12 Best Apps for Travel to France That Make Your Trip Easier

ByStephanie Rytting Posted on

Traveling in France is exciting – so many beautiful streets, so many historic landmarks, so much delicious food!

And when you’re trying to soak in all the French history and culture, the last thing you want to be worrying about is logistics.

Thankfully, there are tons of apps that can help your France trip be smoother and more hassle-free. From navigating train stations to ordering dinner (or figuring out what you just ordered), a few smart downloads can save you time, stress, and confusion.

These are the apps I’d recommend to pretty much anyone planning a trip to France.

1. Bonjour RATP or IDF Mobilités

Bonjour RATP and IDF Mobilités are both great apps if you’re traveling in Paris and want to use public transportation. You can search up metro and bus maps and timetables, and even purchase and use passes for public transportation within the app.

Paris has two official public transit apps, but either one will work for buying and using tickets and passes, as well as getting information about your route.

One plus of Bonjour RATP, though, is that you can rent scooters and bicycles around Paris directly in the app – no extra download needed.

2. Uber, Bolt, G7

Yes, France has Uber and Bolt, so if you plan to take some rides, having either of them downloaded is a good option. You might also want to consider the G7 app – this is the official taxi app for Paris, and sometimes it can even be a better option than the ride-sharing apps.

I will note that occasionally I’ve had a hard time getting picked up in France, particularly in smaller towns. If you want to call a cab or Uber to pick you up in a small village, you might be out of luck.

3. Google Translate

Google Translate is seriously a Godsend app.

Now, while most people are familiar with the web-based Google Translate, it is 100% worth it to download the actual app. The app lets you download languages for offline use and gives you way more features than the browser version.

Check out my dedicated post about all the Google Translate hacks you need to know.

4. Bounce

Bounce is an affordable luggage storage service, perfect if you’re staying in an apartment rental and need somewhere to store your luggage for the day before or after checking in. For example: checkout is at 11am, but your train leaves at 7:15pm.

With Bounce, you can search your area for luggage storage locations and choose whatever works best for you. Prices are generally very reasonable (usually around €5/bag/day)

Usually the places that work with Bounce are small businesses and they’ll just stick your luggage in a secure back room. That may sound sketchy, but I haven’t had a problem yet, and Bounce has saved me from a logistics nightmare many times.

If you’re staying in a hotel, this type of service isn’t necessary. Hotels in France almost always offer complimentary luggage storage before or after check-in.

5. Viator/Get Your Guide

Viator and Get Your Guide are two very similar apps where you can book guided tours and interesting, local experiences – think boat cruises, food tours, cooking classes, photoshoots, walking tours, day tours, and more.

I LOVE doing unique experiences when I travel in France, such as:

These tours all ended up being highlights of the trip.

The perfume workshop in Grasse

I always think it’s worth scrolling through Viator or Get Your Guide and seeing what’s available – there just might be the perfect experience that will really enhance your vacation.

6. Airalo

I’ve used a lot of different companies and methods over the years to get data while abroad, but using an e-SIM through Airalo is currently my favorite. I’ve found that e-sims are way cheaper and sometimes even work better than getting an international pass through your phone carrier.

All you need to do is put in your country in the Airalo app, choose which plan works for you (there are different data levels and lengths of time), and then follow the simple, detailed instructions for installation.

And poof! You now have cheap, high-speed data on the go.

You do need to make sure your phone is unlocked – a quick call to your carrier can confirm this.

7. CityMapper or Google Maps

CityMapper and Google Maps are two great options for planning how to get around, whether you’re walking, driving, or taking public transit.

Both have their pros and cons:

  • CityMapper is generally considered better if you’re taking public transit
  • Google Maps has the option to download an entire area for offline use – great if you lose service or your data isn’t as strong as you’d like.

If you use Google Maps, I ALWAYS recommend downloading maps for offline use – that way you can always access the map as well as the navigation, even if you have zero service.

I also really like creating my own customized Google map to help me with planning and navigation on vacations.

8. Mobile Passport Control

If you are an American and don’t have Global Entry, using the Mobile Passport Control app when re-entering the United States can save you time going through Immigration.

Download the app and scan your passport ahead of time, and then within 4 hours of landing or right after you’ve landed, you’ll take a photo and answer some questions. Once you get to the Immigration area, you can find the line for Mobile Passport Control, and (theoretically) get through a little bit faster.

9. Booking/VRBO/Airbnb

Booking is always my platform of choice for finding great hotels in France, but sometimes I do book apartment rentals, and then I use Airbnb or VRBO.

I do think it’s worth having the app downloaded on your phone when you arrive – it just makes it easier to access information, message the property if there’s a delay or problem, or search for locations on the go.

10. La Forchette/The Fork

The Fork (called La Forchette in French) is a great app to easily make restaurant reservations, as well as browse restaurants in your area.

11. SNCF-Connect

SNCF-Connect is the official app and website of the train system in France. It’s simple, straightforward, and gives competitive pricing for booking all types of train travel in the country.

Besides checking timetables and buying tickets, your tickets are also saved in the app, you will get real-time updates about departures and delays, and you can even set up alerts for certain pricing or availability.

Pro tip: When looking at the timetable list for your route, don’t be afraid to switch over to the “Bus” tab – sometimes the buses are just as fast (or faster) and can be way less expensive.

12. WhatsApp

WhatsApp is very common in other countries, but if you’re coming from the US, like me, it’s not an app used nearly as regularly. However, I have it downloaded and use it all the time when I’m in France (or any foreign country).

Why? Well on my phone plan, international texts are free, but calls are not – and they add up fast. (I think it’s something like 25c a minute to call home when I’m abroad). However, calls using WhatsApp are free.

Now, depending on your phone plan, this might not apply to you, and there certainly are other phone calling apps you could use.

But WhatsApp has worked really well for us – I can do video calls or just regular voice calls, and the service has been pretty reliable.

The final advantage is that local businesses and tours will often use WhatsApp to communicate with you as well.

The Wrap Up

All of the apps have been helpful for me when traveling. Some for being able to plan ahead, some for logistics, and some to be able to be flexible and adjust on the fly. I’m sure you’ll be able to get some great use out of them, too!

Stephanie is obsessed with everything having to do with France, and she's visited the country 17 times (including a 3 month stint when she lived in Paris). She draws on her extensive knowledge all things French to bring you detailed and helpful guides, from the perspective of a fellow traveler.