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Europe likely invokes dreamy visions of ancient history, charming towns, flaky pastries in the park, and more. Europe has a lot to offer (we would know, as we moved here in 2021!), and families can thoroughly enjoy their time here. A few hours’ travel gets you to a new country and culture, and the food is top-notch!
Language barriers can be tricky, and transportation might be something you are stressing about. No need to fear! After visiting 50 countries with five kids, we’ve learned that you can have a successful trip despite not being fluent (or even conversational). You might have some bumps along the way, but it’s nothing technology, a good snack, rest, and a positive attitude can’t fix.
Enter trusty travel apps. I’ve got an entire folder on my phone for travel apps, and there are many! From booking your train in Germany to translating a French menu in Lyon, your smartphone becomes your most trusted travel companion. This 2025 guide covers the best travel apps for Europe to help you stay organized, save money, and explore with confidence.
My most-used travel app by far? Google Maps! We use it for road trips, public transportation, exploring things to do, and more. I love reviews, and I love the dependability of this app. The directions are consistently accurate, and the interface is easy to use.
One feature we especially love is the option to download maps for offline use. It’s been a total lifesaver when we’ve ventured into rural areas with little to no signal. With offline maps, we’ve been able to navigate smoothly without stressing over spotty data.
We’ve also found Maps.me very helpful for offline navigation, especially when traveling without reliable internet. Its detailed maps, powered by OpenStreetMap, often provide more local information than other apps. The turn-by-turn directions work well even in remote areas. However, we’ve noticed a shift toward a subscription model.
There are fewer free features than before. We’ve also encountered an occasional outdated spot or a cycling route that’s slightly off. Still, it remains one of our favorite tools when we need reliable offline maps.
Rome2Rio is a free trip-planning app that helps you compare flights, trains, buses, ferries and more between any two locations. It is especially helpful in Europe, where it excels at mapping out complex routes with estimated travel times, distances and price ranges.
It helps by revealing hidden transport options and making itinerary planning easier. Just remember, it’s best used as a planning tool, and when it comes to booking, you’re better off going directly through transport providers for the most accurate schedules and prices.
We have used Citymapper many times while exploring Europe’s crowded cities, and it always meets our needs. It makes traveling by subway, bus or train very easy. It provides real-time updates, alerts about delays and useful tips like which carriage to take or where to get off.
The interface is easy to navigate, and the step-by-step directions remove the stress from using unfamiliar transit systems. It truly has become one of our essential apps whenever we are in a big city; it simply makes everything easier.
Both apps make booking cross-border trains and buses easy. You can check prices, seat availability and routes all in one place. They are ideal for Eurail travelers or those making last-minute plans. We did a six-week Eurail trip in 2023 and got to where we were planning what city to go to the next day!
Omio can be super useful when planning multi-leg trips across Europe. It’s great for comparing trains, buses and flights all in one spot, which makes route planning easy, especially when moving between countries. The interface is clean and simple to use, though we’ve noticed it sometimes adds service fees, and the options aren’t always as complete as booking directly. Still, it’s a reliable tool when we want to see all our transport choices at a glance.
Trainline, on the other hand, is a favorite for booking European train travel. It’s consistently dependable, quick, and makes finding the best fares straightforward. We love how fast we can get digital tickets and manage bookings on the go. While the app could have a few more filters and there’s sometimes a small booking fee, it’s still one of the easiest ways to book trains without the trouble of navigating national railway sites.
We have used FlixBus and FlixTrain many times while traveling around Europe on a budget. FlixBus is very affordable and connects many cities, which helps save money. However, delays and basic comfort are common.
FlixBus is super popular in our home country of Portugal. I see the buses heading north or down the beautiful Algarve each time we take a road trip!
We always rely on ride-sharing apps in Europe for easy, flexible transport. Uber works in many cities. We use Uber nearly daily in Lisbon!
Bolt is often cheaper and great in Eastern Europe and Portugal. This also applies to food delivery, which can be a lifesaver when you arrive late with no groceries or just a need a night in with the kids.
FreeNow has been super reliable in places like London and Berlin, while Cabify is a go-to in Spain and Portugal for its fixed prices and premium feel. FreeNow is the legally allowed option in Rome!
