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Best travel apps
Best Holiday Apps

When it comes to packing for a trip, many of us will have our smartphones near the top of the list. Not only do they allow us to keep in contact with friends and family, but you can also load them with useful travel apps to help get the most out of your holiday.

To help you get started, we've put together a top 10 list of the essential holiday apps that will make travel hassle-free.

Best Holiday Apps Guide


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1. HEHA! Holiday Extras

Best travel app for booking and organising your holiday add-ons

HEHA! Holiday Extras app screenshots on iOS

(Image credit: Apple App Store)

A brilliant app for the planning and preparation stages of your holiday. With one search HEHA! will compare all the best travel extras, like airport parking, airport hotels, lounges and transfers. It'll cleverly tailor these towards your trip based upon your flight, destination and other travel details.

Enjoy exclusive app discounts, receive notifications if any products fall in price, create a shortlist to compare items of interest, browse helpful, related travel content and even check the weather forecast for your destination. HEHA! is like having your very own personal trip advisor, travel expert and holiday assistant rolled into one!

4.9/5

Price: Free

2. Waze

Best community-based traffic and navigation app to get you from A to B

Waze app screenshots on iOS

(Image credit: Apple App Store)

Whether you drive a car, taxi or motorbike this GPS navigation app is a real game-changer. Download the Waze app and see real-time road conditions and find the best routes to take before you set off. Quite simply this traffic and navigation route planner app will help you get from A to B with the least hassle, avoiding traffic and unexpected hazards along the way.

This app is free to download and fully customisable, from choosing a unique voice for your journey, selecting the type of fuel you use, or even the type of vehicle you drive, you can tailor the app for a more personal experience. Whether you're travelling to the airport or the destination of your next UK short break - you'll get alerts about traffic, police, hazards and speed cameras as well as find the nearest petrol stations, places to eat and hotels too.

Find out more about how Holiday Extras and Waze are outsmarting traffic together via our travel advice page.

Find out more about the Waze app:

4.9/5

Price: Free

3. Flightradar24

Best flight tracking app

Flightradar24 app screenshots on iOS

(Image credit: Apple App Store)

Keep an eye on the sky and stay one step ahead of the crowds. With the Flightradar24 app you'll be able to keep an eye on delays, cancellations, gate changes and diversions, so you're always aware of what's going on.

4.8/5

Price: Free

4. Airbnb

Best travel app for booking accommodation and experiences

Airbnb app screenshots on iOS

(Image credit: Apple App Store)

If you're looking for holiday accommodation then Airbnb could be just the app for you. Find a home away from home with over 6 million choices across 191 countries. You can can tailor your search by price, neighbourhood and nearby amenities to ensure you find the best choices regardless of your taste and requirements. Save your favourite rental homes for future holidays and find new experiences to enjoy while you're away.

4.8/5

Price: Free

Download the Airbnb app for Android Download the Airbnb app for Apple iOS

5. Google Maps

Best navigation app and itinerary planner

Google Maps app screenshots on iOS

(Image credit: Apple App Store)

The days of the fold-out map are well and truly over! With the Google Maps app, you can search for directions to and from anywhere in the world, and you can even tailor them to different transportation methods. If you're not sure about your internet connection while you're abroad you can download maps ahead of time for the areas you are travelling to access offline.

You can also create your own 'saved lists', where you can pin your favourite attractions, restaurants and bars, and view them all on a custom map. They're a straightforward, visual way to organise all your must-visit places and can be easily shared with friends or kept private.

Check out our Google Maps vs Waze page to find out which of these traffic and navigation apps is the best.

4.7/5

Price: Free

6. Skyscanner

Best travel app for finding cheap flights

Skyscanner app screenshots on iOS

(Image credit: Apple App Store)

Search and compare the cheapest flights with the Skyscanner app. If you already know your travel dates, you'll be able to find the best deals with ease - filter by price, flight duration, number of stops, greener flights and more. If your dates are more flexible, take advantage of the colour-coded calendars and graphs to pinpoint the best time to travel for maximum savings. Make sure to use the 'Top Offers' section to browse awesome deals from budget airlines and Price Alerts for when prices change. You can also use this holiday app to compare hotels and car hire.

4.7/5

Price: Free

7. PackPoint

Best travel app for fuss-free packing

Packpoint app screenshots on iOS

(Image credit: Apple App Store)

We could all use a little help packing our suitcases, and PackPoint can provide exactly that. Answer a few simple questions about your trip and PackPoint will create a customisable packing list for you, including recommendations based on weather forecasts, activities and whether or not you'll have access to laundry facilities. It's easy to cross things off as they're packed or add more as you go along. The standard version of the Packpoint app is free but does include ads and in-app purchases. You can upgrade to the premium version for £2.49 on the Play Store or £2.99 on the App Store to remove these.

