Traveling can be complicated -- trust me, I would know. I’ve been a full-time traveler and digital nomad for more than two years. I still sometimes struggle to sort out transportation and lodging, keep track of my itinerary, and handle the other logistics of life on the road. Luckily, modern technology in the form of travel apps has helped me.
You probably already know about using Google Maps for navigation, but there’s another use case you might not be aware of: booking hotels. Although Google Maps itself isn’t a booking platform, it lets you search for available hotels in an area for your desired dates, as well as check prices for a given hotel from multiple booking sites (Booking.com, Expedia, Agoda, etc). Think of it as Google Flights for hotels, seamlessly integrated into the Maps app. Plus, you can easily check reviews and transportation options in the same interface.
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Pros
- You can compare prices across multiple booking platforms
- Information is generally up-to-date and reliable
- You can filter by price, reviews, amenities and hotel brand
Cons
- Might not show every possible booking platform available
- Sponsored results might affect search rankings
- Inconsistent when calculating taxes and fees (base price generally accurate)
As a traveler who’s constantly embarking on complex, multi-leg trips, having an organized itinerary is crucial. But manually compiling said itinerary is a hassle, so I use TripIt. I can simply email all my confirmation emails, reservations and travel documents to TripIt, and the app will automatically compile everything into a comprehensive itinerary that includes dates, times, flight numbers, hotel addresses and more. Best of all, it’s free (for the basic version) and works on multiple devices.
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Pros
- Allows for both automatic import and manual entry
- Works on multiple devices, including web browsers
- Can see details of past trips even after they’re over
Cons
- Some manual entry is needed
- Multi-leg trips are sometimes misclassified and require manual fixing
- Limited to supported booking sites for automatic import
Free Wi-Fi while traveling is convenient, but not always secure. That’s why I like to use a virtual private network, or VPN, to add a layer of privacy when I need to transmit sensitive information over a non-secure connection -- for example, when I’m logging into my bank account or entering my credit card information on a website to make a purchase. HTTPS connections should make those transactions secure regardless, but I like having the extra layer of protection.
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Pros
- CNET’s pick for the fastest VPN, offering fast connection speeds.
- Strong privacy and transparency
- Great for unblocking geo-restricted streaming content
- User-friendly apps
- Adds a layer of privacy when transmitting sensitive information over non-secure Wi-Fi
Cons
- It is one of the more expensive VPNs on the market
- The renewal price is significantly higher than the price for a year or two
- Budget-conscious travelers may find similar features at a lower price elsewhere
I personally dislike flying when traveling abroad. Baggage fees add up, and security checks are a hassle. I try to take ground transportation -- trains, buses and ferries -- whenever possible. Rome2Rio is my go-to app for route planning, as it shows all the possible transportation options (including ground, air and mixed-mode transport) along with cost estimates, duration and booking instructions. The site's information is extensive, and you can search for transport options between any two points in the world.
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Pros
- Has a web version and a mobile app
- Shows ground, air and water transport options, including mixed-mode transport
- Completely free to use
Cons
- Prices are often estimates and don’t necessarily reflect up-to-date ticket prices
- Links in the apps are often affiliate links to third-party booking sites
I love using travel credit cards to earn points and miles that I can put toward free flights. But redeeming those points and miles effectively requires extensive research and deep knowledge of airlines’ loyalty programs. A rewards search aggregator like Seats.aero simplifies that process. I can search for my desired destination and date, and Seats.aero will show me all the flights I can book with points, along with information about which loyalty program to book through and how much it’ll cost.
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Pros
- Has a web version and a mobile app
- Free version offers unlimited searches and lots of functionality
- Lets you create alerts for flight availability on specific routes
Cons
- Searches are limited to 60 days in advance on free plan
- Limited to 23 loyalty programs
- Information may be a few hours to days out of date
Over the years, I’ve filled my phone with a slew of apps that help me save time and money, or just make my travel experience better. There are some obvious ones -- like Google Translate for understanding foreign languages, Google Photos for backing up my travel photos and Google Maps for navigation, to name a few -- but also a few hidden gems you might not have heard of.
