In today’s digital age, travel apps have become essential for travelers worldwide, offering convenience and accessibility. However, entrepreneurs and businesses aiming to enter the travel app market often struggle to understand the costs of developing such applications. 

Recognized as the top Android app development company in Bangalore, we have curated this comprehensive guide to explore the factors that affect the cost of travel app development in 2025. 

We will cover essential aspects such as outsourcing options, location considerations, team size, platform choices, and functionality. This information will help you make informed decisions for your travel app development project.

Travel Industry in a Nutshell 

The travel industry is an important contributor to the global economy, with billions of dollars in revenue yearly. In 2019, the travel and tourism industry contributed approximately 10.4% to the GDP, totaling a staggering $8.9 trillion. 

The travel sector also supports numerous jobs worldwide, employing over 330 million people, accounting for approximately 10% of global work. These statistics highlight the industry’s importance in propelling economic growth and providing livelihoods to people. 

Technology advancements have also shaped the travel industry. Online travel bookings have become popular, with travelers utilizing websites and mobile applications to schedule their trips and complete reservations. 

In 2023, online travel bookings accounted for 57% of global travel bookings, with around $755 billion. This highlights the evolution towards digital platforms in the travel industry and the need to deliver seamless online experiences to people.

The Cost of Building a Travel App

Travel app development costs depend on the application’s features and complexity. The cost of developing a basic travel app ranges between $10,000 – $30,000, which can increase to $70,000 for a medium app. The cost to build an advanced travel app can exceed $70,000.

Complexity Level  App Development Cost 
Basic  $10,000 – $30,000
Intermediate  $30,000- $70,000
Advanced  Greater than $70,000

 

Factors Affecting Travel Application Development Cost 

Factors Affecting Travel Application Development Cost 

Before focusing on the specifics of travel app development, it is necessary to understand the key factors influencing travel app development costs. These factors include:

1. Location of the App Development Team 

The location of the app development team impacts the cost of creating travel apps. Different regions have distinct hourly rates due to market demands, cost of living, and corporate taxes.

Developing countries such as India and Indonesia, offer affordable rates of $15 to $30 per hour. On the other hand, regions such as  North America, Australia, and Singapore, have increased developer rates, ranging from $70 to $200 per hour. 

When evaluating a location for your travel app development, consider the cost against the level of experience and quality necessary for your project.

2. Platform Choice 

Choosing the platform for your travel app, iOS, Android, or both, is a critical factor influencing the cost of app development. Each platform has its features, development tools, and user base.

Android and iOS are the two primary platforms overlooking the mobile market. iOS is known for its strong presence in the US, North America, Australia, and northern Europe, while Android holds the global market share. 

3. Team Size

The size of your development team also impacts the cost of travel app development. There will be more money expenditure with more people involved. 

A travel app development team has several roles, involving developers, business analysts, UI/UX designers, project managers, and quality assurance engineers. Each adds value to your app development project and costs according to their expertise and skill sets.

For instance, a business analyst converts your ideas into technical requirements, estimates mobile app development costs, and recommends elements based on ongoing market trends. A UI/UX designer imagines your app’s interface and designs prototypes. 

The cost of every role counts on various factors such as hourly rates, project complexity, and the level of expertise required. Based on your budget and project needs, consider the team size.

4. Design Complexity 

The design complexity of your travel application determines the development cost. Choose a sophisticated and customized app design, and let the developers spend more time and effort on it. 

Travel apps with native user interfaces and limited functionality will be affordable and quicker to develop. Simple travel apps include booking, weather forecasts, and note-taking apps.

Travel apps often require personalized designs, animations, and multiple features. They support broad goals, and nonlinear workflows, and may have numerous design screens with complex transitions. Some examples are trip-planning apps, advanced booking platforms, and multi-functional travel guides.

5. App Maintenance Cost 

App development is not a one-time investment. After the app launch, constant maintenance and updates are necessary to ensure safety, optimal performance, and customer satisfaction.

App maintenance costs include code updates, bug fixes, server maintenance, latest operating system version support, performance optimization, and third-party service upgrades. 

These costs are not added to the initial development estimation and are a part of your long-term app budget. Annual app maintenance starts at 50% of the development cost. Allocating resources for app maintenance keeps your app updated and implements new improvements based on customer reviews.

Travel App Development Cost Breakdown According to App Type 

The cost of developing a travel app varies depending on its category and complexity. Here is a breakdown of the expenses for distinct app types. 

  • Travel Booking App 

Travel booking apps involve real-time availability, search features, booking systems, customer ratings, and user profiles. 

  • Development Cost

$30,000 – $60,000 per platform

  • Timeline 

5-8 months         

  • Examples 

Airbnb, Booking.com 

Travel booking app development costs $30,000 to $60,000 in accordance the customization and functionality required.

