Just before boarding: The apps you must have for a vacation abroad

Vacations abroad no longer start just when the plane takes off. Various apps allow you to prepare in advance from home, receive real-time updates, and find immediate solutions for any situation that might surprise you on your trip. From health insurance to hotel management and advanced public transport apps—these are the digital tools that will make you a more sophisticated traveler.

This is an essential tool every traveler should download even before packing their suitcase. In case of a medical event abroad, it’s not always easy to find a suitable doctor or understand which documents are required for treatment. This is where the app comes into play: It allows you to quickly locate doctors and hospitals nearby, check which ones cooperate with your insurance company, and contact the company’s call center with the push of a button. You can download commitment forms in advance, present them at the hospital, and receive immediate care.

Additionally, the app offers claims management—uploading documents, invoices, and test results—significantly shortening the bureaucratic process. Another advantage is remote medical consultation, including speaking with a doctor in Hebrew, which can be especially helpful when traveling with children.

Today, it’s almost impossible to fly without using your airline’s app. Beyond check-in and seat selection, it also allows you to download your boarding pass directly to your phone, saving time at security checkpoints. The app sends real-time updates for any flight changes—from early departures or delays to last-minute gate changes.

Frequent travelers can track their points and benefits, reserve preferred seats, or upgrade to a higher class. Some apps also allow ordering special meals or receiving suggestions for connecting flights. For families with children or business travelers, having all this information on one device provides peace of mind and a complete sense of control.

In any foreign city you visit, navigating public transport can be challenging. Citymapper offers a particularly user-friendly solution: Enter your destination—hotel, restaurant, or museum—and the app calculates the fastest and most convenient route. It shows combinations of buses, trains, metro, and even walking, including estimated travel time, approximate cost, and detailed instructions for transferring between stations.

The huge advantage is its coverage of many cities worldwide, from New York and London to Singapore and Barcelona. It also offers a “Go” mode that provides real-time navigation while traveling—so even if you don’t know the language or local signs, you’ll know when to get off the train and where to continue.

Every major airport now has its own app that provides essential information for travelers. Beyond showing arrival and departure times, it tells you which gate to go to, how long security checks will take, and what services are available nearby. Some apps include interactive airport maps—shops, restaurants, lounges, and facilities—with real-time traveler location. This allows planning a quick meal or duty-free shopping without worrying about missing the flight. Some airports also offer parking reservations, lounge tickets, or digital discount vouchers for stores.

Booking is one of the most popular apps worldwide for hotel reservations, and it’s easy to see why. It gathers hundreds of thousands of accommodations—from luxury hotels to simple apartments—and shows photos, prices, and reviews from other travelers. The app allows easy management of reservations, viewing check-in and check-out details, changing dates, upgrading rooms, or even last-minute cancellations.

A major advantage is direct communication with the hotel through the interface—for questions about parking, breakfast, or special requests. Regular users also enjoy the Genius rewards system, offering discounts and additional services. For frequent travelers, it’s a tool that centralizes all accommodation needs in one place.

For years, it has been the most popular mapping app in the world. Its advantage is combining navigation for driving, public transport, and walking. You can save points of interest in advance, such as restaurants and attractions, and create a personalized route. Offline maps can also be downloaded—a perfect solution for areas with poor signal or when you want to save data. The app provides real-time information on traffic, public transport congestion, and opening hours. Recently, reviews and photos from users were added, so you can know what to expect at a restaurant or attraction.

A fascinating feature within Google that allows you to explore a city even before leaving home. Using Google Street View, you can virtually stroll the streets, walk outside your hotel, and check how to reach nearby attractions. The experience is almost like a real trip: Drag the yellow figure on the map and get a 3D view of the street from every angle.

For travelers new to a foreign city, this tool reduces anxiety—you can see in advance how the hotel entrance looks, which direction to turn when exiting the metro station, and even spot interesting restaurants and cafes along the way. It provides a sense of security and greatly eases the initial orientation process.