Many of these apps offer a free version, which is helpful for travelers on a budget. But it's important to note that free apps often collect user data and sell it to third-party advertisers or data brokers. Privacy-concerned travelers may prefer paid versions instead.
If you have an international plan, you can download these on the go, but it always helps to save on data costs by downloading them while connected to Wi-Fi or before you travel. These are my favorite travel apps right now, and each one helps make my travel journey smoother.
Pros
- You can compare prices across multiple booking platforms
- Information is generally up-to-date and reliable
- You can filter by price, reviews, amenities and hotel brand
Cons
- Might not show every possible booking platform available
- Sponsored results might affect search rankings
- Inconsistent when calculating taxes and fees (base price generally accurate)
Why I like it
You probably already know about using Google Maps for navigation, but there’s another use case you might not be aware of: booking hotels. Although Google Maps itself isn’t a booking platform, it lets you search for available hotels in an area for your desired dates, as well as check prices for a given hotel from multiple booking sites (Booking.com, Expedia, Agoda, etc). Think of it as Google Flights for hotels, seamlessly integrated into the Maps app. Plus, you can easily check reviews and transportation options in the same interface.
Who this is for
Anyone who needs to book hotels and isn’t loyal to any particular booking platform would do well to start their search on Google Maps. Because many hotels are listed on multiple platforms nowadays, and pricing among different platforms can vary, being able to see all your options and compare prices in one place can save you time and money.
Who shouldn’t get it
If you prefer to book your hotels using points from a hotel chain’s loyalty program or through a credit card company’s travel portal, then you won’t get much use out of Google Maps’ hotel search feature. And if you have loyalty status with a hotel chain or booking platform that gives you prices or discounts not publicly available, Google Maps probably won’t show it.
Pros
- Allows for both automatic import and manual entry
- Works on multiple devices, including web browsers
- Can see details of past trips even after they’re over
Cons
- Some manual entry is needed
- Multi-leg trips are sometimes misclassified and require manual fixing
- Limited to supported booking sites for automatic import
Why I like it
As a traveler who’s constantly embarking on complex, multi-leg trips, having an organized itinerary is crucial. But manually compiling said itinerary is a hassle, so I use TripIt. I can simply email all my confirmation emails, reservations and travel documents to TripIt, and the app will automatically compile everything into a comprehensive itinerary that includes dates, times, flight numbers, hotel addresses and more. Best of all, it’s free (for the basic version) and works on multiple devices.
TripIt also lets you link your inbox for automatic import, so you don’t need to forward emails, but I’ve found this feature unreliable at times. I prefer to manually forward my confirmation emails to make sure nothing slips through the cracks.
Who this is for
Anyone who has complicated travel plans and wants to stay organized, but doesn’t want to manually compile an itinerary or keep track of documents and reservations.
Who shouldn’t buy/get it
If your travel plans are very simple, it might be easier to manually check your confirmation emails for details, instead of downloading a dedicated app.
Pros
- CNET’s pick for the fastest VPN, offering fast connection speeds.
- Strong privacy and transparency
- Great for unblocking geo-restricted streaming content
- User-friendly apps
- Adds a layer of privacy when transmitting sensitive information over non-secure Wi-Fi
Cons
- It is one of the more expensive VPNs on the market
- The renewal price is significantly higher than the price for a year or two
- Budget-conscious travelers may find similar features at a lower price elsewhere
Why I like it
Free Wi-Fi while traveling is convenient, but not always secure. That’s why I like to use a virtual private network, or VPN, to add a layer of privacy when I need to transmit sensitive information over a non-secure connection -- for example, when I’m logging into my bank account or entering my credit card information on a website to make a purchase. HTTPS connections should make those transactions secure regardless, but I like having the extra layer of protection.
A VPN is also useful when I’m traveling abroad and need to spoof my IP address to access location-locked content. NordVPN is CNET’s pick for fastest VPN, offering fast connection speeds and the ability to choose country-specific servers, making it especially well-suited for this purpose.
Who this is for
NordVPN is great if you're looking to enhance your online privacy or access geo-locked sites while traveling.