  • Hotel Booking App

Hotel booking apps let customers search for and book accommodations based on their preferences and budgets. These apps include search filters, user ratings, payment options, and real-time availability. 

  • Development Cost

$10,000 – $50,000 per platform

  • Timeline 

3-6 months         

  • Examples 

Trivago, Agoda, Hotels.com 

The cost of developing a hotel booking app can range from $10,000 to $30,000 per platform, depending on the integration and complexity requirements.

  • Trip Planning App

An app helps users create travel itineraries, involving accommodations, flights, transportation, and other activities. Trip-planning apps offer features such as offline access, itinerary sharing, real-time updates, and booking platform integration.

  • Development Cost

$10,000 – $70,000 per platform

  • Timeline 

3-12 months 

  • Examples 

Sygic Travel, TripIt 

Depending on the integration needs, developing a trip-planning app ranges from $10,000 to $70,000 per platform.

  • Flight Booking App  

The flight booking app allows users to search for and book flights, compare their prices, and track flight status. These apps may include flexible date search, price alerts, seat selection, and secure payment options.

  • Development Cost

$30,000 – $100,000 per platform

  • Timeline 

4-12 months 

  • Examples 

Expedia, Skyscanner, Kayak 

The development cost for a flight booking app can range from $30,000 to $100,000 per platform, depending on the customization and integration required.

How To Save Money While Developing Travel Application 

How To Save Money While Developing Travel Application 

Travel app development involves several costs with strategies to save money and optimize your budget. Here are some ideas to save money on travel app development: 

  • Use Open-Source Frameworks 

Utilize open-source app development frameworks to develop the app and reduce costs. Open-source frameworks offer ready-made customized libraries to meet your travel app requirements.

  • Select Cross-Platform Development 

Choose cross-platform development to create a travel app that works on numerous platforms. This will save time and cost compared to building separate apps for each platform.

  • Utilize UI Kits and Templates 

Use affordable design templates and UI kits to expedite the design process and reduce the desired costs. The themes and templates are pre-designed elements to fit your travel app’s branding and user interface.

  • Focus on Features 

Recognize the necessary features for your travel app and focus on their development. This allocates resources efficiently and avoids spending on excessive features.

  • Determine a Minimum Viable Product 

Introduce a basic version of your travel app with essential features and functionality. This will validate your app idea, collect user feedback, and decrease initial development costs.

These cost-saving tips can optimize your travel app development budget and execute a successful app within your monetary means.

Ready to Design Your Travel App? Know How Indglobal Can Help 

Ready to Design Your Travel App Know How Indglobal Can Help

Indglobal Digital Private Limited, the leading mobile app development company in Bangalore offers the assistance needed to develop a travel application. We provide the right guidance, experience, and services in various app development aspects. 

Here is how we help our clients build a perfect travel app. 

  • At Indglobal, the app developers research the in-depth market to determine trends, user choices, and opportunities within the travel industry. 
  • We work with the clients to develop a customized app design tailored to your business objectives.
  • Indglobal Digital Private Limited also has expertise in UX design, providing your app with an innovative and user-friendly interface.
  • We assist in developing the app letting you choose the right technology, develop the frontend and backend, and add features such as payment gateways, location-based services, and booking engines.
  • At Indglobal, we ensure the quality of your app by using strict testing processes, such as usability testing and performance testing to fix any bugs before launch.
  • We advise our clients on data security and compliance measures with industry regulations to protect their data and preserve trust.
  • Our mobile app development team guides customers through digital marketing strategies and app store optimization to boost the app effectively. 
  • We provide ongoing support and maintenance to ensure your travel app remains updated, secure and functions optimally.

Leverage our expertise to efficiently navigate the travel app development complexities, lower app development risks, and increase the possibility of creating a thriving app to meet the needs of travelers and tourists while acquiring your business goals.

Summary 

A travel app development process is about careful planning, consideration of various factors, and understanding the desired costs. By considering outsourcing options, location, team size, platform choice, design complexity, and costs, it is easy to evaluate and manage the cost of travel app development.

Focus on determining the Minimum Viable Product (MVP), and open-source frameworks, and prioritizing features based on customer requirements. Utilize design and UI kits to expedite app development and lower costs. Focus on regular maintenance and updates to ensure the optimal success of your travel app.

Therefore, a clear understanding of the factors impacting travel app development cost and the strategies for cost optimization can help you embark on your travel app development journey. Without further ado, invest in a robust and user-friendly travel app to provide travelers with an improved experience and convenient travel planning. 

For more help, let our app developers at the best travel app development company in Bangalore develop a flexible and scalable solution tailored to your requirements. 

Connect with us soon. 

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