In recent years there have been major improvements in the communications infrastructure of Italy. This allows you to reliably make use of a wide range of Apps to help you plan your travel itinerary down to the finest details.
From finding the cheapest nearby gas station to booking a table at a restaurant, from planning your route on a road trip to checking on the train times, with the right Apps at your disposal your time in the country will be much easier.
Unlimited internet connections and a good choice of country-specific Apps mean that even if you’re traveling in parts of Italy that you aren’t familiar with, you’ll have no problems getting from A to B or finding the information that you need on the move.
The Best Apps For Travelers In Italy.
The following are the apps that you should consider installing on your phone or tablet when you are traveling in Italy.
Trip Planner & Organizing – Wanderlog Italy.
Wanderlog is a powerful free App that can help you plan and organize your winter trip in Italy. You can find the best places to visit during your trip and upload selected places directly from Google Maps. Also, your flight details and hotel reservations can be uploaded on the Wanderlog App so you don’t lose track of your plans.
The same can be done with your emails, so if you want notifications sent directly to the App you can enable that feature which can be super useful if you’re getting flight confirmations or other travel information sent to your inbox.
Your itinerary can be synced with your friends or travel buddies so you can collaborate on the planning and organization in real-time. For your road trips, the App can help you to find the optimal route and you can get personalized suggestions for places to stop en route.
Travel Planning App – ViaMichelin.
ViaMichelin is similar to the TripAdvisor App but because it is curated by full time staff instead of relying on customer reviews it often presents a fairer insight into the businesses in a given area. You can search for restaurants, tourist attractions, service stations and access up-to-the-minute traffic reports using the App.
This App is very handy if you’re planning a long car trip in Italy and even has a GPS feature and an on-site calculator that you can use to gauge your fuel consumption en route. You can find any address in Italy using the App and then plan your route to get there, stopping off at tourist attractions and restaurants along the way.
Offline Map App – Google Maps.
Google Maps is one of the most powerful tools that you can use to help find your way around, locate restaurants, tourist attractions and hotels, all on your phone! Most people have heard of Google Maps but a lot of people are not aware that you can actually download an offline version of the maps. This means you can find your way around even when you’re not getting reception on your phone – something which is quite common in certain rural parts of Italy.
If you want to download the offline version of a Google Map you need to click on the menu in the top left-hand corner of the screen. Then you choose the ‘offline maps’ option and you’ll be asked whether you want to download a map that is ‘custom’ or ‘home’.
The home map will download the area around where you currently are whereas the custom map option allows you to download a map from anywhere in Italy. If you choose the custom map option you can drag the screen to the area you’re interested in, for example, the town around your hotel or a stretch of highway that you’re planning to drive down the next day.
Each map that you download from Google Maps only takes up about 50Mb of space on your phone but it will save you money if you have to pay roaming fees as part of your phone contract. It’s also much safer to have a copy of the relevant maps saved on your phone.
Google Maps is a fantastic App that is one of the most useful tools that you can have at your disposal while you’re traveling in Italy. Google Maps can be used instead of SatNav and it’s a wealth of information for any traveler in Italy. If you want to do this you can clip your phone to the dashboard in your car or ask one of your passengers to navigate for you.
Weather App – MetCheck.
It’s essential to be able to check the weather forecasts while you’re traveling in Italy. One of the best all-around weather Apps is MetCheck. This App allows you to check up-to-the-minute weather forecasts as well as 10-day forecasts – ideal for planning a trip.
With the help of the App, you can find out everything you need to know, including wind speeds, rainfall and other weather events throughout the country. MetCheck also allows you to search by region so you can get an accurate forecast for any area in Italy.
Gas App – 1-2-3 Fuel.
The 1-2-3 Fuel App operates throughout Italy and gives you all the latest information you need to keep your car refueled at the lowest possible price on a road trip. This is an extremely useful App to have on your phone, particularly at a time when fuel prices in Italy are experiencing high rates of inflation.
The 1-2-3 Fuel App provides up-to-date fuel prices and contains detailed maps of all the gas stations in Italy. Regardless of whether you need a map in your own city or in another area, 1-2-3 Fuel can give you all of the information that you need at a glance.
You can also plan your fuel stops on a long journey by entering your start and end point. Then, on long journeys, the App will automatically plan your route and highlight the cheapest gas stations along the way. This can save you a lot of money on long distance trips and take away the headache of searching for a nearby gas station.
The App also has a feature that allows you to only select particular gas stations. For instance, if you have a favorite gas station that you prefer to use, the App will only highlight these. This is a very helpful feature if you have a loyalty card or can get special discounts with certain companies but not others.
