The thrills of traveling are endless: different cultures, people, foods, sights, and smells. But the downside of traveling is that it can be very stressful. There is a lot to organize, research and a lot of opportunities for things to go wrong. One of the more stressful starts to a trip I’ve ever had is when I was stuck in NYC traffic and arrived 10 minutes before the takeoff time for an international flight leaving for Japan (which I do not recommend).

If the goal of traveling is to have a fun, enjoyable experience, anything that helps to make the process less stressful is a win in my book. Mobile apps are great for making travel more organized, with apps for itinerary management, directions, flights and more. Here’s a list of some of my favorite travel-related apps:

Planning

First up we have Google Trips. I know what you’re thinking, “Google, how original,” but hear me out. I love to use Google apps because they sync so well with one another. One of the things I like to do is open Google Maps and star restaurants, hotels, and other places I want to visit. On a recent trip to San Francisco and LA, Google Trips helped me plan out what to do and how long it would take, and then keep track of that plan.

Another trip planning app that I’m a fan of is TripIt. Similar to Google, it allows you to organize, edit, sync, and share travel plans from one location. This is especially helpful when you need to share your plans with friends or plan together.

Booking

Finding the perfect flight at the right price and time is both an art and a science. I’ve spent countless hours searching for that unicorn flight, and there are a few apps that are my go-tos. The first app I always check for flights is Kayak. It has an interface that was recently updated and it’s easy to use. As a metasearch engine, it aggregates hundreds of travel sites and prices therein. The app tracks prices, gives buying recommendations based on historical data, and keeps track of your bookings. One of the coolest features is ‘Explore’ in which you can pick a home airport and see prices on a map of the world for different time frames.

Next, I like to check Skyscanner which has a similar functionality to Kayak and a nice user interface. Of course, you can book more than just flights on these apps–everything from rental cars to train tickets to hotels. Two other apps I like to use are Hipmunk and Hopper – check them out!

Time Zones

If you’ve ever been on a long flight, then it’s likely that you’ve dealt with time zone changes. I feel your pain, especially if you have a hard time sleeping on flights. Not only does traveling across time zones affect your body’s internal clock, but it can also cause issues with scheduling calls or meetings with people in other parts of the world. Circa helps you schedule times that work for everyone involved in a way that’s easy to use and understand. You simply choose cities and a graph shows where times overlap on a 24-hour circle.

VPNs

Virtual private networks are very helpful if you are traveling to areas that restrict certain sites or if you can’t live without the Netflix shows from your home country. I needed to use a VPN when the latest season of House of Cards came out and Netflix in Germany didn’t have the newest season. Tunnelbear and HMA (Hidemyass) are two VPNs I’ve used while traveling that allow you secure network access and choose from different server locations. The big plus with these two is that they are easy to use and have a pleasant user interface.

Money, Money, Money

When traveling internationally it’s always helpful to know the exchange rate, as budget planning requires you know how much something costs. While visiting London, you may think that £6 for a pint isn’t too bad, only to later realize you spent more than $8. XE Currency is a saving grace, especially with exchange rates from countries like Japan where 1 US dollar equals over 100 Japanese yen.

Navigation

So once you arrive at your destination, how do you know where you’re going? Gone are the days of GPS devices dangling from the windshield of your car. Everything you need to get around is now conveniently located on your phone. The two apps I use all the time are Google Maps (big surprise) and Waze. Google is my go-to and then I usually compare the route options with what the drivers using Waze have to say.

While Google Maps isn’t exactly right all of the time, it does a good job of updating you on the fastest route and giving you various options when choosing a route. Waze is community-based and shows the user traffic conditions, cheapest gas prices, police locations and collisions. It uses data from other Waze drivers so the information tends to be up-to-date. Another feature of Waze that I love is that it shows you the speed limit and how fast you are going in comparison. If you’re in a foreign country or even a different state, this is a lifesaver.

No Car? No Problem

Thanks to the growing availability of ride-sharing apps, getting around a new city without renting a car is easier than ever. Uber is a well-known app that allows you to request a ride to go wherever you like. The interface is easy to use and shows the drivers available in your area. Lyft is a similar app that I recently began using. Both apps have promotional discounts when you share the app with a friend.

Regional ride-hailing apps like China-based Didi and Singapore’s GrabTaxi are expanding into new markets, so it may be worth looking into local apps that are more prevalent in the city you’re visiting.

Re-entry into the US

One of my favorite recent apps has been Mobile Passport. With this app, US citizens can enter through a special line at 24 airports and one cruise port, and they are expanding to new locations. I have used this app at the San Francisco International Airport when flying from Frankfurt and skipped the long lines. Never have I had such an easy time getting through US airport checks. You simply set up an account with your passport info and personal information and then when you touchdown in the US, you can choose an airport and then you’re in.

These are some of my favorite apps that I use when I’m on the road. What travel apps are on your phone? Leave your recommendations in the comments below!