Totally Vacations blog
Travel Apps Worth Downloading Before Your Next Vacation
You can plan a trip for months and still end up standing on a street corner wondering which bus goes to your hotel. Or checking out of your room at 11 a.m. when your flight doesn't leave until 8 p.m. Eventually somebody will need a bathroom immediately.
That's where a few useful apps come in. You don't need dozens.
Here are eight worth considering before you leave.
When You're Not Sure How to Get There
Rome2Rio is useful when yu know where you want to go but have no idea how to get there. Enter two places and it compares combinations of trains, buses, ferries, flights, and driving routes.
Say your cruise ends in one city and you're spending a couple of nights in another. Would a train or bus be easier than flying? Rome2Rio saves you from checking every company separately.
I wouldn't treat the first price it shows as a guaranteed fare. Schedules change, so confirm with the operator before buying tickets.
One detail to know: Rome2Rio has a newer multi-stop Trip Planner on its website, but that particular feature isn't available in the smartphone app yet.
For Getting Around a Busy City
Citymapper is especially helpful in cities where buses, subways, and trains can feel like a puzzle. It compares public transportation routes and shows transfers and walking portions of the journey.
For example, in London or New York, knowing which station exit to use can save a surprising amount of backtracking. I also like that Citymapper offers step-free route options in supported areas. Those can help wheelchair users, people with strollers, or anyone who struggles with stairs.
Don't assume every suggested route is accessible just because the app says so. Elevators break, transit service changes, and not every city has the same level of accessibility information. If you're counting on an elevator, check with the transit agency too.
Check its city coverage before traveling.
For Figuring Out What Something Actually Costs
You spot a souvenir priced at 750 in the local currency. Is that a bargain, or are you about to spend far more than you meant to?
Xe helps you convert currencies and check exchange rates. It's useful at markets, restaurants, and shops where you're trying to get a feel for prices in U.S. dollars.
But the exchange rate you see in an app isn't always exactly what your bank or credit card will charge. Your card issuer may use a different rate or add foreign transaction fees. Xe is a handy reference, not a promise about your final statement.
If you'll be without service, take a screenshot of a few common amounts before heading out. It's handy if service disappears.
Smart Traveler and STEP: For Official Travel Information
Before an international trip, take a few minutes to check the U.S. State Department travel advisories. You'll find country information and embassy contacts.
The department also runs the free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, or STEP. U.S. citizens and nationals can register a trip abroad and receive updates from the appropriate embassy or consulate.
It's not exciting, but it's worth doing.
An older Smart Traveler app exists, but start with the official website for current guidance and STEP. Save your embassy's contact details somewhere you can find them even if your internet isn't working.
Because Sometimes You Need a Bathroom Now
Let's talk about a very practical problem. You're sightseeing, everyone is having a good time, and suddenly finding a restroom becomes the most important part of the day.
Flush helps locate public toilets nearby. Depending on the listing, it may tell you whether there's a fee, a key requirement, or accessible facilities. There's also an Android version.
That's helpful with young kids, older relatives, or anyone who needs planned stops.
The listings are crowd-sourced, though, so they aren't perfect. A restroom could be closed or inaccessible. I would still ask staff at a nearby museum, store, or visitor center if the first option doesn't work out.
For the Hours Between Hotel and Airport
Here's a situation that comes up a lot. Hotel checkout is at 11 a.m., but your train or flight isn't until evening. You'd like to explore a little more, except you're dragging a suitcase everywhere.
Stasher lets you look for luggage storage at participating locations, including shops and hotels. Check operating hours before booking.
Before reserving, look at the total cost for your particular bag and location, not just an advertised starting price. Also check how late you can pick things up. A cheap spot isn't helpful if it closes too early.
Keep your passport, medication, wallet, electronics, and anything difficult to replace with you. Stasher specifically cautions against leaving valuables in stored luggage.
Google Play Store | Apple App Store
Especially When You Might Lose Service
Google Maps probably isn't news to anyone, but one feature is easy to overlook: you can download a map of an area before your trip.
That saved map can help with driving directions when you don't have an internet connection, provided your route stays within the downloaded area. It's handy on road trips, in areas with patchy reception, or when you're trying to avoid unexpected roaming charges.
There are limits. Offline maps don't provide walking, cycling, or public transportation directions, and you won't get live traffic information. So download your area while you're on Wi-Fi, but don't expect the offline version to do everything.
I also suggest saving the address of your hotel and any important meeting points. If your group splits up for an afternoon, everyone should know where to meet without hunting through old messages.
For Menus, Signs, and Everyday Questions
DeepL can translate typed text, speech, and photos of printed words. That helps with menus or everyday questions abroad.
It isn't a substitute for learning a few polite phrases, and no translation tool gets everything right. But it can help you understand more than you would by guessing.
Test your languages and internet requirements at home. If you have a food allergy, medical need, or another important message, have the wording checked by a fluent speaker rather than trusting a machine translation alone.
Google Play Store | Apple App Store
A Little Setup Before You Leave
My suggestion is to download only what fits your itinerary. A road trip might call for Google Maps and Flush. A week in a big city could make Citymapper and Stasher more useful. Traveling overseas? Add Xe, DeepL, and the State Department resources.
For family trips, make sure everyone knows which tools you're using, too.
Open the apps at home, check permissions, and save whatever you can for offline use. It's also smart to keep a portable charger handy. None of these tools will help much with a dead phone.
At Totally Vacations, we can help with the bigger planning questions, from choosing where to go to sorting out transportation and activities. Our travel planning services come at no additional cost to our clients.
Your phone shouldn't run your vacation. It should just make things easier.
App features, coverage, pricing, and availability can change. Check the current details before traveling.