1-2-3 Fuel covers all of Italy as well as Germany, France, Spain and Portugal, making it very handy if you’re planning a continental road trip.
Train Times And Tickets App – Trenitalia.
Trenitalia is an extremely important App to be aware of while you’re traveling in Italy. This highly versatile App is your portal to all train tickets and timetables that you need for your journey. The App provides you with up-to-date travel information, train schedules, routes and tickets. Trenitalia also works on all types of phones, including iOS and Android, or you can simply use the App on the company’s website.
The Italian public transport system is very extensive and provides a high quality service at affordable prices. You can use Trenitalia to plan your route and buy your train tickets using Apple Wallet or PayPal. You can also access the VIP lounges in the train stations if the station has one, and you can often get reduced ticket prices if you book in advance.
Finding Hiking Trails – AllTrails.
If you’re looking for an App to help you find all the best hiking, climbing, mountain biking, cross-country skiing trails and more, then AllTrails has you covered. The App has over 12,000 trails throughout Italy that includes over 2,000 family friend routes, 49 wheelchair-friendly trails and over 10,000 trails for all types of outdoor adventure activities.
The App has extensive planning features that allows you to search trails by national park, city or region. As you plan your trip you can find out information about trail highlights, such as waterfalls and special viewpoints on the trail.
AllTrails covers a huge range of trails and routes in Italy that include hiking, cross-country skiing, skiing, snowshoeing, camping, mountain biking, fishing, horseback riding, rock climbing and scenic driving. This means, no matter what you’re planning to do this winter, AllTrails can provide you with the very best trails and routes in the region of your choice.
Language App – Google Translate.
Google Translate is a super useful App that you can use to instantly translate signposts, menus, notices and other Italian language texts. This immediately helps you to overcome the language barrier which can otherwise make traveling in Italy, especially in rural parts of the country, a bit of a headache.
The tool can be used to translate English into Italian or Italian into English. This means that you can translate your own texts if you need to communicate with a local who doesn’t speak any English. I love the audio feature of this app, I can say something in English and it will immediately playback in Italian!
Taxi Apps – AppTaxi
AppTaxi operates in Florence, Modena, Padua, Verona, Palermo, Catania and Bologna. The App allows you to book a taxi by choosing from any one of the available companies in the city.
FreeNow is another travel App that operates in Rome, Milan and Turin; and lets you book a taxi, rent an electric bike or scooter and arrange car-sharing rides. You can pay for the services using the free App and it is a great way to get around some of Italy’s largest cities.
Roadside Assistance App – Telepass.
This roadside assistance App is a useful backup to have with you if you are unlucky enough to break down, lock yourself out of your car or get stranded on the roads in Italy. The App costs just 2 Euros per month and allows you to call for assistance 24/7 and even claim 50% cashback on toll road fees. You can link 2 different number plates to your account which is useful if you and your partner both have a car in Italy.
If you break down you’ll be towed to the nearest garage while minor repairs, such as changing your car tires or car battery, can be provided for you on the roadside. This App is a vital tool to have on your device if you’re planning to travel around Italy by car, especially during the winter months when it’s more important than ever to be able to call for assistance at any time of the day or night.
Booking Tours – GetYourGuide.
GetYourGuide is a fantastic App that allows you to book and pay for tickets, tours and a whole range of activities throughout Italy. The App has a highly intuitive interface and an amazing variety of tours and activities to choose from. After you’ve booked your tickets, the vouchers are available on the App even if your phone isn’t connected to the internet.
Viator is a travel giant and has a great selection of tours and activities that you can book and pay for throughout Italy. The App is easy to use and is the perfect way to make your arrangements while traveling in Italy. A lot of the tickets include a ‘skip the line’ benefit which means you won’t have to wait in lines when you arrive at the attraction. The ticket vouchers are also stored on your device so you can access them even if you’re currently offline.
Best Money Transfer App For Europe – Wise.
If you need to transfer money from your account to another bank account in Italy then Wise (formerly Transferwise) has you covered. You simply need to upload funds into your Wise account and then you can transfer this money, in Euros, Great British Pounds and other major currencies, into the bank account of your choice. You can also link your American bank account to your Wise account. If you do this, you do not have to transfer your money first to your Wise account every time.
There is a modest fixed fee for transfers but you can easily manage your money with a helpful spending tracking feature. You can also access up-to-the-minute exchange rates using the App.
