Embarking on a European adventure can be an exciting yet overwhelming experience, especially when trying to find the best deals and navigate unfamiliar territory.
That’s where this comprehensive list of the best travel apps for Europe comes in!
This is a compilation of our top picks of user-friendly and budget-saving tools designed to organize every aspect of your trip – from accommodations and transportation to dining and sightseeing recommendations.
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1. Booking.com
Booking.com stands out as a top travel app for securing accommodations throughout Europe. With over 27 million properties worldwide, it offers unmatched access to hotels, hostels, apartments, and even unique stays like castles and treehouses.
Not only does Booking.com provide extensive information about each property with detailed reviews and photos from real travelers, but it also boasts an offline-accessible itinerary feature that ensures you have your booking details on hand at all times without needing internet access.
Plus, loyal users can take advantage of the Genius loyalty program which unlocks additional discounts and perks at participating properties around Europe.
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2. Airbnb
Airbnb has revolutionized how travelers experience accommodations in Europe, providing a more unique and immersive alternative to traditional hotels.
By staying in local neighborhoods, guests can feel like a part of the community while enjoying cost-effective lodging options catering to various budgets and preferences.
But it’s not just about finding a place to rest your head; through the “Experiences” feature available on the app, travelers can book local-led tours for an authentic insight into European culture and attractions.
From cooking classes with Italian chefs to art workshops led by Parisian painters, these experiences deliver unforgettable memories that surpass typical tourist activities.
3. Hostelworld
Hostelworld is one of the helpful apps for travelers seeking affordable and unique accommodations in Europe.
This user-friendly platform lets you quickly compare hostel prices, ratings, and reviews from other users while providing a wide range of options, from budget-friendly dorms to stylish private rooms.
Besides providing accommodation choices at your fingertips, Hostelworld enhances your travel experience by fostering connections with fellow travelers through its “Hostel Notice Board” feature and rewarding loyal customers with exclusive discounts and perks via its rewards program.
Moreover, the app partners with renowned travel brands to offer unbeatable deals on activities and tours across Europe.
4. Hopper
Hopper is an AI-driven travel booking app that analyzes historical pricing data to predict optimal booking times for flights and hotels.
Utilizing machine learning, it provides color-coded calendars indicating price trends and offers “Freeze Price” options to lock in rates temporarily.
The app sends push notifications for price drops and exclusive deals, helping travelers save significantly.
Particularly valuable for last-minute bookings, Hopper also features a no-fee cancellation policy on select hotels.
5. Rail Europe
Rail Europe is the premier digital platform for booking train travel across Europe, offering seamless access to high-speed, regional, and scenic rail routes in 35+ countries.
The app and website consolidate tickets from national operators (SNCF, Deutsche Bahn, Trenitalia) with real-time schedules, seat selection, and e-ticket integration.
Exclusive features include Interrail/Eurail pass management, fare alerts, and multi-leg journey planning.
Unlike third-party aggregators, Rail Europe provides official tickets with guaranteed validity and customer support in multiple languages.
6. Omio
Omio, formerly GoEuro, is a transportation app that allows travelers to compare easily and book train, bus, or flight tickets for any travel destination in Europe.
Regarded as the best European train app, Omio displays all available transportation options and provides users with real-time information on stops, delays, and arrival times.
The app offers a range of payment options, including credit cards, PayPal and Apple Pay, and is available in multiple languages.
7. Moovit
Moovit is a comprehensive urban mobility app offering real-time public transit navigation across 3,000+ cities worldwide.
It integrates bus, tram, metro, and train schedules with live updates, ensuring accurate route planning even in unfamiliar destinations.
The app includes step-by-step voice-guided directions, offline maps, and service disruption alerts.
Unlike competitors, Moovit excels in smaller European cities where alternatives like Citymapper lack coverage.
Its crowd-sourced data ensures reliability, making it indispensable for daily commuters and tourists alike.
8. Skyscanner
Skyscanner is one of my favorite apps that allow travelers to compare flight ticket, hotel, and car rental costs from various companies on the same platform.
This app lets users easily find incredible deals for their next Europe trip. Skyscanner collates information from numerous airlines and travel agencies in real time so that users can view prices in one location without searching multiple websites.
In addition, it offers package deals with dramatic discounts for hotels plus flights or cars across Europe.
9. BlaBlaCar
If you are looking for a travel app that can help you travel across Europe on a budget, download BlaBlaCar.
It’s a great app that offers affordable carpooling options that are both safe and environmentally friendly.
With over 80 million users in 22 countries, BlaBlaCar connects travelers with others going in the same direction, allowing them to share the cost of travel and reduce their carbon footprint.
Additionally, BlaBlaCar features safety measures such as background checks on drivers and passenger ratings, ensuring that you can feel comfortable while traveling with strangers.