4.7/5

Price: Free - £2.99

8. Tripadvisor

Best travel planning app for recommendations and reviews

Tripadvisor app screenshots on iOS

(Image credit: Apple App Store)

Not sure where to go first? Or if that restaurant is worth a visit? Tripadvisor will give you the answer to these questions and more. Save all the details of the places you're interested in, check out reviews and find out all the important information such as opening times and prices. The Tripadvisor app will even show you local attractions on a map so you can find last-minute gems.

4.7/5

Price: Free

9. XE Currency Converter

Best travel app for currency conversion

XE Currency converter app screenshots on iOS

(Image credit: Apple App Store)

Transfer rates playing on your mind? With XE Currency Converter you can keep on top of the changing rates, including the option to track up to 20 currencies with alerts and notifications.

You can also use it to check prices. It can sometimes be tricky to work out if you're getting a good deal when you're working in an unfamiliar currency, but XE will help you convert that into something more familiar on the spot. There's a free version of the App with adverts and in app purchases, or you can upgrade to the pro version for £1.18 on the Play Store and £1.99 on the App Store.

4.5/5

Price: Free - £1.99

10. Google Translate

Best translation app (text, speech and images)

Google Translate app screenshots on iOS

(Image credit: Apple App Store)

Concerned you might come up against a language barrier while you're abroad? Although the Google Translate app isn't quite the same as learning a second language, it can definitely help in a pinch. One of the most useful features is the instant camera translation - just point your camera at a sign, or menu and the app will translate it for you in 38 different languages.

4.4/5

Price: Free


All information and prices are correct at the time of writing.

Handy Summary of our Top 10 Best Travel Apps
Travel app
About
Rating
Price
HEHA! Holiday Extras
All the extras you need for hassle-free travel at great prices
4.8/5
FREE
Waze
Always know what's happening on the road with Waze
4.9/5
FREE
Flightradar24
Track flights around the world and see them move in real-time
4.8/5
FREE
Airbnb
Find perfect places to stay from around the world
4.8/5
FREE
Google Maps
Navigate and explore your world faster and easier
4.7/5
FREE
Skyscanner
Search for flights, hotels and more to anywhere in the world
4.7/5
FREE
PackPoint
Helping you pack according to trip type, activities and weather 
4.7/5
FREE
Tripadvisor
Plan your next trip, read reviews and get travel advice
4.7/5
FREE

XE Currency Converter
Calculate live currency and foreign exchange rates
4.5/5
FREE
Google Translate
Translate text, speech and images between English and over 100 other languages
4.4/5
FREE

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Top 5 Trip Planning and Booking Apps

Hopper app screenshots on iOS

(Featured app: Hopper. Image credit: Apple App Store)


A lot goes into planning the perfect trip. There's flights to book, accommodation to choose, travel extras to be ticked off and suitcases to be packed. Juggling everything can be stressful, but thankfully there are trip planner apps out there that can help make the whole process run smoother.

  1. Skyscanner
  2. Skyscanner is a flight comparison app that does all the hard work for you, trawling hundreds of airlines and travel companies, to find the very best flight deals available. If you're a flexible traveller looking for the ultimate bargain, this app is particularly handy as you can pinpoint the cheapest locations, months and holiday length. Great features include the Price alerts so you'll know straight away if prices drop and the 'Greener choice' label which highlights flights which emit less CO2.

    Download on: App Store | Google Play
    Price: Free

  3. Hopper
  4. Timing is super important when it comes to bagging yourself a cheap flight. So, when is the best time to book? That's where Hopper can help. Hopper will advise you on the right time to book your trip for top savings. This app predicts the prices for flights with 95% accuracy, meaning it can recommend when to book straight away or when to wait for a better price. Other handy features include: colour-coded calendars to easily spot the cheapest days to travel and helpful tips and information on details like carry-on allowances.

    Download on: App Store | Google Play
    Price: Free

  5. HEHA! in the Holiday Extras App
  6. HEHA! is the easiest and fastest way to book and organise all your travel extras. Enter your trip details and HEHA! will do the rest. Enjoy tailored recommendations (including airport parking, hotels, lounges and more) that are perfect for your flight and destination, and exclusive savings of up to 15% off. Create a shortlist to easily compare products and get notifications when watched items drop in price. Also within the app you'll also be able to browse specially curated videos and articles on your destination, along with handy travel tips and tricks.

