10 apps that have saved me thousands on flights, mobile data and dining across nearly 100 countries

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Before you pack your bags and hit the road, make sure your phone is also equipped with the apps you’ll need for your trip.

The right travel apps have saved me hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars on everything from flights and transportation to mobile data and dining while traveling to nearly 100 countries around the world.

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Here are the 10 apps I think every traveler should download before their next trip to make it easier and far less expensive.

As an avid traveler, I pride myself on not getting ripped off by bad exchange rates. I use the built-in iPhone Calculator app, which features a live currency converter to know exactly how much I’m paying for something in another country. It uses the current exchange rates when your phone is connected to the internet. Just tap the small calculator icon in the bottom left corner of the app and toggle on “convert.” Then choose your currencies.

If you don’t have an iPhone, you can instead download XE, which allows you to quickly convert more than 100 currencies in real time, so you’ll know exactly how much you’re spending abroad before you swipe or tap your card or hand over colorful cash.

Before booking an expensive flight or hopping in an overpriced taxi, I always check Rome2Rio. It compares trains, buses, ferries, flights and other public transportation options between almost any two destinations around the world.

I find that there are often much cheaper ways to get around, and the app directs users to where you can purchase tickets, too. Just be sure to double-check the time tables on direct booking platforms; while Rome2Rio provides schedules, they may not be the most up-to-the-minute.

Traveling with friends? Splitwise tracks shared expenses like hotels, meals, rental cars and excursions so one person doesn’t end up covering the lionshare of costs. At the end of the trip, I use it to calculate exactly who owes whom. I enter expenses in USD or the local currency ( be sure to keep it consistent across entries or select “convert to USD” when you’re ready to “settle up”) and keep tabs on current balances so I don’t end up owing a huge lump sum at the end.

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Avoid international roaming fees or overpriced local SIM cards while traveling internationally — without sacrificing your connection. To do this, I use Airalo, which allows me to purchase local, regional and global eSIMs for coverage in over 200 locations around the world, including set-GB mutli-day passes and unlimited data packages. If I run out of data, I can easily top up.

Holafly is another great option, which automatically connects you to the most reliable local networks with unlimited data packages. You can keep your number with both apps.

Google Maps might seem like an obvious app to have before you go traveling, but not everyone remembers to download specific maps within the app. I make a point to do just that. Downloading offline maps before your trip means you won’t have to rely on expensive cellular data to get around. You’ll still be able to navigate new cities, find restaurants and locate attractions without an internet connection.

Google Translate helps me steer clear of tourist markups caused by communication barriers. I use it to instantly translate conversations, signs, menus and more, helping me communicate, shop and order with more confidence. You can use the text or voice-to-text feature when chatting with locals to avoid misunderstandings, but translating signs and menus is easiest with the camera feature. Simply take a photo of the menu and translate the image.

Too Good to Go lets you buy surplus food from local restaurants, bakeries, supermarkets and cafes at steep discounts instead of paying full price. Available in many countries around the world, the social impact app offers an easy way to eat well (and try local foods) while sticking to your travel budget. All I do when I’m in a new city where it’s available is search for “Surprise Bags” at stores and restaurants near me, confirm my choices, pay through the app and head over to pick up my food.

If you’re traveling internationally, Wise allows you to hold and spend multiple currencies with competitive exchange rates and lower fees than many traditional banks. I find that it’s often one of the cheapest ways to pay abroad, withdraw cash in the local currencies and save on international transfers. Many of my previous accommodation hosts have also accepted direct Wise transfers (often at a discounted rate) outside of platforms like Airbnb and Booking, which take a cut of their income. All you need to do is ask.

Revolut is another option — recently made available to Americans, but long popular in Europe — that offers a free basic plan, as well as several priced plans that include features like higher withdrawal limits and travel insurance. I have both apps.

Omio is great for traveling around Europe, in particular. I use it to compare trains, buses and flights all in one place, making it especially easy to find the cheapest or fastest route between cities without visiting multiple websites. I book tickets directly in the app and get my QR code (which also saves me from standing in long ticket lines at local stations). Trainline is another solid choice for travelers in the UK and Europe, with over 50 major bus and train operators.

However, it’s worth noting that apps like Omio and Trainline add third-party service markups, so buying tickets directly at a local station ticket booth or official carrier website can make more financial sense.

TravelSpend is a money-tracking budgeting app that was designed by travelers for travelers. I use it to add expenses in any currency on the go (it automatically converts to my home currency for me) and gain insights from my spending habits throughout my journey. I also use it to sync up with friends or family, if I’m traveling with them and budgeting together, as well as to split costs. Better yet, I can link destinations to my expenses, which are then displayed on a map — so I can better understand where I want to revisit and what places might remain a “once-in-a-lifetime” vacation.

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