22 Best Travel Apps You Should Download Before Your Next Trip

• Apps like Hopper, Waze, and Hostelworld are popular for finding and booking transportation and accommodations.
• To find activities in your destination, download Headout, Eatwith, or AllTrails.
• There are apps for things you didn't even know you needed, like Flush, which locates public restrooms nearby.

Having the right apps can save you a bounty of time, money, and stress while you're traveling. You might already use a few, like Hopper or Waze, to get deals on airfare or find the quickest route to your destination. There are many more out there that you've probably never even heard of.

Whether you want to map out a hiking route or find the best airport food, there's an app to point you in the right direction. Here are 22 of the best travel apps to download for navigation, booking hotels, transferring money, and more.

For Road Tripping

Waze

Waze provides community-sourced data about traffic, car accidents, gas prices, and EV charging stations. It's especially helpful when you're trying to find the fastest routes to your destination. The live maps include voice-guided navigation, which you can customize with certain celebrity voices. Unlike most other navigation apps, this one will give you real-time toll prices, notify you about bad weather ahead, and direct you to parking areas in your destination.

Available on iOS and Android.

Citymapper

Citymapper is the navigation app for urban environments. Instead of spitting out driving directions, it will give you all available options for getting to your destination, including scooter, cycle, walking, and even ferry routes. The app will lead you right to the nearest bus or train station and keep you up to date on departure and arrival times. It also has a sharing feature that allows you to update friends and family on your estimated arrival time.

Available on iOS and Android.

GasBuddy

You'll want to download GasBuddy before taking any road trip. It uses consumer data to give you the cheapest gas prices along your route in real time. You can filter by price, location, brand, and amenities like public restrooms. It also shows you non-fuel convenience store deals and price-hike alerts so you can get the best prices every time.

Available on iOS and Android.

For Accommodations

Dayuse

If you find yourself in the middle of a long layover, Dayuse can get you into a hotel room for a few hours for up to 75 percent less than what the typical overnight rate would be. The app features more than 7,000 hotels in 25 countries, and it allows you to make free cancellations at the last minute—just in case you manage to catch an earlier flight.

Selections include everything from business hotels to wellness accommodations, with payments made when you arrive. You also get full use of the hotel's amenities for the duration of your stay.

Available on iOS and Android.

Hostelworld

Hostelworld is where you'll find more than 16,500 hostels, hotels, and communal spaces in 180 countries. The app is great for solo travelers looking to meet fellow vacationers during their trip, and even has a feature that highlights events and meetups in the user's area. Its translation feature will help you communicate in over 40 languages.

Available on iOS and Android.

RV Parks & Campgrounds

This camping app helps you locate RV parks, campgrounds, rest areas, and gas stations across North America. With more than 40,000 options, the app sorts locations based on ratings and includes both privately owned RV parks and public parks.

Available on iOS and Android.

For Air Travel

Hopper

Flight prices can fluctuate, making it tricky to decide if you should book right away or hold off. That's where Hopper comes in, predicting the best time to book for the most savings. The app also has a price-monitoring feature in which you can select a particular flight and receive alerts if the price drops. Users can also use Hopper to book accommodations.

Available on iOS and Android.

Timeshifter

Timeshifter helps you avoid jet lag before your flight even departs. Using neuroscience research on circadian rhythms and sleep, the app provides personalized recommendations on times to avoid and seek daylight, and when you should stay awake or take a nap. The result is a gentler jet lag experience, which means more time exploring your destination.

Available on iOS and Android.

FlightAware

If you have a tight connection or are picking up someone from the airport, check out FlightAware. The app tracks flights in real time, so you can see exactly where the aircraft is at any given moment. In addition to getting information on arrivals and delays, you can see if weather will have an impact on certain locations.

Available on iOS and Android.

Grab

When you don't have much time to spare at the airport, Grab allows you to check out what food selections are near your gate and gives you the option to preorder your meal so you can pick it up on the way. The app currently operates at more than 60 airports worldwide, giving you plenty of bites to choose from on your next trip.

Available on iOS and Android.

For Activities and Entertainment

Headout

Want to know what local events are taking place at your destination? Headout will show you the top attractions, shows, tours, and experiences in big cities like New York, London, Dubai, and more. Activities range from catching a Broadway show to taking a helicopter tour, with exclusive last-minute offers.

Available on iOS and Android.

Eatwith

Eatwith uses food to connect travelers with locals. Hosts can offer food tours, cooking classes, and even dinner parties at their home. They'll typically list what they're cooking, the languages they speak, and any alcohol pairings they'll be serving. The app not only helps you meet locals and get superb dining recommendations, but also enjoy a high-quality meal for less than you'd typically pay at a restaurant.

Available on iOS and Android.

AllTrails

If you're looking to get outdoors, this app will provide you with the area's best hiking, biking, and running trails. In addition to details on trail length, starting location, and trail quality, AllTrails includes reviews and photos from a community of outdoor enthusiasts. You'll find useful information like what to pack, obstacles you'll find along the route, and the best scenic spots to check out.

Available on iOS and Android.

Nike Training Club

Hitting the gym while you're traveling can be tough, but with Nike Training Club, you'll feel like you have a personal trainer in your pocket. You can access more than 100 free workouts from Nike trainers and celebrities. Audio and video clips help you stay on top of your technique, while personalized training plans will keep you on track.

Available on iOS and Android.

For Planning and Packing

TripIt

TripIt makes it easy to put together a cohesive travel itinerary. Simply forward your confirmation emails—for hotel and flight reservations, for example—and TripIt will build a full itinerary to help you stay organized. With real-time alerts, you'll know if your flight is delayed or canceled.

Available on iOS and Android.

PackPoint

Ideal for those who agonize over what to take on a trip, PackPoint can simplify the process. Enter your destination, travel dates, length of stay, and activities that might require special gear, like hiking or swimming, and the app will create a customized packing list that you can save for future use. It also checks weather conditions and allows users to share their lists with fellow travelers.

Available on iOS and Android.

WeatherBug

WeatherBug provides forecasts for locations around the world, with current, hourly, and 10-day options. The app also has maps to track everything from lightning and wind to pressure and humidity. It makes staying on top of weather changes easy with instant alerts.

Available on iOS and Android.

For Money Matters

Wise

Wise allows you to transfer money abroad based on real-time exchange rates for more than 70 countries. The app also offers a debit card that allows you to spend or withdraw cash in 160 countries.

Available on iOS and Android.

Xe

Established as a currency-conversion site in the mid-1990s, Xe has live exchange rates and charts to keep you on top of money matters during your travels. The app has a rate alert so you can monitor certain currencies, and you can use it to transfer funds to more than 200 countries.

Available on iOS and Android.

For Safety and Security

TunnelBear

If you need to access the internet during your travels, chances are you'll have to connect to public Wi-Fi, which can be sketchy. TunnelBear allows you to connect privately and securely by providing you with a virtual private network (VPN) that will encrypt your browsing data to keep your information hidden from hackers and advertisers. The app comes with 2GB of free browsing data each month, or you can pay a fee for unlimited data.

Available on iOS and Android.

Rebtel

The beauty of Rebtel is that you don't need an internet connection to call friends and family back home. The app connects to local phone lines to provide you with cheap calls in countries around the world without having to deal with the hassle of getting a local SIM card or racking up your phone bill.

Available on iOS and Android.

Flush

Trying to locate a public restroom in a new destination can be tricky. That's where Flush comes in. The app has a database of more than 200,000 public toilets and quickly provides travelers with nearby bathrooms. You can even search without an internet connection, and the app will also notify you if a restroom requires a fee.

Available on iOS and Android.