travel app content

30 essential travel apps every traveler needs before their next trip

When it comes to planning and taking a vacation, travelers rely on their phones now more than ever.

Travel apps are a source of inspiration and are extremely useful for booking and managing logistics — even making restaurant reservations or finding a great fitness class wherever in the world you're flying next.

From apps that help with everything from day-of hotel bookings and last-minute flight changes to those that serve as guidebooks and foreign-language dictionaries, travel is infinitely easier thanks to technology.

Apps can help you navigate a new city, make currency conversions, pack a perfect suitcase and even provide on-the-ground local expertise. Whatever you need when you hit the road, there's an app for that.

We've rounded up the most-loved apps here at TPG. Some may be obvious, and others more obscure, but either way, get ready to download.

Best apps for researching and booking trips

In addition to the apps for the airlines you fly most frequently and your favorite hotel brands, these apps can help you save money on flights and accommodations.

Hopper has changed in recent years from just offering a price prediction tool for flights to being a true online travel agency. The app helps travelers find the cheapest flights, hotels and rental cars.

Of course, Hopper also still offers its signature price prediction technology to help you plan out when to book, as well as travel protection options and a price freeze to help you lock in the lowest possible price on hotels and flights.

Kiwi is used mainly to book flights, but it also helps you book hotels (using its partnership with Booking.com) and car rentals (using its partnership with RentalCars.com).

Some of the app's most interesting features include the "Deals" section, which pulls in discounted flights, and the "Travel hacks" section, which includes options for hidden city ticketing, throwaway ticketing (making one-way flights more affordable) and free price alerts.

Hotel Tonight

A dream for last-minute travelers, Hotel Tonight ( now owned by Airbnb ) lets you book stays for the same evening up to a few months in advance in thousands of cities worldwide. Available hotel rooms are categorized into sections like basic, luxe, hip, charming and solid, so you can select what works for your vibe. Take advantage of the daily drop feature, where you swipe to find a personalized deal with a special price only valid for 15 minutes after unlocked.

At TPG, we love a good loyalty program, and HT Perks, the app's nine-level reward program, is extensive. Not unlike a video game, you "level up" by reaching specific spending thresholds on the app, and you'll gain access to perks like discounts, VIP customer support and credits. Also, your levels never expire, so you can only continue to move up.

To book home rentals instead of hotels, use the Airbnb app. After entering your destination and dates, you can filter results based on the home type, price, requisite amenities and more. If you find something you like, you can book directly through the app.

The app is ideal for managing your trips while on the road — you can access all your bookings under the "Trips" tab, where you can view your reservation (and the address or directions), contact the host or change your reservation. Once you have a booking, you can also explore and book local experiences in your destination, such as wine tastings, kayak tours, hikes, shows and concerts.

We can't talk about travel apps without mentioning the TPG App. Use it to track your credit card, airline and hotel points balances; earn points and miles efficiently through using the right credit card ; and research how many points or miles you'll need to book your dream getaway. You can even curate your own news feed so you see the news and advice that matters most to you first.

The TPG App is available for download on iOS . Android users can join the waitlist here .

Related: The TPG App has arrived — here's why you should download it now

Best apps for organizing a trip

From keeping all your documents in order to perfectly packing your suitcase without forgetting a thing, these are the best apps for organizing travel plans.

TripIt declutters your itineraries and documents by keeping them organized in one place. You can set your reservations to automatically send to TripIt, which lets you view travel confirmations, flight itineraries, tickets, hotel and Airbnb booking information, rental car reservations, ferry tickets and driving directions without ever leaving the app.

TripIt also makes it simple to share your trip plans with whoever picks you up from the airport or train station or anyone else who may need to coordinate with you. TripIt Pro subscriptions cost $49 per year and include extras like real-time flight alerts, security wait times, baggage claim information and updates on your loyalty reward programs.

Roadtrippers

Perfect for organizing that epic road trip you've always wanted to take, Roadtrippers plans out your driving route and lets you book hotels and activities along the way. The app is especially useful for finding interesting and off-the-beaten-path roadside attractions, cool restaurants and can't-miss landmarks you can bookmark.

A Roadtrippers Premium membership includes offline maps, live traffic information, overnight RV parking and more for $59.99 per year. For those looking to only venture on a few road trips per year, the app also offers a Pro ($49.99 per year) and Basic ($35.99 per year) membership.

PackPoint takes all the stress out of packing . The app shows you what to bring based on the length of your trip, the weather in your destination and any activities you're planning along the way. If you have access to laundry facilities at your destination, PackPoint even allows you to account for washing your clothes and wearing them multiple times.

Just download and install the app, type in the city you're visiting and plug in your travel details. So, stop waiting until the day before your trip — or the hours before you have to leave for the airport — and start packing now.

Best apps for navigating the airport and flights

Track flights, navigate airports and find airport lounges with these apps.

LoungeBuddy

LoungeBuddy offers access to premium airport lounges around the world, regardless of the airline or class you're flying. When you create a trip in the app and type in the credit cards you currently hold, it will tell you which lounges you have access to based on the airports you'll be transiting through and how to purchase access if you don't already have it.

You can purchase access on the day you're traveling or up to two months in advance if you're the plan-ahead type. If you prefer to search by lounge or lounge program, the app will tell you exactly what is needed to use them.

Priority Pass

Priority Pass offers access to more than 1,300 lounges worldwide and provides meal vouchers at select airport restaurants across the world for an annual fee starting at $99.

Several cards, including The Platinum Card® from American Express , the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve , offer Priority Pass memberships for all cardholders (enrollment required). Otherwise, you'll have to pay an annual fee to be a member and, depending on your membership tier, a fee to enter each lounge on top of the annual fee.

To use the Priority Pass app, enter the name or code of the airport you're in, and Priority Pass will pull up the lounges or restaurants that you have access to, including photos, hours, amenities and specific location information. For more information on the Priority Pass Program and how to gain lounge access, click here . Enrollment is required for select benefits.

Related: The best credit cards for Priority Pass lounge access

FlightAware

The FlightAware app allows you to track flights online, see a live map of a flight and check on delays, cancellations and gate changes. This app is especially helpful if you have a tight connection or want to track your flight.

It's also useful when picking up friends and family at the airport, as you can track their flight and see updated landing times or delays. AvGeeks will enjoy digging into flight statistics, flight maps and community aviation discussions on the app.

Best apps to use during your flight

Timeshifter.

What better way to cure jet lag than with an app? Timeshifter actually helps you avoid jet lag long before your flight takes off and also offers inflight and post-flight suggestions. The app relies on neuroscience research about sleep and circadian rhythms to provide personalized recommendations, taking into consideration your age, gender and normal sleep patterns — as well as specifics about your trip and travel plans. Timeshifter maps out when you should avoid or seek light, take a nap or try to stay awake. It even tells you if you should consider supplementing with melatonin or caffeine.

Your first jet lag plan is free, then $9.99 per plan, or you can enjoy unlimited plans for a year for $24.99.

Flying can cause anxiety — or provide a welcome relief from constant contact with our digital devices. Either way, use travel as an opportunity to relax, meditate or listen to soothing sounds that will lull you to sleep or a deep, relaxed state. Or, perhaps, you'll simply find it helps pass the time during a long flight.

Calm offers meditations on topics such as self-awareness, calming anxiety, breathing, lowering stress levels and happiness, among others. The app also has music options for focusing, relaxing and sleeping, as well as stories for adults and content for kids.

A limited selection of meditations and music is available for free (which you can download to use when you're offline or in flight). The premium version of the app costs $14.99 per month or $69.99 annually.

OK, so Netflix isn't really a travel app, but it can be a lifesaver during a long flight on an aircraft without seatback inflight entertainment or at the airport during an unexpected flight delay or boring layover. If you have a Netflix account, the app allows you to download your favorite shows onto your device to watch offline.

Just make sure to download your shows while connected to Wi-Fi before flying and check them again preflight to make sure they haven't expired (you can usually renew any expired downloads, but you must be connected to Wi-Fi or data to do so). Monthly prices vary depending on the plan.

Another app that's not really a travel app, Spotify can still be incredibly useful during tedious travel moments — just pop in those noise-canceling headphones and listen to your favorite music, meditations, podcasts and more.

The app's Premium plans (prices vary) allow you to download all your content offline on your phone, so you'll have it during long flights or when you don't have data or Wi-Fi access. Whether you want to take a morning jog in Bali to your favorite tunes or pass the time with a podcast on the metro in Barcelona, Spotify has it all.

Best apps to use in your destination

From exchanging money and sightseeing to communicating and knowing all the local tips and tricks, you don't want to land in a foreign city for the first time without these key apps.

XE Currency Converter

The XE Currency Converter app quickly provides live, up-to-the-minute currency rates, then allows you to store and view them even when you're offline. You'll never need to wonder if you're really getting a good deal in another country if you have this app.

Google Translate

Google Translate is a translation app that allows you to do it all — translate into more than 100 languages by typing, access 59 languages offline, translate via photo, translate bilingual conversations and even use the handwriting tool to translate.

The app is simple to use, too, with icons at the top you can click on to draw, take a photo, speak or type.

Not quite sure how much to tip when traveling internationally? GlobeTips will advise you on how to tip appropriately in more than 200 countries. It also offers a tip calculator for easy math. Globe also has apps for currency conversion, unit conversion and more that may be useful for travelers.

Related: The ultimate guide to tipping while traveling

For travelers globe-trotting with friends and family members or simply splitting the cost between groups, Tricount calculates shared costs and splits bills so you don't have to think twice about who owes what. Just enter your trip and currency and invite your travel mates to join your trip.

Each time someone pays for something, you enter the amount in Tricount, and the app splits everything up. You can also snap and store photos of receipts in the app. At the end of your trip, it will show the balances of who owes who what, making it easy to settle up.

Metric Conversions

Never be baffled by Celsius temperatures or suitcase weight in kilograms again with the Metric Conversions app . Whether you're measuring flour to cook at your Airbnb, figuring out distances for your Europe road trip or deciding whether to take a sweatshirt with you during your walking tour of the Great Wall of China, this app has you covered with easy conversions in volume, weight, temperature, area and more.

Google Maps

Google Maps is essential when visiting a new city (or even for getting around your hometown). You can map locations, get directions (walking, driving, public transportation, ride-hailing services and beyond) and see how crowded your subway will be in select cities .

You can make restaurant reservations, save your favorite spots and read and write reviews of attractions, eateries, shops and more. Make sure to download specific city or area maps ahead of time for offline access if you know you'll be without internet at your destination. For obvious reasons, the app works best when your GPS is turned on.

WhatsApp is a handy messaging service for travelers abroad as it uses an internet connection to avoid SMS fees.

It works like most other messaging apps: You start by creating an account, then add your friends and family members to contact and voila! You're able to call, video chat and send messages, images, voice memos, gifs and files just as you would in, say, iMessage (but with Android users too). You can also download WhatsApp on your Windows or Mac computer.

Best apps for planning activities

Traveling is about more than just getting from point A to point B. If you're looking for activities to add to your itinerary, check out these apps.

Meetup is an app designed for interacting with locals and other travelers who have mutual interests or shared hobbies. Whether you're traveling or at home, take what you love and do more of it with Meetup.

The app shows you groups that are formed around particular interests in your city, including yoga, photography, cooking, wine tasting, hiking, cinema and other activities. You can join groups to get updates on particular events you may want to participate in. The app can even help with networking, as there are many groups dedicated to business and technology. You might even be able to join a coworking group. Travelers with kids can participate in family-friendly meetups, and it's a great way for solo travelers to make friends and connect with others.

TheFork is one of the most useful resources for making restaurant reservations in Europe. Similar to OpenTable or Resy, the app lets you browse different restaurants by category and make reservations. TheFork features more than 60,000 restaurants in cities like London, Madrid and Geneva, as well as spots outside of Europe like Sydney, Australia.

The biggest perk is that many restaurant reservations come with discounts — in some cases, you can get up to 50% off your meal just by reserving a table through TheFork. Since we here at TPG are always down for earning rewards, make sure to monitor your YUMS — TheFork's reward system. You'll earn YUMS with each reservation, and when you hit 1,000, you receive a discount on your bill. Foodie travelers should also consider downloading these apps , too.

Happy Cow helps vegan and vegetarian eaters locate more than 180,000 restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries, farmers markets and grocery stores in over 180 countries around the world. The app allows you to filter by not only vegan and vegetarian but also gluten-free and cuisine types. You can also read reviews and get recipes on the app as well.

The app does cost $3.99, but it's a one-time expense.

TripAdvisor

Besides reading reviews of restaurants, hotels and attractions, you can book almost anything on TripAdvisor, from vacation rentals and restaurant reservations to tours and tickets.

The app has grown to include almost all things travel, allowing you to search by destination or interest (like the outdoors, food and drink, family or by the water, for example), which can give you inspiration for a trip or help you get your activities, meals and accommodations organized before traveling or on the fly.

With over 400,000 curated trails, AllTrails can help you find the hike or walk perfect for you and your group. It's not just mountain trails — AllTrails offers city walks, too, like easy meanders through the Marais district in Paris or peaceful strolls through Bangkok's Lumpini Park in Thailand.

See photos, updated weather predictions and key information about each route and connect with other travelers through reviews and forums. Access to AllTrails+ is $35.99 per year, which offers perks like offline maps and wrong turn alerts.

Best apps for staying safe

Use these apps to stay safe when traveling.

Smart Traveler

Smart Traveler is a free service that offers tips and information specifically for U.S. travelers. You can see what visas and vaccines you'll need before traveling and where to find help if you need it during your trip.

Register your trip on the app, which gives your information to local embassies and consulates in your destination. If there's any kind of disaster or tragedy, the local embassy can contact you to see if you need help.

TripWhistle

Another app dedicated to keeping you safe, TripWhistle maps your location and allows you to easily text or send your GPS coordinates or location. It also provides emergency numbers for firefighters, medical personnel and police in nearly 200 countries. After all, 911 is only for U.S.-based emergencies: Each country has its own specific emergency number.

Yes, Uber (or any local ride-hailing service app) is convenient, but it may also keep you safe. Using this app when traveling means you'll never get stuck wandering around in an unfamiliar area late at night or have to deal with unscrupulous taxi drivers trying to scam you. Uber also has in-app safety features such as an emergency assistance button which will allow you to call local emergency services right in the app.

Best travel apps in 2021

Beat the traffic, avoid flight delays and find a place to stay on your next trip

The best travel apps are the ones that take all the stress out of a trip, freeing you up to enjoy the journey. And fortunately, you've got a lot of choices when it comes to finding apps that can help you plan your next getaway. 

You'll find everything from trip planners and itinerary generators to online marketplaces for flights and hotels in both the Play Store and Apple's store for apps. Combine one of the best travel apps with some great travel tech , and your chances for a smooth trip will increase dramatically.

• These are the best Android apps overall
• Get better trip photos with the best Android camera apps

Not sure where to look first? We've found a list of the best travel apps for when you're ready to hit the road again after sticking close to home for more than a year.

1. MyTSA (Free: Android; iOS)

Before you hit the road, make sure you've got MyTSA on your smartphone. The official app of the Transportation Security Administration isn't going to win any beauty contests, but it will let you check wait times at security checkpoints at major airpots. And that can help you plan on how much travel time you need to allow.

The app includes historical wait-time data while also giving you the option of checking crowd-sourced reports of how long security lines are at that moment. The ability to search what you can bring on a plane, get live assistance and find out info on the TSA PreCheck program make this a good app for travelers to keep handy on their smartphone.

Download MyTSA: Android , iOS

2. Expedia (Android, iOS: Free)

If you're a frequent traveller, you need a good all-in-one travel app, and Expedia is a tried-and-true option. You can book every aspect of your trip through Expedia, including hotels, flights and rental cars. The app also lets you bundle deals on travel and lodging, look for cruises, and research things to do when you arrive at your destination. 

If you're looking to stretch your travel budget even farther, Expedia promises exclusive deals for mobile users, with members of Expedia's rewards program enjoying additional perks. 

Download Expedia: Android , iOS

3. Flighty (iOS: Free)

There are flight trackers, and then there's Flighty, an iOS app for people who really want to know the location and arrival time of their plane. The free version of the app gives you basic flight-tracking tools, but pay up for a subscription ($8.99 a month or $49.99 per year), and you get access to more sophisticated features such as push notifications, syncing with TripIt or with calendars, and an assistant to help with your flight connections. 

Flighty also claims to be able to predict flight delays by monitoring inbound planes for 25 hours and monitoring FAA-mandated delays. You can check out the portions of the paid app for free during a 14-day trial.

Download Flighty: iOS

4. Hopper (Android, iOS: Free)

Another app bringing big data and predictive algorithms to the world of air travel is Hopper It uses a massive database of airline prices and historical trends to predict when prices to a destination are likely to be lowest, when they're likely to change, and the best time to buy a ticket for a particular date and destination. 

You can watch flights on specific dates or destinations, and the app will advise you whether it's worth it to buy now or to wait, tell you the dates when it's likely cheapest to fly, estimate changes in price, and notify you of price drops or rises. You can also save your payment details within the app for quick booking.

Download Hopper: Android , iOS

5. iExit (Android, iOS: Free)

If your travel plans involve a lot of driving, iExit works as a handy freeway exit guide, listing nearby highway exits, as well as the kind of businesses and amenities there are nearby. Need to gas up or find some good food or a place to stay for the night? iExit’s search tools come to the rescue, showing you nearby gas stations (with price data powered by GasBuddy), motels, and even deals and discounts from nearby businesses.

Download iExit: Android , iOS

6. Waze (Android; iOS)

Nothing gets a vacation off on the wrong foot like getting stuck in traffic. Waze can't eliminate the traffic, but it can help you get around any jams, especially if you're in an unfamiliar city. 

The navigation app feeds your smartphone real-time traffic information, based on reports from other Waze users. That data includes accidents, speed traps and other hazards that might keep you from getting to your destination in a timely fashion. 

Other features sure to impress travelers include automatic rerouting, cheap gas alerts and the ability to send your ETA to anyone waiting at your final stop.

Download Waze: Android , iOS

7. Skiplagged (Android, iOS: Free)

If you're traveling light and looking to save a few bucks, check out Skiplagged. It's a neat app that can keep your travel costs down by taking advantage of "hidden city flights", where flyers get off at a layover, instead of at the final destination. 

Enter your origin and destination, and Skiplagged will show you the cost of a direct flight, as well as any cheaper "hidden city" flights that have your intended destination as a layover. The caveat? Stick to carry-on luggage, as any checked-in bags will go all the way to the flight's final destination. 

Skiplagged also allows you to book hotels, including last-minute deals and special offers.

Download Skiplagged: Android , iOS

8. Flio (Android, iOS: Free)

Flio aims to be the all-in-one companion app for harried travelers making their way through airports worldwide. An official partner of 300 airports, Flio also has info on thousands more. That lets the app feature terminal maps, a boarding pass scanner, a flight tracker and directions to shuttle buses and booking options for everything from parking to lounge access. 

The app's sheer variety of services and features make it a great addition to the app toolkit of frequent fliers and vacationers alike.

Download Flio: Android , iOS

9. AtYourGate (Android, iOS: Free)

AtYourGate is another helpful airport companion that focuses more about retail opportunities while you're killing time waiting at the airport. If you need food, supplies (like say a phone charger to replace the one you forgot to pack), or last-minute gifts, you can browse the AtYourGate app for nearby shops and restaurants instead of having to wander around the airport. 

AtYourGate users can order food or other items, pay through the app, and even arrange for the item to be delivered to them right at their gate, lounge, or other location. AtYourGate currently operates in a select number of major airports, including JFK, La Guardia, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Portland, San Diego, and Newark.

Download AtYourGate: Android , iOS

10. Mobile Passport (Android, iOS: Free)

Mobile Passport is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection-approved app that helps speed you through lengthy immigration lines. It allows anyone with U.S. or Canadian passports to submit their passport control and customs declarations through the app, replacing paper forms and providing faster processing in a number of major US airports where the Mobile Passport service is supported. 

The app will save you a good amount of time in line, but it’s no reason to leave your physical passport at home. Mobile Passport is a companion app, not a replacement.

Download Mobile Passport: Android , iOS

11. TripIt (Android, iOS: Free)

TripIt promises to cut back on the travel hassle by consolidating your travel plans into a simple, convenient itinerary. Viewable online and synced to your cell phone, you can also share itineraries with your contacts. 

You just link your email account to TripIt, and the service will automatically dig through your inbox for reservation confirmations and other forms. Using that data, TripIt builds an organized itinerary of your flight boarding times, hotel check-ins and more. While TripIt is a free download, a $48.99 annual subscription gets you features like real-time flight alerts and updates on how long airport lines are.

Download TripIt: Android , iOS

12. App In The Air (Android, iOS: Free)

App In The Air is designed to help you through the entire process of your airplane flight, serving as a booking assistant that reminds you of your gate, ETA, check-in requirements, baggage tips, and more. 

The app condenses all of this important information so that it's easy to refer to at a glance, while also providing handy extras. You can view a summary of your airline's baggage rules (or even have an augmented reality overlay that you can use to measure your baggage to see if it will fit for carry-on or overhead guidelines). 

Travelers can integrate the app with TripIt, track loyalty rewards, view airplane amenities and even forward their details to their Apple Watch or Android Wear device. A premium subscription ($29.99 per year) includes real-time flight status updates, automated check-ins, and more.

Download App In The Air: Android , iOS

13. GasBuddy (Android, iOS: Free)

If road trips are more your thing, consider GasBuddy, a mobile app that helps users track down the cheapest gas in their region. Users can tap into their GPS location through their phone, or search by address or zip code to find the nearby gas prices.

As many of the prices are based on user reports, GasBuddy rewards users with points for reporting and updating a station's prices, with points making you eligible for regular raffles of prizes like free gas.

Download GasBuddy: Android , iOS

14. Roadtrippers (Android, iOS: Free)

Another handy travel companion when you hit the road is the aptly named Roadtrippers, a trip planning and itinerary app that lets you plot your next road trip, and helps you discover destinations, attractions, and useful stops along the way. 

With Roadtrippers, you can share your route and schedule with friends and family. The app helps users find everything from diners and dives to hotels, restaurants, national parks, roadside attractions and other scenic points of interest. 

If doing that research on a small phone screen stresses you out, you can plan trips in the Roadtrippers web portal if you prefer, saving locations and stops into a trip plan which you can sync across multiple devices for easy reference.

Download Roadtrippers: Android , iOS

15. PackPoint (Android, iOS: Free)

PackPoint is a travel packing wizard that provides a checklist of travel essentials that you'll need to pack, depending on the nature of your trip. 

Simply create a trip profile with your destination, length of stay and purpose of travel. PackPoint then creates a customized packing and luggage checklist that takes into account whether you're traveling for business or pleasure, the type and amount of clothing to pack based on the weather forecast and other factors. 

The app also comes with a variety of premium features, such as TripIt integration for automatic packing list creation.

Download PackPoint: Android , iOS

16. TripAdvisor (Android, iOS: Free)

TripAdvisor is your crowd-sourced guide to hotels, restaurants and attractions worldwide. The app allows you to browse through plenty of reviews, images and videos featuring various establishments worldwide to get a better idea of what awaits you at your destination. 

You can also access contact details; search for nearby establishments; explore restaurants by food type, price range or rating; check out air fares; and even add to the knowledge base by posting your own reviews, images and entries for the places you visit. There are even some handy "Near Me Now" features to alert you of nearby points of interest once you're on the scene.

Download TripAdvisor: Android , iOS

17. Airbnb (Android, iOS: Free)

Airbnb is a marketplace app that allows users to search for and find unique accommodations across the world, from mom-and-pop B&Bs for a night, to a small apartment for a week, or even a castle for a month. There's no shortage of quirky and unique establishments. Airbnb covers a range of prices in more than 34,000 cities across almost 200 countries, which means the adventurous or flexible traveler has some interesting choices for accommodations on their next trip.

Download Airbnb: Android , iOS

18. Vrbo (Android, iOS: Free)

Vrbo's mobile app is another option for finding places to stay on your next trip. At Vrbo, the emphasis is on vacation rentals, and with 2 million unique places to stay in 190-plus countries, you've got plenty of options. 

Use the Vrbo app to search for vacation homes, plan your trip and book your lodging. The app also gives you access to key booking details — what is the Wi-Fi password at your rental property, anyway? — and lets you share your itinerary with friends and family.

Download Vrbo: Android , iOS

19. Hotel Tonight (Android, iOS: Free)

If you unexpectedly need to look for last minute hotel rooms, check out  HotelTonight. It offers last-minute discounts on vacancies and same-night accommodations from top-rated hotels. Users can search by category and quality such as Basic, Hip or Luxe; view information on nearby hotels; and quickly book accommodations from within the app.

Download HotelTonight: Android , iOS

20. GlobeTips (iOS: Free)

How much should you tip? GlobeTips is a handy app that can tell you how much gratuity is customary wherever you are in the world. In addition to global tipping guides, GlobeTips includes a calculator for automatically calculating the tip, splitting the bill, and handling sales tax.

Download GlobeTips: iOS

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22 Best Travel Apps Every Traveler Should Know About

From tracking flight delays, finding last-minute accommodations, and even locating the nearest public restroom, these are the most helpful travel apps to download before you travel.

Using the right travel apps can help you save both time and money , while making the journey much less stressful . Many of these apps also provide local recommendations and hidden gems tourists don't often get to see — and some are completely free.

Whether you're looking for an app that will give you discounts for popular local events, offer a last-minute booking at a fraction of the price, or help you breeze through the airport , these are the 22 best travel apps to download before your next trip.

Citymapper helps travelers find the speediest route to their destination, providing step-by-step instructions on where to find the nearest bus and train stations. You'll be able to see when the next arrivals are, and 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 your E.T.A. wherever you are.

Available on iOS and Android .

PackPoint takes the hassle out of packing by creating a customized list of what you'll need for your getaway. 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 custom packing list you can save for future use. Besides checking weather conditions for you, the app also allows users to share their packing lists with fellow travelers.

The beauty of Rebtel is 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 51 countries around the world without having to deal with the hassle of getting a local SIM card or racking up your phone bill.

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 length, starting location, and trail quality, AllTrails includes reviews and photos from a community of hikers and 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.

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 5,000 hotels in 23 countries, and allows you to make free cancellations at the last minute, in case you manage to catch an earlier flight.

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

The prices of flights 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 find the cheapest fares, saving up to 40 percent. The app also has a price-monitoring feature so that you can select a particular flight and receive alerts if the price drops. Through Hopper, users can also compare the prices and amenities of more than 250 airlines and get alerts about airfare flash sales.

RV Parks & Campgrounds

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

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 right in your pocket. That's because you can access hundreds of free workouts from Nike Master Trainers and celebrities like Kevin Hart, Serena Williams, and Cristiano Ronaldo. Audio and video clips help you make sure you're on top of your technique, while personalized training plans will keep you on track.

If 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 pre-order your meal so you can pick it up on the way. The app currently operates at over 60 airports worldwide, giving you plenty of bites to choose from on your next trip.

GasBuddy is the app you'll want if you're taking a road trip. GasBuddy tracks down where to find the cheapest gas prices, allowing you to filter by price, location, brand, and amenities. It also provides you with deals at nearby convenience stores and price hike alerts so you can nail down the best prices every time.

Want to know what local events are taking place at your destination? Headout will show you the top attractions, shows, tours, and experiences in popular cities like New York, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Orlando, Hawaii, Dubai, and more.

