Travelling with apps

Last week, I looked at apps that can come in handy when you’re planning a trip. But what about when you’re already on your travels? There are apps for this too!

First, you’ll need to know your location and directions:

GoogleMaps (free for Android and iPhone): Still the essential map (even if they’ve renamed the Gulf of Mexico and some routes are definitely detours – it regularly guides us through a nearby village that is on the opposite side of where we want to go). It’s got driving, walking, cycling and public transport direction options and features restaurants, sights and other places of interest with many details.

Waze (free for Android and iPhone): Alternatively, this live app features GPS navigation and live updates from millions of drivers worldwide. It’s great for live traffic updates, including potholes!

Citymapper (free for Android and iPhone): If you’re planning a city trip, you’ll find this app indispensable for getting around by public transport, including bike and scooter sharing. It has directions, real-time information and alerts for service disruptions.

Maps.me (free for Android and iPhone): This app is brilliant for off-road travel and anywhere without an internet connection as you can download the maps beforehand. It’s open source so anyone can update details and contribute.

All Trails: Imagine this is your local walking guide in your pocket (or pretty close to that anyway). Great for those who like to explore on foot or by bike.

What 3 Words (free for Android and iPhone): I’ve had this app for ages and what looked like a pretty wacky idea now often features as contact information. How it works: every spot in the world can be described by three words so if you need a find a friend in a crowded square or summon the emergency services when you’re stuck up a mountain with no street names, you can pinpoint your location exactly. A neat app to have off the beaten track.

While away, it’s often the practicalities that make or break the trip:

GoogleTranslate (free for Android and iPhone): Just mentioning this handy app again as you’ll probably need it if you don’t speak the language.

Flush Toilet Finder (free for Android and iPhone): It’s not something we like to talk about but this app is better than getting caught short. With a database of over 200,000 public toilets worldwide, you can find the one nearest you.

WifiMap (free for Android and iPhone): You can also find toilets, along with Wifi hotspots, drinking water stations and ATMs with this app, which even allows you to download Wifi maps offline.

Weather Bug (free for Android and iPhone): Not only does this app let you keep an eye on hyperlocal weather conditions and provides alerts for severe weather like storms, lightning and heavy rain, hayfever sufferers will find the pollen count indicator useful.

HappyCow (free for Android and iPhone): Whether you’re a vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian or prefer gluten-free, this app will show you restaurants that offer these options. It covers over 185 countries and even lists natural food stores.

Bounce and Radical Storage (free for Android and iPhone): These are two of the most popular luggage storage apps recommended by backpackers. If there’s no option to store your luggage at the bus or train station, you can find and book alternative storage on these apps.

You may be on a gap year and need your parents to send money every now and then, or maybe you’re working and want to send money home:

Wise: You may know this app as TransferWise, now renamed to Wise. It allows users to receive and send money internationally with low fees and transparent rates. A handy app to have when travelling for longer.

XE Currency Converter: This app allows you to convert currencies quickly, and can therefore help you to stay within your budget. It can even show you a rough conversion when you haven’t got an internet connection.

Another consideration for travellers is to make sure you’re safe. There are a number of family tracking apps, though you’ll need to research which one is best for you in terms of features and privacy and most include subscription plans for the best features:

Life360 (free for Android and iPhone): This app provides real-time location-sharing and a limited location history on the free plan. You can pay to add more features. It’s also got an SOS alert, crash detection and place alerts.

Geozilla (free for Android and iPhone): Another option for tracking loved ones.

Glympse (free for Android and iPhone): Lets you share real-time information temporarily.

Google Find My Device (free for Android): This is best for Android users and tracks family by finding their Android phones.

You might want to record your trip while you’re away. If Instagram and Facebook aren’t your thing:

Framey (free for Android and iPhone): Framey lets you share photos and locations with others, and it’s a 3-in-1 as it also lets you plan and book your next trip, and it has maps. So maybe a 4-in-1, not bad.

Visited App (free for Android and iPhone): If you used to buy a world map, stick it on the wall and put different-coloured pins in the countries you’ve been to and the ones you’d still like to visit, you can now hang a nice picture on the wall instead and get this app. It lets you record countries (and in the paid version, even cities) you’ve visited and compile a bucket list of future destinations.

These are just a selection of the available apps and I’m not recommending any. Happy travelling! If you know of any other great apps, let me know in the comments.

*The following blogs have helped with collating the information above, all accessed on 18/6/25:

https://www.danflyingsolo.com/best-apps-for-travel/

https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/best-new-travel-apps

https://pievat.com/blog/the-15-best-travel-apps-to-enhance-your-journey

https://family1st.io/best-family-tracking-apps-for-iphone-android