What are the Best Free Travel Apps for 2021?

Best Free Travel App for Organizing Plans:

TripIt is my all-time favorite, indispensible travel app. When you get confirmation emails for flights, lodging, tours, etc., TripIt automatically creates a master document for the entire trip: flights (including confirmation numbers and airport maps), car rentals, lodging, restaurant reservations, and excursions, which you can access via the app offline. You can also share your itinerary with others via email. No more manually creating a document with all your travel details!

TripIt even understands an itinerary within an itinerary. For instance, for my recent trip to the Dominican Republic, all my flights, transfers, and lodging were in TripIt already; when I added a snorkeling excursion, TripIt seamlessly included it within the overarching trip.

Another reason I love this app: it saves all your past trips (what was that hotel in Paris??) Download TripIt: Android or iOS

Best Sites for Planning a Trip:

If I’m not comfortable traveling solo to an unfamiliar area (rare), I check out Intrepid Travel, for very small, eco-sensitive, personalized group travel to get me started before heading out on my own. They’ve been around for over 30 years, have a flexible deposit and change policy, and operate on all 7 continents.

Trip.com has it all – flights, hotels, rental cars, trains, attractions, tours, and tickets; it’s a one-stop shop for your travel needs. They send great deals on trips via email if you’d like.

Best Free Travel Apps & Sites for Flights:

For finding flights, I always start with Google Flights and go from there. Google Flights does not include Southwest Airlines, and probably other airlines as well – so it’s not my only site to check…here are some others:

Never overpay for flights again! The Scott’s Cheap Flights website has saved me a bundle over the years. Subscribe for free for weekly emails of great deals.

Skyscanner – Best for Finding Destinations

Want to get out of town, and willing to be adventurous? With Skyscanner, you can look for destinations by inputting your budget and travel timeframes rather than a destination (although you can search that way as well). It’s perfect for finding a new place to explore, and helps you find the best airfare rates by alerting you when prices dip.

Hopper – Tells when to Book a Flight

The prices of flights can fluctuate, making it tricky to figure out whether you should book right away or hold off. That’s where the Hopper app comes in, predicting the best times to find the cheapest fares. This can result in up to 40% off airline tickets. The app also has a price-monitoring feature, so that you can select a particular flight and receive alerts if its price drops. Through Hopper, you can also compare the prices and amenities you’ll get on more than 250 airlines, and also, you can get regular alerts about airfare flash sales. Download Hopper: Android or iOS

Best Free Apps for Airports:

When it comes to the most miserable parts of the travel experience, it’s hard to beat long layovers and extended delays. Airport lounges are a calm oasis amidst the mayhem, with comfy seating, and complimentary meals, snacks, drinks, and cocktails. Some lounges have sleeping rooms, showers, and massages!

Or – you can buy day passes for many lounges direct from the Lounge Buddy app – LoungeBuddy provides detailed information about hundreds of airport lounges around the world. Either way, definitely a better option than sitting on the floor for several hours! Download LoungeBuddy: Android or iOS

If you find yourself in the midst of a long layover or booking snafu, dayuse can find you a hotel room for a few hours at a discounted price up to 75% less than what the typical overnight rate would be. The app lists 5,000 hotels in 23 countries, and you can make free cancellations up to the very last minute. Payments are made directly when you arrive. You get full use of the hotel’s amenities for the duration of your stay.

Available on iOS and Android.

When arriving back into the US, you will want Global Entry (GE), which includes TSA PreCheck. You can get GE included as a benefit on several premium travel credit cards – read more on Global Entry

If you don’t have it and can’t get it, Mobile Passport is the next best thing – and it’s free! No background check, interview or pre-approval needed. Just fill out your information in the app, find the Mobile Passport line, and you’re through in a jiffy.

Get Mobile Passport for Android or iOS.

Best Free App for Currency Calculations:

Using XE Currency is a quick and easy way to check how much you’re paying in your home currency. You will have live exchange rates and charts, easily allowing you to choose among the different currencies you’d like to convert. Before your trip, download all the different dollars, pesos, zaires, and baht you’ll encounter on your trip. Then, enter an amount to see the equivalent – and, you won’t need WiFi!

Download XE Currency: Android or iOS

Best Free Travel Apps for WiFi:

When I travel, I can feel stranded and helpless without Internet access.  WiFi Finders show where you can find free wireless connections in urban areas. By scanning your surroundings and checking a database of over 100 million hotspots, WiFi Finders let you know the location of the nearest wireless connection.