10. FlixBus
FlixBus is a popular app for travel among backpackers and budget travelers looking for cheap and convenient transportation options in Europe.
The German bus company provides affordable direct fares to over 25 countries across the continent, with information on schedules, delays, and arrival times available through its user-friendly app.
FlixBus offers complimentary onboard amenities such as free WiFi and charging sockets while providing comfortable seats for long hauls.
Additionally, the app enables users to compare prices and book tickets easily without any hassle.
11. GetYourGuide
GetYourGuide is a must-have travel app for anyone looking to explore Europe’s best activities and sightseeing options.
With over 40,000 experiences to choose from, users can easily browse through tours and activities based on their destination or interests.
Apart from providing genuine traveler reviews and access to tour vouchers offline, GetYourGuide offers a best-price guarantee and an easy cancellation policy.
The app’s mobile ticket feature eliminates the need for users to print out their tickets while allowing them to access their booking information offline.
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12. Viator
Viator is one of the best travel apps that provide access to over 200,000 tours and experiences throughout Europe.
As a TripAdvisor-backed platform, Viator offers travelers confidence and peace of mind knowing they are accessing reliable reviews from fellow travelers.
With fully refundable tours if canceled 24 hours in advance, Viator offers flexibility to accommodate spontaneous trip planning and provides tickets directly on users’ phones for added convenience.
One notable feature Viator offers is same-day tour availability, so travelers can efficiently plan their trips on the road without missing out on any exciting experiences.
13. AirAlo
Airalo is a digital eSIM marketplace providing instant access to local mobile data plans in 200+ countries without physical SIM cards.
Users browse region-specific data packages, purchase via the app, and activate connectivity by scanning a QR code.
Ideal for multi-country European trips, Airalo eliminates the need for airport kiosks or registration hassles.
Competitive pricing and flexible validity periods (1-30 days) cater to short-term travelers.
Available on iOS and Android, Airalo ensures seamless, cost-effective internet access abroad.
14. Rick Steves Audio Europe
Rick Steves Audio Europe is one of the best apps for European travel. The free app provides audio guides for 17 European cities, including Paris, London, Amsterdam, and Rome.
With self-guided tours and informative audio files, users can explore museums, historical landmarks, and cultural hotspots at their own pace while picking up the destination’s history and culture.
Created by acclaimed travel writer Rick Steves to encourage Americans to broaden their perspectives through travel, this app has earned rave reviews from users who appreciate its engaging content.
Whether you’re an experienced traveler or embark on your first trip to Europe, Rick Steves Audio Europe is an essential resource to help you make the most of your journey.
15. TheFork
TheFork is a must-have app for foodies traveling to Europe. This restaurant booking app offers discounts of up to 50% off at over 80,000 restaurants across the continent.
The user-friendly interface makes it easy to help you find restaurants based on cuisine, location, and budget.
Users can view menus, photos, and reviews of listed restaurants before making reservations directly through the app.
Furthermore, TheFork has a loyalty program where users earn points for each booking to redeem discounts on future visits.
16. Happy Cow
Happy Cow is a must-have travel app for anyone who observes a vegetarian or vegan diet.
This app helps users find plant-based options while traveling in Europe, with over 100,000 restaurants, cafes, and stores that cater to a vegan or vegetarian diet.
With its global database of over 65,000 restaurants in more than 180 countries, Happy Cow is the world’s most extensive vegetarian and vegan restaurant guide.
This app allows users to filter results by location, cuisine type, price range, and rating – making finding the perfect spot for your dietary preferences effortless.
The premium subscription service offers additional features such as offline access to the database and saving favorite restaurants.
17. Too Good To Go
Too Good to Go is a game-changer for budget travelers who want to experience different cuisines without breaking the bank.
This app partners with over 60,000 restaurants, bakeries, and cafes across 15 European countries and offers their leftover food at discounted prices.
The app has saved over 100 million meals from going to waste since its launch in 2016.
Not only is Too Good to Go convenient for travelers looking for cheap eats, but it also supports local businesses and helps the environment by reducing food waste.
Users can find nearby restaurants on the app and purchase a “magic bag” filled with delicious goodies that would have otherwise gone unsold.
18. Google Translate
Google Translate is an essential app for any traveler visiting Europe. This app helps you communicate with the locals by translating words, phrases, and written text in real time.
This app comes with translation from images and even handwriting, which can be helpful when reading signs or menus.
With offline language data packages available for download, this app still works without an internet connection.
19. DeepL Translate
DeepL Translate is an AI-powered language translation tool renowned for its superior accuracy in handling nuanced text.
Supporting 32 languages, it outperforms conventional translators by preserving context, idioms, and grammatical subtleties.
The Pro version includes document translation (PDF, Word) and an API for business use.
Unlike Google Translate, DeepL’s algorithms leverage advanced neural networks, making it ideal for professional and academic purposes.
