Top 17… no! wait! 16 Essential Travel Apps We Use as Fulltime Travelers

Traveling full-time is exciting, but let’s be real—it’s also a juggling act of logistics, language barriers, and budgets. Thankfully, a few trusty apps have become our secret weapons. We have found that these 16 essential travel apps save us time, money, and sanity while we navigate our nomadic lifestyle. Let’s dive into our favorites and how they can make your travel life easier too.

Our essential travel apps we use as fulltime travelers

Want a quick look at the apps that keep our nomadic lifestyle running smoothly? Here’s a handy table summarizing what each one does and a pro tip. Take a peek, and then stick around for the nitty-gritty details of why we love them and how we use these tools to save time, money, and sanity while traveling fulltime!

Ready to dive deeper? Let’s unpack why these apps have earned a permanent spot on our phones, complete with tips and tricks for getting the most out of each one. Whether you’re planning your next big trip or just looking to simplify your travels, these detailed descriptions will help you decide which apps deserve a spot on your home screen.

App-by-App: How These 16 Travel apps Simplify Full-Time Travel

1. Google Maps

• Why we love it: It’s more than just a map—it’s our go-to app for navigating new cities, finding hidden gems, and saving must-visit spots with custom pins.
• Pro tip: Download maps offline before you lose wifi. Bonus points for pairing it with Google

Use the Google My Maps to create shareable, custom itineraries. We do this! Reach out if you would like to see our Google My Maps walking tours and itineraries!

2. Skyscanner

• Why we love it: This app is our best friend for finding cheap flights. Its “Everywhere” search option is perfect for planning open-ended trips when you just need to get somewhere affordable.
• Pro tip: Use the price alert feature to snag deals when fares drop.

3. Airbnb

• Why we no longer love it: We no longer recommend Airbnb. The quality / value of accommodations has deteriorated to a point where we can no longer recommend Airbnb.

4. Booking.com

• Why we love it: Not every destination is Airbnb-friendly (we see you Türkiye!) and Booking.com often has great deals on hotels and hostels, especially for last-minute stays.
• Pro tip: Sign up for their Genius program to unlock extra discounts after just a few bookings.
• Bonus Pro Tip: We use both Booking.com and Expedia to search for accommodations, we have discovered that some accommodations might not have availability on one site but does on the other!

5. Expedia

• Why we love it: Again, not every destination is Airbnb-friendly and Expedia is our go-to app for comparing hotel, flight, and car rental options in one place. It’s especially handy when we need to bundle bookings to save money.
• Pro tip: Join the Expedia Rewards program to earn points on every booking—those points add up fast for discounts on future trips.
• Bonus Pro Tip: We use both Booking.com and Expedia to search for accommodations, we have discovered that some accommodations might not have availability on one site but does on the other!

Tip: Be sure to read our comprehensive guide on how to Stretch Your Travel Dollar: Finding Affordable Places To Stay

6. Duolingo

• Why we love it: It’s not just cute; Duolingo helps us survive language barriers by teaching us the basics. (Shoutout to Spanish for helping us order empanadas without embarrassing ourselves in Buenos Aires.)
• Pro tip: Combine it with audiobooks like Pimsleur Language Learning system to improve skills.

7. Rome2Rio

• Why we love it: This app is like a travel logistics fairy godmother. It shows all the ways to get from Point A to Point B—flights, buses, trains, and even ferries.
• Pro tip: We use Rome2Rio to see compare our options: plane, train, bus, car, ferry, bike share, driving and walking directions all in one search.

8. GPSMyCity

• Why we love it: Self-guided walking tours for the win! This app is perfect for exploring cities at our own pace while learning fascinating tidbits about local landmarks.
• Pro tip: Upgrade to the Pro account so you can download walking tours routes offline. (We recently used it in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter and loved it!)

10. WhatsApp

• Why we love it: Staying connected while traveling is a must, and WhatsApp is a lifeline for messaging hosts, local guides, or even new friends without worrying about international texting fees. Its voice and video call features work wonders on Wi-Fi, saving us a fortune in roaming charges.
• Pro tip: Create a group chat for your trip if you’re traveling with friends or family. It’s perfect for sharing updates, itineraries, and photos.
• Bonus Pro Tip: We have found that most businesses in the destinations we have visited use Whatsapp to connect with their customers so it’s handy to have an account to place orders, make reservations, etc.