Pro Tip: Download a few apps in advance and play around with them. Comparing options has saved us time and money more than once.
When we plan our stays in Europe, we often turn to Booking.com. With a large family of seven, we never fit nicely into a hotel room. I love that Booking.com shows short-term rentals (like Airbnb) as well as hotels, lets me easily book more than one room at a time and has easy cancellation policies. One of Airbnb’s weaknesses to date is the lack of a good cancellation policy, although I do see this shifting with competition from Booking.com and other options.
We appreciate the wide range of hotels, apartments and unique places to stay. The easy-to-use filters help us find exactly what we need. I like filtering for Wifi, as we are usually working and need a pool to wear out the kids! Their flexible cancellation policies have saved us more than once. The trustworthy guest reviews give us the confidence to make our bookings.
Pro Tip: While the cancellation policies are clear and easy to use, if you mess it up, you’ll still pay. Once, I booked a stay in Poland for the wrong date. We showed up a day before our actual reservation and were out of luck! I never got a refund either, despite us not using the stay. Be sure to pay attention to what you have booked and the cancellation deadlines.
Although booking directly with a hotel can sometimes be cheaper, I appreciate using an app for multiple queries. I also like the rewards programs, even if they are small. Hotels will turn down their noses on booking apps but, for me, it’s still the most convenient.
We often choose Airbnb when traveling in Europe, especially for longer stays or when we want more space, like a kitchen or a comfortable apartment. In fact, when we travelled full time for more than two years, we lived on Airbnbs! I learned what to cook on Airbnb, how to make them feel like home and more. We found that if you can book an Airbnb for three to four weeks, you can get some good discounts!
Now that more options are available, we have become a bit more selective. Cleaning and service fees can add up quickly, sometimes making it more expensive than a hotel. Reviews are crucial since listings don’t always match the photos, and communication with hosts can vary. We’re also aware of local rules about short-term rentals. See my recommendations on hotels vs Airbnbs here.
In the end, Airbnb offers character and flexibility, but it comes with trade-offs. I check multiple options before booking an Airbnb, but still love the platform.
TripIt can be a good option for organizing your travel plans effortlessly. Simply forward your confirmation emails, and TripIt automatically compiles everything into a clean, easy-to-follow itinerary. It’s incredibly convenient. If you upgrade to the Pro version, you’ll get real-time flight alerts and other helpful perks. That could save some serious bacon! It’s ideal if you just want a simple way to manage your existing bookings.
For a more interactive planning experience, consider Wanderlog. It’s super visual and makes it easy to map out all your activities. What really sets it apart is the real-time collaboration, perfect when you’re planning with friends or family. And honestly, the free version is more than enough for most of our trip planning needs.
When we’re searching for flights to Europe, these are the tools we trust and use regularly. I’ve written many posts on booking flights and tips around that, but my go-to is still Google Flights. Google Flights is great for its lightning-fast results, flexible date grids, and reliable price tracking. It’s always where I start to get an idea on flights, airlines for that segment, an idea on price, etc.
ChatGPT isn’t just for writing reports anymore! This is a very handy app for travel.
Pro Tip: With the new option of ChatGPT, you have plenty of options for exploring flight options with Chat! Here is an example of some handy prompts:
1. “Find the cheapest way to fly from [City A] to [City B] this month, including nearby airports and layovers.”
2. “Which budget airlines fly this route but don’t appear on Google Flights?”
→ 30% of options hidden. ChatGPT spots them.
3. “List 5 layover cities that could reduce this fare by 30–50%.”
→ One detour = huge discount.
4. “Search for mistake fares or flash deals from my home airport this week.”
→ Beat every blog, every deal site.
5. “Compare this flight across Google Flights, Skyscanner, Hopper, and airline sites. What’s cheapest right now?”
→ One prompt. Zero tab madness.
6. “Set a 3-day tracking system to alert me if this drops below $150.”
→ It did. I booked instantly.
7. “Would booking two one-ways be cheaper than a roundtrip?”
→ It was. And ChatGPT made it clear.
Skyscanner is fantastic for casting a wide net, especially with its “Everywhere” feature that helps us spot unexpected deals, particularly from budget airlines.
