8 Must-Have Travel Apps for International Trips in 2025

I just spent six months traveling through foreign countries and could not have done it without these key travel apps. Here’s my list of eight must-have travel apps for you to download for your next international trip.

1. Google Maps – Essential for Navigation

Google Maps is probably the most essential app for any traveler. Not only can it help you navigate a new city but—and this is key—you can download entire map areas to access them offline. So even if you don’t have the internet, you can find your way around a foreign country with ease.

Additionally, you can use Google Maps to find places to eat, drink, and shop in a new location with access to user reviews and ratings. One feature that I love is that you can go into Google Maps and take the location of your hotel, any experiences you’re going to do, and those restaurants you want to go eat at and save them into lists that you can access later.

A pro tip is to do this before your trip. I typically do it on the desktop, but you can do it on your phone as well and build those lists ahead of time. That way, when you go to download your map, you’ve already got access to your hotel and any of those other places that you’re trying to get to—even if you don’t have internet.

2. Google Translate – Break the Language Barrier

Another hugely important travel app is Google Translate. One of the great joys of international travel is being able to interact with locals in their language.

Google Translate is an indispensable tool for international travelers because it provides translation for over a hundred languages. It’s really great for looking up simple survival phrases like hello, goodbye, please, toilet, beer. But it’s packed with some amazing and useful technology that goes way beyond just looking up a list of phrases.

You can:

Type words in your language and get instant translations.
Speak in your language and see text translated.
Hear the correct pronunciation.
Let it listen to locals and translate back to your language.
Use your phone camera to translate menus, signs, or photos.

Just like Google Maps, you can download entire languages offline before you leave.

3. WhatsApp & Messenger – Stay Connected Anywhere

The number three must-have travel app is actually two universal messaging apps: WhatsApp and Messenger.

Having one or both means you can stay connected with people back home but also communicate with locals. These apps are free, don’t require a cell phone plan, and are often the preferred way to communicate abroad.

WhatsApp alone has over 2 billion users worldwide, but in some regions Messenger is more common. Just make sure they’re downloaded before you go.

4. Currency Converter Calculator – Handle Foreign Money Easily

I used to do conversions in my head when I traveled. That works fine in countries with simple conversions (like euros), but if you’re hopping between places like Cambodia, it gets messy.

The app I use is literally called Currency Converter Calculator (Apple App Store). Similar options exist for Android. It’s super simple: choose your home currency, choose the currency you want to convert to, and start typing.

There’s a free version with ads, and a paid version (around $3) if you want ad-free. I stick with the free one since it works fine.

5. Surfshark – Protect Yourself With a VPN

The next thing all international travelers need is a good VPN (Virtual Private Network).

When you travel, most Wi-Fi connections you’ll use are in cafés, hotels, or airports. Public Wi-Fi is not secure, and it can leave your data vulnerable. A VPN creates a secure connection.

Other perks of Surfshark:

Watch shows and movies that are geo-restricted.
Log in to financial accounts without getting locked out.
Access websites that might be blocked abroad.
Use it on unlimited devices (phones, laptops, tablets) under one account.

We’ve used Surfshark for over a year now, and it’s worth keeping year-round.

6. Airline Apps – Skip Lines and Save Time

Download the app of whatever airline you’re flying. It has huge benefits:

Online check-in: Get a mobile boarding pass, go straight to security.
Real-time updates: Gate changes, delays, boarding notices.
Booking management: Standby, seat changes, or flight changes without going to a desk.
Entertainment access: Many airlines let you stream movies or shows on your own device.

Just make sure you download your airline’s app before your flight.

7. LoungeBuddy – Find the Best Airport Lounges

LoungeBuddy helps you search for airport lounges, compare them with photos and reviews, and see which ones you can access.

If you have a travel rewards card or Priority Pass membership, LoungeBuddy shows you which lounges are available. You can even pay a small fee for access if you don’t already have membership benefits.

I mostly use it to research lounges I’ve never been to—it’s handy when you have long layovers.

8. Ride-Sharing Apps – Uber, Lyft, Grab, Bolt

Finally, don’t forget to download the local version of ride-sharing apps. Taxis and public transport are great, but apps like Uber, Lyft, Grab, or Bolt make rides easy, safe, and transparent.

Benefits:

The app works in your language.
No haggling—the price is clear upfront.
Real-time tracking of your ride.
Share your location for safety.

Availability varies by country:

Uber covers many places.
Bolt is big in Northern/Eastern Europe.
Gett is common in Israel.
Grab dominates Southeast Asia (even for tuk-tuks in Cambodia!).

Final Thoughts

That was my list of eight must-have travel apps. Whether you’re looking for navigation, translation, money conversion, or just a safer way to get around, these tools will make international travel much easier.