If you’re headed to London, then you need to know all about the top apps for London travel. Finding the best app for London transport is perhaps an obvious one. But did you know that it’s also possible to arrange laundry services, find a toilet, check the weather, book theatre tickets and much more, via the very best apps for London visitors?
This guide to the top 24 London travel apps really can make your London trip go so much more smoothly! From the official app for the London Underground to booking rideshares, finding vegan eateries, or avoiding unnecessary bank charges, it can all be right there at your fingertips.
Don’t leave for London without checking out the following apps!
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Top 7 Transport (+ Getting Around) Apps
London Bus Pal
The main point of the London Bus Pal app is to keep you informed about live bus departures and arrivals. This is more accurate than using timetables, as it accounts for traffic and weather conditions on the day.
The results displayed show the bus number, the destination, and the timings in minutes or even seconds. You can also search by stop, finding what buses will depart from there shortly.
This app is popular among bus enthusiasts, as well as those who are simply wondering where their bus is right now.
Both Google Play and the App Store offer this free London bus app.
Citymapper
The Citymapper App is ideal for navigating your way around London. You can meet all your transport needs with this single app. It will even issue step-by-step directions for making journeys via public transport, car share, bike, scooter, or as a pedestrian.
With the CityMapper London app you can also view live waiting times for buses, trains, and trams, as well as comparing prices for services like Uber and Santander Cycles (a public bike hire scheme also known as Boris Bikes).
You can even share trip details and your ETA with other people. To ensure safety and visibility after dark, you can also choose the ‘main roads’ option.
The Citymapper app is a real go-to for any London trip. It’s available on Apple and Android, and the basic version is free.
Google Maps
Google Maps’ London coverage is very good indeed, and you can even use it to find your way via satellite navigation. This app can even show you the most efficient route to where you’re headed.
Live updates will keep you in the loop regarding public transport times, plus road conditions and closures. There’s also Street View to discover an area before you go, and Live View to see exactly where you are at any point in time.
When you don’t have a WiFi connection, you can even use the offline maps function. Get the Google Maps app for free on Android or Apple.
TfL Go
For live London Transport updates, you cannot beat the TfL Go app. This app from Transport for London will keep you updated regarding trams, buses, trains, and DLR (Docklands Light Railway) services.
You can also use it to plan walking and cycling routes. Another useful function is the step-free tube map, showing accessible underground services for mobility scooters, buggies, and wheelchairs. This app can also help you locate the nearest public toilets!
TfL Go works with Apple and Android devices, and is free to download.
TfL Oyster & Contactless app
The TfL Oyster and Contactless app allows you to manage your payments for London Transport by contactless card or Oyster card. You can top up on the go, buy passes and travel cards, view your trip history, and more.
Useful features include being able to check how much credit you have before you travel, and buying tickets without having to queue.
Grab the Transport for London Oyster and Contactless app on Google Play or the App Store.
Trainline
This is one you can use for travelling beyond London as well as within the city. In fact it’s used Europe-wide – and it works with coach travel as well as rail.
You can also compare fares, including discounted tickets, before making a booking. The Trainline app can also help you find empty seats on the train, and keeps you updated so you can skip any queues.
It’s available on Android and Apple, and is free to download and use.
National Rail Enquiries
National Rail Enquiries is a helpful public transport app that also gives you the latest London Underground info.
The free app will allow you to see timetables, plan journeys, save station details, and even track trains via a pin on a map. The alert function will also let you know about disrupted services.
Get the National Rail Enquiries app on Apple or Android.
Top 3 Ride Hailing Apps for London (other than Uber and Lyft)
Ola
Move over, Uber. Indian app Ola has grown rapidly to become the third-biggest ride-sharing app on the planet. More than six million passengers have now used it in the UK.
Fares are very competitive, with a minimum of about £5.50 and a rate of just over £2 per mile.
Ola is available on both Google Play and the App Store.
Bolt
Bolt isn’t only a ride-hailing app, it can also help you find scooters to get around London. Drivers are fully vetted for your safety, and you can check the cost before ordering a car.
You can also pay in-app, leave reviews to help others, and track your driver’s current location.
Get Bolt for your Android or Apple device.
Taxiapp
Taxiapp is your go-to for booking black cab rides across London. The app is operated by drivers, and your entire fare goes directly to your cabbie.
It’s simple to book a ride by inputting your origin and destination, and you can even pre-tip your driver to smooth the way. All Taxiapp drivers have passed The Knowledge, meaning they can navigate 25,000 London streets with ease.
The App Store and Google Play offer Apple and Android versions of Taxiapp.
Top 5 Tourist Apps for London
Go City (for the London Pass)
The Go City app is the home of the London Pass. So if you buy one of these great value passes to use while exploring the UK capital, you can plan all your attraction visits and activities in one place. (Use code UKTP5 for 5% off your London Pass)
The app can even inspire your sightseeing, and includes an AI planner. It also stores your digital pass to streamline your travels.
Find out more about the various passes available in London including the London Pass, the GoCity Explorer Pass, and the Big City Saver Pass in this article.
The Go City or London Pass app can be accessed via the App Store for Apple, or for Android on Google Play.
London Theatre Direct
If you want to see a theatre show while in London, London Theatre Direct can make sure you buy the cheapest possible – or last-minute – tickets.