Activities range from catching a Broadway show, yoga in the hills, or taking a helicopter tour, with exclusive last-minute offers that can be up to 80 percent off.

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 a VPN (virtual private network) that will encrypt your browsing data to keep your information hidden from hackers and advertisers. The app comes with 500MB of free browsing data each month, or you can opt for unlimited data at a low monthly rate.

Hostelworld

Hostelworld is where you'll find more than 17,000 hostels, hotels, B&B's, and communal spaces in 178 countries. The app is great for solo travelers looking to meet fellow vacationers during their trip, including a Noticeboard that highlights events and meetups, and a translator that will help you communicate in up to 43 languages.

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

Eatwith allows you to dine with locals, in their homes, 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 iOS and Android.

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

While banks may charge you a fee for transferring money abroad, Wise allows you to make a transfer based on real-time currency exchanges, so you can send money at rates the company says are up to eight times cheaper than what you'd find at traditional banks.

TripIt makes it easy to put together a cohesive travel itinerary. Simply forward your confirmation emails, like your hotel and flight reservations, or your rental car reservation, and TripIt will build a full itinerary to help you stay organized with all of your plans.

With real-time alerts, you'll know if your flight is delayed or canceled, while the flight finder can help you book a new option should a cancellation occur.

Another good app for the road, Waze gives you community-based data about traffic jams, and information to locate 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.

Xe provides live exchange rates and charts to keep you on top of money matters during your travels, easily allowing you to choose between different currencies you'd like to convert. It also has a rate alert so that you can monitor your favorite currencies — and it can be used offline.

Timeshifter

If you're sick of the jet lag battle that inevitably comes with travel, check out Timeshifter , an app that helps you to avoid jet lag long before your flight departs. Thanks to neuroscience research on circadian rhythms and sleep, the app provides personalized recommendations that take into account your age, gender, typical sleep patterns, and specifics about your trip. The app will tell you when you should avoid or seek daylight, and when you should stay awake or take a nap. The result? A gentle jet lag experience, which translates to more time exploring your destination.

FlightAware

If you have a tight connection or are picking up friends or family from the airport, look to FlightAware for help. The app tracks flights in real time, so you can see exactly where the aircraft is at any given moment. In addition to providing arrivals and delays, you can also see if weather will have any affect on certain locations.

Evie Carrick is a writer and editor who’s lived in five countries and visited well over 50. She now splits her time between Colorado and Paris, ensuring she doesn't have to live without skiing or L'As du Fallafel.

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The best travel apps for iOS and Android

The smartphone is the modern-day travel agent. From the palm of your hand, you can book flights, plan accommodations, and even reserve a seat at a seaside restaurant using nothing more than your phone.

Finding the most affordable flight and hotel and making sure you’ll have plenty of cash to spend during your trip can be challenging. Check out these travel-booking apps to be a master planner. Once your trip is booked, you can use the best flight-tracking apps to make sure traveling is as seamless as possible. You’ll also need some directions once you’ve arrived to make sure you get to your hotel and see everything that you want to see, so we’ve included apps for that too.

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Planning your itinerary

While many of us have canceled travel plans this past year due to restrictions on travel, there’s no time like the present to plan your next vacation. Our favorite travel apps for iOS and Android can help you enjoy a stress-free vacation where all you should be thinking about is having an amazing time.

Airport travel, especially in the United States, can be a confusing and daunting experience. MyTSA, a U.S. government-sponsored app, demystifies all the rules you need to follow in order to avoid a stare down and possible delays by security agents who are trying to do their jobs. Discover which items you can bring with you through the security checkpoint and onto the aircraft, request live assistance from the Transportation Safety Administration, check how historically busy your chosen airport will be on a given day, check crowd-sourced security wait times and offer your own estimates, check for delays and current weather conditions, and find out how to access and sign up for TSA PreCheck to get you through security in a jiffy. New updates customize the Dashboard, let you view airports in a map, and get directions to the airport.

iOS   Android

Flights, hotels, rental cars — Skyscanner has got you covered. The app searches for the most affordable and best options via its travel partners. Similar to Google Flights , you can see the cheapest dates to fly, and you can also get alerts when prices change. If you’re not sure where exactly you want to go, Skyscanner offers a category that lets you explore Top Deals from your nearest airport as well as a curated list of destinations at affordable prices. You can now monitor your bookings with status updates in Trips and move booked flights from one trip to another. This lets you move things around without losing your saved details. New versions let you discover which countries have low entry restrictions and no quarantine regulations. With flexible booking and free cancellation options, you won’t lose money if your plans change.

For many, Kayak is the go-to trip planning destination — and for good reason. Like Skyscanner, Kayak searches across various travel sites for rental cars, hotels, and flights. Kayak often has exclusive deals, and you can set price alerts and use Price Forecast to see whether you should buy now or wait. Kayak also acts as a trip planner, offering important details at a glance, like your hotel confirmation number or gate number. You can also access these details in real time and on devices such as the Apple Watch. The app now suggests hotels at launch and can even pinpoint results if you’re traveling with kids, while the car search now supports addresses. From hotels to guest houses, the app displays different categories of accommodation to help you narrow down where you’re spending the night, complete with sleeping arrangements so you can plan and book your next stay.

If you’re looking for the cheapest possible price for a plane ticket, you need to download Hopper. Like Kayak and Skyscanner, you can look at the cheapest dates to fly, but Hopper prides itself on telling you when to buy your tickets via push notifications. The company says it can save you up to 40% on your next flight by analyzing and tracking billions of flights. The user interface is simple, and Hopper says you can book a flight in 60 seconds or less. You can now set a watch for a specific hotel you want to stay in instead of setting a watch for the entire city where it’s located.

Whether it’s legal in the city you’re visiting or not, Airbnb is a household name. The app undercuts hotels by offering far cheaper prices and a more authentic experience by allowing you to stay with a local, or in their home. The app also offers a feature called Trips , which offers Experiences to choose from during your stay — these are curated events you can partake in with local guides. Eventually, the app will become an all-in-one travel app that lets you plan your day, book a car, and more. The latest update includes improvements to the browsing functionality for a new way of searching.

Hotel Tonight

Did your Airbnb plans fall through? Did your flights get delayed at your layover? You never know what will happen with your booking, and Hotel Tonight is a reliable service that thrives on last-minute deals. The company partners with hotels to offer discounts on empty rooms, and you’ll be able to book one in under 10 seconds. You also get 24/7 customer service from the Hotel Tonight team in case something goes awry. The app has launched a Daily Drop feature that offers a super-economical deal for the day. You can also book multiple rooms in a single go and broadcast that info via group chat. The new Local Getaways is available at a glance from the new Hotel Tonight widget to show you the best deals nearby.

Booking.com

With Booking.com, you can find the best hotel deals at a moment’s notice, or in advance. The handy hotel comparison feature lets you compare features and prices, with over 135 million reviews from other users to help you choose your accommodation. Hotels, motels, B&Bs, and luxury apartments for your next trip are all bookable in seconds, with paperless confirmation, no booking or credit card fees, and 24/7 support from the Booking.com team.

Get a ride from 600-plus airports in more than 10,000 cities worldwide, Uber is the global king of ridesharing apps . The app pioneered on-demand services, and it can be particularly handy when you’re abroad. You can quickly request a car within the app after perusing an assortment of differing vehicle rates and fare quotes. Afterward, you can connect with your personal driver, track the approaching car’s location, and securely pay your fare using a credit card — no cash needed. Rather than trying to find a taxi or a taxi stand, just bring one straight to you. Uber is constantly updating its app to improve features like trip sharing, ride selection, and tipping. Updates improve localization across the app.

Google Maps

Google Maps is an essential travel app to have. It offers directions for travel by car, on public transit, on foot, by cab, or by bicycle. You’ll find it fairly reliable in offering up local public transportation options in many countries, and you can also download specific areas for offline use. You can also use Maps to find out when places like museums or restaurants close and check to see how busy a place is in real time along with using the app to find local restaurants, bars, and attractions. You can even search for hotels by features like free Wi-Fi, pet friendliness, or air conditioning, for example. You can now view and manage all your favorite places from the Your Places page. You can also use Google Assistant while driving, so you can focus on the road and quickly get estimated arrival times and step-by-step directions to destinations you’ve saved.

With a growing list of countries, Citymapper is one of the best tools to find and use public transportation. It connects with a few ridesharing services, offers the fastest way to arrive at your destination, and best of all, lets you check out subway and train times offline for a number of cities. You can subscribe to specific train or bus lines, and the app can even alert you when you need to get off the bus, which is handy when you’re riding for the first time in a new country. The app now features a SuperRouter that lets you view floating brands like cycles, scooters, mopeds, car sharing with full travel times — including walking and availability. A wheelchair-accessible section is now available for some locations. The newest version features new Routing Powers: Fast for the fastest route, with routes updated and re-ranked every 60 seconds, and Price, which compares fares to find the cheapest route.

Preparation and finding places

There’s always something we forget to do before a trip, whether it’s failing to pack sunscreen or change some currency. Take a look at these apps to keep you on track. Looking for a spot for lunch? Have some extra time and want to check out another museum? Scroll down for apps that offer up things to do and the best-rated places to eat during your stay.

Making a checklist of everything you need to pack can be useful, but what if one’s already made for you? PackPoint looks at the weather forecast for the dates and location of your trip. It will also ask you to select activities you may participate in during your trip, like a meeting for business, a swim at a pool, or a fancy dinner. It will then offer up a list of items you should pack based on these activities, along with general items you’d need on any trip. You can remove items you don’t think are necessary as well as share lists with others in case your friends need some help, too. You can now hide or tap and hold to reorder items on your list.

Xe Currency

While it’s not the prettiest app, Xe Currency is one of the more robust currency converter apps available for both iOS and Android . It’s constantly being updated and offers live exchange rates for every world currency and precious metals. What’s neat is that it can store the most recent rates, so you can access them if your device is offline. Also neat is support for Siri Shortcuts . You can now monitor up to 20 currencies at the same time.

Mobile Passport

Traveling to the U.S.? Mobile Passport lets you skip the regular line to enter the country and is officially authorized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. All you need to do to skip long lines is download this app and add your passport information — you can do this quickly by scanning it with your phone’s camera. Mobile Passport is accepted at more than two dozen airports in the U.S., so check ahead of time to see if your airport supports the app. A premium version is available for $15 per year and offers the convenience of a digital scanner and secure storage of your passports.

TripIt organizes all your travel plans in one place — just email your confirmations to them and they’ll create a master itinerary that syncs to your calendar and can be shared with your travel buddies. You can even store your travel documents in the app. Upgrade to Pro for $49 per year and you’ll enjoy additional features like flight alerts, terminal notifications, and seat tracker, which notifies you if better seats become available, as well as updates on security wait times and searchable airport maps with walking directions. New updates let you find the latest information for airlines you’re travelling with, including food and drinks service, cleaning procedures, middle-seat policy, and more. If your reservations include PDF files, you can share the files you upload — right from the app.

Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor is a catch-all app when it comes to travel. You can quickly peruse millions of reviews, opinions, videos, and photos pertaining to just about anything related to your trip — bars, restaurants, hotels, airlines, and more. You can use Tripadvisor’s Near Me function to find well-reviewed places close by, but the best feature the app has to offer is the number of countries it supports — it’s just about everywhere, making it a necessary guide for every traveler. You can also ask specific travel questions in the app’s forums or add your own reviews in a similar fashion to Yelp. New updates let you access your personal travel feed, find friends and get expert advice, and save travel ideas for the future. Improvements to the app offer access to coronavirus health and safety information for hotels, restaurants and experiences, let you book reservations with free cancellation, and organize and share ideas.

Yelp has officially become the Yellow Pages of restaurants and bars, and its use extends not just to the U.S., but all around the world. Its most powerful feature is the sheer number of reviews housed in the Yelp app — it’s an excellent resource for when you’re looking to hit some of the best spots in the country you’re visiting. Yelp also offers hours of operation, a phone number for listings, and sometimes even a menu, so you can be as prepared as possible before heading out. Businesses have been adding more health and safety information all year.

Language and day-to-day apps

If you’re traveling to a country where your native tongue isn’t the official language, you may as well pack a few of the best language apps to translate on the go or brush up on your language skills. We also have a handful of miscellaneous apps you may find useful during your time abroad.

If you need to get online fast without an expensive cellular connection, WiFi Map is the place to go for worldwide information. This app shows you the nearest free hot spots, complete with passwords and user comments. The app offers full map navigation to get you to the right place and lets you filter your search and test for connection speed. A network scan checks for intruders. There are even offline maps for travelers and a VPN (with the pro version) for secure, anonymous connections. You can also add new Wi-Fi connections yourself to help other travelers in your location.

Google Translate

Google Translate provides translations, which are now more conversational thanks to machine learning , between more than 100 different languages, allowing you to listen to translations out loud and translate dictation and your own handwriting on the screen. You can star your favorite words or phrases for offline access, view dictionary results for a single word or phrase, or use Siri Shortcuts for bilingual conversations. Look for more regional options for speech in English (U.S., U.K., Australia, and India), Bengali (Bangladesh and India), French (France and Canada), and Spanish (Mexico and Spain). You can now continuously translate someone speaking a different language in near real time.

If you’ve booked your trip months ahead of time, try tackling the country’s language in Duolingo. It offers beginner-level courses, but it’s also a great tool for those looking to brush up on a language. You can also chat with bots in select languages, which can be particularly helpful when you’re trying to learn the phrases you’re likely to use the most abroad. You can take placement tests to move up to tougher sections. Leaderboards get you into that competitive spirit with fellow users.

Memrise has more languages than Duolingo, and the app also uses mnemonics to help you memorize words and phrases. You can view video clips of native speakers the first time you try a new word or phrase, which allows you to hear local pronunciation. Swipe to listen to more audio and compare different pronunciations. The company says the app adapts to your learning style over time, and there’s a pro version that lets you unlock even more features, such as an offline mode.

Changing time zones and battling jet lag can make your travels extremely confusing if you’re moving around a lot. Circa, which is iOS-only, helps travelers track the time in the destination they’re heading to and the location they’re currently in. You can set a clock to match the time in your home country or a place where your loved ones are. The app highlights times in both locations where both parties are likely awake. The calendar ring helps you see your current availability or continue swiping to find an available time slot. This app is also compatible with Apple Watch.

WhatsApp is now home to more than a billion users. The app is free, no matter where you are in the world, and operates over a Wi-Fi connection. Add some fun to your conversations by sending stickers, photos, or videos to your contacts. Enable extra security features, like a Face ID or Touch ID, to unlock the app. You need Wi-Fi or a data phone plan to send messages via WhatsApp, but there are no international calling charges. The only downside is that you can only communicate with people who have the app. The newest versions have updated image and video previews, so you can now see more of the media in chat, and all group participants can now change the Disappearing Messages setting by default.

If you’re using a specific app to stay in touch with your loved ones while you’re traveling, but that app isn’t available in certain countries like China , you’ll need to get creative to ensure you don’t fall off the map. We recommend skirting around this issue by using a virtual private network ( VPN ). VPNs keep your private information inaccessible to others who may be on the same network, making it safer to use public Wi-Fi. NordVPN is our favorite service, partially because it has thousands of servers across the planet. This service will cost you about $12 monthly, but you can test whether you’d like to use it in a free seven-day trial. Additionally, they constantly offer promotions for an even lower monthly subscription fee. The VPN is compatible with phones, tablets, or laptops , and you shouldn’t have any trouble with geo-restrictions as NordVPN has servers across the globe ready to adjust to what you need. Ensure you’ll always have a safe connection, no matter where you are in the world, with a VPN .

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Apple has just released a new security update, iOS 17.4.1. This comes a little over two weeks after iOS 17.4, which was a big update. iOS 17.4.1 doesn't add any new features, but it's still an important update you'll want to download as soon as you can.

With iOS 17.4.1, Apple states that the update “provides important bug fixes and security updates and is recommended for all users.” Apple doesn’t mention any specifics of these bug fixes, but more details on what this security update addresses may be revealed at a later date.

When smartphones were in their infancy, battery packs were easy to replace. Most products let users open a flap on the back of the device to easily remove the battery, giving them a quick way to ditch a dead battery and install a new one. Fast forward to 2024, and that's a rarity. Replacing batteries is much more difficult today than it was a decade ago, and that's especially true for all iPhone models.

Whether you're working with the new iPhone 15 or an old iPhone 12, you can't just run out to the store and snag a new battery for your smartphone. Instead, you'll need to contact Apple directly or go through elaborate workarounds to install the battery yourself.

Having a second phone number can be handy for a variety of reasons. Perhaps you want to separate your business and personal calls, or you want a junk second number that you can use to sign up for services so you can avoid giving out your personal number to so many places. That's particularly importance with the frequency of annoying spam calls and messages that can pile up when your phone number is made public. You might also want a second number to use in situations where you want to be able to contact people occasionally but you don't necessarily want them to be able to reach your personal device directly, like when internet dating or using an app like AirBnB. Whatever the reason, there are many situations where having a number that you can give out which you can make use of but isn't directly tied to your personal life like your main phone number is can be important for safety and security.

While you could get a second SIM card (or even an eSIM), an easier option for casual use is to use an app that lets you set up a second phone line. Whether you're after an Android app or an iPhone app, you'll find plenty of options to get a second phone line, including some which are free to use. We've hunted down some of the best options for apps that will give you a second phone number for whatever reason you need it, and we're sharing them with you below. Vyke

All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

8 of the best travel apps that travel editors can't live without

By Charlotte Davey

The best travel apps, when used to your advantage, can be the most indispensable companion for a trip. Not only can they save you time and money, but they can also reduce any journey-induced stress. Need to work out costs on a group trip , translate a menu, or get from A to B when you don’t speak the language? There’s an App for that. But just as you don’t need a suitcase laden with unworn clothing, no one needs a phone clogged with gimmicky or useless apps. We asked our jet-setting editors to share the apps they genuinely use while travelling and the lesser-known gems that have saved a holiday. So while the BA App, Rome2Rio, or Monzo might be stalwarts of the frequent flyer’s home screen, here are the clever, hardworking Apps our travel insiders swear by.

Cost: Free to use (Wanderlog Pro includes additional features and costs around £40 per year)

USP: One of the best travel apps for planning every kind of trip, including road trips and group travel: create a trip itinerary, budget costs, organise flights and hotel reservations, and collaborate with friends. After your trip, share a travel guide to inspire other travellers.

Wanderlog brings everything you need to plan your trips into one seamless app experience. Its user-friendly, web-scanning database contains a huge wealth of information about sights, attractions and places to eat and drink. Not only can you find recommended hotspots through the app and add these to a map view, but you can also import reservation and flight details from your emails. Wanderlog is especially ideal for group trips. Your customised itineraries and lists can be edited by multiple people in real time, and users can leave notes for fellow travellers – such as a reminder of the must-have dish or dress code at a restaurant. Smart AI functionality means that the app can offer (editable) auto-generated itineraries as well. And if that isn’t enough, you can track expenses and cost-splitting too, indispensable for larger groups and squabble-prone families. Toyo Odetunde

Cost: Free to download.

USP: Request a chauffeur-driven, class-leading car on-demand or in advance for yourself or on behalf of others.

Wheely is a seriously plush chauffeur service within an easy-to-use app, currently operating in London, Paris , Dubai, and Moscow. What makes this ideal for the frequent flyer is that you can add in your flight details when booking an airport pick-up, so the driver knows exactly what time you’ll be landing (so no risk of them driving off if you’ve been delayed), and they’ll be ready and waiting for you (with your name on a sign) at arrivals. For any other queries, you can live chat with a real person (no bot responses here) – for example, if they can provide a baby seat (which they happily did for a recent family holiday ). Cars come with water and chargers as standard, and drivers are friendly, professional and knowledgeable. Peace of mind at the click of a button. Charlotte Davey

Hong Kong Taxi Cards

Cost: £1.99

USP: With over 9,000 Hong Kong addresses translated into written Chinese and Cantonese, equipped with a function to request additional addresses and get feedback quickly, this is not an ordinary dictionary-type translator app.

This is indispensable for travelling around Hong Kong if you’re not fluent in Cantonese. The App has pretty much every address ready in Chinese and Cantonese, so you can show your taxi driver where you want to go without getting lost in translation. It also has a speaking option which delivers the address fluently, which is really helpful if you have zero grasp of the language. Another handy feature is that the App will show you the journey time and estimate fare – something to remember is that not all taxis have card machines so you’ll need to make sure you have enough cash on you before you hail a cab. Matt Buck

Cost: Free to download (Splitwise Pro costs £2.79)

Sophie Heawood

Arati Menon

Lauren Burvill

CNT Editors

USP: Splitwise is the easiest way to share expenses with friends and family and stop stressing about “who owes who”.

This is a game changer for working out costs on group trips. Everyone in the party signs up, and then you simply enter your expenses as you go – with a description of what it was (flights, accommodation, food, etc) and who it needs to be split between (i.e. the whole group or just those who were in the taxi, for example). It’s a great way to stay on top of costs, from larger expenses to smaller spending, like a round at the bar. At the end of the trip, click ‘simplify debts’, and you should be left with just one transaction each to ensure everyone has paid the same amount. You can label each trip and see who has settled up, and if someone doesn’t pay the App will send them helpful reminders (saving pennies and friendships). Charlotte Davey

Google Translate

USP: Translate between up to 133 languages with instant camera translation.

Google Translate is nothing new, but if you download the app, you can use the camera on your phone to upload signs, labels, or menus for an instant translation. This is a lifesaver for travelling in a country that doesn’t use the English alphabet or a language you’re unsure how to pronounce. The platform is currently proficient in 133 languages, so this is a great one wherever you are in the world. The App also works offline so you don’t need to worry about data roaming charges. Another function that is noteworthy is the speaker option – not only can you point your phone at a sign for a translation, but it will then speak in your chosen language, which is particularly helpful for those who are visually impaired. Charlotte Davey

USP: Find wheelchair-accessible restaurants, cafes, toilets, shops, cinemas, parking lots, bus stops and much more.

Developed by a not-for-profit company based in Germany , this is a great app for wheelchair users, families travelling with prams, or even for those with heavy suitcases navigating public transport. Operating in over 30 countries, a vast number of restaurants, stations, shops, and more are shown on an interactive map with a traffic light system for whether it is fully accessible (green), part accessible (yellow), or not accessible (red). The App replies to users rating places they have visited, so less touristy areas won’t have as much information. Charlotte Davey

Cost: Free to download

USP: Stay connected in over 200 countries and regions. Install an eSIM and get online in minutes with no roaming fees.

Especially handy if you’re travelling through different countries, Airalo allows you to use different eSim cards to keep your data roaming costs down. The App is free to download, and then simply choose the country you’re in, and select a data plan depending on how long you're there and how much you’ll be using your phone. You can often save around £10 for a week's holiday which is worth it if you’re a frequent flyer or watching the pennies while travelling. Sophie Knight

Cost: Free to use. In-app purchases.

USP: Whering is the digital wardrobe and styling app where you can curate, organise, style and plan your outfits.

Whering is essentially a portable digital wardrobe – a ‘Clueless’ style outfit planner on your mobile phone. Fill your in-app wardrobe by uploading photos of your clothes, or by importing images from the app’s cosmic database or your favourite online retailers. Whering will then process these images into sleek, combinable ‘cut-outs’, allowing you to put together countless outfits, looks and mood boards, which can also be organised by occasion. If you’re short on time, or feeling either uninspired or spontaneous, Whering’s AI can deliver outfit suggestions in seconds – even taking into account the weather forecast, ideal when travelling a country you’re not familiar with (or just braving London’s erratic climes). The Planner function is especially great for trips, storing your outfit ideas for specific dates and events. Also great for travel planning is the packing list feature; you can add items to a packing list for a particular destination, and Whering can suggest items you may have forgotten. Toyo Odetunde

• Deutschland
• Asia, Australia & New Zealand
• Europe, Middle East & Africa
• United States & Canada
• Latinoamérica

of users who paid for a travel app did so because it provided content they wanted.

Google/Ipsos, U.S., "How People Use Their Phones for Travel," n=500, smartphone users aged 18–64 who have paid to download a travel app, Oct. 2016.

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Travel apps 19, related data.

Mobile searches for " flights to ___ " have grown by over 110% in the past 2 years (flights to vegas, flights to hawaii, flights to miami).

Mobile searches for "hotels with ____" grew over 60% in the past 2 years (ac hotels with pools, albany airport hotels with shuttle service, anchorage hotels with hot tub in room, arizona hotels with lazy river, atlanta hotels with smoking rooms).

Mobile searches for “place(s) to travel” (such as, “top places to travel in the world” and “best place to travel in february”) have more than doubled over the past two years.

An easy-to-use website matters more than online reviews or even loyalty programs to high-value travelers .

Travel landing pages 01

of mobile users in the U.S. are comfortable researching, planning, and booking, an entire trip to a new travel destination using only their smartphone.

Travel landing pages 03

Mobile usage per B2B worker is expected to increase from 2 hours per day to 3 hours per day by 2020, driven by millennials, Gen Zers, and the increased use of smartphones by older workers.

Mobile B2B 04

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23 User-friendly Travel App Design Examples

• BY Bogdan Sandu
• 26 December 2023

Imagine holding a compass that doesn’t just point north, but guides you to hidden cafes in Paris, tranquil beaches in Thailand, and buzzing bazaars in Istanbul – all in your pocket. That’s what stellar  travel app design  is all about. In a world constantly on the move, the right blend of intuitive interface and indispensable features in a travel app can redefine adventure for wanderers and planners alike.

You’re about to embark on a journey through the art and science of crafting digital gateways that not only lead you to your next destination but become an essential part of the experience.

Whether you’re planning a solo retreat or a group escapade, knowing what goes behind the screen will reshape how you view travel apps.

From  map integrations  that simplify navigation to  personalization  giving you a tailor-made experience, we’ll uncover the digital threads that weave the fabric of a successful travel app.

You’ll not just learn; you’ll gain the insight to discern what makes an app go from handy to have to impossible to live without. Prepare to dive into an ocean of pixels and possibilities!

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The Thriving Travel Content Creator’s Guide You Need in 2024

Last Updated on January 30, 2024 by The Digital Travel Expert

Being a successful travel content creator where every corner of the globe has been Instagrammed, TikToked requires more than just stunning visuals and witty captions. Aspiring globetrotters have saturated the digital space with their adventures, leaving both travelers and travel professionals yearning for authenticity and innovation.

What is a travel content creator then?

Table of Contents

How to become a travel content creator

In this guide, we’ll dive into the uncharted waters of travel content creation, revealing the secrets to crafting content that not only enchants casual wanderers but also captivates the discerning eyes of travel industry experts. From mastering digital skills like SEO and Travel Social Media Marketing to embracing the art of storytelling and delving into influencer marketing, we’ll explore the road less traveled to help you carve a niche in this competitive landscape.

1. The Power of SEO: Navigating the Digital Compass

In the vast sea of travel content, being discoverable is the key to success. While many blogs touch upon the importance of SEO travel content , few delve into the nuances of effective keyword research and leveraging long-tail keywords. Imagine your blog as a treasure map – strategically placing keywords unlocks the hidden gems within your content, making it irresistible to both travelers and industry professionals alike.

