I’ve crisscrossed Europe more times than I can count…trains through Switzerland, budget flights across Spain, ferries in Greece, and everything in between. Over the years, I’ve tested dozens of travel apps on the road, from flashy ones that failed when I needed them most to a handful that have become absolute lifesavers.
The right apps can save you hours, money, and headaches. I’ve used them to book last-minute trains in France, find hidden food spots in Italy, and even translate a menu in rural Croatia when no one spoke English. After years of trial and error, I’ve narrowed it down to the apps that actually make traveling in Europe smoother and more fun. Here are the 11 best travel apps I rely on every time I’m in Europe…the ones I always recommend to every traveler I meet.
Top Travel Apps for Europe
Ready for an epic Europe adventure? Here are my favorite travel apps I’ve been using for years!
1. Omio
Omio is honestly the travel booking app I wish I’d discovered way earlier. It’s like having that friend who’s really good at finding transport deals – except this one actually works 24/7 and doesn’t judge you for last-minute planning.
Here’s what makes Omio pretty awesome: you can compare trains, buses, flights, and even ferries all in one spot. I used it last year to get from Barcelona to Paris and it showed me options I didn’t even know existed. The app covers over 45 countries now and works with more than 2,000 transport providers, so you’re not missing out on anything.
The real game-changer is how it handles cross-border travel. Booking a train from Germany to France used to be a nightmare of different websites and languages, but Omio just makes it feel like booking a domestic trip. Plus, you get real-time updates if anything changes – super helpful when European strikes happen (and they do).
I’ve found the booking fees are pretty reasonable too. When I compared prices directly with providers, Omio‘s markup was usually less than a euro. Worth it for the convenience if you ask me.
The app now works in Southeast Asia and South America too, but honestly, it’s still best for Europe and North America. Student discounts are available, and you can pay with Apple Pay, PayPal, or regular credit cards.
Download: App Store | Google Play
2. Google Maps
Google Maps is basically the Swiss Army knife of travel apps, and it’s gotten so much better for Europe in 2025. The offline maps feature is honestly a lifesaver when you’re wandering around Rome without data or trying to navigate Amsterdam‘s confusing canal system.
Here’s what I love about it: you can download entire city maps before your trip and still get turn-by-turn directions even when you’re completely offline. I always download maps for every city I’m visiting before I leave home – it uses your phone’s GPS, so as long as you’ve got battery, you’re good to go.
The real-time transit updates are incredibly accurate in most European cities. In London, Berlin, and Paris, it knows when trains are delayed better than the actual station announcements sometimes. And the new low-emission zone alerts are perfect if you’re driving – the app now warns you about over 1,000 restricted zones across Europe.
The walking and cycling directions have gotten way more detailed too. In cities like Hamburg, Madrid, and Rome, it’ll tell you about bike lanes, elevation changes, and even which routes avoid heavy traffic. I use it for finding everything from the best gelato spots to those hidden local bars that aren’t in guidebooks.
Pro tip: set it to kilometers if you’re American – it’ll automatically adjust once you’re in Europe, but you can change it manually in settings.
Download: App Store | Google Play
3. Booking.com
Booking.com is the accommodation app that actually gets it right. I’ve been using it for years and it’s consistently delivered – from a tiny Prague apartment to a fancy Swiss chalet, it just works.
What sets Booking.com apart is the filtering system. Want a place with a kitchen in Barcelona under €80 with free cancellation? Takes about 10 seconds to find options. The reviews are brutally honest too – people really don’t hold back, which is exactly what you want when you’re dropping money on a place sight unseen.
The Genius loyalty program is actually worth it. Once you hit Level 1 (after 5 bookings), you get 10% discounts at participating properties. Level 2 gets you free breakfast and room upgrades. I’m at Level 3 now and the priority customer service has saved my butt more than once when flights got cancelled.
Free cancellation is available at most properties, and the app makes changing or cancelling reservations super easy. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to juggle dates while traveling, and Booking.com never makes it a hassle.
The app now handles flights, car rentals, and even taxi bookings too. It’s not always the cheapest for flights, but having everything in one place when you’re planning a multi-city trip is pretty convenient.
Download: App Store | Google Play
4. Just Eat
Just Eat is perfect for those nights when you’re too tired to figure out where to eat in a new city. I used it constantly during a week in Dublin – the selection was huge and delivery was usually under 30 minutes.
The app covers 18 countries across Europe now, including the UK, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Italy, and Ireland. What I love is how it surfaces local favorites you’d never find otherwise. In Amsterdam, it introduced me to this amazing Indonesian place that became my go-to for the entire trip.
