The number of new apps I’ve added to my phone this past year is overwhelming. I’m constantly deleting and adding, because I am always finding apps that not only help plan my travels, but are an improvement on the ones I had before. Don’t get me wrong, there are still plenty on my phone from last year’s favorite list, but here are my favorites for this year. Try them and I think you’ll agree they are some of the best travel apps for 2017.
1. Google Trips (available for Android and iOS) Free
Google Trips is the ultimate travel planner for many reasons. The app allows you to have personalized activity ideas based on location and weather. It shows what’s nearby when you’re out exploring and it will send you travel information about your trip. Some of the information it provides includes numbers for emergencies (great for international travel), dining recommendations, and daily itineraries. It’s everything you need all in one place.
2. Lounge Buddy (available for Android and iOS) Free
Ever had a long layover? This is where Lounge Buddy is super handy. It gives the option to search and book a spot at airport lounges around the world. The nice thing is it will allow you to see if you have free access to any lounges based on your credit cards or airline status. It also shows reviews, photos, and amenities shared by other travelers.
3. TripIt (available for Android and iOS) Free or upgrade to TripIt Pro for a fee
This helps immensely if you travel a lot. It takes all of your hotel, airline, rental car confirmations and puts them in one place so you don’t have to search your email looking for them. I find this really helpful when I’m trying to organize trips.
When I have to drive into the city, there’s nothing worse than trying to find a parking space. With SpotHero I don’t have to look anymore. This handy app allows you to locate and reserve a parking space ahead of time. Once you arrive at the location, just scan your phone’s confirmation code and you’re in. It’s easy and cheaper than winging it.
I love Hipmunk for monitoring price changes in airfare. I’ll enter the cities and dates I’m looking to travel to, and Hipmunk notifies me when the fares go up or down. Unlike other apps Hipmunk sorts fares according to “agony” factor, which incorporates things like flight duration, number of layovers and price. You can also book hotels and see TripAdvisor reviews right from the app, which makes it one of my favorite all around apps.
6. GPSmyCity (available for Android and iOS) Free with in app purchases
Some people love tours, others don’t, but with GPSmyCity, you can download travel guides and tours of over 750 cities right to your phone. There are usually multiple self-guided walking tours for each city, you just choose the one that interests you. The articles are written by expert travel writers, providing local insider tips you can’t find anywhere else. Articles and maps can be downloaded so you don’t use any data or need wi-fi.
Hopper is perfect when you don’t have set dates for a trip, but you have an idea of when you want to travel. You enter the trip you want to take and it tells you when the cheapest time to fly will be. It will also send you a notification when that cheap flight hits the market.
We’re pretty new to the Airbnb app, but that doesn’t mean we don’t enjoy it. We love browsing accommodations that allow us to live like locals when we travel. The app has a new feature called Trips, unique experiences you can have with a local guide during your stay. We can’t wait to try this on our next trip!
9. Netflix (available for Android and iOS) Different monthly plans available
If you’re ever on a road trip, stuck in the airport, or just sitting waiting for the train to arrive, this could be your best friend. When Netflix decided to allow downloads to devices in late 2016, this was a game changer. Now you can catch up on your favorite shows any time any where.
This travel booking engine has some really cool features I haven’t seen anywhere else. The Trip Finder allows you to search by budget and destination type (beaches, nature, cities), and it’s fun to just put in a dollar amount and scroll through the many possibilities for your next trip. There’s also an Inspiration section where you can search for travel articles, in case you still don’t know where to go. If you just want to compare prices, it’s great for that too.
Kirsten is a family travel expert who has been traveling with kids for over 20 years. She has been featured in Parents Magazine, AFAR, Vogue, NBC, Lonely Planet, and Thrillist, to name a few. Kirsten is also the content creator behind Groups Are A Trip, a site for planning trips with extended family and friends.
15 Comments
Great list !! In addtion to the Netflix app, I have tried GPSMyCity and I must say it is a great app. Got to try some other apps listed here.
These are excellent apps. I only knew of a few of them. Can’t believe I’ve never thought to download the Netflix app- duh! Can’t wait to download a few of these and try them out!
Thanks for the very hand App tips! Haven’t heard of the Momondo before, will look into that one for sure. Love TripIt and my Booking.com App. So handy when looking for a place while in transit.
Though I travel frequently, most of these are not on my radar. I still like my old fashioned methods. 😉 I’ve tried TripIt before, and didn’t love it. Google Trips, SpotHero and GPSMyCity are some I would try. Thanks for the tips!
You’re welcome! Happy to help. I’m trying TripIt Pro, and there are some things I wish it did better, but for the most part I’m enjoying having everything right there instead of searching through a hundred emails!
I’ve been trying our Tripit and I’ve found it to be great! Especially for me considering I’m terrible at time keeping and seem to get sidetracked, tripit keeps me on track and so far I don’t have any complaints.
My 2017 bucketlist is to travel the world. Since I started doing my Vlog last January. Travel Mobile App is my life saviour. What I download and navigate are SpotHero, Google Trips and TripIt. I really enjoy those apps. It really gives me more expectation thru my video blogs. I really enjoys it.
I LOVE YOUR SITE, HAVE FOR A WHILE. THIS IS SUCH a helpful guide and will definately be sharing it with my viewers! I love that you included netflix, because it really is a necessary app when traveling with kids! I like the sound of spothero, wish i knew about it before our last trip into nyc which was a parking nightmare.
Great list !! In addtion to the Netflix app, I have tried GPSMyCity and I must say it is a great app. Got to try some other apps listed here.
Glad to hear it!
I love that there are so many tools these days to make travel easier.
I agree! So happy I don’t have to use a hard copy of a map any more!
These are excellent apps. I only knew of a few of them. Can’t believe I’ve never thought to download the Netflix app- duh! Can’t wait to download a few of these and try them out!
Netflix is an easy one to forget. We make sure to have it before every trip now since we can download movies on it. Woo hoo!
Thanks for the very hand App tips! Haven’t heard of the Momondo before, will look into that one for sure. Love TripIt and my Booking.com App. So handy when looking for a place while in transit.
Thanks Claudia. Have to look at the Booking.com app, I haven’t tried that one yet!
Though I travel frequently, most of these are not on my radar. I still like my old fashioned methods. 😉 I’ve tried TripIt before, and didn’t love it. Google Trips, SpotHero and GPSMyCity are some I would try. Thanks for the tips!
You’re welcome! Happy to help. I’m trying TripIt Pro, and there are some things I wish it did better, but for the most part I’m enjoying having everything right there instead of searching through a hundred emails!
I’ve been trying our Tripit and I’ve found it to be great! Especially for me considering I’m terrible at time keeping and seem to get sidetracked, tripit keeps me on track and so far I don’t have any complaints.
So great to hear it! Glad you are enjoying it.
Hey Kirsten,
My 2017 bucketlist is to travel the world. Since I started doing my Vlog last January. Travel Mobile App is my life saviour. What I download and navigate are SpotHero, Google Trips and TripIt. I really enjoy those apps. It really gives me more expectation thru my video blogs. I really enjoys it.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Cheers!
I LOVE YOUR SITE, HAVE FOR A WHILE. THIS IS SUCH a helpful guide and will definately be sharing it with my viewers! I love that you included netflix, because it really is a necessary app when traveling with kids! I like the sound of spothero, wish i knew about it before our last trip into nyc which was a parking nightmare.
Thank you Corey! I love following you too. Spothero is my new favorite. I love using it when I visit downtown Chicago. It makes life so much easier!