No matter where your travels take you, these apps will keep things running smoothly.
Best for Last-Minute Hotel Deals: HotelTonight
Book last-minute rooms at great prices.
Browse photos and ratings to get a feel for the hotel.
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Can’t select your room jot down.
Prices don’t include taxes and fees.
Tell the app where you want to stay and watch the deals appear on your screen.
Tap one to get additional details.
A few more taps to pay, and you have a room for the night.
you might make reservations further in advance, but the longer you wait, the better the deals are.
Download For:
Best for Navigating: Citymapper
Search fastest route (e.g.
train vs. Lyft).
Get cost of your chosen route ahead of time.
See preferred routes to avoid the rain.
Not all transportation services offer updates.
Not all cities are in the app’s coverage area.
Navigating a new city can be maddening if you don’t know how to use the local transportation systems.
Pick your city, then choose a location or your preferred mode of transportation.
Be sure to switch to the right city before downloading the app.
Best for Packing Help: PackPoint
Configure trip lists according to specific plans.
Simple, easy-to-navigate interface.
Hide irrelevant items and add new items to your list.
Must upgrade to Premium to create custom packing lists.
A delight for anyone who hates packing, PackPoint tells you exactly what to bring.
First, enter where you’re going, when, and for how long.
Choose business or leisure, then go for the activities you’ll be doing.
The app develops a list based on your information and expected weather.
Check items off as you pack, or swipe to remove ones you don’t need.
Best Language Translator: iTranslate
Translations are available in more than 100 languages.
Phrasebook has more than 250 predefined phrases.
Switch between dialects and voices.
Need Pro version to unlock offline translation mode.
Offline mode works for just four languages.
Use thistranslation appto throw in or speak your sentence and get the translation in your chosen language.
The iTranslate Phrasebook is a convenient way of looking up and learning common expressions and questions.
Best for Finding Your Way Around: Google Maps
Maps for over 220 countries and territories.
Information on hundreds of millions of businesses.
Real-time updates help you beat traffic.
Search and navigate with offline maps.
Some features aren’t available in all countries.
Google Maps is great for finding your way around in your city or anywhere in the world.
Get the best route with automatic rerouting based on live traffic updates and road closures.
Find information about businesses, such as if a restaurant is open.
If you’re somewhere with spotty internet, download an area map in advance and use it to navigate.
Best for Travel Planning: Kayak
Researching prices is fast and easy.
Independent hotels and short-term rentals.
Book almost any travel method.
Can’t take advantage of loyalty programs you may belong to.
The award-winning travel app Kayak allows you to search for flights, hotels, and car rentals.
Set filters to find exactly what you want quickly and easily.
Not sure if now’s the right time to pull the trigger?
The app answers that question by indicating when prices will go up.
