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5 Travel Planning Apps With Live Maps to Plot a Trip Itinerary

These free travel planning apps show all your activities and attractions on a live map and help you plot an itinerary.

Since the pandemic, you need to plan your trips carefully. So many things can change in no time, and people, in general, are traveling more, so advance bookings are crucial. These travel planning apps will help you plot an itinerary and ensure you don't miss out on any activities or attractions.

All the apps in this list come with maps that show all the locations you're traveling to. It's much better than using a Google Doc to write out your plan. Each app does something a little different or better than the others, so you'll likely find exactly what you're looking for in a travel planning app.

1. Scout (Web): Best Travel Planner for Cities With Detailed Map

When you're planning a trip to a new city, either alone or as a group, you will usually list many places you want to visit. With Scout, you can add these in different sections and see them on a live map, thus making it easier to figure out which places are within close distance and create an itinerary.

When you start a new trip in Scout, you'll first have to pick a city you're visiting and set your arrival and departure dates. By default, you get sections for attractions, food, and accommodations. But you can always add more custom sections. Each section gets its colored pin marker (for example, all food places will show as blue pins). You can add a place by searching for it or typing out the full address. It's powered by Google Maps, so it'll be easy to find any place.

Once you've added the points of interest, open the itinerary view to see your dates. Drag-and-drop places from the first bar to any day's itinerary. Once you add multiple places to a day, the map will automatically create a route for that day, linking all the places. You can rearrange them to find the best route to take.

You can also share your Scout trip with others, so that they can add their own points of interest and update the itinerary to create a group plan. It's also a helpful way to get tips from locals, as they'll be able to add recommendations directly to your map.

Scout also lets you publish your map or itinerary to its directory so that others can discover your helpful recommendations. And of course, you can browse the directory to find what others have recommended.

2. Puffin (Web): Find the Best Commute or Route for Your Travel Itinerary

Puffin is similar to Scout, with a few minor differences. When you create a new trip in Puffin and add a city, it automatically gives you a few recommendations for interesting and unique tourist spots , which show up as flowers on the map. Then, you start adding places of interest by searching for them in the left sidebar when set to Places, after which they'll show up as pins on the map.

Once you've added all the pins you want, switch the sidebar from Places to Itinerary. Create a new "day" and drag places from the map to that day. Puffin will automatically create a commute for you in the order of the places. Rearrange the places to get a better commute. You can also set a custom color for all the places and routes for a day.

For a detailed view of your entire itinerary, toggle the "View Full Schedule" button at the top of the sidebar. This will show a kanban board-like view of all your days. You can quickly drag and drop places between different days.

Puffin trips can also be shared between friends to build a trip collaboratively. Other users can comment on any place, so you can have a chat within Puffin on whether that place is worth going to or not.

3. Travel Trove (Web): Detailed Travel Planner for Multi-City Trips

Travel Trove is an excellent app if you go to a new country and plan to visit multiple cities. First, add the country you'll be going to, and then add the places you want to visit. For example, if you were going to Italy, search for the Colosseum and for the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and add both. Then, in your sidebar, Travel Trove will automatically list them under the different cities of Rome and Pisa.

For every place you add, you can also put in a few notes about it. Travel Trove also automatically scrapes information from Google Maps like the website, timings, and address of that place.

Once you've added all the places, switch to itinerary mode (and select all the cities in your trip when prompted). Now you'll be building a day-by-day itinerary for your visit. Each day has an "accommodation" slot and more slots for AM and PM to plan your holidays. Simply drag-and-drop your places to these slots to build the plan. You can also add notes for each day.

Travel Trove lets you quickly filter places by categories you have set while adding them, like must-visit, food, accommodation, etc. You can also add Packing Notes to your itinerary to ensure you don't forget anything. Once you're done with the travel plan, you can share it with others too.

4. Travel Mapper (Web): Google Sheets Travel Itinerary With Live Map

When you're planning the itinerary for your next trip, you usually want to visualize it on Google Maps too. Travel Mapper is a custom Google Sheets template that lets you create your travel itinerary, share it with friends, and instantly add the locations to Google Maps.

Travel Mapper is simple to use. Once you download the add-on, open a new Google Sheet and go to Extensions > Travel Mapper > Start Here > Generate Template . Add the date, time, activity, location, links, costs, and any additional notes in the sheet. The sidebar shows the Google Map for your itinerary, which you can update when you make any changes.

The map is customizable. You can add color codes for different elements and filter activities to see your map differently. The Google Maps in the sidebar can also be used to discover other places of interest nearby to any location. It's one of the best Google Maps hacks for travel trips .

Travel Mapper also includes a to-do list, a packing checklist, and a favorites list to ensure you don't forget anything. You can also share your newly created sheet with friends, who can add their own locations to the map.

5. Plip (Web, Android, iOS): Mobile-First Collaborative Trip Planner With Maps

The apps mentioned above in this list are all made to be used on computers. However, Plip bucks the trend by being a mobile-first travel planning app so that you can plan your entire trip on your phone or tablet. Plip also has a web app if you want to use it on your laptop.

Register for an account once you create a new trip; otherwise, your travels won't be saved. You can keep the trip private or share it with a group by adding others' emails.

When you want to add a new entry, there are eight types of plans to choose from: plan (generic), flight, reservation, lodging, restaurant, event, vehicle rental, and transit. The default details to fill for any entry are the title, the location, the start and end date and time, and any notes if necessary. Certain plans have additional entries, like "Provider" in events or "Confirmation number" in lodgings.

You can quickly filter your entries by the type of plan to view them in a list. Otherwise, switch to the Map view to view all your places of interest marked on the map, and scroll through a pane at the bottom.

Download: Plip for Android | iOS (Free)

Plan Well, But Look for Last Minute Deals

These apps will help plan out your entire trip, giving you a clear idea of when and where you will be. But don't yet rush to book it all.

The travel and hospitality industry has a lot of last-minute deals on flights, hotels, and tourist attractions. You should try to take advantage of these where you can. Since you will plan out your trip, add a few alternatives or flexible dates with flexible itineraries so that you can wait a bit more and benefit from these deals.

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“You seriously cannot find a more effective travel planning tool than Pebblar. Gone are the days of screenshots of maps and messy collages of travel notes on maps. Forget about typing up collective itineraries on word, Pebblar is the exciting new tool for effective multi-destination travel planning. It syncs all the useful information internet has to offer perfectly into an easy simple to use App. Brilliant.”

"Throughout my day, I am constantly fantasizing about travel in my head. Whether for an upcoming or far-future trip, I use Pebblar to keep track of the cities I want to visit, sites I want to see, restaurants I want to try; and to plan the possible path between location. Pebblar is amazing for helping me organize my ideas in easy, virtual form." Chloe Skye

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The Best Tools and Apps for Planning a Road Trip

This arsenal of apps takes the work out of planning, allowing you to fully enjoy the freedom of the open road..

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Paper maps are classic, but with these apps, you can plan your best road trip yet.

Courtesy of Unsplash.com

Remember when planning a road trip meant busting out your best paper maps and highlighting various routes with multicolored pens? Today, road trips still bring out the old-school adventurer in all of us, but planning them has certainly become more streamlined. Thanks to these travel apps , there are more ways than ever to maximize planning for your next long drive.

Let’s begin with the free Google Maps app. It’s the most multifunctional road trip map app out there, whether you’re looking for directions, the quickest route, a nearby hotel or restaurant (see also: grocery stores, pharmacies, ATMs), and even the cheapest gas station. Once you enter a general term in the search bar, the app lets you filter by category. If you’re looking for a place to eat, for example, you can narrow your search using a variety of options, including cozy restaurants, group-friendly dining, new restaurants, and cheap eats. When you search for nearby gas stations, the app will tell you how much gas costs at each place, allowing you to select the cheapest fuel.

Google Maps gives you so much more than directions.

Photo by AngieYeoh/Shutterstock.com

But while Google Maps is incredibly convenient, it doesn’t do everything. Add these fun, functional, and free road trip planning apps to your collection for your best road trip yet.

