Top FREE APPS to use in Italy
Are you traveling to Italy soon and want to make the most of your trip and time there? Then, you should download these free apps – they will make your life significantly easier.
I’ve gathered here some of the most useful apps and tips you will need when you plan your Italy itinerary. Apps for train travel, public transportation timetables, or tickets, the best restaurants, and even water fountains. You will find it all here.
Because anyone can plan a trip, but not everyone makes them memorable. And the more potential issues you can avoid, the better.
Let’s dive in!
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Table of Contents
Top FREE APPS to use in Italy
Trenitalia/Italo
If you plan to travel by train in Italy, these apps can save you a significant amount of time.
Most people usually use Trenitalia for regional trains (shorter trips), and Italo for high-speed trains that link major Italian towns. However, Trenitalia operates Le Frecce (the arrows) – high-speed trains.
If you want to know more about train travel in Italy and learn from some of our mistakes, read this article.
The Trenitalia app allows you to purchase passes, carnets, or tickets for Frecce, Intercity, Regional, EC, and EN trains in just a few clicks, and now also tickets for Busitalia buses in Umbria and Veneto.
Additionally, you can manage your journey directly from the Home Page or your smart watch, view all information on the train’s status, and check in to confirm your presence on board.
Download the Trenitalia app for Apple here | Download the Trenitalia app for Google Play here
Download the Italo app for Apple here | Download the Italo app for Google Play here
GetYourGuide or Viator
These are two of the main activity providers in Italy (and worldwide). Book tickets and activities in the world’s bucket-list destinations.
Whether you’re planning a vacation or looking for last-minute activities in any destination, they make booking tours, day trips, and activities easier than ever. Choose from culture, food, adventure, nature, and more experiences.
We’ve tried both and had great experiences in Italy and other parts of Europe.
Download the GetYourGuide app here – Use INGRIDZENMOMENTS5 for an extra 5% off your first tour booked in the app!
Download the Viator app for iOS here | Download the Viator app for Google Play here
Airalo
If you want to stay connected in Italy without hunting for a SIM card shop the moment you land, Airalo is the way to go.
It lets you download an eSIM directly to your phone, so you can get data instantly: no queues, no paperwork, no stress.
You can choose affordable plans that work just for Italy or across Europe, and top up anytime right from the app.
It’s perfect for navigating, translating, and posting those gelato pics the second you take them. Honestly, once you try it, you’ll never travel without an eSIM again.
Flush
Yes, you’ve guessed it – this app finds you the closest public toilet.
“But don’t restaurants/bars have toilets?” – I’ve seen this question asked a lot. Yes, they do, but not all bars/cafes do, and restaurants aren’t always open (only during lunch/dinner hours).
So, when you’re in trouble, simply open the app and it will display the nearest toilets to you. It’s free, has no in-app purchases, and has over 200,000 bathrooms in its database!
Download the Flush app for Apple here | Download the Flush app for Google Play here
The Fork
If you love good food (and who doesn’t in Italy?), The Fork is one app you’ll definitely want on your phone.
Think of it as your go-to guide for finding great restaurants without wandering around hungry or guessing where locals actually eat. It’s super handy because you can browse menus, read reviews, and—best of all—book a table instantly without having to call or worry about the language barrier.
What makes it even better? The app often offers discounts of up to 50% at really good places, so you can treat yourself to a proper Italian meal without blowing your budget.
Whether you’re in Rome, Florence, or a tiny seaside town, The Fork helps you skip tourist traps and discover authentic spots locals love. Honestly, it’s one of those little travel hacks that makes eating in Italy even more enjoyable (and a lot easier).
Download the Fork app for Apple here | Download the Fork app for Google Play here
Quandoo
This is another must-have app that makes finding and booking great restaurants super easy.
It’s basically like having a local foodie friend in your pocket. You can browse tons of restaurants, check real reviews, and reserve a table in seconds, all without having to make awkward calls in Italian.
What’s really nice about Quandoo is that it’s not just for the big cities like Rome or Milan; it also works beautifully in smaller towns where finding a good dinner spot can be hit or miss.
Additionally, every time you book through the app, you earn loyalty points that can be used for discounts later, which is a fun little bonus.
So whether you’re craving handmade pasta in Bologna or seafood by the Amalfi Coast, Quandoo helps you eat well, skip the stress, and feel like a local who always knows where to go.
Download the Quandoo app for Apple here | Download the Quandoo app for Google Play here
Fontanelle d’Italia
If you’re exploring Italy on foot (and in the summer heat), the Fontanelle d’Italia app is a total lifesaver.
It shows you all the free public drinking fountains nearby, so you can refill your bottle with fresh, cold water instead of buying one every time.
It’s simple, sustainable, and super handy, especially in cities like Rome or Florence, where fountains are everywhere but not always easy to spot.
Download the Fontanelle app for Apple here | Download the Fontanelle app for Google Play here
FREENOW
That’s basically your all-in-one taxi helper, no waving on the street or guessing fares.
You can book a licensed taxi straight from your phone, see the price estimate upfront, and even pay through the app (which saves you from fumbling with cash or cards).
It is useful to have, especially since Uber only operates in a short number of towns around Italy. I see people asking about taxis on the Amalfi Coast. Freenow is the app for you!
Download the FREENOW app for Apple here | Download the FREENOW app for Google Play here
Public transportation apps
These apps depend on where you are traveling to, but I have gathered a few of the most popular for a few of my favorite destinations.
Venice
CheBateo – for boats (vaporetto public transportation) in Venice – Get it for iOS | Get it for Google Play
AVM Venezia – you can buy tickets for public transportation, or pay for parking in Venice (and region) – Get it for iOS | Get it for Google Play
Rome
Probus Roma – find bus stops, real-time waiting times, plan your journey with the public transport, bus route maps, and connections in Rome. Get it for iOS | Get it for Google Play
Florence & Tuscany
AT Autolinee Toscane – the app where you can find bus schedules & route maps, buy tickets, and more. We often use it in Lucca, Florence, or around Tuscany. Get it for iOS | Get it for Google Play
Amalfi Coast/ Campania
UNICO Campania app – the central app for integrated tickets and timetables for public transport across the entire Campania Region. Get it for iOS | Get it for Google Play
Google maps and translate
I’ve left this last because I think most of us have them in our phones.
However, here’s an extra tip: Download areas you will be traveling in on Google Maps so you can navigate offline. Your location pin will work without using any data. So if the map of Florence is downloaded, you can get around all day without using any data. You can read the full instructions here.
PIN FOR LATER!
