woman using an app
Woman with her phone

Must have Apps for Londoners 

 


London can be a big old beast to conquer but, with the right know-how and tools to help you, the city can present itself as a place full of opportunity. Whether you’re new to the Big Smoke or a seasoned Londoner looking to shore up your knowledge, we’re here to help by uncovering the must-have London apps.

 

London Transport and Travel Apps

Zipping around the big city is much easier when you’ve got real-time, accurate travel apps to hand.

 


 

City Mapper

citmapper

City Mapper

Travel in the Capital is made so much easier with city mappers London, a free app that provides live updates and guidance to your destination. From tube and bus routes to taxi or even by foot, city mapper offers unparalleled coverage of every mode of transport. The app tells you how long your journey will take, helping you find the quickest and most efficient route to your destination. This really is a game-changer, especially if you’ve just moved to London.

Tfl Go

man on a train

Tfl Go

If you’re looking for an official TfL app then ‘TfL Go’ is the one. Transport for London’s comprehensive app provides valuable real-time updates. This is really useful if you’ve already left for your destination and need to re-route. Open the app and you’ll be greeted with a full london tube map, even if you’re offline. Great if you’re tube hopping or generally struggling to connect to the internet whilst travelling. TfL Go acts as a handy London underground route planner but it covers other modes of transport too. From the bus to the overground, this TfL app has you covered - they even have a ‘step-free’ route option showing stations with lift or ramp access for those who need it.

Get Cycling With Santander Cycles

Lady with a bike

Get Cycling With Santander Cycles

If you’re someone who wants to keep active or perhaps enjoy a warm summer’s day, outside the confines of a deep and dark tube tunnel, then cycling might be up your street. Did you know that cycling is a booming trend? with a 48% increase in the number of journeys made by bike in the Capital. It's no wonder that so many are flocking to the cycle lanes. Consider Santander’s Cycle scheme. At £2 for 30 minutes, on a rolling basis, they're affordable bikes that help Londoners get to where they want without the hassle of public transport. Simply download the Santander Cycles app to find and hire your nearest bike.

Hit The Road With Zipcar

woman and man approaching zipcar

Hit The Road With Zipcar

Sometimes a car can be the easiest option, especially if you want to travel outside your local borough or travel in a group. The problem is you need to service, manage and fuel it - and the reality is that upkeep is expensive - and that’s if you even have one - 46% of London households don’t even own a car. With Zipcar, you don’t have to worry about any of the ongoing expenses. You can conveniently rent and share a car with the app, saving money whilst reducing your environmental impact. With the largest car sharing fleet in the UK it’s really easy to find and book a Zipcar. It only takes a moment and you get your vehicle on the same day.

Experience Walking Like Never Before With Voicemap

woman using a phone

Experience Walking Like Never Before With Voicemap

If you’re someone who prefers to take a stroll through the Capital’s streets, then how about an app that adds a little bit more to your journey? Walking tours can provide some of the most interesting and informative experiences that money can buy, and they really help us understand our city. The problem with walking tours is that if you stop to take a photo or anything of a similar fashion, you’ll fall behind. Voicemap is an app that allows you to take walking tours at your own pace, with options from a host of broadcasters, journalists, filmmakers and storytellers - like a tour with Ian McKellen through the history and majesty of West End. Voicemap operates on a GPS location basis across the entire city - there really is a story in every corner of our Capital.

Hitch A Ride With Taxi App

Men getting a taxi

Hitch A Ride With Taxi App

Hailing a taxi was once a staple of city life but nowadays things aren’t so simple. Or are they? In some ways things are simpler than ever, at least when it comes to this nifty cab app. If you’re looking for the best taxi app then Taxi App London is worth a try. Built and run by black cab drivers, it’s easy to find a ride. Simply select your current location and destination via the app, order a cab and Taxi App will sort the rest. What’s more, Taxi App works from TfL fares - there’s no extra costs or hidden, surplus charges - so you won’t be hit by a surprisingly large fare.

Apps For London Foodies

London’s dining scene is world renowned and it’s something we’re all keen to explore. But London can be expensive and that’s where the best London food apps can help you to unearth some hidden gems and tasty discounts.

Find Availability With Open Table

People at a table

Find Availability With Open Table

There’s nothing worse than sourcing the perfect restaurant for an occasion, only to discover there’s no tables left. Open Table is a restaurant and food app that acts as a middle man for any table enquiries. Simply pop in the date, place and number of people in your party and the app will showcase the available options by highest rating. You can even customise your search. Fancy an Italian? Or perhaps an authentic Tapas experience is more the vibe. Search by cuisine, seating options and even location with Open Table’s dining option filters.

