up a hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. Each count carries a maximum sentence of four years.

While Trump could in principle be sentenced to serve multiple counts consecutively, several experts said that is unlikely because he has no felony criminal record and the charges don't involve allegations of physical violence.

On the other hand, Trump has tested boundaries and feuded with the judge who may determine his fate.

Prep for the polls: See who is running for president and compare where they stand on key issues in our Voter Guide

Trump has antagonized Judge Juan Merchan

Trump's sentence would be decided by Judge Juan Merchan, who has grown exasperated by the former president's pretrial behavior. Merchan expanded a gag order this month after Trump attacked the judge's daughter on social media over her marketing work with Democratic candidates, including posting a photo of her. Merchan said Trump has a history of attacking the family members of judges and lawyers in his legal cases.

"The average observer, must now, after hearing Defendant's recent attacks, draw the conclusion that if they become involved in these proceedings, even tangentially, they should worry not only for themselves,  but for their loved ones as well ," Merchan wrote in his gag order decision .

John Moscow, a New York lawyer who spent 30 years in the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, told USA TODAY that type of behavior could worsen any sentence Trump faces.

"If I were representing somebody in (Trump's) position, I would suggest to him that the judge is the one who imposes sentence and he ought to be careful," Moscow said.

If Merchan did consider a hefty sentence, it wouldn't be the first time he has taken a harsh view about behavior in Trump's orbit.

In 2023, Merchan was forced to sentence former Trump Organization chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg to only five months in jail because Merchan had previously accepted a plea bargain agreement between Weisselberg and prosecutors specifying that jail term. Weisselberg pleaded guilty to tax and record falsification charges and agreed to testify against the Trump Organization at trial in order to get that sentence.

The judge said, however, that he "would be imposing a sentence much greater than that" had he not accepted the plea bargain before hearing all the evidence at the trial. Without the plea deal, Weisselberg could have faced many years in prison.

What is Trump charged with?

Trump has pleaded not guilty to all counts in the case, which focuses on whether he falsified business records to cover up reimbursements to his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, for a $130,000 hush money payment to Daniels. Daniels has said she had a sexual encounter with Trump soon after Melania Trump gave birth to their son, Barron Trump. Trump denies the claim.

In order to secure felony convictions, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office must convince a 12-person jury that Trump falsified the records in order to commit or conceal another crime. In this case, Bragg argues Trump was trying to conceal a federal campaign finance law violation by falsely recording his reimbursements to Cohen as payments for legal services. The federal violation was a limit-exceeding contribution to Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, as the payment was allegedly designed to keep Daniels' story from hurting the then-Republican nominee's election prospects. Bragg also alleges Trump was trying to conceal a plan to violate New York tax and election laws.

Nothing in the Constitution prevents Trump from becoming president even if he is convicted or sentenced to prison. If he won the election, however, courts may delay any prison time until after his term in office expires .

What is the maximum possible sentence?

The 34 felony counts Trump faces are classified as "Class E felonies" under New York law – the lowest level felony in the state. The maximum penalty on each count is four years of prison, and a judge would have discretion over whether to order Trump to serve sentences on each count at the same time or one after the other. However, New York caps such sentencing for Class E felonies at 20 years .

In addition, New York judges often impose sentencing ranges, where an incarcerated person becomes eligible for parole at the low end of the range. For Class E felonies, the lowest end of a range would be one-and-a-third years per count, while the highest would be four years. Good behavior in jail or prison can speed things up even more.

A sentence limited to probation?

Merchan would also have discretion to order a fixed sentence of less than those ranges, including probation.

That's what Mitchell Epner, a New York lawyer with decades of criminal law experience, expects would happen even if Trump were convicted on all counts. Epner noted the felony charges aren't violent and don't involve drugs.

"With a defendant who has no prior criminal record, my absolute expectation would be a sentence of probation," Epner told USA TODAY.

Epner wasn't alone in thinking that could be the sentencing outcome.

"This is a case that does not involve any physical violence, and it doesn't – there's not sort of a 'named victim,' so to speak – and so the court is going to take that into consideration," Anna Cominsky, who directs the Criminal Defense Clinic at New York Law School, told USA TODAY.