2. Social Media Alchemy: Turning Likes into Lifelong Followers

Beyond the basic tips of consistent posting and engaging captions, the real alchemy of travel social media strategies lies in understanding the algorithmic magic of each platform. Dive deep into the analytics, decipher the patterns of your audience, and tailor your content accordingly. Unveil the mystery behind the timing of your posts, the ideal length of captions, and the enchanting allure of storytelling through visuals.

3. Influencer Marketing: Building Bridges in the Digital Realm

While most blogs touch upon the surface of influencer marketing , the real art is in building meaningful relationships. Develop a symbiotic connection with brands, fellow creators, and your audience. Showcase the human side of your travels, allowing your followers to feel like they are part of your journey rather than just spectators.

4. Photography Beyond the Frame: Crafting a Visual Symphony

It’s not just about capturing beautiful landscapes; it’s about telling a story through your lens. Break away from the clichés and dive into the world of experimental photography . Experiment with perspectives, play with colors and make each image a portal into the soul of your destination. This not only captures the imagination of travelers but also garners respect from industry professionals appreciating the artistry behind the lens.

5. Storytelling: Weaving Narratives That Resonate

Beyond the allure of picturesque destinations, it’s the stories that linger in the hearts of your audience. Move beyond the standard itinerary reviews and infuse your content with the soul of your travels. Share the mishaps, the unexpected encounters, and the personal growth each journey brings. A well-told story not only sparks wanderlust but also resonates with the professionals seeking authentic voices to collaborate with.

Unveiling the Untold Truths: Navigating the Realities of Being a Content Creator

Behind the lens and beyond the captivating narratives, being a content creator unveils a complex tapestry of challenges, sacrifices, and unexpected realities.

The Unfiltered Realities

1. Struggle Beyond the Frame

While Instagram feeds may paint a picture of perpetual wanderlust , the truth is that behind every awe-inspiring shot lies a myriad of challenges. From navigating unfamiliar territories to battling unpredictable weather conditions, the life of a content creator is far from a perpetual vacation. The struggle to capture the perfect moment often involves long hours, unexpected setbacks, and a relentless pursuit of creativity.

2. Financial Realities

Contrary to the perception of endless sponsorships and freebies, financial stability is a constant tightrope walk for many content creators. While some manage to secure lucrative partnerships, others grapple with the inconsistency of income streams.

The costs associated with equipment, travel expenses, and content production can quickly escalate, creating a financial juggling act that remains hidden behind the glossy filters.

The Pressure of Perfection

1. Unrealistic Expectations

The pressure to maintain a flawless online presence and perpetually present an idealized version of life can be overwhelming. Many content creators find themselves ensnared in the pursuit of perfection, leading to burnout and a disconnection from the authentic experiences that initially fueled their passion. The balance between curated content and genuine storytelling becomes a delicate dance in the quest for validation.

2. Loneliness on the Road

While the allure of exploration is undeniable, the nomadic lifestyle often brings with it a profound sense of isolation . Constantly moving from one place to another can strain personal relationships, leaving content creators grappling with the solitude that accompanies the pursuit of their craft. The travel digital realm may connect them with thousands, but the physical presence of companionship remains elusive.

Behind the Scenes of Collaboration

1. Negotiation and Rejection

The glitzy collaborations and sponsored trips are only part of the story. Negotiating partnerships , dealing with rejection, and navigating the intricacies of contractual agreements are lesser-known aspects of the business. The seemingly effortless collaborations portrayed on social media often mask the behind-the-scenes efforts and negotiations that transpire.

2. Maintaining Authenticity

Striking a balance between sponsored content and authentic storytelling is a constant tightrope walk. Travel content creators grapple with the challenge of preserving their unique voices while meeting the expectations of brands. The untold truth is that many creators face the dilemma of compromising authenticity for commercial success.

Key Takeaways on Successful Travel Content Creation

Successful travel content creation hinges on a dynamic combination of digital skills, niche specialization, and industry experience.

First and foremost, proficiency in essential digital skills like SEO, Social Media Marketing, and Influencer Marketing is non-negotiable. Mastery of travel SEO ensures discoverability in the vast digital landscape, while adept social media strategies leverage platforms effectively for audience engagement. Influencer Marketing fosters collaborations that extend a creator’s reach and impact.

Beyond technical prowess, identifying and establishing a unique travel niche is imperative. Whether it’s sustainable travel, culinary explorations, luxury getaways, or adventure tourism, carving a distinct niche fosters authenticity and resonance with a specific audience .

Furthermore, having firsthand experience in the travel and hospitality industry adds unparalleled depth to content. Whether it’s working in hotels, tour operations, or as a travel agent, this experience enriches storytelling with insider insights, fostering credibility and a nuanced perspective.

In essence, the synergy of digital skills, travel niche specialization , and industry experience forms the bedrock of compelling and influential travel content creation.

Thought-provoking FAQs about travel content creator

How do you balance the ethical responsibility of promoting travel with the environmental impact of tourism.

It’s a crucial consideration for travel content creators. Beyond showcasing the beauty of destinations, responsible creators are increasingly mindful of their role in promoting sustainable and eco-friendly travel. They may address this by featuring lesser-known destinations , promoting eco-conscious accommodations, and advocating for responsible tourism practices.

How do you handle cultural appropriation concerns when featuring diverse destinations in your content?

In an era where cultural sensitivity is paramount, travel content creators must navigate the fine line between appreciation and appropriation. Acknowledging and respecting local customs, traditions, and history becomes essential. Some creators actively collaborate with local voices to ensure an authentic representation of the culture they’re showcasing.

Can you share a moment when your travel content inadvertently impacted a local community, either positively or negatively?

Travel content creators often find themselves unintentionally influencing the places they visit. Whether it’s unintentionally boosting tourism to a lesser-known town or inadvertently contributing to overtourism, sharing these stories helps shed light on the unforeseen consequences of their influence and encourages a reflective approach to content creation.

How do you deal with the mental health challenges of constantly being on the move and the pressure to create engaging content?

Travel content creators often face burnout due to the relentless demand for fresh and exciting content. Addressing the mental health aspect of this profession is crucial. Some may openly discuss their struggles, emphasizing the importance of self-care, balance, and the reality behind the curated images.

How do you handle negative feedback or criticism, especially when it comes to cultural sensitivity or ethical concerns?

While travel content creators aim to inspire and uplift, they are not immune to criticism. Addressing negative feedback gracefully and learning from it is an art. This may involve openly acknowledging mistakes, educating oneself, and committing to continuous growth and improvement. This question is asked to people applying for travel content creator jobs.

How do you stay true to your unique voice and style while still meeting the expectations of brands and sponsors?

Navigating the balance between authenticity and commercial viability is a challenge. Travel content creators may discuss the delicate dance of maintaining their brand identity while adhering to the requirements of collaborations. Finding brands that align with their values becomes paramount.

In a world saturated with travel content, how do you keep your work from becoming just another “Instagrammable” post without substance?

This question delves into the core of meaningful content creation . Travel influencers may share insights into their creative process, emphasizing the importance of storytelling, depth, and authenticity over mere aesthetics. It’s about creating content that resonates rather than just follows trends.

How do you handle the pressure to constantly portray a glamorous and envy-inducing lifestyle, and do you ever feel the need to be more transparent about the challenges of a life on the road?

The perception of an idealized travel lifestyle can be deceiving . Some content creators discuss the pressure to maintain a glamorous facade and the importance of showcasing the realities, challenges, and behind-the-scenes moments. Authenticity becomes a key factor in connecting with the audience.

What steps do you take to ensure your collaborations align with your values, and have you ever turned down a lucrative opportunity due to ethical concerns?

As travel content creators increasingly become influencers, the question of ethical collaborations arises. Some may discuss their criteria for partnerships, the due diligence they conduct on brands, and instances where they turned down opportunities that didn’t align with their principles.

How do you foresee the future of travel content creation evolving in response to changing global circumstances, such as pandemics or geopolitical shifts?

Content creators in the travel sector are not immune to the global changes affecting the industry. This question explores their foresight and adaptability, discussing how they anticipate adjusting their content, travel strategies, and overall approach in response to unforeseen challenges.

More tips on and questions on travel content creation

What does a travel content creator do.

Content creators in the travel and hospitality industry seamlessly weave the tapestry of their global adventures, blending digital finesse in SEO , social media, and influencer marketing. Through captivating storytelling and visually arresting photography, they transcend wanderlust, shaping an immersive narrative that resonates with both casual explorers and industry connoisseurs.

How do you create travel content?

Creating travel content is like painting with pixels. I embark on each journey armed with a camera, a heart full of curiosity, and a knack for storytelling. I capture not just wildlife, and landscapes but the whispers of cultures. It’s not about where I go; it’s about the stories I bring back. Every click is a chapter, and every caption is a brushstroke on the canvas of my adventures.

How do I become a luxury travel content creator?

Embark on the journey to luxury travel content creation by blending opulence with authenticity. Master the art of storytelling, capture moments of extravagance, and build a niche that exudes sophistication. Cultivate a keen eye for aesthetics, engage with high-end brands, and let your content become a passport to the world of refined exploration . In the realm of luxury, substance, and style coalesce – be the curator of experiences that redefine opulent wanderlust.

How much do travel influencers make?

Short Answer: Travel influencers’ earnings vary widely, but many make anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per sponsored post. Income sources also include brand partnerships, affiliate marketing, and monetized content on platforms like YouTube or blogs. However, it’s important to note that success and income levels depend on factors such as follower engagement, niche, and negotiation skills.

What is the difference between a travel content creator and travel influencer?

While there’s overlap, a content creator primarily focuses on producing various forms of engaging content about travel experiences, including blogs, videos, and photography. On the other hand, a travel influencer often emphasizes building a personal brand, leveraging their online presence to influence and guide their audience’s travel decisions, typically through partnerships and collaborations with brands. In essence, content creators create, while influencers leverage their influence for partnerships and recommendations.

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Travel App Development: How to Create a Travel App in 2024

Alexander Ragin

December 08, 2023

Trends in travel mobile app development

Does your travel company need a mobile app, companies that won’t benefit from a travel app, the specifics of travel app development for each app type, must-have features for travel apps, travel app development process, security in travel app development, technologies used for travel app development, tools used for travel app development, travel app development team, how long does it take to develop a travel app, how to find the right development company, zoftify’s experience in travel app development.

With almost 65% of all traffic in the travel industry coming from mobile devices , there is no surprise that travel apps are growing increasingly important every day. From travel planning and trip booking to staying connected on the go, apps are the best companion and tour guide a traveler can have.

At the same time, they offer unique brand and growth opportunities for travel companies, and that's the reason so many businesses are taking their websites mobile with great success.

Travel and tourism app development is a huge topic, which is why we’ve created this comprehensive tourism app development guide to help you learn everything you need to know about mobile apps and not miss out on the opportunities they provide. Let’s dive into the mobile travel app development process, and see how apps can transform ambitious travel agencies, tour operators, and other travel companies.

As with any other business sector, the travel industry is no stranger to trends and influences that shape the way it functions. Let’s see what’s up and coming in the travel market and the role that apps can play.

Growing popularity of mobile apps

Mobile apps are becoming increasingly popular, and the travel industry is feeling the effect. The global revenue of the travel app market is expected to increase by a whopping 64% by 2027 .

More and more travel companies rely on mobile apps and their unique functionalities to make enticing offers to their customers and provide better service. It is one thing to interact with users through a website, and a completely different thing to be in contact with them through an app, which is always stored in their smartphone and reminds them of your services through push notifications.

For sure we are only going to see more travel apps in the future, especially considering how some of the newest technologies are affecting the market already — the rise of AI and AR is going to make apps even more efficient in providing new and engaging experiences and supporting travelers during their journeys.

Personalization

Solo travel is on the rise, with customers looking for experiences that are specifically tailored to them . That’s why personalization is especially important. Travel apps use customer data to show unique recommendations and offers that match the customer’s preferences, making personalization feel natural and helpful.

Mobile payments

Mobile payments are becoming increasingly more important, as we all expect quick and easy ways to pay, with our card details there for us at the click of a button. The COVID-19 pandemic pushed this trend further, with many businesses taking a digital-first approach and now choosing to only accept digital payments.

Travel apps are at the center of this shift, enabling tourists to pay for trips and services on the go, without hassle. According to a Travelport survey, 61% of travelers in the USA now use their smartphone to both book and pay for travel . That is why implementing credit card payments, Apple Pay, and Google Pay into a travel app is crucial.

Artificial intelligence

AI is certainly a hot topic. Travel and tourism companies are finding new ways to leverage the technology, from AI generated itineraries that use behavioral data to provide customers with personalized travel plans to dynamic pricing tools that change room rates automatically to help businesses maximize their revenue.

However, when it comes to mobile apps, the most obvious use of artificial intelligence is AI-powered chatbots that take care of customer support. They provide 24/7 availability and quick responses in multiple languages, saving time and effort for businesses. Watch this space!

Push mobile-only loyalty programs

Another trend of the industry is loyalty programs that are especially beneficial for mobile users. Travel giants like Booking.com and Agoda utilize app-exclusive mobile rates (for example, a 10% discount for a booking) to incentivize and retain users through mobile experiences.

This focus on providing exclusive benefits promotes extra downloads and more engagement from customers, since apps offer a constant presence of your brand in users’ everyday life.

Sustainability

Sustainability is more important than ever, with travel businesses often in the spotlight for their negative impact on the planet . The tourism industry is notoriously known for its huge carbon footprint, water consumption, and impact on local communities.

Thankfully, travel companies are finally starting to take the environment seriously, implementing various sustainability metrics across their operations and creating new digital solutions like carbon footprint calculators and eco-friendly travel apps. With digital check-ins and ticketing, think about the amount of paper you can save with an app alone!

Augmented reality and virtual reality are two of the newest trends in the travel industry. There are lots of ways you can bring them into your travel app to give yourself a competitive edge and offer a unique experience. Some accommodation businesses have started including interactive, 360-degree views of their rooms in their listings, while others are gamifying the travel experience with VR landscapes of a particular destination.

Leverage the power of AR and VR to bring your travel and tourism services to life. While costly now, it is reasonable to assume that these technologies will become more accessible in the future.

So, which travel companies can benefit from mobile apps? Let’s see how you can match app features and business needs in the most natural way.

Established companies

First of all, mobile apps are best suited for established businesses that can truly utilize their potential — businesses with a stable workflow and multiple travel agents or other employees to support it. Apps require investments and provide benefits proportionate to the size of the travel business. Established travel companies typically have larger budgets for marketing and app development, allowing them to create more popular, high-quality, and feature-rich apps.

Another benefit is data and analytics: established travel businesses have access to a lot of accumulated data and customer behavior patterns, which can be used to provide better service and create personalized experiences within the app, leading to higher user engagement. Finally, established companies have a set of existing systems they can integrate with the app to provide a cohesive and streamlined experience for users.

Mobile-first travel startups

It goes without saying that travel app development for startups might be their perfect entry into the travel market — think of Hopper, for example. If your idea revolves around utilizing app-specific features like geolocation, push notifications, or something else, then an app is a must .

Repeat business focus

Mobile apps are unparalleled when it comes to retaining customers . Applications are stored inside users’ mobile devices, and the app logo is always visible on the screen. Add push notifications, reminders, special offers, and loyalty programs into the mix, and you get a set of tools designed specifically to keep customers engaged and connected to your business for a long period of time.

Companies that focus on repeat bookings and increasing LTV will find apps incredibly helpful tools for achieving that purpose.

Companies interested in launching a loyalty program

If you’re interested in launching your own loyalty program, you’ll find apps exceptional . They provide a direct and personalized channel to engage with travelers, allowing you to inform them about your loyalty program benefits, special offers, and personalized rewards, keeping them engaged with your brand.

Mobile apps also provide a wealth of data on user behavior, preferences, and interactions. You can leverage it to gain insights into customer preferences and refine your program and marketing strategies.

Businesses aiming to provide exceptional services

Travel businesses that are focused on providing exceptional services can hugely benefit from developing mobile apps. Apps enable travelers to reach out to you 24/7, see their information on the go, get tailored recommendations, buy tickets with ease, and store their documents without the need for paperwork.

To put it simply, apps offer an experience that no website can provide , so any travel company looking to provide something outside of ordinary website functionality should consider app development.

Now that we’ve established which companies should consider app development, we have to mention that apps aren’t suitable for every business — they should only be developed for companies that are ready for it.

Custom mobile app development for a travel company with only a handful of agents and bookings wouldn’t be wise — the investment would be disproportionate to the scale of the business.

As we’ve mentioned earlier, app benefits correlate with the size of the company and its ability to invest in development and maintenance, so you should only decide to build one when you’re truly ready for it. The notable exception is travel app development for a startup that has built its whole strategy around the app.

Another thing worth mentioning is that mobile apps also won’t suit your company if your current system doesn’t allow any third party integrations , since apps work best in combination with existing tools. Ensure that your software is flexible enough to support that.

Booking and transportation apps

Booking and transportation applications help users make reservations and bookings for flights, hotels, car rentals, and other travel necessities. Apps of this kind require inventory management functionality — they should have a comprehensive inventory of available accommodations, and transportation options.

Modern customers also expect integrated payment gateways for seamless transactions, and a user profile feature that enables them to create and manage their profiles, preferences, and booking history.

Finally, integrating your app with CRM and the booking system will help a lot with managing customer interactions and bookings efficiently.

Concierge apps

Concierge apps are designed to provide personalized assistance to travelers. They offer a range of services and information, like recommendations for restaurants, attractions, and activities based on users’ preferences and the particular location they're in. Concierge applications may also provide real-time updates on the weather, show local transportation options, provide a language translation service, and connect users to emergency assistance.

Apps of that kind rely on in-app chat tools that can connect travelers with agents for personalized support. They should also have the capability to create, view, and manage personalized travel itineraries, including flights, accommodations, activities, and reservations. Finally, just like booking apps, they should provide users with the ability to manage their profiles and preferences within the app.

Tour guide apps

Tour guide apps serve as virtual guides, providing information and assistance during trips: from audio guides and maps to detailed information about popular tourist attractions and landmarks. They enable users to explore destinations at their own pace, following suggested itineraries or providing the ability for the user to create their own.

Tour guide apps rely heavily on rich content, so detailed descriptions, images, and other media elements are absolutely necessary. At the same time, while content-rich, the app's interface and user experience should be designed to be user-friendly and simple to navigate.

Travel planning apps

The purpose of a trip planning app is to assist travelers in organizing their itineraries. Users can often create detailed trip plans, view guides on travel destinations, and sometimes book excursions.

There are different types of travel planning apps, including those focused on budget travel, family vacations, solo travel, and adventure trips. Each type will have specific features tailored to the respective travel preferences.

Travel planning app development often relies on implementing artificial intelligence to provide personalized recommendations, itinerary suggestions, and travel insights based on user preferences and behavior.

Advanced search

An advanced search is one of the most essential features of any travel app. It helps travelers sort and filter through your offerings and choose the options that fit them. The best search tools go a step further, offering users personalized suggestions based on their search and booking histories.

Booking system

Booking systems allow users to book and manage travel services like flights or car rentals. A robust booking system is a must for most travel apps, since it provides reservation management tools (like booking modifications and cancellation options), real-time availability, and pricing info, all packaged together on a user-friendly interface.

Payment gateway

Secure and simple payment gateways like Stripe, Google Pay, and Apple Pay are crucial for any travel app. They offer unparalleled convenience and can boost your sales significantly.

Payment gateways also allow users to store their payment information, making their future purchases a breeze and helping you get a satisfied, loyal audience.

Real-time updates

Mobile apps are back-pocket companions, so it’s important to include features that make life easier for travelers wherever they are in the world, whether that’s in the UK or on a remote island in the Pacific.

With real-time updates on flight delays, weather conditions, and more, you give users good reason to stick with your travel app, since websites just cannot match that kind of on-the-go reliability. Set your app apart and grow loyalty to your travel and tourism business with tools that users can depend on.

Travel itinerary

Travel itineraries help users keep in check with their travel plans by providing them with all their trip information in one place. Itineraries can also sync with users’ calendars and send automatic reminders so travelers feel informed at all times. With an in-app interactive itinerary, you can provide your travelers with the confidence they need during their trip.

Offline access

Offline access is just as important as other travel app features . After all, users need access to their travel info even without internet connection. Travelers who find themselves in remote areas like woods or mountains might need an offline map for navigation, while offline access to customer support might mean everything for someone arriving alone in a new city.

And of course, customers will appreciate not having to pay expensive mobile roaming charges to simply use your app.

Thinking about travel agency app development?

Schedule a call with one of our travel tech experts!

Developing a travel app is a multi-step process that requires a lot of consideration . Done right, you’ll get a top-notch solution that can boost your company's revenue, brand recognition, and overall customer satisfaction.

Here at Zoftify, our travel application development process consists of a few important phases — discovery, development, user acceptance testing, app launch, and post-launch support.

This is the most complex part of our travel application development guide. Let's break down each phase.

If you're interested in how we work in more detail, you can contact Zoftify directly and we'll walk you through it.

Product discovery phase

The first step in our tourism app development process is discovery. This usually consists of several workshops with our dedicated travel experts team to define the core features, functionalities and priorities for your app. Our experts in travel app development help to refine your app idea with industry best practice and trends in mind.

The discovery phase will also give you an estimate for overall app development costs and a timeframe required to build a travel app from scratch.

This phase is crucial in tourism application development, helping you to establish a plan that saves you from costly reworks down the line .

Before we start the custom travel mobile app development process, we conduct thorough market research to help you see if your idea is viable in the current market. We also define what success looks like for your travel app development project, who your competitors are, and who your target audience is.

All of this will help us develop a comprehensive project plan with goals and metrics for success, plus defined user personas.

UI/UX design

Next, we create the outline of your future app to help you visualize it. We start with wireframing — or even a functional prototype that you can try out yourself.

Your feedback helps to shape the wireframes, and we’ll work in iterations to ensure you get exactly what you want. You can also test the wireframes with a focus group to guarantee that your users will like it just as much as you do.

Once done with the wireframes, our UI/UX designers will work on the interface for your app, including the buttons, colors and fonts. Our creative team will ensure that your travel app is intuitive and on-brand.

UI/UX is crucial — if users feel that something's off with the way the app looks or feels, they might feel differently about your travel business and even abandon the app altogether . A clean design will make your company seem professional and reputable in the eyes of the user, while its usability and ease of navigation will be the reason they decide to stick with your app.

The importance of UI/UX design in travel app development can't be overstated, which is why we've dedicated a whole article to this topic — make sure to check it out!

Technical analysis

The technical analysis is all about assessing the feasibility and technical requirements of the proposed app. It covers several key elements like platform selection, infrastructure requirements, performance considerations, security assessment, technology stack, integration points, and data management.

The output of the technical analysis stage is a comprehensive document that serves as a roadmap for the development team, providing necessary info about the architecture, infrastructure, and technologies to be employed during the development process.

A thorough technical analysis is necessary, because It helps with identifying potential challenges and risks early in the project . Providing a clear understanding of the timeline and resource requirements helps facilitate accurate project planning and budgeting.

Development phase

Project kickoff.

During this stage our team sets up the necessary tools and establishes the development environment. It all begins with onboarding the development team, product owners, stakeholders and any other experts involved, describing the project's objectives, scope, and timelines. Project kickoff stage ensures that everyone has a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities .

Then we set up Jira and Confluence to enable efficient task tracking, issue management, and collaborative documentation. After this we move to travel app module decomposition (smaller tasks that can be assigned to developers).

Project kickoff also requires setting up the project's Git repository, establishing branching strategies, and ensuring that all team members have the necessary access and permissions to contribute to the codebase.

Finally, we establish continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines to automate the build, testing, and deployment processes. This involves configuring build servers, defining testing procedures, and integrating with deployment environments.

Development process

The travel application development process mostly consists of coding. Our talented programmers implement the functionalities you outlined during the previous stages of travel app development, following the established pixel-perfect approach.

Along with coding, our developers integrate external APIs, e.g. from GDS or larger OTAs. They also develop unit tests that significantly increase the quality of your app. Integrating with travel APIs is essential for getting real-time inventory availability, flight schedules, and transportation options. At the same time, QA engineers test the app to identify and address any issues, bugs, or performance concerns.

At Zoftify, we work in “sprints”, which means that the tourism application development process is iterative and broken down into 2-week bursts of activity. This enables us to deliver results on a rolling basis, as features are developed, so you can watch your app come to life in front of you. As the app owner, we provide you with regular updates to keep you informed during the build .

User acceptance testing (UAT)

The next stage of travel company app development is UAT.

Our QA engineers test that your app works exactly the way you envisioned it, from its usability and general performance to security and functionality — and if you have your own testing team, they are very welcome at this stage as well.

We carry out several tests, like integration testing and beta testing, and only when every last issue has been found, documented, and fixed, can we launch your app. UAT can take some time, but we can't overestimate the importance of launching a travel app that is perfectly refined .

App stores releases

It’s really important to get any travel app release right, as you want your audiences’ first impression of your app to be a positive one . But it’s not just about the marketing — following all of the guidelines of a specific app store requires a lot of knowledge and consideration.

Our travel mobile app development team knows the ins and outs of the Google Play store Apple App store, so they can handle the complex launch procedures and ensure your app meets the stores’ requirements.

Maintenance

No travel mobile app project stops at launch — it's not enough to just develop a travel app and release it as a finished product . Like any digital solution, apps require maintenance, bug fixes, and updates to stay relevant and perform well.

Technical issues and poor performance are among the most popular reasons for abandoning apps, which is why our developers continue to monitor and support your app to keep it working hard for your business.

This guide to travel app development wouldn’t be complete if we didn’t touch on the subject of security. As a travel app owner, you are responsible for the safety of your users’ data — and that is a huge responsibility . There are several rules to follow to help you maintain the highest levels of security throughout the travel app development journey.

Middleware is a type of software that acts as a bridge between different applications, systems, or components, and is essential for handling communication, data transfers, and security. You should never connect an app directly to a GDS or API with a secret key — there must be a middle layer that keeps all the secret keys and maintains the highest security standards . Think of middleware as the connecting layer that enables the components of your travel app to function and fit together seamlessly and securely.

If you’re interested in our middleware tech stack for travel application development, we typically use NestJS (a popular Node.js framework) as a core, PostgreSQL for databases, and AWS for deployment, giving us efficient runtime, robust and reliable data storage, and scalable and reliable infrastructure for hosting middleware components.

Error-free code and regular security checks

Vulnerabilities in the code can lead to security issues, so it’s important to ensure everything is safe by conducting regular checks. Our developers follow the best industry practices and routinely inspect the code to guarantee safety at all times.

Upgrade packages and maintain the app

Regularly upgrading packages and maintaining the app is crucial for fixing security vulnerabilities . App maintenance involves fixing bugs and issues that may arise over time, optimizing performance, improving loading times, and ensuring compatibility with new systems and third-party services.

Your app requires data encryption, so that both users’ data and the app’s code remain unreadable to hackers and other unauthorized parties . Encryption is a very common practice, but an extremely effective one, which is why our professional travel app development team recommends implementing it.

Secure APIs

APIs serve as the primary way to transfer data, so ensuring the process is secure is a priority . This can be achieved by using SSL protocol and only allowing API access to necessary applications with data authorization, and using a strong gateway or a central server to manage user authentication.

There are several approaches to building mobile applications — from native to cross-platform and hybrid options, and there are also lots of different tools that can be used for that purpose. Let’s learn more about the advantages and downsides of every development method and talk about the tools we’ve found to be the best.

