Top travel apps to download before your next trip

Over the last 25 years, the fabric of the travel industry has undergone a profound transformation, becoming a new entity and completely unrecognisable in comparison to its previous state.  

If you’ve been around for slightly longer and remember what our world was like before mobile phones, you will know all too well just how challenging it used to be to navigate your way around unfamiliar terrain.  

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How apps became essential  

We’re not singling out the travel industry here, every industry has had to adjust to the transformative presence of online networks and, more recently, mobile apps. The casino gaming industry is one sector that has not only adapted but actively thrived thanks to these changes. Over the last two decades, it has evolved from traditional land-based venues to a vibrant digital ecosystem, where mobile-friendly platforms now dominate the landscape. 

This shift has also influenced how new players engage with the industry. For instance, beyond just playing for real money, users now turn to educational tools and interactive guides to learn the rules and improve their strategy. It’s no longer just about logging in to spin a wheel, it’s also about understanding the game itself. Resources that teach users how to play roulette have surged in popularity, offering detailed breakdowns on bet types, house edge, and gameplay tactics. Whether you're a casual traveller dabbling in a casino app during your flight delay or a curious beginner wanting to know the basics, mobile apps and online resources have made the experience both accessible and educational.

Apps didn’t just become a handy way to play, they became integral to every level of the casino gaming world, whether you were looking to spin the roulette wheel or explore hundreds of themed slot games. In the travel industry, companies faced their own set of challenges. Still, by embracing the widespread use of mobile internet and integrating smart app features, they became just as indispensable for wanderers and weekend jet-setters as gaming apps did for casino enthusiasts. 

The essential apps to start with

While this might be an obvious first suggestion, Google Maps is an essential app to download before your next trip. If you're in a city you haven’t been to before, it will provide you with detailed travel tips, both on foot and via public transportation.  
 
Although modern TV shows and some YouTubers try to recreate scenarios where they travel as if it were the 1990s, the harsh truth is that apps have become vital in the modern travel environment. That said, YouTube is another phenomenal resource for travellers, and it is another essential app we recommend.  
 
There isn’t a place on Earth that hasn’t been dissected, videoed or reviewed in detail on social media.  

Some people dismiss this, claiming that it overlooks the true essence of travel and the mystery and wonder that can come from simply exploring a place, rather than having your every waking moment dictated by your phone. This partly explains why disposable camera sales have doubled since 2024, but that’s more down to the anomaly of social media trends rather than any serious pushback against the current travelling market and its reliance on mobile apps.  

Keeping the conversation flowing 

Without trying to sound old before my time, there was a time when it was far more difficult to converse with locals, especially for those who do not speak a word of the local dialect. Tourists would frantically flick through a travel guide with commonly asked questions, or hand out cards with quickfire questions.  
 
Today, however, that’s no longer how the world works. Translation apps are some of the most advanced developments in the world of travel apps. Google Translate is one of the most widely used options, but if you're looking to explore the entire market, we recommend Duolingo, iTranslate, and Microsoft Translator.  

Tailor your apps to your trip  

Suppose you are a foodie and plan to sample the culinary delights of India. In that case, reading up on India’s most cherished food tourism spots and some of the top restaurants in the country will take precedence over downloading YouTube. One of the many advantages of using apps for your trip is that the vast majority of the ones you use will be free.  

Top apps are wholly dependent on the type of trip you are looking to book. While it’s a good idea to ensure you have maps and translation apps, as well as a way to book some excursions and trips, adequate planning will gravitate you closer to the apps that will maximise your experience, irrespective of 
the country or city you are travelling to.  

Booking excursions and getting an idea of what’s out there 

While there is an argument for a digital detox, apps have enabled many travellers to broaden their horizons and continue to give people an insight into places they would have otherwise never encountered.  
 
While TripAdvisor and the likes will be able to point you in the right direction, keep an eye out for apps that focus on offering deals and cheaper options to see plenty of the sites. If you use Google Maps and translating apps, and do a lot of your initial research on YouTube, you can plan a route out for yourself. ​
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However, if you are anything like me and have a tendency to get lost on public transport or struggle to converse with basic phrases in any other language than English, apps like GetYourGuide or Viator are recommended, as they take the responsibility out of your hands for a day or two. 
 
That’s not to say you have to book your trips and spend a fortune doing so. You can get an idea of what’s on offer, see a suggested itinerary, and look to flesh out a trip yourself, if you are feeling brave enough, of course. 

Uber and other taxi apps  

Likewise, if you are in an enormous city with highly congested train networks, such as Tokyo, Uber is also a valuable app. While it doesn’t work in all cities and countries, and it’s always best to check in advance, for those countries where it does work, it can help alleviate some of the stresses of travel, especially if you’re unfamiliar with your surroundings.  
 
Another advantage of Uber is that it provides the local price for a taxi, rather than having to negotiate with a driver who may be in the business of charging you double the price it should be. Again, this doesn’t always work, but Uber has grown to such an enormous size that they are now available in over 70 countries.