Hi Reader,

On almost every trip, there are a few mobile apps I can’t do without. From booking flights and hotels to finding the nearest restroom, these apps make travel easier and less stressful. Here are the ones I recommend keeping on your phone.

Best Mobile Apps for Travel

General Apps​
These cover the basics:

• Airlines – download your airline’s app for mobile boarding passes, flight updates, and seat selection.
• Hotels – Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, and other hotel apps let you book, check in, and sometimes even unlock your room with your phone. Some apps even allow you to control room features like the TV or heating/air, and you can often chat directly with hotel staff through the app.
• Rental Cars & Rideshare – Uber, Lyft, or local rideshare apps are essential; Turo is great for car rentals. We’ve used the Uber app to book taxis in Rome, and when traveling in Thailand and Malaysia, Grab and Bolt have been our go-to rideshare apps.
• Public Transportation – Check if the city you’re visiting has its own metro/bus app. Google Maps often integrates real-time transit info too.

Tip: You can also download Google Maps for offline use, which is a lifesaver when exploring areas without reliable cell service.

Special Apps I Love

• Flush – quickly finds the nearest public restroom (so handy!).
• Google Translate – type, speak, or use your camera to translate menus, signs, or conversations.
• PackPoint – creates a custom packing list based on your destination, activities, and length of stay.
• Flighty – amazing for real-time flight tracking and delay predictions.
• Wanderlog or TripIt – keeps your entire itinerary in one place.
• TooGoodToGo – helps you save money and reduce waste by buying surplus food from restaurants.

👉 You can find my full curated list here: Best Mobile Apps for Travel – Benable List​

Travel Tip

Did you know the iPhone calculator has a built-in currency converter? Just open the calculator, type an amount, then tap it, and you’ll see a quick conversion option. A lifesaver when shopping or dining abroad!

My Recommendation

If you’re looking for a reliable portable charger for keeping your phone powered while using all these apps, I recommend this one: Slim Portable Charger with built-in cables. It’s slim, lightweight, and has saved me countless times when my phone battery ran low during a trip.

Thanks for reading and for being part of the Travel Must Do’s community.

Until next time,
Melodie

PS: Some links may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission (at no cost to you) if you choose to purchase through them.

PSS: As always, I only recommend products I personally use and love.