Roadtrippers

Apple app store| google play.

Roadtrippers is a do-it-all, know-it-all website and app that asks you to enter your destinations and calculates the best route. It shows you everything you can see and do along the way, including parks, restaurants, and hotels. Essentially, this road trip planner deals in logistics—making it a perfect option for those who need a plan but hate doing the legwork.

Apple App Store | Google Play

Gas prices inevitably spike every summer as travel demand increases. Fortunately, GasBuddy is a great way to stay on top of your road trip budget and take advantage of the best gasoline deals in your area, wherever you might be. The app provides real-time price information for more than 150,000 gas stations in the United States and Canada and ranks as one of the highest-rated apps in the Apple App Store’s history. GasBuddy also has a function that allows you to estimate how much gas you’ll need on your travels based on your planned destination and make and model of your car, making it one of the most convenient and practical road trip gas calculators out there.

This is the traffic app to beat all traffic apps. While other route-planning apps like Apple Maps and Google Maps can tell you when traffic is about to get bad, the community-sourced Waze provides more of-the-moment information. Users give and receive real-time updates on accidents, speed limits, hidden police cars, and road conditions. The app also provides a variety of navigation routes, which can be especially handy when you need to take back roads to avoid a brutal traffic jam.

HotelTonight

If, after a long day of driving, you suddenly hit a (figurative) wall and need to stop and rest, this is the service for you. HotelTonight specializes in same-day booking at quality boutique hotels. You can reserve rooms in advance, but because hotel prices often drop as it gets closer to your stay, you’ll likely end up saving money when you book at the last minute. If you use the app instead of the website, you’ll save even more with exclusive mobile deals.

As any seasoned traveler knows, a good, clean restroom can be hard to find on the road (and even more appreciated during the pandemic!). But with a database of more than 200,000 bathroom options across the world, the Flush app can take some of the edge off of the nail-biting urgency of finding a toilet in an unfamiliar place. Flush also makes it easy to see whether restrooms are accessible to people with disabilities, require a fee to use, or need a key to access. Simply open the app and Flush will search for nearby toilets using GPS, providing directions using Apple Maps or Google Maps. Users can also add newly discovered toilets to the app and rate washrooms they come across on their travels.

As anyone who’s tried to orchestrate a camping trip knows, finding a decent place to camp can be one of the most difficult parts to plan. The Dyrt app gives campers a way to research potential campgrounds in depth without the guesswork of solely using traditional park websites, all from the comfort and convenience of a phone. You can browse reviews of potential campgrounds you’d like to visit, use the app’s “near me” function to find nearby places to hunker down when you’re on the go, or even connect with other campers for tips and feedback on campgrounds you’re thinking of visiting. Though the app is available to download for free, the premium version ($35.99 per year) will also give you access to downloadable maps, a trip planner, and big discounts on gear and campgrounds.

The Outbound app allows road trippers to find outdoor activities along their route.

Courtesy of Outbound

The Outbound

Being cooped up in a car for hours on end can often be the worst part of a road trip. One solution? Consult this GPS-based, crowd-sourced app that gives local recommendations for nearby outdoorsy activities. The app will point you to national parks, good hiking trails, secret swimming holes, and more—and the user reviews are fact checked by the Outbound Collective staff, so you can trust the advice (especially important if you’re hiking in an area you don’t know well).

Similar to the Outbound, DayPass helps you find activities when you absolutely can’t be in the car any longer. However, it’s not exactly a hiking app —instead, DayPass focuses on pools, beach clubs, gyms, and spas at hotels and resorts around the world. Just type in the destination (or let the app pull up a current location based on your GPS), and you can see all of the hotels and gyms that offer day passes to their facilities. Some properties don’t allow booking through the app, so you may have to call instead.

Psych! Outwit Your Friends

Can you even call a road trip a road trip if you don’t spend hours playing pointless games? From the creators of Ellen DeGeneres’s popular Heads Up! , this game app tests your ability to pick real answers to trivia questions—and avoid the fake answers made up by the other players. There are four styles of play—the word game “Word Up!” the classic trivia game “Is That a Fact?,” the truth-telling game “The Truth Comes Out,” and the movie trivia game “Movie Bluff!”

Much like Cards Against Humanity, part of the fun is trying to guess who wrote which answer based on everyone’s sense of humor. There’s even an option to “play with Ellen,” which means an Ellen bot will also contribute hilarious answers. The game requires some screen time, so it’s not driver friendly—but if you read the questions and answers out loud, whoever is behind the wheel can certainly join in on the laughs. (It’s another reason to regularly rotate drivers, too.)

Apple App Store

One perk of a road trip is that you can pull over somewhere beautiful for Magic Hour, or Golden Hour: the term professional photographers use to describe the hour after sunrise or before sunset when the light is at its prettiest. This app lets you know exactly when Magic Hour begins and ends each day based on your location, helping you time your stop just right. If you pay $0.99, you can add locations, allowing you to plan for future Magic Hours, too. (Magic Hour is only available for Apple devices, but Google Play offers similar apps for Android users.)

Although there are many ways to find and stream new music, turning on the radio during a road trip adds an element of fun. Not only is it nostalgic, but listening to what the local DJ has to say and play also helps you get a feel for the local culture. When you hear a song you like but don’t know, open up SoundHound, hit the orange circle, and the app will tell you its name. Bonus: The app keeps a dated history of the tunes you identify.

If you have Spotify or Apple Music, you can even sync your accounts with SoundHound, and all of your discoveries will automatically show up in a playlist called “SoundHound.” By the end of the trip, you’ll have a curated playlist of your song discoveries that you can enjoy long after you’ve returned home.

Mr. D’s Diner is an old Route 66 staple that has been open since 1978 serving up homey American cuisine.

Photo by Heidi Kaden on Unsplash

Roadside America

Sometimes the best part of a road trip isn’t even the final destination but the stops made along the way. The Roadside America app is one of the best road trip planners to help you find all of the kitschy highway attractions the country has to offer. Giant statues of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Ox? Sure, why not. The world’s largest garden gnome or a museum dedicated entirely to hammers? Yes, please. Available on the Apple App Store for $2.99, the app points users to hundreds of quirky locations across the United States and Canada organized by city, state, or province. Users can plot their planned route in the Roadside America app to learn about all the fun stops that might be worthy of a pit stop on their journey.

To catch some truly spectacular, au natural nocturnal sights, make sure to download the free Star Walk app before hitting the trail. Whether you’re driving at night or camping alfresco, one of the best parts of a road trip through the middle of nowhere is seeing millions of stars lighting up an unspoiled night sky. The Star Walk app gives users an easy way to see what constellations will make an appearance whenever and wherever they are. This astronomy program is simple to use—just point your phone at the sky and see what stars, constellations, and planets drift above you.

This story was originally published on March 15, 2019, and was updated on July 15, 2021 with new information. Mae Hamilton contributed original reporting.

>>Next: These Are the Podcasts You Need for Your Next Summer Road Trip

Best road trip planner apps: 5 apps to map out your adventure

How to plan your roadtrip with apps in the driver's seat

Regardless of your destination, planning your trip is an integral part of the adventure. Otherwise, you’ll spend way more than you need to and, chances are, you won’t get to see everything on your wishlist. 

We live in a golden age of technology that we often take for granted. But, in all the time we spend playing our ‘Spin Addicts’ and our ‘Cat Quests’, very rarely do we think about the utility that our smart devices can provide on the open road. 

As such, we’ve gone out of our way to do the thinking for you.

That’s right, to help you out with your next big outing we’ve assimilated five of the best road trip planner apps for your lengthy expedition below. Above all else, we imagine you’ll be enticed by the fact that they’re all free to download, even if you may or may not be tempted later on to shell out some cash for a monthly subscription fee. (You’ll know what we mean when you see it.)

1. Roadtrippers 

As its name and slogan suggests, this is the only map built for travelers. Okay, maybe that’s a bit of hyperbole, but this app will help you find virtually everything you could ever need along the way. 

