Traveling abroad today is not what it used to be. Instead of maps, heavy guidebooks, and late-night searches for foreign pharmacies, the smart travelers of 2025 go with an arsenal of apps that turn every challenge into a one-tap solution. From precise navigation and instant translation to advanced health apps that enable live video calls with a doctor – here is the complete guide to apps that will make your next trip more efficient, safe, and pleasant.
Navigation and Mobility: Never Get Stuck Again
Google Maps is still the queen of navigation apps, but it's also worth getting to know Maps.me – an app that lets you download maps for offline use. Whether you're wandering the streets of Paris or the markets of Marrakech without an internet connection, this app can save you from unnecessary walking.
For public transportation, Citymapper (available in major metropolitan areas) and Moovit provide accurate information on schedules, delays, and optimal routes. Uber and Bolt have simplified taxi use in foreign cities, but it's also worth knowing about FREE NOW – a very popular taxi-ordering app, especially in Europe.
Translation and Cultural Connection: Breaking Language Barriers
Google Translate has dramatically improved in recent years – the feature that allows you to point your camera at text and get an instant translation can help with understanding menus, signs, and rental contracts. iTranslate offers real-time translation conversations – two people can speak into the phone, and the app translates on the spot.
For countries with entirely different alphabets, Waygo specializes in translating Chinese, Japanese, and Korean using the camera only, even without an internet connection.
Smart Money: Full Budget Control
Revolut and Wise (formerly TransferWise) have become the new travel standard – credit cards that allow withdrawals and payments in local currency with significantly lower fees than Israeli banks. Their apps allow real-time tracking of expenses and currency conversion.
Trail Wallet and Trabee Pocket help track travel expenses and make sure you stay within budget. XE Currency provides updated exchange rates for all currencies, including an offline mode.
Health and Safety: The Peace of Mind Every Traveler Needs
When it comes to your health and peace of mind, the game completely changes. While in most areas you can get by with general apps, when it comes to health abroad, it's important to be equipped with a professional app. This is where the Phoenix Travel Abroad app comes in – an efficient and quick support service available to customers who purchase Phoenix travel insurance.
The app provides responses for medical emergencies: You can have a video call with a professional doctor, schedule an appointment in the location where you are, and if payments need to be made for emergency medical treatment – the app will handle the payments for you, subject to the terms and exclusions of the policy.
This means that even if you're in Tokyo in the middle of the night with severe stomach pain, or in Barcelona with a high fever – you can quickly receive professional medical advice, with an option for Hebrew language, without searching for a foreign hospital or dealing with language barriers. If physical treatment is needed, the app allows you to schedule an appointment and helps with bureaucracy and payments.
It’s important to remember that the app is part of Phoenix’s comprehensive travel insurance, which includes coverage for emergency medical expenses, delayed luggage, trip cancellation or curtailment due to medical reasons (if purchased as a policy extension), and more, in accordance with the policy terms and exclusions.
Additionally, for general emergencies – which hopefully won’t happen – First Aid by Red Cross provides emergency first aid information, and TravelSafe allows you to share your location with family members and offers safety information about various destinations.
Lodging and Food: The Perfect Experience
Airbnb changed the world of lodging, but Booking.com still leads in hotels. HotelTonight specializes in last-minute bookings at discounted prices.
For restaurants and fast food, TripAdvisor remains reliable for finding recommended restaurants, but Zomato and Yelp (in the U.S.) offer more in-depth local reviews. HappyCow is recommended for vegans looking for suitable food anywhere in the world.
Trip Organization and Management Apps
TripIt organizes all your travel details in one place – flights, hotels, car rentals, and entrance tickets. Simply forward all booking confirmations to the app's email and it arranges everything into a perfect schedule.
PackPoint helps you pack smart – enter your destination, travel dates, and activity types, and the app prepares a personalized packing list. Google Trips (replaced by Google Travel) lets you save travel information for offline use as well.
Smart Preparation = A Successful Trip
The right combination of apps can turn a good trip into a great one. The trick isn’t to download everything, but to choose the apps relevant to your type of trip and get to know them before you set out.
The key to success is early preparation: Download the apps, sign up for the relevant services, make sure you have password backups, and that your phone is open to international networks. And of course – make sure you have the most important backup of all: Quality travel insurance with a professional support app that provides close medical guidance and 24/7 human support.
In the end, apps are amazing tools, but they are no substitute for proper planning, basic caution, and common sense. The combination of good preparation with smart technology – that's the recipe for a safe, efficient, and enjoyable trip you'll remember for years.
Insurance coverage is subject to the full policy terms and exclusions. Acceptance to the insurance is subject to the company’s standard terms and underwriting. To review the full policy terms and for complete information about coverage, exclusions, and limitations, visit the company website at WWW.FNX.CO.IL.
The app services are an additional service to Phoenix’s standard contact methods and are not intended to replace contacting the emergency assistance center if needed, which is available 24/7. Scheduling an appointment with a doctor through Air Doctor is subject to the app’s terms of use, destination country, and doctor availability.
The company makes efforts to ensure the information presented in this article is complete and accurate, but changes and/or inaccuracies and/or errors may occur. Relying on this information is the sole responsibility of the user. The company shall not be liable for any damage and/or loss of any kind, direct or indirect, resulting from reliance on this information. The content of the article is not a substitute for legal advice or any other advice tailored to the individual’s specific data and needs. Phoenix Insurance Company Ltd.
In collaboration with the Phoenix Smart