Native app development involves building separate apps for each platform, separating travel application development for iOS and travel application development for Android. After all, they each use their own programming languages and development tools: Swift or Objective-C for iOS, and Java or Kotlin for Android.

This approach offers the best performance and user experience , as well as access to all native features and APIs of the device. However, it requires separate codebases for each platform, leading to high development costs and a long time-to-market .

Cross-platform

Cross-platform option means developing a single codebase that works for both platforms, which is both quick and cost-efficient. For this purpose, developers generally use React Native or Flutter. We at Zoftify prefer React Native, which is often considered to be the best framework for developing travel apps.

The best part of React Native is that it leverages native components and APIs, enabling apps to deliver native-like performance despite being cross-platform.

Secondly, React Native allows us to write reusable code components that can be shared between different parts of your app, or across your future projects with us. This reduces the cost of a travel app development, speeds up iterations, and ensures consistency throughout your app.

Finally, React Native offers unlimited integration capabilities, so we can easily connect third-party APIs like maps, payment gateways, and social media into your app.

Among the various technologies used in custom app development for travel companies, our experience has shown that React Native stands out as the most effective, consistently driving a positive return on investment (ROI) .

Hybrid app development for a travel company involves using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, wrapped in a native container (using tools like Ionic Capacitor), to create apps that can run on multiple platforms.

For hybrid apps, you can use Ionic — an open-source framework that provides a library of mobile-optimized HTML, CSS, and JS components, along with built-in support for Angular or React, enabling us to quickly and reliably build hybrid solutions with no hassle.

Hybrid mobile apps are typically slower and less robust.

Application programming interface _ _ (API) is a set of rules and protocols that connects pieces of software and enables them to communicate with each other. It** **is used in travel and hospitality app development to access and integrate data, services, and functionalities from various sources, including third-party providers and internal systems.

To put it simply, APIs enable developers to seamlessly integrate flight schedules, hotel availability, weather forecasts, and other data sources into the app .

There are two main ways of API integration — let’s see how they function.

In traditional server-based architecture the app runs on dedicated servers where developers manage the infrastructure, including provisioning, scaling, and maintenance. When using APIs in a server-based approach, the app communicates with the server to access the required data or services. This setup provides full control over the environment but requires ongoing management and scaling efforts .

The serverless option, which is offered by platforms like AWS and Firebase, allows us to focus solely on writing code without managing the underlying infrastructure. This way, APIs can be utilized to access cloud-based services, databases, and other functionalities without the need to maintain servers. This approach offers scalability, cost-efficiency, and reduced operational overhead, as the platform handles the infrastructure management .

Git is a distributed version control system that tracks changes in any set of computer files, and is primarily used for coordinating work between developers. Think of it as Google Docs for software developers. It is a cornerstone tool not just for travel mobile application development, but any modern software development in general.

Crashlytics

Another tool in our tech stack is Crashlytics — a real-time crash-reporting tool that helps us monitor and resolve any issues affecting your app .

Crashlytics provides our travel app developers with a descriptive list of crashes and other issues, sorted in terms of priority. We use Crashlytics after travel application development too, as it helps us quickly determine the root cause of any technical problem and manage them swiftly, to ensure customer satisfaction.

Analytics tools provide us and your business with valuable insights into user behavior, app performance, and the effectiveness of marketing campaigns . In our work we mostly use Firebase Analytics and Mixpanel, and also AppsFlyer for user attribution.

Firebase is free and it offers a comprehensive set of app analytics that enables us to understand user engagement, retention, and conversion. That allows us to track user interaction with features like search, booking, and navigation, and provides insights into user demographics, user journeys, and in-app events, allowing us to optimize the app experience based on real user data.

Mixpanel is another powerful analytics tool that focuses on user-centric analytics like user behavior and engagement metrics. Mixpanel can help track user actions like searches for destinations and interactions with travel content.

AppsFlyer specializes in mobile attribution and marketing analytics, allowing you to track the performance of marketing campaigns, user acquisition, and app monetization. With AppsFlyer, we can enable you to measure the effectiveness of your marketing channels, optimize ad spend, and understand the full user journey from app installation to desired actions.

CI/CD stands for continuous integration and continuous deployment, and it is the process of automatically building, testing, and deploying mobile apps that can later be validated by QA specialists and beta testers.

To ensure your app works exactly as intended and is free of bugs, CI/CD pipelines provide automated tests for extra quality and security. This means increased productivity, rapid feedback loops, and ultimately faster time to market .

In our work, we use CI/CD tools like Bitrise and AppCenter.

Push notifications providers

We also rely on push notification providers like Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) and Braze. They enable efficient, timely, and personalized notifications, and play a significant role in tourism and hospitality app development.

FCM is a cross-platform messaging solution that allows developers to send messages to users on both Android and iOS devices. FCM facilitates the delivery of push notifications to users, keeping them informed about flight updates, hotel bookings, or travel recommendations, keeping users engaged.

Braze is a customer engagement platform that provides tools for creating highly targeted and personalized push notifications, emails, and in-app messages. It allows for segmenting users based on their travel behavior and preferences, and then tailor notifications to suit their specific needs.

A/B testing for mobile

A/B testing is a testing method that consists of asking random users to compare two versions of a certain page or an app element to find out which one performs better in terms of conversion rates.

A/B testing tools like Firebase Remote Config and Optimizely play a crucial role in our work, since they enable us to experiment with different versions of features, content, and user experiences to optimize your app's performance and user engagement .

Firebase Remote Config allows us to remotely configure the behavior and appearance of your app without requiring users to download an app update. It enables us to assess user responses to different configurations and make data-driven decisions to enhance the app's performance and user satisfaction.

Optimizely provides a platform for A/B testing, enabling us to create and run experiments to compare different versions of elements within the app, helping us understand which versions resonate best with users and drive the desired actions, like bookings or engagement with travel content.

Looking for experts in travel app development?

Schedule a call with our team.

Previously, we outlined the app development process, now let’s see what roles are required for each step of the travel app development journey.

Design phase

Product designer.

In the design phase, the product designer is responsible for creating the overall vision for the travel app : they focus on defining the features, functionality, and user experience, providing a solid foundation for other team members. They collaborate closely with your company during this stage to ensure that the design aligns with your brand vision and objectives.

UI/UX designer

The UI/UX designer focuses on the user interface and user experience , creating wireframes, prototypes, and designing the visual elements of the app to ensure a seamless and engaging flow. They also conduct user testing to gather feedback and iteratively improve the design based on user interactions and preferences.

Project manager

The project manager oversees the design phase. They ensure that the team stays on track with the project timeline and budget , and coordinates and communicates with other team members to ensure that the travel application development process goes smoothly.

Quality assurance

The QA specialist is responsible for testing the design elements of your app to ensure that they meet quality standards , are free of bugs, and function as intended. They work closely with the product and UI/UX designers to identify and address any usability or functionality issues.

Mobile tech lead

The mobile tech lead provides technical leadership and guidance during the design phase, ensuring that the design aligns with the technical capabilities and constraints of the chosen mobile platform.

Travel researcher

Designing a great app requires understanding of what makes them great in the first place. The travel researcher gathers insights and data related to user behavior, preferences, and trends in the travel industry and provides this information to help the team make informed decisions about your app's features and functionality.

They also conduct competitive analysis to ensure that the travel app stands out in the market and finds its niche.

During the development phase, the project manager continues to oversee the project, ensuring that the development team stays aligned with the project goals, timeline, and resources. They also facilitate communication between the team and other stakeholders to address any challenges and ensure smooth progress.

Mobile developers

Mobile developers are responsible for writing the code, implementing the features, functionalities, and user interface in accordance with the design specifications . They also collaborate with the QA team to address and resolve any issues identified during testing to ensure smooth performance.

Quality assurance specialists continue to test the app during the development phase, identifying and reporting any issues or bugs in the functionality or user experience of the app.

Business analyst

The business analyst provides strategic guidance during the development phase — they analyze business requirements and ensure that the development aligns with the overall business goals.

API developers

API developers focus on creating and integrating the necessary APIs that allow the travel app to interact with external services and data sources , while ensuring that the APIs are scalable, secure, and optimized for efficient data exchange, contributing to the overall performance of the app.

The project manager continues to play a crucial role during the maintenance phase, overseeing the ongoing support and updates for the travel app. They manage the allocation of resources for maintenance activities and ensure that the app remains aligned with evolving business needs and technological advancements.

Mobile developer

Mobile developers are involved in maintaining the app, addressing any technical issues, and implementing updates or new features as needed . They collaborate with the QA team to conduct regression testing after updates to ensure that the app's existing functionality remains intact.

Quality assurance specialists continue to test the app even after launch , ensuring that any updates or maintenance activities do not compromise the app's quality and performance. They consistently monitor user feedback and app performance metrics to identify areas for improvement and optimization.

On average it takes around three months to build a simple or mid-complex app . However, the more functionalities you want to include, the longer it can take. The best way to estimate the travel app development cost and time required is to reach out to Zoftify with your idea.

Choosing the right web and mobile travel app development company is essential, but making the choice isn’t always easy, especially if you don't know where to start.

There are a few things you should look for in a company: experience, portfolio, and their familiarity with the travel and tourism industry . What you're looking for is a company that has a solid background, successful app releases, and knows exactly what you need, so you can be sure that they will deliver a top-notch product that meets the needs of your target audience.

Luckily, Zoftify fits all of those requirements, so you don't have to look much further. Our experienced development team knows the ins and outs of mobile applications and the travel industry, so we’ll be your partner through the entire travel app development process . No matter how niche your business or idea is, we’ve got you covered, from travel organizer app development to travel deals app development.

That’s why Clutch rated us as one of the best travel and tourism app development companies.

Contact us today using our contact form, and we'll guide you through.

Zoftify has extensive experience in developing travel apps for businesses of varied sizes and niches, and we are proud of the astonishing results of our work. Check out how we managed to increase repeat bookings for Tourshunter by 55%, and built a Festivalio app in just 45 days.

How much does travel app development cost?

In general, the more functionalities a company wants to add to their app, the more the cost of tourism app development grows, which is why prioritizing the most important features is crucial.

It is difficult to share exact numbers in a general travel app development guide:: a company wanting to build an extensive booking app will have totally different requirements to a company wanting to invest in niche travel request app development. For an estimate, contact Zoftify and we’ll break it down for you.

How do travel apps leverage AI and machine learning to personalize user experiences?

Travel apps utilize AI and machine learning to provide incredible customer support through chatbots and personalize user experiences by analyzing behavioral data.

These technologies also enable predictive analytics for pricing trends, optimizing travel itineraries, and providing personalized notifications based on user interests. While these features might bump up the cost of travel app development, they are definitely worth it.

How can developers optimize travel apps for both iOS and Android platforms?

Developers can optimize travel apps for both iOS and Android platforms by leveraging cross-platform development frameworks like React Native or Flutter to build and maintain a single codebase for both platforms.

While separate iOS travel app development and Android travel app development is the optimum approach from a technical view, the difference in the final product is negligible. Plus, cross-platform developments will help you keep the cost of travel app development down.

Additionally, they can ensure native performance by optimizing the app's design and features according to the specific guidelines and best practices of each platform, providing a seamless user experience across iOS and Android devices.

Founder & CEO

Alex loves travel and tech and founded Zoftify to help travel companies use technology more effectively. Before this, he worked in tech consulting, where he led international mobile development teams.

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Travel app development 101: your starter guide.

Last Updated: December 19, 2023

Table of Content

1. what is travel app development, 2. the market for travel apps today, 3. why travel mobile app development is a big business opportunity, 4. what are the ways travel apps make money, 5. types of travel apps being built today, 6. travel super app vs. dedicated app vs. segment app, 7. core features of travel app development to attract customers, 8. steps of travel app development: how to create a travel app, 9. development costs for a travel app.

Traveling used to be about maps, brochures, and guidebooks. But today, it's about swiping through your smartphone to explore the world. It's all thanks to the travel apps that have transformed the travel industry.

This has compelled several travel and hospitality businesses, like Booking.com, Expedia, and Trivago, to invest in travel app development, facilitate digital bookings, and build a travel solution that caters to travelers’ specific needs.

According to a Statista report, Booking.com recorded 80 million app downloads, while Airbnb had 52 million app downloads in the list of most downloaded travel apps worldwide.

This study explains how travel app development can be a profitable investment for startups and online travel agencies looking to tap into the tourism industry.

If the thought of building a travel app raises a multitude of questions, you're not alone. The journey can indeed seem like a maze, filled with uncertainties, complexities, and endless possibilities.

But worry not, because we're here to guide you through it all with our detailed travel app development guide.

In this guide, you will learn about travel app development, industry stats, monetization, app types, costs, and essential features. And when you're ready to create your custom travel app, Narola Infotech is your partner in success.

Sounds good? Keep on reading.

What is Travel App Development?

Travel app development refers to the process of creating mobile applications or software platforms specifically designed for travelers and tourists. These apps are developed to provide various features and functionalities that enhance the travel experience.

Travel apps can offer services such as booking accommodations, flights, and transportation, providing local recommendations, offering navigation and mapping services, and giving access to travel-related information like weather, language translations, and cultural insights.

Travel app development aims to make travel easier, more convenient, and enjoyable for users by integrating a range of travel-related services into a single, user-friendly application.

The Market for Travel Apps Today

In an era where travel is redefined by technology, the numbers paint a vivid picture of a thriving industry with no signs of slowing down.

• 84% of airlines worldwide expect to try AI technologies in the next three years.
• 26% of travel & hospitality companies worldwide are using chatbots.
• The most downloaded online travel agency app worldwide is booking.com
• 21% of global travelers have used travel agent apps since Covid-19.
• 30% is the average 90-day retention rate of hospitality & tourism apps worldwide
• 44% of candidates surveyed have used voice to search for some part of their trip
• 20% of travelers from the U.S. consider voice search to be a great influencer while traveling.

Although the number of new travel apps may be growing, so will the number of people who are willing to use them.

Why Travel Mobile App Development Is a Big Business Opportunity?

The travel mobile app development sector is a promising business opportunity because of the high demand, user experience benefits, revenue potential, global reach, and the valuable insights it can provide. Let’s understand this in detail.

Massive Market Demand

People love to travel, and they use mobile apps for everything from booking flights and hotels to finding local attractions and restaurants. This huge demand creates a substantial market for travel apps, offering plenty of room for new entrants to grab a piece of the pie.

Enhanced User Experience

Travel apps make the whole travel experience more convenient and enjoyable. With features like real-time flight updates, easy hotel bookings, and local guides, your app can help travelers plan and execute their trips with ease, ensuring happy customers and repeat business.

Monetization Opportunities

Travel apps provide multiple revenue streams. You can earn through booking commissions, in-app advertising, premium content, or even by offering personalized travel recommendations. This flexibility allows you to tailor your revenue model to suit your business goals.

Global Reach

With a travel app, you can tap into a global audience. Travelers come from all over the world, so if your app offers multiple languages and caters to various destinations, you can attract users from different countries, expanding your reach.

Data-Driven Insights

Travel apps can collect valuable data on user preferences, travel trends, and popular destinations. Analyzing this data can help you make informed decisions about app improvements and expansion, ensuring your app remains relevant and competitive.

This tells us, the travel app industry is full of potential, and with the right approach and a focus on user satisfaction, you can start your journey towards success, where every step you take leads upwards to growth and prosperity.

Moving on, let's talk about the most asked question.

What Are The Ways Travel Apps Make Money?

Following are the primary ways to turn your travel apps into powerful revenue sources. 

In-App Purchases

Offer premium features or content for a fee within your app. This model suits apps with specialized services like guided tours.

Subscription Model

Charge users a recurring fee for access to exclusive content or benefits. Ideal for apps that continuously provide value, such as premium travel guides.

Affiliate Marketing

Promote products or services, and earn a commission on sales generated through your app.

Booking Commissions

Partner with hotels, airlines, or tour operators and earn a commission for bookings made through your app.

Data Monetization

Collect user data (with consent) and sell it to businesses for market research. Typically best for apps with a large user base

Sponsored Content

Partner with brands or destinations to create sponsored content or travel campaigns. Well-suited for apps with a substantial following and influence.

Types of Travel Apps Being Built Today

Now that you already know why to create a travel app and how travel apps make money, it’s time for real brainstorming and choosing the one unique travel app idea that will not only serve your audience but will also stand out on the market.

But to make your app truly successful, it's about understanding the pain points of your target audience, understanding how each caters to distinct traveler needs and resolves their pain points.

In this section, we'll explore the types of travel apps and shed light on the problems they solve, helping you create an app that resonates with your target audience.

Booking and Accommodation Apps

Pain Point: Booking Hassles

Travelers face the challenge of navigating through numerous websites and platforms to book flights, hotels, and accommodations, often resulting in confusion and time wastage.

App Goal: Booking and Accommodation Apps aim to streamline the booking process, presenting users with a convenient, one-stop platform where they can effortlessly book flights, hotels, vacation rentals, and other accommodations. This helps users save time and reduce the hassles associated with traditional booking methods.

Example: Trivago

Example: Airbnb

Travel Planning & Itinerary Apps

Pain Point: Overwhelm with Trip Planning

Travelers can become overwhelmed when planning trips, trying to organize multiple bookings and activities across various destinations, often leading to stress and disorganization.

App Goal: Travel Planning and Itinerary Apps provide a solution by assisting travelers in creating, organizing, and sharing their trip itineraries. This streamlines the planning process, reduces stress, and helps users efficiently manage their travel plans.

Example: Tripadvisor

Example: Kayak

Navigation & Transportation Apps

Pain Point: Navigation Challenges

Finding your way in unfamiliar places, accessing transportation schedules, and booking tickets can be a significant challenge for travelers, leading to delays and frustration.

App Goal: Navigation and Transportation Apps strive to ease navigation by offering real-time updates, transportation schedules, and ticket booking services for various modes of travel. The goal is to reduce travel time, enhance convenience, and provide travelers with the guidance they need.

Example: Google Maps

Example: Moovit

Local Discovery & Guide Apps

Pain Point: Difficulty in Local Exploration

Travelers often struggle to find the best local attractions, restaurants, and cultural experiences, missing out on the richness of their destination.

App Goal: Local Discovery and Guides Apps address this challenge by providing mobile guided tours, which provide personalized recommendations and insights, helping travelers explore local culture and attractions, and making their travel experience more enriching.

Example : GettinLocal

Infact, we've developed a local discovery app for one of our clients that's packed with the features they desired, and they absolutely love it. View Case Study

Language Translation & Communication Apps

Pain Point: Language Barriers

Language differences can hinder communication with locals, causing misunderstandings and challenges in foreign countries.

App Goal: Language Translation and Communication Apps aim to bridge these barriers by offering translation tools and communication features that help travelers communicate effectively, reducing language-related hurdles.

Example: Google Translate

Example: DeepL Translate

Travel super app vs. Dedicated app vs. Segment app

Let's now talk about the three distinct categories of travel apps: Travel Super Apps, Dedicated Apps, and Segment Apps.

Travel Super App

The Travel Super App is like an All-in-One Travel Companion for travelers. It combines a multitude of services under one roof, from booking flights and hotels to offering local guides, translation tools, and more. It's a one-stop shop for all your travel needs.

One big example of a Travel Super App is Goibibo .

Dedicated App

Dedicated Apps are specialists in their niche. They concentrate on a single aspect of travel, such as hotel bookings, flight reservations, or local experiences. These apps aim for excellence in their specialized area.

One big example of a dedicated app is Agoda .

Segment App

Segment Apps strike a balance by focusing on a specific travel segment, such as business travel, adventure travel, or luxury travel. They offer a combination of specialized features within a defined category.

One big example of a segment app is Nomadlist App .

Core Features of Travel App Development to Attract Customers

Basic features.

• Personalized Itineraries: Creating and managing travel plans, ensuring organized and stress-free trips.
• In-App Navigation: Real-time maps and directions, guiding users during travel within unfamiliar areas.
• Local Recommendations: Providing insights on local attractions, restaurants, and activities for an enriched experience.
• Translation Tools: Bridging language barriers with translation and communication features for seamless interactions.
• Weather Updates: Offering reliable weather forecasts for better packing and activity planning.
• Community Interaction: Allowing travelers to share experiences and gain insights from fellow explorers.

Advance Features

• Voice Recognition and Assistance : Implement voice-activated features for hands-free travel planning and navigation, making it easier for users on the go.
• Augmented Reality (AR) Travel Guides : Incorporate AR to provide users with interactive, real-time information about their surroundings, historical sites, and points of interest.
• Budget Tracking: Helping users manage expenses and stay within their financial plans while traveling.
• Gamification : Offering games, streaming content, and interactive features to alleviate travel boredom.
• Integration with Fitness Tracking Device: Incorporate the ability to sync with users' fitness trackers and wearables to encourage healthy travel.  With the expertise of a professional travel app development company , you have the flexibility to customize your travel app with as many features as you desire, creating a tailor-made experience for your users. 

Steps of Travel App Development: How to Create a Travel App?

Planning and Strategy

Start by brainstorming creative travel app ideas that address specific traveler pain points or needs. Explore and learn about the potential features related to booking, itinerary planning, navigation, or local recommendations.

Define a clear plan for your app. What are your goals? Who is your target audience? How will your app stand out? Determine what features your app will offer and create a strategy to achieve your objectives.

Design and Prototyping

This step in your travel app development process is the key to safeguarding your travel app's future.

Create the visual design of your app, including its layout, colors, and user interface. Develop prototypes or mockups to see how the app will function and look. This step helps in visualizing the user experience.

Development

The travel app development phase involves building the actual app. This includes coding, programming, and creating the technical infrastructure.

Ensure that your app works smoothly on various platforms and devices, such as iOS and Android, which is where the expertise of a travel app development company becomes invaluable.

Rigorously test your app for any bugs or issues. Check its performance, usability, and user experience. Make necessary improvements based on the testing results to ensure a high-quality app.

Testing during the development phase is critical to identify and rectify issues early, ensuring a more reliable and user-friendly app, and ultimately saving time and resources in the long run.

Release your app to the public. This step involves making it available for download or access through app stores and websites. Promote your travel & hospitality app to reach your target audience, using various marketing and promotional strategies.

Often overlooked is the importance of post-launch monitoring and ongoing support to address user concerns, improve app performance, and adapt to changing market trends, ensuring your app's long-term success.

User Feedback

Keep an ear to the ground – what your users say really matters. Use their comments and reviews to make your app better by fixing problems and adding the things they ask for. It's like tailoring your app to fit their needs, which keeps them happy and your app thriving.

Monetization Strategy

We've already covered this in the above sections. Decide how your app will make money. This could involve in-app advertising, in-app purchases, subscriptions, affiliate marketing, or other revenue models. Choose the revenue model that aligns with your app's value and user base.

Marketing and Growth

Continuously market your app to attract more users. Use a variety of marketing strategies, including social media, search engine optimization, and partnerships with influencers or travel-related websites. Aim to expand your user base over time.

Remember to keep an eye on what's working and what's not through analytics and what your users tell you. This way, you can make sure your app keeps growing strong. Travel portal development is also on the rise, making it a strong addition to your strategy for comprehensive travel coverage.

Maintenance

Regularly update and maintain your app. This includes fixing any bugs or issues that arise, adding new features, and keeping the app compatible with the latest operating systems and devices.

Invest in support and maintenance services to ensure a seamless user experience and keep users engaged. Plus, it shows that you're committed to delivering the best possible service to your users, building trust and loyalty.

Development Costs for a Travel App

After all the information you've gathered, you're probably curious about one big thing: How much does it cost to create a travel app ? Well, the answer isn't one-size-fits-all. 

The cost depends on various factors, and different types of apps come with different price tags. So, let's explore what determines the cost of travel app development.

As you know, these factors cannot be the same for two projects, therefore providing the estimation of the cost is not feasible. You can schedule a consultation with us, share your requirements, and we will provide you with the cost estimation.

Conclusions? Don’t build another simple solution. Get creative but keep in mind your target audience and their needs.

When seeking inspiration for your travel app idea, it's wise to study your competitors. The fact that they've garnered a significant user base suggests they're doing something right. Simultaneously, identifying flaws in their apps can serve as valuable guidance, motivating you to develop a more competitive travel and hospitality solution that truly caters to user needs.

Want to partner with us?

With 18+ years of experience and 3000+ projects delivered, our team turns your ideas into solutions. Let's talk about your project.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

See the answers to some of our most commonly asked questions below., how much does it cost to develop a travel app, what are the benefits of integrating ai or machine learning into a travel app, what types of travel apps are there, and which one should i choose to develop, how can i monetize my travel app, launch your dream now, join the force of 1500+ satisfied narola client globally, get notified.

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How to Design a Travel App UI/UX (& Case Study)

Travel App Dashboard , Travel App UI , UI/UX Design

Travel App UI/UX

Sometimes we search travel apps just to dream about a vacation. We look at travel pictures shared by friends, family, and total strangers and immediately ask ourselves if we’d like to travel there as well. The desire to explore new places and have novel experiences is part of being human. The travel app UI/UX design needs to do one thing, above all else, it needs to somehow make the travel experience better through a digital user experience. Lastly, creating a travel app UI design is always going to be a challenging task because you need to enhance the experience of your users while at the same time, meeting the business goals of your company.

The first rule of designing a travel app is to map out a plan. You can do this by:

• Thinking about the types of users you want to attract.
• Defining what makes your app unique, and then using those features in all aspects of the design process.
• Analyzing your competitors’ apps for inspiration and learning from them as well as their mistakes – no one wants to see you copy their designs!

Having said that, bear in mind that these are only the basics because designing a travel app is much more complex than this. A large part of our travel app design services is brainstorming ideas and mapping out strategies that would ultimately bring the entire user experience together.

As a travel app designer, you have to think about the user experience from their point of view. Therefore, the most important thing is to understand what users need and what they want. Since it can be a daunting process, our design experts have created an in-depth guide on how to design a travel app along with a travel app UI/UX design case study that will help you clearly visualize the design process.

The primary goal of any travel app design

Ideally, the main objective of any travel app design is to add value to the user’s life. As a UI/UX design agency , when developing a travel mobile app’s design , we ensure that we create a travel app that is meant to be used repeatedly because it assists travelers with their trips by providing information, tips, and advice.

For instance, if the purpose of your travel app helps users plan their trips from start to finish, the user should have an overall experience that is better than just having a simple itinerary when using your app. This could mean they can check out maps and directions, read reviews and comments, share their experiences on social media, keep track of their expenses (if they use them), find local attractions, or more!

Besides, there should also be a clear incentive for the user to use your app. Whether the user will save money at the end by using the app or have a seamless travel experience, your app’s use case should make its final reward evident right from the get-go.

For this to happen, there should be a clear connection between your app and its user base. A good example of this would be Uber, which has been able to gain popularity because of its ability to solve problems that many people have had with transportation; in particular, the lack of dependability in the public Taxi market. The app allows users to easily procure a car from anywhere in their town or city, providing them with more options when it comes to transportation. Here, Uber’s end reward for the user is convenience and regional coverage.

On the other hand, consider companies like Airbnb and TripAdvisor; their apps give users more options when looking for accommodations or places to eat around town. In this case, the end reward is an overall better travel experience.

Simply put, if you are going to make people look into their phones while they are traveling, your overall travel app design should be able to give them a solid return on their investment in your app.

In our experience the basic principles of a travel app UI design are as follows:

Simplicity is the key to great user experience.

You don’t have to stuff all the latest UI/UX design trends in your travel app’s interface to improve its usability. The best travel app designs are simple so that users can understand it well and use it easily when they are traveling to an unfamiliar place.

