The 20+ best apps for London (2027)

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. 

**Updated for 2027

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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.

Google Maps

As much as I love Citymapper for navigating London’s public transport, I do prefer Google Maps for walking directions. You can also use it for planning your route by bus or tube but personally I think it’s best used for when you need to get somewhere on two feet.

It’s also handy for its street view feature, finding nearby restaurants, and general wandering around.

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 two different operators offering e-scooter rentals are Lime and Voi.

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.

Essential London apps

Once you’ve worked out how to get around London, there are a handful of apps that will be invaluable when exploring the city. These include a banking app, a weather app and – particularly helpful if you are visiting London with kids – a toilet-finding app. Here’s what I recommend.

A Banking App

One of the most annoying things about international travel is bad exchange rates, which is why it’s worth getting a specialist travel credit or debit card. There are a number of companies to choose from, all offering near-perfect exchange rates and zero fees when spending abroad. Some also allow overseas ATM withdrawals without charging fees and/or interest.

I have a Starling Bank account for when I travel overseas but other options include Monzo and Revolut. Chase Bank is another popular option.

A Weather App

London is famous for its unpredictable weather so it’s well worth downloading a weather app before you travel. I recommend either the Met Office Weather App, or the BBC Weather App.

The Met Office app is backed by official UK meteorologists and offers a 7-day forecast. The BBC Weather app is equally easy to use with a clean interface, and detailed hourly data.

A Toilet-finder App

This can be invaluable, especially when travelling with children. Most cafes and restaurants reserve their toilets for customer use only and while they may take pity if you have a small child with you, it’s far easier and reliable to check an app.

There are various toilet-finder apps to choose from. Toilets4London is a free, ad-free app detailing nearby public facilities, opening hours, accessibility, and baby change information. Flush Toilet Finder is another option. This app goes global in its search for the nearest restroom noting if a facility has a fee, needs a key, or has disabled access. Transport for London also has its public toilet guide for station customer toilets.

An eSIM app

If you’re arriving in London from overseas then it’s a good idea to use an eSIM to avoid international roaming charges. I’ve used SIM Local a number of times and they’re easy to use and very reliable.

Time Out London

While the London with Kids Facebook group that I run is one of the best places to find inspiration on things to do in the city, Time Out London is another great option. They list restaurant reviews, events, theatre, exhibitions and things to do across London, and is particularly useful for last-minute plans. The app is free to download, with the option to filter by neighbourhood.

The best London apps for food and drink

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.

Food Delivery Apps

If you are staying in self-catering accommodation and don’t feel like cooking then the best food delivery apps in London are Deliveroo and UberEats.

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.

London Theatre Direct

Another great way to buy theatre tickets in London, London Theatre Direct has recently launched its new Advance Pick scheme that offers up to 44% off selected West End performances when you book 8 – 12 weeks in advance.

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.

FAQ section

What is the best app for getting around London?

Citymapper is widely considered the best all-round app for navigating London and is my personal favourite. It combines tube, bus, cycling, walking and ride-hailing routes in one place. TfL Go is the best official alternative if you want live line status straight from Transport for London.

Is Citymapper free to use in London?

Yes, Citymapper is free to download and use, and covers all major transport methods across the city including the Tube, buses, cycling, and ride-hailing options.

What app should I use to book theatre tickets in London?

TodayTix and Stagedoor are both popular for finding discounted or last-minute West End theatre tickets, with Stagedoor also offering reviews from critics and audience members.

Is there an app for finding good coffee in London?

Yes, the Best Coffee app focuses specifically on independent coffee shops across London, with details on the type of coffee served and practical extras like baby-changing facilities and seating.