Technology has become a crucial part of our daily lives, and as parents we’re always looking for new ways to do things more efficiently. There are some great tech tools out there that can make traveling easier, but they’re often expensive and not user-friendly. Luckily, there are LOADS of free apps for families, from finding the best deals on flights and hotels to helping you navigate new places or keeping the kids entertained. These 15 free travel apps for families will make travelling easier than ever before.
Here’s 15 of the best FREE travel apps for families
Booking.com | Find the cheapest hotel deals
This is the most-used travel app on my phone! Booking.com is a website and app that can help you find cheap deals on hotels and accommodations around the world, while also giving you access to reviews from other travellers. They have a very straightforward interface that allows you to search by location, star rating or different amenities and you can sort results by price, distance, rating or reviews from other travellers. It’s obvious why they’re so popular – their app is pretty much the same as their website, only smaller.
Skyscanner | The best flights for your budget
Skyscanner is a great choice for families looking to find the cheapest possible flight. The app lets you search and compare prices from airlines and airports all over the world, whether you have a specific travel date or a general time frame. In addition to flights, you can also search for hotels and car rentals. Skyscanner will help you plan your entire family vacation itinerary – even if you’re not sure where you want to go yet.
TripIt | Keep your plans organized
TripIt is a fantastic app for helping to keep track of all the information and details for your trip. Plane tickets, hotel information, car rentals and other information can all be kept in one place. It’s a lifesaver when you’re trying to remember all the trip details on top of all the other things you have to think of when travelling with kids!
FlightTrack Pro | Keep your schedule organized
FlightTrack Pro is great if you are travelling by plane or train during your trip. The app lets you keep track of flights and changes to your itinerary, as well as airport alerts and gate notifications. You can even track your flight’s progress in real time. It has an automatic check-in feature that sends out messages to people at home if you want it to! Plus, there are options for adding weather notifications and other travel-related alerts.
TripAdvisor | Get reviews on attractions
TripAdvisor is a great app to have when you’re trying to decide which attractions are worth seeing during your trip. The app lets you browse local businesses, read reviews by other travellers and then find information about upcoming events in the area. You can even book tickets for some attractions right in the app! TripAdvisor can help you find fun things to do during every day of your trip!
XE Currency | Know how much things cost
The XE Currency app helps you with currency conversions, no matter where you are in the world. It’s great for families that want to get an idea of how prices compare in different countries. The app converts major currencies into your home currency so you can know exactly how much something costs without having to do the math yourself!
Skype | Stay connected with family and friends at home
Skype is a free voice-over internet service that lets you make calls from your computer, tablet or smartphone. It’s one of the best ways to communicate with people back home. You can video chat or talk over text with anyone in the world, helping you stay connected to family and friends while you are travelling.
WhatsApp | Make Plans and Keep in touch
WhatsApp is free messaging service with voice calling and is another great way for keeping in touch with family and friends back home. WhatsApp lets you text over Wi-Fi for free wherever you are, and it has many of the same features as SMS, even letting you send photos and videos. It’s also a great way to get in contact with locals while you are travelling, whether it’s to call a taxi or book a car, or even new friends you may meet on your travels.
WiFi Finder | Stay connected wherever you go
WiFi Finder helps you find free wifi hotspots around the world, so that your phone still works during your trip! Download an offline map of where you are travelling, so you can access the internet wherever you go. The app is only loaded with public WiFi hotspots that are verified and speed-tested. The app is especially helpful if you don’t have an international plan with your cell phone provider, or if you want to save money on using data!
Maps.me | Get around without data
Maps.me is a pretty simple app – it provides offline maps so you can still navigate even without wifi. With this app, you can avoid using your data plan and still get around easily. It’s great for families because you can find locations ahead of time and mark them as favourites so that everyone in your family knows where to go.
GpsMyCity | Explore places on foot
GPSMyCity provides self-guided walks in 1,000+ cities around the world, showing you the best attractions in the area, including landmarks and even hidden gems. These self-guided tours can be accessed offline with maps and directions. It’s great for families, allowing you to explore at your own pace and not have to worry about keeping up with a guided tour when you have kids!
Podcast Player | Keep everyone entertained on the go
Podcast player is a free app that lets you download and play your favourite podcasts while travelling. And podcasts aren’t just for adults – they’re great for the whole family! There are plenty of podcasts for kids, from short stories, to science facts and even some kid-written stories. They’re great for listening to on those long car rides or when you want some quiet time at the hotel. They are also perfect for bedtime stories even when you’re not travelling! Check out some of our favourite podcasts here.
Libby | Download all your favourite books
Libby is a must-have for families who love to read but want to travel light! The app lets you download free books, audiobooks and videos from your local public library, then read them without an internet connection. No need for bringing along a suitcase full of books for your trip!
World Traveller | Keep track of your travels
This isn’t a necessary app but it is fun to keep track of the places you have been! It’s a great app for families, as it gives basic information on each country, such as the capital, currency, area and population as well as the flag and pictures of the country. With a quick glance, kids can learn a bit about the country that you are visiting (or have already visited)!
Google Translate | Communicate with the locals
Google translate is a great app for families that want to communicate with locals during their trip, even if you don’t speak the same language. Just type or speak the word or phrase you want translated, then show it to someone who speaks the language. They will be able to read, or hear, what you’re saying and respond so that everyone can understand each other!
Google Flights | Great place to search for flights
While Google flights isn’t an app, I had to include it on here because it is such a great tool to use! Similar to Skyscanner, Google flights will help you find cheap flights on airlines around the world. It’s easy to use and you can search by specific date or a 1 or 2 week period within a month. There’s also a calendar grid feature, which is really useful if you know where you are going but your dates are flexible! If you’re not set on a destination yet, use the explore feature to see flight prices over a general area. You might even find a new destination to visit!
So what are the best free travel apps for families?
Here’s our top 5 recommendations!
If you know of any other great FREE travel apps for families, let us know in the comments below!
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I use some of these apps but I am going to check out some of your suggestions. Perhaps my most used travel app is world weather.
Oh, that’s a good one too!!
WOW ! I had a couple of these already, but there are definitely new ones that will be added to my phone !