20 Best Travel Apps for 2025: Essential Downloads Before Your Trip
Download these 20 essential travel apps before your next trip. Navigation, translation, booking, safety, and connectivity tools every traveller needs.
Published 2025-02-09 · Updated 2025-02-16 · TripSIM Team
Your smartphone is your most powerful travel tool — but only if you have the right apps installed. From navigating foreign cities to translating menus, booking last-minute accommodation, and staying safe, the right apps can transform your travel experience. Here are the 20 best travel apps every traveller should download before their next trip.
Navigation & Maps
- Google Maps — the essential navigation app with offline map downloads and live transit info
- Maps.me — excellent offline maps with hiking trails and points of interest
- Citymapper — superior public transport navigation for major cities worldwide
- What3words — pinpoint any location on Earth using three words (great for taxis in remote areas)
Translation & Language
- Google Translate — camera mode translates signs and menus in real-time; download language packs offline
- DeepL — often more accurate than Google Translate for European languages
- Duolingo — learn basic phrases before your trip with quick daily lessons
Communication
- WhatsApp — the world's most popular messaging app; free calls and messages over data
- Skype — reliable voice and video calls; can also call landlines cheaply
- Google Voice — get a free US number for calls while travelling in America
Booking & Planning
- Booking.com — last-minute hotel deals with free cancellation options
- Skyscanner — compare flight prices across airlines and dates
- TripIt — automatically organises all your travel confirmations into one itinerary
- Rome2Rio — shows all transport options between any two locations worldwide
Money & Expenses
- XE Currency — live exchange rates and currency converter
- Wise (TransferWise) — the best app for spending abroad with real exchange rates
- Splitwise — track and split expenses with travel companions
Safety & Connectivity
- TripSIM — buy and activate a travel eSIM for instant data in 190+ countries
- NordVPN — protect your data on public WiFi with military-grade encryption
- bSafe — personal safety app with emergency alerts and GPS tracking
Pro Tip: Download Before You Go
Install all apps and create accounts while you're still on home WiFi. Download offline content — maps, translation packs, entertainment — before departure. With a TripSIM eSIM, you'll have data from the moment you land, but having offline backups ensures you're prepared for any connectivity gaps.
Do I need data for all these apps to work?
Most apps require data for full functionality, but many offer offline modes. Google Maps, Google Translate, and Maps.me all work offline once you download the relevant content. A travel eSIM ensures the rest work seamlessly.
How much phone storage do travel apps need?
The core apps listed here take up roughly 1–2GB of storage. Offline maps and translation packs add another 500MB–1GB depending on your destinations. Ensure you have at least 3–4GB free before your trip.