    Download on: App Store | Google Play
    Price: Free

  7. LuckyTrip
  8. Love going away but hate the faff of planning? LuckyTrip is the holiday app you need on your phone. Whether you're a relaxer or adventurer, culture vulture or foodie, with LuckyTrip you can book a perfectly-tailored trip in a single tap. Simply set your budget and preferences then hit Lucky! This nifty and wonderfully addictive travel inspiration app will return personalised getaways to incredible places including the cheapest flights, the best accommodations and unique experiences for you to browse and book. To make things nice and easy you can save trips, share with friends and set up push notifications to alert you to new, awesome deals.

    Download on: App Store | Google Play
    Price: Free

  9. Packpoint
  10. Ditch the hassle of handwriting checklists, take the stress out of packing and save yourself from that awful sinking feeling at the airport with Packpoint. This intelligent app creates a custom packing list for you based on gender, travel destination, dates, duration, type of trip and even the weather. Add and remove your own personalised items to the list, modify the number of items and check off items as you pack. Packing like a pro just got easy!

    Download on: App Store | Google Play
    Price: Free - £2.99


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Top 5 Travel Apps for Things to Do

Culture Trip app screenshots on iOS

(Featured app: Culture Trip. Image credit: Apple App Store)


If you're ready to explore but aren't sure where to start to find the best things to do, see and experience, these travel planner apps are a must-have. From slick trip-organising features to incredible sight-seeing inspiration, these wanderlust-inducing apps will help you get the most out of your adventure.

  1. Culture Trip
  2. The trip planner app, Culture Trip, is the go-to for both travel planning and inspiration. This easy-to-use app is filled to the brim with award-winning travel stories and videos, unique destination guides and recommendations from passionate local experts in over 450 locations. Create wishlists and save your favourite content so you still have access offline while you're out exploring.

    Download on: App Store | Google Play
    Price: Free

  3. Tripadvisor
  4. Tripadvisor is a must-have when it comes to trip planning. Get inspiration, read reviews, organise your trip and book excursions all within this awesome travel planner app. We particularly love the 'Trip' feature, where you can save all the places that take your fancy and view them on a map.

    Download on: App Store | Google Play
    Price: Free

  5. Withlocals
  6. Withlocals connects travellers with trusted locals to help find the very best things to do and places to eat. Watch destination guide videos, chat with local hosts, read reviews and enjoy unique tours and foodie experiences. Avoid tourist traps and discover hidden gems!

    Download on: App Store | Google Play
    Price: Free

  7. Headout
  8. Discover, book and experience the very best events, shows, activities and other awesome things happening near you with Headout. Be inspired and choose from over 3000 experiences worldwide, from cruises down the River Seine in Paris to helicopter tours over the Grand Canyon in Las Vegas. With Headout you can even enjoy exclusive discounts on last-minute tickets.

    Download on: App Store | Google Play
    Price: Free

  9. LikeALocal
  10. LikeALocal is all about helping you find the top, off-the-beaten-track sights, bars and restaurants in hundreds of cities worldwide. The app works 100% offline so you can browse destination guides, tips and tricks from locals and maps while you're out and about. With LikeALocal you can also book tours and connect with locals - there's a handy Q&A section where you ask for recommendations and advice.

    Download on: The App Store
    Price: Free. Offers In-App Purchases.


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Top 5 Food Travel Apps

TheFork app screenshots on iOS

(Featured app: TheFork. Image credit: Apple App Store)


For many, travelling and trying new foods go hand in hand, so we've rounded up the best food apps that'll guide your taste buds to the good stuff. From top restaurants to unforgettable tours, tastings and experiences, there's something for every foodie traveller.

  1. Tripadvisor
  2. For many travellers, Tripadvisor is the go-to app for checking out the best places to eat and drink. Use on the fly to find the top eateries nearby or search by specific location. The filters (price, cuisine, meal type, dietary restrictions and many more) make it easier to find the perfect place for you. The millions of customer reviews and photos are key part of the app too - you can really get a feel for the place and what the experience might be like.

    Download on: App Store | Google Play
    Price: Free

  3. Zomato
  4. Zomato is a neat little app that lets you search and discover new restaurants to visit and order in from. Browse everything from menus to customer reviews, bookmark favourite spots and make reservations within the app. The specially curated collections are perfect if you're after some inspiration.

    Looking for the best bagels in New York or the top restaurants with a view in Rome? Zomanto can help!