This concept is evident in every aspect of the design process, from brainstorming ideas from scratch to implementing them on a wireframe. As a rule of thumb, the fewer elements you use, the easier it is for your users to understand the usefulness of the app.

A good example of this is the iPhone’s user interface, which has been praised for its functional minimalism throughout its entire history. Everything is designed within a thumb’s reach, allowing even a novice to use the device effortlessly.

Structure makes sense of complexity.

The travel app UI/UX needs to have a structure with a clear hierarchy and elements. So, the organization of your content needs to be obvious for users to immediately be able to navigate around, which helps them feel less overwhelmed and more at ease with your app.

A good structure will also help them find their way around quickly and efficiently as well as prevent them from getting lost in the app.

Visual appeal

Visual appeal is essential for any design project!

Your design should be easy on the eyes because it is part of developing trust and respect from the user. We’ve all heard a friend say that a certain app “sucks!” Whereas the truth is that the developers probably spent endless hours on it and spent hundreds of thousands of dollars, but one bad user experience and it deleted from a user’s phone and filed away in his or her mental file under “sucks!” So, travel UX design is not just about making things clear and comprehensible but also about making things visually engaging and immediately usable.

Functionality

Functionality could be present in every aspect of a mobile travel app UI design through its navigation or its features.

This principle helps users make sense of the information presented in the interface and do what they need to do with it.

Consider this to be the UI/UX design version of Chekov’s Gun principle, which applies to movies. According to the principle, each element in the narrative needs to have a meaningful contribution to the story. If something doesn’t add value to the story, it should be eliminated.

Quite literally, Chekov’s Gun principle states that if a gun is introduced in a story, it has to be used as an active part of the narrative. Similarly, each element used in your travel mobile app design must have a purpose for its existence. If it doesn’t improve your app’s functionality, it needs to be eliminated.

Reusability

What makes an app successful?

If it brings users back to it as intended, it is a good app. It is that simple. Your travel app design template must be developed with only one key goal in mind: make it reusable.

If your travel app dashboard isn’t experiencing consistency in user behavior, you need to rethink your template and possibly recreate one from scratch. Since app redesign is almost always more challenging than creating a new one, it is wiser to get everything right on the first attempt.

Developing your travel app dashboard.

Travel app requirements that designers shouldn’t ignore

The best travel apps help users get more out of their trips by providing them with everything they need to make it a great experience. Let’s take one of our travel apps as an example and dive deeper.

Fuselab helped build Geotourist, an app that allows tourists to find routes and first-hand accounts of travelers on their destinations ahead of their trips. You can read more about it in our travel app case study . But for now, let’s take a look at the specific issues and goals that were addressed by our team during the design process.

Performing travel app UX research to meet the key goals first

When you design travel apps, you need to ensure that they help users complete their goals, whether it be booking travel or finding the right hotel, restaurant, or attractions.

For Geoturist app UI/UX design, our research concluded three important goals: publish user-generated content in as many major cities as possible, attract users who are willing to add in-depth reviews, and make the app media-rich with videos and audio for each destination.

So, our team focused on these three things when planning the UI/UX design. We also studied all the travel app design inspirations that we could shortlist to understand if they were meeting the same goals and what gaps we could fill when designing our app.

The result? After our re-design, the app had a 30% increase in its monthly customers – all because it offered the value that its users were looking for.

Build in more personization in your travel app design.

Don’t delay needed fixes and UX improvements to your application.

Organizing content and elements sensibly

A creative travel app design doesn’t necessarily have to value aesthetics over the basics. Every travel app UX design should accommodate its user’s sensibility. This means organizing the content within the app into logical groups of information or functionality that can be accessed more quickly and easily than, say by browsing through all available options individually.

To reiterate, ask yourself the most ridiculously obvious question on earth: “why should users download this app when they can simply Google everything?” before determining your app’s value.

Let’s take social media apps for instance. An app like Instagram is now designed to let users find and access eateries in a specific location – some of which are not even listed on Google, perhaps because the people running the place don’t know about Google listings but know about Instagram.

All you must do is type in a keyword or tag and locate the places targeting those tags on the map. This is much faster than scrolling down endlessly through posts or profiles to discover new places. This type of organization also gives people more time to spend on their favorite social network.

In the case of Geotourist, our team utilized familiar icons and intuitive navigation for the app’s users. This eliminated the need for demos or tutorials for using the app because everything was self-explanatory. As a result, tourists were able to download the app and derive immediate value from it.

Balancing the words with numbers in your travel mobile app design

Some of the biggest travel app design problems can be easily resolved. For instance, too many words are bound to confuse you, so we need to balance them using numbers that appeal to your rationale. Moreover, the value perceived in digits is always given more importance than if it is perceived in terms because the former allows you to quantify your returns.

For the Geotourist app, we used the dashboard to show our clients how much value their users were gaining from the app. A dashboard has a collection of information (mainly related to the multiple aspects of the app’s data) that allows users to view and interact with it.

The best way to do this is by using data and analytics. Analytics is used to measure and analyze data from a number of different sources, such as website traffic, app usage, and customer feedback. We organized the data regarding user behavior and engagement on Geotourist into meaningful datasets, allowing our client to see the real-time interaction on the app – from social media interactions to tourist reviews.

The purpose of this was to give the creators of Geotourist detailed insights into their users without making them create charts or reports to make sense of all the data generated by the app. The app automated the analytics for them.

Using the analytics from Geotourist, they can now see what’s working and what isn’t, so they can quickly adjust to keep their customers happy and coming back for more.

Keeping all elements interactive

When designing a travel app dashboard, you are not only responsible for the layout of the pages but you also have to consider how it all works together.

According to the latest transportation app UI/UX design best practices , an effective design can help increase engagement, retention, and conversion rates by increasing perceived value and brand awareness among users. This was evident in the Geotourist app because we religiously stuck to the design fundamentals – one of which was improving the responsiveness of the app.

Everything clicks! Our team designed the user interface of the Geotourist app in such a way that it gave users a lot of room and opportunities for engaging with the app. All of this happened because the high “clickability” encouraged users to explore the app and dig deeper to find out what else they could do with it.

User experience is an unavoidable part of any app. Since user experience heavily relies on the user interface, even a single element can affect your engagement rate. So, it is always wiser to work with a professional travel app design agency to build one for you. Get in touch with our team to discuss your needs.

Marketing Director - Senior Strategist

About Author

Marc caposino.

Marc has over 20 years of senior-level creative experience; developing countless digital products, mobile and Internet applications, marketing and outreach campaigns for numerous public and private agencies across California, Maryland, Virginia, and D.C. In 2017 Marc co-founded Fuselab Creative with the hopes of creating better user experiences online through human-centered design.

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Product best practices, travel app development: 4 features that win over travelers.

24 November, 2021

It takes a lot for an app to stand out in the travel industry. Well-established giants like Airbnb, Booking.com and Tripadvisor tend to dominate the scene — and with good reason. 

The best travel apps of 2021 leverage user insights to develop useful features that make them stand out from the competition. There are so many apps to choose from; what makes the most downloaded travel apps succeed? We break down features and characteristics of some of the best travel apps use to keep customers coming back. 

.css-1efi8gv{font-weight:bold;} First, what do we know about traveler behavior?

While different facets of the travel industry appeal to customers with various personas and profiles, you’ll see these insights reflected in some of the best travel apps out there. They know they’ll have to win almost half of all users over on the go and have tailored their app experience to appeal to this behavior. With this in mind, let’s dive into four of the top features you’ll see across mobile app development from some of the best in the industry. 

Flexible destinations: search by “trips to anywhere”

Flexible destinations is a new way of planning trips when price and date is more important for the adventurous and flexible traveler. Skyscanner was one of the first travel apps to add “ everywhere ” as a final destination. Airbnb has followed suit with an “ I’m flexible ” option for travelers who are starting their search itinerary. By basing flight and hotel results purely on price, travelers can leave their final destination up to the whims of the universe.

Source: Skyscanner, Airbnb

With  the rise of remote work  and the growth of the gig economy (the number of gig workers in the US has risen to  15%  since 2010), travel planning is evolving — from people waiting for their annual vacation days to travel to planning their work schedules around flight and accommodation availability.

Source: Airbnb’s release on flexible dates, matching and destinations

Reacting to the pandemic and people staying in destinations longer while working remotely, Airbnb has also made it possible to search for places by  weekend, week or month . As people travel longer and the space between work and travel blurs, Airbnb has reacted to that new behavior.

Source: Google Play

Itinerary planners that keep users in your environment longer

Tripadvisor bills itself as a travel guidance company. The former go-to site for reviews about hotels, restaurants, tours, attractions, and experiences  got a makeover in early 2020  and updated its app  in June 2021 , just as travel started picking back up.

The result?  A fresh, zippy product  that combines the original angle of traveler reviews with an itinerary builder.  By repositioning itself as a travel planner app, Tripadvisor gives travelers everything they need to research, plan, and book a trip — all in one place.  The app’s “Trips” planning tool allows users to save, share, and organize traveler-recommended places. Tripadvisor has established itself as an end-to-end product by building an itinerary feature — and has a higher likelihood of building long-term relationships with users. 

But Tripadvisor isn’t the only app to create an itinerary builder.  Airbnb  incorporated  experiences in 2016  and suggests relevant activities once users have booked a stay. In a similar planning tool of the same name, users are given an overview of their bookings and see suggestions for experiences to enhance their trips. As with Tripadvisor, Airbnb’s full-service travel planning capability (well, almost — they don’t rent cars or provide transportation beyond to and from bookings) is designed to keep users in the app for longer and make the product a one-stop shop for trip planning.

Source: Tripadvisor and Airbnb apps

Source: GetYourGuide and Booking.com apps

Front and center COVID-friendly content

Generous cancellation policies have always been a silver lining for travelers wary of racking up costs on vacations they may not get to enjoy. There’s nothing worse than planning a trip only to have weather, plans or health derail it. Let’s take a look at how two major travel apps leverage content cards to highlight how they deal with cancellations around COVID-19. 

The  Booking.com app  highlights COVID-19 support in a content card on its main screen.  A travel-restriction tool allows users to input their departure and destination locations, as well as passport type, to find out what they need to know ahead of their trip.  While the app offers resources and information to users about safe travel, it also includes specific booking conditions and recommends booking an option with free cancellation. 

The  GetYourGuide app , on the other hand, takes a no-questions-asked approach. The tours and activities travel app calls out free cancellation 24 hours before a user’s scheduled activity in a content card on its main page. Additionally, GetYourGuide offers an easy-to-find, in-app customer support chat feature. 

Both apps work hard to keep users in their environment for longer — Booking.com by establishing themselves as an authority in COVID-friendly travel research and GetYourGuide by removing the fear of cancellation fees entirely from the equation. 

Understanding how customers look for information on your app can help with the placement of COVID information. Test hypotheses about information positioning via  heatmaps  and  session recordings . By seeing how users tap, scroll and swipe through your app, you can better understand how they look for content on the site. Likewise, funnel analytics can show how they get to your COVID information pages. In the GetYourGuide example above, they’ve given the content prime real estate above the activity cards. 

Heatmaps uncover and solve bottlenecks in the user experience.

Source: GetYourGuide, Booking.com, Airbnb

Minimalist design and content at checkout

Put yourself in a traveler’s shoes. You’ve landed in a new country with wobbly WiFi, you’ve only got a level 1 Duolingo grasp of the local language, and you want to secure a tour in the next ten minutes. The last thing you want is to fumble around with your credit card and tap back and forth at the checkout while on a busy road waiting. Here are some tips for apps that offer travel-experience booking: 

Having the full order summary with taxes and fees on the checkout page

can reduce frustration. Needing to go back and go back a few screens to check the cost summary before firing the payment trigger can be a headache for users who may abandon the checkout process completely.

Place the refund information on the checkout page

so users don’t get nervous right before their purchase. Having to go backward on the app to check the fine details can also lead to checkout abandonment.

Offer one-click checkout.

When users confirm their purchase, make it easy for them to go from product to checkout with few or no pages in between.

Offer different payment options at checkout.

Consider the usability of each for different travelers: Apple Pay is great on the go as you can double click to pay, PayPal has an extra layer of security for fraud prevention, and good ol’ credit card payment option for when you have no digital wallets setup.

The key to a seamless checkout process is identifying where users were frustrated with the checkout process and then improving it.

Hypothesize, test, iterate, repeat

Just like the real travel journey, every step of the user experience has to be accounted for. Travel apps occupy an exciting space in mobile app development. That’s why you need to use qualitative analytics tools to analyze to test the release of new features aimed at delighting travelers. 

With a tool like UXCam, you’ll be able to identify pain points that users are feeling along your journey. As the travel industry adjusts to a new normal in the wake of the worst of the pandemic, it’s going to be more important than ever to invest in understanding user behavior and optimizing your user experience. So keep testing and iterating, and build the next best travel app.

Want to know your travelers better? Access your   free UXCam trial  today.

Audrey Meissner

Audrey is a content marketing manager and copywriter with eight years of experience conceptualizing and creating strategic editorial content for direct marketing and social media channels.

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Travel Apps: 6 Delightful Consumer Insights Based on Customer Experience

Brand conversation analysis –  travel app , regions: india .

Travel apps are allowing customers to plan everything in just one click. Travel bookings applications are on a steady rise and online travel sales figure is projected to grow to 755.94 billion U.S. dollars in 2019!! Growth of travel and tourism and the availability of travel apps has made consumers happier then ever before.   The online user conversations reveal interesting insights into consumer preferences and their dislikes. This report offers an in-depth analysis of the travel app market in India that aids to identify the potential investment opportunities. 

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Methodology.

The analysis is based on customer reviews and conversations online in the segment. The analysis results presented are completely unbiased and not based on any subjective judgment.  The source data used for the analysis are user conversations available publicly online like public forums and social media .

Total number of conversations analyzed

Consumer insights are gathered by performing audience analysis.  Audience Analysis refers to the research conducted by brands to understand their audience on aspects such as their behavior, interests, preferences, gender, location, age, demographics, and other relevant elements of a group. 

A few decades ago, gaining an understanding of one’s audience was possible only by surveys and market research. But today, using social media data, audience analysis can be performed by brands to gain actionable business insights about their target audience. 

Travel Apps are making online customer journey smooth and effortless by offering easy and quick booking and search features. This makes a winning combination that engages and delivers excellent customer experience.

Through a detailed analysis of 47,984 online consumer conversations,  Clootrack  has listed down the top 6 consumer insights based on customer experience:  

1. Advanced Search

Travel apps offer advanced searches where one can search for flights, hotels, rental cars, exclusive deals and price alerts. It helps to search the most suitable and the best options for travelers. Customers are looking for more booking choices like details of connecting flights and terminal interchange times. Travel apps that can offer advance search functionalities and smooth online booking experience by matching with the users’ expectations and requirements will stand out from the rest of the travel apps. 

2. Search Booking

Travel apps that offer search options that include information on connecting flights, terminal information, free baggage and visa requirements will be a great hit with the customers. Search capabilities must ease the traveler’s booking experience by incorporating latest technology. 

3. Filter Time

Travelers have different kinds of requirements. Travel apps that gives more filtering options for the arrival time of day, hours of target time, takeoff and landing times will make a customer better equipped before making booking decisions. 

4. Search Options

Travel apps are highly search-orientated in order to maximize searches and thereafter bookings.  They should offer search suggestions to be saved for later, searches for baggage allowance and visa requirements .

5. Filter Provider

One of the other booking and search options that consumers are looking is efficient filters for service provider. Offer options such as choose by brand, chose by frequent flyer options and discounts offered by different providers to make an easy choice of the service provider. 

6.  Proper Search

One of the things that can irritate your users is when you are offering some impossible suggestions like an overlapping flight, or when the hotel and airline rules are clashing, or too much of waiting time. Instead offer undesirable options only when a user requests for it.

Top 3 Feel-Good Factors of Travel Apps in India

A feel good factor is something that makes people feel happy and positive about the products and services that are offered to them. Travel apps should offer feel good factors to its users which will make them come back again and again.

We analyzed and below are top 3 factors that make travel app users feel good about the travel service provider:

Top 1: Customized Packages

Customers are expecting a wide range of holiday packages including niche and exotic packages such as Tour package, honeymoon package, pilgrimage package and many more. Customers feel value for money when customized packages are offered.

Top 2: Personalization

With personalization, travel apps can deliver relevant offers content to users based on what they’ve clicked and by studying behaviors of their visitors. Travel apps can guide users with personalized messages search preferences, preferred provider and frequent flyer status. It is high time that travel apps put this info into use.

Top 3: Travel Suggestions

This is add-on feature that customers are looking forward while booking holidays. When the app suggests local site seeing, or food and entertainment, or shopping, the customers get a feel that the travel app is indeed going beyond and giving additional service. This is an excellent opportunity for travel sites to engage and attract their visitors right away and create a feel good factor.

Detailed Report

With audience analysis, promoting your product to target audience becomes easier. Audience analysis gives access to the interests of your potential customers, thereby promoting your product better.  Audience analysis helps companies to discover not just their own audience but to identify the audience of competitors as well. As a result of audience analysis Brands can design strategies to capture the competition based on insights relating to the likes and dislikes of their audience. Based on audience analysis brands can  know other interesting insights about travel apps. You can download the pdf version of the complete report for free.

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34 Best Travel Apps for Europe to Enhance Your Travel Experience

• October 12, 2023
• Lauren Stuttaford

Traveling to Europe? Don’t forget to pack the best travel apps for Europe!

Europe is a vast and diverse continent, with something to offer every type of traveler. Whether you’re interested in history, culture, food, or simply relaxing by the Mediterranean Sea, there’s a European destination for you.

But with so many different countries and languages, it can be daunting to plan a trip to Europe. This is where travel apps come in.

Travel apps can help you with everything from booking flights and accommodation to finding the best restaurants and activities. They can also help you navigate unfamiliar cities, communicate with locals, and even deal with pesky travel challenges like falling ill in a foreign country (yes, that’s a subtle nod to us).

In this blog post, we’ll introduce you to the best travel apps for Europe. Covering everything from transportation to accommodation, food, and activities, and more. Note: these aren’t just travel apps for Europe. They’re must-have apps for travel in Europe that can help you save time and money during your travels.

So, whether you’re a seasoned traveler or a first-time visitor, having these apps on your phone can significantly enhance your travel experience. Let’s dive in!

Best Travel Apps for Europe – Travel and Transportation

One of the most crucial aspects of traveling is figuring out how to get from point A to point B efficiently (of course). Whether you’re traveling across country (or countries), there are several fantastic travel apps for Europe that can help you out. Apps like Skyscanner, Citymapper, and Rome2rio are just some of the many best apps to have when traveling in Europe.

Get ready for detailed directions, real-time transportation schedules, and accurate information about public transportation options, and more. With our recommendations for the best apps to use while traveling in Europe, you’ll be zipping all over in no time.

Eurail is first on the list and easily one of the best apps for Europe train travel. It’s the ultimate companion for rail enthusiasts and adventurers looking for a flexible and convenient way to explore Europe’s diverse landscapes and cultures.

Price: Free to download.

Locations: Valid in 33 European countries, making it one of the most extensive rail pass options.

Available: iOS and Android

Highlight Features:

• Extensive Coverage: Explore plenty of European destinations with just one pass.
• Flexible Passes: Get a suitable pass for your travel itineraries: continuous, flexible, and single-country passes.
• Convenience: Enjoy the convenience of a single pass for multiple journeys.
• Unlimited Travel: Get unlimited train travel (depending on your pass) during your trip – ideal if you want to explore Europe at your own pace.
• Ease of Use: Access a user-friendly app to activate and manage your pass, check train schedules, and even locate nearby train stations.
• Extras: Access additional benefits, like discounts on ferries, buses, and city transport.
• Scenic Routes: Discover some of Europe’s most breathtaking scenery as many routes take you through picturesque landscapes.
• Traveler’s Community: Connect with other Eurail travelers, share tips, and gather insights through their online community for a richer travel experience.

Skiplagged is the savvy traveler’s hack for finding budget-friendly flights to and within Europe. No surprise, it’s one of the best apps for European travel! But, what does it do? Skiplagged helps you find flights (that the airlines don’t want you to see) by exposing loopholes in airfare pricing to save you money. Pretty neat, huh? 🙂

Locations: Skiplagged can be used for flights to, from, and within Europe – it covers other destinations too!

• Hidden City Fares: Save significantly on airfare by booking flights with layovers in your intended destination.
• Price Alerts: Receive notifications when flight prices drop and snag the best deals for you.
• Easy Booking: Simple and user-friendly interface for booking flights – efficient and stress-free process.
• Multi-City Search: Plan complex European itineraries by searching for multi-city flights (ideal for travelers exploring multiple destinations in one trip).
• Baggage Fee Calculator: Avoid unexpected fees and assess the cost of bringing luggage on your flights with the baggage fee calculator.
• Transparent Information: Get clear information about potential risks associated with hidden city fares.
• Travel Planning: Easily plan your European trip with Skiplagged’s tools to search for flights, accommodations, and rental cars in one place.
• User Reviews: Benefit from insights shared by fellow travelers through user reviews and ratings, helping you make the best choices for your trip.

You’re probably no stranger to the next best travel app for Europe. Skyscanner is a versatile and user-friendly travel app that simplifies the process of planning your trips. With a wide array of flight options, travel resources, and money-saving features, Skyscanner can help you make the most of your European journey.

Locations: Global

• Comprehensive Flight Search: Skyscanner searches a vast database of flights from hundreds of airlines, helping you find the best deals for your trip.
• Flexible Date and Location Search: Search for flights across a range of dates or explore nearby airports to find more affordable and convenient travel options.
• Price Alerts: Set up price alerts so you’re notified when flight prices drop and can snag the best deals.
• Car Rentals and Hotels: Besides flights, you can also search for car rentals and accommodations.
• User-Friendly Interface: The app’s intuitive design ensures a seamless and stress-free booking experience.
• Explore Map: Discover new European destinations with the Explore Map feature, which shows you various flight options based on your budget and preferences.
• Travel Inspiration: Find travel inspiration with Skyscanner’s articles, travel guides, and destination recommendations for your trip.

Cabify is a go-to app for many travelers on the lookout for convenient, safe, and reliable transportation options to explore the vibrant cities of Europe. The app is user-friendly and has various cost-saving features, making it one of the best travel apps for Europe (at least in our book).

Locations: Available in major European cities, including Barcelona, Madrid, Paris, Lisbon, (with new cities added regularly).

• Ride-Hailing Convenience: Easily request a ride at your location and navigate unfamiliar European cities with confidence.
• Safety and Quality: Cabify prioritizes passenger safety and quality service, ensuring a comfortable and secure ride as you explore the globe.
• Varied Vehicle Options: Tailor your ride to your needs and preferences with a range of vehicle types, including standard cars, executive rides, and even eco-friendly options.
• Transparent Pricing: Know the cost of your ride before you book to eliminate surprises and ensure budget-conscious travel.
• Multi-Language Support: The app offers multi-language support, making it accessible to travelers from around the world.
• Cashless Transactions: Pay for your rides using the app – eliminate the need for cash and simplify your travel expenses.
• Ride History: Keep track of your ride history, making it easy to review your past trips and expenses.

Bonus: Cabify often offers discounts and promotions, making it even more affordable for travelers.

FREE NOW is a versatile travel app for Europe (and one of the best apps for European travel), since it offers a range of transportation options and features. Its extensive coverage, user-friendly interface, and budget-friendly options, make FREE NOW a go-to app for travelers who want a hassle-free transportation experience in Europe. FREE NOW is one of the most popular travel apps in Europe, with over 50 million downloads. We think that classifies it as one of the best travel apps for Europe.

Locations: Available in over 150 European cities.

• Various Ride Options: Choose the mode of transportation that suits your needs and budget: including taxis, private hire vehicles, e-scooters, and more.
• Real-Time Booking: Easily book rides in real time – a convenient option for travelers on-the-go.
• Ride-Sharing: Share your ride and split the fare with friends or fellow travelers to save money on individual travel costs.
• Transparent Pricing: Know the estimated cost of your ride before booking, making it easier to plan your trip.
• Driver Ratings: View driver ratings and reviews to ensure a safe and pleasant ride experience.
• Accessibility: FREE NOW offers accessible vehicles for passengers with mobility needs, making it an inclusive choice for all travelers.
• Multi-Language Support: The app supports multiple languages to accommodate international travelers.

When it comes to must-have apps for travel in Europe, Omio is undoubtedly one. Consider this your go-to app for seamlessly planning and booking your European transportation. With its multi-modal search capabilities and comprehensive coverage of Europe’s transportation networks, Omio helps you make informed decisions and experience a hassle-free journey.

Locations: Europe

• Multi-Modal Search: Search and book a wide range of transportation options, including trains, buses, flights, and ferries – it’s a one-stop shop for planning multi-modal journeys across Europe.
• Price Comparison: Easily compare prices and travel times for different transportation modes to find the most cost-effective and convenient options.
• Convenient Booking: Book your tickets directly within the app – saving time and eliminating the need to visit multiple websites.
• Real-Time Updates: Stay informed during your travels with real-time updates on your journey, including delays, platform changes, and gate information.
• Multi-Language Support: Omio offers support in multiple languages, accommodating travelers from around the world.
• Paperless Travel: Access your tickets and reservations digitally and reduce the need for physical documents.
• Customer Reviews: Read reviews from other travelers to gain insights into the quality of your chosen transportation options.

Rome2rio is a powerful travel app that simplifies the process of planning complex journeys across the globe. With its multi-modal planning, real-time information, and helpful features, it’s an indispensable tool for travelers looking for efficient and well-informed travel plans.

It is one of the most popular travel apps in the world, with over 100 million downloads – some might consider it one of the best travel apps for Europe and beyond.

• Multi-Modal Planning: Comprehensive multi-modal travel planning, combining transportation options like trains, buses, flights, ferries, and more, to create seamless itineraries across Europe and beyond.
• Real-Time Schedules: Access real-time schedules, routes, and availability for a wide range of transportation modes, so you can efficiently plan your European journey.
• Cost Estimations: Get estimated costs for your planned trips, including ticket prices and booking information, so you can budget effectively.
• Interactive Maps: Visualize your travel routes with interactive maps that display your entire journey, making it easy to understand and follow your itinerary.
• Accommodation Booking: You can also book accommodations directly through the app and streamline your travel planning process.
• Weather Information: Stay informed about the weather conditions at your destination, so you can pack and prepare accordingly for your European adventure.
• Offline Access: Access essential details even when you don’t have an internet connection by downloading maps and information for offline use.

FlixBus is another go-to app for budget-friendly and convenient bus and train travel across Europe. With its extensive network, affordability, and onboard amenities, it offers a comfortable and eco-conscious way to explore the diverse landscapes and cultures of the continent. This one easily makes our list of the best apps for traveling Europe.

Locations: All of Europe, Turkey, Brazil and the USA. Train trips are available in Germany and Sweden.

• Vast Network: Easily reach your desired destinations with an extensive network of routes, connecting cities and regions across Europe.
• Affordability: Enjoy budget-friendly fares – an excellent choice for economical travel within Europe.
• Real-Time Updates: Stay informed about your journey with real-time updates on bus arrivals, departures, and any potential delays.
• Seat Selection: Choose your preferred seat when booking to ensure a comfortable, personalized travel experience.
• E-Tickets: Access your tickets digitally and eliminate the need for paper tickets.
• Luggage Included: Reduce the hassle of additional fees for your baggage, since most FlixBus tickets include luggage allowances.
• Onboard Amenities: Experience comfortable travel with amenities such as free Wi-Fi, power outlets, and onboard restrooms on select routes.
• Green Travel: FlixBus is committed to eco-friendly travel, with many buses using clean and sustainable energy sources, contributing to a greener Europe.