11. Airalo

• Why we love it: Gone are the days of hunting for SIM cards in a foreign country. Airalo lets us download eSIMs to our unlocked phones for affordable local data plans, keeping us connected from the moment we arrive. It’s a lifesaver for navigating maps, booking rides, or sending WhatsApp messages or Facebook Messages on the go.
• Pro tip: Check coverage and pricing for your destination ahead of time and download the eSIM before your trip. It’s especially handy for multi-country travel!
• Bonus Pro Tip: read our blog post about the Challenges of Mobile Coverage While Traveling Abroad to learn more

Get US$3 off AIRALO on your first purchase using this code: SANDRA0288

12. Google Translate

• Why we love it: Language barriers? Not a problem. Google Translate has saved us countless times when ordering food, reading signs or ingredients in grocery stores, or asking for directions. The camera translation feature is a game-changer for translating menus or documents on the spot.
• Pro tip: Download languages for offline use so you’re never stranded without a way to communicate, even in areas without Wi-Fi or cell service.

13. Viator

• Why we love it: Viator is our go-to for discovering and booking tours, activities, and experiences wherever we are. From cooking classes in Buenos Aires to walking tours in Europe, it’s packed with options to enhance any trip. Plus, user reviews help us pick the best experiences.
• Pro tip: Book early for popular activities to avoid missing out, and keep an eye out for discounts and free cancellation options for flexibility.
• Bonus tip: We have a Viator Shop where you can access our curated list of experiences!

We used Viator to book our Coffee Farm Tour; Finca Casanga in Boquete, Panama

14. Busbuds

• Why we love it: Busbud is an online bus-booking platform that has compiled the world’s largest selection of bus tickets. Wherever we’re traveling, we can easily compare bus tickets from different companies and book the best option for your next trip. Busbud’s platform simplifies the booking process! This app was particularly helpful when booking our bus tickets from Buenos Aires to Santiago Chile because the official bus ticketing CATA International website was simply full of errors!
• Pro tip: Book early for popular destinations to avoid missing out, and keep an eye out for discounts and free cancellation options for flexibility.

15. Uber

• Why we love it: We used Uber in every city we’ve visited! We don’t need to worry about language barriers because we can copy and paste our destination address into the app and it lets the driver know where we are going. With Uber we can get around without language barriers, negotiating taxi fares or wondering if your taxi takes credit cards. That last one happened to us! We had never been in a taxi that didn’t take credit cards so imagine our surprise when we got to our accommodations in Lisbon and discovered the driver wanted cash.
• Pro tip: Download and set up the app before traveling. Save your accommodation addresses to your phone and copy and paste to Uber app when you are ready to head that direction. Check Uber’s availability in your destination city beforehand, as coverage varies internationally. Also, notify your credit card company that you will be traveling!

15. MintMobile

• Why we love it: We wanted to keep our home country phone numbers because we have had them for decades and because most banks want a phone number they can use for authentication. Our switch to the unlimited MintMobile plan was painless and costs us just $180 for the year and once we activated wifi calling we were able to use the call and texting features to connect with family and the banks!
• Pro tip: Ensure your account has wifi calling activated. For some reason Jeff account automatically had it enabled but my account didn’t.
• Bonus Pro Tip: Switch to Mint Mobile and stop spending so much on your wireless plan. Use my referral link to get $15 in renewal credit. Then use the money you save to go do something fun! http://fbuy.me/uHXgy

16. Google Sheets

• Why we love it: We can create sharable spreadsheets to track every thing for our itinerary details to daily expenses.
• Pro tip: Use the share feature to create shareable spreadsheets with your travel companions.
• Bonus Pro Tip: We have a shared spreadsheet we use to track the information we use to decide where and when to go to various destination, like our visit to Lisbon in February! If you would like a copy just reach out!

17. Norton 360

• Why we love it: In today’s digital world, cybersecurity is non-negotiable—especially when we’re constantly hopping between public and private Wi-Fi networks. Norton 360 gives us peace of mind with its VPN protection, helping to keep our data secure whether we’re booking a flight in a café or checking our bank accounts in an airport lounge.
• Pro tip: Set the VPN to auto-connect on public networks so you don’t have to think about it. And don’t forget to enable the kill switch for extra security if the connection drops!

What’s in Your Travel App Toolkit?

So there you have it! Traveling full-time can feel like a never-ending puzzle, but having the right tools makes it manageable—and even enjoyable. These apps don’t just live on our phones; they’re an extension of how we plan, navigate, and connect. From finding cheap flights to chatting with locals or even getting lost (on purpose) in a city’s backstreets, these tools keep our journey running smoother than it would without them.

Of course, no app is perfect, and what works for us might not work for everyone. Travel is personal, and the best tools are the ones that fit your style and needs. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or dreaming of long-term travel, a few of these might just make your journey a little easier—or at least help you avoid a taxi driver who doesn’t take credit cards.

Got a favorite app that we missed? We’re always on the lookout for tools to make this wild ride even better. Drop us a note—we’d love to hear what’s saving your sanity on the road.