Open Roadtrippers and you’ll find millions of locations, including local diners and roadside attractions that, admittedly, Google Maps is prone to miss. Then, once you’ve outlined your road trip plan, you can share it with your travel buddies so that they can make suggestions. 

Download it now on iOS | Download it now on Android

2. Waze 

Like Roadtrippers, Waze hones in on social interaction, but it does so by letting the community decide which routes are the best to take. Users can report nearby collisions, police radar and traffic jams so that you can safely avoid those routes in favor of arriving on time. What’s more, you’ll find the cheapest gas prices around, as gathered by the community. Regardless of whether you set out to save time or money, Waze is the best way to do both.

3. GasBuddy 

Unlike our previous mentions which can potentially save time or money, GasBuddy promises a specific amount of money you’ll save by using it.

Similar to Waze, GasBuddy is a community-driven platform that helps you locate the most affordable gas prices around so that you never have to pay full price for fossil fuels again. The difference is that, with this app, you can subscribe to GasBuddy Pay for additional savings of 15 cents per gallon on your first fill-up and 5 cents per gallon on every fill-up after that. 

Download it now on iOS | Download it now on Android  

4. Hotel Tonight 

We’ve all been in that position. The one where we get too tired to continue driving and we need to find a hotel quickly and cheaply, else suffer the wrath of sleepy driving with the windows rolled down and the music turned all the way up. (Pro tip: don't do that, ever. It's super dangerous.) 

But if that sounds like a horror story that you’ve experienced before, Hotel Tonight is the app for you. Specializing in last-minute hotel deals, Hotel Tonight makes it possible to book a room in three easy taps and one seamless swipe. 

5. Spotify  

Close your eyes. Now imagine you can listen to any song you want, including but not limited to “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” by The Proclaimers. Now open them. 

Though it seems jokingly obvious now, Spotify would have been a dream come true in the days when top 40 radio hits triumphed over all else. Finally, you don’t have to listen to the same handful of songs on repeat. 

Instead, you can hand-pick your own playlists, choosing between over 30 million songs in the Spotify catalog. Of course, if Spotify isn't your music scene, both Apple Music and Google's own Play Music streaming service are also good travel companions.

  TechRadar’s The Road to the Show 2018 sees our intrepid writers braving a cross-country trip across the US, using the best gadgets to bring you their daily travel blog and offering the best tips for a tech-based roadtrip. The journey is brought to you in association with ZTE and the ZTE Axon M, with car transportation provided by Genesis.  

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Travel Map Makers: Best Apps & Tools To Map Your Next Adventure

Planning your next vacation and looking for itinerary inspiration? Here are the best apps and mapping tools for creating your next trip.

A travel map is much more than just a piece of paper with roads and cities marked on it. It's a gateway to adventure, a road map to new and exciting experiences, and a tool that opens up the world to you. With a travel map, you can turn a vague idea of where you want to go into a solid plan, a tangible itinerary that takes you from one breathtaking destination to the next. Your wanderlust dreams can come to life as you turn your bucket list destinations into a concrete itinerary.

Having a travel map on hand, whether interactive or printed, is like having a personal tour guide. Would you like to see the quickest route to your next stop? Check the map. Want to avoid congested roads and find scenic routes instead? The map has got you covered. And if you want to find hidden gems and unique experiences, your travel map leads you straight to the pot of gold. Whether you're planning a road trip, a backpacking adventure, or a luxury vacation, a travel map is an ultimate tool to help you make the most of your time and budget. It empowers you to visualize your journey, making it easier to plan and adjust your itinerary as you go.

Simple Tips To Build Your Travel Map

Travel mapping is an art form that requires both creativity and organization. A well-crafted travel map is a blueprint for an unforgettable adventure filled with stunning sights, fascinating experiences, and much-needed pit stops. To help you create a map, here's a guide on what should be standard on your map:

Places To Stay For The Weary Traveler

Your created travel map should not only point you in the right direction but also serve as a guide to a comfortable stay and journey worthy of a core memory. From cozy bed and breakfasts to lavish hotels, include a list of accommodations that cater to your travel style. A visual representation of where you'll be sleeping each night will help you make the most of your journey.

Top Destinations, Views, And Activities

This is the most exciting part of any trip! Your travel map should be a window into your interests and what you hope to experience on your journey. This way, you'll have a visual representation of your future travels, and you'll never miss a beat - from scenic hikes to historical landmarks and local festivals to cultural experiences.

Pit Stops For Road Trips

No road trip is complete without a few well-placed pit stops along the way. Include gas stations, rest areas, and charming towns where you can take a break, explore, and refuel. These pit stops will give you a chance to stretch your legs, admire the beautiful scenery, and take a deep breath before continuing on your journey.

In conclusion, a travel map is a valuable tool for any trip, whether for a long drive or a short getaway. You can plan your trip, stay organized, and make the most of your journey by including accommodations, sites, activities, and pit stops. So, let your imagination soar and start creating a map that's as special as your itinerary. Your journey awaits!

Tools To Find Fun Stops To Add To Your Itinerary

Roadside america.

Roadside America is an excellent resource for off-the-beaten-path destinations. This website features a comprehensive guide to quirky and unusual theme parks, museums, and other destinations often overlooked by more conventional travel guides. Whether you're looking for a giant ball of twine, a museum dedicated to salt and pepper shakers, or a statue of the biggest ketchup bottle, you're sure to find something of interest on Roadside America.

Trip Advisor

Another helpful tool is Trip Advisor, one of the largest travel review sites on the web. Trip Advisor gives users access to thousands of reviews of destinations, attractions, and restaurants and provides a wealth of information about what to expect at each location with a few clicks of a button. Whether you're looking for recommendations for fun stops to add to your itinerary or want a better idea of what a particular destination has to offer, Trip Advisor is an excellent resource.

Get ready for a journey that's one for the books with Scout. Choose your destination city and set your arrival and departure dates to get started. With sections for attractions, food, and accommodations already set, you have a solid foundation for your trip. Don't limit yourself - personalize sections to make your itinerary your own. Each section is marked with its distinct color, making it easy to navigate and find what you're looking for. Whether you're hunting for the perfect restaurant or want to immerse yourself in local attractions, search or input the address and let the power of Google Maps guide you to your next stop.

Discover on Proxi

Discover on Proxi is the new kid on the block. With Proxi, embedding your map and itinerary on your blog or sharing a link to an email account is a breeze! Invite friends and community locals to add their hotspots and collaborate on creating the ultimate group plan. And, Proxi's directory (Discover on Proxi) allows you to show your insider tips and recommendations for others to find and learn from. In turn, you can quickly discover what others have recommended and add it to your map.

Finally, MapsGPT is a powerful tool that can help you find exciting destinations and fun stops to add to your itinerary. With MapsGPT, you can simply type in what you're looking for in a location, and the site will provide you with options for the most amazing attractions, restaurants, and other interesting places related to your search. Whether you're a road trip planner or simply looking for things to enjoy in your local area, MapsGPT is a great way to find unique destinations.

Our Favorite Free Planning Apps & Websites For The Perfect Adventure 

Roadtrippers.

Roadtrippers allows you to use their comprehensive trip planning app to plan the perfect road trip. The app helps you plan every trip in detail, from creating a route map to finding the best hotels and restaurants along the way. With its vast database of attractions and points of interest (300 Extraordinary Places, to be exact), Roadtrippers makes it easy to find the perfect stop for your next adventure. 

Wanderlog is a travel journal app that helps you log your travels and create a digital scrapbook of your adventures. With its sleek and intuitive design, Wanderlog makes it easy to keep track of your travels and share your experiences with friends and family. You can create a custom itinerary, upload high resolution photos and notes, and even track your expenses all in one place. Whether planning your next trip or reminiscing about the countries you visited, Wanderlog is the perfect app for anyone who loves to travel.

