Must Have Apps for International Students in France: Essential Tools for Daily Life and Studies

Moving to France as an international student can be exciting but also challenging. Navigating a new city, understanding public transportation, and learning French are all part of the experience. The right apps can help students organise their daily lives, communicate better, and feel more at home in France. There are many options, but a few stand out for making life easier. With apps for learning French, planning routes around the city, and staying up to date with university resources, international students can solve many common problems with just their phones. From managing transport in Paris to improving language skills with tools like Babbel, these essential apps offer real help for everyday challenges. Keep reading further to understand must have apps for International students in France.

List of Must Have Apps for International Students Transport & Navigation

Using the right transport and navigation apps can help international students get around French cities quickly and avoid getting lost. These apps provide important information about routes, tickets, and public transport schedules.

Citymapper

Citymapper is a user-friendly app for planning routes in many French cities, especially Paris. It includes live updates, step-by-step directions, and multiple route options using buses, metros, trams, RER, and even bikes.

Key features include:

• Real-time transit updates showing delays or service changes

• Estimated travel time for different routes

• Price estimates for tickets and passes
  

Citymapper also allows students to save favourite locations, check last train times, and compare different transit options side by side. People can see walking and cycling paths in addition to public transport. This makes it easier for anyone new to the city to choose the most efficient route for every trip.

SNCF

SNCF is the main train company in France. The SNCF app is essential for students who travel between cities or need to use regional trains. It covers local TER trains, high-speed TGV routes, and even rail connections across Europe.

Important features include:

• Mobile ticket booking and boarding passes

• Train schedules, platform information, and seat selection

• Delay and disruption alerts in real time
  

For those taking trips home or exploring towns outside Paris, the SNCF app is valuable for planning, finding the lowest prices, and catching any last-minute changes. The app’s trip-tracking and notification features mean students can focus on their studies instead of stressing about missed trains.

Bonjour RATP

Bonjour RATP is the main app for navigating public transport in Paris and the surrounding Île-de-France region. It includes coverage for metro, bus, tram, and RER lines, making it a one-stop shop for all urban travel needs.

Core functions are:

• Detailed route planning across the whole Paris network

• Ability to buy digital tickets and manage Navigo passes

• Interactive maps with live updates on service status
  

Using Bonjour RATP, international students can check the fastest way to class, see if there are delays on their line, or buy a ticket without waiting in line at the station. Downloading this app before arrival lets students adjust quickly and start moving around Paris with ease. For more about its transit features, see Bonjour RATP.

Language & Translation

Understanding and communicating in French is a big part of student life in France. Many apps use features like voice input or smart translation tools to make conversations, assignments, and daily tasks easier.

Deepl

Deepl is a translation app known for its accurate and natural translations. It can translate whole sentences and even paragraphs from English to French and many other languages.

Deepl is useful for students who need help with essays or written messages. The app is also helpful for reading French documents and emails. Its simple design makes it easy to copy, paste, and edit text without distractions.

A key benefit is the high-quality translation for academic work. Students use it to check grammar, improve tone, or compare text versions side by side. The app offers both a website and a mobile version for fast access.

Some advanced features, like translating certain file types or getting long-term use with no limits, require a paid plan. However, most basic translations are free and unlimited.

Google Translate

Google Translate supports over 100 languages, including French. One main feature is instant camera translation, which lets users point their phone at menus, street signs, or books and see the translation right away.

The app also offers voice translation, which is helpful when speaking with people who do not speak English. This can make ordering food, asking directions, or shopping much easier. Google Translate also allows users to save favourite phrases for quick access.

Students can use the audio feature to listen

Food & Groceries

International students in France need reliable ways to buy meals and groceries. Options range from food delivery to saving money on surplus goods and shopping with local supermarket apps.

Deliveroo

Deliveroo is a popular food delivery app similar to Swiggy in India. Students use it to order meals from a wide range of restaurants, fast-food outlets, and bakeries. The app displays menus, prices, and user reviews so students can browse and compare dishes.

Ordering is easy. After an address is set, users can track their delivery in real time and get accurate arrival estimates. Payment is cashless and can be split with friends using the built-in features. Deliveroo often offers student discounts or special promotions on selected days.

Too Good To Go

Too Good To Go helps students save money and reduce food waste. Local cafés, bakeries, supermarkets, and restaurants offer unsold food at much lower prices through the app.

Users reserve "surprise bags" that contain leftover, but still fresh food. Pick-up usually takes place during a set time window. Students can choose options close to their campus or home. This is a good way to try different foods while sticking to a budget.

Key Features:

• Discounts up to 70%

• Focus on sustainability

• Simple reservation and pick-up
  

Paris and other big cities have many partners listed on Too Good To Go, making it easy to find deals every day.

Carrefour App

Carrefour is one of France’s largest supermarket chains. The official Carrefour app helps students find nearby stores, browse digital catalogs, and order groceries anytime.

The app offers online shopping with options for home delivery or in-store pickup. It highlights weekly promotions and discounts so students can save money on essentials. Loyalty card integration lets users collect and check points while shopping.

Features:

• Store locator and opening hours

• Digital shopping list

• Flyers with special deals
  

Students who prefer cooking or need supplies for their dorm usually find Carrefour’s app helpful for planning meals and tracking grocery budgets. Many Carrefour locations are close to universities and student housing, making pickups fast and easy.

Banking & Finance

International students in France need simple, low-cost ways to manage their money. Mobile banking apps help students pay rent, receive money from home, and budget for daily expenses.

Revolut

Revolut is popular with international students because of its flexible accounts and currency support. Signing up is quick, requiring only basic identification and a few steps in the app. Students get a free Visa or Mastercard, which works in France and abroad.

