Planning a trip to Italy can be exciting, but the right apps make everything smoother, from getting around and booking trains to nabbing reservations at restaurants or museums. This is your complete traveler’s guide to must-have apps for Italy, all with official links for easy download. If Italy’s famous sights, winding streets, and delicious food await, read on! For travelers preparing for Florence specifically, check out our favorite city walks at Italy on Foot: Florence.
How to Use These Apps in Italy
Travel in Italy blends stunning ancient cities, rolling countryside, and bustling modern life. This means you’ll want reliable navigation, language tools, ways to snag last-minute museum tickets, and up-to-date public transport info. Below, you’ll find apps grouped by what they help you do on the ground:
- Navigation & Offline Maps
- Trains & Long-distance Travel
- Local Transport & Taxis
- Language & Translation
- Food & Restaurant Bookings
- Tickets & Experiences
- Safety & Emergencies
You don’t need every app on your phone, but most travelers are happiest with a basic “starter pack”: Google Maps for navigation, Trenitalia for trains, Moovit for local transport, Google Translate for language, TheFork for restaurants, GetYourGuide for booking experiences, and 112 Where ARE U for safety.
Navigation & Offline Maps
Google Maps
Google Maps is perhaps the most important app to download before your trip. It covers walking, driving, and public transport in cities like Rome, Venice, Florence, and small towns alike. Offline maps are a lifesaver if you lose cell service—just download your route or region before you travel to avoid getting lost in winding Italian streets. Plus, the app is great for discovering restaurants, cafes, and gelaterias with user reviews and ratings. Whether you’re plotting a day on the Amalfi Coast or searching for the best trattoria in town, Google Maps rarely lets travelers down.
Download for iOS | Download for Android
MAPS.ME – Offline Maps
If you expect to be in rural areas or enjoy hiking, MAPS.ME is a solid companion. Download detailed maps (like Tuscany or Sicily) ahead of time and you’ll be able to follow footpaths, hillside trails, or winding village lanes even when cell signal vanishes. It’s very handy for coastal hikes or older towns where not every street appears on standard maps. For those who like a backup or want to venture beyond tourist areas, MAPS.ME is a must.
Download for iOS | Download for Android
Trains & Long-distance Travel in Italy
Trenitalia
Most visitors use Italy’s excellent train network. The official Trenitalia app helps you search schedules, buy tickets, check for delays, and even add your journey to your phone’s digital wallet. It covers high-speed Frecce trains, Intercity service, and regional routes (almost everywhere from north to south). For day trips or city-to-city hops, this app is essential. It’s also English-friendly and displays real-time updates so you’re always clued in.
Download for iOS | Download for Android
Italo Treno
Italo is the country’s private high-speed train company, operating on major city routes like Rome-Florence-Venice and Milan-Naples. Their app lets you book, manage, and board—sometimes with promo fares only offered in-app. If you’re traveling between big cities, compare Trenitalia and Italo before booking, as both offer fast, comfortable trains but can differ in price and schedule. Many savvy travelers keep both apps handy for last-minute options.
Download for iOS | Download for Android
Omio
If you want to compare all routes—trains, buses, occasionally internal flights—Omio is convenient. It searches Trenitalia, Italo, FlixBus, Itabus, and more, allowing you to buy and store tickets in one spot. Great if your plans are flexible or you want to weigh speed vs. price—even if you only use it to scope out options before booking.
Download for iOS | Download for Android
FlixBus
Budget travelers and night owls will like FlixBus, which runs extensive, cheap long-distance bus routes (think Rome–Florence or Venice–Milan). Booking is easy, and your QR code ticket is digital. While train might be faster, buses are often cheaper, especially if you book early.
Download for iOS | Download for Android
Itabus
Itabus is Italy’s own low-cost coach network, connecting many regions and cities. The app offers in-app ticketing, seat selection, and digital boarding passes. Good for exploring smaller cities or late-night options when trains aren’t running.
Download for iOS | Download for Android
Local Transport & Taxis
Moovit
Moovit is a go-to app for city buses, trams, subways, and local trains across Italy’s largest cities—including Rome, Milan, Naples, Turin, and Florence. Enter your destination and it gives step-by-step directions, live departure info, and alerts for disruptions. The “get off here” feature is a lifesaver if you’re unsure which stop is yours (especially handy if you’re jetlagged or sleepy after a big Italian lunch).
Download for iOS | Download for Android
FREE NOW
FREE NOW is Europe-wide and lets you book official taxis (and sometimes ride hail vehicles, depending on the city). It’s available in several Italian cities and means you don’t have to flag down a cab on the street. Pay in-app, share ride details with family, and avoid language confusion. For late-night journeys or when you’re far from a taxi rank, it’s super useful.