I have transferred thousands of dollars using Wise, primarily to cover the renovation costs of my property in Volterra. Most of the transfers will happen within seconds, but larger amounts might take about 24 hours max.
Music, Local News And Culture App – Radio Italia.
With the latest breaking news and continuous live music, the Radio Italia App is a great way to tune into Italian culture while you’re in the country. Perfect for music lovers, language students who are learning Italian and anyone who wants to find out about upcoming street parties and festivals, this versatile App is a wonderful way to make the most of the cultural opportunities that Italy affords.
The App also works anywhere in the world so you can still tune in, even if you’re in the United States or other parts of Europe.
Important Apps For Outdoor Activities In Italy.
The following are some of the important apps to consider if you are thinking of participating in outdoor activities in Italy:
Offline Trail Hiking App – Wikiloc.
Wikiloc is a great hiking App that allows you to follow trail maps without needing to access the internet. You can download trail maps in Italy and then refer to them on your phone or device as your hike without needing to reconnect to the internet. This can be extremely useful if you’re in a remote location that has no signal reception.
Wikiloc also lets you search for the best trails near to your location and can help you follow a trail by giving you audio alerts if you’re wandering off the trail or taking a wrong turn! If multiple members of your group have this App you can all stay on the trail and even if one of you takes a wrong turn they will be instantly alerted and be able to get back on the right track.
Stay In Touch During Skiing – Skilynx.
Skilynx allows you to quickly geo-locate your friends or family on the ski slopes at any time during the day. That means even if you’ve been skiing all morning and have lost track of your friends but it’s time for lunch, you can quickly locate them on the slopes using an intuitive 3D map!
The App uses powerful GPS technology and highly detailed trail and slope maps to show you where the rest of your group is in real-time. The maps also include slope gradients and ski run difficulties to help you navigate your way around the mountains.
There is also a great feature that records the distance that you’ve skied, how many lifts you’ve taken and makes a record of your runs so you can compare and contrast your progress with your friends in the evening over a glass of hot mulled wine.
First Aid App – First Aid By British Red Cross.
The British Red Cross has created a fantastic App that can literally save someone’s life in an emergency! The App can help you to learn First Aid by walking you through the procedures with visual and written prompts. All the information is stored on the App on your device so even if you’re offline you’ll have full access to the vital information.
The pre-loaded First Aid information can help in everyday emergencies as well as situations on a hiking trail or a ski slope. There are also fun interactive quizzes, detailed videos and diagrams to help you digest and learn the necessary First Aid skills to help you handle a whole range of emergency situations.
Skiing And Resort App – Skiresort.
Skiresort is the ultimate guide for skiers and snowboarders in Italy. This free App is one of the most comprehensive skiing apps you’ll ever find. With more than 6,000 resorts around the world, including all the major resorts in Italy, if you’re planning a skiing holiday this App is a must-have!
Skiresort has piste maps for the different resorts, weather reports, accommodation details, ski rentals and much more besides. The App contains extensive information about each resort and can be used to book your accommodation, ski passes and ski rentals before you arrive at the slopes.
You can save your favorite ski resorts and quickly access live-time weather reports and webcams of the slopes. You can also search resorts by region, such as South Tyrol for example, or by mountain ranges, such as the Dolomites.
Finding Free WiFi – Wi-Fi Italia.
If you need to find a free WiFi hotspot in Italy then this handy App is exactly what you need. After you have registered with the App you’ll have access to its services that show you all the participating free WiFi hotspots throughout the country. This App can be a real lifesaver if you find yourself stuck in a foreign city without access to the internet.
Arranging Medical Care – MedinAction.
It’s not always easy to find an English speaking doctor if you fall ill while you’re traveling in Italy. However, the MedinAction App can help you to connect with a local medical service that can send a fully qualified, English speaking doctor to your hotel room or accommodation. The service operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so you can always have peace of mind while traveling in Italy.
You can also access online consultations through the App as well as arrange to see a specialist, pediatrician or licensed physician at a time that suits your schedule. This is a great App to have for both tourists and long term Expats in Italy, so make sure you download MedinAction before you set off for your trip.
Apps Are Important When You Are Traveling In Italy.
Traveling around Italy during the winter is a real joy for both visiting tourists and long term Expat residents. Not only will you avoid the main summer crowds but you’ll also benefit from cheaper hotel rooms and be able to enjoy winter celebrations such as Christmas and New Year.
Even so, if you don’t make the most of the best Apps available your time in Italy could be fraught with problems and mishaps! Fortunately, there are plenty of country-specific Apps that you can use to make your daily life in Italy easier, more convenient and safer during your travels.
