Do I need a VPN when traveling?

For most leisure travel, a VPN isn't essential but it's a good idea. It protects your data on hotel and airport WiFi networks (which are often unsecured), and it lets you access streaming services and banking apps that may be geo-restricted abroad. ExpressVPN and NordVPN are the most reliable options. If you're traveling to China, a VPN is absolutely essential.

Should I buy an international phone plan or use eSIM?

eSIM (via Airalo or similar apps) is almost always the better choice. It's cheaper than carrier international plans ($5-15 for a week of data vs. $10/day from most carriers), there's no physical SIM to swap, and you can buy it before you land. The only exception is if you need a lot of voice calls — eSIMs are primarily for data. For calls, use WhatsApp or FaceTime over your eSIM data.

The 10 Best Travel Apps for 2026: What's Actually Worth Downloading

You Don't Need 50 Travel Apps

The app store has thousands of travel apps, and most of them are garbage — ad-filled, outdated, or solving problems that don't actually exist. After years of testing apps on behalf of my Bay Area clients and using them myself on trips around the world, I've narrowed it down to 10 that actually deliver value.

These apps are the ones I personally use and recommend to every client. They cover the entire travel journey: planning, booking, navigating, and staying safe abroad.

Best Booking & Deals Apps

These apps consistently save money and surface the best deals.

Top Booking Apps

Google Flights

Flight search kingBest flight search engine. Price tracking, flexible date calendar, explore map. Free

Hopper

Price predictorTells you when to buy vs. wait. Price freeze feature locks in fares. Surprisingly accurate

Hotel Tonight

Last-minute hotelsDeep discounts on unsold rooms 1-7 days out. Great for spontaneous trips

Going (Scott's Cheap Flights)

Deal alertsPremium ($49/yr) sends personalized deal alerts from your home airport. Hawaii deals appear 2-3x/month from SJC

Ready to Start Planning?

As your personal travel agent in San Jose, I handle every detail so you can focus on making memories. Free consultation, no obligation.

Start Planning (408) 982-7127

Best Navigation & Translation Apps

These apps are essential once you're on the ground.

Google Maps — download offline maps before your trip. Works without data for walking/driving directions. Essential in areas with poor connectivity
Google Translate — the camera translation feature is magic. Point your phone at a foreign menu and it translates in real-time. Download language packs offline
Citymapper — superior to Google Maps for public transit in major cities. Real-time transit, step-by-step transfer instructions, walking time estimates
Maps.me — the best offline map app for hiking and remote areas. More detailed trail maps than Google Maps. Free and fully offline

Must-Have Utility Apps

These apps solve real travel problems.

Pro Tips

•Flighty — the best flight tracking app. Real-time gate changes, delay predictions (often before the airline announces), and 'is my plane even here yet' tracking. $4/month
•LoungeBuddy — find and access airport lounges worldwide. Shows which lounges your credit card gets you into. Saves the embarrassment of being turned away
•Wise (TransferWise) — the cheapest way to exchange currency and pay abroad. Multi-currency debit card with real exchange rates. Saves 3-5% vs. airport exchange
•TripIt — automatically organizes your travel confirmations into a chronological itinerary. Forward confirmation emails and it builds your trip timeline
•PackPoint — generates a customized packing list based on your destination, dates, and planned activities. Surprisingly useful for preventing the 'I forgot my charger' moment
•Airalo — eSIM app for international data. Buy a local data plan before you land. Way cheaper than roaming. Works in 190+ countries