Planning a trip can be both exciting and overwhelming. Fortunately, there’s a wealth of free travel planning apps available to help streamline your journey preparation. At freetrials.co.uk, we’ve sifted through the options, considering factors like user-friendliness, features, and reliability to ensure you’re equipped with the best tools for your next adventure. Whether you’re organising a weekend getaway or a month-long expedition, these free apps will help you manage itineraries, find deals, and navigate unfamiliar territories with ease.
TripIt
TripIt is a travel organiser that simplifies your journey planning by consolidating all your travel information into one easy-to-access place. The app’s standout feature is its ability to automatically create a master itinerary by forwarding your confirmation emails.
This means you can have your flight, hotel, car rental, and restaurant reservations all neatly organised in one place. TripIt’s user-friendly interface allows you to view your travel plans offline, share itineraries with others, and receive real-time flight alerts. The app also integrates with your calendar, ensuring your travel plans are synced across all your devices.
Key Features
- Automatic itinerary creation from confirmation emails
- Offline access to travel plans
- Itinerary sharing with friends and family
- Calendar integration
- Real-time flight alerts
- Weather forecasts for destinations
TripIt offers a free plan that includes basic itinerary management and organisation features. For more advanced features like real-time flight alerts, seat tracking, and alternative flight finder, users can upgrade to TripIt Pro for £39 per year.
Google Travel
Google Travel is a comprehensive travel planning tool that leverages Google’s vast database and search capabilities to offer a seamless planning experience. It integrates various Google services, including Maps, Flights, and Hotels, to provide a one-stop solution for travellers. The platform excels in presenting a wealth of information about destinations, including popular attractions, restaurants, and accommodation options.
One of its most useful features is the ability to save and organise your travel ideas, allowing you to build a personalised trip plan over time. Google Travel also offers price tracking for flights and hotels, helping you find the best deals for your chosen dates.
Key Features
- Integrated flight and hotel search
- Price tracking and deal alerts
- Destination guides with popular attractions
- Trip planning and idea saving
- Integration with Google Maps for navigation
- Personalised recommendations based on search history
Google Travel is completely free to use, with no paid upgrades or premium features. All you need is a Google account to access its full range of travel planning tools and services.
Rome2Rio
Rome2Rio is an innovative travel planning app that specialises in multi-modal transport options. It’s particularly useful for travellers who want to explore various ways to get from point A to point B, whether by air, train, bus, ferry, or car. The app’s strength lies in its ability to compare different transport options side by side, showing you the estimated time and cost for each.
This makes it incredibly valuable for budget-conscious travellers or those looking to optimise their travel time. Rome2Rio covers a vast network of transport providers worldwide, making it suitable for both domestic and international travel planning.
Key Features
- Multi-modal transport search
- Worldwide coverage of transport options
- Cost and time comparisons
- Integration with booking platforms
- Accommodation search
- Offline access to search results
Rome2Rio’s core features are available for free, allowing users to search and compare transport options without any cost. The app does not currently offer a premium version, maintaining its services as a free resource for all users.
Kayak
Kayak is a well-established travel search engine that helps users find the best deals on flights, hotels, car rentals, and package holidays. The app’s strength lies in its powerful search algorithms and price comparison tools, which scour hundreds of travel sites to present the most competitive options.
Kayak’s interface is clean and intuitive, making it easy for users to filter results based on their preferences, such as price range, airline alliances, or hotel amenities. One of Kayak’s unique features is its price forecast tool for flights, which uses historical data to predict whether prices are likely to rise or fall in the coming days, helping users decide when to book.
Key Features
- Comprehensive flight, hotel, and car rental search
- Price alerts and tracking
- Price forecast tool for flights
- Flexible date search
- Trip planning and itinerary management
- Currency converter and travel guides
Kayak’s app and website are free to use, with no hidden fees or premium tiers. The company earns revenue through commissions from bookings made through its platform, allowing it to offer its search and comparison services to users at no cost.
Skyscanner
Skyscanner is a popular travel search engine that excels in finding affordable flights, hotels, and car rentals. The app’s user-friendly interface allows travellers to easily compare prices across different airlines and travel dates. One of Skyscanner’s most appreciated features is its ‘Everywhere’ search option, which lets users find the cheapest destinations from their chosen departure point – perfect for flexible travellers seeking inspiration.
The app also offers a price alert function, notifying users when prices drop for their desired routes. Skyscanner’s strength lies in its ability to uncover budget-friendly options, including deals from low-cost carriers that might not appear on other platforms.
Key Features
- ‘Everywhere’ search for budget-friendly destinations
- Price alerts for flights
- Flexible date search
- Multi-city flight search
- Filter options for direct flights, airlines, and departure times
- Currency converter
Skyscanner is completely free to use, with no premium version or paid features. The app generates revenue through affiliate partnerships with airlines and travel agencies, allowing it to provide its comprehensive search services to users at no cost.