Let Proxi be your co-pilot as you navigate uncharted territories! Create a blank canvas or select a pre-made template to jumpstart your journey. With the added bonus of automatically exporting data (CSV, Excel, & others) and crowdsourced contributions, you can gather recommendations from your travel companions or locals, making your map a collaborative masterpiece. Whether you're planning a group trip, an event, or a conference, easy to use Proxi makes it a cinch to craft the ultimate map together collaboratively.

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Wow your friends with an animated travel map .

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I was pleasantly surprised of what I saw when a friend shared the link to PictraMap. The unique way I can create and share my albums there lets my friends and family enjoy the fun moments of my trips. I like the flexibility and variety of the maps, the transitions between locations, and the music scores I can choose from – all in a very quick and intuitive way. Thank you, guys!

What a great way to give life to my countless otherwise boring photos! The maps, the music, the colors make every album special and help add an emotion to it. It's easy to use and the result is a fun adventure I could share with all my friends and family! I know they will love it too!!

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The Best Road Trip Apps That Help You Find Cheap Gas, Avoid Traffic, and More

Download these before you hit the highway.

Elizabeth Rhodes is a special projects editor at Travel + Leisure , covering everything from luxury hotels to theme parks to must-pack travel products. Originally from South Carolina, Elizabeth moved to New York City from London, where she started her career as a travel blogger and writer.

Carmen Martínez Torrón/Getty Images

Technology has revolutionized the way we travel in countless ways. Paper maps and GPS navigation systems have been replaced by Google and Apple Maps, old-school CDs by music streaming services, and guidebooks by apps that can notify road-trippers of roadside attractions in real time. One thing is certain: the smartphone has made road trips infinitely easier and, arguably, cheaper.

Whether you need a digital road trip planner to map out your next journey or something to help you avoid traffic jams, here are 11 of the best road trip apps to download ahead of your next adventure.

Roadtrippers

Roadtrippers is one of the most practical and popular road trip planning apps out there. Maybe you want to see national parks or the quirkiest roadside attractions. Perhaps you want to stop for the night at an iconic or underrated hotel. You can plan your stops right in the app, adding up to three waypoints for free or 150 with a Roadtrippers Premium account. There are also Basic and Pro memberships that allot you 20 and 50 waypoints per trip, respectively. The higher-tier memberships allow you to collaborate with friends and family and use navigation. The app features lodging, sights, outdoorsy destinations, restaurants, activities, shopping, fuel, and more all around the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

The app is free, but you have to upgrade to a membership plan to enjoy all the bells and whistles. The Basic plan costs $40 a year, the Pro plan $50 a year, and the Premium $60 a year. It's available on iOS and Android .

Google Maps

Every road-tripper needs a trusty navigation app in their arsenal, and Google Maps is consistently one of the most — if not the most — downloaded in the U.S. every year. Its dominance can be attributed to how comprehensive its data is, which allows it to generate the very best directions based on distance, road conditions, and traffic patterns.

Google Maps gives you route options and provides accurate estimates of how long it takes to get from A to B. Plus, you can plot several waypoints along your route — be it a mid-morning coffee stop or a hotel for overnighting (you can see reviews right in the app).

Google Maps is free and available on iOS and Android .

Waze is another one of the top navigation apps. With real-time updates that help you avoid traffic jams, construction, and more, it will have you navigating new cities and unfamiliar streets like a seasoned local. It's perhaps a little more proactive than Google Maps in changing up a route when problems arise, and that means Waze users should prepare for their drive to be a little unpredictable.

No one wants to spend hours sitting in traffic instead of exploring, so the fact that Waze collects data from other drivers to streamline the driving experience is a huge help. The app is free and available on iOS and Android .

Paying for fuel can eat up a good chunk of your road trip budget, but GasBuddy can save you a few bucks. The app crowdsources up-to-date fuel prices for more than 150,000 gas stations around the U.S. and Canada. The app also tells you how recent the submission is so you know whether it's outdated.

GasBuddy is not just helpful for finding cheap gas but also for finding gas stations in general (and parking), which can be difficult in foreign territory. The app is free and can be downloaded on iOS and Android . While using it, be a good road-tripper and submit gas prices you see as you travel.

Roadside America

Barry Winiker/Getty Images

The offbeat and kitschy roadside attractions you can find throughout the U.S. are often some of the most delightful parts of a road trip. The Roadside America app helps you find the most unique attractions worth stopping for, like the large sculpture of a cartoon mouse holding a cheese platter in Plain, Wisconsin — where else? — or the decidedly odd larger-than-life-sized three-way electrical plug that rests on a lawn in Philadelphia. The app features museums, murals, tours, quirky restaurants, and photo ops.

Roadside America costs $3 to download, which gets you access to one region in the app. You can purchase more regions for $2 or get access to all of the U.S. and Canada for an extra $7. The app is available only on iOS .

iExit Interstate Exit Guide

Knowing where to stop for road trip snacks, a drive-through latte, or a public restroom can be challenging with all the exit signs whizzing by at 70 mph, but iExit Interstate Exit Guide takes the guesswork out of it. The app will list which exits are coming up on your route, what's there, and what they offer — including food, lodging, fuel, and even hospitals. It pulls fuel prices from OPIS (the Oil Price Information Service) and displays Yelp reviews for businesses.

The app is free to download. Find it on both iOS and Android .

HotelTonight

Even if you've planned out all your stops ahead of time, you might find that you need to pull over for a night unexpectedly. Driving is tiring, and unplanned naps can be life-saving. HotelTonight can help you find accommodations in a pinch. The app offers day-of deals on unsold rooms, and the user-friendly interface means you can book a discounted room in minutes. There are well over 1,000 properties to choose from in cities all over the world, from Mexico City to Jakarta (in case you happen to take your road-tripping global).

It's free to download and available on iOS and Android .

If staying in a tucked-away A-frame cabin, a yurt, or a private guest house in someone's garden is more your travel style than bouncing between hotels, then Airbnb is the ticket. On the Airbnb app, you can search properties (millions in the U.S. alone) on a map and read reviews before you book, which you can do in advance or at the last minute.

The app features not just vacation homes but also activities, so if you're keen to experience a city like a local you can do so via a pottery class or a guided walking tour, for example.

The Airbnb app is free. You can download it on iOS or Android .

Patchareeporn Sakoolchai/Getty Images

Travelers who dream of camping out under the stars should download The Dyrt , a free app that helps you find tent, RV, and cabin sites across the U.S. One of the top camping apps on iOS and Android , it has more than a million registered users who submit reviews, pictures, and tips. On The Dyrt, you get real intel on campsites and a built-in community that makes camping on a road trip especially fun and safe. You can even book some of the campsites right on app.

The app is free, but there's a premium version for $36 a year that allows you to plan trips and search campsites while offline — convenient for remote regions.

What is a road trip without a perfect playlist? Whether you're keen to create a soundtrack of nostalgic singalongs, modern pop songs, or music inspired by your destination, you'll find even the most obscure tunes on Spotify , a catalog of more than 100 million tracks. When you tire of Taylor Swift, you can turn to podcasts or an audiobook to keep you company. Road trips are a great opportunity to delve into a docuseries like "Serial," an all-time favorite.

Spotify is free to download and listen to, but the ad breaks are annoying and streaming can chew through your phone data. A better option is to purchase a premium membership for $11 a month. It's ad-free and you can download music to listen to offline. The Spotify app is available on iOS and Android .

Electric vehicles are increasingly commonplace and great for more environmentally friendly road-tripping. The problem is often finding charging stations, as most EVs can go 100 to 300 miles before they need to be plugged in. PlugShare lists 700,000 charging stations across North America, Europe, and beyond. Users share their reviews of the stations, helping to guide EV drivers to the best, fastest, and most reliable charging spots.

PlugShare is free and available to download on iOS and Android .

SYGIC TRAVEL MAPS

The world's first online maps designed for travelers.

Meet the successor of Sygic Travel Trip Planner! Sygic Travel Maps are the first in the world to display the best attractions, hotels, restaurants or shops directly on the map.