20. XE Currency
XE Currency is a must-have mobile app for travelers who need to keep track of exchange rates when traveling in Europe.
The app provides actual exchange rates and historical charts for over 180 currencies, making it easy to figure out prices in foreign currencies.
Users can also set rate alerts and use a calculator to convert prices. XE Currency is free on iOS and Android devices and is a web-based tool for those who don’t want to download additional apps.
It’s regularly updated to reflect the latest market trends, making it reliable and highly recommended by users.
Moreover, it can be used offline, which is convenient for travelers without internet access.
21. Revolut
Revolut is a must-have app for travelers heading to Europe. It’s a digital banking app that allows users to navigate foreign currency transactions and avoid costly exchange fees easily.
With Revolut, users can spend and send money in multiple currencies with no fees and access actual exchange rates.
The app also offers various budgeting features such as tracking and categorizing spending, setting goals, and receiving notifications when they’re close to reaching them.
Additionally, Revolut provides travel insurance on a pay-as-you-go basis, making it easy for users to get travel coverage without breaking the bank.
22. TripIt
TripIt is deemed one of the best travel apps for organizing and planning a trip to Europe.
Its seamless integration with other travel apps, such as Airbnb and Uber, makes managing the trip you’re planning a breeze.
Available on iOS and Android devices, TripIt automatically creates an itinerary by scanning confirmation emails and compiling all travel details in one place.
Travelers can manually add reservations, and TripIt also syncs with calendars for easier accessibility.
Additionally, users can receive flight alerts, gate changes, and delay notifications through the app.
The map view feature displays all trip details including flights, hotels, and activities making navigation stress-free while exploring Europe’s top destinations.
You may also want to share your trip with others which is made simple thanks to TripIt’s user-friendly interface.
23. Packpoint
PackPoint is an intelligent packing list generator that curates customized checklists based on destination, trip duration, weather forecasts, and planned activities.
Users input their itinerary details, and the app suggests essential items, from clothing to electronics.
It integrates with TripIt for seamless travel planning and allows manual adjustments.
Particularly useful for business travelers and families, PackPoint reduces overpacking and ensures no critical items are forgotten
24. PolarSteps
PolarSteps is a travel app that has been gaining popularity among travelers planning their European adventures.
It offers an innovative way to document and plan trips, providing users with a digital travel journal of the places they have visited and the photos taken along the way.
The app uses GPS technology to accurately track distances traveled, which can be incredibly helpful for keeping tabs on daily movements.
In addition to tracking, PolarSteps encourages social sharing by allowing users to follow each other’s journeys and share experiences, making it perfect for solo or group travelers seeking inspiration from others.
What’s more impressive about this app is that it works offline, allowing travelers to add notes and photos without an internet connection while accurately mapping their travels.
25. Google Maps
Google Maps is an indispensable travel planning app for any backpacking trip to Europe.
The app provides many helpful features, from real-time traffic conditions and public transport schedules to street views, satellite imagery, and location-sharing options.
With Google Maps, you can easily plan trips and organize your travel itineraries while on the go. It also offers offline use in case you find yourself in areas with limited connectivity.
Plus, it’s entirely free, making it accessible to all travelers regardless of their budget.
26. Organic Maps
Organic Maps is an open-source navigation app emphasizing privacy and offline functionality.
It offers detailed, downloadable maps for hiking, cycling, and city exploration without data collection or advertisements.
The app includes points of interest (POIs) like ATMs, pharmacies, and tourist sites, curated by OpenStreetMap contributors.
Lightweight and battery-efficient, it is particularly useful in remote areas with limited connectivity.
Conclusion
In summary, these 26 helpful travel apps will undoubtedly guide you in planning your trip to Europe. From finding affordable accommodations to planning transportation and activities, there’s an app for every need.
Omio is the go-to for trains when traveling around Europe. At the same time, Skyscanner offers the best deals on flights, hotels, and car rentals. Viator has a vast collection of tours and experiences, while TheFork helps with restaurant bookings.
FAQs:
1) What features should I look into when searching for a travel app for Europe?
When searching for the best travel apps for Europe, features to consider include the following:
- Offline maps and navigation.
- Language translation tools.
- Recommendations on local attractions and activities.
- The ability to book flights or accommodations through the app.
2) Are there any free travel apps available for use while traveling in Europe?
Many free travel apps offer helpful features such as currency conversion rates, public transportation information and schedules, and reviews of restaurants and attractions from locals’ perspectives.
3) Can I use my regular phone plan when using these European travel apps?
It depends on your carrier’s international roaming policies- some may charge high fees. In contrast, others may offer affordable data plans that vary based on your needs.
4) Can I access my saved trip itineraries offline when using a travel app?
Many modern applications now feature offline access where users can download necessary information about their itinerary (such as maps & current reservations) so they can still be accessed even without WiFi/cellular connectivity at the time.