WiFi Finders includes any passwords you may need. The free version shows any networks within a little over a mile of your current or a searched location, while the paid version lets you download entire city Wi-fi maps ahead of time to use while offline.

Download WiFi Finders: Android or iOS (NB: I have not tried the Apple version)

Best Free App for Translation:

Google Translate translates text or spoken word from one language into another. Download the languages you will need ahead of time, and you won’t need the Internet to translate phrases – important for international travelers who may not have mobile data.

Best Free App for Navigation:

Google Maps is easily the best mobile navigation app, and one you’ll likely use every day on the road – at home or overseas. Download maps before you head out, for later offline use. The GPS in your phone will work without a cell signal, and you will get driving and public transit directions without being connected. 😎

Best Free Apps for Rides:

Most people know about Uber and Lyft as independent ride companies vs. taxis. Check your credit cards for special rates or bonuses for these services. Right now, I have $20 off Lyft, and 5x points back with my Chase Sapphire Preferred Card! (May 2021- great sign up bonus right now!)

Best Free Apps for Lodging:

HotelTonight finds last-minute deals on hotels near your location, ranging from basic to luxe options, including unique boutique hotels. The app allows you to filter for location, dates, the number of guests, facilities and even whether the hotel is pet friendly or not.
Download HotelTonight: Android and iOS

Best Free Apps for Reviews:

TripAdvisor has over 700 million reviews of 8 million destinations (including hotels, attractions, restaurants and museums) in 28 languages. Find advice that matches your interests, view travel videos, read articles, and write your own reviews. There are forums which also provide a wealth of information about destinations all over the world.

Unfortunately the app cannot be used offline, although the company does make dozens of free city guides available to download.

Free on iOS and Android 

Best Free App for Activities:

Viator has a wealth of information for things to do when you’re on vacation, or even in your hometown – great for staycations! I always check Viator to see what’s out there. I’ve booked snorkeling and boating excursions, even airport shuttles with Viator – very handy.

Best Free App for Photography:

It takes a bit of getting used to, but after you’ve mastered it, Snapseed is the best mobile photo editing software out there. If your sunset is a bit washed out, the horizon isn’t straight or everything just needs to be made a little more vibrant before posting your photos, Snapseed is just the app to do it with.

Snapseed has a bunch of pre-set filters as well—but once you know how to use the app, you probably won’t even use them.

Free on iOS and Android

Best App for finding Toilets:

Finding a public toilet can be tricky in an unfamiliar destination. Flush Toilet Finder shows you the nearest toilets in your location, with 190,000 public restrooms in its database. Find out which ones are free, accessible for the disabled, or need a key – all without an Internet connection. You can rate and report the facilities too!
Available on iOS and Android.

Best Free Travel App for Keeping in Touch:

Sure, you can Facetime, use Messenger, Skype, WhatsApp – but…snail mail is great, too – especially for older relatives or little kids. Postcards are the classic thinking-of-you travel mementos. With Postagram, you can bring this tradition into the digital age by sending personalized photos and messages from your Instagram, Facebook, and phone as beautiful photo postcards for less than $2 – postage included!

Postagram for Android or iOS

Best Free App for Tracking Travel Miles & Points:

A fantastic app for Travel Hackers! AwardWallet tracks frequent flier miles, hotel points, and credit card points. In addition to tracking points, miles, and account expirations, AwardWallet also has the following features:

• Management of travel plans: link your email, and AwardWallet tracks your reservations. You get notified if your flights are delayed, and you can share your travel plans with others.
• Credit card spend analysis: AwardWallet can tell you if you are using the right credit cards when you are shopping, for the maximum number of points at a given merchant.
• Merchant lookup tool: Enter the merchant name, and AwardWallet will tell you how the merchant is coded, and which cards earn the most points at that merchant.
• Account balance watch. If you are transferring points from your bank into your airline account to book a flight and that transfer is not instant, AwardWallet can monitor the account; and notify you when the transfer is complete.
• Download for Android or iOS

Excellent Travel Apps that didn’t make Suz’s Top 22:

AllTrails is for nature lovers and hiking enthusiasts. The app has over 100,000 curated trail maps, and lets you create and share custom maps with friends. If you’re looking to get outdoors, this app will provide you with an array of trails for hiking, biking and running. You’ll find useful information like what to pack, obstacles you’ll find along the route, and the best scenic spots to check out. The app also allows you record yourself as you move across your trail, while detailed driving directions will help get you to your hike in no time. Available on iOS and Android.

