11 Best Travel Apps We Use on Every International Trip

Logistics can make or break a trip abroad. We’ve spent years testing different tools to see which ones provide real value and which ones just take up space on our phones. From tracking your specific aircraft to navigating experiences on the ground to napping in a high-priced city for a fraction of the cost, these are the apps we rely on every time we leave the country. Here’s exactly how we use them and how they’ve significantly improved our travel experience.

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1. FlightAware

This is the most accurate tool we’ve found for staying ahead of airline delays. Most airline apps are slow to update because they don’t want to announce a delay until they absolutely have to. FlightAware allows you to track your plane, usually in real time.

If you see your aircraft is still two states away and your departure is in 30 minutes, you know a delay is coming long before an official airline announcement is ever made. Some airline apps now allow you to track your plane, but we find FlightAware to be the most consistent.

This app shined when we were in El Salvador. We tracked our incoming flight and saw it was significantly behind schedule. Instead of sitting in a cramped terminal, we stayed with our driver who took us on a bonus tour of San Salvador that we hadn’t planned for.

We had a great time and even had enough time to shower in the Avianca lounge after a hot day of sightseeing. It eventually turned into a six-hour delay, but tracking the plane ourselves made us comfortable enough to stay out and enjoy the city rather than wasting half a day at a gate.

A word of caution: Airlines can occasionally “swap” planes or correct delays at a moment’s notice, so stay alert and don’t stray too far from your transportation.

2. SeatMaps and AeroLOPA

SeatGuru was the gold standard for years when it comes to knowing all the details of your selected plane seat, but it hasn’t been maintained in a few years and is now officially defunct. For comfort in the air, you need a reliable replacement.

We are currently checking out SeatMaps and AeroLOPA. These each provide highly accurate seat maps with dimensions, and they show you exactly where the windows align and which seats have restricted recline.

A good seat selection can mean the difference between a restful flight and a miserable one. The maps tell you if you’re next to a high-traffic galley (where light and noise will keep you awake) or a noisy lavatory before you commit to a seat. We use this in our luxe-for-less strategy – ensuring that whether we’re paying for a seat in economy or using points to upgrade, we’re actually getting the best seat we can find in the cabin.

AeroLOPA has beautifully designed maps and important details like whether there are USB outlets or individual air vents. I always bring a USB fan if there are no vents. Long-hauls get very hot!

For Theo, recline is super important. SeatMaps is a bit better at providing ratings for seats based on whether they fully recline, have a misaligned window, or are in an unfavorable spot on the aircraft. We like this one best overall for the ratings for each seat, but we look at both apps.

3. Google Translate

We used to pay for specialized translator apps, but Google Translate is now our go-to. The live-translate mode is a lifesaver when you need to have a detailed interaction with someone who doesn’t speak your language. I watched my mom navigate Guatemala using only the app and about two words of Spanish – and she managed perfectly.

Even if you have a baseline knowledge of a language, this comes in handy for specific logistics. We once stayed at a small boutique hotel where a staff member was trying to tell us something we didn’t understand. Through the app, we realized she was just letting us know the reception would be closed for a few hours and wanted to see if we needed anything before she stepped away.

Pro Tip: Download the language for your destination in advance. This ensures the app works even if you lose cell service or don’t have a local SIM card yet.

4. TripIt

This app builds your itinerary for you by scanning your confirmation emails. TripIt keeps your flights, hotel stays, and car rentals in one place without you having to manually enter a single date.

It’s a practical resource that cuts down on the time you spend digging through your inbox for a confirmation number. We find it especially useful when we have a complicated multi-city itinerary with various train and hotel bookings that would otherwise be a mess to track.

The downside: We do have to edit it when we change planes or accommodations or when flight times change, but that’s way easier than putting together itineraries from scratch.

5. Dayrooms

We used Dayrooms to save big during a long layover in Stockholm. We arrived at 7 am after a red-eye and couldn’t check into our actual hotel until 4 pm. Instead of wandering the city in a jet-lagged haze, we booked a room for a few hours to reset.

• We paid $60 USD for 5 hours at the Aiden by Best Western Stockholm Arlanda Airport. While this might be expensive in some cities, it was a bargain in Sweden.

