6 must-have London apps

Whether you live or work in London, are planning a historic visit, or are just on a layover, there are plenty of great apps to help you navigate the city. You’ll be able to get to grips with London’s busy public transport links, finding amazing things to do, and discover the best places to eat.

Here are 6 must-have apps that’ll help you become a true Londoner…

1. Citymapper

Public transport can be very confusing, especially in a big city. But Citymapper makes things simple by integrating data for all modes of transport – from buses, to tubes, trains, ferries and bikes. Just type in where you’re starting from and where you want to get to, and the app will create a map, suggest transport, and provide pricing and ETAs.

Citymapper is available to download for free on iOS and Android.

2. Tube Map

There’s nothing more iconic to London than ‘The Tube’, and while it can be difficult to navigate, it’s a rite of passage for any tourist or commuter. The Tube Map app is there to make your London Underground journey a little smoother – with maps directing you to stations, suggestions for which lines and platforms to use, and real-time service alerts.

Tube Map is free to download on iOS and Android.

3. Mobike!

With the busy roads and traffic jams you find in any city, a bicycle can be the perfect way to travel. Mobike! lets you rent a bicycle from one location and leave it another. You can fully manage your rental account in-app, so getting from A to B is as simple as 1, 2, 3.

Mobike! is available to download for free on iOS and Android.

4. Monzo

If you’re looking for a forward-thinking bank for your time in London, then Monzo makes it easy to manage your money. The app has many neat features including bill-splitting, plus you’ll get real-time updates of when money goes in and out of your account, and you can even see a map of where your transactions have taken place.

Download the Monzo app for free on iOS and Android.

5. Uber

London weather is notoriously drizzly, so if you’re looking for some door-to-door transport, then Uber is a great choice. You’ll get real-time information about when your taxi will arrive and who your driver will be, plus you’ll know up-front how much the journey is going to cost.

You can download the Uber app for free on iOS and Android.

6. Visit London

Imagine having a personal tour guide in your pocket. Well, with the Visit London app that’s exactly what you get. Supported by the Mayor of London, the app is the perfect guide for things to do, tickets and offers, accommodation and traveller information.

Visit London is free to download on iOS and Android.

Keep your data costs down while exploring London

All these apps are great for your London adventures, but they might take their toll on your mobile data. The last thing you want is to go over your allowance and end up with a huge bill at the end of the month.

At SMARTY, we have a great range of plans that offer all the data you need from just £10 a month for 30GB. All our plans have no speed caps and you can tether to your other devices without restriction. Plus, we’re powered by the Three network which means we cover up to 99% of the population and offer incredible 4G coverage too.