I fell into a GitHub repo yesterday that solves a problem I didn’t even know was draining my time, and now I can’t stop thinking about it. TREK is a self‑hosted travel planner built specifically for that problem. You get a beautiful drag‑and‑drop itinerary, interactive maps, and real‑time collaboration! It even tracks your flights, budgets, and packing lists. The best part? Your friends can install it directly to their phones without the App Store!
TREK GitHub repository homepage
TREK is by mauriceboe for travelers and groups who want a self‑hosted trip planner, solving the problem of scattered, non‑collaborative travel planning across multiple apps and tools. A self‑hosted, real‑time collaborative travel planner with interactive maps, budgets, packing lists, and more.
What Is TREK?
TREK is a self‑hosted web application that provides a comprehensive travel planning platform for individuals and groups. Unlike commercial travel apps that lock your data into proprietary platforms, TREK runs on your own server, giving you full control over your travel data while offering features that rival or exceed paid alternatives: drag‑and‑drop itinerary building, interactive maps with points of interest, real‑time collaboration, flight tracking, budget management, and packing lists.
[!NOTE] The “no‑app” angle is key: friends and travel companions can install TREK directly to their phones as a Progressive Web App (PWA) without going through the App Store, eliminating friction for group adoption while maintaining a native‑like experience.
Key Features & Capabilities
| Feature | Description | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Drag‑and‑Drop Itinerary | Visual timeline for planning daily activities | Intuitive planning without spreadsheet complexity |
| Interactive Maps | Integrated maps with POI markers and routes | See your trip geographically, not just as a list |
| Real‑Time Collaboration | Multiple users can edit simultaneously | Perfect for group trip planning without version chaos |
| Flight Tracking | Automatic flight status and schedule integration | Stay updated on delays and gate changes |
| Budget Management | Expense tracking with category breakdowns | Keep travel spending under control |
| Packing Lists | Collaborative packing lists with checkoffs | Ensure nothing gets left behind |
| Self‑Hosted | Run on your own server/VPS | Complete data privacy and control |
| PWA Installation | Install directly to phone home screen | No App Store approval needed, works offline |
Technical Architecture
- Self‑Hosted Deployment: Can be deployed on any VPS or cloud provider using Docker or manual setup.
- Real‑Time Sync: Uses WebSocket technology for instant collaboration updates.
- Progressive Web App: Provides native‑like experience on mobile devices with offline capability.
- Interactive Mapping: Integrates with open‑source mapping solutions for privacy‑conscious users.
- Open Source: Full source code available under MIT license for customization and auditing.
Community feedback on the TREK concept
Community Feedback & Current Status
“FYI, demo isn’t working. really like the concept though, especially the no‑app angle” , @lawrluk
This honest feedback highlights both the promise and current reality of TREK. The concept resonates strongly , especially the ability to bypass app stores and maintain data sovereignty , but as with many open‑source projects, the demo/implementation may need polishing. For technically inclined users willing to self‑host, this is a minor hurdle; for those expecting a polished SaaS experience, it’s a consideration.
Why This Changes Travel Planning
TREK addresses a fundamental mismatch in the travel technology space: the tension between convenience and control. Commercial travel apps offer ease‑of‑use but lock in your data and often lack serious collaboration features. Spreadsheets and documents offer control but are clunky for collaborative travel planning. TREK bridges this gap:
- Data Sovereignty: Your travel plans remain on your infrastructure, not in a corporate database.
- True Collaboration: Real‑time editing eliminates the “which version is current?” problem.
- Comprehensive Toolset: Integrates all travel planning aspects (itinerary, maps, budget, packing) in one place.
- No‑Friction Adoption: PWA installation means companions don’t need to download anything from app stores.
- Cost Effective: Self‑hosting eliminates recurring subscription fees after initial setup.
Project Link
TREK proves that sometimes the most valuable tools are those that give you back control without sacrificing usability. By combining self‑hosting with modern web technologies and thoughtful feature design, it offers a compelling alternative to both commercial travel apps and DIY spreadsheet solutions.