This app finds the cheapest flights for you. It scans hundreds of airline and travel agency websites, compares prices, and displays results based on criteria like price, flight duration, or number of stops. You can set price alerts for a specific flight and receive notifications when the price drops. The app also offers an “anywhere” search—a solution for flexible travelers looking for the cheapest destination for specific dates. Many use it to book domestic flights within large countries like the United States or Australia.

You can’t always manage with English, especially in countries where it’s less common. This app allows translating dozens of languages in real time. You can type text, speak it aloud, or photograph signs and menus with your phone camera for immediate translation. In some regions, languages can also be downloaded for offline use. Another feature is “conversation mode,” where you can speak with someone in another language and the app translates for both sides—a practical solution for everyday situations like ordering food or taking a taxi.

Many travelers find it difficult to calculate currency conversions mentally, especially for less common currencies. XE Currency provides accurate conversion using updated rates, including the option to save rates for offline use. You can input amounts and instantly see the value in NIS or any other currency. The app is particularly useful for travelers in countries with frequent small transactions, like local markets or small restaurants.

A global platform that collects reviews of restaurants, hotels, and tourist sites. Its advantage is the abundance—millions of reviews worldwide allowing you to understand what’s really worth your time and money. You can search by proximity, rating, or category, and browse photos uploaded by real visitors. Additionally, the app allows you to create personal lists and save places for future visits.

How many times have you gone on vacation and realized you forgot an essential item? PackPoint solves this problem with a smart packing list based on your destination, weather, and trip type. The app asks basic information—such as whether it’s a beach holiday, city trip, or business trip—and creates a customized list. You can share the list with friends or family to ensure everyone is prepared.

One of the most innovative apps for travelers. It allows planning a complete vacation—from the initial idea to daily management on the ground. You can ask questions about destinations, receive personalized itinerary recommendations, translate sentences in real time, and even get practical guidance in confusing situations, like finding your way from the plane to the baggage carousel. Many use it to discover local restaurants, build a daily route, or get cultural insights to enrich the experience. For those who prefer independence over a tour guide, it’s a powerful tool.

The app that revolutionized transportation. With one click, you can order a car in almost any major city worldwide, see the price upfront, pay by credit card, and track the driver in real time. The main advantage is transparency—no need to haggle with taxi drivers or worry about being overcharged as a tourist. The service is available in dozens of countries, and where it isn’t, alternatives like Bolt or Lyft can be used. You can also order large vehicles for families, luxury cars, or even scooters in some locations.

Even if you plan your vacation in detail, nothing beats experience. On Facebook, there are hundreds of local Israeli groups—“Israelis in Madrid,” “Israelis in Budapest,” “Israelis in New York,” “Israelis in Paris,” and more. In these groups, you can find daily tips, warnings, restaurant recommendations, shows, attractions, and sometimes even immediate help in emergencies.

The advantage is that this information is up-to-date, personal, and “from the field.” Instead of reading an old travel guide, you can simply ask the group and receive a reliable answer from someone who is currently in the city. For independent travelers, these groups are nothing less than a safety net.

In many countries, first aid and rescue companies operate dedicated apps. These apps allow you to quickly summon emergency teams, share your exact location, and receive initial instructions even before the ambulance arrives. Some include online first aid guides, emergency phone lines, and even the ability to save insurance details that pop up automatically on the operator’s screen. For travelers worried about unexpected medical situations, it provides significant peace of mind.

No vacation is complete without shopping, but you also need to manage expenses. Bank and credit card apps allow you to see your account balance in real time, track card charges, block a lost card, and recover a forgotten PIN. Some offer chat services with a representative or instant support requests. For those prone to overspending, these apps balance the desire to enjoy with the need to maintain a healthy bank account even after the trip.

Regular and reserve soldiers know the big advantage of this app: It allows you to pass security checks at Ben Gurion Airport quickly, without waiting in long lines on the first floor. Simply present the app and get immediate screening. Currently, it shortens the first stage of security, but in the near future, it is hoped the app will allow full flight check-in as well. For those in a hurry or traveling with small children, it’s a significant advantage that eases the travel experience from the very first moment.