Kayak is great when we want a broader comparison that includes flights, hotels and car rentals all in one place.
And then there’s Hopper, which stands out with its smart price predictions that tell us whether to book now or wait. I’ve tried Hopper a few times and haven’t found it to be super helpful, but many like it.
We often use these tools together, cross-checking results to make sure we’re getting the best deal possible. It’s a mix that’s helped us save both time and money on nearly every trip.
However, when it comes to booking, I sometimes go straight to the airline’s site. Sometimes Google Flights’ link gets me a better deal, but more often I find it better to go to the airline site directly and pick the level of seats I want, the exact times, etc.
PackPoint can solve major packing anxiety and is a great app to check out. It removes the stress of packing by creating smart, personalized checklists based on our destination, travel dates, weather and planned activities.
We appreciate how it suggests exactly what we need, such as layers for underground walks in Paris or fewer outfits if we have laundry access. It’s easy to customize, helps us avoid overpacking, and makes sure we never forget essentials like adapters or medications.
Even the free version is very helpful, but there’s a premium upgrade available for additional features, such as TripIt integration.
For us, WhatsApp is an absolute must-have when traveling in Europe. It’s the go-to messaging app across the continent, and using it means we can stay connected without racking up international charges, just Wi-Fi or data is all we need.
Now that we live in Europe, we use WhatsApp way more than anything else! Anyone living outside of the US or China (WeChat) will default to WhatsApp for contact info. It’s a good idea to have this all set up to save contact information for your tour guides, etc. It’s also a great way to keep track of great finds to share with friends.
We rely on it constantly: coordinating with travel buddies, messaging Airbnb hosts, chatting with tour guides or reaching out to local businesses. It’s simple, reliable and makes communication seamless wherever we go. Honestly, we don’t travel without it.
When we travel through Europe, especially in areas where English isn’t widely spoken, Google Translate becomes one of our most essential tools. It has helped us deal with language barriers and awkward menu situations. Honestly, in addition to WhatsApp, we wouldn’t travel without it.
You can type what you’d like to say or understand, plus scan images, and even hear sentences to perfect your pronunciation. It’s a free app and you can download it on both Android and iOS.
Two of my favorite features? You can turn on the microphone and have it listen to a real-time conversation. It will do its best to translate in real time as well. This isn’t perfect but can sometimes give you enough context to understand. We’ve used this at church, for example, to glean at least a little from the speakers.
I also use the camera features A LOT. The camera feature lets you hover over the item and translates on the screen. Again, not perfect, but a lifesaver when trying to feed the family! We did a lot of cooking on our Airbnbs in Asia and sometimes it was a wild guess what I was buying! You can see some of my favorites on what to cook here.
A third plug for Google: We run our entire business on Google, and when you are logged into your browser on Chrome, Google translate will auto-translate websites for you. Very valuable also when trying to book things online!
When preparing for a trip to Europe, we like to tap into language apps to build some confidence before we go. Duolingo is our first choice for learning the basics. It’s fun, engaging and perfect for picking up useful phrases and a general feel for the language. Kids love it!! Just don’t expect fluency. This is grabbing a few keywords, and sometimes what Duolingo offers isn’t all that useful! I don’t really need to know how the cat feels when I visit France. 🙂
To quickly boost vocabulary, you can also consider Drops. Its five-minute, visually driven games are great for learning everyday words fast. This is helpful for travel situations, even though it doesn’t cover grammar.
We like using both apps together. Duolingo gives us a solid beginner foundation, and Drops helps us expand our vocabulary on the go. This combination makes us feel more prepared and confident when we arrive.
Managing money in Europe starts with smart budgeting and the right currency tools to keep things simple and stress-free.
Pro Tip: Apple rolled out a brand new feature on the calculator app to convert currency right in the calculator! I love it. This will help immensely, although I’m still going to make the kids do some math!! Still, for more robust features, we also use the following apps:
When we travel internationally, having a reliable currency converter is essential. We always keep XE Currency Converter and sometimes My Currency Converter on our phones. They are simple, accurate and very handy.