Who shouldn’t buy/get it
NordVPN’s pricing structure makes it one of the more expensive VPNs on the market for renewals after the introductory plan expires, so budget-conscious travelers might want to consider a different VPN with similar features but a lower price tag. If you don’t need the ability to pick your own server location, ProtonVPN is CNET’s pick for the best completely free option.
Pros
- Has a web version and a mobile app
- Shows ground, air and water transport options, including mixed-mode transport
- Completely free to use
Cons
- Prices are often estimates and don’t necessarily reflect up-to-date ticket prices
- Links in the apps are often affiliate links to third-party booking sites
Why I like it
I personally dislike flying when traveling abroad. Baggage fees add up, and security checks are a hassle. I try to take ground transportation -- trains, buses and ferries -- whenever possible. Rome2Rio is my go-to app for route planning, as it shows all the possible transportation options (including ground, air and mixed-mode transport) along with cost estimates, duration and booking instructions. The site's information is extensive, and you can search for transport options between any two points in the world.
Who this is for
Anyone who wants an easy way to search for and compare inter-city or inter-regional transportation options.
Who shouldn’t get it
If you prefer flying, Rome2Rio probably won’t show you anything you can’t find on a regular flight-search site like Google Flights.
Pros
- Has a web version and a mobile app
- Free version offers unlimited searches and lots of functionality
- Lets you create alerts for flight availability on specific routes
Cons
- Searches are limited to 60 days in advance on free plan
- Limited to 23 loyalty programs
- Information may be a few hours to days out of date
Why I like it
I love using travel credit cards to earn points and miles that I can put toward free flights. But redeeming those points and miles effectively requires extensive research and deep knowledge of airlines’ loyalty programs. A rewards search aggregator like Seats.aero simplifies that process. I can search for my desired destination and date, and Seats.aero will show me all the flights I can book with points, along with information about which loyalty program to book through and how much it’ll cost.
While there are several award search sites out there, some paid and some free, I personally think Seats.aero offers the best value. You can filter results by loyalty programs (both individual airline loyalty programs and credit card transfer partners) and make unlimited searches up to 60 days in advance, all for free. (The paid membership gets you access to advanced filters and searches up to a year in advance.) The “explore” and “alerts” feature is also useful if you want to keep an eye out for a good deal.
Who this is for
If you earn transferable credit card points on a travel credit card, a rewards search aggregator will make booking award flights so much easier than searching through every airline’s loyalty program individually. And if you don’t want to pay to use an app, Seats.aero is the best choice out of all its competitors.
Who shouldn’t buy/get it
If you’re loyal to a particular airline and only want to earn/use that airline’s loyalty points (as opposed to transferable points from a generic travel card), you’ll be better off searching for award flights directly on your preferred airline’s own website or app.
If you want the best possible experience from an award search site and are willing to pay, consider Point.me, which offers a larger selection of searchable programs and slightly more features, but requires a paid membership for any searches beyond the free trial. And if you just want to book flights with cash, use a regular booking site like Google Flights.
Pros
- End-to-end encryption on messages and calls
- Supports a variety of message types, as well as group messaging/calls
- Free messaging and calling over Wi-Fi, without the need to go through your carrier
Cons
- Can only send messages/make calls to other WhatsApp users
- Push notifications for new messages can be inconsistent when the app is closed (in my experience)
- Must add someone to your contacts before you can message them
Why I like it
When traveling, I like to stay connected to both my friends and family back home, as well as any new friends I meet on the road. But phone calls and SMS messages abroad can rack up hefty roaming fees, which is why I use WhatsApp for almost all of my communications.
I like WhatsApp because of its extensive capabilities. You can send text messages, photos, videos and voice notes, as well as make voice and video calls, all for free -- as long as your recipient is also on WhatsApp. Plus, messages and calls are end-to-end encrypted by default, so you can rest easy knowing the content of your conversations is secure.
Who this is for
Anyone who needs a way to communicate with others that isn’t dependent on cell service -- especially while abroad. Or, anyone who wants an extra layer of security and encryption in their personal communications.
Who shouldn’t buy/get it
If you’re traveling exclusively within the US and have access to regular cell service without any limits or extra fees, you might not need a separate app.
