These Are The 10 Most Popular Travel Apps & Websites You Need For 2025—And They’re Completely Free!

Have you noticed how much easier travel planning has become in recent years? It’s amazing! Thanks to technology, we no longer have to spend hours flipping through guidebooks or making endless calls to book our trips.
With just a few taps on our phones, we can find the best flights, hotels, and even plan out every detail of our itinerary. Don’t forget to read my expert guide on how to utilize an e-SIM to make all of these great apps and websites affordable while traveling!
After more than 20 years of exploring the globe, I’ve witnessed how apps and websites have transformed travel planning from a daunting task into an exhilarating part of the journey.
Imagine this: rather than struggling with outdated maps or stressing over meal options, you can effortlessly discover hidden gems, snag unbeatable last-minute deals, and bypass long lines at popular attractions. With the right tools at your fingertips, your travel experience can be smoother and more enjoyable than ever.

With the right tools, everything from language translation to booking that perfect sunset boat tour becomes effortless.
The apps below help us discover more, stress less, and make the most of every moment while we’re exploring new places. It’s like having a personal travel assistant right in your pocket!
The Top 10 Most Popular Travel Apps and Websites You Need for 2025
Having the right apps and websites at your fingertips can completely change the way you experience travel! Let’s jump into some of the most popular apps, and the ones you’re going to want to download in 2025.

A) Best Travel Booking Apps and Websites
I personally love using both of these websites and apps. With Skyscanner, it’s possible to search multiple airlines across multiple cities for the absolute best price. You’re definitely going to want to set up price alerts too; that way you don’t have to check back on the website everyday!
Booking.com is an amazing site to compare not only hotel deals, but self-catering suites as well. With free cancellations, it makes travel less stressful.
1: Skyscanner
- Purpose: For finding cheap flights and deals.
- Features: Price alerts, multi-city search.
- Why It’s Popular: One of the most popular flight aggregators in the world.
2: Booking.com
- Purpose: For booking hotels, vacation rentals.
- Features: Free cancellations, verified reviews.
- Why It’s Popular: Widely used hotel aggregator world-wide.
B) Travel Planning and Itinerary Apps
Have you ever used Google Maps to book the perfect accommodation? I have! I regularly use Google Maps and Google Earth to discover the very best locations to stay by using the ‘map search’ function.

TripIt is a pretty cool little app, and I plan on utilizing it thoroughly for our 12 city European tour this December. Once you receive a confirmation from a tour, hotel, or airline, simply send the email to the app and it loads it into your itinerary.
3: Google Maps
- Purpose: Navigation and local guides.
- Features: Offline maps, real-time traffic.
- Why It’s Popular: Global reach and accuracy.
4: TripIt
- Purpose: Itinerary management.
- Features: Organizes flights, hotels, and car rentals.
- Why It’s Popular: Seamless integration with email and calendars.
C) Local Discovery and Experience Apps and Websites
Airbnb and VRBO are great apps to help you book unique accommodation abroad and stay like a local. I’ve been a fan for over 14 years now! Check out the unique Airbnb we stayed at in Norway below.

*If you do decide to book a self-catering unit, please be aware that in some cities these are heavily regulated to help combat the rising cost of housing for local citizens. Do your research before you book; we want to contribute positively to tourism.
Eat like locals do with Eatwith. This special website brings local chefs and foodies together with travelers to enjoy regional food tours and cooking classes. Connect with the local people and experience food through their eyes.
5: Airbnb
- Purpose: Unique stays and local experiences.
- Features: Booking homes, guided experiences.
- Why It’s Popular: Connects travelers with local hosts.
6: Eatwith
- Purpose: Meet local chefs, experience unique dining opportunities.
- Features: Personalized culinary adventures and classes.
- Why It’s Popular: Curated local recommendations and experiences.
D) Budget Travel and Deals Apps
I love the Hopper website and Rome2Rio app. Hopper analyzes over 30 billion price points in real-time so you’ll never miss a deal. They are also an accredited travel agency to help you book and score the best travel deals possible.
Save time and money by using Rome2Rio, an app that connects travelers with the cheapest and most convenient transport options whether it be land, air or sea.

7: Hopper
- Purpose: Predicts flight and hotel price drops.
- Features: Price tracking, flexible booking options.
- Why It’s Popular: Money-saving features.
8: Rome2Rio
- Purpose: Route planning with multiple transport options.
- Features: Displays planes, trains, buses, and driving routes.
- Why It’s Popular: Comprehensive coverage across various travel methods.
E) Language and Currency Apps
If you’re like me and love to travel to new countries to experience different cultures, you’re going to need to translate some menus, or signage at some point (perhaps a train station). With Google Translate, you simply point your smart phone camera at what you need to read, and it instantly translates it for you!
This currency converter (XE Currency) is another app my family and I use exclusively while traveling abroad. One of our favorite things to do is shop like a local and comparing prices is something we regularly do while visiting a supermarket or ordering food at a restaurant.

9: Google Translate
- Purpose: Language translation for travelers.
- Features: Offline translation, camera mode for text.
- Why It’s Popular: Versatility and ease of use.
10: XE Currency
- Purpose: Currency conversion.
- Features: Real-time rates, offline mode.
- Why It’s Popular: Essential for international travelers managing budgets.
Conclusion
These 10 apps and websites cover every aspect of travel, making your trips smoother from start to finish.

For planning, Skyscanner helps you find the best flight deals, and Booking.com takes care of your accommodations with options for every budget.
Once you’ve locked in the essentials, Google Maps makes navigating new cities a breeze, while TripIt organizes all your bookings into one neat itinerary.
When you’re ready to explore, Airbnb offers unique stays and local experiences, while Eatwith connects you with authentic dining hosted by locals.
If you’re hunting for deals, Hopper and Rome2Rio save you money on flights and transport by tracking prices and giving you the cheapest routes.
As a traveler, communication and currency can be tricky, but Google Translate handles language barriers, and XE Currency keeps your finances in check with real-time exchange rates.
Together, these apps make traveling easier, more affordable, and more enjoyable, whether you’re planning your next getaway or already on the road. If you’re curious about how to beat jet-lag while traveling abroad, I’ve got some unbeatable tips!

Stay Connected for More Travel Tips!
Ready to make your next trip smoother and more affordable? Download these must-have travel apps and start using these websites today to book smarter, navigate with ease, and discover hidden gems around the world.
Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a big international adventure, these tools will help you travel like a pro! Traveling with family? Learn how to enjoy your time-stress free!
Stay connected by following me on social media or subscribing to my weekly newsletter for the latest travel hacks and trends!
Safe travels,
Tanya
Hiiii great tips thanks for sharing =) I can also recommend ” ATM Fee Saver” – the travel app helps you find ATMs nearby with no or low fees and shows withdrawal limits. It also locates Forex and Exchange Spots. I use it all the time when I travel ? Check it out..
Fantastic! Thank you for the tip – it’s a great one!
having the right apps ready on your phone can really help your trip run smoothly! this list is so useful!
So many great travel apps out there! I’ve heard of Rome2Rio but never tried it. Will have to look into it for my next trip!
Your Travel app library looks just like mine. So I heartily agree that these apps are very important to travel. Eatwise was a new one for me. Love the table of all the app options.
Hello! What a useful list! What would you recommend for planning railway trips?
Hi Julia, Rome2Rio would be an excellent app to use for rail planning! Eurail and Interrail are okay, but can be quite confusing.
Excellent list with so many useful apps. I’ve been using some of them but there are a few I still need to look into. It’s amazing how travel has changed so much in the recent years, and we can easily get lots of information on the go.