Who still travels in 2025 without traveling apps? Really, travelling without apps in 2025 is like backpacking without a backpack. Travelers today are not just using them – they’re glued to them.
According to Statista, over 60% of global travelers now rely on mobile apps for bookings, navigation, and local tips. Whether you’re hopping on a budget flight to Bali or navigating the Tube in London, the right mobile apps can make or break your adventure.
In this post, we will be showing you the best mobile apps you should have on your phone before you hit the road in 2025. We have put them into categories to make things easy for you, including:
- Navigation & Maps
- Flight, Hotel, and Accommodation Tools
- Language & Communication Apps
- Local Transport and Ride-Sharing Tools
- Payment Tools
- Safety and Emergency Tool
Must-Have Travel Apps in 2025 (By Category)
Not all travel apps are created equal. Some are great for getting around, others for booking the perfect stay, or finding a bite at 2 am that won’t give you regrets.
As the late Anthony Bourdain once said, “Travel isn’t always pretty… Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that’s okay.”
That honestly reminds us that smart tools can most times, make the journey smoother and more meaningful.
To help you pack your digital carry-on like a pro, we’ve broken things down into categories. Each one covers top picks you’ll actually use, not just download and forget.
1. Navigation & Maps
Getting lost sounds romantic until it’s 10 pm, your phone’s on 12%, and you’re dragging a suitcase across cobblestones that your back will remember forever. That’s where reliable navigation apps swoop in to save the day.
Here are some of the popular ones you will find:
- Google Maps – This one is still king. Whether you’re on foot in Paris or figuring out the tram system in Melbourne, Google Maps is an all-rounder. It gives you real-time public transport info, walking routes, restaurant reviews, and even tells you how packed a café might be before you pop in.
- Maps.me – Known as “your offline BFF,” this app shines when you’re venturing into internet dead zones. It’s ideal for hiking in the Alps, driving through rural Japan, or any destination where signal is more myth than reality. The detail is impressive – even tiny footpaths and obscure trails are often mapped.
2. Flight, Hotel, and Accommodation Tools
Planning a trip can be exciting, but also stressful if you don’t know where to start. Flights can get expensive fast, and finding a good place to stay isn’t always easy, especially at the last minute.
That’s why having a few good travel apps on your phone can make all the difference. These tools help you find cheaper flights, great places to stay, and even let you book everything in just a few taps.
Here are some of the best ones to try in 2025:
- Hopper – Think of Hopper as your travel fortune teller. It scans mountains of data to predict when flight and hotel prices will hit their sweet spot. You’ll get a nudge when it’s time to book, and a warning when prices are about to spike. It’s like having an airfare whisperer in your pocket.
- Skyscanner – If you want to find the cheapest flight without opening a hundred tabs, Skyscanner is your go-to. It compares prices from lots of airlines and travel sites so you can pick the best deal.
- Airbnb – Want something different from a hotel? Airbnb lets you book all kinds of places, like cosy apartments, beach huts, or even a treehouse. It’s great if you want a more homey feel or need more space when travelling with family or friends.
- Booking.com – This app has tons of choices, from fancy hotels to small, cheap places. Many listings let you cancel for free, which is really helpful if your plans change. It’s easy to use and gives you plenty of info, photos, and reviews to help you decide.
3. Language & Communication Helpers
The truth is that hand gestures and hopeful smiles only get you so far, especially when you’re trying to explain a food allergy, ask for directions, or just order a coffee without accidentally requesting a cow.
A little language help goes a long way when you’re far from home. So, here are some language sidekicks that can come in handy:
- Google Translate – This app does a lot. You can point your camera at signs or menus and see the translation right away. You can also type, speak, or even have a back-and-forth conversation through the app. It’s fast and works in many languages.
- Duolingo – Want to learn a few words before your trip? Duolingo makes it fun and easy. Just a few minutes a day helps you pick up useful phrases like “hello,” “thank you,” or “where is the train station?” It’s a good way to feel more confident when you travel.
- SayHi – Great for quick conversations. You speak into your phone, and the app says your words in another language. It’s simple and perfect for short chats with drivers, shop owners, or locals.
4. Local Transport and Ride-Sharing Tools
Figuring out how to get around in a new city can be one of the most stressful parts of travelling. You might not know the routes, the language, or even how to get a taxi. That’s where transport and ride apps come in.
They help you move around easily without the guesswork:
- Uber – You’ve probably heard of Uber already. It’s used in loads of countries and is often safer and more reliable than hailing a local taxi. You’ll know the price upfront, see the driver’s details, and track your route on the app.
- Bolt – Similar to Uber, Bolt is popular in many cities, especially in Europe and parts of Africa. It’s often a bit cheaper, and you can also use it to rent scooters or bikes in some places.
- Grab – If you’re visiting Southeast Asia, Grab is the app to download. You can use it for rides, food delivery, or even sending parcels. It’s like Uber, a takeaway app, and a local guide all in one.
- Rome2Rio – This one’s perfect when you’re planning a trip between cities – or even countries. Just type in where you are and where you want to go, and it shows you all the ways to get there: by bus, train, plane, ferry, or a mix. It’s super helpful for longer journeys.
5. Payment Tools
Handling money abroad shouldn’t be complicated – or risky. Good payment apps can help you pay anywhere with ease.
As Mark Twain wisely said, “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness…” – travel (and getting paid) teaches us to connect with the world.
Let’s see the top payment tools you should have on your list:
- Apple Pay: Tap, pay, go – that’s Apple Pay. It’s perfect for in-person and online shopping, with strong security using Face ID/Touch ID. Many platforms, even online sports betting sites, accept it, so you can move from booking flights to placing bets without switching wallets.
- PayPal: PayPal is a trusted name worldwide. The app lets you send and receive money securely, link your bank or card, and pay on millions of sites. It’s one of the most-used online payment methods, covering a broad range of services.
- Revolut: Great for travel thanks to dynamic currency exchange and budgeting tools. You can hold multiple currencies, avoid hidden fees, and even order a travel-friendly debit card.
These apps make paying simple and secure. On the plus side, apart from your travel expenses, many of them are also effective for making payments on betting sites. This will come in handy for tourists who enjoy betting while on their trips.
For instance, suppose you are on holiday in the Philippines and you’re wondering which payment option to use for betting, these options can come handy. You may also consider some of the local payment options such as GCash. Most importantly, as betting expert Evelyn Balyton opines, regardless of the payment option you may prefer, try to read comprehensive reviews of the bookmakers in the Philippines on platforms like MightyTips.ph before you sign up and place any bet.
6. Safety and Emergency Tools
No one wants to think about things going wrong on a trip, but being prepared is smart. These apps help you stay safe, aware, and ready if something unexpected happens.
- SmartTraveler – Made by the U.S. government, this app gives advice about travel safety for each country. It’s good for checking if any areas are risky or if there are any major alerts before you go.
- Sitata – Sitata sends real-time alerts about health issues, protests, natural disasters, or anything else that could affect your trip. You can see what’s happening near you at any time, which gives peace of mind.
- GeoSure – This app shows you how safe a neighborhood is based on things like crime rates and health risks. It’s great for checking if the area around your hotel or Airbnb is safe, especially if you’re travelling solo.
Final Notes
Travel in 2025 is easier, smarter, and way more fun, thanks to the right apps in your pocket. From finding your way around a new city to booking a cosy stay, the best travel experiences now start with a good download. So before you zip up your suitcase, make sure your phone is fully loaded and ready to roam.
The article was provided by Evelyn Balyton
