We all know the excitement that comes with planning a family trip, but let’s be real here—coordinating the chaos of a big family vacation can sometimes feel like herding cats.
From booking accommodations that fit everyone to keeping track of who owes what, it’s enough to make even the most seasoned traveler break a sweat.
Luckily, we’ve got a list of the best family vacation planning apps that’ll make vacation planning a breeze.
Ready to get going?
Let’s dive in!
What Are Family Vacation Planning Apps?
Family vacation planning apps are specifically designed to help families organize and streamline the process of planning and enjoying a vacation together.
The following list of the best family vacation planning apps is broken up into:
- Accommodation
- Travel planning
- Meal planning & budgeting
- Transportation
- Organization
Accommodation Apps
Whether you’re looking for a spacious vacation rental, a cozy cabin in the woods, or a budget-friendly hotel room, these apps have got you covered.
1. Airbnb
Airbnb offers a vast selection of unique accommodations, including entire homes, apartments, cabins, and villas, hosted by local hosts.
With options to filter by size, amenities, and location, families can find the perfect home away from home for their vacation.
2. Vacation Rentals By Owner (Vrbo)
Vrbo specializes in vacation rental properties, ranging from beachfront condos to mountain cabins and everything in between.
Families can easily search for properties that accommodate large groups and offer amenities like kitchens, multiple bedrooms, and outdoor spaces.
3. Booking.com
Booking.com features a wide range of accommodations, including hotels, apartments, hostels, and resorts, at various price points.
With options for flexible booking, free cancellation, and verified reviews, families can book with confidence and convenience.
4. HomeToGo
HomeToGo is like a vacation rental search engine that collects listings from multiple platforms, allowing families to compare prices, amenities, and availability across a wide range of properties.
With filters for size, budget, and location, finding the perfect vacation rental is a breeze.
5. HotelTonight
HotelTonight specializes in last-minute hotel bookings, offering discounted rates on unsold rooms at top hotels.
While it’s primarily geared towards spontaneous travelers, families can still find great deals on accommodations for their next getaway, even if it’s planned on short notice.
Travel Planning Apps
These apps are designed to streamline every aspect of trip planning, from organizing itineraries and booking accommodations to discovering activities and navigating unfamiliar destinations.
6. TripIt
TripIt is a comprehensive travel organizer that compiles all of your trip details in one place.
All you have to do is forward confirmation emails for your flights, hotels, car rentals, and other activities to TripIt, and it’ll create a detailed itinerary for you!
7. Trip.com
Trip.com offers a wide range of features to assist families in organizing their vacations. Users can search for and book flights, hotels, rental cars, and activities directly through the app.
Trip.com also provides personalized recommendations for attractions, restaurants, and experiences at various destinations, making it easy for families to plan their itineraries.
8. Roadtrippers
Roadtrippers is the ultimate tool for planning road trips and discovering hidden gems along the way.
The app allows families to create custom itineraries, find interesting attractions, and book accommodations along their route.
9. Sygic Travel
Sygic Travel s a comprehensive trip planner that helps families create detailed itineraries for their vacations.
The app offers a vast database of attractions, activities, and points of interest in destinations around the world, allowing users to easily plan their sightseeing adventures.
10. TripAdvisor
No list would be complete without TripAdvisor. It’s a go-to resource for travel planning, offering a wealth of user-generated reviews and recommendations for hotels, restaurants, and attractions worldwide.
Families can use the app to research destinations, read reviews, and book accommodations and activities directly through the platform.
Meal Planning & Budgeting
These apps are designed to help families save money on dining out and streamline the meal planning process, ensuring that everyone stays well-fed without breaking the bank.
11. Mealime
Mealime simplifies meal planning by providing personalized meal plans and recipes based on dietary preferences and the number of people in your family.
With features like grocery lists and cooking instructions, it’s super easy to prepare delicious and budget-friendly meals during your trip.
12. Splitwise
If you’re traveling with extended family, you may enjoy Splitwise. Splitwise facilitates splitting expenses among family members, making it easy to track who owes what for shared expenses like accommodations, meals, and activities. With features like expense tracking and payment reminders, Splitwise helps families manage their budget and avoid conflicts over money during their trip.
