14 Must-Have Europe Travel Apps You’ll Love Using
I travel to Europe frequently, and through the years, I’ve tested countless travel apps to figure out which ones are genuinely helpful and which ones end up just taking up space on my phone. Planning a trip is exciting, but it can also get overwhelming fast, especially when you’re navigating transportation, languages, and even budgeting in a new country. That’s why I created this guide to the 12 best apps for traveling to Europe—to save you the guesswork and make your travels easier from start to finish.
With the right apps, you can make the most of every moment, keep stress low, and focus on what really matters: enjoying the journey. Here’s to discovering Europe, with less hassle and more adventure. Cheers to your next unforgettable trip!
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What you need to know about traveling Europe
Like the United States, Europe continues to see advancements in technology that makes traveling around super easy. Travel apps have only helped enhance this, as taking transportation, making payments, withdrawing money from an ATM fee-free, and much more has become streamlined.
Before you head to Europe be sure you take a couple of steps to have a stress-free trip. First, get yourself a good travel insurance policy to protect you and your pre-paid travel, like flights and hotels, before you go.
Next, be sure you have a credit card that has no foreign transaction fees (like Capital One) which will save you hundreds on fees throughout your trip. More and more European cities are card-only, so having the right one is important.
Finally, be sure if you need cash to avoid as many ATM fees as possible. Many banks have limited ATM withdrawals without fees, so check yours and see if your bank qualifies. If not, try to withdrawal all your money you’ll need a once to only be hit by one penalty.
Best travel apps for Europe
When it comes to traveling in Europe, having the right apps can make all the difference. Over the years, I’ve explored the continent multiple times, and during my five-week backpacking adventure in 2022, I relied heavily on a handful of essential travel apps. These are my go-tos that I genuinely believe can enhance your journey and make it as seamless as possible.
I’ve broken this list down into what app I choose in various categories that make your travels simpler. Think of it this way – what and why you’d use each of these apps. Breaking it down helps you find purpose in the app, so in planning or real time you’ll know which you need to use.
For train travel: Omio
Omio is one of the simplest ways to find and buy train tickets across Europe. Instead of juggling multiple websites, Omio centralizes everything. The app lets you view schedules, compare fares, and buy tickets right in one spot.
Buy tickets ahead of time and skip the lines. With digital QR codes, there’s no need to worry about paper tickets—just scan at the station. If your plans change, Omio also shows live schedules. I find this super helpful for last-minute tickets. And for those wanting flexibility, the app offers booking options for buses and even budget flights.
For conversations: Google Translate
When I studied abroad in 2013, I wished Google Translate existed. There was no smartphone yet, so language barriers were challenging. Now, it’s a lifesaver. You can speak into the app, and it translates instantly to someone else.
I love its photo translation feature, too—snap a picture of any sign or menu and see an easy translation. This tool is great for quick help in everyday situations. You can also download languages for offline use. That way, even in remote places, language won’t be a barrier. It’s like having a personal translator in your pocket.
For using your phone: Airalo
One question travelers ask is how to use their phones abroad affordably. An eSIM is the answer. Airalo makes it easy to get a SIM on your phone in minutes. You can set it up right from home or at the airport, with no need to swap physical SIMs.
It’s affordable, too—many plans offer data at a fraction of local rates. With Airalo, you’ll have reliable data without worrying about roaming fees. It’s ideal for staying connected and checking maps or translation apps while you explore Europe.
Just a note: Some phone companies do not allow you to use an eSim if your phone is locked. This basically just means that you haven't paid off your phone. You'll get a message from Airalo if that's the case before buying your eSim.
For organization: TripIt
I used to lose track of bookings until I found TripIt. Now, every detail from flights to hotels is in one app. Just forward your booking emails to TripIt, and it organizes everything. It creates a seamless timeline for your entire trip. TripIt also syncs with your calendar, which is perfect for remembering check-in times. You can even share your itinerary with friends. (I find this feature great for sending my itinerary to my family in case of an emergency!)
For budgeting: TravelSpend
TravelSpend is the best app for keeping expenses in check. You can log every expense, planned or spontaneous. It’s perfect for tracking costs as you go, making it easier to avoid overspending. You can even set budgets by day or by category to keep you on track. The app works offline, too. It’s ideal for staying on top of spending, even without Wi-Fi.
Personally, one of my favorite features of this app is the ability to seamlessly change the currency. You’ll be able to see your totals in USD while adding your spending in the local currency. This makes it very easy to stick to your budget without always having to remember exchange rates.
For Europe on a budget: Rick Steves Audio Europe
If you’re into saving money, Rick Steves Audio Europe is perfect. You get access to guided tours for cities, museums, and landmarks—all for free. It’s like having Rick Steves himself in your ear, guiding you through Europe. There’s no need to pay for a guide; just download the app, plug in your earbuds, and go. His tours are packed with insights on history and local culture, making every walk around a city memorable. You can explore at your own pace, too.
