travel planner app reviews

The 8 Best Trip Planner Apps to Help You Travel Better

Looking for a trip planner app? From AI trip planners to group-trip planning apps, we’ll review the best ones to help make planning trips with friends a breeze.

Let's face it, life can get pretty crazy sometimes.

That's why we're all about taking that sweet escape and hitting the travel road—it's our much-needed break from the everyday chaos. But, you know how it goes, just when you're ready to unwind and start planning your trip, you're hit with a mountain of stuff to do.

Sorting out bookings, arranging schedules and then trying to align all these plans and paperwork with your travel buddies. It's enough to give anyone a headache!

For many of us, though, planning a holiday or organizing travel itineraries is the starting point of the fun. It's like the first wave of excitement that keeps us pumped and ready for the adventure ahead.

My go-to when it comes to making planning easier? A trusted trip planning app! Thank goodness they exist and are becoming more and more available.

A well-designed trip planner app is a true lifesaver in the travel planning journey.

What Are Trip Planner Apps?

Anytime you’re planning a trip, you’ll want to figure out things to do, places to see and activities to experience.

After all, if you’re visiting a new city for the first time, you won’t know everything the city has to offer.

Even if you’re returning to a city because you loved it so much from a previous vacation, maybe you want to try new restaurants and tourist attractions to spice things up.

Trip planner apps help you discover a city and build itineraries. These are especially helpful when planning trips with friends because maybe everyone wants different things.

Good trip-planning tools should enable you to collaborate with travel buddies when planning a trip and offer central repositories where everyone can stay on top of what’s happening.

In short, trip planning apps have become a hit because they make life so much simpler when you're trying to put together your travel plans.

You'll find tons of these apps out there, each with its own special twist that makes trip planning a breeze.

A top-notch trip planning app should be all about making the itinerary planning process a walk in the park. It should help you piece together the details without breaking a sweat, so instead of being buried in organizing, you're actually getting stoked for your journey!

What is the Best Trip Planner for All Travelers?

Every traveler is different, and so are the travel apps.

This is why I've rounded up the best trip planning apps, each catering to a different type of traveler. You no longer have to be stuck with the same old Google Sheet or notes app that isn't making your life easier, especially when planning for a group.

Though not all travel apps help with trip planning when it comes to building activity itineraries. Some of the best travel apps focus more on booking flights or accommodations; other online tools like packing apps are for backpackers to help them prep their gear.

Here, our main focus will be on trip planning apps specifically so you can find the best one for you to build, edit and share travel itineraries using the features they offer.

So presenting the 8 best trip planning apps you'll want to download and try out, each with its own specialties!

8 Best Trip Planning Apps for Stress-Free Travel

1. 🎯 the best social trip planner - pilot.

I admit that I'm a bit biased. But hey! The team wouldn't be building Pilot if we didn't think it was the best or if we were fully satisfied with the other options on the list.

Making travel plans, collaborating and seeing what experiences friends and family have taken or want to take.

Why You’ll Like It:

Pilot is a brand-new social trip planner that helps you discover and build travel itineraries connecting you to resources everywhere.

As a social trip planner, Pilot makes travel planning an immersive experience more than a mere task because you can do it with your favorite travel mate(s) or yourself!

Pilot makes it fun and easy to share and relive your favorite travel memories with many useful features.

Whether it’s brainstorming ideas, seeking inspiration, voting for places, or setting up a budget, Pilot has got you covered.

My personal favorite? The fact that you can set different icons for different type of itinerary items and you can use color-coding!

Its user-friendly interface is a delight for perfectionists who love categorizing events, activities, and attractions in different forms. It'll integrate all the travel ideas you have gathered from the web in one place.

Travelers can also use the app to import essential travel details like flight booking numbers. If you're looking for something more fun than a plain-old Google doc or spreadsheet to plan your trip, but that's just as flexible, you've come to the right place!

Why You Might Not Like It:

If planning trips yourself isn’t your thing, Pilot may not be ideal, but our team does offer assistance for free to work with you on making a personalized trip based on your interest.

Pilot's also in the early stages with tons of cool new features being added every week. While we're still building a lot, including a mobile app coming real soon, you'll already find it super useful!

Top Features:

• Plan trips together in real-time with your travel crew, friends or family!
• Chat with your travel crew & vote on travel itineraries!
• Import and store your travel information for offline access.
• Create notes, reminders, packing lists, and wishlists!
• FlightDeck , Pilot's blog, contains an extensive database of destination guides, things to do, and where to stay for free!
• Totally free!
• On the web and Android (iOS id coming soon!

Alternatives:

• MyLike and Pebblar

2. 🌎 Best Autosync Travel Planner - TripIt

A minimal & old school business travel planner to organize all the essential details for work trips.

TripIt is straightforward in what it does. It gathers and syncs all travel-related booking and confirmation emails related to flights, transportation and accommodation to form an itinerary. This way, you don’t have to spend time searching for them individually.

What's great about TripIt is the ability to automatically import and sync your booking and ticket reservations via email forwarding. This will input your booking or any ticket information onto your planner without you needing to do it manually.

For example, if you have your flight information, Airbnb reservations, and event tickets in your email, all you'll have to do is forward them to TripIt. They'll automatically sync them into a master itinerary for you to use.

If you find yourself setting multiple alarms for the airport, TripIt will automatically remind you when it’s time to leave based on your ticketing information.

TripIt Pro, the premium version, sends important alerts regarding flight status, delays, and gate numbers, improving your experience even more. The app also has a neighborhood safety score which can be really helpful for solo travelers, female backpackers, and anyone.

We think the app is best suited for busy professionals on business tours and last-minute travelers who don’t have the time to sort through their trip details.

If you believe that travel planning should be fun and as exciting as taking the trip, TripIt might not be for you. TripIt doesn’t scream “fun."

It's owned by the enterprise technology company SAP, which means the interface is very formal and stiff, so probably not what you're looking for if your trip is for leisure. But it might be great if you're looking for something more strict and business-like.

If you’re looking for features other than organizing booking details, such as interesting travel content, guides for inspiration, and the ability to add specific attractions, you’re outta luck.

It’s also not a collaborative trip planner. Itineraries can be shared, but it's hard to do much collaboration on them if you're taking a group trip. Best to use this one if you need to travel for work.

• Automatically imports travel details from your inboxes.
• The basic version is free, but…
• You'd probably need TripIt Pro, which costs $49 per year, to get the full value.
• iOS, Android, and web
• Trip Case and Trek Friend

Still unsure if you should use TripIt? Make sure to check out our in-depth review of TripIt if you'd like to learn more about its features + pros & cons!

3. 💡Best Travel Inspiration Tracker - HipHerd

Travelers who want to save their travel inspiration in one place and don't need or want planning functionality.

HipHerd makes sure you don’t lose track of exciting destinations, inspiring travel stories, adventure trips, and other information you come across when surfing the web at random.

Essentially, you can gather and save travel ideas at your own pace using this platform. This way, you'll have a ton of interesting attractions lined up when you start planning an itinerary.

You can also create boards for each destination you plan to visit, categorize relevant details, and share them with others for real-time collaboration. Once you have sorted your itinerary, it will be displayed on a map to picture your trip at a glance.

If you’re looking for a travel planner, HipHerd will not deliver. The travel itinerary extension can help you store inspiration and destinations, but you’ll need another travel planning app to help you with the actual planning.

HipHerd isn't for you if you’re looking for essential features like the ability to store important travel details like flight information and track your budget to give you an idea of expenses.

Top features:

• Curate mood boards for destinations.
• Downloadable Chrome Extension.

4. 🕺 Best Trip Planner for Local Experiences - ViaHero

Travelers hunting for authentic local experiences that don’t care for flexibility.

Some travelers prefer their travel experiences to be a slice of local life without being herded into tourist traps.

ViaHero connects travelers with locals in the destinations they wish to visit. This way, you can access insider information, get tips to navigate around, and find ways to avoid overpaying just because you are a tourist.

The local guide will curate a travel itinerary with your suggestions, taking care of transport, accommodation, and food arrangements. It saves you time planning trips, sorting through attractions, and organizing an itinerary. You get it all done for you, by a local expert!

You can’t use ViaHero to travel anywhere in the world. It have a limited list of destinations to choose from with connections to local guides.

ViaHero also lacks the flexibility a travel planner should have for travelers who want full control over their travel plans.

It’s also expensive and may not be ideal if you love planning trips yourself and only want suggestions and advice from locals on where to go and what to see!

• Connect with local travelers and have authentic experiences from local insider information.
• Guides to local and authentic travel.
• $40 per day for a custom-made itinerary, and more for groups.
• No free version or free trial.
• TravelSherpa

Check out our in-depth ViaHero review if you'd like to learn more about what its features are + pros & cons!

5. 🚗 Best Road Trip Planner - RoadTrippers

Anyone who only wants to plan a road trip.

As the name suggests, the RoadTripper app is specially built for road trip enthusiasts who want to have a heads-up about interesting attractions along the chosen route.

It also shows dining and lodging options that come in handy for people on long journeys. Every interesting stop is pinned on a map so that you can add what’s interesting to your itinerary.

There’s also the ability to search for specific attractions using filters. Once done, the itinerary can be edited, saved, and shared with others who partake in the trip. Talk about useful!

But should you try Roadtrippers Plus? The premium version of Roadtrippers allows you to extend your trip, adding up to 150 waypoints onto your journey. It's also ad-free!

For one, if you don’t plan on taking road trips often, the subscription will cost you a bit, $35.99 annually. While Roadtrippers have the basic version for free, it’s very limited in features.

The app is also not very user-friendly in terms of navigation, so you’ll most likely need to bring your laptop along with you on your trip and use data to access your travel itineraries.

Top Feature:

• Gives you info on lesser-known attractions
• Their paid version costs $35.99 per year
• Google My Maps

Check out our Roadtrippers app review if you'd like to learn more about the features that come with the app + pros & cons!

6. 🔨 Best Itinerary Builder/Planner - GEOVEA

Travelers who are super planners, serious about the time schedules, budgeting, and logistics of the trip down to the fine details.

GEOVEA aims to make itinerary building easy for travelers with its detailed user interface. Once a destination is selected, activities for each day of the trip can be selected and dragged into time slots.

It also allows you to keep track of transportation, accommodation, and other bookings made, including what’s yet to be done. Then, you can estimate costs for each activity and edit them later on. You can share your itineraries with friends and family as well.

If you’re looking for an app, this might not be the travel planner solution for you. GEOVEA’s main drawback is that it’s only a web-based platform, although travel content can be viewed using mobile.

Secondly, it’s not a platform for collaboration to plan trips in groups, although itineraries are sharable.

Third, it's not super flexible. So if you like to plan your trip your way, you might just be better off with some of the other options on this list.

• Intuitive itinerary builder with integrated services like Yelp.
• Easily track expenses, transportation, lodging, etc.
• Sharable to your travel friends and family!
• Standard package is free with a limited number of itineraries.
• Other subscriptions are available for $29.99 and upwards for a year.

7. 💬 Best Forum-Based Travel Planner - TripAdvisor

Travelers that want tips and recommendations from other travelers and book accommodations, flights, and things to do straight from the same platform.

TripAdvisor is one of the largest leaders when it comes to review-based travel bookings.

With their comprehensive public forums, you can find just about any information you’d need for any destination, transportation, attraction, or accommodation. You’ll also be able to book and create your trips straight from their app!

TripAdvisor makes it easy to navigate different activities, explore different options, and compare prices and ratings of different accommodations.

If you want any control over planning your trip, TripAdvisor is certainly not the app for you. The trip planner from TripAdvisor is not very user-friendly and fun to use.

For example, it’s almost impossible to import other bookings or information into your travel planner.

That being said, it's a great way to browse through all the different options out there. You'll likely find a lot of ideas that you hadn't thought of before!

