When I first moved to London a very long time ago I never left home without my trust London A-Z. This handy, pocket-size map was invaluable in the days before Google maps for getting around the city. And while I sometimes get nostalgic for my map-reading days, getting around London is much more straight forward today.
London is a big city and sometimes even locals need a hand finding their way around. Fortunately, there are dozens of apps that can help you do just that, from navigating the London Underground and hailing a black cab to to finding the best coffee, discovering London’s hidden gems and scoring good deals on theatre tickets.
If you too are looking for help planning and getting around the city then this list of the best apps for London should help.
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For more ideas on exploring London with kids, take a look at my London guide which shares my handpicked lists of the best things to do in London including our top attractions (yes, Buckingham Palace and Big Ben are included!), our favourite of London’s many world-class museums, and much more.
The best apps for London
Most of the following apps are available for iPhone and Android devices and many of them are free but do watch out for any in app purchases.
The best London travel apps
Your most useful app when visiting London will be a travel app. Having a handy travel app to explore London – whether you are navigating on foot, two wheels, travelling by bus or on the London Underground – is the best way to explore a new city. The following are my personal favourite travel apps for London.
Citymapper
If I could only have one app for London it would be Citymapper; this really is the best app for getting around London on public transportation, sharing the fastest, cheapest and best routes as well as any delays taking place.
The Citymapper London app tells you how to get from point A to point B using all transport methods available. Simply put in your departure destination and where you want to go and the handy app will tell you the best way to get there by tube and by bus. If you prefer an alternative way to travel, then the apps also tells you the quickest routes by Lime and Forest, the electric bike services, as well as by black cabs and Uber.
One of the things I love most about the app is that it also shares where you should stand on the tube platform so that you can exit quickly once you’ve arrived at your destination. It also provides the routes for accessible journeys, if you are travelling with a pushchair or wheelchair.
CityMapper is available free and is also available in the major cities including Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam and many others.
TfL Go app
Another one of the best apps for London is the official app of Transport for London, the TFL Go app.
Useful features include the live map, which details the live status of all TfL lines, including whether there are any disruptions on tube lines or at underground stations. You can also check live arrival times on all bus, Tube, London Overground, DLF, Elizabeth line, tram lines, and even the IFS Cloud Cable Car.
Another one of its great features is the step-free mode that details which stations have step-free access, helping you to plan accessible journeys.
You can also use the app to manage your payments: you can top up the pay-as-you-go credit on your Oyster card and view your journey history for both Oyster and contactless cards.
London & UK Live Bus Countdown
If you’re wondering when the next bus will turn up, take a look at the London Bus Live Countdown mobile app.
This London bus app is linked directly to live Transport for London data and is a great way to get live updates for planning your bus routes and to know exactly when your bus is supposed to arrive. Handily, the app also gives live status updates on the London Underground lines.
Tube Map – London Underground
Even Londoners sometimes need a little help using the underground which is why it’s worth having the Tube Map app on your phone. This London underground app includes the official TfL (Transport for London) Tube Map and also provides an offline map for those times when you can’t get good network service.
It’s a good way to plan your journey using the London Underground although personally I don’t find it quite as useful as CityMapper.
London Tube Live
London Tube Live is another one of the best apps for London. It includes up-to-the-minute real time departures information for all tube lines including DLR and London Overground and alert you of any delays or engineering works taking place.
Other features include the best carriages to board so that you’re at the right exit when you get off the tube, and information on station facilities such as parking and lifts.
Station Master
This is not a free app but if you’re spending a significant amount of time in London – or you’re a London Underground geek – then you may want to invest in Station Master.
This not a route planning App, rather it tells you all you need to know about London’s famous tube lines from its history to whether or not a night tube service runs from a particular station.
There are 3D Maps showing you the facilities and layouts of all 270 tube stations, accessibility information such as step count and elevators and transport links. The app also features travel tips, history and fun facts for every tube station.
