🧳Pack My Apps
← All destinations
🇺🇸
Essential apps for

United States

EnglishUSD8 apps

Standard Western apps work everywhere. The main choices: which rideshare and which food delivery.

🔌

Power & Plug

TypeA / B
Voltage120V
Freq60Hz

EU appliances need a converter, not just an adapter.

🎎

Tipping

18-22% at restaurants is the social norm. 15% for bad service. $1-2 per drink at bars.

🚖Rideshare & Taxi

See all →
U

Uber

The most widely available rideshare service globally. Works in 70+ countries.

Widest coverage. Use UberX for cheapest rides.
iOSAndroidWebsite
L

Lyft

US/Canada-focused rideshare, often cheaper than Uber for short rides.

Often cheaper than Uber for short rides in major cities.
iOSAndroidWebsite

🗺️Navigation & Maps

See all →
G

Google Maps

Works almost everywhere except mainland China. Offline maps are critical when roaming.

Best for transit and walking in any US city.
iOSAndroidWebsite
A

Apple Maps

Strong in US, UK, Europe, and Japan. Excellent transit in major cities.

Strong for Apple users; transit data in major cities is excellent.
iOSWebsite
C

Citymapper

Best urban transit app in major Western cities — London, NYC, Paris, Berlin.

Best transit app in NYC, SF, DC, and Boston.
iOSAndroidWebsite

🍱Food Delivery

See all →
D

DoorDash

Largest food delivery service in US, also Canada and Australia.

Largest food delivery network.
iOSAndroidWebsite
U

Uber Eats

Wide coverage in US, UK, Japan, Australia, parts of Europe and LATAM.

Often better restaurant selection than DoorDash for chains.
iOSAndroidWebsite

🚇Public Transit

See all →
M

MYmta (NYC)

Official NYC subway and bus tracker with live arrivals.

NYC only — live subway and bus tracking.
iOSAndroidWebsite
Briefing

What to know before you go

✓ Do

  • Tip generously — wait staff often depend on it.
  • Ask "How are you" expecting "Good, you?" — it's ritual, not actual inquiry.

✕Don't

  • Confusing Canada with the US to Canadians (or vice versa).
  • Discussing politics with strangers.

⚠️ Common scams to know

  • Times Square Elmos/characters demanding tips after photos.
  • Fake homeless "needing gas money" near tourist areas.
Going elsewhere?

More destination guides

🇯🇵Japan🇨🇳China (mainland)🇰🇷South Korea🇹🇼Taiwan🇭🇰Hong Kong🇹🇭Thailand🇻🇳Vietnam🇸🇬Singapore🇮🇩Indonesia🇵🇭Philippines🇮🇳India🇬🇧United Kingdom🇫🇷France🇩🇪Germany🇮🇹Italy🇪🇸Spain🇳🇱Netherlands🇦🇺Australia