London is a vast city, and it is one of the most popular cities in the world for tourists. With so much to see, including historic highlights, world-class museums, royal attractions and top restaurants, there is much more than most people can see and do in one trip.
With so much to do, it makes it even more important for you to see everything you want to without getting lost along the way. If you’re travelling with your smartphone, which is pretty much the norm these days, there are a number of apps that can help you find your way around the busy streets. Here are a few of the best to help you navigate London.
Firstly … Always Go Prepared
If you are flying into London, you will want to make the most of your time in the city, and the following apps can help, but it’s also a good idea to make travel plans for when things don’t go well. For example, what happens if your flight is delayed? Check out a flight delay calculator like that offered by Schengenvisainfo to find out how much, if anything, you could claim.
London Official City Guide App
This app is one of the best all-round apps for exploring London. It provides you with details of restaurants, things to see, itineraries, amenities and more, and it also has offline maps, GPS and travel directions for public transport.
Riverside London
The Riverside London app is another great app for exploring the city. It is focused around the Thames, and it provides you with information on restaurants, attractions, events and more along the river.
London Sights
This app is a useful one for getting around and seeing the sights. It includes walking tours and a GPS map to guide you. It also provides vibrating alerts when you are in the right spot to listen, and directions to where you can buy food and drink on the way.
London Market Guide
London has some wonderful markets to discover, and this app makes finding them easy. Search by area or by what you want to buy, and you can easily find the market you want. You can also get access to information about the area.
Tube Map London Underground
This tube map app is an essential app for getting around London. It includes live updates and directions to any station, and it is also very simple to use.
Citymapper
The Citymapper app is another excellent one for getting around on public transport. Use it to find the latest information, details of routes and prices, and it also includes offline maps.
Santander Cycles
Prefer to cycle? Then this app is for you. It’s a free app that you can use to find your way to the closest docking station. It also shows the availability of bikes, and you can get a bike release code sent straight to your phone.
Walking Tours
As well as all of the above apps, there are also plenty of walking tour apps focusing on different types of walks, including A Hollow Body with a Sherlock Holmes theme, Blue Plaques, Tour 2 London, Horrible London and StrollOn.
So load up the apps that look interesting, and get more out of your time in London without getting lost on the way to your final destination.
Patrick Lee has lived in London for 10 years. He is a culture vulture in his 30s who loves city life, and can’t imagine himself living anywhere else.