Top feature:

• A platform to share and read public reviews and recommendations and book all without leaving the app.
• Late database of reviews and ratings.
• Trusted platform amongst millions of travelers
• TripAdvisor Plus ($99/year) - discounted rates on over 100,000 flight prices, hotel bookings, experiences, and car rentals.
• WebOS, iOS, and Android

8. 🗺️ Best Map-Based Trip Planner - Sygic Travel

Travelers who want more advanced map functionality when planning their travel itinerary, including the option to access their itineraries on a map even when offline (though this is a paid feature in Sygic Travel).

Formerly Tripomatic, Sygic Travel is a trip planning and itinerary maker that's available on the web and as an app. The best thing this trip planner has going for it is the great GPS capabilities.

It'll allow you to create itineraries for cities, input flight and hotel bookings, add in already programmed attractions as well as custom locations.

The Sygic trip planner has a bit of a clunky interface. It doesn't make it feel as fun as when I use other planners to organize my itineraries.

Other issues you may have with Sygic include that you're unable to make a multi-city trip, you need to pay for useful features like offline capabilities, and there are lots of places missing like restaurants.

Time to Get Planning Your Trip!

So, this is my list of the top trip planner apps.

Make sure you find one that helps you plan a trip with friends so you can have a fun, stress-free vacation.

If you're up to trying out an up-and-coming trip planner, join us on Pilot! We specialize in planning trips with friends so you and your crew can experience the ultimate fun together. Plus, it’s free!

Disclosure : Pilot is supported by our community. We may earn a small commission fee with affiliate links on our website. All reviews and recommendations are independent and do not reflect the official view of Pilot.

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10 Best Travel TRIP PLANNER APPs To Have in 2024

In a fast-paced world where the stress of work and school is overwhelming, we all need a break to de-stress our minds. Traveling is one good way to take your mind off of stressful things – a breather. And a scheduled vacation gives you something to look forward to.

Whether it’s a local trip alone, a family holiday, or a getaway with your best friends, it just excites you to wish the day would come faster. 

10 Best Trip Planner Apps in 2024

The freeform app.

• TripIt: Travel Planner

Hopper – Flight & Hotel Deals

• Sygic Travel Maps Trip Planner

Roadtrippers: Trip Planner

Tripadvisor, travelspend: track travel expense & trip budget, tripcase – travel organizer app, travel planning apps for your next trip.

The Freeform app is an endless whiteboard that lets users add information from a variety of websites, photos, videos and files.

Because the boards are kept in iCloud, they can be accessed from any device anytime inspiration hits. While you and your travel companions plan your dream trip, the specifics can be shared with several individuals working together on the same whiteboard, making them an ongoing work in progress.

The Freeform app is free to iPhone users on iOS 16.2, iPad users on 16.2, and Mac users on Ventura MacOS Venture 13.1. 

Download the brand-new app here .

Read our full post: Apple Launches New Travel App Freeform – What to Know

Wanderlog Trip Planner App

Wanderlog is your all-in-one destination for planning future trips, sharing travel guides, and blogging past trips.

Its trip planning features are incredibly flexible: you can research destinations and activities, organize reservations by connecting your email, and map out a day itinerary with start/end times. You can also add notes and links all throughout.

Everything is stored offline so you can access your itinerary when traveling abroad. For road trips, it calculates the time and distance between places and exports them to Google Maps (and there are no limits to the number of stops you have on a trip!).

Plus, there’s a fun social component: collaborate with friends on itineraries, write your own travel guide, and blog about past trips. Wanderlog is available on the web and on your smartphone, so you can seamlessly plan while at home and on-the-go.

iOS  /  Android

TripIt: Trip Planner App

If you need any help organizing the dozens of itineraries, TripIt is the app for you. Users simply need to forward your flight, hotel, restaurant, and car rental confirmation emails to [email protected] and the app will create a free master doc for each of your trips. The best thing about this app is that you can get access to your itinerary anywhere, even without an internet connection. 

In addition, the Pro version will find you alternative routes for canceled flights and send out notifications for delayed flights, cancellations, and more from the airlines. 

iOS / Android

Rome2rio is a versatile travel planning app that simplifies the process of finding and booking travel options. It’s a handy tool for travelers seeking to explore various transportation choices between destinations. Rome2rio offers users a comprehensive view of travel options, including flights, trains, buses, ferries, and even driving directions.

Key features of Rome2rio include:

• Route Information: The app provides detailed information on different routes, including estimated travel times, costs, and the number of transfers required.
• Booking Integration: Users can book flights, train tickets, and other transportation options directly through the app, streamlining the booking process.
• Map Integration: Rome2rio integrates with maps, allowing users to visualize their travel routes and explore nearby attractions.
• Multi-Modal Travel: It offers options for combining various modes of transportation, making it easy to plan complex journeys.
• Accurate Pricing: The app provides real-time pricing information, helping users make informed decisions based on their budget.
• Offline Access: Rome2rio offers offline access to previously searched routes, which can be handy when traveling without a data connection.

Hopper is an amazing trip planner app to have on your phone. The app predicts airfares up to 1 year in advance, with 95% accuracy. It analyzes over billions of flight prices and hotels within the day – telling you whether to book your trip now or wait for just a little longer.

Here’s how it works: Key in your destination and a color-coded calendar will display the cheapest and most expensive date to fly. The app will then recommend you to either book the flight now or sit it out and wait for airfare to get cheaper. Also, you can filter predictions to custom-fit your trip – remove long layovers, extra fees, restrictions, and more. 

And if you worry about missing out the cheap flight bookings, don’t be! Hopper will send you a notification when fares have dropped to its lowest point.

SYGIC Travel Maps Trip Planner

Sygic Travel Maps , the new version of Sygic Trip Planner, is the first travel app to display all of the attractions and places a traveler needs to see and visit on a single map.

Sync your trips with the Sygic Travel app and find hidden gems in all cities you visit. The app boast a large database that allows you to find the best hotels, tourist attractions, museums, restaurants, bars, and stores wherever you go.

This mobile app also let you download offline maps and guides, which come in helpful when traveling to remote locations with poor or non-existing Wi-Fi.

It also has a dedicated section to worldwide places of interest for travel business. Get location information for individual cities, countries, continents, or the entire planet.

The app is available in 18 languages.

iOS / Android iOS

Planning on a cross-country road trip ? Roadtrippers is the app for you! Not everyone is fond of waiting long hours at the airport while sitting through your red-eye flight. Hit the road with your friends instead.

Roadtrippers provides everything you need to know on your road trip. Just enter your starting point, destination, and let the app do its work for you! From camping sites to rest stops, outdoor activities, exciting adventures along the way that you didn’t know existed. This app is the perfect buddy for your road trip regardless of your mode of transportation – a sedan, a rental car, or a huge family RV.

Most of us dream of going to places! But planning an amazing trip to places we have not been to is pretty hard as you don’t know where to stay, what to do, places to eat, and adventures to try. We mostly rely on recommendations, most of which are not even right, that we find online. 

TripAdvisor has over millions of travel recommendations on hotels, top dining spots, must-do experiences, and treasured gems to over 8 million destinations at your perusal. It is an all-in-one app that lets you book tables at restaurants and compares low prices on hotels and flights.

You can also follow friends and travel experts for advice that match your interests, watch videos, and read articles. In return, you can share your experiences, reviews, and helpful guides for other users too!

Setting up a budget for your trip is easy, however, sticking to it is hard. TravelSpend will help you with that. It starts with entering your budget and expenses over multiple days so you don’t go overboard. The app helps you in sticking to your budget effectively.

Being in another country is not a problem at all: enter your expenses in any currency and the app will automatically convert it to your home currency.

Track your travel expenses whether going on a solo around-the-world trip or backpacking holiday with your best friends. The app allows you to share your trip with your friends and track your expenses together. Pay debts, split bills, and check your balances – all in the app!

TripCase, a comprehensive travel organizer app, has emerged as a popular choice among travelers seeking a streamlined and efficient way to manage their journey details.

Here’s a breakdown of its key features and functionalities:

Centralized Itinerary Management : TripCase allows users to consolidate all their travel details, including flights, hotels, and car rentals, into a single, easily accessible itinerary.

Real-time Flight Alerts : The app keeps travelers informed with up-to-the-minute notifications on flight statuses, including delays, cancellations, and gate changes.

Itinerary Sharing : TripCase offers a sharing option that enables users to send their travel plans to friends, family, or colleagues.

Travel Directions and Maps : To aid navigation in unfamiliar locations, the app provides directions and maps.

Nearby Recommendations : TripCase offers recommendations for restaurants, attractions, and other services close to the traveler’s location.

Document Storage : For added convenience, the app allows users to store essential travel documents digitally, ensuring that important information like passport details, visas, and insurance policies are readily available.

Customizable Notifications : Users can customize their notification preferences, choosing what types of alerts they receive and how they are notified, tailoring the app to suit individual needs and preferences.

iOS / Android 

Hi, great List. I couldn’t travel without my Apps! I have one App you could check out =) Its called ” ATM Fee Saver” and it gives a list with all ATMs and their fees and limit. I found it super helpful and it really helped me to save some money. Best regards, Charlotte

Thank you for your suggestions! Those apps are very useful and various

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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.

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The best trip planner apps to make your travels easier

Booking a trip can be an exciting yet daunting task. As if booking airfare, hotel, and transportation weren't enough, you also need to consider food, sights, and attractions. As a travel lover myself, I often dread planning and preparing for a trip. Not only do I never have the time, but I often get oversaturated by the vast amount of information found online and the fear of getting scammed. 

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Over the years, I've found the best websites and apps to help smooth out the planning process. These apps help me keep track of all my reservations, send me booking reminders, and guarantee I always find the best prices -- because there is nothing worse than falling for tourist traps or overpriced offerings. 

Whether you are a spontaneous or a nitty-gritty planner traveler, ZDNET has tested and reviewed the best trip planner apps on the market. Our top pick for the best trip planner site and app is Booking.com due to its easy-to-use user interface, extensive booking capabilities, and pricing. However, since not every trip or traveler is the same, we've included several options to help you plan and stay organized during your travels. 

Keep reading to learn more about ZDNET's expert-tested and reviewed trip planner apps. 

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The best trip planner apps of 2023

Booking.com, best overall trip planner.

• Multiple bookings
• Great deals
• Can earn points from bookings and reservations
• Easy to use
• No group planning
• Can't organize bookings per trip

Booking.com features:   Platform: App and website |  Compatibility:  iOS and Android |  Pricing:  Free |  Booking:  Yes |  Group planning:  No

When planning my trips, I always make a stop at the Booking.com app, especially when reserving hotels. I find their user interface visually appealing and easy to use, and that it provides just the right amount of information I need when scrolling through hotel suggestions. Personally, I enjoy that I can add my top picks to my favorites with a quick tap of a heart, glance through reviews, look at cancellation policies, and even find out how far away hotels are from key spots. Through Booking.com, you can also book flights, car rentals, taxis, and city attractions, making it a great all-in-one place to plan and book upcoming weekend getaways or longer vacations. While I have personally never used the car rentals, taxis, or city attractions components of the app, I enjoy knowing that if I ever needed to, I can quickly hop on my phone and glance at the latest offerings. 

My favorite feature when using Booking.com to plan trips is the offers and promotions it displays for users. In the app, when you click your profile, you can see your "Genius" loyalty program status as well as discover the best deals around the world for your specific chosen dates. My only critique of Booking.com is that it does not enable group trip planning or let you organize your bookings per trip. This means if you are planning a trip with a friend, only one person can book and have access to reservations. 

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Best trip planner for organization

• Synced with e-mail inbox
• Organizes reservations no matter where you book
• Works offline
• Can't make any bookings
• Need to pay for advanced features
• UI could use an upgrade

TripIt features:   Platform:  App and website |  Compatibility: iOS and Android | Pricing: Free or $49 per year | Booking: No | Group planning: Yes

In terms of planning a trip, creating an itinerary, and keeping all your information in one place, TripIt is one of the best travel apps to keep yourself organized. When you first create an account, TripIt will sync with your inbox and automatically add all of your upcoming flights and reservations to your account. You can then modify each trip to include as little or as much information as you'd like. As someone who likes to be spontaneous when traveling, I usually only add the essentials: flight information, hotel reservations, and important documents. However, if you like to plan your trips down by the hour, you can also include activities, restaurant reservations, transportation, and more in your trip plan to share with fellow travelers.