You can filter by cuisine, price, and delivery time. The user reviews are solid – people are pretty honest about food quality and whether portions are worth the price. I’ve found that places with 4+ stars rarely disappoint.
The app’s gotten smarter about timing too. It’ll tell you exactly when restaurants are busy and suggest ordering earlier or later for faster delivery. Really helpful when you’re starving after a long day of sightseeing.
One thing to note: Just Eat pulled out of some Eastern European markets recently, so double-check availability in places like Romania or Portugal. But for major Western European cities, it’s reliable as hell.
Download: App Store | Google Play
5. GetYourGuide
GetYourGuide turns you into that person who actually does cool stuff instead of just wandering around aimlessly. I’m usually not a “tours person,” but this app finds experiences that feel authentic rather than touristy.
The platform has thousands of activities across Europe, and the search filters are really specific. Want a small-group food tour in Rome that includes wine tasting under €50? You’ll find options. Looking for skip-the-line access to the Vatican? They’ve got partnerships that actually work.
What I appreciate most is the honest review system. Tours that suck get called out pretty quickly. I booked a Prague beer tour based on reviews and it ended up being one of the highlights of my trip – the guide took us to places locals actually drink, not tourist traps.
The free cancellation policy is flexible too. I’ve had to cancel last-minute due to weather or illness, and getting refunds was always straightforward. Plus, mobile tickets mean you’re not printing anything or worrying about losing papers.
The app covers everything from cooking classes in Tuscany to Northern Lights tours in Norway. I used it to book a day trip to Bruges from Brussels and it was way easier than figuring out trains and timing myself.
Download: App Store | Google Play
6. XE Currency
XE Currency is one of those apps you don’t think about until you really need it, and then you’re incredibly grateful it exists. Europe’s mix of euros, pounds, Swiss francs, and other currencies can mess with your head pretty quickly.
The app gives you real-time exchange rates that update constantly. When the pound was fluctuating like crazy last year, I used XE to time my currency exchanges in London and probably saved myself 50 quid. You can track multiple currencies at once, which is perfect for those multi-country Eurotrips.
The interface is dead simple – no fancy features you don’t need, just quick conversions. I keep it on my home screen when traveling because I’m constantly checking if that €25 pasta in Rome is actually worth it (spoiler: it usually is).
You can set up rate alerts too. If you’re planning a trip to Switzerland and want to exchange money when rates are favorable, XE will ping you when your target rate hits. Pretty handy for expensive countries where every franc counts.
The offline mode works well for basic conversions when you don’t have data. It’ll use the last rates it downloaded, which is usually close enough for quick mental math while shopping.
Download: App Store | Google Play
7. The Fork
The Fork is basically OpenTable for Europe, and it’s become my go-to for finding decent restaurants that aren’t completely overrun with tourists. The app works in over 20 European countries and has this cool feature where you can book tables and often get discounts.
I love the filtering options – you can search by cuisine, price range, location, and even specific features like outdoor seating or vegetarian options. Found an amazing Spanish tapas place in Madrid this way that had a 30% discount through the app. Same quality as everywhere else, just cheaper.
The reviews feel more authentic than Google reviews somehow. Maybe it’s because people are actually eating there rather than just walking by, but the feedback tends to be more detailed about food quality and service.
The Fork often has exclusive deals you won’t find elsewhere. I’ve seen discounts ranging from 20-50% at really good places, especially during off-peak hours. Perfect for travelers on a budget who still want to eat well.
The reservation system is reliable too. I’ve never had issues with bookings not going through or restaurants not having my table ready. They send confirmation emails and reminders, which saves you from that awkward “do you have my reservation?” conversation.
Download: App Store | Google Play
- Read next: Fun & Unique Restaurants in Rome
8. Google Translate
Google Translate has gotten scary good, especially for European languages. The camera translation feature is honestly like magic – point your phone at a menu in Budapest and it translates everything in real-time right on your screen.
The conversation mode is where this app really shines. I used it to have a full conversation with my Airbnb host in Naples who spoke zero English. You just hold down the mic button, speak, and it translates both ways. Way less awkward than hand gestures and pointing.
The offline translation works for major European languages too. Download German, French, Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese before your trip and you’re covered for most of Western Europe. The translations aren’t perfect offline, but they’re good enough to get your point across.
What’s really improved is the context understanding. It’s better at figuring out when you’re asking for directions versus ordering food, so the translations make more sense. I still recommend learning basic phrases, but Google Translate is perfect for complex situations.
The handwriting feature is clutch when keyboard layouts are different. Draw letters with your finger and it figures out what you’re trying to say. Saved me multiple times when trying to type addresses in Cyrillic or dealing with accent marks.