Discover top attractions as well as hidden gems and plan your trips day-by-day. Your trips can be synced with the Sygic Travel app to guide you on your travels.

SYGIC TRAVEL MAPS APP

The Sygic Travel Maps mobile app displays the best tourist attractions, museums, restaurants, shops and more. Discover top places as well as hidden gems sourced from travel editors and fellow travelers and create your day-by-day trip plan directly in the app.

Download offline maps and guides for your destination to keep on track even in the most remote areas. Your trips can be seamlessly synced with the Sygic Travel Maps web.

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Looking for premium VR videos of the world's most famous attractions or relaxing nature footage? Explore our 360˚ video stock library and find the perfect VR content for your project. Instant video download.

Under the brand of Orbitian Media, we bring you the world's largest collection of original VR footage from over 60 destinations across 5 continents.

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The 9 Best Travel Planner Apps of 2024

Proper planning prevents poor purchasing. Get ready for your trip the right way!

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Planning the perfect trip can be almost overwhelming enough to take the fun out of what should be an exciting experience. Thankfully, many travel planning apps are available to help you organize your next getaway, right down to the smallest detail.

Best for Predicting Lowest Flight and Hotel Prices: Hopper

The Watch feature sends push notifications about good deals when it's time to commit.

Some fairly large airlines aren't included in Hopper's analysis.

Hopper's proprietary algorithm tries to predict where flight and lodging prices are headed shortly, letting you wait until the right moment to spring into action and book your trip at the lowest price. The app analyzes billions of prices per day and claims to predict what the cheapest one will be with a 95% accuracy rate.

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Best Overall Trip Planner: Kayak

The Explore feature helps you decide on a destination, suggesting getaways all over the globe based on your maximum budget.

Doesn't always show all available flights on a specific route, potentially causing you to miss out on the best deal.

One of the top all-in-one apps for setting up a trip, Kayak searches hundreds of travel sites instantly to provide multiple deals on a flight, hotel, or rental car in the same location. Kayak also organizes everything in one place and includes up-to-date details on security wait times, along with airport terminal maps.

The app also measures your luggage using your phone's camera, informing you of potential fees and carry-on rules for most airlines.

Best for Helping You Remember the Essentials: Packing Pro

An impressive group of sample packing lists provides a good starting point if you don't want to make your own.

In-app purchases are inappropriate for an app you purchased.

Packing Pro is well worth the $2.99 if stuffing your suitcases isn't your favorite pre-trip activity. The app creates customizable packing lists considering essential factors like the trip duration, destination, expected weather conditions, food preferences, and more. Packing Pro's robust item catalog ensures that even the most unique dietary or religious restrictions are satisfied.

Best for Car or RV Trips: Roadtrippers

The hidden gems that can be discovered with this app.

GPS coordination isn't as good as it is in apps like Waze.

If dealing with long lines at the airport isn't your idea of fun, then Roadtrippers may be the app for you. Whether you're hitting the highway or off-roading, enter your starting and destination points and let Roadtrippers provide everything you need.

From campsites and outdoor attractions to unique adventures that are off the beaten path, this app is the perfect companion for planning an excursion, no matter if your mode of transportation is a small-sized rental car or a giant RV.

An optional yearly subscription unlocks advanced features, including live traffic monitoring and different map styles.

Best for Finding Bargain Flights: Skiplagged

Frequent travelers can save a significant amount of money.

Airline baggage fee policies can be murky, so read the fine print before booking.

By showing fares to connecting cities that are sometimes cheaper than a direct flight to that city, Skiplagged lets you book flights where you stay at the layover location (your destination) rather than continuing with the connecting flight. When it works, you spend less to reach your desired destination. Skiplagged also lets you book last-minute hotel deals.

Best for Avoiding Hidden Fees: Skyscanner

Offers protection to ensure car rental providers don't overcharge for fuel.

In rare instances, flight prices shown in the app are outdated.

Skyscanner should be included in some of the bigger all-in-one planning and booking apps. Offering reliable price alerts, integrated frequent flyer miles, and no additional or hidden fees like you might find elsewhere, Skyscanner usually follows through on its promises and is easy to navigate.

Best Itinerary Planner: Sygic Travel

If you don't want a planned itinerary, Sygic is useful for finding nearby attractions on-the-fly.

Access to Sygic's offline maps requires a paid upgrade to the Premium version.

Sygic Travel lets you plan a detailed itinerary for each day of your trip before you leave home, down to the last detail, like walking distances between attractions.

With over 50 million places included, many with 360-degree videos that make you feel like you're there, the app's smart search filters help you narrow things down to the perfect daily schedule. Collaborative city guides provide an easy-to-use snapshot of the most popular locales around the globe.

Best for Customer Reviews: TripAdvisor

The forums are a great resource for getting specific travel-related questions answered quickly.

Default rankings don't always correlate with customer reviews, so you often need to take a deeper dive to discover the best value.

A stalwart in the travel industry, TripAdvisor isn't unique in providing a one-stop-shop for booking good deals on flights, hotels, and restaurants for your upcoming trip, though it does a dependable job of each. The app sets itself apart with its customer feedback on airlines, lodging, food, and activities. By offering over 500 million opinions from real travelers who've been there and done that, TripAdvisor helps you make informed planning decisions based on others' past experiences.

Best for Organizing Confirmations and Reservations: TripIt

Send information manually, forward confirmation emails, or have the app automatically fetch itineraries from your inbox.

The default notification setting is for an annoying number of alerts.

When you plan a trip, it's not uncommon to receive multiple confirmation emails and itineraries from airlines, hotels, rental car companies, or other sources. Keeping all these details organized can be a hassle.

TripIt solves this problem by taking all your scattered information and organizing it into an easy-to-use main itinerary. This basic functionality is free of charge, while an annual subscription provides the ability to upgrade your seat on upcoming flights and track reward miles, among other perks.

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Tools for Creating Interactive Travel Maps

In travel, a map is your most important piece of gear. It will get you from where you are, to where you want to be and back again. With the advent of the internet, maps are a lot easier to use and to get your hands on.

The one problem is, Google Maps and Google Earth can be a bit boring, especially when you want some fun and memorable maps on your site. The best solution? Make colorful, customized, and interactive maps yourself.

Travellerspoint

Travellerspoint brings exciting differences to the travel map game. Using their platform, you can map out a recent trip that you’ve gone on, adding images and short blog posts to each destination marker as well.

With these maps, you can also plan out an itinerary map. Once you have created your map, it’s really simple to copy the embed code onto your own blog. The platform is open and free for anyone to use, all you have to do is sign up. It’s a fantastic opportunity for travel bloggers to incorporate an interactive way for their readers to follow them on their adventures.

If you are someone who is looking for the dramatics of animation, as well as the information of a regular map, Animaps is the platform for you. Create maps with markers that move, shapes that change over time as well as info bubbles that pop-up on cue.

If you send these Animaps out, they will appear as a video, and the people watching can play, pause, speed up and slow down as they please. All this may seem complicated at first, but going through the tutorials will turn you into a pro in no time.

Scribble Maps

Scribble Maps allows you to get creative and draw and share maps simply. Using Scribble Maps, you can add custom images, place any amount of text and markers, draw different shapes, add distances, save the maps as PDF, and a whole lot more.

You are also able to send maps to your friends as well as embed them into your website or your blog. The basic service is free while paying for Pro Scribble enables you to import KML files, spreadsheets, and SHP files for a certain price.

Click2Map is a great platform for creating maps that serve a specific purpose or fulfill a particular need. Click2Map allows you to place built-in markers from their massive library to ensure your maps are more informative and interactive.

You are also able to add lines and polygons to your maps to serve various purposes, such as marking out particular geographical features. When you are done making your map, you can download it and embed it to your website free of charge.

The unique aspect of ZeeMaps is that you are able to use their service without having to sign up. You are able to place customizable markers, as well as highlight countries, states, cities, and towns.

