If you are planning to travel to London anytime soon, or already live here, then say goodbye to expensive prices, stressing over getting public transport and struggling to find different things to do with these must-have apps. We have compiled a list of 10 of the best London apps that help you find the perfect restaurant or bar, discover an abundance of things to do, learn about old and modern landmarks and travel around the capital – enjoy!
Don’t forget: Using your smartphone in London may incur data charges, so make sure you check your allowance with your phone provider before you travel. To reduce any large costs, download these London apps whilst at home or use one of London’s many Wi-fi hotspots.
Feeling peckish but not sure where to eat? Introducing the menu in your pocket, OpenTable allows you to search, review and then make a booking at restaurants in London. The search criteria is very specific so you can find the perfect restaurant for you and your group; you can choose an area where you want to eat, what type of cuisine you fancy, how much you want to pay, how many will be in your party and when you want to eat. The app has a strong community, and most restaurants have been reviewed and rated by previous customers, which is extremely helpful when you are making a choice about where to eat – bon appetit!
Dubbed the “ultimate transport app”, CityMapper is an essential app that anyone visiting, or even living in London, will use time and time again. Not only is it extremely easy to use and fun to look at, this app will solve all of your transport problems. Simply type in your start and end destination and the app will work out several journeys for you, so you can choose the one that suits you best. It will show you how to get across the city by train, tube, bus, bicycle, boat, tram and even on foot, and will also show you the exact route on the map, how long it will take, and how many calories you will lose! If you don’t fancy getting lost anytime soon, then download CityMapper for easy and happy travels.
There are plenty of new apps that can now summon a taxi to your location, (Hailo or Uber), but none provide a service quite like Addison Lee. This award-winning app has been named the “private driver” of the taxi world, and even though it is a little pricier than the other apps, the service is really worth it. In just two taps the app can hail a taxi to your location in London within seconds meaning that you won’t be left in the cold. You can choose from four ways to pay for the taxi, by your own Addison Lee priority account, credit card, Paypal or cash.
If you're visiting London, why not travel in style by cruising down the River Thames? The Uber Boats by Thames Clipper app lets you buy tickets for riverboat services, check live departure and arrival times, and check the route map. The boats even stop at North Greenwich and Greenwich, which are both only a short distance from our London English Centre!
If boats aren't your thing, maybe you'd prefer to hit the streets in London on two wheels! Lime lets you hire both bicycles and electric scooters so you can whizz your way around the city. Be careful though - you can only ride the scooters through certain parts of London, and you have to return the bikes to a designated parking zone, or you'll be charged!
Who needs stuffy tubes or trains when you can pedal your way around London on a “Boris Bike”? This really (..wheely?) good app will show you where the Boris Bikes, (named after the former Mayor of London, Boris Johnson - even though they weren't his idea!), are available, and how to get to a docking station near to where you want to go. The app also suggests some “Top London Rides”, where you can explore some of the best locations in the capital by bike.
Calling all coffee lovers - this is the app for you! Did you know that in the UK, an average of 98 MILLION cups of coffee are drunk every day? This nifty app will help you with everything coffee-related, from handy cafe finder maps to expert reviews, you're in good hands when it comes to coffee!
This app isn't only available in the capital, but it's still full of events and things to do in London! From immersive exhibitions to interactive theatre shows, from festivals to food, there's something for everyone. If you're looking for something cheap to do, you can even filter by free events. Fever was created to help people see what was going on locally - so it's a must-have!
While we prefer CityMapper for getting around on public transport and as a tube map app, we think Google Maps is your best bet for walking. With handy features, like being able to save frequent destinations (like your homestay!), and real-time busyness indicators, it's a useful app for London!
Want to see that great theatre show on West End in London, but can’t afford the steep price? Use the TodayTix app and feel like a boss as you get amazing discounts off top West End performances. The app will give you a list of what’s hot at the moment, and the best special offers, including discounts of up to 65% off!
Do you use any of these apps? Can you think of any other great London apps? Get in Contact with us on
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