The only travel apps you actually need (and which to skip)

Search "best travel apps" and you'll find lists with 20+ recommendations. Download them all, use maybe two, delete the rest after your trip. The truth is you need 4-5 apps maximum, each solving one specific problem well. Here's what actually matters, organized by when you need it.

For planning what to do: Wanderlog

Wanderlog is the best free trip planner. Add destinations, restaurants, activities. See everything on a map to optimize your days. Share with travel companions who can add their own ideas. Track your budget as you plan.

The limitation: Wanderlog is great for deciding what to do, but doesn't solve the "where's my boarding pass" problem. You still need somewhere to store the actual tickets once you book.

For finding deals: Google Flights

Google Flights is unbeatable for flight search. The flexible dates calendar shows you the cheapest days to fly at a glance. Price tracking alerts you when fares drop. The "explore" feature shows where you can go within your budget.

Skip the dedicated booking apps like Hopper or Kayak for actual booking. They rarely beat Google Flights on price, and their "price predictions" are marketing more than science. Use Google Flights to find the best option, then book directly with the airline.

For storing tickets and documents: Folio

<strong>Folio</strong> solves the most common travel frustration: finding your tickets when you need them. Forward confirmation emails, import PDFs, photograph paper tickets. Folio extracts dates, times, locations and creates a timeline automatically.

At the gate, your boarding pass is one tap away. At the hotel, the confirmation is right there. The bus ticket barcode, the concert QR code, everything works offline. For group trips, shared folders mean everyone has access to the same documents.

For flight tracking: Flighty (maybe)

Flighty is genuinely impressive. It shows where your inbound aircraft is, predicts delays before airlines announce them, tracks gate changes in real-time. The interface is beautiful and the data is faster than most airline apps.

The honest assessment: it costs $50/year. If you fly 10+ times a year, the early delay warnings are worth it. If you fly twice a year, just use your airline's app. It's free and good enough for occasional travelers.

What to skip

TripAdvisor was essential a decade ago. Now Google Maps has reviews, photos, and ratings for almost everything. You don't need a separate app.

All-in-one travel apps that promise to handle planning, booking, documents, and tracking. They do everything adequately and nothing well. Better to use specialized apps that excel at one thing.

Most hotel booking apps. Booking.com and Hotels.com have apps, but their websites work fine. You'll book hotels maybe twice for a trip. The websites are better for comparing options anyway.

The minimal setup

For most trips: Wanderlog to plan, Google Flights to find deals, Folio to store your tickets, your airline's app for check-in. Four apps. That's it. Add Flighty if you're a frequent flyer, Google Maps for navigation. You don't need 20 apps. You need the right 4-5 that actually solve problems you have.

Download Folio Wallet

Available free on iOS and Android