As your trip approaches, TripIt will also send you packing reminders, give you COVID-19 travel guidance, and show transportation options. While you can get most of the essential features within the free version of the app (this is the one I use), you can also pay $49 a year to get advanced features such as check-in reminders, real-time flight alerts, point tracking, and even notifications for drops in airfare prices. 

Keep in mind that while TripIt gives you transportation options and finds places near your hotel, you cannot book or make any reservations directly from the app. The app is solely used to organize and keep track of all of your travel plans in one place, no matter where you book them. 

Best AI trip planner

• Personalized travel itinerary
• Hotel booking
• Can modify recommendations
• Group planning enabled
• Only available as a website
• No flight or restaurant booking

Guide features:   Platform: Website  Compatibility: all major browsers |  Pricing:  Free | Booking: Yes, but hotels only | Group Planning: Yes  Generative AI is everyone's favorite buzzword this year, and slowly but surely, it has been making its way across all industries -- including the travel industry. Guide is an innovative AI travel planning tool that creates personalized travel itineraries based on your preferences. (Full disclosure, it's also owned by ZDNET's sister company. It's currently in private beta, but you can join a wait list.) All you need to do is select your destination, the dates, whether you are traveling alone or in a group, your budget, and the types of activities you are looking for, and Guide will do the planning. 

After generating a trip itinerary for you based on your prompt, Guide then lets you modify and customize the itinerary to your liking. I recently used Guide to plan a six-day trip to Austin, Texas, and this was the feature I enjoyed the most, since I had specific restaurants and activities I wanted to incorporate into my trip, but I also needed some additional recommendations. While you can't book flights or restaurant reservations through Guide, you can book and find great hotel deals powered by Expedia on the platform. 

Guide will also give you an overall budget for your trip, a packing list, and a comprehensive list of things to know about your destination -- which may be helpful for some more than others. While my trip to Austin was a solo trip, Guide has a feature where you can invite other fellow travelers to collaborate in planning your trip through Guide's chatbot, GuideBot. This chatbot also works sort of like ChatGPT, where you can ask GuideBot questions about your trip, your destination, or recommendations. Keep in mind you can not ask GuideBot to directly modify your trip for you, and instead need to manually do it yourself -- believe me, I tried. 

Tripadvisor

Best trip planner app for reviews.

• Countless reviews
• Used by travelers worldwide
• Variety of information
• Booking capabilities
• Great for local spots
• Booking is not its strongest feature and you may not always find the best deals
• Doesn't vet reviews

Tripadvisor  features: Platform:  App and website |  Compatibility:  iOS and Android |  Pricing:  Free |  Booking:  Yes |  Group planning:  No

Reading customer reviews is one of the most important steps when planning a trip. While you shouldn't base all of your decisions on reviews, you should consider past customer experiences to get a feel for the brand and company you are about to trust, or the experience you are going to pay for.  When it comes to travel reviews, Tripadvisor is the best trip planner app to rely on. Since the platform has so many reviews for restaurants, activities, accommodations, and locations all over the world, it is always easy and convenient to log onto the app or website to help you make an educated decision. (However, remember that not all Tripadvisor reviews are legit, since the platform does not independently verify customer postings.) Beyond reviews, TripAdvisor also lets you book hotels, restaurants, things to do, and more while also providing detailed insights into their offerings -- including cancellation policies, ratings, and features. 

Tripadvisor's "Travelers' Choice" best-of list is also a popular part of its platform, allowing visitors to see top-rated destinations, hotels, restaurants, and things to do around the world. With Tripadvisor, you can plan a trip yourself from scratch, hire a trip designer, or get a custom itinerary built by AI. 

Best trip planner app for transportation

• Great multi-mode travel comparison
• convenient and seamless transportation booking
• Multiple currency and language availability
• Flight deals and suggestions are not the strongest
• Limited offers depending on the country or city of travel
• Not the most reliable customer service

Omio features:  Platform:  App and website |  Compatibility:  iOS and Android |  Pricing:  Free |  Booking:  Yes, transportation only |  Group planning:  No

I first discovered Omio when a friend recommended it to me while I was studying abroad in Spain, and ever since I downloaded it, it has become my go-to app for booking the best deals and fares on transportation within Europe. The concept behind Omio is simple: You plug in your departure and arrival location, including the number of people you are traveling with, and add whether you are looking for a one-way or round-trip journey. Omio will then show you the best deals by train, bus, or plane to and from your desired destination, including how much time each option will take you and the number of stops. 

The German-based travel booking site is great at aggregating travel information from multiple sites, allowing you to view all of your transportation options in one place. This is incredibly beneficial when planning trips within Europe since there are several ways you can cross each border and often various languages and regulations to keep in mind. Omio is set in English but has multiple additional languages available, as well as currency options. During my time abroad, I solely used Omio to book all of my transportation, including planning a 17-day trip across seven different European countries. Overall, using Omio was not only convenient and seamless but also helped me save hundreds of dollars by helping me maximize my travel time by switching between flights, trains, and buses. 

However, since returning from Europe, I have not used Omio as much as I thought I would -- maybe because I have a car and take most of my trips by plane. And Omio's flight deals and suggestions are not the strongest compared to Booking.com or Skyscanner's, which heavily focus on flight deals. I have also found they have some limitations depending on the country or city you are traveling in. Be mindful of the deals and tickets you buy through Omio since some tickets are non-refundable, and some customers complain their customer service is not the best -- although I have yet to have any issues with them. 

What is the best trip planner app?

Booking.com gets our vote for the best trip planner app due to its wide selection of accommodations, its points and promotions offerings, and its easy-to-use user interface. Not only does Booking.com help you find the best deals throughout your trip, but it will also help you stay organized throughout your trip by keeping all of your reservations in one place. To determine which trip planner app or combination of trip planners is best for you, check out this comparison chart below. 

Which is the right trip planner app for you?

The best trip planner app ultimately depends on your travel and planning style. If you like booking and planning everything in one place while also earning points and getting great deals, then Booking.com is your top app. However, if you are looking for a place to keep all of your accommodations, reservations, and activity details organized, then TripIt is a better app for you. Check out the following chart to help you find the best trip planner app or a combination of apps for you to plan your next adventure. 

How did we choose these trip planner apps?

To find the best trip planner apps, we drew upon real-life experiences and tested their performance and capabilities during our latest trips. Ultimately, we weighted the following factors when choosing which trip planners to include on our list: 

• Features: Each app can vary significantly with the features it offers, whether it is solely to book flights and hotels, help you plan your next trip using AI, or help you find the best deals and booking information, each app on this list can help you address several common inconveniences that present themselves while planning that next adventure.  
• Compatibility: An app is of little use if it does not work with your devices, so we look to see what compatibility each trip-planning app offers and which platforms you can access it from. Personally, I enjoy apps that combine an app and website component since this quickly helps me switch between my wide computer screen and my tiny yet portable iPhone screen. 
• Customer reviews: We study real customer reviews and ratings to evaluate customer satisfaction and service. This is incredibly important since most times when you travel, you visit an unknown city or country, and you should be mindful of past experiences others have had. 
• Cost : Most trip planner apps are free, but you may have to upgrade to receive special access to exclusive features or deals. If your app is already free, it means you only have to pay a small amount (often unnoticeable) when you book your accommodations. 

What is a trip planner app?

A trip planner app is an app that provides organizational features for your upcoming trip. It is often free and incorporates trip planning tools, whether you are traveling by ground, water or air.   

How does a trip planner app work?

A trip planner app can incorporate special features, like an itinerary, calendar, reservation and booking hub, and map assistance. Depending on the app you choose, there is even trip-sharing with friends and family to simplify the entire trip planning process.  

How much does a trip planner app cost?

Most trip planner apps are free, but some may offer in-app purchases to upgrade or enhance your experience. Within this list, only Tripit costs money, but only for their advanced features version, which costs $49 a year. However, you can get access to most if not all, trip-planning features, through their free version. 

Are there alternative trip planner apps worth considering?

As I mentioned earlier, trip planning heavily depends on your personal style of travel and preferences. However, whether you like to plan your trips down by the minute or prefer to just have the basics, there are several apps that can optimize your planning. Here are a few apps worth considering that almost made it onto our list: 

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Complete Guide: The Best Travel Planning Apps

by Melissa Giroux | Last updated May 12, 2023 | Travel Tips

Nowadays, there is an app for everything. However, some apps are more useful than others.

For travelers, a travel planner app is an invaluable tool to have on your phone.

Whether you’re new to the travel life or are a seasoned traveler, you’ll find that using travel apps to plan trips makes your next trip totally stress-free.

These intelligent apps for vacation planning include nifty features such as curated itineraries, offline maps, and tailored suggestions. 

With that being said, you may feel overwhelmed searching for a travel planner app in your app store.

There are certainly a lot of options, so how do you determine which is the best app for trip planning?

We’ve tried out many travel itinerary apps for our own trip planning.

Here is our list of the seven best travel planner apps available on both iOS and Android devices.

1. Travel Mapper

Travel Mapper is a travel planning add-on for Google Sheets that helps you plan trips faster and gives you what you need to enjoy your trip plan while on the go. Its marquee feature is a Google Map integrated right into your spreadsheet to make adding activities to your itinerary faster.

This makes it easy to see your full itinerary on the map so you can optimize your trip based on activity locations. Travel Mapper also enables you to edit your itinerary in a drag-n-drop interface similar to Trello, so you don’t need to deal with copy-pasting between spreadsheet cells.

Planning is one thing, but what about sticking to your plan while on your trip? Travel Mapper helps here in two ways. There’s a nice trip summary you can email to yourself and others with your full itinerary organized by date and time.

Each activity has links to Google Maps as well to make navigating while on the go easy from your phone. The other way is by exporting your itinerary to Google My Maps so you have all locations marked and available while on the go, which can also be used on your phone.

You can create unlimited travel templates with the free tier of Travel Mapper and the affordable premium tiers give you the integrated map, drag-n-drop editing, email summary, and Google My Maps export.

Give Travel Mapper a try and get 10% off with code ABB10 if you decide to go premium!

2. TripIt (iOS | Android)

TripIt is one of the best vacation planner apps and is a popular choice among backpackers and those with multiple trips booked.

This is because it works like a personal travel assistant by curating your reservations, booking confirmations, and flight tickets into a simple and easy-to-understand itinerary. 

All you need to do is forward all confirmation emails relating to your upcoming trip to the app’s email address. The clever system will then create a master itinerary for each of your travels for free!

The app will also sync with your calendar, automatically entering your flights and reservations into your schedule.

What’s more, you can use the app offline, so when you’re without an internet connection, you’ll still be able to access your itinerary. 

The free version of this app has all of the fantastic features above. It already makes one of the top apps for travel itinerary creation; however, you can upgrade to TripIt Pro for $49 a year for extra goodies.

The advanced features include real-time flight alerts and an alternative flight finder should your original ones be disrupted.

3. Roadtrippers (iOS | Android)

If you prefer to travel by road rather than air, you’ll love the Roadtrippers app. As the name suggests, this app is tailored towards planning cross-country road trips.

It works by following your journey as you drive and offering you suggestions to create the road trip of a lifetime. 

Roadtrippers doesn’t just give you recommendations for where to eat and fill up your gas; this app goes one step further.

This road travel companion will let you and your travel buddies know about a whole array of exciting things around you as well as the best camping spots nearby.

It’s also great at giving ‘off the beaten track’ ideas that you may never have come across otherwise. 

The one downfall of this app is that it only works in a few countries.

Currently, you can use it in the USA, Australia , and New Zealand.

While it can’t help you when you’re backpacking around Europe , you could well find this to be the best app for planning your next epic US road trip.

4. TripAdvisor (iOS | Android)

TripAdvisor is a well-known travel website, but you may not be familiar with everything their app can do. The TripAdvisor travel planner app is the ultimate tool for planning trips.

It gives you trusted recommendations on all elements of your trip; where to stay, what to do, places to eat, and sights to see.

