There are many apps to help you organize your trip, get the best travel deals, and navigate your way through a foreign city.

Whether you’re off to the next metropolitan or exotic getaway, let’s look at some of the best free iPhone apps you’ll need for your upcoming travels.

1. TripIt

TripIt is your handy travel organizer. By forwarding your booking confirmation emails to a TripIt email address, the app compiles the details into one master itinerary. Alternatively, you can opt to sync your email to TripIt and allow the app to access your calendar directly. Either way, you’ll get a convenient overview of your daily travel plans to stay on track.

You can also upload your travel documents and contacts to TripIt, so you can easily access your essential information all in one place.

Download: TripIt (Free, subscription available)

2. Kayak

Kayak helps you find great deals on flights, hotels, and car rentals. Once you specify your destination and date range, Kayak provides a list of recommendations for you to compare prices, timing, and service provider. For a frequent traveler like yourself, you already know that grabbing the best package saves you money that can be spent elsewhere on a trip!

To never miss out on a potential deal, turn on Price Alerts to get notified when prices drop. You can also view the cheapest dates to travel to the country of your choice.

Download: Kayak (Free)

3. Airbnb

If you prefer a more authentic traveling experience, Airbnb is the way to go. Discover unique places to stay by checking out the app’s Flexible feature. From domes, tiny homes, houseboats, to even treehouses, ditch the modern hotels and immerse yourself in the local or traditional.

It's suitable for those who love engaging in spontaneity or picking a random travel destination. Although the fancier-looking stays are pricier, you can easily find a place that fits your budget by utilizing the various search filters.

Download: Airbnb (Free)

4. Hostelworld

Many cities have good hostels with comfy bunks and bars. They’re a great choice for backpackers and solo travelers, so hostels are another alternative to Airbnb rentals. An easy way to find a hostel is to use the Hostelworld app.

Also, if the thought of conversing in a foreign language makes you sweat bullets, Hostelworld has you covered with its Hostel Speak feature. Turn on Siri and start recording your voice in the app. Hostel Speak then translates your sentence into the chosen language.

But maybe next time, you can try finding a travel buddy so you can help each other along the way!

Download: Hostelworld (Free)

5. Booking.com

If you're traveling for business or simply prefer conventional hotel rooms with things like room service and mini bottles of shampoo, you can use Booking.com to make your reservation. Key in your desired location, view the ratings of each search result, and add filters like Breakfast Included to get the type of room you want.

You can book tickets for local attractions, such as museums and tours, via the app as well.

Download: Booking.com (Free)

6. Google Maps

With Google Maps, you can find your way around anywhere. The app provides you with the normal method of entering your current location and destination. Then, you follow the voice navigation or 2D map on your screen.

But if you’re walking instead of using transport, an awesome feature to check out is Live View. Arrows and directions are superimposed on your screen, showing the actual view of the street. This is especially useful if you're making your way through the twists and turns within blocks of buildings and shops.

Remember to keep your camera safe while you’re exploring on foot.

Download: Google Maps (Free)

7. Waze

Waze is another navigation app, but it's catered to drivers. Both Google Maps and Waze can certainly get you to where you want safely and accurately, but Waze has a couple of different features worth checking out. For example, based on traffic stats, Plan a Drive helps estimate when you should leave in order to arrive at your destination on time.

Plus, Waze has a fun, quirky interface that makes traveling more exciting. In March 2022, Waze released a limited-time Drive with Christina Aguilera feature. For fans, you can have Christina’s voice and songs guide you as you travel!

Download: Waze (Free)

8. Uber

Uber is one of the most popular ride-sharing apps in the world. In some places, public transport such as buses and trams isn’t readily available. Calling or hailing a taxi isn’t convenient either, and you’ll need to be prepared to wait for a while. Taxis also tend to be more expensive than ride-sharing services, anyway.

Therefore, if you want to avoid public transport and all the headaches that go with it, then you need to have Uber on your iPhone. Pick your destination, confirm your pickup, and your driver will be on their way.

Download: Uber (Free)

9. Grab

Grab is an all-in-one app that offers a similar carpool service to Uber. If you’re traveling to Southeast Asian countries such as Singapore or Malaysia, it’s best to get the Grab app instead of Uber because the former is more commonly used in these countries. Or, in the case of Malaysia, Uber no longer exists because Grab has merged with it.

As a multipurpose app, you can also use Grab for payment purposes or order food from nearby restaurants and cafés.

Download: Grab (Free)

10. Visited

Visited is an app that serves as a scratch map for places you’ve explored. View the world map on your screen and color-code the different countries you already visited, or wish to visit. You can set travel goals and compare your traveling stats with fellow globetrotting enthusiasts.

For ideas on your next trip, check out Visited’s beautiful snapshots of notable places as well as curated lists by location type, such as Art Museums, Capitals, and Wonders of the World.

Download: Visited (Free, in-app purchases available)

Helpful iPhone Apps to Use When Traveling Around the World

Check out the iPhone apps in the list above for a smoother, more budget-friendly, and rewarding traveling experience. While you’re having fun, remember to stay safe at all times, especially if you’re on a solo traveling trip.