Leaving on a jet plane? Travel can be as stressful as it can be fun. Fortunately, these days there are plenty of ingenious apps to help make your journey that little bit smoother. Whether you're looking for apps that help you organise your trip or recommend things to do when you get there, we've got you covered.
Travel apps for planning
Google Trips
Available on: Google Play, App Store
If you have a Gmail account, this app is a no-brainer. It'll automatically pull all your flights, accommodation and rental cars from your inbox into one place and organise it chronologically with critical information like confirmation or reservation numbers, flight numbers, times, addresses, and links to your email correspondence about it.
It'll also show you your saved places for the destination on Google Maps and create suggested day plans that you can customise. Your information is available offline so you don't need data or Wi-Fi to access it.
Kayak
Available on: Google Play, App Store
If you don't have Gmail or prefer to making bookings and organise your itinerary all in one place, you might try Kayak. This app is like having a travel agent in your pocket: Kayak is part trip planner, part booking service, allowing users to search for the cheapest flights, rental cars, and hotels across multiple leading travel sites.
The app is great for helping users forecast flight prices and pick the cheapest times to book and to fly, and you can book securely from within the app itself. You can search by destination or budget, and – once your trip is locked in – receive real-time airport updates on flights, gate changes, wait times and more. It's an easy, free way to build a step-by-step travel itinerary, and have your flight and accommodation details all in the one place.
Travel apps for packing
PackPoint
Available on: Google Play, App Store
Getting ready for a trip can be torture, but PackPoint is designed to take the pain out of packing. Simply enter where you're going and for how long, then answer some additional questions about the type of travel you're doing, the activities you have planned, and if you'll have access to a laundry.
Once you've entered your details, PackPoint will generate an easy packing and luggage checklist based on your answers. All packing lists are saved to the app, and you can change, add or remove items at any time. PackPoint Lite is free to download and use, but serious travellers may want to upgrade to PackPoint Premium for $4.
Travel apps with maps
MAPS.ME
Available on: Google Play, App Store
Most of us probably take apps like Google Maps for granted in our every day lives, but if you're planning an overseas trip you may have realised you need another option. To navigate with Google Maps you need an internet connection, which could mean expensive global roaming charges or relying on public Wi-Fi, which is far from ideal.
The genius of MAPS.ME, though, is that it doesn't need an internet connection to work. Download your city map ahead of time and use GPS to navigate in real-time withour using your mobile data or Wi-Fi. MAPS.ME also helps you find nearby accommodation, attractions, public transport terminals and places to eat. In more off-the-beaten-track travel destinations the maps can even be more accurate than Google Maps.
Travel apps for when you arrive
Citymapper
Available on: Google Play, App Store
If you're planning to rely on public transport for the duration of your trip, CityMapper is a travel essential. This free app covers dozens of popular major cities in five continents, combining real-time information on transit systems with maps, traffic routes, and more.
Simply input your start point and final destination, and let CityMapper's GPS do all the planning. The app will combine train, bus, ferry, taxi or on-foot routes to find the quickest, easiest and most convenient way to get where you're going; you'll also receive live alerts for service changes, transport arrivals, and when it's time to depart. You can also order ride-sharing services such as Uber directly from the app, plus save your favourite locations and trips for easy access.
GoogleTranslate
Available on: Google Play, App Store
A language barrier shouldn't stop you exploring the world; fortunately, Google Translate now makes communication in foreign countries easier than ever, without the need for prior language skills. This free app offers text translation between 103 languages (53 of which can be translated offline), plus instant camera translation of text found in images.
You can also use Translate to assist with live cross-cultural conversation in 32 languages: no need to flip through a phrasebook, simply switch on Translate, point your phone and start chatting. While some words and sentence meanings are occasionally lost in translation, it's a quick and easy way to simplify communication in stores, restaurants, hotels and on the street.
Currency by ANZ
Available on: Google Play, App Store
You don't need to be an ANZ customer to take advantage of the company's excellent, 100% free foreign exchange and currency conversion app. In addition to offering easy conversions of manually input currency amounts, you can also use Currency's scanner to access instant on-screen conversions of foreign currency through your phone's camera.
Point the scanner at a price tag or any listed price info, and you'll receive a live conversion into Aussie dollars. It's an awesome feature for travellers, and although all rates are mid-market, it's still a great way to keep on-budget and avoid overspending when you're overseas.
Travel apps for things to do
TimeOut
Available on: Google Play, App Store
You may know TimeOut as the magazine that helps you to decide what to do on your weekends in your home city, but with content covering over 30 cities it's also one of the most comprehensive travel destination guides you can find. And it now comes as an app.
With the TimeOut app you can get all the latest on what events are happening in the city you're in including art shows, live music and theatre. There are also plenty of recommendations on things to do, restaurants, bars and nightlife. You can sort reviews and recommendations by closest to you so you'll never be stuck for an idea when you need to eat, drink or just have some time to kill.
Culture Trip
Available on: Google Play, App Store
Another great guide to help you get the most out of your destination is Culture Trip. It's like a travel magazine in your pocket. Let it know your location or where you're planning to go and when, along with information about your particular interests, and read short articles about what to do, where to eat and more.
What we like about Culture Trip is that the tips are a bit different from what you normally find in guides like the Lonely Planet. When we looked at the guide for Sydney we found recommendations for urban axe throwing, hipster neighbourhoods and vintage shops. Content is written by locals so you can be sure to find something a little bit authentic and different wherever you go.
PocketGuide Audio Travel Guide
Available on: Google Play, App Store
If you love walking tours but hate walking tour groups, this app is for you. Explore in your own time at your own pace with these self-guided walking tours that cover over 150 major cities and tourist destinations.
Audio tours are available in multiple languages and can be purchased in-app, from $3 depending on the tour. Once you've selected your tour you'll get an audio guide and a map – which you can download and use offline to save data. The app tracks you via GPS and starts playing an audio commentary with interesting facts and details once you approach points of interest.
And if you like to drink and graze along your route, each tour also comes with recommendations of nearby cafes and restaurants for pit-stops.
AllTrails
Available on: Google Play, App Store
If you don't like to miss an opportunity to get out into nature then AllTrails is an app you need on your phone. No matter where you are, it'll tell you about the nearest walking, hiking or biking trails near you. The trails are graded from easy to hard with information about the length of the trail, as well as other hints like whether or not it's kid-friendly, what kind of views you're likely to see and if there might be wildlife.
The app also comes with maps which you can download and use offline if you're willing to pay for the premium version (US$29.99 for the year). Alternatively, you can use your mobile data to track yourself with the free version. If you're tackling a more adventurous trail, you can even record your route as you go using GPS, so you can retrace your steps if you get lost.
Taking your phone overseas?
If you're wondering about global roaming charges and alternatives to use your phone overseas, check out our travel guides:
Jacqui Dent
Editorial Strategist
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