Get Ready for Your Next Getaway with These Game-Changing Travel Apps

Use these tools to help you plan, pack, book, and be on your way

By
Karen Marcus
Karen Marcus
Karen Marcus
Writer
  • University of Colorado at Denver
  • Colorado State University
Karen Marcus is a former Lifewire writer who has also written for companies like HP, Intel, IBM, Samsung, and others.
lifewire's editorial guidelines
Published on March 24, 2025
Someone working on a laptop while sitting on the floor in an airport.

mihailomilovanovic / Getty Images
Apps

Planning a trip can be overwhelming, but the right travel apps make it easier. Maybe you need a place to stay tonight, you're navigating unfamiliar cities, or you're trying to read signs and menus in a different language. No matter where your travels take you, these apps will keep things running smoothly.

01
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Best for Last-Minute Hotel Deals: HotelTonight

HotelTonight travel app
What We Like

  • Book last-minute rooms at great prices.

  • Browse photos and ratings to get a feel for the hotel.

What We Don't Like

  • Can't select your room type.

  • Prices don't include taxes and fees.

Whether you're a seat-of-your-pants type traveler or want a backup plan in case your reservations don't work out, try HotelTonight.

Tell the app where you want to stay and watch the deals appear on your screen. Tap one to get additional details. A few more taps to pay, and you have a room for the night.

You can make reservations further in advance, but the longer you wait, the better the deals are.

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02
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Best for Navigating: Citymapper

Citymapper travel app
What We Like

  • Search fastest route (e.g. train vs. Lyft).

  • Get cost of your chosen route ahead of time.

  • See preferred routes to avoid the rain.

What We Don't Like

  • Not all transportation services offer updates.

  • Not all cities are in the app's coverage area.

Navigating a new city can be maddening if you don't know how to use the local transportation systems. With Citymapper, you'll get around like a local in no time, exploring and enjoying your new surroundings.

Pick your city, then choose a location or your preferred mode of transportation. Citymapper gives you complete, clear instructions on how to reach your destination hassle-free, whether walking, taking an Uber, or traveling by train.

Be sure to switch to the right city before downloading the app.

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03
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Best for Packing Help: PackPoint

PackPoint packing assistant app for travel
What We Like

  • Configure trip lists according to specific plans.

  • Simple, easy-to-navigate interface.

  • Hide irrelevant items and add new items to your list.

What We Don't Like

  • Must upgrade to Premium to create custom packing lists.

A delight for anyone who hates packing, PackPoint tells you exactly what to bring. First, enter where you're going, when, and for how long. Choose business or leisure, then select the activities you'll be doing.

The app develops a list based on your information and expected weather. Check items off as you pack, or swipe to remove ones you don't need.

The paid-for premium version ($2.99) removes ads, gives you custom activities and packing templates, and integrates TripIt.

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04
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Best Language Translator: iTranslate

iTranslate language translation travel app
What We Like

  • Translations are available in more than 100 languages.

  • Phrasebook has more than 250 predefined phrases.

  • Switch between dialects and voices.

What We Don't Like

  • Need Pro version to unlock offline translation mode.

  • Offline mode works for just four languages.

Gone are the days of fumbling with a paper dictionary as you try to assemble sentences in a language you don't know. Use this translation app to type or speak your sentence and get the translation in your chosen language.

A handy expansion feature lets you display the result on your screen to show to locals you're trying to communicate with. The iTranslate Phrasebook is a convenient way of looking up and learning common expressions and questions.

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05
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Best for Finding Your Way Around: Google Maps

Google Maps travel app
What We Like

  • Maps for over 220 countries and territories.

  • Information on hundreds of millions of businesses.

  • Real-time updates help you beat traffic.

  • Search and navigate with offline maps.

What We Don't Like

  • Some features aren't available in all countries.

Google Maps is great for finding your way around in your city or anywhere in the world. Get the best route with automatic rerouting based on live traffic updates and road closures.

Find information about businesses, such as if a restaurant is open. If you're somewhere with spotty internet, download an area map in advance and use it to navigate.

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06
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Best for Travel Planning: Kayak

Kayak travel-planning app
What We Like

  • Researching prices is fast and easy.

  • Independent hotels and short-term rentals.

  • Book almost any travel method.

  • App is user-friendly.

What We Don't Like

  • Can't take advantage of loyalty programs you may belong to.

The award-winning travel app Kayak allows you to search for flights, hotels, and car rentals.

The clean interface gives you a full list of possible options, including reduced hacker fares, where you book outgoing and returning flights with two separate airlines. Set filters to find exactly what you want quickly and easily.

Not sure if now's the right time to pull the trigger? The app answers that question by indicating when prices will go up.

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