13. WithLocals
WithLocals connects travelers with local hosts who offer unique dining experiences, such as home-cooked meals, food tours, and cooking classes.
Families can enjoy authentic cuisine and cultural exchanges while supporting local communities. WithLocals offers a range of dining options at different price points, making it suitable for families traveling on a budget.
14. MealBoard
MealBoard allows families to plan meals, create grocery lists, and track expenses all in one place.
With features like recipe importing, pantry management, and budget tracking, MealBoard helps families stay organized and save money on dining expenses during their trip.
15. Groupon
Groupon offers discounted deals and coupons for restaurants, attractions, and activities in various destinations.
With features like location-based deals and real-time discounts, Groupon helps families save money on dining out and entertainment expenses during their trip.
Transportation Apps
Getting around during a family trip can be a logistical puzzle, but these transportation apps help families navigate unfamiliar destinations, find the best deals on transportation, and save money on travel expenses.
16. GasBuddy
GasBuddy helps families find the cheapest gas prices along their route, saving money on fuel expenses during road trips.
With features like price comparison and real-time updates, GasBuddy ensures that families can fill up their tanks without emptying their wallets.
17. Uber/Lyft
Uber and Lyft offer convenient and affordable ride-sharing services in cities around the world.
Families can use these apps to quickly and easily hail a ride to their destination, eliminating the need for navigating public transportation or renting a car.
18. Rome2rio
Rome2rio offers comprehensive travel planning tools that help families compare and book transportation options for their trip.
With features like multi-modal route planning and price comparison, Rome2rio makes it easy for families to find the most convenient and cost-effective way to get from point A to point B.
19. Google Maps
Google Maps provides detailed navigation and real-time traffic updates, making it easy for families to find their way around unfamiliar destinations.
With features like offline maps and public transportation information, Google Maps helps families navigate with confidence and convenience.
20. Skyscanner
Skyscanner helps families find the best deals on flights, hotels, and rental cars for their trip.
With features like price comparison and flexible search options, Skyscanner ensures that families can find affordable transportation options that fit their budget and schedule.
Organization Apps
Staying organized is key to a successful family trip, and these apps are designed to help families keep track of important details, collaborate on plans, and stay on top of tasks during their vacation.
21. Cozi
Cozi is a family organizer app that helps families coordinate schedules, create shared to-do lists, and organize shopping lists.
With features like calendar syncing, reminders, and meal-planning tools, Cozi is one of the best family vacation apps to ensure everyone is on the same page and can easily access important information during the trip.
22. PackPoint
PackPoint generates personalized packing lists based on the destination, weather forecast, and planned activities. It helps families ensure they don’t forget any essential items when packing for their trip.
23. MyTSA
The MyTSA app provides families with information and updates on security checkpoint wait times, airport amenities, and TSA rules and regulations.
It helps families navigate the airport experience smoothly and efficiently, ensuring a stress-free start to their trip.
24. Todoist
Todoist is a task management app that helps families organize and prioritize their tasks and projects.
It offers features like project labeling, task scheduling, and recurring tasks, making it easy for families to stay on top of their trip planning and preparation.
25. Travel List
Travel List simplifies packing for families by providing pre-made packing lists for various types of trips, such as beach vacations, camping trips, or business travel. It allows users to customize lists and track packed items to ensure nothing is forgotten.
26. Bonus App: Air Doctor
Air Doctor is your go-to travel companion for family vacation planning, ensuring your family’s health is always a priority. It connects you with local doctors worldwide, ready to assist in case anyone falls ill during your trip.
Whether it’s at your hotel, a nearby clinic, or via video consultation, Air Doctor offers convenient options. Plus, it can provide valid prescriptions regardless of your location.
With Air Doctor, you can travel with confidence knowing that medical care is just a tap away, no matter where you are on your family adventures.
Air Doctor’s easy-to-use app gives you:
- A global network of over 20,000 multi-lingual doctors and specialists
- Choice of clinic, at-home (hotel), and video consultations
- Active in 75 countries
- Cross border prescription services
- Telemedicine services in up to 21 languages
- 24/7 multi-lingual support
- Transparent pricing, and reviews
- Most common medical specialties
Safe travels!
