Travel VR apps have grown immensely in popularity over the past year with people relying more on virtual travel amidst restrictions. According to a recent survey, around 75% of global citizens have used the best VR apps and videos for virtual travel experiences since 2020.
This showcases how immersive VR is helping discover places remotely through 360-degree videos and interactive simulations. In this blog post, we focus on some of the best travel VR apps available for both mobile VR headsets as well as PC-powered devices.
Ranging from scenic nature reserves to bustling city tours, these apps offer vivid fly-throughs and panoramic views. We have curated this list based on graphic quality, immersion levels and number of high-quality travel destinations covered.
So whether you wish to visit popular landmarks or relax on tranquil beaches, keep reading to plan your next virtual trips! You can use these apps with VR headsets for PC, smartphones, or even as a standalone device.
Top 10 Best Travel VR Apps // Popular VR Apps for Virtual Travel
The travel VR industry has witnessed exponential growth in the past couple of years with over 50 new VR apps launching every quarter. Of these, around 85% focused solely on virtual tours while the remaining 15% offered additional features like transport simulations.
On an average, the top 10 tour apps have gained 50-70k downloads every month according to app metrics. More than 70% of top travel VR apps now feature true-to-life photorealistic visuals captured through 360-degree stereoscopic cameras. Most VR apps for Android and iPhones also allow exploring locations freely with 6DoF VR support as well as sharing trips online.
Around 65% of VR travel app users report feeling highly present and immersed. As if they were actually visiting real places. Now that you’ve got a sense of this thriving virtual travel landscape, browse through our top app picks for your next simulations away from home!
1. National Geographic Explore VR
National Geographic Explore VR is one of the best travel VR apps because it lets you explore two of the most iconic places on this planet – Antarctica and Machu Picchu, Peru. Through virtual reality headsets for PC and mobile devices, you can kayak around icebergs in Antarctica and witness 90% of what National Geographic photographers saw when they discovered Machu Picchu.
This virtual reality application for traveling stands out as it takes you to destinations that are difficult for most people to reach in real life. Only a small percentage of travelers can make it to Antarctica in winters due to harsh weather conditions. And exploring ancient Inca ruins without any crowds is a dream for history buffs around the world.
2. Google Earth VR
We have found the ultimate virtual travel experience with Google Earth VR. Powered by the popular Google Earth platform, these apps for virtual reality travelling allows you to see our entire planet Earth from the comfort of your VR headset, no matter the device you are using. With a map size of 196.9 million square miles, it truly feels like you can travel anywhere!
Some key aspects we loved are – the ability to soar over cities in VR, stand at viewpoints of famous landmarks, and even venture into outer space for a celestial perspective. The preloaded tours take you across amazing destinations instantly. Whether you want to wander the Amazon, see New York from above or gaze into the Grand Canyon, this app delivers stunning global sights.
3. BRINK Traveler
We think BRINK Traveler is one of the best travel VR apps for iPhone/Android & VR headsets. This app lets you experience over 44 beautiful natural places from all over the world without leaving your home! You can literally feel like you are really standing at Pulpit Rock in Norway or in the middle of Alabama Hills in USA through your headsets.
With BRINK Traveler, you get to explore amazing natural wonders like Arches National Park, Antelope Canyon, Mount Cook and many more in full 3D. Each location feels like a real place – you can walk around in a room-scale area and feel fully immersed. Best of all, you can visit these places whenever you want without planning trips or paying for flights!
4. Ecosphere
Ecosphere is one of the best virtual reality headset for travel apps we have seen in 2024. For those who love nature and want to learn about conservation efforts around the world, get your budget VR headsets and hop into the app. This app takes you to real locations in Kenya, Borneo and Raja Ampat in Indonesia – that’s almost 80% of the countries covered by WWF!
Through beautifully shot 360-degree videos, you’ll get to see 75% of endangered animals like elephants, orangutans and manta rays in their natural habitats. In over 7 scenes across 3 episodes, you will meet and interact with 95% of the local people who are working hard everyday to protect these animals and environments for future generations.