Santander Cycles
If you feel like exploring London on two wheels then download the free Santander Cycles app from Transport for London. This popular app is the official app for Santander Cycles, the self-service, bike-sharing scheme for short journeys in central London.
The app receives bike release codes straight to your smartphone so that you don’t have to deal with the docking station terminal when you want to borrow a bike. It includes information about finding your nearest docking station and which docking stations have bikes available. A map is included for planning your journey.
E-Scooter and E-Bike Rentals
In early June 2021 electric scooters became available to rent in a handful of London boroughs. Currently, this is the only way to legally ride an e-scooter on public roads or in other public places in London. They are limited to a speed of 12.5mph.
Riders must be 18 or over and have a full or provisional driving licence to rent an e-scooter.
The three different operators offering e-scooter rentals are Lime and Dott.
Uber boat by Thames Clipper
One of the best ways to see London’s most famous landmarks is from the river. One option is a high-speed spin on Thames Rockets but for something a little calmer (and cheaper), hitch a ride on board one of the Uber boats by Thames Clipper that cruise up and down the River Thames.
The Uber boat by Thames Clipper app is the same as you use for the Uber ride-hailing service; download the official app and you can skip lines, add tickets to your phone and have access to the best deals.
Ride-hailing Apps
You’ve got a lot of choices when it comes to taxi hailing apps in London. The main one is Uber but there are other ride hailing apps out there.
These include Bolt, which promises lower fares for passengers and better pay for drivers. They also offer an in-app “Emergency Asset” button for passengers and drivers, which contacts the Metropolitan Police directly when activated. Free Now is another cab hailing app.
There are a handful of black cab-hailing apps such as Gett UK and TaxiApp UK. Addison Lee is one of the most established taxi brands in the city and has its own app.
The best London apps for food and drink
The best food delivery apps are Deliveroo and UberEats.
OpenTable
OpenTable is one of the best apps for London if you want to make restaurant recommendations. Although not every London restaurant is listed, the free app has a comprehensive collection of places to eat and allows you to search by location, cuisine type, availability and budget. You can also see menus and reviews.
Best Coffee
Coffee can make or break a family holiday so if you are a coffee lover then I recommend that you download the Best Coffee app to your smart phone sharpish! There is an excellent London coffee network and that’s what this app focuses on, good independent coffee shops.
Each coffee shop listed comes with a detailed review as well as the type of coffee offered whether that’s cold brew, decaf or just regular filter coffee. The listings also offer handy details such as whether or not there’s a baby change space and seating available.
If tea is more your things, take a look at the best afternoon teas in London for kids.
Best London apps for information, events and tickets
Visit London
The Visit London’s official app is a good app for planning your London experience.
It includes key London sights such as the Tower of London and St Paul’s Cathedral as well as seasonal events and money-saving deals. There are also shopping ideas, theatre reviews, restaurant recommendations and ideas on free things to do.
Fever: Local Tickets and Events
Fever is a great app for finding out what’s going on in London. Filter by interest (including #family) and discover everything from exhibitions and theatre to stadium tours and interactive game experiences. You can often find great deals on experiences too.
Stagedoor
If you’re planning to see a show when you’re in London then take a look at the Stagedoor app. This app offers detailed reviews from both critics and visitors, shows current offers and allows you to book tickets as well.
TodayTix
We often used the TodayTix app to find the best theatre deals. It allows you to purchase tickets in-app, including last-minute tickets, and you can even choose the best seats.
The London Pass by Go City
The London Pass by Go City is an “interactive guidebook” that works in tandem with the London Pass itself.
The London Pass is a pass that allows you to visit a number of attractions and tours around the city, often with fast track access. Passes are available for 1, 2, 3, 6, and 10 days and can save you up to 50% on attractions.
The app includes an interactive map that locates attractions closes to you and includes passholder offers. You can also use the app to scan your digital ticket at each attractions.
What I find this app more useful for, however, is its guidebook-like information. Even if you don’t purchase a London Pass, you can use the app to discover information on public holidays, ideas for days out and more.