You can save places that spark your interest, see your saves on a map, and share them with your travel companions. 

Trip Advisor’s all-in-one capabilities make the app one of the best travel planners in 2021. Once you find restaurants you’d like to visit, you can book a table directly from the app.

You can also compare prices on hotels and flights to find the best deals. 

Another thing we love about the TripAdvisor app is its sharing aspect. As well as leaving reviews and sharing your experiences to help others, you can follow experts in the industry for travel advice.

If that’s not enough, this app works worldwide, covering a staggering 8 million destinations. Wherever you’re planning to visit, this app could easily become your favorite and best vacation planner.

5. Rome2rio (iOS | Android)

Although trip planning is fun, figuring out all the logistics involved in getting from A to B is not so great. Thankfully, the Rome2rio app will help you out with this, making your travel planning less of a headache. 

The app will help you compare all possible modes of transport. This is great for backpackers looking for the cheapest routes and savvy tourists who want to maximize their travel budget.

It will also show you your complete journey from door to door. Therefore, you’ll never worry about arriving at an unfamiliar airport or bus station with no idea how to get to your hostel.

Once you’ve searched for your route, the app will show you all available transport options, including the duration of each and the approximate cost.

However, one downfall is that you can’t book your flights or tickets directly through the app. Even so, this transport search engine works almost everywhere, including the most remote locations.

So, if you’re backpacking off the beaten track, this will be one of the most useful and best travel planner apps for you.

6. Sygic (iOS | Android)

Sygic is another popular app for vacation planning, helping you make the most of your trip and not miss out on the must-see attractions.

This expansive app contains information on over 20 million travel destinations.

As well as all the famous sights, you’ll find the best parks, restaurants, bars, beaches, and more in the area.

You can check the opening hours of each place, browse through photos, and watch 360-degree videos that will give you a taste of what it feels like to be there. 

Sygic also has a pro version that offers offline apps. At the cost of just $10, upgrading to premium is totally worth it.

As you’ll know, it’s not always easy to find a WIFI connection while you’re walking around the streets trying to find the next stop on your itinerary.

Another benefit of upgrading to the Sygic Pro is the advanced day-to-day itinerary planner. This gives you estimated travel times and walking distances between all your stops, helping you plan your day down to a tee. 

7. Kayak (iOS | Android)

Kayak is an all-in-one travel search engine for planning and booking trips. As one of the best travel planner apps, it searches hundreds of reputable travel sites to show you the best deals for your destination.

This includes flights, hotels, cruises, and even rental cars.

If you’re unsure of where you’d like to go on your next vacation, Kayak will help you decide. By entering your budget, the app will recommend various destinations worldwide.

The app’s technology works quickly, saving you time when it comes to planning and booking travel. You cannot book directly on the app.

However, when you find a deal you like, the app will transfer you to the company’s website to book.

Another pro of this app is how user-friendly it is. The way this app organizes information is fantastic, making everything clear and easy to understand.

Other nifty features of this app are airport terminal maps, price alerts, and the most advanced one, the ability to measure your luggage by using your phone’s camera.

8. TripHobo (iOS | Android)

TripHobo is another one of the top travel itinerary apps available for both iOS and Android. TripHobo will create your ideal trip from start to finish.

Simply enter your destination, preferences, and budget, and the app will develop you a dream travel itinerary. 

You’ll have tailored hotel recommendations, restaurant suggestions, and a list of things to do based on your interests all at your fingertips.

The app also gives maps and detailed routes to each place, helping you to navigate a new city or town with ease.

Other highlights include offline maps for when you’re out of data and the ability to view different users’ itineraries for inspiration.

The app is not just great for planning a vacation. It can also create a detailed day-to-day itinerary for a multi-country trip.

Therefore, if you’re backpacking through Europe, you’ll find this to be one of the best travel planners that fit into your pocket.

Another pro is that the app features information for destinations all over the globe. 

Final Thoughts On Best Trip Planners

Apps for vacation planning are revolutionary tools for all kinds of travelers.

Perhaps you want help finding flights, need assistance to piece together an itinerary, or are looking for inspiration for your next backpacking trip.

Regardless of your needs, one of these seven best travel planner apps will help you.

That said, if you’re all about digital means – make sure to check out our Revolut travel card review . Revolut is a digital bank that is very useful for travelers.

MY TOP RECOMMENDATIONS

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Best Travel Planning Apps: Thorough Reviews of TripAdvisor, Travel Mapper, Wanderlog, Tripit, and Roadtrippers

Jin - July 21, 2023

There are so many travel planning apps out there. I tried a lot of them and here are some of the most popular ones. I analyzed how well they work and compared them to each other so you don’t have to. Find the best travel planning app for you based on the following:

User experience and learning curve

Features and capability, pros and cons.

Specifically, this post will compare and review the following apps: TripAdvisor, Travel Mapper, Wanderlog, Tripit, and Roadtrippers.

TLDR ; there’s an infographic summarizing the findings at the end. Just keep in mind that this information is accurate as of the writing of the blog post. Prices, features, and functionality may change in the future.

I want to start by saying that this post will be from the perspective of travel planning, navigating during the trip, and documenting important information before and after the trip. All of the apps mentioned do these things to various degrees.

This post will be less from the perspective of scrapbooking your travels or getting deals on flights and hotels or social media related features.

Also, whenever applicable, I’ll use a rating system of 1 to 5, with 5 being great and 1 being poor, to characterize certain aspects of each app. With that context in mind, let’s get started.

The user interface (UI), the “feel” and “flow” of the app is the first thing a user typically experiences. Complexity, colors, responsiveness, and how components of the app are laid out all contribute to the user’s experience and learning curve. Ideally, it is best to have a great user experience with as little of a learning curve as possible.

TripAdvisor

We all know TripAdvisor as a travel platform that provides reviews and ratings for vacation accommodations, restaurants, airlines, and attractions. It allows users to compare prices, make bookings, and access a travel forum for advice and experiences. 

Lesser known is the travel planner that TripAdvisor provides for their users. It is by far the most simple user interface out of the 5 apps presented in this post. You can save attractions, things-to-do, restaurants, and more to your trip and then add them to a specific day in your itinerary. Additionally, you can add comments to each item that you’ve added as simple, unformatted text.

The map is available in both the mobile and browser version of the trip planner app but the browser map isn’t expandable and is limited in size. You can see your locations on the map once you’ve added it to your itinerary.

In both the mobile and browser versions, the UI is clean and uncluttered. If you need a high-level, general itinerary which can be viewable on your phone or computer, the TripAdvisor app will work for you. Here are a couple of screenshots from the mobile app.

Because it is so simple and clean, I’m giving TripAdvisor’s user experience and learning curve rating a 5 out of 5 .

Travel Mapper

Travel Mapper is the most popular and highest-rated travel planning app that works with Google Sheets. If you’re familiar with Google Sheets, Excel or spreadsheets in general, learning to use Travel Mapper will be extremely easy. With this app, you can do very detailed planning.

To start, generate a template with Travel Mapper . This will automatically create 3 sheets that are designed and formatted to be an itinerary, a checklist for to-dos and things to bring, and a sheet to record and split expenses.

After that, the user interface of Travel Mapper essentially has two components: 1) a sidebar that shows a map next to the spreadsheet and 2) a popup that houses many of the other powerful features like a drag-and-drop, Trello-like interface for reordering and editing your itinerary and exporting your itinerary to Google Maps. All your activities and places can be seen directly on the map.

If you are not familiar with Google Sheets though, some of the aspects of the UI may be harder to find and it may take some time getting used to. However, the trade off compared with TripAdvisor’s planner is much more functionality.

Travel Mapper is mainly a web-based app and is meant to be used on your laptop. You can still see your itinerary, to-do lists, and costs using the Google Sheets mobile app but most of your planning will be done in a browser. Travel Mapper’s user experience and learning curve is a solid 3 out of 5 .

Wanderlog is a travel planner that is good overall. It works well for road trips, can do detailed planning, imports and organizes information. It allows users to plan in a web browser or using a phone with their mobile app.

The browser and mobile apps are very responsive and fast. The mobile app, despite the limited space, packs a bunch of functionality and you can do everything on it as you can do in the browser. You can see a map with all your activities and places pinned to it with color-coded markers.The app also suggests things-to-do and places to see directly in the app without having to leave it.

However, I do think the mobile app does seem cluttered and any serious planning will need to be done in the browser where there’s much more real estate. Here are a couple of screenshots of the mobile app in action.

Similar to Travel Mapper, the trade off between simplicity in the UI and the functionality and number of features is apparent. As a result, Wanderlog can take some time getting used to. But because of the responsiveness, I’m going to rate Wanderlog’s user experience and learning curve a 4 out of 5 .

Tripit is similar to Wanderlog in that it is a decent overall travel planner and you can get pretty detailed planning done as well. It has both mobile and web apps and recently, the web app thankfully got a UI upgrade making it much more user-friendly and pleasing to the eye.

Both versions of the app are uncluttered and show all the information clearly. Adding activities, or what Tripit calls “Plans”, is very simple and obvious.

You get to choose many types of plans to add and each one presents you with a different set of input fields to fill out. For example, if you are adding a restaurant into your itinerary, you can input the cuisine type, party size, and hours of operation. For lodging, you can enter the number of rooms booked and a description of the room.

The only nitpick I have of tripit is that you can't reorder the items in your itinerary easily. Unlike the other apps where you can drag and drop to change your itinerary, you can't do that with Tripit.

The straightforwardness and simple color scheme of the layout makes Tripit super easy to use and learn. Also, it has a great UI except for that reordering issue. So, I’m rating the user experience and learning curve a 4.5 out of 5 .

Here are a couple screenshots from the mobile app.

Roadtrippers

Roadtrippers is an app that is slightly different from the rest as it is focused on road trips. It also has both a mobile and web version of the app. You can do decently detailed planning and the items you can add to your itinerary are referred to as “waypoints”.

The browser version predominantly shows the map and the route that your road trip will take. Within this map, depending on how you’ve set your filters, can show you all the options and locations spanning sights, campgrounds, gas stations, overnight parking and more. This information shown is just enough to give you a good idea of what it is but not enough to overwhelm you with data. As you want more and more detailed information, you can click through to get the UI to get it.

This is also how the mobile version works. The app is very good at showing you the minimal information so it is not cluttered. If you want to read more or input detailed information, it’s just a few taps away.

Both the mobile and browser based apps are fast and responsive as well.

Because of these reasons, I’m rating Roadtrippers’ user experience and learning curve a 4.5 out of 5 .

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You can try Travel Mapper for free and get 10% off using coupon code GIYLOGHE !

Now, let’s talk about each app's features and overall capability. This should answer questions like how well does the app help me plan? How many powerful features are there? Does it save me time? How does it keep me organized? Etc. I’ll take a look at each apps ability related to:

• Suggestions and recommendations
• Map utility
• Organization of information
• Sharing and collaboration

TripAdvisor doesn’t necessarily suggest things directly in their trip planning user interface but they do have a vast collection of all travel-related activities, points of interest, tourist attractions since that’s the business they are in. You'll be able to search for these activities and points of interest based on location.

They all have super informative reviews and relevant information to the specific attraction. However, you can’t easily see those things on the map with your current itinerary. You can only see them on the map AFTER you’ve saved it to your itinerary.

The map is decently sized in the browser and covers the entire screen in the mobile app.

You can insert your own notes and places from TripAdvisor into your itinerary but that’s about it. You cannot hyperlink web pages or videos. You cannot categorize itinerary items. And you can’t add locations on the map that aren’t already a part of TripAdvisor’s places.

Similarly, for automation, all of TripAdvisor’s places will automatically plot on the map; however, for locations not in their database, you would not be able to plot those on the map. This includes airports, Airbnbs, and more.

You can easily invite people to view or edit your itinerary with a link that TripAdvisor provides.

Overall, because of some of the limitations of TripAdvisor, I give it a 2.5 out of 5 to rate its features and capability.

