Top 5 Must-Have Travel Apps You Can’t Travel Without in 2025

8 April 2025
Travels Apps
Image by ©MatchOnTheMap

Ever found yourself lost in a foreign city, struggling with language barriers, or unsure how much to tip? These essential travel apps for 2024 have helped us tackle it all. Traveling is exciting, but the right apps can make it even better. We’ve tested these apps across cities in Europe to find the most reliable and versatile ones for your next travels.

Table of Contents

1. Google Maps

Google maps GPS
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A navigation app that provides real-time directions, public transit routes, and local business information. It helps travelers explore new cities, locate attractions, and navigate unfamiliar areas with ease.

It is simple to navigate, and can help you plan your travels from beforehand, allocating you a travel time either by walk, car or public transportation. 

Tips:

  • Download Offline Maps: Save maps for areas you’ll be visiting in case you lose internet access. This helps save phone battery too!
  • Try the “Explore” tab: This allows you to discover top restaurants, attractions and events nearby.
  • Custom Map Lists: Create custom maps for your trip by saving key spots and organizing them into lists. This was a game-changer for us in Stockholm, a big city with plenty of attractions, where we could quickly check distances and plan each day.

2. Google translate

Traduction
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This powerful app provides text, voice, and camera-based translations for over 100 languages. It beaks down language barriers and makes communication easier in foreign countries. We found this especially useful in Porto and Valencia where English was hardly spoken by locals. Even though sometimes translations aren’t exactly, it usually does the trick to help you understand the gist of the sentence.

Tips:

  • Download Language Packs: Save languages for offline access in case Wi-Fi isn’t available.
  • Camera Translation: Use your camera to translate signs, menus, and even brochures instantly – a lifesaver in a hurry!
  • Practice Pronunciation: This is helpful especially when wanting to ask for help from locals by just playing the audio button and letting Google translate speak.

3. Uber/Bolt

Uber taxi
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Taxi apps such as Uber and Bolt, amongst many others, make it easy to book on demand rides, in major cities. Although they are becoming quite popular, it is important to check before that the city that you’re visiting actually offers this service.

It provides a convenient and efficient mode of transportation. We find this particularly helpful in Malta, where public transportation is not very efficient and parking is scarce.

Moreover, there are several modes of payment such as cash, card or credit that you can purchase in the app beforehand to be ready when needed. 

Tips:

  • Fare Estimation: Check the fare before booking to avoid unexpected charges. This helps ensure you get the best deal.
  • Ride Safety: Share your ride details with friends or family, who can follow your route in real-time. Especially helpful for solo travelers!
  • Save with Pool Rides: Look for options like “Uber Pool” to save money by sharing rides. 
  • Don’t hesitate to report: Make sure that any issues you encounter during your rides you report them, as they actually send money back when inconveniences are caused.

4. Xe Currency Converter

Currency
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This app offers real-time currency conversion rates and supports offline conversions for more than 180 countries. It helps travelers quickly understand costs in foreign countries and avoid unexpected expenses.

Xe Currency Converter also allows users to perform offline conversions, making it especially useful when traveling in areas with limited internet access.

Tips:

  • Download Rates Beforehand: Get the latest rates to use offline in areas without internet. This feature is handy in places with limited or expensive internet.
  • Currency Alerts: Set alerts for preferred rates, so you’re notified when exchange rates are favorable.
  • Multiple Currency Tracking: Track various currencies, perfect for multi-country trips. It also allows for quick comparisons between various exchange rates. During our trip in Stockholm and London, this was super useful for keeping on top of our spending!

5. Revolut

Bank card
Image by Pixabay on Pexels

A digital banking app that offers a multi-currency account. It allows users to hold, exchange, and transfer money in over 30 different currencies. It comes with a physical and virtual card that can be used internationally with minimal fees, making it a popular choice for travelers.

Revolut simplifies currency management while traveling. It offers competitive exchange rates, especially for major currencies, and allows fee-free spending and ATM withdrawals in many countries. This means travelers can avoid high foreign transaction fees and access local currency conveniently.

Tips:

  • Multi-Currency Wallet: Hold and convert money into various currencies within the app, allowing you to pay in local currency while avoiding conversion fees.
  • Instant Notifications: Keep track of your spending with real-time notifications.
  • Joint Account Option: If you’re traveling as a group, open a joint account for shared expenses. We love using it to track our spending together and stay on budgetIt also gives you a breakdown of costs to allow you not to go over certain budgets.

Conclusion

These essential travel apps for 2024 help make your travel experience more enjoyable and hassle-free. From currency conversion to finding local attractions, each app provides tools to help you navigate any destination confidently. Though we’re not sponsored by any of these apps, we genuinely recommend them because they’ve made our travels easier.

Don’t forget to check out some of our recent posts on destinations like Rome, Paris or Florence, and let us know in the comments which travel apps you love. Safe travels and happy exploring!

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Match On The Map

We are Martina and Cyprien, a long-distance couple with a passion for travelling.

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