Another really cool feature is that you are able to add video or sound clips to the markers, enabling you to have an explanatory video or tour of a particular marked location. You are also able to have customizable search fields.

MapTiler is definitely one of the more advanced map makers on our list and is definitely one with more features. It is used by NASA, Google, and Apple. You can effectually render the geodata into the map tiles which are suitable for Google Maps API mashups, Google Earth, and many others.

You are able to use MapTiler on Windows, Linux, and Mac, which makes this tool incredibly versatile. There is a free version that you can try out, as well as paid versions that offer different bundles and features.

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TargetMap is another very handy tool for creating and publishing maps. It has a large community, and the sense of community is encouraged as when your map is published, you are able to compare it to others.

You can obviously embed your maps into your website or blog. To use the service for free, you will need to share your maps. If you do not want to share, you will need to pay for the premium service which will then keep your maps private.

HeatmapTool

HeatmapTool is a handy and easy tool that allows you to make heatmaps out of a CVS file. They can scale the heatmap as you please, and also update it in real-time. You can cool the map by dimming it, and sharpen or soften the edges as you like.

Another very cool feature of this site is that you are able to make heat maps that can overlay the Google Maps API. The basic version of this site is once again free, and you will need to pay for the premium version which offers more features.

GmapGIS is a very simple tool that allows mapping for specific purposes. You are able to draw lines, shapes, add labels, add markers, as well as to measure distance on maps, all without needing a Google account.

Once you are finished labeling and marking your map, an automated link is generated for you to then share or put on your website or blog. With this tool, you can choose to save the map in KML format or view it on Google Earth.

geoCommons allows you to create, use, and share deeply data-rich maps regardless of your skill and knowledge level. It lets you map real-time social data using over 50, 000 available open-source data sets.

You are also able to filter the data and maps on the geoCommons database using any number, string or attribute of data available. Once finished, you are able to share your map or embed it on your website or blog.

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Interactive World Maps

As the name suggests, the Interactive World Maps plugin enables users to create an interactive map of the world on their site. These maps are generated using the Geochart API in SVG format, meaning they are mobile-friendly across all devices.

You can segment the map into continents, countries, and even states. This allows travel websites to group their content accordingly. You have control over colors and click actions for each segment of the map as well. Although this is a paid plugin, the features are well worth the cost.

These map-making tools are incredibly useful if maps are an important factor in your blog. Even if they aren’t, maybe discovering these tools will give you the inspiration you need to make some interactive maps for your blog.

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Create Your Free Travel Map

With minimal effort you'll have a beautiful map of your travels to share with friends and family.

Map and visualise your trips. It's fast, simple, fun and free.

Start mapping your trips now!

• Plan your upcoming trips and map previous travels
• Add notes, photos and blog entries to build a rich story of your travels
• Embed your trip map on your own blog
• Save your map as a high resolution image
• Draw custom routes between your trip stops
• Unlimited trips on one map
• Bookmark websites and save them to your trip plan

See how easy it is to make a trip map in this video

Try it yourself!

Create an itinerary map to plan an upcoming trip

Our free travel mapping tool can be a great resource when you are planning your trips. If you are travelling to multiple cities and want to get an idea of which itineraries are going to be the most efficient, just map all your stops out and see what the route looks like. Once you have worked out the route, you can add notes and bookmarks to each stop to keep all your ideas in one place. Also, don't forget to tap into our amazingly helpful community of travellers by asking for trip advice in our forums .

Map out all your old trips

We spent a lot of time making this as easy to use as possible, especially when mapping out lots of stops and lots of trips. You can very quickly add new stops to trips with minimal detail. For example, you can choose to add dates to each stop. Or not. This mapping tool is flexible that way. Mapping out all your travels can be a huge amount of fun, as it's a great way to relive memories.

Add photos to your trips

Travellerspoint allows you to upload as many photos you want. And if you geotag them, you'll find they will automatically link to stops near where the photos were taken.

Embed your map on your blog

If you are just looking for a simple route map to add to a blog post you're creating then this will do that for you nicely. You can either use the standard embed code or customise the map tiles to various other looks as well. A beautiful interactive travel map will ensure your blog entry stands out from the crowd.

Generate stats for all your travels

Some map samples.

Would you like to see examples of some trips people have mapped out? Click on any of the maps below to see a fully interactive version.

Questions and Answers

What are some typical users of this mapping platform.

• People wanting to map out an upcoming trip
• People wanting to map out all their previous travels
• Travel agents wanting to create a trip map for their clients
• People wanting to explore different destinations for an upcoming trip

Create your map

What tool do you recommend people use to map out their life's travels?

The Travellerspoint mapping system is the perfect tool for this job. It can map out lots of trips in broad strokes or in great deal.

How many stops can I add to a trip?

There is no limit to the number of stops you can add to your trip map.

Is there a limit to how many trips I can map?

No, you can map all your life's travels on one map. We have members with over a hundred trips mapped!

What mapping platform do you use?

We use Mapbox GL JS which is a competitor to Google Maps. We allow you to choose which map tiles you use with options available from Mapbox.com and Maptiler.com

How can I use the maps I've created on Travellerspoint?

Once you've mapped out your trip, you can embed the map in a blog on Travellerspoint or elsewhere. You can also generate a shareable link that shows the map in a standalone way.

Can I save the map as an image?

Yes, we offer an easy button save the map as a high resolution PNG. Perfect for photobooks or for printing out.

How long has Travellerspoint been around for?

Travellerspoint has been around since 2002. Our mapping tool has evolved over the years from a simple log of countries to the detailed trip mapper it is today.

Where do you get the travel information from that's used in the map?

We have our own member created travel guide. When people view your trip map they will see content from that guide included with the locations.

Can I turn off the guide content that's included?

Yes, if you are a supporting member you can turn off the guide content.

Can I get turn by turn directions from this tool?

No, that's not what our mapping tool is intended for. If you need turn by turn directions, we recommend using something like Google Maps instead.

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I am trying to find the best mapping software available to plan trips, some of the things I am looking for are:

- Needs to NOT have a limit of destinations -- it needs to be able to add various stop points and destinations for extended / extensive trips

- It would be nice if it had an icon for "overnight stay" vs. "passing through"

- Ideal if it showed direction of travel (for example, going from Chicago to Madrid would have an arrow, but also Madrid to Chicago would have another arrow for the return trip -- or a one-way trip would have just one arrow)

- sharing capabilities: to share on Facebook, with other members of the site, or inviting travelers to follow along on the itinerary should anything change

Please let me know if you've heard of any different websites, downloadable software, or applications that are available.

So far I've researched:

Roadtrippers (only good for road trips, not good for international flights , etc)

Google Maps

TripIt (seems like its more for flight itineraries and plans, have yet to see a functioning map)

Any suggestions are welcome!

Take a look at the APP or website Rome2Rio I am new at it but you put in various point A to B, C, D and it returns options for planes (if practical), bus, train or drive options. You select your MODE eg Drive and the hit for directions and estimated times. I have just discovered it so i do not know much about full capabilities or limitations but if you are looking for various options, it is a good one. I am planning a trip to europe next month and have been checking options,

They say: We offer a multi-modal, door-to-door travel search engine that returns itineraries

for air, train, coach, ferry, mass transit and driving options to and from any location.

I am thinking more of a Mapping Software that will allow us to create a map with our destinations, and we can post the image to show followers / clients / customers / travelers / interested persons where we plan to travel to and to describe the trip destinations, etc.

with Rome2Rio you have to be careful as it will not always give the best options. If you kind of know where you are going it provides information about modes of transportation available BUT you really need to do searches on the local sites to confirm.

this was discussed on the France forum when it first came out. Conclusion was that it should not be recommended to first time travelers. The TA Forums are really good at finding out if Rome2Rio answer makes sense for your situation.

In google maps you can create custom maps using My Maps then share them with others. after 10 entries you save to a Map which you create then the next 10 you save again to the same map etc..... then each section can be turned on/off - did that last week with one of my maps. That section only can then be shared. The last Google maps has the menus under the 3 horizontal bars top left side in the directions box.