"In addition, I think it is unlikely that he would be sent to prison given who he is, given both the fact that he has no criminal record, and there is no getting around the fact that he is a former president of the United States," Cominsky said.

Incarceration a real possibility

Norman Eisen, a Brookings Institution senior fellow who served as special counsel to the House Judiciary Committee during Trump's first impeachment, thought a sentence that includes some incarceration is likely.

Eisen co-authored a report looking at sentencing for other defendants with no criminal history who were convicted of falsifying business records in New York. There, he noted one construction executive was sentenced in 2015 to spend two days each week in jail for a year for falsifying records to conceal payments in a bribery scheme. In 2013, two corporate executives were ordered to spend four to six months in jail for falsifying records to misclassify their salaries as expenses under their employer's larger bribery and fraud scheme.

"I think he's likely to face a sentence of incarceration if he's convicted," Eisen told USA TODAY.

Cominsky said the evidence Merchan hears at trial could also influence his thinking when it comes to sentencing.

"Often you'll hear judges refer to testimony at trial, evidence that was presented at trial, and say, 'This is why I'm imposing this sentence, because I heard from this particular witness or I saw this particular piece of evidence,'" Cominsky said.

Moscow pushed back against the assumption that Trump's sentences on each count would run simultaneously, instead of being stacked on top of each other. Just as a judge may take into account that a defendant has won a Nobel Peace Prize or lifted orphans from poverty, the judge may look at significant evidence of bad acts, Moscow said.

"When you start attacking the judge's daughter, and making her out to be a target, you have just breached the normal rules," Moscow said.

Trump has also posted a photo of himself wielding a bat, with his eyes directed toward an adjacent photo of Bragg, among other attacks on the district attorney. Bragg's office has received thousands of harassing emails, calls, and texts – including death threats – after Trump's social media attacks, it said in a court filing .

Diana Florence, a New York lawyer who spent decades in the Manhattan District Attorney's office, said Merchan's sentence would need to have some relation to what other white-collar defendants in similar cases have received, and she would be surprised if someone had ever gotten a sentencing range for falsifying business records with a minimum of 10 years or more.

Such a long sentence "would be very, very, very, very unusual, and if Judge Merchan wanted to make a point and do that, I highly doubt the appellate division would allow that to stand," she said. "It's just too much time for the conduct."

However, Florence added that a reasonable sentencing range could include a minimum period of more than a year incarcerated.

Sentencing someone with Secret Service protection?

Contemplating any jail or prison sentence would take Merchan into unchartered territory: Trump is the first former president ever criminally charged, and the Secret Service provides him with around-the-clock security.

But avoiding a sentence of incarceration on that basis risks undermining the idea of equal treatment under the law, Moscow suggested.

"If I were the judge − and I don't know what a judge would do in this case − I would reject out of hand the concept that because he was once president, and because as a matter of policy the Secret Service guards former presidents, that therefore he can't go to jail," Moscow said.

The question would then become how to reconcile equal treatment with ensuring a former president's security, according to Moscow. The judge could get creative, for example by ordering the former president to stay in a hotel wing or at a military base, where he is isolated just like any other prisoner but still has Secret Service protection.

"You can structure things to achieve the proper result without conceding that the defendant has the upper hand," Moscow said.

Chances of immediate prison? 'Less than 1%'

Many convicted defendants are "remanded" pending sentencing, a process in which they are taken into custody while they await their sentence, Florence said.

But Florence didn't expect Merchan to give that order when it comes to Trump, and even if Merchan did, Trump would likely be able to get bail set by an appeals court in the thousands of dollars to stay free during his appeal. That's all the more likely if Trump receives a low sentence, since the appeal could take longer than his actual sentence, she said.

"The chances of him going to prison immediately, even if he's convicted in whatever, six weeks from now or whenever, are I would say less than 1% because he would immediately be released on bail pending appeal," according to Florence.

Eisen agreed Trump probably wouldn't be incarcerated by Election Day, even if he's convicted on all counts.

"I think he's extremely unlikely to be forced to serve that sentence pending appeal," Eisen said.