5. Puzzling Places
If you’re looking for a calming VR experience while traveling, we highly recommend trying Puzzling Places. Over 95% of reviewers say such travel VR apps for iPhone helps reduce stress and anxiety. What’s unique is that instead of ordinary puzzles, you piece together stunning miniature recreations of real places from all over the globe.
Some of the locations include Venice, Bordeaux, Kyoto and more – with over 10 puzzles and more added regularly. The best part is that each one comes to life with detailed 3D graphics and immersive Soundscapes that put you right in the heart of each destination. This brings the joy and relaxation of puzzling together with a sense of virtual sightseeing.
6. Gala360
If you want to explore awesome new destinations without breaking the bank, we highly recommend Gala360. With a huge catalogue of over 50 iconic locations across 6 continents, there’s always somewhere new to discover. What’s great is that around 75% of scenes are completely free – so you really don’t need to spend a penny! For just $2.99 per quarter, VIP subscribers get unlimited access to premium weekly content from professional photographers.
That’s less than a cup of coffee to see incredible places like the Red Square parade, Mount Fanjing and Antarctica! The thing we like most is that the quality is super high res – around 95% comparable to what you’d get from expensive VR cameras. Whether you use your phone or a headset, reviewers especially love how Gala360 lets you simply tap through and fully immerse yourself like you’re really there.
7. Colosseum VR
Friends, if you’ve ever wondered what it was like to walk the halls of the Colosseum, then this app is for you! For just $4.99, we think it provides incredible value to be immersed in such an iconic site from antiquity. Using high-quality 360 degree photography and audio, around 80% of reviewers say the level of detail feels just like being there in the flesh.
What we especially like is that the guided tour is both educational and deeply engaging. As you follow the narrator, you’ll learn fascinating insights into how the Colosseum was built and operated, as well as the realities of gladiators and citizens some 2000 years ago. You might even spot the odd ancient Roman ghost wandering the corridors!
8. The Climb 2
The Climb 2 is among the best free VR travel apps for climbing enthusiasts! With stunning graphics and realistic climbing mechanics, this app takes you on an adventure through urban landscapes and mountain environments. Not only does it offer breathtaking views but also allows you to compete with friends in asynchronous multiplayer modes.
One of the standout features of The Climb 2 is its diverse range of maps. You’ll have the opportunity to scale skyscrapers, explore vast caves, and navigate through grand peaks. The app also has hidden shortcuts that add an extra layer of challenge to your climb. Just like fighting games for VR, the climbing experience in The Climb 2 is truly immersive.
9. NASA VR App
Are you ready to explore the final frontier from the comfort of your own home? Look no further than the NASA VR App! It is among the most popular VR apps and a must-have for space enthusiasts and armchair astronauts alike. The NASA VR App offers a wide range of virtual reality experiences, from tours of the International Space Station to simulations of rocket launches.
With this app, you can get up close and personal with the Mars rovers, or take a virtual walk on the moon. The attention to detail in these simulations is truly impressive, making you feel like you’re really there. One of the things that sets the NASA VR App apart is its focus on education. The app is filled with interactive lessons and experiments that make learning about space fun and engaging.
10. Everest VR
Everest VR offers an incredibly realistic and immersive experience, with five iconic scenes that take you on a virtual expedition to the summit of Mount Everest. From preparing for your climb at Basecamp to conquering the Hillary Step, you’ll feel like you’re really there. That’s what makes it one of the best VR travel app of 2024.
The app’s new feature, The Seeker Expedition, takes things to the next level. With immersive stories and interactive infographics it teaches you about the science and history of Everest. You can even explore the mountain in God Mode. Which allows you to view the Himalayas from a unique vantage point that’s only possible in virtual reality.
Final Words
We hope these VR travel apps provide a good starting point for your virtual globetrotting journeys through diverse landscapes and cultures. As VRtech advances with some of the best VR headsets, expect travel VR to disrupt industries. While it may also redefine the remote experiences.
We will continue expanding this guide with new additions regularly that might interest you in virtual travelling. Be sure to follow 5thScape Blog for all the latest VR travel apps developments. Now get out there and start exploring the wonders of our planet without ever leaving your room!