    Download on: App Store | Google Play
    Price: Free

  5. TheFork
  6. TheFork is similar to our other top picks but with a unique money-saving edge. Discover and book restaurants that offer exclusive deals and special menus so you can bag a sweet 20-50% discount on your bill. The app also has a loyalty programme where you recieve 'Yums' with each booking, which can be converted to money off your next meal.

    Download on: App Store | Google Play
    Price: Free

  7. Withlocals
  8. For an immersive food experience that you won't forget, download Withlocals. Book everything from food tours to wine tastings, home dinners with locals to cooking classes. With experts in 50+ cities around the world (primarily Europe and Asia at the moment), expect packages like tapas and wine tasting in Barcelona to pizza making with a professional chef in Milan.

    Download on: App Store | Google Play
    Price: Free

  9. Eatwith
  10. Similar to Withlocals, Eatwith connects travellers with passionate, hand-selected local hosts to provide a personalised and unforgettable food experience. Choose from a range of unique dining experiences, cooking classes and food tours with locals in over 130 countries. Learn to make macarons in Paris or go on a gelato and espresso tasting tour in Rome - tastebuds will be tingled!

    Download on: App Store
    Price: Free


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Top 5 Transport Apps

City Mapper app screenshots on iOS

(Featured app: City Mapper. Image credit: Apple App Store)


We've shortlisted the best holiday apps for transport and navigation so you can explore independently and with confidence on your travels. There's no need to worry about getting lost and needing to stop to ask for directions or decipher signs - armed with these apps, getting from A to B will be a breeze.

  1. Google Maps
  2. It's no surprise that this well-known app has made this list. Google Maps is a must-have when it comes to journey planning (both on holiday and at home). Whether you're travelling by car, foot or public transport, plan and navigate your route with ease. Additional features include offline maps, street view, and even some indoor maps of a range of airports, shopping centres and stadiums.

    Download on: App Store | Google Play
    Price: Free

  3. Citymapper
  4. Take the stress out of city travel with Citymapper. Simply enter your desired destination and this real-time journey planner will break down all the methods of getting there, including public transport, walking, cycling, Gett and Uber. Features include offline maps, prices, live departure times, disruption alerts and even a calorie counter! Citymapper is available in 41 cities around the world.

    Download on: App Store | Google Play
    Price: Free. Offers In-App Purchases

  5. Moovit
  6. Tell Moovit where you'd like to go and the app will return all of the possible routes, whether that's by foot, bike, taxi, or public transport. Highlights include detailed directions, real-time updates and offline maps. Moovit is particularly great for those travelling by public transport thanks to a feature that tells you how many more stops you have until your destination, so you won't miss it. Moovit is available in 2,000 cities around the world.

    Download on: App Store | Google Play
    Price: Free

  7. Uber
  8. This well-known, handy transport app operates in 700 cities around the world and offers a quick, direct and easy way to get around while you're abroad. With a few taps you can check fares, request and track your car. Pay for your trip and leave an optional tip all within the app.

    Download on: App Store | Google Play
    Price: Free

  9. Komoot
  10. Planning to escape urban life and explore outdoors? Komoot is the perfect app to help you plan, navigate and get the most out of your hike, road cycle or mountain bike adventure. Plan down to the last detail with information about path/trail difficulty, surface and distance. App highlights include offline maps, turn-by-turn navigation, smart device connectivity, and the option to save and share your favourite routes.

    Download on: App Store | Google Play
    Price: Free. Offers In-App Purchases.


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Top 5 Language Apps for Travel

Duolingo app screenshots on iOS

(Featured app: Duolingo. Image credit: Apple App Store)


Leave the pocket phrasebooks at home and instead get to grips with reading, speaking and understanding the lingo abroad with just a tap of your phone. Our list includes top-rated apps for learning languages and the best language translation apps for travel.

  1. Google translate
  2. Google translate allows you to translate a whopping 103 languages by text (59 languages offline) along with handy camera translations (37 languages), instant 2-way speech translations (43 languages), and handwriting translations (95 languages).

    Download on: App Store | Google Play
    Price: Free.

  3. iTranslate
  4. Use the iTranslate app to translate text, pictures and speech in over 100 languages (38 languages offline). We particularly love that you can get an extension for smartwatches for instant voice translations.

    Download on: App Store | Google Play
    Price: Free. Offers In-App Purchases.

  5. Duolingo
  6. Duolingo is a colourful, user-friendly app designed to help make learning a new language fun. Develop your reading, writing, speaking and listening skills with short, game-like lessons. There's over 30 languages to choose from, including Spanish, French, German, Italian, Chinese, and Japanese, that are all completely free.

