My Must Have FREE Travel Apps

When I travel, I make sure I have certain apps installed for my trip so that I always have access to information quickly and easily.
Whether I need to quickly check my itinerary, find somewhere on a map, track a flight, translate something, find a toilet or access attraction tickets, I want the information available without having to search around for it.
I have been travelling for over 20 years and have tried a LOT of different travel apps and websites over the years. Some have disappeared, some have become paid, and some have simply got worse with updates.

These are the ones I still use and recommend. The best part? They all have a free option.

Kayak

Kayak is what I use to keep all my travel information such as flights, hotels and transport. It is free and even has free real time notifications of your flight, unlike things such as Tripit which has a paid for plan for real time alerts. I have tried them all and this is my favourite by far.
It also lets you compare flights, hotels and car hire and find the best prices!
I have had times where it doesn’t send notifications, so I use Flightaware in combination which this app, but even with this I think it is still the best free app for keeping all your travel information together in one place as well as having other useful features in-built.

Wanderlog

This is a travel itinerary planner and is the best out there now. Basic plan is free, but you can upgrade to pro if you want some of the pro features.
You can put your plans, places to visit and other trip information together in one itinerary, making it much easier to see what you are doing during your trip.

There is a free version, although you can upgrade to Pro if you want access to additional features.

If you like having your whole trip planned out in one place, this is definitely worth trying.

Maps.me

I use Maps.me for offline maps.

I always like to have an offline map downloaded before I travel. You never know when you might end up somewhere without mobile data, Wi-Fi or a decent signal, and having a map available offline can be a lifesaver.

I used to use HERE Maps and actually preferred it by far. Unfortunately, after they overhauled the app, I found it became much more focused on GPS navigation rather than being a really useful offline map.
Some of my favourite features disappeared, including being able to click on bus stops and subway stations to see services, as well as browsing the map to find businesses and other places.
Because of that, I now recommend Maps.me instead.

One thing to be aware of is that the free version currently limits the number of maps you can download.

Google Maps

I use Maps.me for offline maps, but Google Maps is still my go-to when I need to search for somewhere or find information about a place.

I am not personally a big Google fan and actively avoid a lot of Google products for various reasons, but I have to admit that Google Maps is still extremely difficult to beat when it comes to finding places, businesses and useful map information.

You can also download areas for offline use, although I still prefer Maps.me when I specifically need an offline map.

Flightaware

FlightAware is another app I always have when I am flying.

It lets you track your flights and receive information about things such as delays, gate changes and cancellations. I use it alongside Kayak rather than relying on just one app for flight information.

It has been the most reliable flight tracking service I have used over the years and the free version provides a lot of useful information.
I have tried various alternatives, but FlightAware remains my favourite.

Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor is still one of my favourite places to find information about hotels and attractions around the world.

The reviews and photos from other travellers can be really useful when deciding where to stay or what to do.

I also think it is worth leaving your own reviews when you travel. If you have had a great experience, or even a terrible one, sharing it can help the next person make a decision.

Yelp

I use Yelp mainly for finding and reviewing restaurants, spas, hotels and other local businesses.
I tend to use it alongside Tripadvisor because they can sometimes have very different reviews and information.

When I am looking for somewhere to eat in a new city, I like being able to see what other people have said before deciding where to go.

Microsoft Translator

If you are visiting a country where you don’t speak the language, a translator app is a must-have.

As someone who prefers non-Google alternatives, Microsoft Translator is the one I personally use.

I have found it very useful when travelling and, in my experience, I prefer it to Google Translate.

Give it a try and see which one you prefer.

Skyscanner

Skyscanner is another useful option for comparing flights, hotels and car hire.

I like using more than one comparison site when booking travel because prices and results can vary between them.

It is worth checking Skyscanner alongside Kayak rather than assuming the first price you find is automatically the best one.

Flush

Have you ever been out somewhere and suddenly needed a toilet, only to have absolutely no idea where the nearest one is?

Flush is a free toilet finder app that can help you find public toilets nearby.

It is one of those apps you might not think you need until you REALLY need it, especially if you have any chronic illnesses or bladder issues.

Passenger Assistance (UK only)

If you are disabled and travel by train in the UK, Passenger Assistance is one of those apps I would definitely recommend having.

It allows you to arrange assistance for train journeys without having to spend time calling to book it.

I remember when arranging assistance could involve a long phone call. Being able to do it through the app can make the whole process much quicker.

For anyone who uses passenger assistance on UK trains, this is definitely worth knowing about.

AccessAble (UK only)

AccessAble provides detailed accessibility information about venues, attractions, shops, restaurants and other places.

It is particularly useful if you want to know what accessibility is actually like before visiting somewhere, rather than simply seeing an “accessible” label and hoping for the best.

It does not cover everywhere, which is probably its biggest downside, but where a venue has a detailed AccessAble guide, the information can be extremely useful.

UVLens

UVLens is a great little app for checking the UV level and understanding your risk of sunburn.

One of the things I like about it is that you can personalise your profile with information such as your skin type and hair colour, so the information is more relevant to you.

You can even tell the app when you last applied sunscreen and use it to remind you when it is time to reapply.

It is useful when travelling somewhere sunny, but it is also worth having at home. UV exposure isn’t just something you need to think about when you are on holiday!

Klook

Klook is a huge travel booking site offering attraction tickets, activities, tours and more around the world.

I often find some really good prices on Klook, and they regularly have discounts available too.
I have also put together a page with some travel discounts.

There is also an app, so you can book things while you are already travelling.

If you are looking for attraction tickets or activities, I would definitely check Klook before paying full price elsewhere.

Tiqets

Tiqets is another great option for booking attraction and museum tickets around the world.

Rather than having to search through lots of different websites for individual attractions, you can find and book many of them through Tiqets.

It also has an app, so you can keep your tickets together and access them while travelling.

Last updated 13th August 2026