You can even secure a seat only an hour before the show starts, before collecting your tickets at the theatre.
At the present time, the free London Theatre Direct app only works with Apple devices, but this could change at any time.
Get Your Guide
Get Your Guide will help you find things to do and places to go in the UK. The app can also be used to book skip-the-line tickets, to save you queuing at popular attractions.
It’s simple to find the highest rated activities, attractions, and tours, so you can make the most of your time in London. Get Your Guide also offers refundable tickets, normally when you cancel 24 hours or more before travel.
You can use this free app on Android or Apple devices.
Booking.com
Whether your London plans have changed or the hotel room you’ve reserved isn’t up to scratch, the app from booking.com can help you find affordable, highly-rated accommodation. You can also use it for planning your onward travel.
You can search in various ways, such as by location, name, or even a local attraction. Daily deals are often available, and free cancellation is often thrown in, too.
Get this free app on Google Play for Android, or the App Store for Apple devices.
Raise Tower Bridge
This fun app is aimed at tourists who want to experience the view from this iconic bridge – even when they haven’t been. 360 degree video footage ensures realistic, panoramic views.
The Raise Tower Bridge app is presently only available on the App Store.
Top 3 Food Apps for London
Best Coffee
Best Coffee is a free guide listing 5,000 plus coffee shops around the world. Not only will this app help you find a great London cafe, but you can also search for places that offer free Wifi, are cycling friendly, or have baby changing facilities.
All venues listed are checked and endorsed by genuine coffee fans. You can also read recently published reviews and articles via the education hub on the app. If you want to find a top-notch indie coffee shop in a London neighbourhood, this is the app for you.
Download Best Coffee for Apple or Android.
Opentable
Opentable will help you track down the best – and most affordable – places to eat in London.
This free app allows you to read reviews from other diners, find discounts and special deals, and check out the menus before reserving a table. You can even invite friends and family to join you there via the RSVP invite function.
You can get the free Opentable app on Apple or Android.
The Happy Cow
Whether you’re craving a healthy meal or sticking to a gluten-free, vegan or vegetarian diet, the Happy Cow app will help you find the perfect place to eat.
The Happy Cow app will help you track down local food markets, cafes, health food shops, restaurants, and grocery stores. You can also help and connect with others by sharing images, advice, and reviews.
This free vegan and special diet friendly app can be accessed via the App Store and Google Play.
Top 6 Practical Apps for London
AccessAble app
If you use a wheelchair or another form of mobility assistance, then the AccessAble app acts as your complete guide to accessibility in London. By using it, you can work out whether places will be accessible before you go.
The useful information given includes photographs, as well as all the facts and figures you need. Disabled people find this to be a very reliable and trusted source of information.
Get the AccessAble app on Google Play or the App Store.
Met Office
It rains a lot in London, and the rest of the UK, making the Met Office app invaluable. You can use it before your trip to help finalise your packing list, according to the expected weather. It will also alert you to any severe weather warnings.
It’s also worth checking before you set out for the day – though no weather forecast is foolproof, and we recommend that you always carry a rain jacket! The interactive wet weather map can give you some hints, though.
The Met Office is the UK’s official weather department, so it’s as trustworthy as you’re going to get! This free app is available for Apple and Android phones and tablets.
Laundryheap
One of the worst things about travelling can be carrying a load of dirty laundry around in your suitcase or backpack. As well as packing more than you’d need to if you could only clean your clothes. While hotels can do this, the charges can be eye-watering.
Enter the Laundryheap on-demand laundry app. In under 24 hours, you can have your clothing washed, and ironed too if required. You can also freshen up sleeping bags, or do some dry cleaning.
This squeaky clean and super useful app is available on the App Store and Google Play.
Flush
When you need to locate the closest public toilet, Flush is the app you need. The app can also help you find bathrooms offering disabled access, and whether you need a key (radar key).
The Flush app will also tell you whether there is any charge to use the bathroom. You can also help other app users by giving ratings, and adding any new toilets you find that aren’t already listed.
You can get Flush as a free Android or Apple app.
Toilets 4 London
Is the name of this app a play on Transport for London? That’s for you to decide. All we’re saying is that it’s extremely useful when you’re caught short.
The Toilets 4 London team also do what they can to ensure there are as many well-kept toilets for public use as possible. If you do have feedback, the app developers also tend to be very responsive.
Get Toilets 4 London on Google Play or the App Store.
Wise
The Wise app means benefiting from low fees on international payments, plus better exchange rates. You can use a Wise debit card, too, for paying directly from your Wise account.
We find the Wise debit Mastercard to be among the easiest and cheapest ways to pay around the world. If you want to avoid high fees or poor exchange rates on using pounds sterling in London, it’s well worth considering.
The Mastercard is accepted pretty much everywhere, and you can hold multiple currencies simultaneously. Any funds you don’t use can be converted back to your home currency once you return, before transferring to your bank account.
The free Wise app is available on Google Play for Android and the Apple app store.
Which Best Apps for London Will You Download?
Whether you want to pay for rides or public transport trips on the go, find things to do, book accommodation, or check accessibility in advance of your visit, the best apps for London offer all this and so much more.
From clean clothing and the best rates on pounds sterling to Uber alternatives and the best London coffee shops, you can literally discover the city via your smartphone’s touchscreen.
Which helpful London travel app will you be downloading first?
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