The best travel apps in 2026 are Google Translate, Flighty and TripIt for getting around, plus Airalo for data abroad. Our earlier top 10 included several apps that no longer exist, including Hipmunk, which shut down on 23 January 2020. This updated list ranks eight apps that work today and explains what happened to the rest.
Best travel apps at a glance
| Rank | App | Job | Price signal (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Google Translate | Language barrier | Free, 249 languages |
| 2 | Flighty | Flight tracking | Pro about $59.99 a year |
| 3 | TripIt | Itinerary organiser | Pro about $49 a year |
| 4 | Airalo | eSIM data abroad | Pay per data plan |
| 5 | Waze | Navigation and traffic | Free |
| 6 | Tripadvisor | Reviews and bookings | Free |
| 7 | XE Currency | Exchange rates | Free tier |
| 8 | SunSmart Global UV | Sun safety | Free |
The 8 best travel apps
1. Google Translate: free, 249 languages
Google Translate runs on Android and iOS and, as of October 2026, supports 249 languages and language varieties. It also reads text from photos and speaks translations aloud.
It is the one app that removes the language barrier, from menus to supermarket signs.
2. Flighty: flight tracking
Flighty is an iOS and macOS app with real-time flight tracking and delay information. Flighty Pro was listed at $59.99 a year, with a $299 lifetime option, in 2026 app store data, and it bills through Apple. TripIt import is a Pro feature.
An Android alternative called Aviate launched in July 2026.
3. TripIt: itinerary organiser
Forward your booking confirmations and TripIt builds one itinerary of flights, hotels, cars and tickets, which you can share. TripIt Pro, about $49 a year in 2026, adds real-time flight alerts and disruption help. Some employers that use SAP Concur include it for free.
4. Airalo: eSIM data abroad
Airalo sells digital eSIMs for more than 200 countries and regions, with local, regional and global plans. You buy a plan before the trip, install it with a QR code, and activate it on arrival. Your phone must support eSIM and be carrier-unlocked, and you need data roaming on for the eSIM.
5. Waze: navigation and traffic
Waze is a Google-owned navigation app that uses live reports from other drivers to give the fastest route and show hazards, with an estimated 130 million users, according to a company profile. It is best for road trips and unfamiliar cities.
6. Tripadvisor: reviews and bookings
Tripadvisor operates in 40 countries and 20 languages and features about one billion reviews and opinions on roughly eight million establishments. Sort reviews by date to find the latest feedback on a hotel you plan to book.
7. XE Currency: exchange rates
XE converts currencies with up-to-date rates when you are online. Use it to check the local exchange rate before you change money.
8. SunSmart Global UV: sun safety
SunSmart Global UV was launched in 2022 by the World Health Organization and other UN agencies. It shows the UV index for your location and helps you plan sun protection, and it replaces the old Sunscreen app on our list.
Gone: apps that left the list
Hipmunk shut down on 23 January 2020 after its parent SAP Concur retired the brand. Foodspotting, the food-photo app, was reported discontinued in 2021. We also dropped TravelSafe and Pack the Bag because we could not confirm they still work, and Sunscreen is replaced by SunSmart Global UV.
Keep reading
- 15 reasons why you should travel the world: for the trip these apps support
- Best hotels in Paris: once you have booked the flights
FAQ
What are the best travel apps in 2026?
Google Translate, Flighty, TripIt and Airalo top our list.
Is Hipmunk still available?
No. It shut down on 23 January 2020.
How many languages does Google Translate support?
As of October 2026 it supports 249 languages and language varieties.
How much is TripIt Pro?
About $49 a year in 2026.
How does Airalo work?
You buy an eSIM data plan, install it with a QR code and activate it on arrival.
Is there a UV app from the WHO?
Yes, SunSmart Global UV, launched in 2022 by the WHO and other UN agencies.
How we put this list together
We ranked apps on usefulness for a traveller, whether they are still operating in 2026, and verified pricing. Prices change often, so check the app store.
Last updated: October 2026.