Travel Mapper does a decent job of suggesting things directly in the map but is limited to restaurants from Yelp and points of interest using Google reviews. However, this still allows you to easily see how specific things you may want to do are located relative to whatever is in your current itinerary. And you can add them with one click.

Travel Mapper has two maps: 1) a smaller one on the side that complements the spreadsheet and 2) a large one that shows in a popup. Both of them can be maximized. Markers on the map can be filtered by day and category as well.

Travel Mapper shines with respect to organizing and logging information. You can add hyperlinks to web pages and YouTube videos. You can plan out every detail if you like, from the time of activities to adding detailed notes to adding location information for any item in your itinerary. You can also categorize your activities, and they will be color coded on the map. You can also make a detailed budget and split costs with friends after the trip has ended.

Automation with Travel Mapper also saves you a lot of time. For almost any location you can think of, Travel Mapper will automatically find the address and plot it on the map as long as you have the place’s name. You can also get a relevant website and other important information for that location as well.

It’ll automatically generate the Google Maps directions for you when you’re planning so you have an idea of how long it takes to get from one place to another, and you know how to order items in your itinerary relative to each other. One of the most powerful tools is being able to export your itinerary to Google Maps to then be used on your mobile phone while you are on the trip.

You can easily share your trip with others via email or share the itinerary spreadsheet using Google Sheets sharing capability. All you need to start collaborating is a Google account.

Travel Mapper capabilities are very powerful so I’m rating it a 5 out of 5 .

A lot of users enjoy getting suggestions on where to go on a trip. The app that does this the best is probably Wanderlog. They provide relevant suggestions for individual activities, places to see, restaurants, etc. directly in the map as well as in the itinerary. They also suggest things from YouTube and TikTok to give you more context in your research. And finally, they have comprehensive guides and itineraries generated by fellow travelers. 

The maps are also designed well and you can filter the markers to show your itinerary by day, they are color coded, and the information is nicely displayed.

Wanderlog can organize information similar to Travel Mapper with as much granularity as you want. 

The automation offered by Wanderlog is also very good. It will automatically scan your Gmail and import pertinent items to your itinerary. It will optimize routes for you so that itinerary items are clustered together. It can also export your itinerary to Google Maps but the last time I used this feature, it was slightly buggy and did not work every time.

Finally, sharing is easy but requires your friends to also have Wanderlog.

For these reasons, I’m rating Wanderlog a solid 4.5 out of 5 .

Tripit’s capabilities are somewhat limited. It doesn’t have a map that shows all the places in your itinerary at once. It doesn’t have much automation capabilities aside from getting the address of a location. It doesn’t have any recommendations in the app.

The best feature of Tripit is its ability to organize detailed information ranging from what type of cuisine a restaurant serves to the email address of a specific point of contact. Another good feature is that you can export your itinerary to your calendar using an .ics file.

As for helping you navigate on the trip, Tripit does have features to alert you about travel updates like terminal changes, flight delays, etc., provides you with airport maps, and generally, guides you to get to where you need to go. This is something that Tripit does that stands out from the other apps. However, in my opinion, it’s not really worth it unless you are completely new to traveling.

Overall, I rate Tripit a 3 out of 5 for features and capability.

Roadtrippers’ recommendation engine is very good. They have blog-like guides similar to Wanderlog and can find the best places to visit near your route directly on the map. A lot of the relevant information is there and is easy to digest.

Roadtrippers map has a very cool feature that suggests places along the route of your road trip within a certain specified radius. If you select locations on the map, the map will reroute your trip to include it automatically. The map is comprehensive, and you can see your entire itinerary on the map as well.

You can organize your itinerary with decent detail by adding notes, arrival date, links, and more but it lacks categorization and color-coding. 

In addition to the map feature mentioned previously, Roadtrippers automates other things like calculating the distance between waypoints in your itinerary, populating addresses and phone numbers automatically, and even helps you estimate the gas needed.

You can share your trip with others using a link but to invite collaborators, they will need a Roadtrippers account to contribute.

Overall, Roadtrippers functionality and capability is very good but it is narrowly focused on road trips which makes it incompatible for a lot of international travel planning. I rate it a 3.5 out of 5 .

The price of these apps range from being free to requiring an annual subscription. Let’s start comparing each of these apps starting with the free one.

The TripAdvisor travel planner is completely free. It doesn’t have ads either. However, if you are using it to plan, the app mostly limits you to using TripAdvisor’s large database of suggestions for your itinerary. It’s in their interest to funnel you to book these activities, lodging, and other stuff through them. This does restrict the design of the planner and is probably what drives the functionality of it.

As a Google Sheet add-on, Travel Mapper provides template itinerary, checklist, and “split cost” sheets free, forever. These sheets are well designed, copyable for future travels, and fully functional. For example, the “split cost” sheet comes with all the formulas necessary to split costs for up to 6 travelers and does all the math for you so there’s no confusion who owes what at the end. Sharing, collaboration, and offline access is free as well since this works with Google Sheets.

There’s a free trial period for all the premium features of the add-on including the following:

• Using dynamic maps to plot all your places filtered by day and category
• Search automation that finds places automatically by name and then populating the address and link to your itinerary
• Drag-and-drop interface for easy itinerary reordering and editing
• Exporting your itinerary to Google Maps for easy navigation on your trip
• Sharing a formatted itinerary via email that has Google Maps links embeddable for each location
• Seamless integration with the spreadsheet. For example, clicking a marker on the map will highlight the activity in your spreadsheet

After the free trial period, Travel Mapper offers subscriptions as low as $1 per month (billed annually) to have access to the premium features.

Wanderlog’s planner is free to use in the mobile and browser apps. This includes the suggestions and recommendations, using the map, organizing your information, search automation, and budgeting.

The premium features that you have to pay for include:

• Attaching unlimited documents to your itinerary
• Exporting your itinerary to Google Maps
• Ability to optimize your route for time efficiency
• Automatically importing items from your Gmail 
• Offline access

Paying for the subscription will set you back $49.99 per year billed annually or $5.99 per month billed monthly.

Tripit’s travel planner is completely free to use so you can organize your information, locate the places in your itinerary, share your itinerary, and export it to your calendar at no charge.

The premium features that require a subscription payment include:

• Tracking your bookings and flights to alert you of updates in real time
• Notifying you of when better seats or airfare becomes available
• Helping you navigate by providing up-to-date terminal info, searchable airport maps, walking directions to gates, ride-share, and more

Tripit’s subscription costs you $48.99 per year.

Roadtrippers’ travel planner is free up to 7 waypoints. That means you can add 7 places to your itinerary and Roadtrippers will map it for you. This is pretty limited as typically road trips are more extensive than 7 locations. You can still access their suggestions and locations for free.

With the premium version of the app, you get:

• Adding up to 150 waypoints in your trip
• Tools to help you find overnight parking and other information for RVs
• Collaboration with friends and family
• Improved map styles and live traffic display

Using the premium version requires an annual subscription of $35.99 per year (billed annually) which calculates out to $2.99 per month.

Finally, let’s talk about the pros and cons and the takeaways for each app considering all the mentioned information above.

The two biggest positives of TripAdvisor’s travel planner is that it is completely free and that it is super easy to use. It also includes a map to display your itinerary locations.

The downside is that it is not great for detailed planning. You can’t add locations other than what’s in their database to the map. This includes airports, Airbnbs, friend’s places, etc. You can add notes, but you can’t categorize anything or add hyperlinks. 

One of the biggest advantages of using Travel Mapper is that it’s built into Google Sheets. This makes it inherit all sharing, offline access, customization, history tracking capabilities of Google Sheets. If you make a mistake, just undo the mistake or roll the spreadsheet back to a previous version. Don’t have internet? The Google Sheets mobile and browser apps have offline access all for free. 

Another positive of Travel Mapper is its extensive capabilities. It helps you save time by automating a lot of things. It has a built-in map so you don’t have to spend time switching back and forth between Google Maps and whatever travel planner you’re using. You can email yourself (and others) the itinerary with Google Map links to navigate on your trip and much more.

The main disadvantage of Travel Mapper is, ironically, also related to it being an add-on for Google Sheets. For those unfamiliar with spreadsheet apps, there’s a bit of a learning curve. The layout and user interface of the app is limited to what Google Sheets add-ons provide and due to its design, it may take some time for users to get used to. Also, most of your planning will be done in a browser as Google Sheets add-ons don’t work with the Google Sheets mobile app.

Wanderlog is an overall good travel planner and has a lot of good free functionality. If I had to pick between TripAdvisor’s travel planner and Wanderlog’s free features, I would choose Wanderlog. Despite some clutter, the UI of both the mobile and browser apps are fast and feel smooth. Another advantage is that, like Travel Mapper, the app is very capable in automation, organizing detailed information, displaying that information, and saving you time.

The main disadvantage is that it is the most expensive option out of all the apps reviewed. The other potential negative is that Wanderlog does generate revenue from affiliates. This may drive design decisions for their app that funnels you to booking lodging or flights through their channels and not serving you completely as a travel planning app.

Tripit is capable in detailed planning and similar to TripAdvisor, has a very simple user interface. You don’t need to spend too much time getting spun up on how to use this app. The free aspects are all related to travel planning.

I think the biggest negative to Tripit is that it lacks a good map for viewing your itinerary. Also, I found it difficult to reorder my plans.

Roadtrippers is very capable in detailed planning and has great, informative suggestions from a large database of places. The premium features are very helpful for RV owners, and the map makes looking for things to do along your trip really easy.

The negative is that it’s not a general purpose travel planning tool as it is hyper focused on road trips. Obviously, this may or may not matter to you and could be perfect if you’re planning a road trip. But if you’re planning a non-road trip, you would have to use another app in addition to having a subscription with Roadtrippers.

Wrapping up

The comprehensive summary of this post can be compiled into the easily-digestible infographic below. Every app has its benefits and drawbacks. It is up to you to decide what is important to you and what you are willing to pay for.

If you’re looking for a good overall planning tool and willing to pay, Wanderlog is a decent option. If you’re a hardcore RV-er and looking to ride off into the sunset in retirement, Roadtrippers is the best choice. For Google Sheets users and/or getting the best bang-for-your-buck, Travel Mapper is the travel planner app for you. Looking for a free solution? Use TripAdvisor or Tripit. What do you think?

You can try Travel Mapper for free and get 10% off using coupon code GIYLOGHE ! Check out this video to see all the features in action:

Enjoyed the blog post? Give us feedback at [email protected].

TripIt Review: A Worthwhile Travel Planning Tool or an Outdated Resource?

September 28, 2021 6 min read

Keeping all information relating to a trip organized and in one place can be stressful. That’s why finding a great travel planning app is so important. 

TripIt is one option on the market. It claims to organize all travel details, such as flight information and hotel reservations, in one place. You can also receive notifications relating to your travel bookings. 

But is TripIt really the best option out there? This TripIt review intends to offer an overview of how to use TripIt and its pros and cons to ultimately answer the question: Is TripIt worth it? 

What is TripIt?

TripIt is a travel planning app that generates itineraries and keeps all details relating to your trip in one place. As opposed to apps that make travel suggestions, like Wanderlog , TripIt simply consolidates all of your already planned trip information in one place. Things you can add include transport, accommodation, and activity details. 

TripIt intends to take care of your travel details to lower stress and worry when traveling and improve organization. You can use TripIt online, or there’s a convenient TripIt mobile app for iPhone, iPad, and Android.  

This app has been touted as a good choice for those that have their travel plans set. However, TripIt is not the place to find vacation inspiration. 

Despite some drawbacks, the company has caught the eye of many publications and has been featured by The New York Times , NBC , Forbes , Travel+Leisure , and more. 

Is TripIt Free? 

If TripIt sounds like something that would interest you, you may be wondering: “Is TripIt free?” Conveniently, the basic plan is free. However, this plan offers limited features (discussed below.) 

How Much is TripIt Pro? 

TripIt Pro is a paid subscription option offered by TripIt that provides more features and benefits than their basic plan. TripIt Pro costs $49 a year, and you can try it free for 30 days. 