I would suggest you check out www.pebblar.com. It's a trip planning platform which is integrated with Google Maps for mapping and also has fairly collaboration / sharing capabilities.

I prefer TripIt to Rome2Rio and for pure maps I prefer Co Pilot when I need something more robust than Google Maps can provide

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

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7 best travel agency software to boost revenue in 2024

• 11 min read

What is travel agency software?

What should you look for in software to manage your travel agency.

• best software for travel agencies in 2024 

Your client's experience with your travel agency starts well before they set off on their trip. Instead, their journey begins the moment they go to your website to see what your agency has to offer. From there, communication, itinerary planning, payment options, and timely updates are all important components of the overall package that make up a great travel booking experience.

The best travel agency software helps you provide the service you need to foster strong relationships, retain clients, and drive revenue.

Read our list of the 7 best travel agency software tools in 2024 to transform your agency into a premier destination of its own.

Travel agency software covers any tools that can help your travel agency operate more efficiently, delight your customers, and find and book hotels, air travel, trains, and car rentals.

Some tools help book flights and hotels, while others are focused on marketing, client communication, or building a website that converts visitors.

The best travel agency software should help you streamline your workflows and give your clients the service they need. Here’s what to look out for when evaluating tools for your travel agency.

• Travel options: Good booking software should give you access to a wide range of flights, hotels, car rentals, and tours.
• Cost reduction: Travel is expensive. Good travel agency software ensures that you can get prices that are acceptable to your clients while leaving you with enough profit.
• Customer experience: The best software for travel agencies gives your clients an excellent customer experience. Branded client portals are effective ways to centralize client communication and provide excellent transparency.
• Efficiency: Travel arrangements require complex and often disparate workflows. Any travel agency software you choose should be able to streamline your workflows so your service is fast and efficient.

Now that we know what to look out for, let’s get into our list of our favorite tools to run your travel agency.

10 best software for travel agencies in 2024 

Here are our top picks for the best travel agency software available on the market today:

Alright, let’s take a look at what each tool does, how much it costs, and what real customers have to say about them.

1. TravelPerk

• Best for: Booking trips for your clients
• Pricing: Starts at $99 per month, plus 3% of each booking

TravelPerk is an all-in-one tool for booking and managing everything your client needs for a trip. The tool gives travel agencies access to a wide range of flights, hotels, trains, and cars, so they can put together superb inventories at great prices. While it’s a great choice for travel agencies, it’s also a good option for large teams who need business travel management solutions.

The TravelPerk interface is clean and modern. It acts as a portal to an incredible travel inventory that is capable of meeting all your clients' needs. The search filters are solid and remove a lot of time-consuming tasks. The mobile app is another great feature that allows agents to work on the go.

Other interesting features of the app include carbon footprint tracking, which is a good tool for environmentally conscious clients. What’s more, if you have a lot of business travel clients, you can take advantage of VAT recovery and even integrate individual travel policies into the platform to track travel expenses.

Overall, TravelPerk saves you time on bookings while giving you access to a wide range of inventory. What’s not to like?

TravelPerk notable features

• A centralized platform to help streamline the booking process
• Access to a huge inventory of flights, hotels, and transport options
• Carbon footprint tracking

TravelPerk reviews

Here is what real TravelPerk customers have to say about the solution.

• G2: 4.6/5 ⭐
• Capterra: 4.8/5 ⭐
• GetApp:   4.7/5 ⭐

• Best for: Client management and communication
• Pricing: Starts at $29 per month per user

Copilot is the platform service businesses are built on. It allows firms and agencies of all sizes to bring their entire tech stack under one roof. From communication, contracts, payments, intake forms, and more, Copilot is a one-stop shop for running a service business. And because running a travel agency is very customer-focused work, Copilot focuses mainly on the client experience and the customer-facing side of your business. The goal is to create such a great, personalized customer experience that your clients keep coming back to you to plan their trips.

Some Copilot features that work well for travel agencies include customizable intake forms so you can better understand your client’s travel needs. These forms help you collect pertinent information that you can easily transfer into an integrated CRM tool. What’s more, you can build beautiful branded client portals to centralize itinerary planning and other requirement discussions.

A client portal also offers secure file-sharing, which you can use for travel documents, visas, and information about flights, hotels, car rentals, and more. Having all these documents available on the cloud and in one centralized place is a huge benefit for your clients.

Another great Copilot feature that will help your travel agency is the in-built payment management. You can create invoices, subscriptions, and offer secure checkout — which means your clients have flexible and easy ways to pay for their travel.

Overall, Copilot is an indispensable tool for travel agencies who want to demonstrate their professionalism and trust by providing a user-friendly client portal that your customers will love.

Copilot notable features

• Automated onboarding workflows that help you collect important client details and cut down on your admin work.
• Integrated payment portals that offer clients different payment options, including subscription payments.
• White-label client portals that centralize communications share important travel documents and keep everyone up to date about how travel plans are progressing.

Copilot reviews

Here is what real Copilot customers have to say about the solution:

• G2: 4.8/5 ⭐
• Capterra: 4.9/5 ⭐
• Software Advice: 4.9/5 ⭐

3. WeTravel

• Best for: Payments for group travel
• Pricing: Starts at $79 per month, with custom plans for travel agents

WeTravel started out life as a platform to help simplify payments for group tour operators. However, it has expanded over the years and now it is used by travel agents to solve the complexity of group travel.

The big idea with WeTravel is that you can easily generate a slick, professional page for group trips. Your page means you can centralize everything you need for the trip and include photos, itinerary descriptions, and traveler information.

However, perhaps the best feature is the secure payment portal that solves the messy problem of taking payment from a wide array of travelers. Clients can pay by card or electronic transfers, and you can even offer payment plans.

WeTravel’s easy-to-use interface and superb drag-and-drop inventory creation are excellent features for small travel agencies who want to provide high-quality and polished customer experiences. Their processing fees are just 1%, which is very competitive.

You can also integrate WeTravel with marketing tools to help you capture leads and send out promotional materials for various trips. However, WeTravel might not work for very complex itineraries. Additionally, it’s mobile-friendliness does need a little work. But don’t let that put you off, because WeTravel is a great tool to have in your arsenal.

WeTravel notable features

Wetravel reviews.

Here is what real WeTravel customers have to say about the solution.

• G2: 4.1/5 ⭐
• GetApp:   4.8/5 ⭐

4. Avochato

• Best for: Text message notifications
• Pricing: Starts at $19 per month, with custom plans for busier agencies

Keeping clients up to date on travel information is a big challenge these days. One of the best ways to ensure that clients have the information they need is by SMS because the technology has incredible open rates of around 98% .

Avochato is an SMS business communication platform. While it’s not solely focused on travel agencies, it’s used widely across the industry to provide the swift and personalized communication that clients treasure.

Conversational customer support is a big advantage in relationship businesses like travel. Avochato helps teams deal with booking inquiries, trip updates, promotional messages, and even gathering feedback. It’s very intuitive, and if you’re a growing agency, it’s more than capable of scaling with you.

However, WeTravel is not perfect. For starters, it’s very US-focused, which might not work for every travel agency. What’s more, it’s a little pricer than some other SMS solutions out there. Finally, while it does provide support for video and images via MMS, the communications might lack the immersion of a client portal or email communication. That said, it’s a great tool for communicating critical information that won’t get lost in your client’s inbox.

Avochato notable features

• Shared team inbox that allows multiple agency staff to communicate with clients
• Excellent integration with CRM tools
• Broadcast or schedule SMS messages for announcements, reminders, offers, and trip details

Avochato reviews

Here is what real Avochato customers have to say about the solution.

• G2: 4.4/5 ⭐
• Capterra: 4.7/5 ⭐

• Best for: Business travel bookings
• Pricing: Starts at $4 per booking

BizAway launched in Stockholm, Sweden, almost a decade ago with the goal of streamlining the travel process for businesses and agencies. Since then, it has expanded internationally, but it is still primarily focused on the European market.