I have not tried this app, but I’m planning on it for my next trip. Eatwith allows you to dine with locals in locations all over the world. Menus are posted for you to see, while hosts will typically list what they cook, the languages they speak, and any alcohol pairings they’ll be serving. Not only does the app give you a chance to meet locals and get superb dining recommendations, but it also allows you to enjoy a high-quality meal for less than what you’d typically pay at a restaurant. Available on Android and iOS 

Headout is a great app to find out what local events are taking place in your destination. You’ll find the top attractions, shows, tours, and experiences in 8 cities across the world – New York, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Orlando, Hawaii, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, London, and Paris. Activities range from catching a Broadway show to doing yoga in the hills or taking a helicopter tour, with exclusive last-minute offers that can be as high as 80% off. Simply book through the app and head to your event of choice at a fraction of the price. Available on Android or iOS

With Rebtel, you don’t need an internet connection to make international calls. Rebtel connects to local phone lines to provide you with inexpensive calls in over 50 countries around the world without having to get a local SIM card or racking up your phone bill.

Personally, I use Google Fi for my cell phone service; it’s only $20 per month, and offers free WiFi calls around the world. (Mobile data is $10 per GB, and is free after 6 GB.)

Rebtel is available on Android and iOS 

Touchnote is a similar app to Postagram. Send cards straight from your phone, anywhere in the world – with included shipping. (You pay for a plan depending on how many you’d like to send.) Share moments of your life, not in a text or an email, but through personal pictures on real cards that last. The app includes:

● Exclusive artwork and custom features like photo filters, vintage-inspired travel stickers, location maps and customizable stamps
● Card templates for any occasion – Christmas, Thank You, Birthdays, Anniversaries, Congrats, Weddings, etc.
● Worldwide delivery – keep in touch and don’t worry about the cost or finding stampsTouchnote for Android or iOS

It’s not an app, but a very useful site to find the best and least expensive places to park at any airport – try this highly rated Airport Parking website.

Yelp has over 199 million reviews of businesses worldwide. Whether you’re looking for a new pizza place to try, a great coffee shop nearby, or need to book a haircut, Yelp is your local guide for finding the perfect place to eat, shop, drink, explore, and relax. Like TripAdvisor, this app must be used with WiFi. Download Yelp for Android or iOS

If Wifi isn’t a problem, you may prefer Citymapper; this app updates transport timetables in real-time to keep you up to date with trains and buses – but you must be on wifi – as well as displaying estimated costs for taxis and ride-share apps. Like Google Maps, Citymapper helps travelers find the speediest route to their destination, providing the fastest routes and step-by-step instructions on where to find the nearest bus and train stations. On wifi, real-time routing means you’ll get updates every minute. The app also has a chat feature that allows you to update friends and family on where you are in real time. Download Citymapper: Android or iOS

I have had many people suggest this app for road trips, but I have not yet tried it myself – have you? Waze gives you community-based data on traffic jams and information so that you can find points of interest like the cheapest gas stations and the fastest routes to your destination. Live maps include voice-guided navigation to easily guide you. Available on iOS and Android.

If you do connect to public WiFi during your travels, TunnelBear will allow you to do that privately and securely by providing you a VPN (virtual private network) that will encrypt your browsing data to keep your information hidden from hackers and advertisers. The app comes with 500 MB of free browsing data each month; you can also opt for unlimited data starting at $3.33 a month. Download TunnelBear: Android or iOS

Budget travelers like the app Hostelworld, where you’ll find over 17,000 quirky hostels, hotels, B&B’s, and communal spaces to choose from in over 179 countries. The app is great for solo travelers looking to meet fellow vacationers during their trip, with features that include a Hostel Noticeboard for regular events and meetups, and a translator that allows you to translate up to 37 languages. Available on iOS and Android

Conclusion

Are any of these free travel apps new to you? What are some of your favorites that I’ve missed in this list? Let me know; I’ll update this article as I find new great apps.

Related Travel Articles:

• Travel for Free or for Reduced Fees
• How to find the best deals on flights
• Must-have gear for traveling
• How to stay healthy while traveling
• Renew Your Passport in a hurry
• Where can US citizens travel right now?
• The Schengen Area – info about traveling Europe long-term: also, an app for that!
• Travel Cartoons – just for fun

Pin for Later ~

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