TripIt for Teams 

TripIt also has a third membership option, TripIt for Teams. This option helps plan travel for business and other “team” type situations. 

It keeps all team member’s itineraries in one place and can make different itineraries for different travelers on the trip. The team can then access a travel calendar with everyone’s schedule on it. 

TripIt for Teams costs $29/month for 1-10 users, $49/month for 11-25 users, $89/month for 26-50 users, and $159/month for 51-100 users.  

TripIt vs. TripIt Pro 

So, how exactly do you compare TripIt Pro vs. TripIt basic?  

When comparing the two for this TripIt review, we found that TripIt Pro offers more updates on your trip and a few extra features. 

Extra features you’ll be provided with when using TripIt Pro vs. TripIt basic include:

• Seat upgrade information 
• Check-in reminders
• Fare trackers
• Reward program points tracker
• Flight updates 
• Security wait time updates
• Information on finding connecting flights
• Baggage claim location 
• Gate information and updates 
• Interactive maps 
• Estimates of the best time to leave for your trip (for example, when to leave home to catch your flight) and estimated travel times
• Ability to send travel plans to friends and family
• Ability to add documents and files to your itinerary, like PDFs or photos 

How to Cancel TripIt Pro 

If you purchase TripIt Pro and don’t like the upgrade, it’s easy to cancel. To cancel TripIt Pro:

• Sign in to your account
• Click your user name, then “Settings”, then “Billing Information”
• Press “Cancel TripIt Pro.” 

When looking into cancellation for this TripIt review, we discovered that you can’t get a refund on your annual fee. If you want to cancel, auto-renewal will be disabled, but you must finish the year-long subscription.

If you want to cancel the TripIt Pro free trial before you get charged the annual fee, follow the same steps as above. 

How Does TripIt Work?

• Download TripIt for Android, iPhone, or iPad, or visit tripit.com.
• Sign up for an account and decide if you’ll upgrade to TripIt Pro. 
• Select “Start Itinerary.” 
• Add your destination city, travel start and end dates, a trip name, and a description (if you like.) Then click “Add Trip.” 
• You can then manually add to your itinerary or email information to be added. 

Information you can add includes: 

• Hotel and other accommodation reservations
• Flight bookings
• Car rentals
• Restaurant bookings 
• Meetings 

TripIt also shows predicted weather conditions during your trip to help plan activities and what to pack. Additionally, TripIt is currently offering Covid-19 travel guidance. You can see the carbon footprint of the trip along with ways to offset emissions too.   

How do I email an itinerary to Tripit? 

To email travel information to TripIt, forward all travel plan confirmation emails from your email to [email protected] . 

You can also agree to let TripIt scan your email and add travel plans relating to your trip as you receive email confirmations. If doing this, make sure the email account you create your TripIt account with is the one you use for travel confirmation emails. 

How to add itinerary to TripIt

Once in your trip itinerary, click “Add Plan,” and you can choose a range of things to add under the subheadings “Transportation,” “Activities,” and “Other.”

What are the Benefits of Tripit? 

Easy to Add Transport, Accommodation, and Activity Details

When testing the app for this TripIt review, we found that adding information to your trip itinerary was very easy. The process of manually adding transport, accommodation, and activities, and forwarding confirmation emails is straightforward and low hassle. 

Allowing TripIt to scan your email makes the process even simpler as they will automatically add things relating to your trip to your itinerary as you receive confirmation emails. 

Once your itinerary is created, it’s also very easy to understand. 

Automatic Reminders and Updates 

If you opt for TripIt Pro, you’ll receive updates and reminders about your trip. These updates make staying on top of what is going on simple. These notifications include suggestions as to when you should leave to reach a location on time, transport updates, and much more.

Can Use via Mobile Device or Online 

You can conveniently access TripIt both via web browser and an app for mobile devices. Having a mobile app is especially handy as travelers can check their itinerary on the go.   

Does TripIt Have Any Drawbacks? 

Too many notifications and emails.

TripIt sends a lot of emails and notifications, especially if you use TripIt Pro. They send travel updates for almost any activity relating to your travel, many of which you don’t need to know. They also often provide the same updates multiple times. 

This issue results in user inboxes becoming full and can mean they miss other important emails. You can turn off email and other notifications. However, you won’t get notified of significant updates, which is one of the purposes of the app.   

Alerts Can Be Incorrect  

When looking at customer feedback for this TripIt review, we found that some negative reviewers of TripIt mention that incorrect alerts relating to their travel plans were given. In some cases, users have even missed their flights because of this! If you choose to use TripIt Pro, always double-check the alerts before acting on them. 

Imported Trip Details Can Be Incorrect 

Users have also said that automatically added trip information has been imported incorrectly. For example, confirmations not related to the trip have been added along with duplicates. 

TripIt Pro is Expensive 

More and more travel planning software is offering all premium features for free. Therefore, paying $49 a year to access TripIt Pro is quite expensive. For example, Wanderlog offers a host of benefits, including itinerary creation and activity suggestions, at no cost. 

Comparable to Google Docs and Sheets 

Some say that as TripIt offers basic features, it’s comparable to simply adding your travel info to a Google Doc, Sheet, or other similar document. 

Slightly Boring and Outdated Website 

TripIt’s website, and to some extent the app, is relatively outdated and features a basic design. In addition, some of the website pages don’t load properly or don’t redirect as they should. 

This dated user interface ultimately affects usability, and there are many alternatives to TripIt with more functional (and fun) websites and apps. 

Does Not Suggest Places to Visit During Your Trip 

TripIt is simply a place to store information relating to your trip that you have already planned. TripIt doesn’t give any suggestions on where to stay, what transport route to take, or what activities to do at your destination. 

This is a big disadvantage as many alternatives to TripIt do offer suggestions. For example, Wanderlog allows you to create travel itineraries with information you already have planned. But we also offer lots of suggestions to make your trip even better. If you like any of our activity suggestions, you can easily add them to your itinerary. 

This TripIt flaw could occur because the software was originally intended more for business travel than for vacation travel. 

Is TripIt Worth It? 

Having used the software for this TripIt review, we would say that there are benefits to using TripIt. However, there are better options on the market. For example, other travel planning apps , like Wanderlog, offer suggestions on accommodation and activities in your destination. 

Despite this, those that have used TripIt seem to be satisfied. The company receives 4.1/5 Stars based on 220+ Facebook reviews.

Positive reviewers like:

• The convenience of the app
• How all their travel info is in one place
• The fact that alerts and updates are offered, for example, updates on flight information  

One particularly happy user says, “ My [favorite] app! Especially love how the pro version keeps me updated on flight changes including gate updates and delays. Easy to forward. Easy to forward emails from travel Booking confirmations to create your plans. Seeing all my planned trips [on] one screen is what keeps me sane every day when I’m dreaming about my next holiday!”

On the other hand, negative reviewers mention: 

• Trip details not getting imported correctly
• Notifications, especially relating to flights, being incorrect 
• Receiving too many emails and notifications, many of which say the same thing 

Another question many people have when considering using TripIt is: “Is TripIt Pro worth it?” If set on using TripIt, the Pro version is a good choice for those that travel a lot. 

However, the only real added benefit is alerts and updates relating to travel plans. For the most part, you can set those up directly for most things. For example, many airlines will text or email with flight updates.  As mentioned, there are also many free alternatives to TripIt Pro (like Wanderlog) So, paying $49 a year isn’t necessary. In fact, with Wanderlog, you have access to all the features offered by TripIt. Plus, you can access activity suggestions and benefit from our more modern and user-friendly interface, all at no cost. Sounds good? Start using the Wanderlog travel planner today!

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16 Best Travel Planner Apps for planning a trip in 2023

Simplify your travel plans and with the best trip planning app for travelers..

Best Travel planner apps to plan a trip easily

Looking for the best travel planner app to plan a trip but don’t know where to start? With so many options out there, choosing the right trip planner app can be overwhelming. That’s why we’ve taken the guesswork out of it and have gathered up the very best available apps to make your vacation planning smoother than ever!

From budgeting and organizing your itinerary, to booking flights and finding locally recommended attractions, we’ve found the perfect trip planner app for any traveler.

What is a travel planner app and how do they work?

Trip planning apps or travel planner apps are great tools for travelers to use to make their trips easier, stress-free, and more organized. These handy applications allow users to create overall trip plans, detailed itineraries, and search for activities during the excursion. From finding the best flight prices, or hotel deals to discovering points of interest in a destination city or country, tripping planner apps provide a variety of services for travelers. You can also use these apps to plan a road.

Nowadays, most travel planner apps also have features that make trip plans automatically sync with your social networks and offer access to other travelers’ experiences with different locations around the world. They can even provide historical information about any place you may be visiting! Below we will go over some of the best trip planner apps.

What is the best travel planner app?

1. google trips – great for planning a trip from start to finish.

When planning a trip, Google Trips is one of the best trip-planning apps available. It can help you stay organized by giving you access to all your reservation and travel information in one place so it’s easy to find what you need.

You can plan your whole trip from start to finish with activities and guided tours personalized for you and choose from suggested itineraries curated by local experts. Since all of your details are in one spot, you don’t have to worry about lugging around printed documents or paper tickets – just open up the app when needed and go!

2. TripIt – helps you organize all your plans in one place

TripIt is one of the best trip planner apps available for those looking to make their travel plans a breeze. This app lets you organize all of your travel plans in one convenient place, including reservations, trip itinerary, and essential documents like passports or confirmation pages.

It will help you plan your entire trip. It even has features to help make your trips go more smoothly by giving you access to flight statuses, train timetables and more. You can easily check up on your travel details at any time or even share them with friends and family! With TripIt, organizing your trips has become simpler than ever before.

3. Trip advisor – find great hotels, restaurants, and things to do near you

Planning your next trip can be made much simpler with Trip advisor – the best travel planner app. It reveals the top rated hotels, restaurants and attractions near you, so that no matter what kind of travel adventure you seek, Trip advisor will help you find it all.

With this powerful, intuitive trip planning app, you know all the best spots to stay and dine anywhere in the world. Plus with things to do conveniently collected in one place, a whole world of exploration awaits. Whatever your plans are – business or leisure – let Trip advisor be your go-to travel companion!

3. Kayak – compare prices on flights and hotels easily

Planning a trip can often be incredibly stressful, but with apps like Kayak, the experience is much more straightforward. With Kayak’s user-friendly interface, it’s easy to compare flights and hotels so you can always get the best deal.

Whether you’re looking for somewhere within your budget or fancy splurging on something special, Kayak makes it effortless to plan out your trip.

It’s quickly become one of the best trip planner apps out there, allowing travelers of all kinds to swiftly find their perfect holiday destinations while getting great deals in the process.

4. Skyscanner – search hundreds of airlines for the best deals

Skyscanner is an ideal trip planner app for anyone looking for the best flight deals. This convenient app allows you to explore hundreds of airlines and find the perfect itinerary for your next adventure.

Whether you’re planning a simple weekend getaway or a lengthy global journey, Skyscanner can help make it easier than ever to organize your detailed itinerary, car rentals and search for flights that meet your budget and preferences.

All you have to do is enter your destination, dates, and other details, and in seconds you’ll be presented with countless options. So take advantage of this easy-to-use travel planner today, and make booking your next vacation as stress-free as possible.

5. Hopper – get notified when it’s the best time to book a flight

If you’re planning a trip and want to find the best possible deal on a flight, Hopper is the perfect travel planner app for you.

As one of the best trip planner apps available, its features are particularly useful when it comes to finding the right deals.

Hopper notifies users when it’s the best time to book a flight so that they can get their desired results from their trip planning.

With options to track price changes and suggest cheaper alternatives, this travel app will enable you to track expenses, to book smarter and save more money for your dream vacation.

6. Wanderlog Trip planner app – Trip Planning Made Easier

Wanderlog travel planner app is one the best available travel itinerary apps. This popular travel planner app offers travelers an easy and user-friendly way to organize their vacation plans.

With Wanderlog Trip, you can keep track of flights rental car, and accommodation, create itineraries for your trip plan for each day of your trip plans offline on your journey.

you can also track of travel expenses and make notes about activities or other important trip details – all in one convenient location. It also has a built-in currency converter to help you stay on top of costs while abroad.

