16 best vacation apps

When you’re on vacation, you want to be able to focus on making memories, not figuring out logistics. Having the right set of mobile apps on your phone can help your trip go much more smoothly. Here are a few of the best apps for vacation to download before you leave home. 

1. Waze

Waze is a popular community-powered navigation app that provides real-time traffic updates from direct user feedback. You’ll see map alerts about construction, road conditions, speed traps, slowdowns and accidents. The app also identifies local gas stations and their distance from your planned route.

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2. iExit

iExit is one of the best travel apps if you’ll be driving on the highway during your vacation. The app aggregates information about what services you’ll find at each exit along the interstate, such as restaurants, local accommodations and gas stations, including prices by fuel type. It also has a Yelp integration so you can use reviews and star ratings to help you decide where to eat or sleep.

Download iOS app
Download Android app

3. WeatherBug

Stay up to date on the weather so you don’t have any wasted days while traveling. WeatherBug gives live, continuous weather updates for all of North America (including Hawaii). Look at current, hourly and 10-day forecasts in addition to air quality, lightning and fire updates. WeatherBug also doubles as a traffic app with real-time updates on road conditions in your area. Plus, it’s regularly voted as one of the best weather apps across devices. 

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Download Android app

4. Google Translate

Translation apps have come a long way since their inception. It’s now genuinely possible to have a conversation with someone who speaks a different language. There are a few on the market, but Google Translate is one of the strongest, with 108 languages available for text translation within the app. This vacation app offers a variety of ways to translate language. You can speak directly into your phone and have your speech translated, or use your camera to hover over text and translate. You can also download individual languages so you can use the translation services when you’re offline. 

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Download Android app

5. GasBuddy

GasBuddy is a crowdsourced app that shows the gas prices near you so you can find the cheapest option while you’re on the road. Plus, when you’re planning a road trip, GasBuddy will calculate the total cost of gas for your journey based on the vehicle you’ll be driving. So not only does the app help you find the lowest fuel price nearby, but it also helps you plan a trip within your budget. It’s one of the best travel apps that you’ll probably keep on your phone after you get home.

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Download Android app

6. WithLocals

This vacation app helps you get advice on the best experiences, places to eat and more by connecting you with locals at your destination. You can also book tours that are created by and led by locals. WithLocals is available in more than 50 cities in Europe and Asia, as well as in Marrakech, Morocco. If you’re visiting one of these destinations, you’ll find that WithLocals is one of the best traveling apps for iPhone and Android.

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7. Airbnb

You probably knew that you can book accommodations with Airbnb, but did you know that Airbnb also has an “experiences” section? With Airbnb Experiences, you can book cooking classes, art lessons, tours and even live music performances. Activities vary with each location and are organized and led by locals from the area. That means you can find things to do that are unique to your destination, making it a great app for vacation.

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8. TripAdvisor

On TripAdvisor, users review and rate their experience with local attractions, tours, hotels and restaurants so you can make an informed decision about what you’ll see and do during your trip. You can favorite places so you remember where you want to go and use that list to inform your itinerary.

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9. App in the Air

If you’ll be flying, use App in the Air to keep track of anything related to your flight, such as check-in time, terminal, gate number, your boarding pass and airline baggage rules. You can enable flight alerts as well. If you have a layover, App in the Air will make your travel experience a little less stressful by giving you all the flight details you need to make your connection on time. One of the app’s coolest features is its augmented reality baggage scanner, which helps you see if your carry-on meets size limitations. 

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10. TripIt

Use this all-in-one travel planning app to organize your activities, reservations and booking confirmations to create a master itinerary that you can sync with your calendar. TripIt also plots your itinerary on the map to make it easy to see what attractions, hotels and restaurants are nearby. You can also access health and safety information about your travel destinations. 

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Download Android app

11. Yelp

Yelp is another great user-generated review site to help you see what businesses are worth your time and money. Use it while traveling to find the best restaurants and entertainment spots for you and your family. You can also make reservations within the app, check safety requirements and see current promotions. Yelp is one of the best traveling apps for Android or iPhone thanks to its ease of use and multiple features. 

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12. PackPoint

PackPoint makes sure you pack everything you need for your next adventure. Tell the app where you’re going, how long you’re going for and what kind of activities you plan to do, and PackPoint will create a custom checklist to ensure you bring the essentials based on the weather at your destination and what you’re planning to do while there. Connect this app to TripIt to have packing lists created for you automatically.  

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13. Mobile Passport Control

While it’s not meant to replace your physical passport, Mobile Passport Control can certainly expedite your re-entry into the USA when you travel abroad. The app was developed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and allows you to submit your passport and customs declarations within the app for more efficient processing. Just be aware that you can only use this app if you’re traveling through an MPC-approved site.‍

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14. Tripcoin

Tripcoin helps you keep track of and organize all your expenses while traveling. You can snap photos of your receipts or manually enter your expenses throughout your trip, even if your phone is offline. Additionally, Tripcoin supports over 150 currencies, so you can accurately track your budget no matter where you are.

Download iOS app

15. Flush Toilet Finder

It isn’t always easy to find a public restroom when you need one. Flush Toilet Finder has a database of more than 200,000 known bathrooms around the world and will tell you if there is a fee for use, whether the bathroom is accessible for people with disabilities and if a key is required for entry. 

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16. Avail car sharing

Avail car sharing is another helpful travel resource that makes your trip less stressful. Every trip is protected by Allstate insurance and 24/7 roadside assistance. Plus, Avail has low daily rates and doesn’t charge a fee to add a second driver. These savings mean you can spend more on memorable trip experiences.

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