BlaBlaCar offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional transportation methods, helping travelers save money on their European journeys. The app is especially popular in Europe, with extensive coverage across the continent, connecting major cities, small towns, and even remote areas – which is why we’ve deemed it one of the best apps to travel Europe.

Locations: BlaBlaCar is available in over 22 European countries and 70 countries worldwide.

• Carpooling: BlaBlaCar connects drivers with available seats to passengers traveling in the same direction, promoting a sustainable and cost-effective mode of transportation.
• Cost Sharing: Both drivers and riders save money on their trips compared to traditional train or bus fares, since passengers contribute to fuel costs.
• Trust and Safety: BlaBlaCar incorporates user reviews, profiles, and verification measures to ensure a secure and trustworthy travel experience.
• Flexible Scheduling: Get flexibility for different itineraries by choosing from various departure times and locations.
• Environmental Impact: Carpooling helps reduce carbon emissions and supports eco-friendly travel.
• Luggage Space: Communicate with drivers to ensure there’s enough space for your luggage.
• Language Options: Available in over 25 languages and caters to international travelers exploring Europe.

Eurostar is the preferred choice for travelers seeking fast, efficient, and comfortable train travel between major European cities. With its city-center terminals, commitment to sustainability, and premium onboard experience, Eurostar offers a convenient and hassle-free way to explore Europe’s cultural and urban highlights. It’s also another contender for best app for European train travel!

Locations: Eurostar operates connecting train services between major European cities, with a primary focus on connecting London with destinations like Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, and more.

• High-Speed Rail: Offers a time-efficient way to travel between European capitals and key cities, with journey times of just 2 hours and 15 minutes from London to Paris and 1 hour and 57 minutes from London to Brussels.
• City-Center to City-Center: Save time and get convenient access to your hotel, attractions, and other points of interest, since Eurostar trains typically arrive and depart from city-center terminals.
• Efficient Check-In: Streamlined check-in processes and security procedures make Eurostar travel a seamless experience, with most passengers able to complete the entire process in under 30 minutes.
• Comfortable Seating: Enjoy comfortable seating, spacious carriages, and onboard services, such as catering and power outlets, ensuring a pleasant journey.
• WiFi and Entertainment: Stay connected and entertained with onboard WiFi and entertainment options on select trains, including access to movies, TV shows, music, and games.
• Eco-Friendly: Eurostar is committed to sustainability, with its trains powered by 100% renewable energy and a range of other initiatives to reduce its environmental impact. It is a more sustainable option than flying, with Eurostar trains producing up to 90% less CO2 emissions than planes on comparable journeys.
• Travel Information: Access real-time travel information, including schedules, platform details, and updates, via the Eurostar app or website, to stay informed about your journey.

DB Navigator

DB Navigator is another great one for your list of Europe travel apps. It’s your go-to app for planning and booking train travel in primarily Germany and other nearby regions. With its extensive coverage, real-time information, and convenient features, it’s a valuable companion for travelers exploring Europe via the efficient German rail network.

Locations: Germany and international train routes connecting Germany with neighboring European countries.

• Comprehensive Timetables: Access detailed train schedules for Germany and plan your European rail journeys with precision.
• Ticket Booking: Purchase tickets directly within the app and eliminate the need to visit ticket counters or websites.
• Real-Time Updates: Stay informed about delays, platform changes, and other important travel information in real time.
• Seat Reservation: Reserve specific seats on trains, giving you control over your travel preferences and comfort.
• Integrated Maps: Easily locate train stations and view station maps to navigate unfamiliar locations effortlessly.
• Multi-Language Support: The app offers support in multiple languages, catering to international travelers exploring Europe via German rail services.
• Local Transit: DB Navigator provides information on local transit options, so you can navigate cities and regions efficiently.
• Loyalty Programs: Accumulate rewards through the BahnBonus program, allowing you to earn benefits for your frequent train travel.

Gett is a reliable and user-friendly app for travelers seeking on-demand taxi services in select European cities – making it one of the best travel apps for Europe. With its instant booking, transparent pricing, and payment convenience, it offers a convenient and affordable way to navigate urban areas and reach your European destinations with ease.

Locations: The Gett app operates in London, Moscow, and New York, making it a suitable choice for urban travel within these regions.

• Instant Rides: Easily request a taxi in real-time, allowing for on-the-spot transportation to your destination.
• In-App Payment: Pay for your rides seamlessly within the app and eliminate the need for cash transactions.
• Driver Ratings and Reviews: View driver ratings and reviews to ensure a safe and comfortable experience.
• Corporate Travel: Gett offers corporate solutions, making it an ideal choice for business travelers in European cities.
• Transparent Pricing: Know the cost of your ride before booking and ensure budget-conscious travel.
• Ride Sharing: Share your taxi ride and split the fare with others, reducing individual travel costs.
• Multi-Language Support: Gett offers support in multiple languages, accommodating international travelers.

Bike Share Buddy

Bike Share Buddy is the perfect app for travelers looking to embrace eco-friendly transportation and explore European cities on bike-sharing programs. Since this is a popular way for people to get around Europe, it’s one of the best apps for Europe travel. With its real-time information, payment convenience, and station maps, it enhances your biking experience while discovering urban landscapes and local culture.

Locations: Various European cities with bike-sharing programs.

• Bike Availability: Quickly locate available bikes at nearby bike-sharing stations so you can start your two-wheeled adventure without delay.
• Station Maps: Access station maps to plan your routes, find docking points, and identify nearby attractions and amenities.
• Real-Time Updates: Stay informed about bike availability, station capacity, and any system alerts in real-time.
• Secure Payments: Rent bikes and make payments directly within the app and eliminate the need for physical kiosks or payment terminals.
• Bike Return Assistance: Get directions and information on returning your bike to the nearest station and avoid unnecessary penalties.
• Multi-Language Support: Get support in multiple languages, catering to international travelers exploring European cities.
• Favorite Stations: Save your preferred bike-sharing stations for quick access and convenience.

CityMapper is your ultimate tool for navigating European cities with ease and efficiency – and one of the best travel apps for Europe. With its comprehensive transportation planning, real-time updates, and user-friendly maps, it’s the perfect travel app to ensure you make the most of your urban adventures in Europe.

Locations: Numerous European cities.

• Multi-Modal Planning: Seamlessly plan your journey using a combination of public transportation modes, including buses, trams, subways, and even walking routes.
• Real-Time Departures: Access real-time departure information for public transport and never miss a bus or train while exploring.
• Live Transit Updates: Receive live updates on delays, disruptions, and service changes and adapt your travel plans accordingly.
• Detailed Maps: Access detailed city maps with clear transit routes, station locations, and points of interest and simplify navigation in unfamiliar cities.
• Ride-Share Integration: Compare public transportation with ride-sharing options like Uber or Lyft to choose the most convenient and cost-effective way to get around.
• Bike Routes : Explore bike-friendly routes and bike-sharing options for a sustainable and enjoyable way to see cities.
• Offline Maps: Download maps and information for offline use to navigate even without an internet connection.
• Accessibility Information: Access information about accessible routes and transportation options for travelers with mobility needs.

Trainline is a versatile and user-friendly app for travelers seeking to explore Europe and beyond by train. With its comprehensive rail information, ticket booking convenience, and real-time updates, it simplifies the process of planning and enjoying train travel across the continent and beyond. As one of the best apps for European train travel, you’ll definitely want to download this one.

Locations: Europe and various other regions.

• Comprehensive Rail Information: Access detailed information on train schedules, routes, and prices for various European railway networks.
• Ticket Booking: Book train tickets directly within the app and eliminate the need to visit train station counters or websites.
• Mobile Tickets: Receive and store your train tickets digitally in the app so you can easily access it and reduce paper waste.
• Real-Time Updates: Stay informed about real-time train departures, platform information, and any service disruptions during your journey.
• Price Alerts: Set up price alerts to receive notifications when ticket prices drop and secure the best deals for your European train travel.
• Seat Selection: Choose your preferred seats and travel class when booking tickets and ensure a comfortable and personalized travel experience.
• Multi-Language Support: Trainline offers support in multiple languages, catering to international travelers exploring Europe and beyond.
• Access to International Routes: Plan and book international train journeys seamlessly (ideal for travelers exploring multiple European countries).

Scooterino is a convenient and eco-friendly app for travelers looking for efficient transportation within select European cities. With its real-time scooter locations, payment convenience, and emphasis on safety, it offers a convenient and sustainable way to explore urban landscapes across the continent. And you get to travel like a local, making it one of the best apps for travel in Europe.

Locations: Select European cities.

• Scooter-Sharing: Quickly locate and rent electric scooters for convenient and eco-friendly urban travel in European cities.
• Real-Time Scooter Locations: Quickly find the nearest ride and access real-time information on available scooters and their proximity.
• Payment Integration: Easily pay for scooter rentals directly within the app – simplify your travel expenses and eliminate the need for physical transactions.
• Safety Measures: Scooterino emphasizes safety by providing guidelines and recommendations for responsible scooter use, like wearing a helmet and following traffic laws.
• Navigation Assistance: Access scooter-friendly maps to plan your routes and find designated parking areas for scooters.
• Multi-Language Support: Scooterino offers support in multiple languages catering to international travelers exploring European cities.
• Eco-Friendly Transportation: Reduce your carbon footprint by choosing electric scooters for short-distance travel within urban areas.

Best Travel Apps for Europe – Accommodation

Finding the perfect place to stay during your trip is essential for a comfortable and enjoyable experience. With the help of travel apps for Europe and well-known accommodation apps, such as Airbnb, Booking.com, and Expedia, you can easily search for the best deals and options that fit your budget and preferences.

Booking.com

Booking.com is not only one of the best apps to travel Europe and beyond, but when it comes to travel apps, it’s easily one of the most popular. The versatile and user-friendly accommodation app caters to the diverse needs of travelers exploring Europe. With its extensive listings, competitive rates, and convenient features, it’s a reliable choice for securing comfortable and convenient stays in European cities and anywhere else.

Locations: Over 220 countries and territories, including all of Europe. It’s a one-stop shop for finding accommodation in European destinations, from major cities to remote countryside locations.

• Diverse Accommodation Options: Choose from a vast selection of accommodations, including hotels, apartments, hostels, vacation rentals, and even unique stays like treehouses and houseboats.
• User Reviews and Ratings: Read authentic reviews and ratings from fellow travelers to make informed decisions about your accommodation choices.
• Price Matching: Get the best rates for your chosen accommodations with Booking.com’s price match guarantee.
• Instant Confirmation: Receive instant booking confirmations and eliminae the uncertainty that can come with travel planning.
• Flexible Booking: Many properties offer free cancellation options and adjust your plans if they change.
• Maps and Location Information: Access maps, neighborhood information, and proximity to key attractions and find the ideal place to stay.
• Multi-Lingual Booking Assistance and Support: If you need assistance or have questions about your booking, Booking.com’s customer service is available 24/7 to help. They provide support in over 40 languages to accommodate international travelers.

Kayak is a versatile travel app (and one of the best apps to travel Europe) because it simplifies the process of finding and booking accommodations. Offering comprehensive search, price comparison, and trip planning features, it’s a valuable resource for any traveler looking for both comfortable and affordable stays.

Locations: Global coverage, with a focus on European cities and regions.

• Comprehensive Search: Kayak collects accommodation listings from multiple sources and offers a wide range of options, including hotels, hostels, vacation rentals, and more.
• Price Comparison: Easily compare prices from multiple booking sites to find the most competitive rates for your European stay.
• Flexible Filters: Customize your search with filters for budget, amenities, star ratings, and location preferences to narrow down the perfect accommodation.
• User Reviews and Ratings: Access genuine reviews and ratings from previous guests to make informed decisions about your stay.
• Price Alerts: Set up price alerts to receive notifications when accommodation prices drop, allowing you to secure the best deals.
• Trip Planning: Plan your entire trip, including flight bookings, car rentals, and accommodations, streamlining the travel planning process.
• Multi-Language Support: The app provides support in over 20 languages.
• Secure Booking: Enjoy secure and reliable booking processes, with the assurance of instant confirmation for your chosen accommodations.

Airbnb is a versatile and unique accommodation platform that allows travelers to connect with local hosts and experience Europe from a more personal perspective. Complete with diverse listings, transparent pricing, and opportunities for local experiences, it offers a distinct and memorable way to stay in European destinations. Another easy pick for the best travel apps for Europe.

Locations: Airbnb provides listings in a wide array of European cities, towns, and even remote countryside areas, as well as other parts of the globe.

• Diverse Accommodations: Choose from a wide selection of unique accommodations, including private rooms, entire homes, apartments, treehouses, and more.
• Host Ratings and Reviews: Read reviews and ratings from previous guests to gain insights into the quality of accommodations and experiences.
• Price Transparency: Airbnb provides clear pricing information, including any additional fees to help you plan your budget accurately.
• Local Experiences: Explore Airbnb Experiences to discover unique activities and tours led by local hosts, enhancing your European travel experience.
• Instant Bookings: Enjoy the convenience of instant bookings for accommodations that offer this feature and eliminate the need for confirmation wait times.
• Host Communication: Communicate directly with hosts to ask questions, clarify details, or request additional information about your stay.
• Multi-Language Support: The app offers support in over 60 languages and caters to international travelers exploring Europe.
• Secure Booking: Airbnb’s secure payment system ensures the safety of your financial information.

HostelWorld

HostelWorld is a valuable app for travelers searching for budget-friendly hostel accommodations in European destinations. With its comprehensive hostel search, price comparison, and user reviews, it simplifies the process of finding and booking hostels – and it’s a great way to save money while traveling abroad. When it comes to the best apps for European travel this one is another clear must-have.

Locations: Europe with a focus on hostels.

• Hostel Search: Search for hostels across various European destinations, with options ranging from vibrant city centers to serene countryside locations.
• User Reviews and Ratings: Access genuine reviews and ratings from fellow travelers to make informed decisions about your hostel accommodations.
• Price Comparison: Compare prices and availability from different hostels and find the best deals for your European stay.
• Flexible Booking: Enjoy flexible booking options, with many hostels offering free cancellation, you can adjust your plans as needed.
• Secure Booking: Book hostels securely within the app, with instant confirmations and reliable payment processing.
• Multi-Language Support: The app provides support in over 20 languages to accommodate international travelers exploring Europe.
• Hostel Recommendations: Discover featured hostels and recommendations, making it easier to find accommodations that suit your preferences and travel style.

Best Travel Apps for Europe – Food and Culture

Exploring different cuisines and trying local delicacies is one of the highlights of any trip. With food apps like Yelp, Zomato, and TripAdvisor, you can discover the best restaurants, cafes, and street food vendors in every city you visit. But these apps offer something a bit different. Luckily, you’ll still get recommendations, menus, and user reviews, so you find the perfect dining spots that suit your taste buds.

TheFork is a valuable app for travelers looking to savor the flavors of Europe and one of the best apps for traveling Europe and eating like a local. In fact, we covered it in this piece too: Traveler’s Guide: The Best Travel Food Apps For Foodies Who Want To Eat Local . With its restaurant search, reservation capabilities, and user reviews, TheFork simplifies the process of finding and booking dining experiences in European cities, and lets you indulge in the continent’s diverse culinary delights.

• Restaurant Search: Discover a wide range of restaurants – from local favorites to Michelin-starred establishments.
• User Reviews and Ratings: Access reviews and ratings from diners who have experienced the restaurant, helping you make informed dining choices.
• Table Reservations: Easily book tables at your preferred restaurants and secure a spot even during busy dining hours.
• Discounts and Promotions: TheFork often offers exclusive discounts and promotions at select restaurants so you can enjoy fine dining without breaking the bank.
• Cuisine Variety: Explore a diverse range of cuisines, including local specialties and international flavors catering to various tastes.
• Special Occasions: Find restaurants suitable for special occasions, like anniversaries, birthdays, and romantic dinners, and ensure a memorable dining experience.
• Multi-lingual Support: Access support in multiple languages.
• Food and Menu Information: Access detailed information about restaurant menus, including dishes, prices, and dietary options.

JustEat is a convenient app for travelers seeking quick and delicious dining options in European cities and another one of the best travel apps for Europe. With its variety of restaurants, delivery, and takeaway services, as well as user reviews, JustEat simplifies the process of finding and enjoying tasty meals during your European adventures.

• Restaurant Variety: Explore a diverse selection of restaurants and cuisines from local eateries to international favorites.
• Food Delivery: Order food for delivery directly from your chosen restaurant.
• Takeaway Options: Browse takeaway menus and place orders for pickup and enjoy your meal elsewhere.
• User Ratings and Reviews: Access reviews and ratings from other customers to help you make informed choices about your dining selections.
• Filters and Search: Use filters to narrow down your choices by cuisine, price range, and other preferences, ensuring you find the perfect meal.
• Real-Time Tracking: Track your food delivery in real-time and know when your meal will arrive.
• Order History: Easily reorder your favorite meals from previous orders.
• Multi-lingual Support: The app provides support in multiple languages, catering to international travelers exploring European culinary options.

HappyCow is an invaluable app for vegan or vegetarian travelers (and that’s why it’s one of the best apps to travel Europe). Yay! Offering curated listings, user reviews, and dietary information, HappyCow simplifies the process of finding plant-based eateries and restaurants across the globe, including European cities and regions.

Locations: Covers various European cities and regions, as well as the rest of the globe.

• Curated Listings: Discover a curated selection of vegan and vegetarian restaurants, making it easy to find plant-based dining options anywhere in the world.
• Vegan-Friendly Options: In addition to exclusively vegan and vegetarian places, the app also lists restaurants that offer vegan-friendly menu items.
• User Reviews and Ratings: Access reviews and ratings from like-minded diners and ensure you have a positive dining experience.
• Cuisine Variety: Explore a range of vegan and vegetarian cuisines, from traditional to innovative, catering to different tastes and preferences.
• Special Dietary Information: Find detailed information about menu options, allergens, and dietary restrictions to make informed choices.
• Interactive Maps: Access maps with restaurant locations and easily locate vegan and vegetarian dining spots in European cities.
• Traveler Tips: Benefit from traveler recommendations and tips for finding the best vegan and vegetarian meals during your European travels.
• Multi-lingual Support: Supports multiple languages to accommodate international travelers exploring plant-based dining in Europe.

Best Travel Apps for Europe – Experiences and Activities

When it comes to exploring Europe, it can sometimes feel like there are an endless amount of activities and attractions to choose from. So, to make the most of your time, you can use activity apps like GetYourGuide, Viator, and even Airbnb to get a range of tours, experiences, and sightseeing options. These apps also offer user reviews and ratings, ensuring that you select the best activities that align with your interests. (Did someone say they wanted more must-have apps for travel in Europe?)

GetYourGuide

GetYourGuide is a versatile app for travelers seeking memorable experiences and activities in Europe. With its extensive selection, user reviews, and instant booking options, it simplifies the process of finding activities to enjoy during your travels.

Locations: Offers a diverse selection of experiences and activities in multiple European cities and regions.

• Extensive Experiences: Choose from an extensive array of experiences, including guided tours, cultural activities, outdoor adventures, and more, to enhance your European travel.
• User Ratings and Reviews: Access reviews and ratings from fellow travelers to make informed decisions about the activities you want to book.
• Instant Booking: Secure your spot in popular tours and activities with instant bookings.
• Local Expert Guides: Enjoy activities led by knowledgeable local guides who provide insights and unique perspectives on European destinations.
• Flexible Cancellation: Many experiences offer flexible cancellation policies, so you can adjust your plans if needed.
• Skip-the-Line Access: Some activities include skip-the-line privileges, saving you time and ensuring hassle-free access to popular attractions.
• Multi-lingual Support: The app provides support in multiple languages to accommodate international travelers exploring Europe.

Viator is a versatile app and one of the best travel apps for Europe experiences. With its extensive catalog, user reviews, and instant booking options, it simplifies the process of planning and finding memorable activities that complement your European adventures.

Locations: Offers an extensive selection of experiences and activities in multiple European cities and regions.

• Vast Experience Catalog: Choose from a range of experiences, including guided tours, excursions, cultural activities, and adventure trips, to enhance your travels.
• User Reviews and Ratings: Access reviews and ratings from fellow travelers to make informed decisions about the activities you want to book.
• Local Expert Guides: Get unique insights into European destinations and attractions with activities led by local experts.
• Skip-the-Line Access: Some activities include skip-the-line privileges, saving you time and ensuring seamless access to renowned attractions.
• Flexible Cancellation: Many experiences offer flexible cancellation policies.

Expedia is a versatile app for travelers seeking diverse and enriching experiences and activities throughout Europe. It’s not only one of the best apps for European travel, it also one of the most popular trip planning tools.

Locations: Offers a broad selection of experiences and activities across numerous European cities and regions, catering to diverse interests.

• Comprehensive Selection: Choose from a comprehensive catalog of experiences, including tours, attractions, shows, and cultural activities.
• User Ratings and Reviews: Access reviews and ratings from fellow travelers.
• Multi-lingual Support: The app provides support in multiple languages to accommodate.
• Package Deals: Explore bundled travel packages that combine flights, accommodations, and activities, streamlining your trip planning.
• Flexible Cancellation: Many experiences offer flexible cancellation policies, allowing you to adjust your plans if needed.
• Travel Itinerary: Organize your trip by creating and managing a detailed travel itinerary that includes all your booked activities.

Like a Local

Like a Local is an invaluable app for travelers who want to uncover Europe’s hidden treasures and experience destinations from a local perspective. Which is why it’s one of our favorite travel apps for Europe. With its curated recommendations, offline access, and user-generated content, it offers a unique and authentic way to explore European cities and regions.

Price: Paid, but offers valuable local insights and recommendations for travelers looking to explore Europe like a local.

Locations: Covers various European cities, offering in-depth local tips and recommendations, allowing travelers to uncover hidden gems.

• Local Recommendations: Access recommendations from locals, including off-the-beaten-path attractions, dining spots, and experiences for an authentic European adventure.
• Customized City Guides: Explore city guides tailored to your interests, whether you’re into food, culture, or outdoor activities.
• Offline Access: Download city guides for offline use and have access to local insights even without internet connection.
• User-Generated Content: Contribute your own recommendations and tips to the app’s community, and share your discoveries with fellow travelers.
• Interactive Maps: Access maps with pinpointed recommendations for easy navigation and to discover local gems.
• In-App Chat: Connect with locals and fellow travelers through in-app chat, getting real-time advice and insights.
• Personalized Experience: Receive recommendations based on your location and interests.

SANDEMANs New Europe

SANDEMANs New Europe is an excellent app for travelers seeking informative and immersive guided walking tours across European cities. Get expert guides, diverse tour options, and budget-friendly choices – all in all, an enriching way to discover the cultural and historical heritage of Europe. We highly recommend SANDEMANs New Europe among the best travel apps for Europe.

Price: Offers both free and paid walking tours, catering to travelers with various budgets.

Locations: Covers multiple European cities, providing guided walking tours that explore historical and cultural landmarks.

• Expert Guides: Enjoy informative and engaging guided tours led by local experts who are passionate about sharing their knowledge and insights on European cities.
• Diverse Tours: Choose from a variety of tour themes, including history, culture, architecture, and more.
• Free Tours: Access free walking tours in select European cities – a budget-friendly option for travelers.
• Paid Tours: Opt for premium paid tours that provide in-depth experiences and access to exclusive sites.
• Small Group Sizes: Benefit from small group sizes to ensure a personalized and interactive tour experience.
• Multi-lingual Guides: Many tours offer multi-lingual guides, accommodating travelers from various countries.
• Interactive Maps: Access maps and route information for tours to easily navigate the city and landmarks.
• Offline Access: Download tour information for offline use and explore even without internet connection.

Spotted By Locals

Spotted By Locals is an excellent app for travelers who want to experience European cities through the eyes of locals – and you know we love local experiences (so it had to feature on the list of the best travel apps for Europe). With its curated content, offline access, and user-generated tips, it offers an authentic and immersive way to explore hidden treasures and cultural nuances in European destinations.

Price: Paid but offers valuable local insights and recommendations for travelers seeking an authentic European experience.

Locations: Covers various European cities, offering city guides filled with authentic recommendations from locals.

• Local Insights: Access insider tips and recommendations from locals and explore European cities like a resident.
• Curated Content: Discover off-the-beaten-path attractions, dining spots, and activities handpicked by locals for an authentic experience.
• Offline Access: Download city guides for offline use.
• User-Generated Content: Contribute your own recommendations and tips to the app’s community.
• Interactive Maps: Access maps with pinpointed recommendations and easily navigate and discover local gems.
• In-Depth Guides: Explore comprehensive city guides with detailed information on local culture, history, and hidden gems.
• Personalized Experience: Receive recommendations tailored to your interests.

Best Travel Apps for Europe – Translation

While English is widely spoken in many European countries, it’s always helpful to have a few basic phrases of the local language in your pocket. Language apps like Duolingo, Babbel, and Memrise can help you learn essential words and phrases that will make your interactions with locals more enjoyable and meaningful. Here’s our pick for the best apps for traveling Europe for translation.

Google Translate

Google Translate is an indispensable app for travelers exploring Europe’s diverse linguistic landscape – and undoubtedly one of the best apps for traveling Europe. Its versatile translation capabilities, offline support, and real-time conversation mode simplify communication and making your travel experiences smoother and more enjoyable.

Price: Free

Locations: Global, including Europe.

• Language Translation: Translate text, speech, or even images from one language to another, supporting over 100 languages – including many European languages.
• Offline Translation: Download language packs for offline use, ensuring you can translate even when you don’t have an internet connection.
• Conversation Mode: Engage in real-time conversations with locals by speaking or typing, with the app translating between languages.
• Camera Translation: Translate text from images, such as street signs or menus, by simply pointing your camera at the text.
• Phrasebook: Access a library of commonly used phrases and expressions for quick reference in various languages.
• Handwriting Input: Write characters or words on the screen to have them translated into your chosen language.
• Voice Input and Output: Speak phrases and have them translated audibly, facilitating communication with locals.
• Multi-lingual Support: Google Translate supports a wide range of languages, including many European languages.
• Translation History: Review and access your past translations for easy reference.

Best Travel Apps for Europe – Recommendations

When it comes to the best travel apps for Europe, there are plenty – and narrowing down your options for food, accommodation, restaurants, and activities can be tricky.

That’s where recommendations and reviews from other travelers comes in handy. Here are our top choices for Europe travel apps that you need to check recommendations.

Google Maps

Google Maps is an essential app for travelers exploring Europe. With its accurate navigation, public transportation information, offline maps, and local recommendations, it simplifies the process of getting around and discovering the best of European destinations.

• Accurate Navigation: Access precise and up-to-date maps, directions, and real-time traffic information.
• Public Transportation: Plan routes using public transportation options, including buses, trams, subways, and trains, in major European cities.
• Offline Maps: Download maps for offline use.
• Street View: Explore European streets and landmarks through immersive 360-degree street view images.
• Local Business Listings: Find and access information about local businesses, including restaurants, hotels, and attractions, with user reviews and ratings.
• Local Recommendations: Discover top-rated restaurants, attractions, and hidden gems in European cities, based on user reviews and recommendations.
• Explore Mode: Access curated lists of popular places to visit, dine, and explore European cities, tailored to various interests.
• Multi-lingual Support: The app provides support in multiple languages.
• Voice Navigation: Enjoy turn-by-turn voice-guided navigation in your preferred language, enhancing the convenience of your travels.