Table Pouncer

People at a table

Table Pouncer

Late cancellations, empty tables and unfulfilled spaces are the bane of every restaurant. Meanwhile, we’ve all known the frustration of not being able to find a table at the last minute. Surely it must be possible to match the two and fill empty tables, even if it’s a last minute call? Table Pouncer is a unique restaurant booking app that works on a late reservation basis. This London app provides live availability with an accompanying deal - allowing you to book a table no matter how late the call. You can save up to 50% not only on your favourite restaurants, but pubs, bars and takeaways too. It's a win-win - enjoy dining for less while helping restaurants fill their spare capacity.

Go Out With Dusk

Cocktails on a bar

Go Out With Dusk

London’s thriving nightlife is calling, and Dusk is a neat app that will save money for you and your friends as you hit the town. Dusk is a reward based drinking app - originally called Drinki - that works with some of London’s top bars. With the promise of one free drink a night, Dusk is one of the best London apps for saving money - great if you want to explore the unique and plentiful array of bars that the Capital has to offer.

Prevent Waste And Get Discounts With TooGoodToGo

Pastries

Prevent Waste And Get Discounts With TooGoodToGo

In a city as big as London, the amount of food wasted daily is astronomical - but is there anything we as punters can we do about it? TooGoodToGo is a London food app that’s a bit different. Day by day, the app promotes discounted London food that would otherwise go to waste. From coffee shops closing their doors with leftover bagels to a donut store with plenty of remaining… well… donuts, there’s plenty on offer every day. Not only will you prevent waste, you’ll nab yourself some cheeky deals in the process.

Best Coffee

Two women drinking cofee

Best Coffee

The coffee craze is real. Our daily dose of caffeine comes in all shapes and sizes, and with the Best Coffee app you’ll find a leading guide to the Capital’s baristas and stores. Personalised filters and expert reviews will help you in your journey to find the perfect specialised coffee, whether you fancy a cappuccino, an iced latte or even an espresso shot - for those super busy days.

London Tickets, Events And Culture Apps

So it’s the weekend, or a bank holiday, or maybe you’ve even got some well deserved time off. The question is, what are you going to do? With so much going on in the Capital, it can seem overwhelming at times and you might not know where to start. That’s where the best things to do in London apps come in.

TodayTix

Musical signs

TodayTix

For theatre enthusiasts like us, there’s nothing we’d like more than the freedom to go when we want. But, sometimes, the theatre can feel like a closed shop or something that you need to plan way in advance. It’s almost unheard of in London to rock up, pay and see a show on the same day. TodayTix, a London events app, is a ready-made solution to this problem. TodayTix showcases available seats for shows with same day deals and unique offers that’ll have you mesmerised by the West End at a fraction of the price.

Discover What’s On With psLDN

London buses

Discover What’s On With psLDN

For a more carefully curated selection of events, psLDN is worth a shout. The app’s dynamic feed provides hand picked, local and independent campaigns, talks, music performances, art events and so much more. If you’re looking for a best things to do in London app then psLDN really does fit the bill with its level of personalisation and customisation. See an event that isn’t for you? Simply swipe it away - like a dating app - and find something that’s more to your liking.

Street Art London

Building art

Street Art London

London is home to some of the world’s most prestigious and awe-inspiring pieces of art, and we’re not just talking about those housed inside a museum. London’s street art has captured the minds of millions, and it’s for that reason that the Street Arts London app was developed. Featuring a map of the Capital with hundreds of up to date street art locations, Street Arts London is the go to app if you’re an art enthusiast looking for something different. You can even search by your favourite artist and use the GPS tracker to find their very own pieces of work.

Make Your Plans With Fever

London street

Make Your Plans With Fever

When you’re living a busy life, it’s difficult to find time to plan out your weekend. With so many niche activities and incredible events, you’d be forgiven for missing out. Fever is a must-have London app that selects the capital’s highlights - providing you with a handy tool that cuts out the research and delivers an instant variety of options straight to your phone - no matter the time of year. You might be surprised at just how unique and quirky London’s events can be. Dare to explore the Upside Down in a thrilling Stranger Things experience? Or why not experience a magical retelling of a classic with the theatre production of Wicked? Fever will help you find and book such events and experiences.

 

Thanks to the best London apps - you’ll be looking for a quick and convenient way to traverse the Capital. You’d be forgiven for wanting to avoid public transport, especially as there’s so much to take in above ground. So why not car share with friends and family? Just book a Zipcar, there’s one near you and you won’t even need to organise insurance - we sort that for you!

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