What we appreciate the most is that they update with real-time exchange rates and also work offline by saving the latest data. This allows us to quickly convert prices while shopping dining, or budgeting without needing Wi-Fi. Whether we are navigating a market or splitting a bill, these apps make currency conversions easy and stress-free.
When we travel in Europe, keeping track of money is important. The Euro can be tricky as it’s worth more than the dollar. You might be surprised how much things actually cost later!
Pro Tip: When using your credit card, you’ll probably be asked if you want to be charged in USD or Euros. I always chose euro, as the conversion my bank will offer is likely better than the conversion being offered on the machine.
For personal budgeting while traveling, TravelSpend is a great choice. It allows us to log expenses offline in seconds, categorize spending and see exactly where our money goes. It has helped us stay on budget without the usual hassle.
For group trips, Splitwise is a fantastic tool. It manages shared expenses effortlessly. We simply enter who paid for what, and it calculates how much everyone owes. There’s no stress and no awkward discussions about money.
TravelSpend keeps our personal finances clear, while Splitwise removes the difficulty of managing group costs. Together, they are essential for smooth and stress-free travel.
Wise is a great app, as it offers many currencies at a very low currency exchange. You can connect your bank account, and you can also have your own international Wise debit card. With this card, you get two free withdrawals per month and very low fees. It’s very easy and friendly to use.
Wise is a great app as it offers many currencies at a very low currency exchange, you can connect your bank account and you can also have your own international wise debit card. With this card, you get two free withdrawals per month and very low fees. It’s very easy and friendly to use.
The Wise debit card is a game-changer. We preload it with multiple currencies and spend abroad like locals, while avoiding those annoying foreign transaction fees. The app is very user-friendly, making it easy to convert currencies, track spending and stay in control while traveling.
Alternatively, we love the Charles Schwab debit card. We can withdraw cash around the world and get credit for any fees and there are no foreign transaction fees, so you won’t pay extra when making purchases or withdrawing cash abroad.
The Charles Schwab debit card, linked to their Investor Checking account, is our favorite, because it offers unlimited ATM fee refunds worldwide, meaning any charges from foreign banks are automatically returned. Plus, it uses Visa’s competitive exchange rates without any extra markups from Schwab, which helps stretch your travel budget further.
Another significant advantage is that the account has no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements. I always have this account loaded with some money as a back up. Some locations, like Egypt, prove to be extremely cash heavy and you might be withdrawing every day to keep up!
When you are trying to figure out what to do in a new location, it can be great to check available tours in the area! I like to check multiple platforms to get a sense of what is popular to do in that area and then narrow it down to the one I want.
Book tours and tickets in Europe if you want to skip the lines or join a local cooking class. These platforms let you reserve experiences, museum entries and excursions ahead of time. When it comes to booking tours and attractions in Europe, we often rely on Viator, GetYourGuide, and Tiqets. Each one offers something valuable.
Viator is our go-to because of its huge selection of tours and activities. It covers everything from popular landmarks to unique experiences. GetYourGuide stands out due to its user-friendly app, local offerings, and skip-the-line options that save us time at busy spots. For last-minute plans or quick entry, Tiqets is unbeatable. It focuses on mobile access and allows us to quickly get into major attractions without any wait.
We frequently use all three to compare options and ensure we’re booking the best experiences quickly and efficiently. There’s no stress, just great adventures.
When we search for restaurants or attractions in Europe, TripAdvisor is usually our first choice. Its large database of reviews and photos gives us a good overview of hotels, restaurants and sights. We appreciate reading through other travelers’ experiences; it helps us identify the must-visit places and the ones to avoid. However, we’ve learned to approach some reviews with skepticism, as not all feel genuine.
Yelp has a more limited role in our planning. While it’s very useful in North America, especially for restaurants, its presence in Europe is less consistent. We still find it helpful in cities like London or Paris, but outside the major areas, there aren’t as many reviews to trust. In our experience, it’s worth checking, but not relying on.
When we want to explore beyond the usual tourist spots in Europe, Culture Trip is one of our favorite resources. Its locally curated articles and neighborhood guides are full of cultural insights, hidden gems and unique suggestions that help us experience each destination more authentically.
