Essential Travel Apps for 2025: Updated Recommendations from Tour Plan International
When Tour Plan International first published our Phone Apps for Travel article in early 2024, it quickly became one of our most-read resources. Travelers loved learning about the tools that could simplify their journeys, and our advisors have continued to explore new apps as technology evolves.
Because both travel and technology move quickly, we’ve updated our recommendations for 2025. While WhatsApp and our very own Tour Plan International mobile app remain staples for staying connected with advisors and fellow travelers, here are additional apps that our seasoned travel advisors rely on today:
Flight Aware
Stay informed with real-time flight tracking for both commercial and private flights. Flight Aware offers interactive maps with weather overlays, alerts for delays or gate changes, historical flight data, and the ability to save your favorite routes and airports. It streamlines your travel by putting everything you need about flight status in one place.
MyTSA
Navigating airport security has never been easier. The MyTSA app provides up-to-date wait times, packing guidelines, and other helpful tips for moving smoothly through security checkpoints. A quick check before you head to the airport can save you stress and valuable time.
Mobile Passport Control (MPC)
The MPC app, created by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, allows travelers to submit passport and customs declaration information electronically in advance. The result: faster processing, shorter lines, and less hassle at re-entry. Best of all, it’s free, requires no pre-approval, and even allows families or groups (up to 12 people) to check in together.
Your Travel Insurance App
If you’ve purchased travel insurance, be sure to download the corresponding app. Most now include 24/7 emergency support, policy access, and quick claim submission tools. These features can be lifesavers in an emergency, giving you confidence and peace of mind while abroad.
White Noise Lite
Good sleep is essential for enjoyable travel. White Noise Lite helps you rest better by masking disruptive sounds with a range of ambient options—from rainfall to mechanical
hums. You can even create custom mixes or set timers, and because it doesn’t require constant internet, it’s perfect for flights or remote destinations.
Google Lens & Google Translate
Two indispensable tools for international travelers:
· Google Translate: Instantly translates menus, signs, and conversations. Works offline with pre-downloaded languages.
· Google Lens: Identifies landmarks, plants, and even provides directions or reviews by simply pointing your camera.
Together, they make navigating new cultures simpler and more enriching.
Uber, Lyft & Bolt
Ride-hailing apps like Uber, Lyft, and Bolt continue to be must-haves for ground transportation worldwide. They provide reliable service, real-time driver tracking, estimated arrival times, and cashless payments. Setting up accounts before departure ensures seamless travel, even in unfamiliar places.
Airline and Cruise Line Apps
Airline and cruise line apps have become indispensable travel companions. From checking in and managing boarding passes to reviewing onboard dining reservations and excursions, these apps centralize your trip details and keep everything accessible in one place. They also provide real-time updates, reducing the need to juggle paper documents or wait in long lines.
GigSky eSim App: A New Favorite for Cruisers
If you love to cruise, but hate the high cost of ship WiFi plans, then Tour Plan advisors suggest the GigSky eSim App. The GigSky Cruise and Land app provides benefits like significant cost savings compared to onboard cruise Wi-Fi, seamless connectivity on a single plan for both sea and land, convenient eSIM technology without physical SIM cards, and reliable, multi-network coverage. It also offers a user-friendly experience with an in-app data management feature and the ability to activate a plan at sea and for use in port.
(Ensure that your ship offers cellular at sea prior to purchasing eSim plan)
Final Thoughts
With six decades of helping travelers explore the world, Tour Plan International understands that preparation is the key to stress-free travel. These apps, combined with
the guidance of an experienced travel advisor, can make your journey smoother, safer, and more enjoyable.
For more tips, explore our original blog post, below, for details on WhatsApp and the Tour Plan International mobile app, two traveler favorites that continue to make
From our 2024 Blog Post
When it comes to phone apps for travel, Tour Plan International travel advisors use the best in the business.
Our current top choices?
WhatsApp and our own Tour Plan International smartphone app powered by Travefy! In this blog, we will explain both smartphone apps and why our travel advisors use the apps for their travel. Tour Plan travel advisors are at the forefront of travel technology, always recommending top-tier phone apps for travel.
What is WhatsApp, and who is using it?
WhatsApp is a free smartphone app that works cross-platform—it works on Apple or Android smartphones and across all mobile connectivity providers. Who owns WhatsApp? The app is owned by META, which also owns Facebook and Instagram.
Have you ever wondered why WhatsApp is hailed as the go-to Phone App for Travel? The app provides instant messaging and voice-over-IP service. It allows users to send text, voice, and video messages, make voice and video calls, and share images, documents, user locations, and other digital content.
With over 2 billion monthly active users, it dominates the messaging app landscape globally. An impressive 23% of US adults have hopped onto the WhatsApp wagon. Available in a staggering 60 languages, it’s clear to see why it’s the top pick for both individual travelers and businesses alike.
Why Use WhatsApp for International Travel Communication
Ready to embrace the world of Phone Apps for Travel? Setting up WhatsApp is a breeze! Available for both Android and iPhone, start by downloading the app.
Remember, your mobile number is your key to the WhatsApp world. With a quick SMS validation, you’re all set to chat, video call, and share media with fellow travelers and loved ones.
WhatsApp simplifies international communication. Ditch the complications of international texting – WhatsApp makes every mobile a global communication device. Plan your travel, discuss itineraries, and keep everyone updated – all under the protection of WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption. It’s not just a Phone App for Travel, it’s an essential travel companion.
What are the benefits of the Tour Plan International Phone App?
The Tour Plan International app takes phone apps for travel to the next level. Users can easily access their itinerary offline, chat with fellow travelers, and enjoy a streamlined travel experience.
Your Tour Plan International travel advisor will customize the app specifically to your adventure or vacation. When activated on your smartphone, your specific travel itinerary appears within the app. Plus, the app will include suggestions for excursions, sites to see, and local favorites.
Available for both Android and iOS, this intuitive app auto-updates any trip changes. With the free download link provided by a Tour Plan International travel advisor, travelers can embark on their journey with all the necessary details right at their fingertips.
Travel with Tour Plan International
Tour Plan International stands tall with over 50 years of experience in travel planning and small group tours. Our seasoned travel advisors leverage the latest technology, including the best phone apps for travel, to curate unparalleled experiences for our clients.
We pride ourselves on our unmatched dedication, exceptional service, and meticulous attention to detail. Planning with TPI is a travel experience like no other, where every detail is meticulously planned, ensuring unforgettable memories. Join us on a journey where technology meets travel expertise.
Meet our Travel Advisors and start planning your next adventure.