    Download on: App Store | Google Play
    Price: Free. Offers In-App Purchases.

  7. Memrise
  8. Memrise offers fun and informative courses on a number of languages including Spanish, French, Japanese, German, Korean and Russian. The app uses a mixture of quizzes, images and video clips from native speakers to help you learn and remember everyday words and phrases.

    Download on: App Store | Google Play
    Price: Free. Offers In-App Purchases - Learning plans start at £6.99.

  9. Busuu
  10. Busuu is the app for you if you're really serious about learning more than the basics. Busuu offers full courses in 12 languages, covering speaking, reading and writing. This app offers a unique social feature where you can practise your writing and speaking skills with native speakers.

    Download on: App Store | Google Play
    Price: Free. Offers In-App Purchases - Learning plans start at £7.99.


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Top 5 Handy Travel Apps

Wifi Map app screenshots on iOS

(Featured app: Wifi Map. Image credit: Apple App Store)


Take a look at our favourite UK travel apps that you probably didn't know you needed until now. From locating the nearest public toilet to working out how much to tip in restaurants, these apps are sure to make your life easier while you're abroad.

  1. Flush Toilet Finder
  2. Never get caught short again when you're out discovering a new place with Flush - the not-so-glamorous holiday app that you probably hadn't thought of, but is oh so handy to have. Simply open the app and you'll be able to view all the closest public toilets to you, even without an internet connection. There's over a whopping 200,000 bathrooms (and growing) in the database! Check out toilet ratings, select your preferred WC and use the map and directions to navigate your way there. You can even identify which restrooms have disabled access and charge a fee.

    Download on: App Store | Google Play
    Price: Free.

  3. WiFi Map
  4. WiFi Map is a handy little holiday app that helps you stay connected, wherever you are in the world, without eating into your data. With over 100 million free hotspots on the database, search by location to find the nearest WiFi hotspots, along with their passwords. Download offline maps to pinpoint places where you can connect while you're travelling without worrying about roaming charges.

    Download on: App Store | Google Play
    Price: Free.

  5. Timeshifter
  6. Tired of feeling groggy and exhausted for days after a long flight? Give Timeshifter a try.

    Using the latest sleep and circadian neuroscience, Timeshifter creates a personalised plan to help you fight jet lag as quickly and easily as possible. The plan takes your sleep pattern, chronotype, flight plan and lots more personal preferences into consideration. Enjoy easy to follow advice, notifications to help you stay on track, and a pre-adjustment plan.

    Download on: App Store | Google Play
    Price: Free. The first jet lag plan is free. After your free plan, purchase individual jet lag plans as-you-go or subscribe for unlimited plans.

  7. GlobeTips
  8. Navigating the tipping norms in different countries can be confusing - is a tip required, appreciated or virtually unheard of? Enter GlobeTips.

    This app offers tipping advice for over 240 countries. Select your country, enter your bill amount manually or use the bill recognition tech and the app will give you a recommended tip amount (and bill total) based on what is considered best for that specific country. GlobeTips also has a handy bill-splitting feature and can customise if you include or exclude tax in your tip.

    Download on: App Store
    Price: Free.

  9. Entertainment of your choice
  10. Before setting off on your travels it's always good to have a few apps ready and waiting to help pass the time on a long-haul flight, or to help unwind after a busy day exploring. Take a look at a few of our favourites that work perfectly offline. Just remember to pack your charger!

    • Kindle - So much easier than cramming multiple books into your luggage. You don't even need a Kindle device. Download on: App Store | Google Play Price: Free. Amazon offers a free trial for 30 days. Subscription costs £7.99 a month.

    • Netflix - Binge your way through your flight. The offline mode allows you to download all your favourite TV shows and films. Download on: App Store | Google Play Price: Free. Netflix offers a 1 month free trial. Subscription starts at £5.99 per month.

    • Colorfy - Adult colouring books are all the rage and now you can enjoy this calming and addictive pastime on your phone. Download on: App Store | Google Play Price: Free.

    • Spotify - Get hooked on a new podcast or listen to your favourite songs. You'll need Spotify Premium to enjoy these features offline - why not sign up for the 1 month free trial just before you head off on holiday? Download on: App Store | Google Play Price: Free. Spotify offers a 1 month free trial. Subscription costs £9.99 per month.


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Travel App FAQs

Wifi Map app screenshots on iOS

(Featured app: KAYAK. Image credit: Apple App Store)


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