We enjoy using it for inspiration, whether it’s finding a tucked-away café or an off-the-radar museum, or getting to know the local vibe better. Although Culture Trip now offers some booking options, we mainly use it to explore and deepen our understanding of the places we visit.
Like many travelers, we’ve found its content genuinely enriching. It’s a great companion for anyone looking for more than just the highlights.
For staying connected while traveling through Europe, Holafly, Airalo, and Nomad are essential. Their eSIMs make it easy to get mobile data as soon as we land. We no longer have to deal with overpriced roaming or handle physical SIM cards. The only downside: if you already have an eSim on our phone, this won’t work. Becuase we keep a US number and a Portuguese number, we already have eSim cards on our phones. However, new iPhones do allow you to have both, so these will still work for most people.
Our workaround is to use on of the kid’s phones that only have one SIM card!
Holafly stands out with its unlimited data plans, which are great for travelers who depend on mobile data or prefer not to keep track of their usage. One of Holafly’s best features is its 24/7 multilingual customer support, ensuring help is always just a message away, no matter where you are or what language you speak. Another useful perk is keeping your existing WhatsApp number, making it easy to stay connected with friends and family without missing a beat. However, keep in mind that hotspot sharing isn’t available on all plans, so if that matters to you, check the fine print.
Airalo, on the other hand, offers affordable, flexible data options for all kinds of travelers, from light users to heavy data consumers. With coverage in over 200 countries and regions, their local, regional and global eSIMs provide impressive versatility. The Airalo app makes setting up and adding data simple, even for first-time users. Most plans allow mobile hotspot use, and some of their “Discover+” global eSIMs even include a phone number for calls and texts, increasing their usefulness beyond just data.
Nomad also provides a variety of plans, including fixed-data bundles and innovative “day plans” that give daily high-speed data that resets every 24 hours. With service in over 200 destinations, Nomad competes with Airalo in terms of coverage. Hotspot sharing is usually supported, which is a benefit for those who want to share their connection. Unlike Holafly, Nomad typically does not offer unlimited data, but they do have a great free trial eSIM for new users, allowing you to test their network before making a purchase.
When we find ourselves in those in-between moments, like awkward check-in and check-out times, Bounce is popular for easy luggage storage in European cities. It works with local shops and businesses, giving us access to a large network of convenient drop-off points, often right where we need them.
We appreciate how simple the process is: we book through the app, drop off our bags and explore without any burden.
The prices are reasonable, and the extra bag protection gives us peace of mind. However, it’s always good to check the location’s hours and reviews since the setup and staff knowledge can vary.
Traveling through Europe is one of the most rewarding experiences a person can have. Each country has its own mix of culture, history, flavors and rhythm. However, international travel can also bring its share of logistical challenges. That’s why having the right apps is like packing a digital toolkit that helps you travel smarter, lighter and with more freedom.
Whether you’re planning a romantic weekend in Paris, backpacking through the Balkans or hopping between Mediterranean islands, these apps are designed to reduce stress and let you focus on the moments that matter. From finding that perfect espresso bar hidden down a side street to tracking your spending in a new currency, each app helps make your trip smoother and more enjoyable.
So, before you zip up your suitcase and head to the airport, take a few minutes to download and set up the essentials. You’ll be grateful when your Wifi drops, your itinerary changes or you need to find the nearest public restroom. With the right tech in your pocket, you’re not just visiting Europe. You’re truly experiencing it. Safe travels, and may your adventures be just as unforgettable as the places you visit.
Check out your travel necessities from a comprehensive list of all the 7Wayfinders Travel Must-Haves. Click Here!
Find a nice hotel in Expedia, or Vrbo, (we also love Tripadvisor and Hotels.com)
Discover more of Europe while having fun through exciting activities from GetYourGuide, Airbnb Experiences, or Viator
Need to rent a car to navigate the city? Visit Rentalcars.com.
Get insured while traveling with World Nomads / SafetyWing
Want to have a photo shoot while traveling? Check out flytographer!
Capture your best memories with a GoPro, Sony camera, or our favorite drones: DJI FPV, Air, and Mini
Check out your travel necessities from a comprehensive list of all the 7Wayfinders Travel Must-Haves. Click Here!
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