Top 17… no! wait! 16 Essential Travel Apps We Use as Fulltime Travelers
Traveling is exciting, but let’s be real—it’s also a juggling act of logistics, language barriers, and budgets. Thankfully, a few trusty apps have become our secret weapons. We have found that these 16 essential travel apps save us time, money, and sanity while we navigate our nomadic lifestyle. Let’s dive into our favorites and how they can make your travel life easier too.
Our essential travel apps we use as fulltime travelers
Want a quick look at the apps that keep our nomadic lifestyle running smoothly? Here’s a handy table summarizing what each one does and a pro tip. Take a peek, and then stick around for the nitty-gritty details of why we love them and how we use these tools to save time, money, and sanity while traveling fulltime!
AppPurposePro TipGoogle MapsNavigation, discovering hidden gems, and saving placesDownload offline maps before traveling for uninterrupted access.SkyscannerFinding cheap flights and planning open-ended tripsUse the “Everywhere” search and set price alerts for fare drops.Booking.com Hotel and hostel bookings with great dealsSign up for Genius to unlock discounts after a few bookings.Expedia Booking hotels, flights, and car rentalsCompare bundles to save money on multiple bookings.Duolingo Learning basic language skillsPair with Pimsleur audiobooks for faster skill improvement.Rome2RioComparing travel options (flights, trains, buses)Use it to explore all modes of transportation for your route.GPSMyCitySelf-guided walking tours Upgrade to Pro to download routes and use offline.WhatsApp Messaging, calls, and staying connected internationally Create trip group chats for easy sharing of plans and photos.Airalo Purchasing eSIMs for affordable local data Buy and activate eSIMs before your trip to stay connected on arrival.Google Translate Translating text, signs, and conversations Download languages packs for offline use to ensure accessibility.ViatorDiscovering and booking tours and activities Book early for popular experiences and look for discounts or free cancellations.BusbudBooking bus tickets and comparing operatorsUse it to simplify international bus travel plansUberConvenient ride-hailing without language barriers Save addresses for copy-pasting, and check coverage in your destination.MintMobile Affordable phone plans and keeping U.S. numbers Activate Wi-Fi calling to stay connected for calls and texts abroad.Google SheetsCreate spreadsheets to track every thing for our itinerary details to daily expenses.Use the share feature to create shareable spreadsheets with your travel companions.Norton 360Peace of mind with its VPN protectionEnable the kill switch for extra security if the connection drops👋 New Here? We’re Jeff and Sandra, American expats, living abroad, on a budget, one country at at time. Most days, we’re just doing what we’ve always done— making ourselves a home, working on projects, cooking, and running errands, wherever home might be at the moment. Sometimes that means checking out local activities, visiting museums and historical sites; other times it means finding out which local restaurant has the best pizza or empanadas, and which grocery store sells peanut butter.
This life isn’t always glamorous, but it’s ours—and we’re here to share with you what we learn.
Ready to dive deeper? Let’s unpack why these apps have earned a permanent spot on our phones, complete with tips and tricks for getting the most out of each one. Whether you’re planning your next big trip or just looking to simplify your travels, these detailed descriptions will help you decide which apps deserve a spot on your home screen.
App-by-App: How These 16 Travel apps Simplify Full-Time Travel
1. Google Maps
Use the Google My Maps to create shareable, custom itineraries. We do this! Reach out if you would like to see our Google My Maps walking tours and itineraries!
Skyscanner’s “Everywhere” search option is perfect for planning open-ended trips when you just need to get somewhere affordable.2. Skyscanner
3. Airbnb
4. Booking.com
5. Expedia
Tip: Be sure to read our comprehensive guide on how to Stretch Your Travel Dollar: Finding Affordable Places To Stay
6. Duolingo
7. Rome2Rio
8. GPSMyCity
10. WhatsApp
11. Airalo
Get US$3 off AIRALO on your first purchase using this code: SANDRA0288
12. Google Translate
13. Viator
We used Viator to book our Coffee Farm Tour; Finca Casanga in Boquete, Panama
14. Busbuds
15. Uber
15. MintMobile
16. Google Sheets
17. Norton 360
What’s in Your Travel App Toolkit?
So there you have it! Traveling full-time can feel like a never-ending puzzle, but having the right tools makes it manageable—and even enjoyable. These apps don’t just live on our phones; they’re an extension of how we plan, navigate, and connect. From finding cheap flights to chatting with locals or even getting lost (on purpose) in a city’s backstreets, these tools keep our journey running smoother than it would without them.
Of course, no app is perfect, and what works for us might not work for everyone. Travel is personal, and the best tools are the ones that fit your style and needs. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or dreaming of long-term travel, a few of these might just make your journey a little easier—or at least help you avoid a taxi driver who doesn’t take credit cards.
Got a favorite app that we missed? We’re always on the lookout for tools to make this wild ride even better. Drop us a note—we’d love to hear what’s saving your sanity on the road.
Finding the Perfect Personal Item Bag for Your Travels
Hey, fellow travelers! If you’re like me, finding the perfect personal item bag is key to smooth travel. In a recent video on our YouTube channel, The Mobile Retiree, I purchased and reviewed four different underseat personal item bags, each with its pros and cons. But before we dive into those, let’s break down the basics of personal items vs. carry-ons.
What’s the Difference Between a Personal Item and a Carry-On?
When flying, many airlines allow two pieces of luggage: a carry-on and a personal item. But what’s the actual difference?
