One of the huge benefits of modern day travelling is that we have access to smartphones, something our parents and grandparents could only have dreamed of. There are hundreds upon hundreds of apps out there to help you organise, arrange and locate your way around the destination of your dreams. In this list, we are going to cover the very best travel apps that you can download today; breaking down why they are so good and whether they come in handy before or during your trip.

XE Currency

XE Currency is a brilliant and handy exchange rate app which allows you to access live rates of exchange, historical charts of currency fluctuation and even allows you to calculate the prices of things in your own currency. This is a must have app for travel, especially when you aren’t sure or are new to a currency. Don’t bother paying for something that you can get for free because XE Currency is a easy-to-use, live updating and clearly laid out hub for all things currency.

Available for iOS and Android

WhatsApp

WhatsApp is a very popular app for travellers because of the many features it offers which can really save you some money. If you are afraid of being charged extortionate amounts of money for making calls and sending texts whilst you’re abroad then WhatsApp is perfect for you. It allows you to make free calls and send free texts to anyone else with WhatsApp, as long as you have a wi-fi connection. This can also help you contact any new friends you make along your journey!

Available for iOS and Android

Uber

Uber is a revolutionary alternative to taxi services, allowing users to book a prepaid car to take them anywhere around several major locations across the globe. This is particularly handy when you are abroad because taxi drivers often try to charge higher rates to tourists and language barriers can often be a problem. You also don’t need to worry about carrying cash as Uber takes the charge direct from your card or PayPal account. Make sure you have this downloaded before you jet away, it will be worth it!

Available for iOS and Android

Google Maps

Google Maps is the king of navigation apps: it can instantly show you the fastest route between point A and point B, whilst also telling you how to reach your goal by walking, driving, using public transport and even recommending using Uber, offering a free ride to those who sign up via Google Maps. Google Maps will also show you restaurants, cafes, shops and any other point of interest nearby, allowing you to scout out an area and plan your holiday before you even arrive!

Available for iOS and Android

TripIt

TripIt is a very useful app because it serves as a one-stop-shop for planning out your holiday. It works by allowing you to forward any booking confirmations, whether that be flights, hotels, restaurants or more, to an e-mail address which automatically logs and creates a calendar of all your important bookings. This helps you keep track of your times, all in one place, meaning no last-minute rushes to the airport. It also allows you to take a look at maps and directions to get between places, calculating how much time you need in order to get to your destination on time.

Available for iOS and Android

PackPoint

PackPoint is a handy app to use before you start packing. Simply enter the details of your holiday: time of the year, location of your holiday and activities you’ll be participating in, and you will be presented with a list of the things you should pack for your holiday. This works by looking at weather forecasts and what you will be getting up to and calculating exactly what you need – packing need no longer be a problem!

Available for iOS and Android.

Google Trips

Google Trips is a relatively new development from the folk over at Google. It cleverly links to your email in order to add hotel and transport details, as well as allowing you to manage all your holiday-related bookings and reservations in one organised place. It also presents curated lists of things to do, places to go and things to see, perfect if you don’t really know where to start on a new holiday.

Available for iOS and Android

Onavo Project

Onavo Project, formerly known as Onavo Extend, is a wonderful free app for both Apple and Android devices which reduces the amount of mobile data which is used in order to perform basic actions, such as reading a message or opening an e-mail. This allows you to avoid those pesky data roaming charges and also allows you to keep track of and limit your monthly data usage so it can be handy to have at home too!

Available for iOS and Android

Google Translate

Language-barriers often provide the biggest problem for young and old travellers, especially when you arrive at a new, exotic location that speaks a language you do not understand in the slightest. Google Translate’s mobile app is the perfect companion for these situations. Not only can you translate 103 different languages by typing in text, but you can also capture a real world object with a foreign language and the app will translate it for you before your very eyes. Google Translate will be far more useful on your trip than before it, but it can’t hurt to be prepared and download it as soon as possible.

Available for iOS and Android.

Circa

Circa is an app built for those who struggle to keep track of time when they are travelling across various different timezones in a short amount of time. It has a beautiful interface and is very easy to use, allowing you to cross reference waking hours for different timezones, making it much easier to keep in contact with your friends and family at home. The app is also compatible to use with Apple Watches and should be downloaded if you have a knack for losing track of time.

Available for iOS and Android.