Wander Log integrates with popular travel websites like Expedia and Kayak to make sure you get the best available prices on flights, hotels and more.

Planning a trip with friends? Make it easy with this helpful app! Invite your tripmates by sharing a link to the itinerary or simply add their email address. It’s like Google Docs but for travel planning, allowing everyone to collaborate in real-time.

Set permissions to let people edit or just view your plans, and stay organized by accessing flights, hotels and attractions all in one app.

Import flight and hotel confirmations directly into your itinerary by forwarding emails, or save time by simply connecting your Gmail account. With features like these, Wander Log Trip App can make any trip easier and more enjoyable than ever before.

5. Pack Point Travel app – Makes packing an easy task

With more and more people venturing around the world, many travelers have quickly realized this also entails a level of planning and organization before departing. One app, Pack point, can make pre-trip packing a breeze.

By utilizing a user’s destination and length of stay, Pack point formulates personalized packing suggestions that include all necessary items for the upcoming journey.

And on top of these suggestions, the app also grants access to weather forecasts at the vacation spot while furnishing an editable checklist so there is no chance of leaving something behind.

With Pack point taking care of details such as what type of attire works best in certain locations, travelers can focus more on the adventure aspect versus stressing about what should be brought along.

So what are you waiting for? Make use of one of the most popular travel planning apps and start packing!

6. The Freeform Travel planning app – Get Inspired to Travel

Whether it’s a dream vacation in the Caribbean or a spur-of-the moment camping trip in the woods, it can be tricky to find the perfect place to travel. With The Freeform app, you’ll never be stuck for ideas again.

This intuitive, easy-to-use travel planning app connects users with relevant travel experts and unique destinations around the world.

Let yourself be inspired by user ratings, vibrant photo galleries and engaging videos that cater specifically to your needs.

Plan a fantastic vacation without all the effort—and take advantage of exclusive discounts when you book through The Freeform!

7. Roadtrippers – Best Road trip planning app

Roadtrippers is an app created to change the way you plan your road trips. It is designed to be a comprehensive and user-friendly road that takes the hassle out of planning your next road trip.

Quickly find the best road trips across the country, and customize any trip with drag-and-drop tools. You can easily see all attractions located along any route, including historic sites, roadside oddities, eateries, lodging, local culture and more.

Each browsable layer is interactive, so you can easily view what attractions are located near each other or plot multiple stops for your excursions. With Roadtrippers you can start planning custom road trips today!

8. Road trip Planner App

Exploring the open road just got better with Road Trip App! It’s the perfect travel companion for anyone planning a road trip – whether you’re going on an a cross-country adventure or just want to get away for the weekend.

This app offers detailed features, user-friendly visuals and turn-by-turn navigation to help plan trips quickly and easily. You can plot destinations on maps to get an overview of your journey.

Create multiple stops along the way, find scenic spots, attractions and other points of interest, and share your route with friends and family—all in one place! Road Trip Planner is one of the best trip planning apps for road a trip

9. Roadie Road trip and RV

. Roadie is the best trip planner app out there to help make your road trip tri[ adventure. It makes route and group travel planning simpler, faster and more interactive than ever before.

With reliable online and offline maps both, the ability to save points of interests in an organized list, and a search function for tourist attractions such, hiking trails and national parks. This app ensures that all of your needs for the perfect road trip are taken care of. Start your engines and hit the open road with confidence knowing you have Roadie on board guiding you through your epic journey!

10. Hotel Tonight – Last Minute Hotel Deals

Planning for a trip can be stressful – there are so many different elements to juggle and keep track of! But with Hotel Tonight, the task just got a lot easier. This app is designed to make last minute hotel deals more accessible and convenient than ever before.

With its fast booking process and seamless integration into your travel itinerary, you can book quality accommodation up to seven days in advance as well as score exclusive discounts. So stop stressing about where you’re going to stay on your next getaway and let Hotel Tonight take care of it for you!

11. Polarsteps – Keep Track of Your Journeys

Polarsteps is a trip planning app that lets you easily stay organized and on-track while travelling around the world. Whether you’re on a road trip or visiting multiple countries, this app provides the perfect platform to document and keep track of your journey.

Allowing you to share your experiences with friends and family along the way. It allows you to create interactive maps, share photos, plan trips and even calculate the distance traveled. With Polar Steps, every step is just a little bit easier, making it one of the best travel planning apps available today.

12. Rome2 Rio – Best Trip planner app for Complex Trips

Rome 2 Rio is a trip planning that helps managing all the moving parts of an upcoming trip plan anywhere in the world. Tour any destination around the world or cities in the united states. Not only can Rome2Rio provide the best route options for whatever mode of transportation. – buses, trains, flights, driving – but they also give you an exact cost estimation.

By knowing your cost, there are no surprises at checkout time. In addition to calculating your route, Rome2Rio gives detailed information about each stage of your trip duration of your journey and even reviews from other users who have taken the same trip, so you know exactly what to expect. It is great to plan an international trips. When I visited London , Paris , Amsterdam ; it made it easy to plan my multi city European Trip. Start planning with confidence knowing that Rome2Rio has you covered and ready for your next adventure!

13. SYGIC Travel – Best Trip planner app to explore the World

SYGIC Travel is the perfect travel companion for wanderlust seekers, offering a comprehensive set of innovative features to help plan and make the most of every trip.

It takes the hassle out of organizing an itinerary, allowing travelers to easily discover destinations, find places to visit and explore exciting attractions while on the go.

From mapping routes and saving favorite spots, to providing up-to-date information about points of interest and personalized recommendations.

SYGIC Travel provides all the tools needed to plan an amazing journey around the world. Enjoy a stress-free traveling experience with SYGIC Travel as your guide.

14. Google maps

Google Maps is one of the best travel planner apps for any traveler. With a comprehensive maps and accurate navigation, it can help you find your way anywhere in the world. It also provides turn-by-turn directions so that you don’t get lost on the road or in a new city.

Through satellite imagery and street view, you can explore a destination before even visiting it. Most importantly, Google Maps can help you avoid traffic jams and other problems, allowing you to get to your destination faster.

Whether you’re planning your own trip, a road trip or just visiting somewhere nearby, Google Maps is an essential tool for finding your way around and staying safe when on the go.

15. Travel spend-Best budget planning app

Travel Spend is the ultimate trip-planning app. With budgeting tools and helpful visuals, it gives travelers peace of mind by helping them stay within their budgets. Users can set a budget before leaving home and log individual expenses.

It also includes the date, type of purchase, merchant, amount spent and currency used. For an accurate overview of their spending habits. Plus, Travel Spend App also includes instant notifications when certain thresholds are met.

If exceeded so travelers can make quick adjustments without going over-budget. This way it helps travelers stay withing budget.

It is no surprise Travels pend is one of the best travel planning apps for budgeting. Travel Spend is the perfect for any traveler who wants to manage their finances and trip budget on the go!

16. Via Hero- Best Travel planner apps for solo Travelers

If you’re looking for the best travel planning app to help you get the most out of your vacation, look no further than Via Hero. Via Hero connects you to expert local trip planners who will craft a personalized itinerary based on your preferences and needs.

As part of this service, they provide a guidebook with all the essential information and insider knowledge, making it easy to explore the most interesting places. For those who want more support while traveling.

They offer an additional service for only $10 per day where travelers can reach out to that local via text or phone and get helpful advice throughout their journey. This app is also great for solo travelers looking to connect with locals. Use this travel planning app for exploring new cities or just seeking a fun beach vacation. Via Hero works with any trip.

Planning a trip can be overwhelming, but thankfully there are plenty of great apps to help you. From Google Trips, a one-stop shop for all your planning needs, to TripIt, an app that helps keep everything organized.

Skyscanner searches hundreds of airlines for the best deals – there’s an app out there that fits everyone’s needs.

Find best Hotels and restaurants near you with Trip advisor or comparing prices on flights and hotels easily with Kayak.

Use Hopper is a deal finder that notifies you when it’s the best time to make flight bookings – these trip planner apps provide the tools needed to plan a successful trip! So which is your favorite?

Comment below and subscribe to our mailing list to stay up-to-date on more helpful tips and tricks. Happy traveling!

What is the best trip itinerary planner?

Top travel plans apps for for 2023. Hopper flights & hotel bookings. Tripit: Travel Planners. Sygic maps travel planners. Packaging. Skyscanners. Road trips: Travel planning tool. Location Finder website. b.

Is Wanderlog or TripIt better?

Trips to the pros can be incredibly costly. Travel Planner software offers many more free features than ever. So paying 49 for the tripit pro service is expensive. The free version isn’t too bad. Wandering provides a number of advantages free of charge, such as itinerary design and activities suggestions.

Is there an app that will plan a trip for you?

Unlike other travel apps, TripIt organizes travel plans for you regardless of what you booked. Send the confirmation emails to [email protected]. In minutes TripIt creates a detailed itinerary for each of the trips. I travel 100 times a year, and TripIt is my favorite application.

Which map tool is best for trip planning?

Google Maps – Best in easy to navigate directions. The biggest route plan application is Google Maps. Almost anyone can use this program to travel to another city, but they haven’t even discovered it has the ability to plan routes for several stops.

Is Wanderlog worth it?

Wander Log is a travel planner’s favorite application. From solo travelers to groups and from well planned to those that just want to have one place to find out and offer activities. Wander log also offers an excellent interface that can be easily adapted for all your travel needs!

How do I plan a trip with friends app?

Wanderlog is the app that helps travelers plan trips on the fly or by plane, organized access flights and hotel reservations and show them the places to explore. Share a travel guide with others for inspiration before you leave.

Grace Ashi is the founder and Editor of Metropolitan Girl.

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The 10 Best Road Trip Planner Apps for 2024

Save time, money, and energy with these apps so you can focus on the fun instead

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We love road trips! Planning them can be fun but, let's be honest, also stressful. The right road trip planner apps can take some of that stress away by helping you plan, organize, and manage travel before and during your trip. We've researched and tested these apps to help give you peace of mind so that you can spend more time enjoying your trip.

The Ultimate Map App for Planning Your Route: Roadtrippers

Access to free and convenient travel guides.

Share-ability so friends can join in on the planning process and suggest places to visit.

The app can use up the battery life of your device quickly. Take a car USB charger with you.

Built for travelers, Roadtrippers helps you create your route while allowing you to discover great places as you plan it out. Add a new place to your itinerary to work it into your trip.

The app features an easy-to-use interface. In addition to covering the U.S., it also covers Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Download For:

Automate Your Trip Planning and Organization: Google Travel

Automatic trip organization via Gmail integration. 

Offline access so you can see your trip information even when you don't have an internet connection.

Limitations with customizing some day trips exactly the way you want.

You can count on Google to make your trip planning a breeze. Pre-constructed day plans are available for hundreds of the world's most popular destinations, which you can customize to your liking.

It's one of the most versatile travel planner apps out there, giving you one convenient place to see your hotel, rental car, and restaurant bookings.

Find and Book a Last-Minute Place to Stay: Hotels.com

A fast, easy-to-use booking feature.

For every 10 nights you book through Hotels.com, you get one night free, provided it's the average daily rate of those 10 nights.

No option to easily cancel if you change your mind.

Whether your road trip itinerary changed, or you haven't decided on a place to stay yet, Hotels.com can help you find a place and book it when you're on the go, even when it's super last-minute. You can sort and filter hotels, see the amenities they have to offer, compare prices, and catch a glimpse of how many rooms are available.

This is the app you'll want to have handy if you want to see in-depth hotel details at a glance and need to find a place to crash ASAP without breaking the bank.

Find Local Restaurants, Read Reviews, and Make Reservations: OpenTable

Lots of great filter options and suggestions.

Access to gorgeous, high-quality images of menu items and informative reviews from other users.

Reported problems and inconveniences with their built-in reward system.

Searching for specific restaurants is more difficult than simply looking at what's around in the area.