What I love most about this app is that you don’t have to pay anyone. Free walking tours always have the expectation to pay a tip at the end but no need with this app. Just grab your Airpods, which are perfect for sharing, and start enjoying a free tour!
For conversions: Currency
Currency makes foreign exchanges easy. Add the local currency, and it instantly converts to your home currency. It’s great to make sure you’re getting a good deal when haggling with locals at markets or just buying that local cup of coffee.
You can keep multiple currencies saved if you’re visiting more than one country. This app is a lifesaver for checking prices on the go, especially during negotiations. No more guesswork when you’re bargaining at markets or calculating tips at restaurants. It’s simple, fast, and accurate. The app even updates with real-time exchange rates.
Travel Tip! Did you know that you should always pay for your purchases on the currency of the country your in? If offered to pay in USD or the current currency always choose the local one. You’ll get a much better exchange rate if your bank does the exchange!
For getting around: Google Maps
Google Maps is unbeatable for navigating Europe. It’s constantly updated with the latest on restaurants, shops, and landmarks. You can save maps offline, too, so getting around doesn’t rely on data. That’s especially helpful in rural areas. For walking and public transit, Google Maps is the best choice.
One feature I especially love about Google Maps is the ability to add destinations by creating lists. These lists can help you pre-plan your trip – adding restaurants and attractions. I love doing this in advance so I can look at the maps and see what’s around me.
For finding public transportation: Rome2Rio
Rome2Rio is my go-to for getting around Europe’s cities. The app finds the best route from the airport to your destination or city to city. It shows bus, train, car, and even ferry options, making travel planning seamless. Each option shows the estimated cost and travel time, so you can choose the best route for your schedule. It’s a great way to know every transport option available, especially when planning your trip.
For finding things to do: Viator
Viator has a great selection of activities to choose from and with a fantastic rewards program it’s my favorite place to find things to do, especially in Europe. It has a great rewards program that makes booking even better. After booking, all reservations are saved in the app, which is handy when showing up. Whether it’s a cooking class in Italy or a canal tour in Amsterdam, Viator has options for every interest.
I also love they send you reminders straight to your notifications, so no more forgetting about a tour you booked months earlier either. Plus, their nifty rewards program easily adds your cash back to your next purchase, so you are always saving on your travel experiences.
For finding local tips: Culture Trip
The Culture Trip app helps you connect to free and budget-friendly things to do near you through a local-first app. They include a large number of destinations around the world but also some off-the-beaten-path options, too. One of the best features of the app is that you can download city guides for use offline, making their app accessible no matter where you are in Europe.
For leaving your luggage: Bounce
If you can’t leave your bags at a hotel, or perhaps you’re only passing through a town on your way somewhere else, the Bounce app lets you find luggage storage options near you. You can book your reservation right on the app, too!
For tracking your flights: Flighty
If you’re an aviation nerd this app is a must but if you want to know about your likely delays or plane issues this app is also for you. Flighty is for serious travel planners. Track your flight’s progress, get alerts, and see delay predictions. You can even track the incoming flight, so you know if your plane will be late.
I love how you can track your incoming flight, see real-time delay likeness and explore your own annual travel stats, too. It logs your trips, showing your travel stats for the year. It’s a fun way to keep track of your flights and stay informed.
For communicating with locals: WhatsApp
WhatsApp is by far one of the most important apps to download for international travels. From guides to restaurant reservations and more, WhatsApp is how most of the world communicates. You’ll find guides will send you details and reminders through your primary phone number in WhatsApp frequently and not downloading the app means missing out on important information about your tour.
For eating with locals: EatWith
I’m not gonna lie, I’m pretty obsessed with EatWith. This app allows you to book meals with locals, usually at their home. It’s a great way to connect with truly local food in a unique setting you honestly can’t find anywhere else. That means you can book a homemade pasta night in Italy or perhaps tapas in Spain. All curated and booked by locals. It doesn’t really get any better than that, does it?
Save money in Europe with these travel tips
I’m a huge advocate for finding ways to have the same experience cheaper when traveling. Being a traveler in my 30s done are my days hostel surfing or taking the worst flight possible to save $20. But that doesn’t mean that I’m spending a fortune traveling Europe, or anywhere else in the world, either.
All to say these Europe travel apps will help you travel better. Trust me – I’ve used all of them. But there is so much more to saving money in Europe.
I use a combination of travel hacking with points and miles and budget travel hacks to save money on my trips, especially to Europe. One simple way is that I use Hyatt points transferred from Chase to book my hotels on a budget, especially in Western Europe.
But if points and miles aren’t your thing, you can still find ways to earn them and book hotel rooms for free. Or, one of my favorite hacks is earning easy savings with Booking.com’s reward program. I’ve saved upwards of 50% on hotel nights just by logging into my account.
Another easy way to save money in Europe is downloading Rakuten. You can earn easy cash back on purchases you need to make your trip anyways, like hotel bookings, car rentals, and even travel experiences.
