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 Big Smoke or a seasoned Londoner looking to shore up your knowledge, we’re here to help by uncovering the must-have London apps.

 

City Mapper

Travel in the Capital is made so much easier with Citymappers London, a free app that provides live updates and guidance to your destination. From tube and bus routes to taxis 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 is a game-changer, especially if you’ve just moved to London.

 

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 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

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, they're affordable bikes that help Londoners get to where they want without the hassle of public transport. Download the Santander Cycles app to find and hire your nearest bike.

 

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-rental 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

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

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 the Taxi App will sort the rest. What’s more, Taxi App works from TfL fares - there are no extra costs or hidden, surplus charges - so you won’t be hit by a surprisingly large fare.

 

Find Availability With Open Table

There’s nothing worse than sourcing the perfect restaurant for an occasion, only to discover there are no tables left. Open Table is a restaurant and food app that acts as a middleman 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.

 

Save money 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

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 doughnut store with plenty of remaining… well… doughnuts, there’s plenty on offer every day. Not only will you prevent waste, but you’ll also nab yourself some cheeky deals in the process.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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. Fever will help you find and book such events and experiences and you might be surprised at just how unique and quirky London’s events can be.