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor is a comprehensive app for travelers seeking recommendations, reviews, and insights for their European journeys – and a personal favorite among best travel apps for Europe. Its user-generated content, booking options, and travel guides, simplify the process of planning trips, finding activities, and so much more.

Locations: Global, including Europe

• Traveler Reviews: Access millions of user-generated reviews and ratings for hotels, restaurants, attractions, and more.
• Accommodation Booking: Compare prices and book hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals directly through the app.
• Restaurant Recommendations: Discover top-rated dining establishments with user reviews and recommendations.
• Attraction Information: Find detailed information about attractions, landmarks, and activities in European cities, with user tips and photos.
• Travel Guides: Access curated travel guides and itineraries for European destinations and recommendations for day trips and sightseeing.
• Flight and Hotel Search: Search and compare flight and hotel options to plan your European journey from start to finish.
• Multi-lingual Support: The app provides support in multiple languages, accommodating international travelers exploring Europe.
• Offline Access: Download city guides and reviews for offline use.
• Travel Forums: Join travel forums and communities to seek advice, share experiences, and gather insights from fellow travelers.

Best Travel Apps for Europe – It Might Come In Handy

And if you still haven’t had enough of the best apps to travel Europe. . . We thought these ones would be good to have too. In fact, we’d consider them must-have apps for travel in Europe (and everywhere else).

ATM Fee Saver

ATM Fee Saver is a handy app for travelers seeking to avoid unnecessary ATM fees while exploring Europe – lifesaver more like it! With its ATM locator, customizable alerts, and user contributions, it helps you access cash without extra charges, making your travels more cost-effective. That’s enough to earn a spot on our list of Europe travel apps.

• ATM Locator: Find nearby ATMs without withdrawal fees and save money on your European travels.
• Customizable Alerts: Set up alerts to notify you when you’re near an ATM with no withdrawal fees, and never miss a cost-saving opportunity.
• User Contributions: Contribute information about fee-free ATMs you discover during your travels, and help fellow travelers save on ATM charges.
• Offline Access: Download ATM locations for offline use and find fee-free ATMs even without an internet connection.
• Currency Conversion: Access currency conversion tools to calculate exchange rates and make informed financial decisions.
• Community Savings: Join a community of travelers who share tips and insights on fee-free ATM locations across Europe.

Air Doctor is not only one of the must-have apps for travel in Europe (and beyond) – it’s also your ultimate travel companion. The app connects travelers and expats (like you) to a global network of local, multi-lingual doctors, ensuring 24/7 access to quality, appropriate medical assistance from anywhere in the world. Travel worry-free with Air Doctor in your pocket.

Locations: Active in 75 countries.

• Global Medical Network: Browse over 20,000 multi-lingual doctors and specialists and find the one that meets your needs.
• Visit Flexibility: Choose from clinic, at-home (hotel), and video consultations and select a date and time that suits you – so your travel plans experience minimal interruptions.
• Language Support: Access medical assistance and customer support in multiple languages – and get telemedicine services in up to 21 languages.
• Prescription Services: Get valid, local prescriptions and medications from qualified medical practitioners through the app.
• 24/7 Support: Our multi-lingual support team is here to guide you every step of the way (day or night).
• Most Common Medical Specialties: Access GPs, pediatricians, dentists, ophthalmologists, dermatologists, gynecologists, and orthopedic specialists.
• Easy-to-Use App: The app is user-friendly – easily browse doctors and schedule an appointment in just a few taps and get a confirmation in up to 45 minutes.
• Partnered With Leading Insurers: We’re partnered with leading insurance providers around the globe to offer cashless (no out-of-pocket expenses) and claimless (no lengthy claims processes) customer experience.

In conclusion, using these best travel apps for Europe is a game-changer when it comes to exploring Europe. These apps provide us with valuable information, services, and the convenience to enhance your travel experiences. From transportation to accommodation, food, activities, and more, these apps have got you covered.

So, before you embark on your European adventure, make sure to download these essential travel apps and get ready to have the trip of a lifetime!

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Jenny Cohen Derfler

Air dr ceo & co-founder.

Jenny is the CEO and one of the Co-Founders at Air Doctor. She spent more than 20 years at Intel, most recently as general manager of its manufacturing facility in Israel and before that in various engineering and manufacturing roles in Silicon Valley. Air Doctor is her second startup having previously founded electric vehicle company ElectRoad.

Build Your Travel App Landing Page in Minutes

As an entrepreneur building a travel app, you need an effective yet straightforward way to create a landing page to promote your offering. While learning to code a custom page from scratch is a valuable skill, it requires a significant time investment and pulls your focus from building your actual product and business. Using a simple drag and drop landing page builder allows you to create a professional page in minutes without technical expertise. With a template tailored to travel apps, you have access to relevant images, icons, and content blocks to highlight your app's key features and benefits. A conversion-optimized layout and professional design help you make a great first impression, capture leads, and drive downloads of your travel app. Focus on what really matters - growing your business.

And if you're in the hotel industry, check out our article on the simple way to build an optimized hotel landing page to help you create an effective landing page for your hotel business.

Why You Need a Landing Page for Your Travel App

As an app developer, building an effective landing page for your travel app is crucial to gaining new users and driving downloads. A landing page allows you to highlight your app's key features, convey your brand message, and capture email leads to help grow your mailing list.

To create an impactful landing page for your travel app, there are a few essential elements you should include:

• Eye-catching visuals. Incorporate high-quality images and graphics that showcase your app's interface and functionality. For a travel app, you may want to include screenshots of the booking flow or images of exciting destinations.
• A clear value proposition. Explain exactly what your app offers to travelers in 1-2 sentences at the top of the page. For example, “The easiest way to find and book cheap flights. Save up to 50% on airfare.”
• Key features and benefits. Use bullet points to highlight the most important features and benefits of your app. For example:
• Social proof. Include testimonials, reviews, star ratings, and download numbers to build credibility and trust in your app. For example, “4.5 star rating and over 50,000 downloads on the App Store.”
• Lead capture. Add an email signup form so you can start building your mailing list. Offer an incentive like a discount or free trial to encourage signups.
• Clear call-to-action. Have prominent buttons or links so people can easily download your app. For example, “Download the App” or “Get the App Now.”

With these elements in place, you'll have an effective landing page that makes a great first impression, engages your target customers, and drives more downloads of your travel app. Success is just a few taps away!

Choose a Template for Travel App Landing Page

To create an effective landing page for your travel app, selecting an appropriate template is key. As a starting point, consider the following options:

The Minimalist Template focuses on a clean, simple design with plenty of white space. This helps your value proposition and call-to-action buttons stand out. For a travel app, a minimalist template conveys a stylish, curated experience. With a few high-quality images of exciting destinations, this template can be very compelling.

The Video Template incorporates video, which is useful for showcasing your app in action. A short video demo can give visitors a sense of your app’s key features and user experience. For a travel app, a video of searching for and booking a dream trip would resonate well with audiences. This dynamic template holds attention and drives conversions.

The Comparison Template highlights your app’s strengths by comparing it side-by-side with competitors. Travel apps have many established competitors, so demonstrating how you stand apart in areas like price, amenities, customization options or rewards programs can be an effective strategy. The direct comparison gives visitors a reason to choose your app over another.

In the end, you want a responsive template that represents your travel app in an authentic yet aspirational way. A template incorporating beautiful travel imagery, a streamlined booking flow, and elements of adventure or escape will make a strong impression. With the right template as your foundation, you can then customize the content, add details about key features, and place a prominent call-to-action to drive signups. Building a high-converting landing page for your travel app may be easier than you expect.

Add Stunning Visuals to Make an Impression

To create an impression and convey your message effectively, visuals are essential for any landing page. High-quality images and multimedia help to bring your page to life, capture attention, and visually represent your product or service.

Include eye-catching hero images that give visitors an immediate sense of what your product or service offers. For a travel app, use images of exciting destinations, modes of transport, or experiences to evoke a sense of adventure. For a flight booking app, feature images of planes, airports, or travelers.

Images should be high resolution, with the main hero image at least 1920 x 1080 pixels in size. For the best results, use authentic stock photos or custom images. Make sure any images featuring people represent diversity and inclusiveness.

Video is a powerful way to demonstrate what your product or service can do. An explainer video, customer testimonials, or walkthroughs are all great options for a landing page. Keep videos under 2 minutes in length, with an upbeat and energetic tone to match your brand.

Embedding a video on your page is an easy way to boost engagement and convey information in an dynamic fashion. You can use a service like Wistia, Vimeo, or YouTube to host your videos.

Icons are a simple way to visually represent concepts and make information easy to find. Use icons for things like your product features, customer support options, security badges, and social media links. Free icon libraries like Font Awesome, Material Icons, and Iconscout offer thousands of icons to choose from.

A combination of high-quality images, video, and icons will give your landing page a professional look and help to effectively showcase your product. Keep your visual assets consistent in style and make sure they are optimized for web use. When done well, visuals can speak volumes on a landing page.

Focus on a Single Call-to-Action

To maximize conversions, focus your landing page on a single, clear call-to-action (CTA). This could be signing up for a free trial, booking a demo, or purchasing your product.

Headline Your CTA

Use an attention-grabbing headline to highlight your CTA, such as “Start Your Free Trial Today” or “Book Your Flight Now.” Place this headline prominently at the top of your page.

Describe the Benefits

Briefly describe the key benefits of your product or service to give visitors motivation for clicking your CTA. For example, mention how your travel app allows users to find cheap fares, save money on baggage fees, earn rewards, etc. Keep these benefit statements concise, around 2 to 3 sentences each.

Use Action-Oriented Copy

The copy on your landing page should encourage visitors to take action. Use phrases like:

• Sign up now
• Get started today
• Book your trip

Avoid passive phrases like “consider signing up.” Action-oriented copy, especially around your CTA, helps convey a sense of urgency.

Simplify the Design

Remove any unnecessary distractions from your landing page design. Focus on a clean layout, minimal navigation links, and ample white space. Your CTA should be the most prominent element on the page. Consider placing it above the fold so visitors see it as soon as they land on your page.

Mobile-Optimized

With more and more web traffic coming from mobile devices, your landing page must be fully responsive. Test how your page looks on multiple screen sizes to ensure all elements, including your CTA, are easy to find and use. If your CTA is difficult to access or hard to read on mobile, you will lose conversions.

A/B Test Your CTA

Try A/B testing different versions of your CTA to see which one performs better. Test different button colors, wording, sizes or placemement on the page. Even small tweaks can lead to big improvements in click-through and conversion rates. Let data be your guide to crafting the most effective call-to-action.

With a single, clear CTA, compelling benefits, action-oriented copy, and an optimized mobile experience, your landing page will convert visitors into customers and accelerate your sales process. Focus on what matters most to your visitors and keep refining and improving your page over time.

Flight Booking App Landing Page

To create an effective flight booking app landing page, focus on conveying the key features and benefits of your service. A simple yet compelling page will capture the interest of potential customers browsing various travel sites and apps.

Headline and Hero Image

Choose an eye-catching headline highlighting your app’s unique value proposition, such as “The Fastest Way to Book Flight Tickets.” Pair it with a large, high-quality photo representing the journey ahead. This visually engaging introduction will draw visitors in and set the right tone.

Clear Value Proposition

Plainly state how your app simplifies the flight booking experience. For example, “Book domestic and international flights in under a minute. Our smart search finds the cheapest fares across hundreds of airlines so you can spend less time searching and more time traveling.” Keep this section brief, around 2 to 3 sentences.

Standout Features

Use bullet points to highlight the most notable features and capabilities that set your app apart. For example:

• Aggregates fares across major airlines to find the best deals
• Predicts price changes and alerts users to the optimal time to buy
• Saves traveler profiles, preferences and payment info for faster checkout
• Provides real-time flight status alerts and terminal maps

Screenshots and Demo Video

Visuals are key for showcasing an app's user experience. Include 3 to 4 high-quality screenshots of your app interface, focused on the stages of searching, comparing and booking flights. Also embed a short video demo, around 30 to 90 seconds, to bring the static images to life and capture the overall feel and flow of using your service.

Strong Call to Action

End by directing visitors to download your app with a prominent call to action button, such as "Download Now - It's Free!" Keep your message concise and actionable, e.g. "Find amazing flight deals in seconds. Download the app and start saving today!"

A compelling yet straightforward landing page with a clear value proposition, visuals highlighting key features, and a strong call to action is the perfect way to introduce your flight booking app to the world. Visitors will instantly understand the benefits of your service and be eager to start using it to save time and money on their next trip.

Highlight What Makes Your Flight Booking App Landing Page Unique

To stand out from the competition, you need to highlight what makes your flight booking app truly unique. Focus on differentiating factors that provide real value to your customers.

Superior User Experience

Discuss how your app offers an intuitive, streamlined user experience. Mention key features like:

• A clean, minimal interface with logical navigation
• One-click booking and payment
• Smart filters and sorting options to quickly find the best deals
• Saved travel profiles and payment info for faster checkout

Widest Selection of Flights

Emphasize that your app provides the largest inventory of flights from budget airlines to major carriers. For example:

We offer flights from over 800 airlines worldwide including major carriers like Delta, American Airlines, and British Airways as well as low-cost carriers such as Frontier, Spirit, and Ryanair. Our massive flight database ensures you'll find amazing fares for destinations across the globe.

24/7 Customer Support

Highlight that your app comes with unparalleled 24/7 customer service and support. For instance:

Our dedicated support team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help with any issues booking your flight. We offer support via phone, email, and live chat so you'll never feel stranded if you run into questions or problems using our app.

Price Match Guarantee

Mention that your app guarantees the lowest prices on flights. For example:

We're so confident in our low fares that we offer a price match guarantee. If you find a lower publicly available price on the same flight booked through another service within 24 hours of booking with us, we'll match it and discount your fare by 10% of the difference.

In summary, focus on factors that provide significant added value to users and distinguish your flight booking app from competitors. Clearly articulate your key differentiators and benefits using compelling examples and specifics. This approach will help convince visitors why your app is the best choice for booking their next getaway.

Include Powerful Testimonials and Social Proof

Social proof is key to converting visitors into customers or users. According to studies, over 70% of people trust online reviews and testimonials as much as recommendations from friends. Including powerful testimonials and social proof on your travel app landing page will help build trust and credibility, easing concerns and addressing objections.

Feature Authentic Testimonials

Include 3 to 5 testimonials from real customers or beta testers discussing their experience using your travel app. Have them highlight specific benefits and features they found most valuable. Photographs and full names will make the testimonials more believable and impactful. Ask happy customers for permission to use a quote from their review in your testimonial section.

Showcase Your Ratings and Reviews

If your travel app is already live, feature ratings and reviews from the app stores. Screenshots of your app’s rating and recent reviews, especially those mentioning useful features or great experience, build social proof. Be transparent and show both high ratings as well as any constructive feedback, along with your responses.

Share Media Coverage and Partnerships

Has your travel app been featured in the media or do you have notable partnerships or integrations? Prominently display logos of publications that have covered your app. Also feature logos of any strategic partners, travel brands, or companies that integrate with your app. The implied endorsement from these third parties lends credibility.

Highlight Number of Users and Growth

The number of people already using and benefiting from your travel app is persuasive to new visitors. Share concrete statistics on your total number of downloads, monthly active users, app sessions, bookings made, or whatever key metrics demonstrate your growth and success. Compare your current numbers to past numbers to show how much you’ve grown over time. Numerical proof of your popularity and progress will motivate signups.

In summary, layer your landing page with social proof like testimonials, reviews, media coverage, partnerships, and user numbers. The more evidence you provide that others trust and love your travel app, the more persuasive your page will become. With the right social proof, you'll turn interested visitors into engaged users.

Optimize for Mobile - Your Audience Is on the Go!

Optimize your content for mobile.

According to recent studies, over 50% of web traffic now comes from mobile devices. When building your travel app landing page, it's critical to optimize for mobile visitors. These on-the-go users expect a seamless experience whether they're using a phone, tablet or desktop.

To create an mobile-friendly landing page:

• Choose a responsive theme. Select a theme that automatically adjusts to different screen sizes. This ensures your page looks great on any device. Popular options like Unicorn Platform come with fully responsive themes that are optimized for mobile.
• Use large buttons and fonts. On smaller screens, smaller elements can be hard to tap and text may be difficult to read. Use large buttons, fonts, and spacing to maximize usability.
• Keep your content concise. On mobile, less is more. Get to the point quickly and avoid cluttering the page with unnecessary content. Focus on your key value propositions and calls-to-action.
• Include video and visuals. Images, video, and other visual media help to capture attention and convey information on mobile. Embed video tutorials, customer stories, and app previews to help users understand your product.
• Make forms easy to fill out. If your landing page includes a signup form or other data collection, ensure fields are spaced adequately apart for fingers and the keyboard is easy to use. Consider using a "smart" form that only shows relevant fields based on someone's previous answers.
• Test the experience. Once your landing page is built, test it on multiple mobile devices to identify any issues. Check that all interactive elements are easy to tap, content is readable, and your calls-to-action are highly visible. Make any necessary tweaks to optimize the experience for your mobile visitors.

By following these best practices, you can create a landing page that delivers a superb experience for visitors on any device. A mobile-optimized landing page is key to capturing high quality leads and driving growth for your travel app. Focus on concise, impactful content, an intuitive interface, and clear calls-to-action that compel visitors to take the next step.

FAQs: How Do I Use Unicorn Platform's Landing Page Builder?

Sign up for an account.

To get started with Unicorn Platform's landing page builder, you'll first need to sign up for a free account. Visit our website and click the "Sign Up" button at the top of the page. Enter your email address and a password to create your account.

Choose a Landing Page Template

Once you've logged in, you'll be taken to the template library. Here you'll find dozens of professionally-designed landing page templates created specifically for travel apps, flight booking apps, and other travel businesses. Select a template that matches your brand to use as a starting point.

Customize the Content

Personalize the template by adding your company name, logo, images, and text. You can easily update colors, fonts, and other design elements. Simply click on any element on the page to edit or replace it. Add additional sections like testimonials, pricing tables, contact forms, and more using the drag and drop builder.

Connect a Custom Domain (Optional)

If you have your own domain name, you can connect it to your landing page. In the "Settings" menu, enter your domain to redirect it to your page. This will allow visitors to access your landing page by typing in your custom URL.

Preview and Publish

Preview how your landing page will appear on desktop and mobile devices. Make any final tweaks to the content or design before publishing your page. Once published, your landing page will be live and accessible to visitors. You can edit it at any time.

Track Performance

See how your landing page is performing with built-in analytics. View details like page views, conversion rates, and the source of your traffic. Then make data-driven decisions to optimize your page for the best results.

Unicorn Platform's intuitive drag and drop builder makes it simple to create a customized landing page for your travel app or business. If you have any other questions about using the landing page creator, feel free to contact our support team. We're happy to help you build an effective landing page to promote your app or service.

With a user-friendly interface and an extensive collection of customizable templates designed specifically for travel apps and services, Unicorn Platform allows you to quickly build an attractive landing page to capture leads and boost conversions. Their drag and drop builder requires no coding experience, enabling you to craft a professional page in a matter of minutes. For travel startups looking to get up and running fast, Unicorn Platform offers an easy way to create an engaging first impression and start driving growth right away. By handling the technical work, they let you focus on what really matters - building your business and providing an amazing experience for your customers. If you're ready to take your travel app to the next level, Unicorn Platform has the tools to get you there.

The Best Travel Website Development Company: Unicorn Platform

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An Ultimate Guide to Travel App Development

When a traveler plans a trip to their dream destinations, they go beyond the curve and scan the internet to make it worthwhile. This has compelled several travel and hospitality businesses, like Expedia, Booking.com, and Trivago, to invest in travel app development, facilitate digital bookings, and build a solution that caters to travelers’ specific needs. According to a Statista report, Booking.com recorded 80 million app downloads , while Airbnb had 52 million app downloads in the list of most downloaded travel apps worldwide. This study clearly explains how travel apps can be a valuable investment for online travel agencies and startups looking to tap into the tourism industry.

This comprehensive guide will dive into the details of travel app development, its benefits, development steps, essential features, and lastly, the cost.

How Mobile Apps are Transforming the Travel Industry?

Digital transformation in the tourism industry didn’t happen overnight. Travel agencies have implemented several strategies to make their business flourish, and being present digitally and facilitating an end-to-end digital experience is one of them.

Minimizing traditional hospitality operations, mobile apps have emerged as a significant player in transforming the tourism industry. It allows travel and hospitality operators to streamline their target users’ experiences – they provide travelers with accessibility to various options available throughout accommodations, flights, transportation, etc., of a specific destination via a single application and offer them the flexibility to book the best deal without having to leave the app or their homes, for that matter.

Furthermore, travel agencies also leverage the latest technologies, such as advanced AI and machine learning, for their mobile apps to gather data about customers’ preferences and leverage predictive analysis to improve their business strategies. An application-based customer experience journey gives agencies enough data to process and build models to make personalized travel recommendations based on the user’s past behavior and compel them to make the booking.

Benefits of Having a Travel App for Your Business

By now, you must’ve understood how the tourism industry is flourishing and is set to grow rapidly in the coming years. But with a spike in the industry’s CAGR comes an obligation to meet ever-evolving target users’ needs. Investing in tourism app development can give you a range of benefits to power your travel and hospitality business. Let’s discuss them below.

1. Enhance Customer Loyalty

With several businesses in competition, retaining loyal customers has become daunting in the long run. Here, the ideal solution is to invest in travel and tourism app development and build a target user-centric app. Creating a tailor-made mobile app allows you to reach a broader audience and meet their specific needs promptly to improve customer loyalty.

2. Minimizing Paperwork and Managing Transactions

A travel app enables travelers to book accommodations from the comfort of their homes, where they receive complete booking details in the app itself and over other platforms integrated with the app, such as Gmail and WhatsApp. This enables easy accessibility of all the documents upon arrival without carrying paper-based documents.  Mobile apps also help businesses manage transactions for multiple users simultaneously. It enables them to eliminate the hassle of maintaining essentials like IDs and booking details on paper by making all the necessary traveler data manageable and accessible from a single app. With faster accessibility of traveler’s details, they can expedite the check-in and check-out process and facilitate in-app payments to enhance their travel booking experience.

3. Provide Better Customer Support

Every business aims to provide better customer services, irrespective of any industry. Since the travel industry is all about providing the “best possible” tour-related offerings, a mobile app can help boost the efficiency of these services and enable businesses to address customer queries faster. A high-performing travel app often includes functionalities such as in-app calling, AI-enabled chatbots, AR-enabled room or property tours, and WhatsApp-powered customer services, such as hotel ticket PDF and booking confirmation, that allow travel operators to provide advanced customer support.

4. Offer Customized Services

A travel app is designed to offer customized services to the end users. With its help, you can get detailed information about travelers’ preferences and cater your services, such as arrangements in the hotel room and meal options, for a better experience. You can leverage the latest technologies, such as AI, to offer personalized travel recommendations based on the past search preferences and booking behavior of the traveler and IoT for enabling Alexa-enabled hotel rooms that can play music, dim lighting, and order food with voice commands to enhance your hospitality services and overall traveler’s experience.

5. Boost Revenue

The traditional travel operations hampered businesses from reaching target customers since offline marketing strategies targeted every customer, irrespective of their needs. But thanks to mobile and web travel apps, online travel agencies can now reach the right customer, offer personalized experiences, and address their travel-related pain points. This enables them to persuade the target users for the final transaction and boost their sales.

6. Acts as a Strong Marketing Tool

The tourism app will be a significant marketing tool for your business. You can leverage it to showcase your services and essential insights to the target users and create brand awareness. Through a travel mobile app, you can also release notifications about sales, deals, offers, or discounts to the user via notifications who have been looking for or have opted in for future discounts. It will also help you to track and engage the users quickly to the offers and reduce marketing efforts while increasing sales. The more enticing your app is in front of the users, the higher the chances of it becoming successful in the market.

How Many Types of Travel Apps Can Be Developed?

Plenty of travel applications are rising up in the market, and tourism and hospitality businesses are increasing the experiences and expectations of travelers. Here is a list of different types of travel apps you can invest in to fill the gap in customer engagement and experience for your hospitality business.

 1. Travel Itinerary Planning Apps

A travel itinerary planning app allows users to plan the overall itineraries of their trip. Adding functionality like this to your online travel business offerings enables you to capture travelers’ attention as you simplify their travel planning experience and save time often spent planning a comprehensive trip to multiple destinations at a time.

With travel planning applications, users can add all the details of their trip, including flight tickets, hotel booking, and other expenses, and manage everything from a single app. The app will manage their entire schedule and ensure they stay on track.

Some examples of these apps are Wanderlog, TripIt, and Sygic Travel.

2. Ticket Booking Apps

The ticket booking app development helps businesses build a dedicated app for travelers to book flight/train tickets for a particular destination. Such applications allow users to check and compare multiple flight/ train availability for preferred dates and display the best available options after scanning all third-party sites. With a ticket booking app, you can enable travelers to send push notifications for their preferred dates when the prices get low and help them with complete route planning by providing tickets for flights, trains, and buses. Additionally, your app must offer several deals and discounts, such as promo codes and “first booking” discounts, to help travelers book the best deals.

Examples of these apps include Expedia, Kayak, and Skyscanner.

3. Hotel Booking App

With the accommodation booking app, you can provide travelers with access to the details of various properties in a particular location or area. In such mobile applications, the users can check and compare the price range and other facilities, such as room type, pictures of the rooms, breakfast availability, check-in and check-out dates, and balcony views, and opt for the best hotel deal.

Such apps are Booking.com, Hotels.com, and Agoda.com.

4. Navigation Apps

By building a navigation app , you can help travelers find the perfect route from the airport/station to the required destinations in a particular city. A navigation app offers functionalities such as counting distance from the current location to the destination, displaying traffic, and integrating contact synchronization to track the latest check-ins of the user’s contacts. Additionally, it will show the best navigational route for reaching the hotel from the airport within the shortest time possible while minimizing traffic congestion.

Examples of such tourism apps include Google Maps, Apple Maps, and Komoot.

5. Travel Insurance Apps

Having travel insurance when planning a trip is a must-have for every traveler. The travel insurance apps provide insurance for travel-related accidents, such as baggage loss, theft, trip cancellation, loss of passport, medical emergency, bounced airline or hotel booking, etc., which are very common during long-haul trips. Hence, hospitality businesses can invest in such apps to help travelers book insurance coverage and track their past travel insurance and the latest ones for their upcoming trips.

Such apps are Goose Travel Insurance, Allianz TravelSmart, and AIG Travel Assistance. 

6. Travel Guide Apps

By developing a travel guide app, you can assist travelers with information regarding events, heritage places, and restaurants of a particular destination. The app will include information about the best guides, restaurants, transportation, and tourist spots in the city. It will help travelers with functionalities like choosing the best restaurant to eat at or booking the top-rated tour guide, enhancing their overall trip experience.

Some popular travel guide apps are GetYourGuide, TripAdvisor, and Viator.

