20 Essential Travel Apps: An adventure Travel expert's Personal Picks

After three decades of helping travellers navigate the globe, I've come to rely on a trusted suite of apps, to make each journey smoother, safer, and more enriching. Here’s my personal roundup of 20 essential travel apps, grouped by category, which I often recommend to clients.

Navigation & Getting Around

Google Maps

A staple in my travel toolkit, Google Maps goes far beyond basic navigation. It’s invaluable for checking real-time traffic, public transport schedules, and walking directions. I also use it to find well-reviewed restaurants, cafes, and attractions nearby, although nefarious players have been known to skew ratings. The ability to download maps for offline use is a lifesaver.

Maps.me

This offline mapping app has saved me countless times in remote destinations. You can download detailed maps in advance, covering everything from city streets to hiking trails. As it doesn't require you to have data, it is ideal for areas with a poor signal, where Google Maps would be of limited use. It definitely wins over Google Maps for hiking directions as it seems to know just about every goat trail around.

Moovit

An excellent choice for mastering local public transport. It is a little finicky to use - it took me a while to realize you have to tell it which country you are in - but once you have the hang of it, Moovit gives real-time bus, train, and tram information in thousands of cities. The travel instructions are so clear that even jet-lagged brains can follow them.

Bolt

Think Uber, but more widely used in parts of Europe and Africa. Bolt is quick, easy, and usually less expensive. For those of you looking to move away from American apps, know that Bolt originates in Estonia. It is available for use in the GTA under the name Hopp.

Outdoor & Nature

AllTrails

Whether you're looking for a quick forest walk or a serious alpine hike, AllTrails has you covered. With trail maps, reviews, and GPS tracking, it’s my go-to recommendation for hikers. The drawback? You will find yourself on trails with other users, so if you are looking to get off-the-beaten-track, find your own trail using Maps.me, mentioned above.

Merlin

This bird identification app is a delight. Whether you're in the Amazon or your local park, Merlin can identify birds by photo or song. It’s like having a birdwatching guide in your pocket. I have recently started using it in my local park and a whole new world has opened up for me!

Seek

If you’ve ever wondered what plant or insect you're looking at, Seek gives instant answers. It’s fun, educational, and great for nature walks.

Star Walk

For stargazing in remote places, this app overlays constellations and planets on the night sky using your phone. It’s supposed to be a magical way to connect with the universe when you’re far from city lights. And therein lies the catch. I have had it on my phone for a long time but have never used it - I worry the light from my phone will temporarily blind me, making it difficult to see the actual stars! If you have used this app, I would love to get your feedback.

Aurora

If you’re chasing the Northern Lights, don’t leave home without this app. It tracks aurora activity and cloud cover to help you be in the right place at the right time.

What3Words

For ultra-precise locations, this app is brilliant. Every 3-metre square on Earth is assigned a unique three-word address. Many emergency services are now using it too. The three-word address helps dispatchers and first responders navigate to the exact location of an incident, even in areas with limited or no GPS signal.

Travel Tools & Utilities

ArriveCAN

Still useful for travellers arriving in Canada, this app simplifies customs declarations and keeps your travel details handy. It was once mandatory, but I still keep it on hand as it allows me to use the express lane at customs.

Google Translate

From menus to street signs to casual conversations, this app breaks language barriers. Offline translation packs are especially useful in rural or international settings. I have used it in museums with Cyrillic script and the translation helped me understand the exhibits.

You, or a person you have met, have the ability to speak into the mike, which will translate the spoken word into another language, both written and spoken.

XE Currency

A reliable currency converter that updates frequently and works offline. Ideal for travellers moving between countries or keeping tabs on foreign exchange rates.

Flush

Yes, it’s a toilet locator—and yes, it’s incredibly useful. It’s especially appreciated during city tours, long drives, or travel with young children. Or if you are, like me, a man over 50...

WeatherBug

My preferred weather app thanks to its hyperlocal forecasts, radar maps, and displays that list everything you need: from temperature to precipitation and from wind speeds to sunrise and sunset times. It has an hourly and 10-day forecast.

Airalo

Airalo has become one of my favourite tools for staying connected while abroad. It offers digital eSIMs for dozens of countries and regions, which means you can land in a new destination and have mobile data up and running in minutes—no need to hunt for a local SIM card. It’s perfect for frequent travellers or anyone who values a hassle-free, cost-effective way to stay online. If you are new to the app, use referral code TOM8655 - you will get US$3 off your first purchase (full disclosure - I will get a small credit too).

Photography & Visuals

ProCamera

This is one I am just in the beginning stages of using. If you want DSLR-like control from your iPhone, this is the app. I am told it’s excellent for low-light scenes, RAW photography, and capturing those once-in-a-lifetime travel shots. However, after taking a few photos, and while attempting to take my next shot, I was told to decide there and then if I wanted to buy the app. A little heads-up would have been nice!

Snapseed

Another app I have just downloaded. It is supposed to be a powerful yet easy-to-use photo editor. I am told it is good to tweak lighting, sharpen images, and (I quote) "clean up distractions before sharing travel snaps". And that's where I am of two minds about this app - how much time should we be spending editing photos instead of experiencing the real world?

Google Photos

This app quietly backs up all your travel photos and videos, organizing them automatically and making them easy to search and share. I love how it syncs across devices and frees up storage without the fear of losing a single memory. It's also incredibly helpful when you want to look back on trips or create albums.

Food & Culture

The Michelin Guide

This isn’t just about fine dining. The Michelin app includes casual gems and local favourites alongside its starred selections. It’s a dependable guide to good food, wherever your travels take you.

Having the right apps at your fingertips can make all the difference between a normal holiday or an enhanced journey. These are the digital tools I pack along with my passport and sense of adventure. I would love to hear if your favourite app is not listed here!