Pros
- Lets you make phone calls over Wi-Fi instead of going through your phone carrier
- Gives you a free Google Voice number separate from your regular phone number
- Phone calls to US and Canadian numbers are free
- International calls are relatively cheap
Cons
- Google Voice numbers expire after a period of inactivity
- Call quality heavily depends on Wi-Fi quality
- You must buy international credit before you can make international calls
Why I like it
While I use WhatsApp for most of my personal communications while abroad, I still find it necessary to make actual phone calls occasionally. WhatsApp only works if the person you’re communicating with is also on WhatsApp, so you can’t call a phone number directly like you could on a cell phone. When I need to call, say, my bank’s customer service line or a hotel’s front desk, I always use Google Voice instead of my cell service in order to avoid roaming charges. As long as I have an internet connection, I can call (and text) US numbers for free and international numbers for a small fee (that’s much lower than my phone company’s roaming rates).
Who this is for
Anyone who needs to make phone calls while outside the US, or in places with spotty cell service but good Wi-Fi. Also good for people who need to make international calls from inside the US.
Who shouldn’t buy/get it
If you primarily travel within the US and have access to a regular cellphone plan with free calling and texting, you might not need this app.
Pros
- eSIMs available in 195+ countries
- Country-specific, regional and global plans available
- Lots of options in terms of both data amounts and durations
Cons
- Prices and transactions are in Australian dollars -- meaning potential foreign transaction fees on the credit card or debit card you use to pay (unless they’re waived by the card issuer)
- Most eSIM plans are data-only and don’t provide calling or texting capabilities
- No truly unlimited data plan is available for most countries
Why I like it
Having access to mobile data for navigation or web searches is essential while traveling, but using data roaming from your US phone plan abroad can be impossible or very expensive. My favorite way around this is to use an eSIM -- essentially a digital SIM card you can purchase and install onto your phone, that gives you access to mobile data in a specific country, region or across the world (depending on the exact plan you purchase). EscapeSIM is my favorite eSIM provider because its prices are lower than many competitors, while still offering easy installation and reliable service in over 195 countries.
Though you don’t need to download the mobile app to buy and install an eSIM (you can do that through EscapeSIM’s website), I like to keep the app on my phone to track my data usage and quickly top off my plan when I need it.
Who this is for
Anyone who’s traveling abroad should get an eSIM, and anyone who’s in the market for an eSIM should consider EscapeSIM, unless they can find a better deal from a competitor.
Who shouldn’t buy/get it
If you’re traveling in the US and have mobile data through your regular phone plan, you don’t need an eSIM. If you’re traveling abroad but want a local phone number for calling and texting, you might be better off buying a local physical SIM card at your destination. And if you use EscapeSIM as your eSIM provider, you may not need to download the app itself if you’re content with using the slightly less streamlined browser version for account management and pop-ups.
Pros
- Completely free and open source
- Lots of features and customization options
- Tools like an extended shutter timer and interval shooting option are great for taking pictures solo
Cons
- Android-only app; not available on iOS
- Learning curve required to understand the app’s user interface and functions
- User interface is functional, but doesn’t look as polished as Android’s default camera app
Why I like it
I love photography as much as I love travel, and Open Camera is my favorite app for phone photography. Not only does it let me manually fine-tune settings like focus, white balance, shutter speed and ISO -- much like the “pro” mode on my phone’s default camera -- it also comes with features that are especially useful for solo travelers like me.
Without anyone to help me take pictures, I usually set up my shot with a phone tripod, then use a shutter timer to capture the photo once I’ve had time to get into position. The biggest advantage Open Camera has over my phone’s default camera is its longer shutter timer (so I have more time to get into position) and the ability to take interval shots (so I can take multiple photos in the same scene without having to go back and reset my camera every time).
Who this is for
Solo travelers who want to take more professional self-portraits will love this app, as will anyone who wants to customize their camera settings to a high degree.
Who shouldn’t buy/get it
This app is only available on Android at this time, so iOS phone owners won’t be able to use it. If you prefer simplicity and don’t need additional features beyond what your default camera app offers, this app might not be worth downloading. On the other hand, if you’re looking for professional-level photography, you might consider using a full-fledged DSLR camera instead of your phone.