Money can be held and exchanged in multiple currencies. This is helpful for students who need to transfer money from other countries. Spending abroad is affordable, with low or no extra fees for card use. Revolut users can send and receive money instantly between friends using the app, which is useful for sharing costs.

Budget tracking features help students control their spending. The app also sends instant notifications for each transaction. This makes it easier to spot any issues or track what is spent.

N26

N26 is another digital bank designed for travelers and students. Account setup is available entirely online, often without needing to visit a local branch. The app is available in English, which is helpful for students who do not speak French.

N26 offers a free basic account that comes with a Mastercard. There are no monthly fees for this basic service. Students can use the card worldwide with no foreign transaction charges, making it a favorite for everyday purchases and travel.

The budget tools in N26 help users set spending limits. Real-time push notifications keep students aware of every transaction. With flexible features, N26 simplifies opening a bank account in France even for those who are new to the country.

Splitwise

Splitwise is a must-have app for international students in France who live in shared apartments, travel in groups, or regularly split bills with roommates and friends. It allows you to easily track shared expenses from groceries and Wi-Fi bills to weekend trips and ensures that everyone knows exactly who owes what.

You can create groups, add expenses, and let the app handle the math. It supports multiple currencies and even allows payment reminders. While it doesn’t handle payments directly in France, you can pair it with apps like Revolut or N26 to settle up outside the app. It is popular among international students as it helps them avoid those awkward “who still owes me?” conversations.

Student Life & Essentials

International students in France need to manage important paperwork, health visits, finding housing, and staying connected to their schools. The right apps can help with these tasks and make life in France much simpler.

CAF

CAF (Caisse d'Allocations Familiales) is important for students who want help paying for their rent. Students can use the CAF website or app to apply for housing assistance called APL (Aide Personnalisée au Logement). For many, the monthly payment can be a big relief on their budget.

The system is mostly in French, but there are guides in English online. Students need to create an account, provide documents like their rental contract, proof of income, and residence permit.

Processing can take time, so it is smart to apply soon after moving in. Students who live in shared apartments or dorms can also apply. The CAF platform lets users check their application status, update information, and get notifications about payments. If you want to avoid common pitfalls during the application, check out our blog on the biggest mistakes Indian students make with their CAF application in France it breaks down what to do (and what not to do) so you don’t miss out on financial aid.

Doctolib

Doctolib is one of France’s top platforms for booking medical appointments. Students can use the website or app to schedule doctor’s visits, dentist appointments, and even video consultations.

The app is available in French and English. It shows available doctors by location and specialty. Booking takes just a few clicks, and users get reminders before each appointment.

Medical records and prescriptions can be managed online. This saves time and reduces paperwork. Doctolib is widely used across France, making it easier for students to find help when needed, whether for routine checks or emergencies.

Adele

If you’re looking for verified student accommodation in France, Adele is one of the safest platforms to start with. Unlike general classifieds websites, Adele is specifically focused on student residences, making it a reliable option for international students who want secure housing especially during their first year abroad.

If you are using general classifieds websites or Facebook groups to find apartment, a critical tip for international students: never send money or deposits before physically visiting the property. Housing scams are sadly common, especially when someone claims they’re “out of town,” promises to mail you the keys, and asks for payment upfront. If you ever get this kind of message it’s a red flag. Always insist on seeing the apartment (or having someone trusted view it on your behalf) before paying anything.

Safety & Emergency

Being safe in France means knowing how to contact emergency services and receive official alerts quickly. There are apps that can help international students act fast in a crisis and make it easier to get the right help.

Urgence 114

Urgence 114 is France’s national emergency service for people who cannot communicate by phone. It is mainly designed for those who are deaf or hard of hearing, but anyone can use it during an emergency if they cannot speak or make a phone call.

The app works through both SMS and live chat. Students can use it to reach police, firefighters, or paramedics. Urgence 114 is available in French, so it helps to know some basic phrases, but quick responses like “SOS” and location sharing make things easier.

This app is free and operates 24/7. It is a good idea for international students to download Urgence 114 when they arrive in France and enter their emergency contact details. The service even allows users to share their GPS location, which helps responders find them quickly.

SAIP

SAIP (Système d’Alerte et d’Information des Populations) is the official emergency alert app from the French government. It sends real-time notifications about serious incidents like terrorist attacks, natural disasters, or major accidents.

The app uses geo-targeting to send alerts based on a user’s current location. Notifications can include safety instructions, such as staying indoors or evacuating. SAIP is available in multiple languages, making it easier for international students to understand alerts.

Students can also set up alerts for multiple places. For example, they can receive updates for their home, school, or other important locations. Although the government sometimes updates the app, students should check for the latest version after arriving in France.

Need More Help Adjusting To Life In France? Book A Free Edumox Consultation

Settling into life in France can be challenging for international students. Everyday tasks like figuring out public transport or finding affordable groceries may feel overwhelming at first.

That’s where personalised guidance makes all the difference. Hearing directly from alumni who’ve already been through it from sorting housing to managing classes can help you avoid common mistakes and settle in faster.

Whether you’re unsure about the visa process, choosing the right city to live in, or finalising your university applications, getting expert advice can save time, reduce stress, and help you feel more confident about your next steps.

Anyone needing support can reach out to EduMox for free advice about studying and living in France. Our team helps with a range of issues and offers answers to common questions.

Benefits of free consultation:

• Guidance on student visas

• Help with settling in France

• Answers to study-related questions

• Tips for everyday living
  

A quick consultation can make a big difference for those who want smooth transitions and successful studies abroad. Reach out today and let's get you settled.