Download: App Store | Google Play
- Read next: Most Beautiful Places in Europe
9. Hostelworld
Hostelworld is essential if you’re backpacking through Europe or just want to meet people while traveling. I’ve stayed at hostels found through this app in probably 15 European cities, and it’s consistently delivered good experiences.
The search filters are really specific – you can find female-only dorms, hostels with no curfew, places with kitchen access, or party hostels if that’s your vibe. The photos are usually accurate, and the reviews tell you exactly what to expect in terms of cleanliness, noise levels, and social atmosphere.
What sets Hostelworld apart is the community aspect. Many hostels organize walking tours, pub crawls, or cooking nights that you can see and book through the app. I met some of my best travel friends at a hostel in Berlin during one of these events.
The booking process is straightforward, and free cancellation is available at most places. I always book a few days ahead during peak season, but you can often find same-day availability in smaller cities. The app sends you all the check-in details, including door codes and directions.
The loyalty program gives you discounts after a certain number of bookings. Not huge savings, but every euro counts when you’re backpacking. Plus, you can often score last-minute deals through the app when hostels have empty beds.
Download: App Store | Google Play
10. Airbnb
Airbnb has become my default for longer stays or when I want something more unique than a hotel room. The variety across Europe is insane – I’ve stayed in everything from a converted windmill in Netherlands to a cave house in Santorini.
The filtering system lets you get really specific about what you want. Need a place with a washing machine in Vienna under €60/night with a kitchen? You’ll find options. The instant book feature is great when you need to secure a place quickly, and most hosts respond within hours.
Airbnb Experiences has some genuinely cool offerings too. I did a street art tour with a local artist in Berlin and a pasta-making class with an Italian grandmother in Florence. These experiences feel way more authentic than the typical tourist stuff.
The app’s messaging system makes communication with hosts really easy. I always message ahead with questions about check-in times or local recommendations, and most hosts are incredibly helpful. Many will meet you personally or leave detailed guides about their neighborhood.
One thing I’ve learned: read the reviews carefully and look at recent ones. Some places look better in photos than reality. But when you find a good Airbnb, it can completely change your travel experience. Having a local connection makes you feel less like a tourist.
Download: App Store | Google Play
11. Rick Steves Audio Europe
Rick Steves Audio Europe is like having that one friend who knows way too much about history but actually makes it interesting. I was skeptical at first – audio tours usually feel cheesy – but Rick’s approach is different.
The tours are free, which is amazing, and you can download them before your trip so you’re not burning through data. I used the Rome tour while wandering through the Colosseum area and learned stuff that made me see the ruins completely differently. Rick doesn’t just tell you dates – he tells you stories.
What’s great is you can pause whenever you want to grab coffee, take photos, or just people-watch. No rushing to keep up with a group or missing half the commentary because someone’s talking. You go at your own pace and choose what interests you.
The audio quality is really good, and Rick’s voice is actually pretty soothing. I’ve used tours in Paris, London, Amsterdam, and Florence and each one revealed things I would’ve totally missed otherwise. The Venice tour helped me navigate those confusing alleyways while learning about the city’s wild history.
The app covers major European cities and some specific museum tours too. It’s perfect for solo travelers who want some structure but don’t want to join organized tours. Plus, you can always ditch the commentary and explore on your own if something catches your eye.
Download: App Store | Google Play
FAQs on the most helpful apps for Europe travel
Here are some popular questions I get about what apps to download when visiting Europe.
Do I need different travel apps for Europe compared to the U.S.?
Yes, and I found out the hard way. In Europe, train apps like Rail Europe or Trainline are lifesavers…I once missed a train connection in France until I realized I could rebook instantly on my phone. Same goes for city transit apps; local ones work way better than Google Maps alone.
Can I use these apps without Wi-Fi?
Most of them let you download maps, tickets, or guides offline. I always download Google Maps offline for every city before I arrive. I’ve also used apps like Rome2Rio offline when I couldn’t get service in rural Croatia, and it saved me a ton of stress.
Do I need a European SIM card to use these apps?
Not necessarily. I’ve traveled both ways: sometimes with my U.S. carrier’s international plan, other times buying a local eSIM through apps like Airalo. If you want constant access without hunting for Wi-Fi, an eSIM has been the easiest for me.
What’s the best way to organize tickets and reservations?
I personally keep everything in apps like Google Wallet or Apple Wallet so I don’t have to fumble through emails. I also keep a backup in TripIt, which pulls all my bookings into one simple timeline. This setup has saved me more than once when Wi-Fi cut out right as I needed to show a boarding pass.