Hopper
Hopper is an innovative travel app that uses big data and predictive analytics to help users book flights and hotels at the optimal time for savings. The app’s colour-coded calendar makes it easy to visualise price trends, showing users the cheapest and most expensive days to travel. Hopper’s unique ‘Watch’ feature allows users to track specific trips, receiving notifications when prices drop or are predicted to increase.
The app claims to predict future prices with 95% accuracy, potentially saving users up to 40% on their bookings. Hopper also offers a ‘Price Freeze’ option, allowing users to hold a price for a small fee, providing flexibility in decision-making.
Key Features
- Price prediction for flights and hotels
- Colour-coded calendar for easy price comparison
- Price freeze option
- Personalised deal recommendations
- Watch feature for price tracking
- In-app booking
Hopper is free to download and use, with no subscription fees. The app makes money through commissions on bookings and fees for additional services like Price Freeze. While the core features are free, some advanced options may involve small fees.
Roadtrippers
Roadtrippers is a specialised app designed for those who love to explore by car. It’s an excellent tool for planning road trips, allowing users to map out their journey, discover interesting stops along the way, and estimate fuel costs. The app’s database includes millions of points of interest, from natural wonders and scenic viewpoints to quirky roadside attractions and highly-rated local eateries.
Roadtrippers excels in its ability to help users find hidden gems off the beaten path, enhancing the road trip experience. The app also provides information on accommodation options, including camping sites and RV parks, making it a valuable resource for various types of road travellers.
Key Features
- Route planning with waypoints
- Discover points of interest along your route
- Fuel cost estimation
- Offline maps
- Collaboration tools for group trips
- Booking integration for hotels and activities
Roadtrippers offers a free plan that allows users to plan trips with up to 7 waypoints. For more extensive trip planning, users can upgrade to Roadtrippers Plus for £24.99 per year, which offers unlimited waypoints, offline maps, and exclusive deals.
Wanderlog
Wanderlog is a versatile travel planning app that combines itinerary management with collaborative features, making it ideal for both solo travellers and groups. The app allows users to create detailed day-by-day itineraries, including activities, reservations, and notes. One of Wanderlog’s strengths is its map-based interface, which visually displays your planned route and points of interest.
The app also integrates with Google Maps, making it easy to estimate travel times between locations. Wanderlog shines in its collaborative capabilities, allowing multiple users to edit and contribute to a shared itinerary in real-time, which is particularly useful for group trips or family vacations.
Key Features
- Collaborative itinerary planning
- Map-based interface with Google Maps integration
- Reservation management
- Expense tracking
- Offline access to itineraries
- Restaurant and activity recommendations
Wanderlog offers a comprehensive free plan that includes most of its features. For additional capabilities like ad-free usage, custom maps, and priority support, users can upgrade to Wanderlog Pro for £39.99 per year.
TripAdvisor
TripAdvisor is a well-known travel platform that offers a wealth of user-generated content to help travellers make informed decisions. The app provides millions of reviews, photos, and ratings for hotels, restaurants, attractions, and experiences worldwide. Its strength lies in the depth and breadth of its content, offering insights from real travellers.
TripAdvisor’s ‘Near Me Now’ feature is particularly useful for spontaneous exploration, helping users discover highly-rated places in their immediate vicinity. The app also includes a trip planning tool that allows users to save and organise their travel ideas, creating a customised itinerary for their journey.
Key Features
- Millions of user reviews and ratings
- Booking integration for hotels, tours, and restaurants
- ‘Near Me Now’ feature for local discoveries
- Forums for travel advice and tips
- Trip planning and itinerary creation
- Price comparison for hotels
TripAdvisor’s app is completely free to use, with no paid tiers or premium features. The platform generates revenue through advertising and booking commissions, allowing it to offer its extensive database of reviews and travel information to users at no cost.
Sygic Travel
Sygic Travel is a comprehensive travel planning app that combines detailed city guides with powerful itinerary management tools. The app’s strength lies in its visually appealing and interactive maps, which display points of interest, walking routes, and public transport options.
Sygic Travel offers 360-degree videos and virtual reality content for many destinations, providing users with immersive previews of attractions. The app’s itinerary planner is intuitive, allowing users to easily add places to visit and automatically calculating optimal routes between them. Sygic Travel also includes offline functionality, ensuring that travellers can access their plans and maps without an internet connection.
Key Features
- Interactive maps with points of interest
- 360-degree videos and virtual tours
- Offline maps and guides
- Itinerary planning with route optimisation
- Public transport information
- Travel time and walking distance estimation
Sygic Travel offers a free plan that includes basic planning features and limited offline access. For full offline functionality, HD maps, and ad-free experience, users can upgrade to the Premium version for £9.99 per year.
