Planning a trip to a new destination needs a lot of effort from start to finish. That’s why I have a roster of iPhone travel apps that help me execute perfect trips, from packing lists to sharing my journey.

1 Calculator

Looking up currency conversion rates is necessary when traveling internationally. While using Google for this is a quick fix, there’s an easier way to get conversion questions out of the way. I’ve started using my iPhone’s Calculator app to convert currency, without having to look up the exchange rate for the day.

To access Calculator’s conversion feature, open the app on your phone and click the calculator icon in the lower left corner. Now, turn on “Convert.” Your default calculator will change to a currency conversion calculator. You can swap the currency units, and click on the arrow button to change the currency.

Calculator also has a unit conversion feature which you may find useful when traveling in countries that do not use the same unit measures as your home country. This can be useful for things like temperature, weight, or speed.

2 Find My

Another native app that I regularly use when traveling is Find My. During the hustle and bustle of boarding flights and commuting to new places, it can be easy to misplace your Apple devices. By connecting your and your family’s devices (using Family Sharing) to Find My, you can have a stress-free journey.

If you use an AirTag for your suitcase, you can connect it (and other third-party items) to your Find My app and locate it precisely. If you share location with other friends or family members, you can easily track where they are to make meeting up easier (just be sure to share locations first).

3 Apple Maps

Before looking at my favorite third-party travel apps, the last native Apple app that I’ve been using during my trips is Maps. While I like to use both Google Maps and Apple Maps, the latter has the advantage of native integration with Apple devices and offline mapping which can be a huge help for avoiding data fees when overseas.

Street view is also something that I use Apple Maps for, besides its Guides feature that gives you travel recommendations based on your location. Some areas will be better serviced than others, so your mileage may vary based on where you are and where you’re going.

If you use features like CarPlay during road trips, then Apple Maps could be best for you. It also has a compass for navigation, among other features, which can help you accurately drive or commute to local destinations that you’re not aware of.

4 Packr

Packing up my life in suitcases to move countries meant I needed a reliable packing list that would be easy to track and update. Packr came in clutch with its well-organized interface and customization options that helped me pack essential items.

Once you set up the app, you can input your travel information including destination, time of travel, transportation, and type of activities you will be doing during your trip. Based on your answers and the weather forecast for your destination, Packr generates a packing list that you can customize by deleting and adding items, creating a to-do list for things you would want to check off before departure. You can sort items by what you have packed and see what’s left.

I’ve been using Packr for short vacations, and its collaborative feature that lets you invite friends to a packing list has been something that has kept me coming back. Packr Premium ($2.99/month or $19.99/year) lets you create packing lists from scratch, access family mode, and duplicate trips.

5 (Not Boring) Weather

Apple’s Weather app has always been my go-to app to check the day’s forecast. But when traveling, I turn to (Not Boring) Weather, given how fun it is to use. This weather app has a playful and interactive interface, loaded with detailed, daily and weekly weather forecasts. You can change skins for the temperature display, and hear sound effects when a thunderstorm or windy day is predicted.

I also use the app for its in-depth forecasts of cloud cover and moon illumination. Its “minute forecasts” are very helpful for rainy days, specifically when I’m planning outdoor activities. (Not Boring) Weather lets you add widgets to your iPhone home screen, enable weather alerts, and share weather forecasts with your contacts.

6 TripIt

Your next trip could probably benefit from a travel planner that helps you check off every activity you planned. TripIt has been a staple in my travel apps folder, helping me create detailed travel itineraries while organizing my journey. You can sync your email inbox with the app, which will automatically add upcoming trips and plans to your itinerary.

Alternatively, you can manually log upcoming flights or car rental information (including ticket numbers and airline) to keep track of transportation. Enter activity details such as meetings and concerts, or create custom events. TripIt lets you securely add travel documents like your passport, driver’s license, and vaccination documents for easy access, and invite friends to your trip itinerary.

I like that you can create multiple trips and add detailed plans for each trip. While I do not use the inbox sync feature as much as I would like to given its convenience, I find that my trips go a lot smoother when I stick to my pre-made plans rather than relying on messy, last-minute lists that I threw together in the Notes app.

7 TravelSpend

A major vice that can hinder my trips is overspending. Budgeting through an Apple Numbers spreadsheet can be helpful, but for travel, I like to stick to a budgeting app like TravelSpend. This lets you set a trip budget including a daily limit, log expenses and details like mode of payment and type of expense, and see how your expenses are spread out across categories with a pie chart.

8 I like that I can connect Apple Pay to TravelSpend so that my expenses are automatically logged, but you can also manually enter your expenses if you use your card or cash to pay. TravelSpend has features like a map, collaboration to split bills, and the ability to log all expenses in your home currency, making your travel a breeze.

9 Culture Trip

Creating a travel plan is a good idea, but if you are traveling to a new destination and want to get the best local experiences, then a travel guide can be vital. Impromptu plans and a lack of time have held me back from reading travel blogs, books, and articles, which is why I like to use Culture Trip. This app lets you access personalized travel guides that are hand-picked by experts.

Once you pick your destination, you can view a list of recommendations for restaurants and bars, places to stay, places to see, and cultural activities. These recommendations, which you can see as detailed lists, can be bookmarked and sorted by type.

The app has separate travel guides to plan your next trip using Culture Trip’s in-house articles from experts. These guides span topics such as food, rail travel, countries, and specific tourist attractions. I read these guides when my itinerary seems incomplete, or I’m not confident with the Google reviews for a local restaurant.

You can also use Culture Trip to add a travel plan, making it a one-stop app for your guides and itinerary.

10 Journi Blog

Travel blogging can be intimidating, especially if you don’t know where to start. But it’s the best way to log your trip, capture moments, and see a snapshot of your journey. Journi Blog has been my travel companion which I revisit to see memories from my previous trips.

With this app, you can create travel journal entries (similar to the Journal app) that can include your thoughts, pictures you clicked, and details like time, location, and weather. Syncing your Photos library makes it easier to blog and create multiple entries.

Journi Blog has a map that shows your travel history that complements your ability to add flights to journal entries for a virtual flight stamp. The best part is that your travel blog does not have to be limited to a virtual diary.

You can create photobooks, calendars, cards, or custom photo prints with your entries, and get them delivered. This can be a nice bow on top of your elaborately planned trip, especially if you are someone who likes to travel a lot.

I find that these apps check all my travel boxes and let me plan comprehensively. Traveling with your iPhone? Grab a cheap MagSafe battery case to keep your device juiced up and learn how to keep your devices safe when moving around.