Best Travel Apps for Apple Watch: Navigating Cities, Airports & Hotels

Travelling can be stressful, especially when navigating unfamiliar cities, airports, and hotels. Fortunately, your Apple Watch can be a game-changer, helping you find your way effortlessly. With a range of travel apps designed specifically for watchOS, you can access maps, public transport information, and hotel details right from your wrist. In this guide, we’ll explore the best travel apps for Apple Watch and how they can enhance your travel experience.

1. Apple Maps – The Built-in Essential

Apple Maps is the default navigation app on every Apple Watch, offering turn-by-turn directions, real-time traffic updates, and public transport information in many cities. It integrates seamlessly with Siri, allowing you to get directions hands-free. The app also provides haptic feedback, vibrating to indicate when you need to turn—a particularly useful feature when walking or cycling in a new city.

Since Apple Maps is pre-installed, it offers deep integration with iPhone and works well with Siri, making hands-free navigation effortless. Real-time traffic updates help you avoid delays, and indoor maps for airports and shopping centres make navigating complex locations easier. However, its offline functionality is limited, and in some areas, it lacks the depth of information found in other map applications.

2. Google Maps – The Global Favourite

Google Maps is a widely used navigation app with extensive coverage worldwide. While it doesn’t provide turn-by-turn navigation directly on the Apple Watch, it allows you to start directions on your iPhone and receive step-by-step updates on your watch. You can also save locations for quick access and customise routes with multiple stops, making it ideal for detailed travel planning.

One of Google Maps' biggest strengths is its comprehensive coverage and detailed mapping, which often surpasses Apple Maps in certain regions. It works across multiple devices and supports offline navigation, making it an excellent choice for international travellers. However, the lack of full turn-by-turn navigation on Apple Watch can be a downside, and loading maps can sometimes be data-intensive.

3. Topo Maps – The Ultimate Outdoor Navigator

Topo Maps is a fantastic choice for travellers who love exploring nature, hiking, or navigating remote areas. Unlike other navigation apps, it focuses on detailed topographic maps, helping users understand elevation, trails, and off-road paths. The Apple Watch version lets you check your GPS location, track your route, and access maps without needing a constant internet connection.

For outdoor enthusiasts, Topo Maps provides an excellent offline experience, ensuring that you can navigate even in areas without signal. It’s particularly useful for hikers, campers, and adventurers who need accurate terrain data and route tracking. However, this app is not ideal for urban navigation, and storing offline maps requires additional device storage. If you primarily travel in cities, a more general navigation app may be a better choice.

4. TripIt – The Ultimate Travel Organiser

TripIt helps you manage your entire travel itinerary by automatically compiling trip details from confirmation emails. It syncs with your calendar and displays all your travel plans—flights, hotel bookings, car rentals, and event tickets—in one place. The Apple Watch app gives you quick access to essential trip details, so you don’t have to dig through your phone for booking confirmations.

This app is particularly useful for frequent travellers as it eliminates the need for printed tickets and keeps all travel details in a single, easily accessible location. The ability to receive real-time flight alerts and gate changes ensures you stay updated without constantly checking your phone. However, some advanced features, such as alternative flight recommendations and refund tracking, require a paid Pro subscription. Additionally, TripIt needs access to your email to automatically create itineraries, which may be a concern for privacy-conscious users.

5. Yelp – Find the Best Restaurants and Attractions

Yelp is an invaluable tool for discovering the best local restaurants, bars, and attractions. Using crowd-sourced reviews and ratings, it helps travellers make informed choices about where to eat, drink, and explore. The Apple Watch version allows you to search for nearby places, view star ratings, and get directions instantly.

This app is great for making quick decisions on the go, with a vast database covering everything from restaurants and cafés to shopping and entertainment. User reviews provide insights into the best local spots, and the ability to view opening hours and pricing makes planning easier. However, in smaller towns or remote areas, Yelp's data may be less reliable. Some reviews can also be biased or outdated, so it’s worth cross-referencing with other sources.

6. Flighty – The Best Flight Tracker for Apple Watch

Flighty is a powerful flight tracking app designed for frequent travellers. It provides real-time flight status updates, delay predictions, and gate change alerts. The Apple Watch app ensures that you stay informed about your flight details without needing to constantly check your phone. It’s especially useful for tracking flight delays and receiving live push notifications.

This app is incredibly reliable for keeping you updated on flight changes, offering a seamless experience for those who fly regularly. The ability to store flight details offline is another advantage, ensuring that you can access your itinerary even without an internet connection. However, some of Flighty’s best features, such as historical delay predictions and detailed tracking, require a premium subscription. Additionally, support for smaller airlines may be more limited compared to major carriers.

Why Your Apple Watch is the Perfect Travel Companion

Using your Apple Watch for travel reduces the need to constantly check your phone, keeping your hands free and your focus on enjoying your trip. With quick glances at your wrist, you can navigate new cities seamlessly, get instant updates on flights and public transport, and find the best restaurants and attractions. Whether you're a frequent flyer or an occasional traveller, these apps will help you explore with confidence. Before your next trip, make sure your Apple Watch is equipped with the best travel apps to ensure a smooth and stress-free journey.

Enhance Your Travel Style with Buckle & Band Straps

While your Apple Watch can make travel easier, the right strap can enhance both comfort and style during your journey. Buckle & Band offers a range of high-quality leather and stainless steel straps that are perfect for every occasion, whether you're navigating a bustling airport, attending a business meeting, or exploring a new city.

For a refined and elegant look, the Lond strap, crafted from thick full-grain leather with intricate stitching, is perfect for formal settings. If you prefer a more versatile option, the Mila suede leather strap blends casual sophistication with everyday comfort. Travellers who want a balance between luxury and practicality will appreciate the Mona hybrid leather-silicone strap, designed for both workouts and daily wear, thanks to its sweat-resistant silicone underlayer. And for those looking to make a statement, the stainless steel Milanese strap offers a premium finish, ideal for both professional and casual wear.

A high-quality strap not only elevates your outfit but also ensures your Apple Watch remains secure and comfortable on long journeys. Whether you're boarding a plane, strolling through a new city, or heading to an important event, Buckle & Band straps provide the perfect combination of durability, style, and comfort for any traveller.