Pros
- Access free ebooks, audiobooks or magazines through your local library
- Once borrowed, you can download titles for offline use
- Curated home page with book recommendations and popular collections by theme
Cons
- The books that are available depend on your library’s selection
- Like with a regular library, there may be a waitlist to borrow a title
- Some books are only available in Kindle format, meaning you can borrow them in Libby but can only read them on a Kindle ereader or the Kindle app
Why I like it
Travel often involves a lot of waiting, and I like having access to offline entertainment. Libby, which I access through my local public library, lets me borrow and download ebooks, audiobooks and magazines completely free. It’s convenient and saves me a ton of money compared to using my paid-per-gigabyte mobile data to scroll social media or buying books at retail price. My library has an excellent selection of titles, so it’s easy for me to find something new to read.
Whether you have access to Libby and which books you can borrow depends on whether your local library subscribes to the service and on what books are in its collection. You can check if your library offers access through the Libby’s website, or consult your local library’s website or staff for more information. A heads-up: much like with physical books, your library only has so many licenses for digital books, so make sure you put holds in for e-books weeks ahead of any trips.
Who this is for
Everyone who has access to Libby through their local library should give it a try, whether traveling or in day-to-day life. It’s completely free, and you may find your next favorite read on the app.
Who shouldn’t buy/get it
If you don’t have access to a public library that offers Libby, or your library’s ebook collection is very small, you might not find the app very useful. In that case, you could try talking to your library staff about expanding access to Libby, or search for a public library that will grant library cards to non-local residents (usually for a small fee).
There are several factors to consider when choosing a travel app. They include:
What type of traveler are you?
What type of travel apps you need largely depends on how and where you like to travel -- and you might find some of my favorite apps useless if your travel style differs from mine. For example, if you mainly travel within the US and never go abroad, you probably don’t need an eSIM plan or a separate phone/messaging app, because you can just use your regular phone plan. If you plan to fly everywhere, then you don’t need an app to plan ground transportation, and if you prefer road trips, then a flight booking probably won’t be of much use.
Free vs paid apps
I’m a budget traveler, so most of the apps I use are free. The few paid apps I do use either provide features I can’t live without (such as the eSIMs I buy from EscapeSIM) or have a freemium model where I can use the free version most of the time and upgrade to a paid plan if I need to (like Seats.aero). I always recommend trying out the free version of an app first, before subscribing to a paid plan. If you don’t find yourself missing the extra features, you might not need them at all.
Security and privacy of apps
The security and privacy of apps are real concerns, especially those that handle your personal data. I try to stick to apps from established, reputable companies, and I’ll check an app’s privacy policy and security features before downloading it. For example, while TripIt may collect information from your inbox (if you grant access), it says in its privacy policy that it only uses the information “to provide or improve user-facing features and will not use or transfer such information (even if aggregated or anonymized) for serving ads.” The company also has a page explaining how it keeps your personal data secure.
Offline functionality of apps
Some apps can work offline, while others, by nature, can't. For example, it wouldn't make sense for a hotel- or flight-booking app -- which requires up-to-date pricing and availability information -- to work without an internet connection. However, I appreciate it when an app adds offline features when it's practical. For example, Google Maps lets you download offline maps for basic navigation, even though you can't use more advanced features -- like checking prices or reviews offline.
In my experience, apps generally fall into three categories:
- Time savers (like TripIt)
- Money savers (like EscapeSIM or Google Maps)
- Problem solvers (like Open Camera or NordVPN)
Sometimes they do all three.
In my opinion, as long as an app does something useful and does it well, it’s worth keeping around.
In my opinion, Google Maps is the best app for local navigation (both public transport and driving), while Rome2Rio is best for planning longer, interregional routes.
If you’re willing to pay for a subscription, NordVPN is a good option because of its fast connection speeds and ability to choose your server location, which can bypass geo-restrictions on certain sites. If you’re looking for a free VPN, ProtonVPN is CNET’s top pick, but it lacks the ability to pick your own server on the free plan.
For finding flights bookable with points and miles, I recommend Seats.aero. To find flights bookable with cash, I recommend Google Flights.