Deciding on a place to eat in a new area is quick and hassle-free with OpenTable. See what's nearby, filter restaurants by cuisine, see photos of what's on the menu, make reservations, and get personalized recommendations based on your preferences.

OpenTable is known to be one of the top  location-based food apps  available, so you know you can trust its information when you're dying for something to eat.

Navigate Like a Local: Waze

Hands-free navigation with voice commands.

Alerts-only mode for road hazards and police.

Share up-to-date ETA with friends.

Spotify and Apple Music widgets get in the way.

Cluttered maps can be confusing.

Higher battery usage than Google Maps.

Waze  is a community-driven travel app that shows you the shortest possible route to your destination. Like Google Maps, Waze makes real-time adjustments for traffic jams and other obstacles—but Waze is often more accurate since it caters specifically to drivers.

The app syncs with your Google Calendar and can tell you when you should leave for appointments based on traffic. There's also a cool option to record your own voice and use it for directions .

Know Exactly When and Where to Make a Pit Stop: iExit Interstate Exit Guide

Access to detailed summaries of what's at the next exit (including gas prices at nearby gas stations).

Search for the next 100 exits from your location.

The app can only be used on major U.S. exit-based highways.

No offline access, so you'll use your data plan while you're on the road.

Making a pit stop for food, gas, or a bathroom break is easy when you have the iExit app. Using your device's GPS, the app offers helpful suggestions for when and where to stop based on your location along the highway.

Whether you're looking for well-known franchises like Starbucks and Walmart to convenient amenities like free Wi-Fi and truck or trailer parking, this app has you covered.

Find the Cheapest Fuel Nearby: GasBuddy

An in-app gas payment feature.

Opportunity to save 10 cents per gallon on your first fill-up and five cents per gallon on every fill-up after.

The app can take up a lot of data and battery life as it runs in the background.

GasBuddy is an app specifically designed to find nearby gas stations and save money on gas. Use it to find the cheapest gas in your area and filter gas stations by amenities like car washes, restaurants, and bathrooms.

It's the app you want to have if you're serious about finding the cheapest gas around. Information comes from users like you, so you have the most up-to-date prices.

Download For :

Never Forget an Item: PackPoint Premium Packing List

Access to a built-in library of items to pack with the ability to add or remove items as needed. 

An elegant, intuitive app interface.

Can't input multiple destinations for a single trip.

Not a free app.

PackPoint helps you make sure you have everything you need based on where you're going and what you're doing. In addition, the app takes into consideration the length of your trip and the expected weather conditions. Perhaps best of all, this app turns a mundane chore into something that's actually quite fun.

Find Out Where to Park and How Much It Will Cost: Inrix ParkMe

ParkMe is the only app that also includes street parking and parking meter rates where available, in addition to parking lots.

Real-time updates on available parking spots.

Rates and hours may be inaccurate in some areas.

ParkMe claims to be the world's largest and most accurate parking database. It allows you to purchase your parking spot through the app and compare prices across parking providers to help you save more money.

If you're road tripping around major cities in the U.S., Canada, or Europe, this app can be a huge help. You can even compare parking options and prices so that you always get the best deal.

Automate Your Itinerary: TripIt

Automatically creates itineraries from your inbox.

Widget displays trip details on your home screen.

Annoying amount of alerts by default.

If you're planning a trip, you'll likely have a lot of confirmation emails for hotels, appointments, restaurants, and attractions. TripIt syncs with your inbox and uses that information to compile an itinerary so that you don't have to scramble for it.

The free version is fine for road trips, but if you ever fly, the premium version gives you the option to upgrade seats and track reward miles.

In addition to your phone, laptop, and tablet, other travel tech essentials include chargers, headphones, travel adapters, cameras, luggage trackers, and off-grid communications

Yes. You can use Google Maps as a trip planner through the “Places” and “My Maps” features. Both the Google Maps website and app let you save locations to lists and get directions.

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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

Obsidian Shortcut Launcher 1.1 Brings Support for File Properties and Backlinks

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Ensure that if a device isn’t secure it can’t access your apps.  It’s Device Trust for Okta.

Tripsy Review: The Ultimate Trip Planner for iPhone and iPad

Summer may be over, but there’s never really an offseason for planning future vacations or business trips. We all have our own methods of trip planning – where we store important documents, how to set an agenda and share that agenda with family or friends – but I’d guess most of us aren’t entirely satisfied with our current planning systems. Important information can be scattered across different apps, services, or analog files, which is fine but not ideal. Tripsy aims to solve that problem.

Tripsy isn’t entirely new to the App Store, having first launched almost a year ago, but it recently received a major 2.0 update alongside iOS 13’s debut. While I never used the previous version, the new Tripsy is exactly the tool I’ve wanted for trip planning for a long time. The app serves as a one-stop shop for organizing all of your trip-related information: you can add Apple Maps points of interest to your agenda, scheduling them to specific times and days, add notes to each saved location, store important travel documents in the app, and share your full trip data with fellow travelers. All of this functionality is enhanced by a strong app experience thanks to system features like multiwindow on iPad, Sign In with Apple, dark mode, and more.

Planning a Trip

Tripsy offers a selection of destination suggestions you can choose from to kickstart your planning, all of which include lists of popular things to do in those cities, but if you’re going anywhere else in the world outside the 11 included suggestions, you’ll want to get started by hitting the orange ‘+’ button to create your new trip. Tripsy will ask for the trip name and dates, and two helpful additional options: time zone and background image.

Selecting a time zone eliminates a point of potential confusion when arranging your itinerary. On the last trip I took, I had added events for my agenda to Apple’s Calendar app, but dealing with changing time zones was a point of frustration for me, so I’m looking forward to using Tripsy in the future. The ability to add a background image is a small touch, but one I appreciate: when planning a trip, it’s nice being able to see an image of your destination in the background. Tripsy integrates with Unsplash so you can choose from an extensive selection of beautiful stock photos to adorn your trip’s background.

After a new trip is created, you can get to work filling out its agenda. Tapping ‘Add new’ at the bottom of the screen loads a grid of different activity options, including Flight, Lodging, Restaurant, Museum, and more. Each activity type is accompanied by a colorful icon reminiscent of what you’d find in Apple Maps, which is fitting because Tripsy includes tight integration with Maps. Once you’ve chosen an activity type, you’ll enter a search screen where you can search for any point of interest from Apple Maps (or enter a location manually).

Creating an itinerary for your trip.

When you’ve found the right location, Tripsy will import its phone number and web address automatically, so they’ll be easily accessible throughout your trip. You’ll be asked to choose a start time (and optionally end time), which includes a lot of flexibility: after picking a day, you can either leave it at that or go more granular with a couple different options, either selecting a simple Morning, Afternoon, or Night designation, or choosing a specific hour for that activity to take place. I really appreciate the variety of options, as it enables being as loose or precise with your plans as you’d like. Finally, when adding a location to your itinerary there’s a Notes field you can fill out as well for jotting down any information you want to remember, or communicate with co-travelers.

Preparing for Your Trip

Documents can be saved in Tripsy.

Once you have an agenda set, there are two features to take advantage of in the time leading up to your travels: sharing and document storage.

Tripsy can share your full trip agenda with any family members or friends who will be accompanying you on your travels. The person icon in the top-right corner of the main trip overview sends a link that enables fellow travelers to not only see your plans, but fully collaborate on them too. Guests you invite can add or modify events, add notes, and do anything else you can do inside the app.

Document storage is a useful way to keep any and all travel-related data in one place. Inside a trip’s Documents screen you’ll find options to import a document from the Files app, or an image from Photos, in addition to taking a photo or creating a new note. This becomes all the more useful when collaborating on a trip with several co-travelers, who can all dump relevant files in one place.

Taking Your Trip

When the time for travel finally arrives, I love the itinerary view that Tripsy provides for fully-outlined trips. The combination of colorful icons, subtle time of day glyphs, and clean, crisp text fits beautifully together. When you’re exploring the city, referencing your itinerary in Tripsy is extremely convenient and offers quick access to any information you’d want. Tapping on a saved event shows you key information like date, duration, phone number, and website, along with a note if you set one, and a map view which you can tap to navigate to the location with Apple Maps, Google Maps, Citymapper, Uber, or Lyft. You can even long-press on an event to see a context menu and preview of all this information.

System Features

Tripsy’s basic functionality makes it well worth trying out, but the app is particularly special due to its strong adoption of system features on iPhone and iPad.

On the iPad, Tripsy not only supports Split View and Slide Over multitasking, it also offers full multiwindow capabilities on iPadOS. If you’d like to keep your trip overview in a full-screen window while a Slide Over window hovers on top with a specific location page, or your itinerary view, that’s entirely possible using multiple windows. Or if you want to pair Tripsy with Apple Maps in a Split View or Slide Over pair, you can use drag and drop to save locations from Maps directly into your trip’s itinerary. Simply pick up a Maps point of interest and drop it into Tripsy; I’ve found this particularly effective when exploring new locations I may want to visit.

Dark mode in iOS 13 is fully supported by Tripsy, so the app will change themes based on your device’s current system appearance setting. Both light and dark modes look sharp.

Sign In with Apple

When turning on sync in Tripsy, the app will prompt you to create an account. You can do this the traditional way, with an email and password, or you can use Sign In with Apple to set up your account with just a couple taps. Tripsy’s implementation of Sign In with Apple is the first I’ve seen offer the ability to have your real email hidden and cause all communication to forward through an Apple-generated random address. I ran into a bug when trying to use that option, which likely is an Apple issue, but it was nice to see it included nonetheless.

Apple Watch

Tripsy offers a solid Apple Watch app that grants convenient access to your trip itinerary, so you can easily scroll through the day’s agenda and tap on events to get more information about them. There’s even the ability to tap on map thumbnails in Tripsy’s watchOS app to load those destinations in the Watch’s Maps app.

The app’s design implements modal cards extremely well, similar to what you’ll find in Apple’s own Maps and Shortcuts apps. It helps Tripsy feel especially native, and is ideal for one-handed iPhone use.

Siri Shortcuts and Suggestions

Finally, Tripsy also offers a few options for Siri shortcuts you can set up, including most notably the ability to get information about your next scheduled activity, and to view all upcoming plans for your trip. There’s one other Siri feature too: when you add hotel or flight information to your trip, Siri intelligence will detect that and offer to add the details to the Calendar app, similar to the intelligent suggestions Siri offers for content located in Mail.

Tripsy does what I’ve long wished for: offers a compelling trip planning experience in a modern app that takes advantage of iOS’ core technology strengths. Even if you set aside the app’s core functionality as a hub for trips, it deserves applause simply for its rich integration of so many modern OS technologies. I don’t travel more than two or three times per year, so I’d probably be fine sticking with my former system of using Apple Notes to organize trip details, but Tripsy’s OS strengths make it an app I’m eager to invest in because I know it won’t require sacrificing the array of system benefits Notes offers – Tripsy has just as many system integrations, if not more.

The next time I travel, I know which app I’m going to use.

Tripsy is a free download on the App Store , with an optional Premium subscription plan to unlock features like cloud sync, document storage, and more.

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Ryan Christoffel

Ryan is an editor for MacStories and co-hosts the Adapt podcast on Relay FM. He most commonly works and plays on his iPad Pro and bears no regrets about moving on from the Mac. He and his wife live in New York City.

Follow and play shows in Apple Podcasts on iPhone and iPad

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TARC On-Demand 4+

Rideco inc., designed for ipad, screenshots, description.

Ride TARC on your schedule! TARC On-Demand is a 6-month on-demand pilot ride-share service for New Albany and Jeffersontown brought to you by TARC. Use this app to plan your trip, select your choice of travel, and pay all from your mobile device. Connect with TARC’s fixed route bus service, or travel to and from anywhere within the designated zone. Once you book a ride, you’ll receive a time of arrival and your pickup location. Your ride-share vehicle will be marked with TARC On-Demand branding to guarantee a safe, convenient, and affordable ride to your destination. Get moving with a new ride-share service from the Transit Authority of River City.

Version 3.17.4

We’ve made improvements and squashed some bugs.

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The developer, RideCo Inc. , indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

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