In the video, I mention how important it is to pick the right personal item for you. For me, choosing the right personal item is crucial because it, along with my carryon sized roller bag, needs to be compact yet spacious enough to hold everything I need for fulltime travel for months at a time. Personally, I never board a flight without my laptop, snacks, and and my airplane essentials kit (more on that later).
Airline Rules: What to Keep in Mind
Here’s the tricky part—airlines are getting stricter with what they allow. Some even limit you to two total items, meaning that small purse or messenger bag might count as one of those. That’s why it’s a good idea to leave space in your personal item bag to tuck your purse inside before boarding. This way, you don’t have to scramble at the gate or risk paying extra fees.
The key is understanding your airline’s rules. Some airlines specify the dimensions for personal items, so be sure to check those before you pack. Check your airline’s specific rules.
Pro Tip: Always be prepared for the unexpected! Sometimes, you’ll have to check your carry-on at the gate if overhead space runs out. Pack essentials like your electronics, toiletries, and a change of clothes in your personal item bag, just in case.
Best Personal Item Bags for Air Travel
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of how each of these bags performs as a personal item.
For the review I packed each bag with the exact same stuff (clothing, electronics, toiletry bag, liquids, my airplane comfort kit and other essentials.
Size: Compact and fits perfectly under the seat.
Organization: Includes multiple pockets for easy organization, great for quick access to travel documents.
Laptop Safety: Padded compartment keeps laptops secure.
Trolley Sleeve: Yes, it even has a zippered pocket for phone and passport.
Price: $38.99*
Watch my review of the Bagsmart Bag here
Stuery Canvas Travel Duffle Bag
Size: Dimensions exceed underseat size, but you might be able to squash it down if not filled to the brim.
Organization: Includes multiple pockets for easy organization, great for quick access to travel documents.
Laptop Safety: Padded compartment keeps laptops secure.
Trolley Sleeve: Yes, it even has a zippered pocket for phone and passport.
Price: $49.99*
Watch my review of the Stuery Bag here
Missnine Expandable Weekender Bag
Size: It’s going to be a tight squeeze if fully packed
Organization: Includes multiple pockets for easy organization, great for quick access to travel documents.
Laptop Safety: No laptop compartment
Trolley Sleeve: Strap only and no zippered pocket like the others
Price: $32.99*
Watch my review of the Missnine Bag here
ECOHUB Personal Item Travel Bag
Size: It’s going to be a tight squeeze if fully packed
Organization: Includes multiple pockets for easy organization.
Laptop Safety: Padded compartment keeps laptops secure, though like others the padding on the bottom of the compartment is lacking (I have a tip for that in the video!).
Trolley Sleeve: Yes, it even has a zippered pocket for phone and passport.
Price: $31.99*
Watch my review of the Ecohub bag here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCq8S8HfYT0
Personal Experience: Why I Started Searching for a New Personal Item Bag
For the past travel year I had been using my Osprey Fairview 55 Women’s Travel Backpack and Jeff has the Osprey Farpoint 55L, and we shared a smaller roller bag.
Both the Osprey Fairview55L and the Farpoint 55L consist of two backpacks; a 40L backpack and a fully detachable 15L daypack.
During our the year of fulltime travel we stopped carrying quite a few things that we had brought with us just in case. That left the roller bag about half empty. Each time we changed locations I tried to reconfigure what I pack into my backpack and daypack with the idea that maybe we could avoid using the a roller bag at all.
But then I came to the realization that a) I preferred using the roller bag because wheels and it opened like a clamshell so I didn’t have to unpack if we were only staying overnight or if the accommodations lack storage space, and b) if the daypack, which I used as my personal item on flights, was just a little bigger, I could loose the 40L backpack.
Plus while the 40L Backpack is very adjustable and technically fit, I found wearing it for any length of time uncomfortable so most of the time it sat on the roller bag (or Jeff carried it) and I wore the smaller daypack on travel days. But that also meant that between the two of us we were managing five bags and had to check one bag when flying.
Thus the search for the perfect (for me) personal item bag began.
I wanted something that could fit under the seat in front of me while on planes, had a trolley sleeve (that’s the little band of fabric or strap that slips over an extended suitcase handle to help it sit on top of suitcase), and more importantly could hold 3-5 days worth of necessities, had an easy access padded laptop compartment, opens down the middle for easy packing and had organization features like pockets for easy access to passport and travel documents.
My goal? a bag that:
All of the bag descriptions stated they had the features I was looking for, well except for one, which I bought because it resembled a folding tote bag that costs $100 and the dupe had received rave reviews and I just had to check it out for myself.
Final Thoughts on Personal Item Bags
Choosing the right personal item bag can make or break your travel experience. Whether you’re looking for something budget-friendly, tech-safe, or super organized, the key is to find one that meets your needs and fits within the airline’s regulations.
For the full breakdown, don’t forget to check out the video where I show each bag in action. You can skip the video’s intro and jump right to the the bag review in the video here. If you have any questions or want to share your own travel tips, feel free to reach out to us via our [Contact Us] page—we’d love to hear from you!
FAQs About Personal Item Bags
What size bag fits under an airplane seat?
Most airlines allow personal items that are about 18 x 14 x 8 inches. However, always check your specific airline’s dimensions.
Are personal item bags allowed on all airlines?
Yes, but size restrictions and the number of items allowed vary by airline. Some only allow a carry-on and a personal item, while others allow additional bags like a purse.
How do I pack my personal item bag for long flights?
Pack essentials like electronics, toiletries, snacks, and a change of clothes in case your carry-on has to be checked at the gate.
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