Some of the problems that BizAway solves include fragmented, time-consuming, and frustrating booking experiences across multiple platforms. It’s also adept at expense management and compliance with business travel policies, with a particular focus on approvals and policy control.

While BizAway is the best tool for European travel, that’s not to say that it won’t work for different regions. Indeed, they have a huge inventory for worldwide travel thanks to widespread access to various travel suppliers.

The booking interface is gorgeous and makes it simple to find and secure hotels, car rentals, trains, and more from inside the platform. It also integrates well with CRM, HR, and accounting software, making it a good choice for both travel agencies and corporations.

Overall, BizAway makes our list of the best travel agency software because it can save you money on travel packages. For travel agencies, any tool that helps you achieve better margins is worth having in your software stack. Sure, it might lack some of the deep customization options of its competitors, but make no mistake, this is a solid solution that makes travel and booking management far easier.

BizAway notable features

• Superb user interface booking system
• Excellent and in-depth reporting tools
• Superb expense management and policy control tools for corporate travel clients

BizAway reviews

Here is what real BizAway customers have to say about the solution:

• Software Advice: 4.7/5 ⭐
• GetApp: 4.7/5 ⭐

• Best for: Building a travel agency website
• Pricing: Starts at $14 per month, but busy agencies will need higher-tier plans

Webflow is a visual website building site with CMS and hosting capabilities. It allows businesses of every type to build professional-looking custom websites that are ready for the modern age.

While there are many solid template-based website builders out there, Webflow is a winning choice for travel agencies for a number of reasons. Firstly, travel marketing is heavily reliant on images. Webflow helps you sell experiences because it handles visuals superbly. Additionally, it offers great responsive design, which is essential for clients who browse for trips via mobile. Finally, Webflow integrates well with third-party custom booking systems.

Weflow is flexible enough to suit a wide variety of travel agencies, from small operators to luxury travel websites. It’s very easy to build a site that will totally wow your clients without knowing any code. This feature will save you money on maintenance and getting your site built. When you add in Webflow’s hosting, these advantages alone are enough to justify its monthly price.

Another thing to consider is that Webflow builds fast-loading websites. Website loading speed is important to clients, and it’s also an SEO ranking factor. But that’s not the only way that Webflow will help with SEO. It also comes with SEO tools that help you structure your site so that you maximize visibility and promote organic site visits.

Overall, Webflow is a powerful web design tool that lets you build superb, visually appealing websites. A well-designed, secure, and fast-loading website is the first step on the path towards building trust and credibility, which are essential in the travel industry.

Webflow notable features

• Customizable design that helps you create a unique and visually striking website without coding
• Build in CMS to manage your destinations, tours, packages, blog content, and more
• Easy integration with booking and payment tools

Webflow reviews

Here is what real Webflow customers have to say about the solution.

• Capterra: 4.6/5 ⭐
• GetApp:   4.6/5 ⭐

• Best for: Customer operations
• Pricing: Starts at $59 per month

Since Front was launched in 2013, it has become widely adopted by travel agencies and other businesses as a way to enhance collaboration and customer communication via shared email inboxes.

Travel planning involves a lot of communication with hotels, car rentals, tour operators, trains and buses, and so on. Front helps you centralize these communications so that nothing is missed or forgotten.

The front really comes into its own for travel agencies, thanks to a few core features. Firstly, it’s a great way to collaborate on travel inventories because members can leave notes, assign tasks, and trash out the finer details, all in one place. What’s more, the booking tools are great for group planning.

If you’re a very small travel agency, some of the features might feel excessive. However, for busy teams, you can customize Front around your workflows, benefit from data & analytics tools, and get real-time visibility into which tasks your agents are handling, and which have fallen through the cracks.

Overall, Front ensures that your back office is streamlined, efficient, and on top of everything.

Front notable features

• Shared inboxes are a great way to provide much-needed visibility and oversight into disparate travel communications
• Superb templates for providing travel updates
• Excellent integration with CRM and booking tools

Front reviews

Here is what real BizAway customers have to say about the solution.

• G2: 4.7/5 ⭐
• GetApp: 4.6/5 ⭐

The best travel agency software makes life easy for you and your clients. Whether it’s by giving you access to a wider range of hotels and flights, ensuring your communication is timely, and that you can offer flexible ways for your client to pay.

Copilot’s super client portals help you streamline your onboarding, client communication, progress, document sharing, and payments. Sign up for a free Copilot trial today and take a holiday away from disorganized communication, inefficiency, and slow payments.

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Guesty snaps up $130M at $900M valuation to help property managers list on Airbnb and beyond

Travel and tourism are very much back on the map for consumers and the business world. Now, to underscore that surge, one of the startups building software in the space has closed a big round of funding. Guesty , a platform that lets accommodation managers manage their business online, including on platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo, has raised $130 million.

Sources confirmed to TechCrunch that the Series F values Guesty at around $900 million post-money.

The company, based out of New York with roots in Israel, says its revenue has increased 5x in the last three years, and it expects to turn profitable this year. The company did not specify actual revenue figures.

KKR is leading this round, with Apax Funds, Inovia, BDT & MSD Partners and Sixth Street also participating.

To put the funding into some context: Post-COVID, the global travel and tourism sector has been on a strong rebound, and is expected to generate record-high sales of $11.1 trillion in 2024, according to the World Tourism and Travel Council . That would be despite tourism in the U.S. and China still catching up to pre-pandemic levels.

For Guesty and its competitors, this upswing has played out in the form of a number of nine-figure funding rounds. Guesty last raised a Series E of $170 million that valued it at $690 million in August 2022. Guesty's close competitor, Hostaway, raised $175 million last May, marking its first big funding round. Within a day of that news, GetYourGuide raised a monster $194 million at a $2 billion valuation.

Mews, which like Guesty builds SaaS but for hoteliers, raised $110 million at a $1.2 billion valuation in March. This trend is a strong reminder that investors are still willing to sign term sheets in the right circumstances.

"It's definitely a tough market. In every round I've raised, I would always get 40 no's for every yes," Amiad Soto, Guesty’s CEO, told TechCrunch. Now, with Guesty "closing in on becoming profitable this year," he joked that "I still got 40 no's, but also a lot more yes's."

Soto, who co-founded Guesty with his brother Koby (who is no longer with the company), plans to deploy the funding across a few different areas.

First of all, the company wants to continue expanding its existing platform for current customers. That business today already covers "hundreds of thousands" of properties, and it will double down on the one-stop-shop concept that a lot of other B2B tech companies are pursuing today, Soto said. He declined several times to give me a more specific figure on the number of properties its platform covers.

The platform provides the basics of listing and booking management software, analytics, accounting tools, the ability to manage multiple properties and CRM features. More recently, it added enhanced payment services and capital advances (built in-house, not white-labeled from third parties, Soto said), damage protection services (dipping into the area of insurance), website building tools and price optimization services that all integrate with the dozens of interfaces where a property manager might list a room or home for travelers to book.

Second of all, the main focus to date for Guesty has been short-term lets — properties booked typically for less than a month — but the company now wants to expand into the medium-term space. This will open it up to more people who might be living temporarily in a location for a specific work assignment, for example.

Third of all, Soto said Guesty wants to consider more acquisitions. The market may not be looking favorable for all startups right now, but that is less a comment on the strength of startups (talent and innovations) than it is on the state of venture capital right now. There are a lot of very interesting companies out there that might be ready to entertain acquisition offers that provide less bullish valuations.

Stephen Shanley, partner and head of Europe Tech Growth at KKR; Lauriane Requena, a principal at KKR Tech Growth; and Dennis Kavelman, a partner at Inovia Capital, are all joining the board with this round. “Guesty is a best-in-class operator and one of the clear leaders in the property management sector," Shanley said in a statement. "There has been a significant shift towards the short-term rental market, and this investment will support the company as it continues to meet that growing customer need."

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