How to choose the best free travel planning app for you
Consider your travel style and needs
When selecting a free travel planning app, start by reflecting on your typical travel habits. Are you a frequent flyer who needs detailed flight information and airport maps? Or perhaps you’re more of a road-tripper looking for scenic routes and petrol stations? Different apps cater to various travel styles, so identifying your primary needs will help narrow down your options. Also, consider whether you prefer a comprehensive all-in-one solution or specialised apps for specific aspects of your journey.
Evaluate features and user interface
Examine the features offered by each app and how they align with your requirements. Look for essentials like itinerary management, offline maps, currency converters, and local recommendations. Pay attention to the user interface as well; a cluttered or confusing layout can hinder your planning process. Opt for apps with intuitive designs that make organising your trips effortless. Don’t forget to check if the app integrates with other services you use, such as email or calendar applications, to streamline your planning.
Read reviews and check compatibility
Before committing to an app, take time to read user reviews and expert opinions. These can provide valuable insights into the app’s performance, reliability, and any potential issues. Pay particular attention to recent reviews, as they reflect the current state of the app. Additionally, ensure the app is compatible with your device and operating system. Some apps may offer more features on certain platforms or have varying update schedules. Lastly, consider the app’s development activity; regularly updated apps are more likely to offer improved features and security over time.
Which Free Travel Planning App Is Best?
When it comes to consolidating travel information into a single itinerary, TripIt is a top choice. The free plan offers basic trip management features, making it an excellent option for travellers who want a centralised hub for their journey details. We recommend TripIt for business travellers and those who frequently take complex, multi-stop trips.
Google Travel provides an all-in-one solution that seamlessly integrates with other Google services, offering a smooth experience for planning flights, accommodations, and activities. The free plan includes helpful features like price tracking and destination guides. If you’re tech-savvy and already rely on Google’s ecosystem for your daily tasks, Google Travel could be the perfect fit for you.
Skyscanner is particularly useful if you’re watching your budget. Its powerful search engine compares prices across multiple airlines and travel sites, helping you find the best deals on flights, hotels, and car hire. The free app also offers price alerts, ensuring you don’t miss out on bargains for your upcoming trips. We recommend Skyscanner for deal-hunters and flexible travellers looking to stretch their budget.
Frequently Asked Questions about Free Travel Planning Apps
What features do most free travel planning apps offer?
Most free travel planning apps offer basic itinerary creation, flight and accommodation searches, price comparison tools, and destination information. Some also include map features, weather forecasts, and the ability to save favourite locations.
Can I use these apps offline?
It varies by app. Some, like TripIt and Google Travel, offer limited offline functionality. Others, like Sygic Travel, allow you to download maps and guides for offline use. However, most features typically require an internet connection for full functionality.
Are these apps truly free, or are there hidden costs?
While the basic versions of these apps are free, many offer premium features for a fee. For example, Roadtrippers limits the number of waypoints you can add in the free version, and TripIt offers a paid Pro version with additional features. Always check the app’s terms and conditions for details on free vs paid features.
How accurate are the prices shown on apps like Kayak and Skyscanner?
These apps generally provide accurate price estimates, but prices can fluctuate rapidly in the travel industry. Always double-check the final price before booking, as it may differ slightly from what’s shown in the app.
Can I book flights and hotels directly through these apps?
Many of these apps, such as Kayak, Skyscanner, and TripAdvisor, allow you to book directly through their platform. Others, like Google Travel and Rome2Rio, will redirect you to the service provider’s website to complete your booking.
How does Hopper’s price prediction feature work?
Hopper uses historical data and algorithms to predict future price trends for flights and hotels. It suggests whether you should book now or wait for potentially lower prices, helping you decide the best time to make your reservation.
Is my personal information safe when using these apps?
Reputable travel apps use encryption and other security measures to protect your data. However, it’s always wise to read the privacy policy, use strong passwords, and be cautious about sharing sensitive information. Consider using a VPN when accessing these apps on public Wi-Fi networks.
Can I collaborate with friends or family on trip planning using these apps?
Some apps, like Wanderlog and TripIt, offer collaboration features in their free versions. These allow you to share itineraries and plan trips together. However, more advanced collaboration tools might be limited to paid versions in some apps.
How often are these apps updated with new information?
Most of these apps update their information regularly, especially for time-sensitive data like flight prices and availability. However, the frequency can vary. For the most up-to-date information, especially regarding travel restrictions or local conditions, it’s always best to cross-reference with official sources.
Do any of these apps work well for last-minute travel planning?
Yes, several of these apps are great for last-minute planning. Hopper and Skyscanner are particularly useful for finding last-minute flight deals. Kayak and TripAdvisor can help with quick hotel bookings. Google Travel and Rome2Rio are handy for rapidly putting together an itinerary with transportation options.