Download for iOS | Download for Android
itTaxi
itTaxi connects you with Italy’s radiotaxi cooperatives and is great for a more “local” taxi experience. It covers many Italian cities and lets you pay either in-app or to the driver (check local rules). You can see fare estimates, arrival times, and avoid payment confusion at the ride’s end.
Download for iOS | Download for Android
Language & Translation
Google Translate
Don’t speak Italian? Google Translate helps you with handwritten menus, market stalls, or chats with locals who may not know English. Use the camera feature to instantly translate signs and menus, download the Italian language for offline use, and enable conversation mode for longer talks. It’s quick, free, and stands in for a phrasebook in your pocket.
Download for iOS | Download for Android
DeepL
For text messages, emails, or when you want to craft a perfectly polite request to your Airbnb host, DeepL’s translations sound more natural than most. It’s ideal for nuanced or slightly longer phrases, and lets you tweak the tone when needed.
Download for iOS | Download for Android
Food, Coffee & Restaurant Bookings
TheFork
TheFork, owned by Tripadvisor, is commonly used by Italians to book tables at everything from casual trattorias to trendy bistros. Many restaurants offer discounts booked through the app, saving up to 20-50% on your meal around off-peak hours. Browse local reviews, see photos, and reserve ahead to avoid disappointment—especially in tourist hotspots or for popular Sunday lunches. The app is easy for non-Italians to use.
Download for iOS | Download for Android
Too Good To Go
Too Good To Go is popular with young travelers, foodies, and anyone avoiding food waste on the road. Buy “magic bags” of leftover pastries, sandwiches, and snacks from cafes and bakeries at a deep discount just before closing. It’s great for breakfast on the cheap or spontaneous treats, and is especially common in Italy’s bigger cities.
Download for iOS | Download for Android
Tickets, Museums & Experiences
GetYourGuide
GetYourGuide is your one-stop shop for booking tours, guided day-trips, skip-the-line tickets for famous attractions (like the Colosseum or Vatican), food experiences, or even local experiences off the beaten path. In Italy’s touristy cities, popular sights often sell out, so booking ahead through GetYourGuide, with clear cancellation policies, can cut down stress. Digital tickets keep things easy on the day and the “last-minute ideas” tool is ideal if you’re feeling spontaneous.
Download for iOS | Download for Android
Tiqets
Tiqets specializes in museums and monuments, offering mobile tickets for the Uffizi, Duomo terraces, Vatican Museums, and more. If the official site is confusing, sold out, or slow, Tiqets is often faster and easier for tourists. QR code tickets are usually accepted right from your phone and help you skip long ticket office lines.
Download for iOS | Download for Android
Safety & Emergencies
112 Where ARE U
Italy’s main emergency services app is called 112 Where ARE U, and it works for police, fire, and ambulance. When used, the app shares your exact location with emergency responders. This is great peace of mind, especially in rural areas or if you face a medical or safety issue somewhere unfamiliar. It’s free and discreet, and can save precious time.
Download for iOS | Download for Android
Quick-Reference Table: Best Travel Apps for Italy
| Need | App | iOS | Android |
|---|---|---|---|
| Navigation | Google Maps | iOS | Android |
| Navigation (offline) | MAPS.ME | iOS | Android |
| Train travel | Trenitalia | iOS | Android |
| High-speed train | Italo Treno | iOS | Android |
| Train/bus/flight compare | Omio | iOS | Android |
| Buses | FlixBus, Itabus | FlixBus, Itabus | FlixBus, Itabus |
| Local transport | Moovit | iOS | Android |
| Taxis/rides | FREE NOW, itTaxi | FREE NOW, itTaxi | FREE NOW, itTaxi |
| Language help | Google Translate, DeepL | Google Translate, DeepL | Google Translate, DeepL |
| Restaurant bookings | TheFork | iOS | Android |
| Cheap eats | Too Good To Go | iOS | Android |
| Tours/tickets | GetYourGuide, Tiqets | GetYourGuide, Tiqets | GetYourGuide, Tiqets |
| Emergencies | 112 Where ARE U | iOS | Android |
Tips for Using Travel Apps in Italy
Travel in Italy gets easier and more enjoyable with the right digital tools. Here are a few tips for making the most of these resources:
- Download apps and maps before your trip, ideally over Wi-Fi, so you don’t face data limits or slow hotel internet.
- Register for accounts at home. Many booking or transit apps require email verification or an SMS code, which is easier with your home SIM active.
- Carry a portable power bank. Relying on your phone for tickets, directions, and translations means battery life is extra important.
- Switch your phone’s region/language to English. Most apps will match your phone’s language, keeping things simple.
- When possible, buy tickets in advance for train, bus, and museum visits. High season in Italy means big crowds and long waits.
That’s the rundown of the best travel apps for Italy! Whether you’re navigating Rome’s fast metro, booking a gondola tour in Venice, finding a Florence trattoria, or exploring Italian countryside by train, these apps will save time, avoid stress, and help you enjoy every delicious moment.