The Best Travel Apps for Budget Travelers

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Traveling on a budget doesn’t mean sacrificing experiences—it just means being smart about how you spend. The good news? Your phone can be your best budget-travel companion. From booking cheap flights to finding hidden local gems, these best free travel apps will help you save money and make your trip smoother.

Skyscanner – Find the Cheapest Flights

Best for: Scoring cheap airfare

I LOVE Skyscanner. It’s my go-to flight search engine whether I’m already traveling or sitting home dreaming about where to go next. I love the filters, easily being able to modify my search, and access to the best deals!

• Skyscanner is a must-have travel app for budget travelers, comparing prices across airlines and travel sites.
• Set up price alerts to snag the best deals.
• Use the “Cheapest Month” search feature to see when it’s most affordable to fly.
• Check “Everywhere” if you’re flexible on your destination.

Budget tip: Once you find a flight, book directly with the airline when possible – it’s usually easier to deal with changes or cancellations that way.

For more great tips on how to book budget airfare, check out my post, “Fly For Less Without the Stress“.

Hopper – Predict Flight & Hotel Prices

Best for: Knowing when to book

Hopper helps me know if I should book now or wait for the price to go down. I’ve saved so much money by using Hopper instead of impulse buying because of my wanderlust.

• Hopper analyzes millions of flight prices to predict when they’ll go up or down. It tells you whether to buy now or wait, so you don’t overpay.
• Get notifications when your desired flight price drops.
• Works for hotels too—so you can time your booking for the best rates.

Budget tip: If you find a cheap flight on Hopper, cross-check it on Google Flights before booking!

Rome2Rio – Compare the Cheapest Ways to Get Around

Best for: Budget-friendly transportation

Rome2Rio was my go-to app in Eastern Europe! It helped me quickly compare the fastest and most cost-effective transport options – I could take the bus then hop the train, or just stay on the bus for longer!

• Rome2Rio compares ALL your options—flights, buses, trains, ferries, and even rideshares—so you can choose the most cost-effective way to get from Point A to Point B.

Budget tip: Sometimes buses and trains aren’t just cheaper—they also save you a night’s accommodation if you take an overnight route! (though I don’t recommend the overnight bus option in Panama!)

Hostelworld – Affordable & Social Stays

Best for: Budget-friendly accommodations

Hostelworld, in my opinion, is the ONLY way to book a hostel. My favorite part of the app is the review section. You can usually find someone who stayed recently and get up-to-date information about staff, accommodations (recent bed bug outbreaks – it happens…), and more!

• Hostelworld makes it easy to find cheap hostels with good reviews (because let’s be honest, not all hostels are created equal).
• Sort by price, location, and guest ratings.
• Read reviews before you book—other travelers will spill the truth.
• Some hostels even host free events and activities!

Budget tip: Many hostels offer private rooms that are cheaper than hotels but still give you social perks!

Airbnb – Budget Stays & Unique Experiences

Best for: Affordable lodging with local vibes

If you’re not into hostels, Airbnb is a solid alternative for finding budget-friendly stays. Look for:

• Private rooms (often cheaper than hotels).
• Full apartments if you’re traveling in a group.
• Stays with kitchens so you can save on food.

Budget tip: Message the host before booking—some offer discounts for longer stays!

Too Good To Go – Cheap, Delicious Food

Best for: Scoring discounted meals

This app helps cut down food waste and gets you amazing deals on restaurant meals, bakeries, and grocery items. Cafés, restaurants, and bakeries list extra food at the end of the day for dirt-cheap prices.

Grab restaurant meals for a fraction of the cost.
Perfect for bakery finds—fresh pastries at crazy discounts.
Available in major cities across Europe and the U.S.

Budget tip: Pick up “Magic Bags” from local shops—you never know what you’ll get, but it’s always a bargain!

Google Maps – Your Offline Navigator

Best for: Free and reliable directions

Getting lost can be fun… until it isn’t. You come out of the train or subway station and don’t know if you turn left or right. Or you’re in Zagreb and the winding streets are maybe a little tricky and 20 wandering minutes have gone by… Google Maps to the rescue!

• Google Maps helps you navigate even without mobile data—just download offline maps before your trip!
• Download offline maps before your trip.
• Read reviews and find budget-friendly restaurants nearby.
• Check public transportation routes and fares.

Budget tip: Use the “Save” feature to mark must-see spots in advance!

Xe Currency – No More Overpaying in Foreign Currencies

Best for: Avoiding bad exchange rates

I discovered this one by accident. And now, it lives on the home screen of my phone. Xe Currency shows real-time exchange rates in every currency, so you’ll know exactly how much things cost in your home currency. And, bonus, it tells you what a country’s currency is called before you get there and sound ridiculous!

• Helps avoid overpriced currency exchanges.
• Works offline (just update before heading out).

Budget tip: Always pay in the local currency when using your credit card abroad—banks often charge a worse rate when converting for you!

Splitwise – Easily Track Shared Expenses

Best for: Splitting costs with friends

The first time I used Splitwise I was in Prague with a friend and a bunch of her other friends and it made the whole experience of splitting dinner and taxis less awkward. Splitwise is great whether you’re traveling or not!

• Splitwise keeps track of who paid for what, so no one gets stuck covering the bill.
• Great for group trips—no awkward “who owes who” moments.
• Converts currencies automatically if you’re in different countries.

Budget tip: If you’re solo, use it to track your own expenses and stick to your budget!

Trabee Pocket – Keep Your Travel Budget in Check

Best for: Staying on top of spending

Trabee Pocket is an easy-to-use travel expense tracker that works offline and supports multiple currencies. It helps you stay within budget without the stress of mental math.

• Set a daily budget and track expenses as you go.
• Categorize spending (food, transport, activities, etc.).
• Works offline—perfect for destinations with limited data access.
• Convert expenses into your home currency for easy reference.

Budget tip: Seeing your spending visually helps curb impulse purchases! Plus, you can export your expenses into a spreadsheet for post-trip analysis.

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Final Thoughts: Your Phone = Your Budget Travel BFF

Traveling on a budget isn’t about missing out—it’s about making smart choices. With the right best free travel apps and budget travel tips, you can save money without missing out on amazing experiences.

Pro tip: If you’re planning your first solo trip, make sure you read my tips for your first solo travel!

Save this post for later! What are your go-to travel apps for saving money? Drop them in the comments!

Quick Recap: The 10 Must-Have Travel Apps for Budget Travelers

• Skyscanner – Budget flights
• Hopper – When to book
• Rome2Rio – Budget transportation
• Hostelworld – Budget friendly stays
• AirBnb – Affordable and local lodging
• Too Good to Go – Discounted meals
• Google Maps – Free and reliable navigation
• Xe Currency – Currency exchange
• Split Wise – Splitting costs
• Trabee Pocket – Staying on budget

Do you have a go-to travel app that I didn’t include? Let me know in the comments!