• The Result: We got to nap, shower, and change clothes in one of the most expensive regions in the world. It is a much smarter move than paying for an extra night at a luxury hotel just to get an early check-in.

Pro Tip: You can also check out Dayuse, which offers the same service and may have different hotels available than Dayrooms.

6. Your Specific Airline App

You should always have the app for whatever airline you’re actually flying. Some are better than others, but most allow you to handle the basics like checking in, selecting meals, and tracking your bags. If your flight is cancelled or delayed, the app is often the fastest way to rebook or request vouchers without waiting in a massive line at the airport.

Our Take: The United Airlines app is our gold standard. It is the most functional and user-friendly for making seat changes and managing upgrades.

7. Rome2Rio and Official Transit Apps

We use Rome2Rio as a starting point to cut through the noise of planning transit. It shows every possible way to get from point A to point B – bus, train, ferry, or flight – and gives you a ballpark cost. It’s great for visualizing the route and seeing if a three-hour train is better than a one-hour flight once you factor in airport travel time.

The Smart Strategy: Once we see the route, we look at the specific journey on Google Maps. At the bottom of the screen, you’ll see “agency info” and a web address. Use that to go to the official site and download their specific app.

For example, in France, we always use the SNCF app for the best rates and most accurate schedules. Don’t book through third-party aggregators if you can help it.

Booking directly through the agency app makes it much easier to handle refunds or schedule changes. This was a lifesaver in Scotland on ScotRail when our train was cancelled mid-journey and we were easily compensated and pointed to another train.

8. Citymapper

In major cities like London, Paris, or New York, Citymapper is significantly more reliable than standard maps. It tells you exactly which subway route to take and car to get on so you are closest to your exit. It also gives better real-time data on bus and train arrivals. It makes navigating a massive, unfamiliar transit system feel much more intuitive. We even use it at home in DC!

9. WithLocals

We love WithLocals because it’s like the Uber of private tours. We’ve used it in Lisbon, Malaga, Buenos Aires, Scotland, and Mexico City to find amazing food journeys. The tours are always private for your group, so you aren’t stuck with 20 strangers following a flag.

The key to a great experience is to read the reviews carefully. The best part is you can select your own guide. We look for hosts who are described as “a friend showing us their town” or who provide unique dishes we wouldn’t find on our own. We’ve had a few fails where the guide did the bare minimum and just walked us to a few touristy spots, but most of the time, it’s a highlight of the trip.

We highly recommend Mark in Edinburgh if you’re heading to Scotland. He was fun, engaging, and showed us a variety of food and experiences to have a great and meaningful time exploring Scottish cuisine, music, and drinks.

📌 What to Eat in Edinburgh: Best Dishes and Where to Get Them

10. XE Currency Converter

We’ve relied on XE Currency Converter for years to check exchange rates quickly. While you can use a basic calculator in currency mode, XE allows you to see up to 10 currencies on one screen.

XE uses the most accurate bank rate, which helps you decide if a local exchange rate is actually giving you a fair deal or a poor rate. You can also use it to verify ATM withdrawals, but you should always deny the “dynamic currency conversion” the machine offers because it’s usually a total rip-off and your bank will give you a better rate.

XE also comes in handy at restaurants. I wish we used it in Istanbul when a waiter said they were out of the $50 bottle of wine we ordered. I didn’t do the conversion, and we wound up agreeing to the $200 bottle he offered instead. There are so many lessons here for another post!

11. WhatsApp

Outside of the US, WhatsApp is the default way the world communicates. It’s free and works over Wi-Fi, meaning you don’t need a massive international roaming plan to stay in touch. Almost all of our Airbnb hosts, drivers, and tour guides use it to stay in touch.

In Barcelona, our driver used it to send us a photo of exactly where he was standing in the arrivals food court. It saved us from wandering around looking for a name on a sign in a sea of people.

Being able to message a driver or host in real-time is a massive stress-reducer. It’s also the best way to keep in touch with friends you meet abroad without dealing with international SMS fees.

What are your favorite travel apps? Let us know in the comments.