7. Transportation Apps

When travelers visit a new city, they prefer an on-the-go mobile app to book a cab and reach a particular spot quickly. By developing a transportation app, you can provide your target users with on-demand cab, bus, and taxi booking services. The app will provide functionalities, such as real-time ride tracking, driver details (driver name and vehicle’s RC number), and ride history, and help travelers reach their destination faster and without a hustle.

Examples of these apps include Uber, Ola, and Lyft.

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Must-Have Features of a Travel Mobile App

Every dedicated travel mobile app comprises essential features, making it a high-performing and success-driven product. The app is divided into three segments: the customer panel, the property agent’s panel, and the admin panel. Each panel covers its own set of features that make the end product intuitive and fulfilling for each user persona. Let’s discuss each segment in detail:

Travel App Development Features for Customer Panel

Being one of the core panels of a tourism app, it’s essential to add these features below to offer travelers a remarkable customer experience and engage them until and beyond the final purchase.

1. Log In/ Sign Up

Login and signup is a must-have feature in every mobile app, including the travel app. It allows users to easily register themselves on the business and save personal details like name, email address, phone number, home address, and other personal choices and preferences, which is further used to personalize the experience on the platform.

2. Search Functionality

Enabling a search functionality within a travel app requires you to pay enough attention and effort. As your travel app functions as a complete search engine for travel queries like destination information, flight or hotel bookings, or others, a search button at the top engages the user quickly by allowing them to search information instantly from your application. It enhances user experience within the app, reduces frustration, and increases satisfaction for every user.

3. Hotels Search

As accommodation is a crucial aspect of a trip, enabling a full-fledged hotel search option within an app allows you to address the vast preferences of the travelers, such as budget, location, amenities, and star ratings. You can also enable functionality like a filter for more deep searches at hotel levels; for example, a customer prefers an accommodation option at a particular property offering amenities like geyser and laundry service, breakfast availability, welcome drinks, and other add. The rule here is to be as descriptive as possible – enough to leave no room for confusion.

4. Flight Booking

A flight booking feature within a travel app allows customers to get real-time flight details for the searched destination on preferred dates, including flight availability, seating details, one-way or roundtrip details, etc. The rule that the travel app development company will implement here is to make this feature as intuitive as possible for travelers. For example, displaying fare rules and baggage information and providing functionalities such as sorting & filtering information by various options: departure time, trip time, layover duration, refundable fares, etc., make the user stick to the app and avail convenience at each step of travel planning.

5. Trip Details

A feature like “Trip details” or “my booking” as a separate section lets your customers view their trip history and upcoming trip details, such as booked flight tickets and accommodations. This feature would help them keep a reference point for their trip booking history, cancellations, and payments made, which they might consider revisiting in the future.

6. Currency Converter

If your app enables customers to travel worldwide, a currency converter is a must-have feature for the app. However, ensure it adequately displays currency conversion rates in real-time, such as Dollars ($) and Pounds (£) and others.

7. Contact Support

A key factor to focus upon while travel application development is ensuring you are available to your end users when they need you. Even if you cannot be physically present in the communication modes, you can integrate an AI-enabled chatbot to answer customers’ trip-related queries. The AI chatbot will provide them with personalized recommendations and solutions to enhance their trip-booking experience.

8. In-App Payment

One of the must-have features to add to your tourism app is in-app payment. You must integrate multiple payment gateways, such as Paypal, Stripe, and GooglePay, in your travel booking app to allow users to make payments against their booking from their preferred digital payment app without a hustle.

9. Push Notifications

Push notifications are significant and unavoidable when it comes to keeping the user engaged with your brand. With this feature, you can notify customers when a hotel is available for their preferred location, dates, and prices. Since customers continuously look for new offers or promotions, push notification encourages them to grab the deal instantly and make bookings too.

10. Additional Features

Though not essential, these are a few “good add-on features” to make your travel app more intuitive and efficient before your target audience. These include:

• Bundle Deals: Give customers details in combinations – Flight + Hotel or Hotel + Car deals to streamline their itinerary further.
• Car booking feature to make commutation easy in a foreign land.
• The “Things to Do” tab gives customers insight into activities happening at the destination on their trip dates.

Travel App Development Features for Admin Panel

The admin panel is the one where the admin is responsible for managing customers’ and agent’s details and streamlining the experience for both parties. The must-have features in this panel of the travel mobile application are discussed below.

1. User Management

User management is essential to maintain customer data, such as booking details, payment transactions, cancellation or refund information, and management of the overall profile of the user. The feature will help them streamline the process of keeping every booking running smoothly.

2. Agents Management

The Agents management feature is required to maintain the data of all third-party property owners and agents simultaneously. This includes details of the property and package and verification of property owners and agents.

3. Advertisement Management

It’s important for the app to display relevant advertisements, and it has to be managed by the admin. The admin will ensure the ads are travel-related, adhere to the parent company’s guidelines, and don’t overplay their role, which can lead to higher bounce-back numbers.

Travel App Development Features for Agent’s Panel

When we talk about agents, it means the hotels or trip planners who would be extending their services to your application. Here is the list of essential app features the agent panel of the travel app must include.

1.  Property and Package Management

It is one of the most required features in the agent panel as it allows property managers or trip package owners to manage and modify the offering – the date, room availability, number of guests, payment details, etc.

2. Booking Management

The booking feature allows managers to decide whether they wish to accept or decline the booking request–in terms of requests aligning with the hotel’s policy or additional requests regarding smoking/non-smoking rooms and extra beds, etc.

3. Payment Management

Managing payments of several customers simultaneously is important for hospitality businesses to streamline transactions, refunds, and taxes. This feature is added to offer the service of accepting payments or making refunds, in addition to keeping track of the invoice of the bookings made.

4. Analytics and Reporting

The analytics and reporting feature will give hotel managers a dashboard to see the insights on their property or package, such as the number of bookings, reviews over time, payment details, etc. This will help them make better decisions about the property and the service they offer to the target travelers.

What is the Travel App Development Process?

Every successful tourism app, be it Expedia, Booking.com, or Airbnb, has followed a strategic app development process to make its product launch successful in the market. This is why a professional mobile app development company like Successive Digital suggests that businesses follow a dedicated step-by-step process, as explained below.

1.  Market Research and App Ideation

The app development process begins with conducting in-depth research on the tourism industry, including the prevailing competition, market trends, and gaps that require a solution you can provide. This stage is highly crucial and the base determinant of whether the app will succeed in the market. During your research, you must also study your target audience and ideate the type of tourism app you want to build.

2. Decide App Features

After researching the market and identifying the target audience, the next step is to decide the features you want to add to your app. Do you want to make a basic features app? Or do you want a highly complex app with custom features and functionalities? This completely depends on your specific requirements, target users’ needs, and mostly your budget.

3. Consult and Hire a Trusted Travel App Development Company

Once you determine the app features and app type, it’s time to proceed with the development process. Building a mobile app in-house can cost you a fortune and requires deep knowledge of tech stacks. Hence, outsourcing a professional travel and tourism app development company is the best solution. The company will provide a dedicated development team ( frontend and backend developers, UI/UX designers, a project manager, a Business Analyst, a QA engineer, DevOps engineers, and a team lead.) They will understand your requirements and incorporate tech stacks and rightful development methods (native or cross-platform) to build a success-driven app product for your business.

4. MVP Development

Developing a minimum viable product (MVP) is an optimal strategy if you want to make your travel mobile app a success in the long run. An MVP is a basic feature version of the product, built with the aim of attaining feedback from a group of real users and then facilitating improvements in the app before the final launch. This will help create hype and awareness of your brand amongst the target users right from the initial stage and increase the chances of its success.

5. App Testing and Quality Assurance

After developing the MVP and making improvements as per user feedback, the app is pushed further for testing and quality assurance. The QA engineers will conduct thorough app testing, security compliance, and quality standardization to ensure your application is free of bug issues and glitches, can stand the competition, and is ready for the final launch amongst the end users.

6.  Final Launch and Maintenance of the App

Now, every test, every quality check, and all other development phases are cleared, and your tourism app can be pushed to launch in the dedicated application stores (App Store and Google Play Store). Once it’s launched, the travel app development company will initiate maintenance efforts to streamline its functionality, fix bugs (if any), iterate improvements and updates, and maintain its performance.

Tech Stack Required for Travel App Development

In the process of travel mobile app development, you must also understand the tech stack used to build a full-fledged product. To develop a successful application like Booking.com or Airbnb, here is the probable list of tech stacks the development company will use.

Travel App Development Cost

Like every other mobile application, various influencing factors determine the travel app development cost. However, the overall cost can range from $60,000 to $300,000 on average. The actual estimate depends on the type of app you want to build, the complexity of the features, technology integrations, and the location of the mobile app development company.

Nevertheless, the table below will provide a brief overview of cost estimation based on the app’s complexity:

Wondering How Much Travel App Development Costs?

Book a free consultation with our experts and get your personalized quote today!

Why Successive Digital is a Reliable Partner for Travel App Development

With a decade of experience in facilitating digital transformation journeys of various industry-leading online travel agencies and hospitality businesses, Successive Digital takes pride in bridging the gap between technical complexities and innovation. Our seasoned developers will work closely with you to understand your pain points and create a tailored solution that appeals to your target audience. Our team has a strong understanding of robust frameworks and the latest technologies that can make your travel app a huge success.

With liberations in travel regulations and more people looking to explore their dream destinations, travel mobile app development is lucrative for online travel agencies more than ever. Since travelers now prefer online booking of their travel itinerary via smartphones, investing in travel app development can help you meet their needs faster and accelerate your business growth. However, to build a success-driven app, you must partner with a professional mobile app development company that can build a custom solution and integrate it with robust technologies.

FAQs- Travel App Development

Yes, investing in travel app development can turn out to be a successful move for your OTA. It will help you reach more customers, boost sales, and become a market leader in the long run.

The average travel and tourism app development cost can range between $60,000 to $300,000. But these are just rough figures, and the actual cost will vary depending on factors such as the type of app, the features’ complexity, development time, and the location of the mobile app development company.

Successive Digital has years of experience in developing custom travel apps for top-tier businesses in the tourism and hospitality sector. We understand each client’s specific needs and build a custom solution driven by innovation.

There are various types of travel app options available from which you can build the one that best aligns with your customers’ specific travel-related needs. These include:

• Travel planning app
• Ticket booking app
• Hotel booking app
• Travel insurance app
• Navigation app
• Travel guide app
• Transportation app

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10 Of The Best Travel Apps For Android That Make Trip Planning A Breeze

T ravel is about as easy as it's ever been. You can hop on a plane, go anywhere, find accommodations once you're there, and even hail a taxi with just a few clicks or taps. Prices can be quite reasonable as long as you're keeping your expectations in check. It's not unusual for folks to take a weekend trip somewhere for no reason other than to just get out of the house. Luckily, there are plenty of good travel apps for Android to help with planning.

A smartphone has plenty of utility in a space like this. You keep it on you all the time, even on airplanes, so it's not a bad place to store your itinerary. People are relying on their smartphones a lot more for travel compared to even just a few years ago. Apps for things like hotels and transportation booking have improved by a large amount over the last five years or so. Additionally, new tools have made their way to the market. 

In some cases, you may not even need an app. For instance, Google Travel is an aggregate website that includes flights, hotels, rentals, and discovery features for when you arrive in your destination city. Apps tend to be a little more reliable, though, so let's take a look at some good ones.

Airbnb is a popular travel app that lets you rent out establishments that are usually owned by real people. There are a few benefits to this approach. For starters, it's a vastly different experience than the same old hotel stay that we all know and tolerate. There are also a variety of properties available for rent in most regions, including cabins, beachfront properties, and other interesting accommodations. It's a nice way to spice up your trip without changing your itinerary too much. It's not a leap in logic to assume that a beach trip would be more fun in a beach house rather than a standard hotel.

However, there are some downsides to Airbnb. It's generally more expensive than a traditional hotel stay, especially if you go for something more exotic. For instance, we found a wonderful cabin in Ohio that costs over $700 per day to rent. That's a $2,100 weekend before taking any other expenses into consideration. Additionally, you can find the occasional horror story about owners and tenants causing drama. A little vigilance and some patience can help avoid such complications. 

There aren't many apps like Airbnb, although some are trying. They include Vrbo, Booking.com, Hipcamp, and a few others, but none are as established as Airbnb. The app is free to use, but rentals obviously cost money.

Citymapper is a unique app for travelers. It sources its map information from Google Maps, so you're not using something entirely different from what you'd normally use. Where Citymapper excels is in its depth of choice. Let's say you want to go from West Side Market to the Agora Theater in Cleveland, Ohio. Citymapper not only gives you directions but also gives you options for your transportation. You can walk, take the bus, rent a scooter, or hail a cab. There is built-in support for Uber, Lyft, and several other transportation companies for cab service and scooter rentals. There are even bus schedules to help plan your day around local transportation. 

Yes, it is possible to recreate a lot of this in Google Maps. However, Citymapper is built specifically for this function, so the layout of the app makes a little more sense for folks who don't often use these types of services. The only real downside of Citymapper is the lack of support for many U.S. cities. For example, in Ohio the app supports Cleveland but not Cincinnati or Columbus. That's a bit of an oversight, although there is always Google Maps to fall back on if you're somewhere without official Citymapper support. 

Citymapper is free to use with advertising. You can remove the advertising with a $1.49 per month subscription.

Google Maps

Google Maps is an excellent choice for obvious reasons. It features near-ubiquitous support for most places you'd want to go, a laundry list of features for all sorts of activities, and even competes favorably with Yelp for user reviews. It's a go-to, all-in-one solution that nullifies a lot of its competitors. You can even download maps for offline use if you expect to be out of range of an Internet connection. Otherwise, most people know how Google Maps works. You can get navigation to just about anywhere. There is also support for walking, public transportation, and more.

What makes Google Maps special are a lot of the smaller, less-used features . For example, you can share your location with a friend or family member. They can use Google Maps to find your location and get to you if needed. You can also adjust your routes to save gas and search for the cheapest gas near you. The gas station prices aren't always exactly current, but it gives you a good idea. It'll even show you the speed limit when used with Android Auto. Not every feature is supported everywhere, so your mileage may vary. 

Google Maps has a lot of competition in this space, such as Apple Maps. Some alternatives, like Maps.me and OsmAnd, use OpenStreetMap as a source, which can occasionally be more reliable than Google Maps and may also include some extra hiking trails or paths that Maps doesn't. Otherwise, Google Maps stands alone at the top.

Google Translate

Google Translate is another excellent app for travelers. After all, not everybody has the time or capability to learn a new foreign language for each trip they take. Google Translate is good at a number of things. You can easily type in whatever you want into the app and translate it to your language of choice. That's the main function, and it's perfectly usable in day-to-day applications. Other features, however, may see more use in practice, such as the ability of the app to take a picture of a menu or sign and translate it for you. 

Perhaps the most useful feature is the conversation mode. You simply choose the languages you want and speak into the app. The app uses speech-to-text to translate what you said so the other party can read it. They can then do the same in reverse. This lets you have full conversations with people who don't speak your language. You can also use the app offline provided that you downloaded the languages you need first. 

The great part about it is that it just works without much of a learning curve, so most people should be able to figure this out relatively quickly. Google Translate doesn't have a lot of competition. Microsoft Translator and DeepL Translate are making strides, but they aren't quite there yet. 

Kayak is one of many apps to book travel accommodations. It lets you search for flights, hotels, and rental cars for your trip, all within essentially the same experience. For flights, you input your start and end destinations and dates, which leads the app to pull up available flights. There is then a process that sorts them by the cheapest so you can find the best deals. Looking for hotels and rental cards is the same. You input your destination and dates, and the app tries to find you the best deals. 

There are some extras that make life a little easier. Kayak's app layout is functional and quite easy to read. Many competitors do this as well, but Kayak just has a good feel. Additionally, you can surf for alternative ideas like ridesharing for car rentals or vacation homes instead of hotel accommodations. There are plenty of filters to nail down exactly what you want. Booking accommodations through the app is a fairly simple process and not much different from most other apps.

Kayak has a ton of competitors in this space, including Priceline, Booking.com, Expedia, Hotels.com, and at least a couple dozen others. Choosing one is a lot like choosing a grocery store -- different services have different sales at different times. You should use the one that saves you the most money at the time you plan your trip. 

Polarsteps is a travel tracker app, although it is more recreational than it is functional. The app lets you plan your trip and then log the trip as you take it. You can store things like photos, notes, and other memories along your journey. The app shows you all of those memories on a neat world map. It's an overall nice way to visualize your trip after you're done taking it. In addition, you can share your trip with family and friends so they can keep track of you as you progress while commenting on your photos and memories. 

The app works quite well in practice. Photos and other content upload quickly, and the social elements are done well. The only real downside of the app is that it is for recreational purposes only. You can't manage an itinerary, book hotels, or do any actual planning with Polarsteps. This is only for capturing memories.

Polarsteps also gives you the option of ordering a travel book with memories of your travels. You can also revisit old trips through the app if you decide to keep it for multiple trips. Polarsteps is free to use. You only have to spend money on the travel book if you want it. 

There are many apps that do variations of this same thing. FindPenguins is an up-and-coming app in this space that does a lot of the same stuff as Polarsteps. 

TripIt is an all-in-one travel planner. It starts by having you create a trip in the app. From there, you add in your itinerary, travel plans, and other information. Everything is manual, so you don't have to worry about syncing anything. You can enter everything from flight numbers to hotel reservation confirmation numbers. There is also an alerts system for reminders about those flights and hotel reservations. It's a nice overall package that takes most types of travel into consideration. The app has a clean look, and it shouldn't take long to get the gist of how everything works.

There are a variety of other features as well. You can store travel documents like passports, Visas, and driver's licenses. There are whole sections for alternate modes of transportation such as cruise ships, trains, and public transportation. The navigation feature integrates directly with Google Maps for easy storage of your road trip directions. Those who opt for the optional $48.99 per year subscription also get access to a point tracker for your loyalty programs as well as an Inner Circle feature to invite other people to plan trips with you.

Like other travel apps, this one has a lot of competition. RoadTrippers, Passporter, and TripCase are a few decent examples. TripIt does the job better and with less hassle than most of its competitors, so it's a great place to start. 

Uber is a must for travelers. It's ubiquitous in the U.S. at least, and almost everybody knows how to use it. It's a ridesharing service that operates similarly to a taxi service -- you hire a driver to take you from point A to point B. There's a rating system for both passengers and drivers to keep everyone honest. 

Otherwise, it's a fairly straightforward endeavor. The app is easy to use, and you can schedule rides for the future if needed as well. At this point, Uber has been around long enough that most people have used it at least once. There aren't many surprises here. 

Uber has consolidated a lot of its functions within its main app. That means you can order food and have it delivered to your location without using the Uber Eats app. There are also options for pharmacy, alcohol, retail, and grocery delivery. You can even have a driver deliver a package from your location to its destination if you need it there quickly and don't mind paying extra for it. Rounding out the features is a car rental service partnership with Hertz that allows you to rent a car if you prefer. 

Uber has competition all around the world. Lyft is its biggest competitor and it's good as a ridesharing service. Other countries may have services specific to that location. You'll want to do some research if you're traveling abroad. 

Vio is a hotel deal comparison app. Earlier, we talked about Kayak and how it had tons of competitors in this space. Vio, and apps like it, aggregate prices from many of those places so you can price shop across services in a single spot. The app shows you the best deal it was able to find, even if that deal wasn't directly from Vio, by sourcing prices from over 100 travel sites. The app also boasts millions of hotel options around the world. Pair that with a solid UI that doesn't feel overly cluttered, and you have an app that ends up feeling easy to use. 

All you have to do is input your destination city to start browsing. Once you find a hotel you like, you can view more details within the app. From there, there are two things that can happen. You can continue booking the hotel from the app if the deal is directly from Vio. Otherwise, the app throws you to the other service to complete the process. For example, if you find a good deal using Booking.com, the app will send you to that website so you can claim it. 

There are a variety of services that do something similar. Trivago is another popular option for comparing hotel prices, and you can use either one as they both work about the same and compare the same data. 

Wanderlog is a travel planner app. It offers an all-in-one solution to essentially the entire experience. You can plan the trip by inputting your various reservations, itineraries, and other plans. The app keeps track of everything for easy recall later. In addition, Wanderlog has a ton of little extras that can help make things easier. 

For instance, you can compare hotel and flight prices. There is also a collaboration feature that is available for free. You can add people to your trip so they can see all of the information as well. It might seem a bit cluttered at first but it gets easier the more you use it. 

In general, Wanderlog is easy to use. There are a lot of distracting elements as the app sends you deals and coupons for various travel-related services. Some of those are genuinely useful, so it's not the biggest deal. The app requires an internet connection to use if you're on the free version. You can get offline support along with Google Maps support, fewer restrictions, and even more deals for an optional $39.99 per month. The subscription isn't necessary unless you intend on using the app very heavily.

What makes this app unique is that it's a mix between an aggregator service like Vio and a travel planner like TripIt. You can find this same experience across two or three apps if you want to.

Read this next: 12 Essential Apps Every Android Owner Should Always Have Installed

Spirit Airlines to furlough 260 pilots, defer Airbus plane deliveries to help liquidity

Spirit airlines announced on monday that pilots would be furloughed and that deliveries of airbus planes scheduled for 2025 and 2026 until 2030 and 2031 will be delayed to be more profitable..

Spirit Airlines said they will furlough pilots and delay deliveries of new Airbus planes to improve its liquidity.

The budget airline announced on Monday that it reached an agreement with Airbus to defer all aircraft on order scheduled to be delivered in the second quarter of 2025 through the end of 2026 to 2030 and 2031.

The move is projected to improve the airline's liquidity by approximately $340 million over the next two years, according to the press release.

'I’m not being blackmailed': Travelers ask airlines to be more upfront about ticket costs

Spirit Airlines set to furlough pilots

The airline said it will also furlough approximately 260 pilots effective September 1, 2024, due to the aircraft deferrals and Pratt & Whitney Geared Turbofan (GTF) engine availability issues.

Ryan Muller, head of Spirit's pilot union, said the airline has more pilots than its operations require. The union is exploring voluntary measures to reduce the need for furloughs and downgrades, he said.

Spirit Airlines to delay delivery of new Airbus planes

A snag with Pratt & Whitney GTF engines has forced  Spirit to ground some of its A320neo aircraft. It has said the number of grounded jets would climb steadily to an average of about 40 in December 2024.

According to the airline, a recent agreement with Pratt & Whitney on compensation over their GTF engines would improve Spirits' liquidity by between $150 million and $200 million.

"This amendment to our agreement with Airbus is an important part of Spirit's comprehensive plan to bolster profitability and strengthen our balance sheet," Ted Christie, Spirit's President and Chief Executive Officer said. "Deferring these aircraft gives us the opportunity to reset the business and focus on the core airline while we adjust to changes in the competitive environment."

The deferral does not impact planes scheduled for delivery in 2027 through 2029, Spirit said.

The ultra-low-cost airline has been  facing questions  about its future after losing money in the past six quarters despite booming travel demand.

Analysts and industry officials say the airline will have to make drastic changes, including cutting flights and exiting some markets to become profitable, which is still not likely to happen this year.

Contributing: Reuters

Apple Business Manager User Guide

• Intro to Apple Business Manager
• Program requirements
• Participate in beta features
• Get support
• Provide feedback
• Edit preferences
• Configure locations
• Link to new domains
• About domain conflicts
• Disconnect federation from a domain
• Intro to federated authentication
• Use federated authentication with Google Workspace
• Use federated authentication with Microsoft Entra ID
• Use federated authentication with your identity provider
• Change a user’s domain information
• Transfer Apple services when federating
• Sync user accounts from Google Workspace
• Sync user accounts from Microsoft Entra ID
• Sync user accounts from your identity provider
• Get notified about user name conflicts
• Resolve Apple ID conflicts
• Resolve Google Workspace sync conflicts
• Resolve Microsoft Entra ID OIDC sync conflicts
• Resolve identity provider OIDC or SCIM sync conflicts
• Use Managed Apple IDs
• Customize user access to certain apps and services
• Use Sign in with Apple
• Intro to users and user groups
• Manually add users
• Manage existing users
• Add user groups
• Create or reset user passwords
• Intro to roles and privileges
• View and assign roles
• Add Content Managers to locations
• Add or reset verification phone numbers
• Intro to buying content
• Review content payment and billing information
• Select and buy content
• Learn about Custom Apps
• Manage content tokens
• Transfer licenses
• Migrate content tokens
• Invite VPP purchasers
• Plan for migration to Apps and Books
• Device workflow
• Manage device suppliers
• View device information
• Get device order progress reports
• Add devices from Apple Configurator
• Intro to MDM servers
• Link to a third-party MDM server
• Edit a third-party MDM server configuration
• Delete a third-party MDM server
• Review device assignments
• Assign, reassign, or unassign devices
• Assign a device that was serviced or replaced
• Release devices
• Create Shared iPad passcodes
• Sign in to Shared iPad
• Shared iPad and Managed Apple IDs
• Sign federated users out of devices
• How to search
• View activity
• Read log files
• Keyboard shortcuts
• Document revision history

Intro to buying content in Apple Business Manager

The App Store features thousands of apps. Fortunately, Apple Business Manager gives your organization a simple way to acquire and manage these apps in the Apps and Books Store. Using device management, you can install and update apps remotely, even if the App Store is disabled on the device.

Note: Depending on your local tax requirements, you may be required to provide tax information when you initially set up your organization to buy content.

Distributing apps

Besides buying apps, you can also revoke and reassign apps to different devices and users. In this way, you always retain full ownership and control of apps you bought. You can assign the apps you bought through Apple Business Manager to any devices or users in any country or region where those apps are available from that location’s App Store. (The App Store Country or Region is determined by the address submitted when your organization signs up for Apple Business Manager. For example, if your organization signed up with an address in the United States, the App Store locale is set to United States.)

App distribution works best when the app is assigned before devices are configured or given to users. After the user receives the device and completes the Setup Assistant, Apple Business Manager can send the user an invitation by email or push notification. When the user accepts the invitation, the user has access to all of the apps—which are then remotely installed on the user’s devices.

Note: In-app purchases and subscriptions aren’t compatible with volume purchasing, Managed Apps, or Managed Apple IDs . Developers may offer a separate full-featured version of their apps (sometimes as a Custom App) for education or enterprise customers that need to deploy apps at scale.

Distribute Apple Books

Apple Books bought through Apple Business Manager can be distributed only to users, not devices. They can’t be revoked and reassigned. When books are assigned to users, those books follow the same country and region download restrictions as apps.

Note: Some Apple Books content isn’t available in certain countries or regions. To learn whether certain Apple Books content is available in your country or region, see the Apple Support article Availability of Apple programs and payment methods for education and business .

Recommendations

To simplify your deployment, it’s highly recommended that you assign apps to devices instead of users. With device-based app assignment, there’s no invitation process or requirement to use an Apple ID on the device. Books can’t be assigned to devices.

To alleviate bandwidth saturation during the initial mass deployment, consider distributing only the apps necessary for the first day of deployment, and then make additional apps available to users for download over time. If the device is supervised, apps are installed silently.

App and book assignment summary

The table below shows the types of apps or books, and the criteria for assigning them to devices and users.

Netherlands advises against all travel to Israel

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Trump's criminal hush money trial has its first seven jurors

The first seven jurors were selected on Tuesday to serve on Donald Trump's hush-money criminal trial, as the selection process continues to choose a panel of 12 members and six alternates who can be fair to the former U.S. president.