Essential Apps For A Smooth Uk Travel Experience

Planning a trip to the UK? There are plenty of apps to help you navigate the country, find accommodation, and save money.

For travel and navigation, apps like Citymapper, Google Maps, and Tube Map are must-haves. They provide real-time updates, route planning, and step-by-step directions for getting around by foot, bike, or public transport.

When it comes to finding a place to stay, Booking.com and Airbnb are great options. They offer a wide range of accommodations, from hotels to holiday rentals, and often include free cancellation and daily deals.

To book flights, Skyscanner is a fantastic tool for finding cheap flights and the best hotel and car rental deals.

For train travel within the UK, apps like Trainline and National Rail Enquiries are useful for finding the best deals, checking live train times, and planning your journey.

Other handy apps include Flush, which helps you find the nearest public toilet, and PackPoint, which creates a customised packing list based on your destination and the weather forecast.

With these apps, you'll be equipped to explore the UK with ease and make the most of your trip.

Navigation apps: Citymapper, Google Maps, Tube Map, London Bus Live Countdown, UK Bus Checker, and National Rail Enquiries

When travelling to the UK, it's important to have a good navigation app to help you get around. Here are some of the most useful navigation apps to use:

Citymapper

Citymapper is an all-in-one transport app that covers all your travel needs. It provides step-by-step directions for getting around by bike, public transport, car-share, scooter, or on foot. The app also allows you to compare prices for different transport options, such as Uber and for-hire bikes, and provides live waiting times for trains, buses, and trams. You can even select 'main roads' to ensure your route is well-lit at night. Citymapper is available in several UK cities, including London, Birmingham, Manchester, and Glasgow.

Google Maps

Google Maps is a well-known and widely used navigation app that offers satellite navigation and real-time updates on road and public transport conditions. It will help you find the most efficient route to your destination and allow you to see exactly where you are with Live View. You can also use Street View to explore any area virtually. Google Maps also offers offline maps for when you don't have a WiFi connection, making it a very useful app to have when travelling in the UK.

Tube Map

The Tube Map app is specifically designed for navigating the London Transport system. It can help you find the nearest toilets and plan routes for walking, cycling, and using public transport. One of its most useful features is the step-free tube map, which is ideal for those using a wheelchair, buggy, or mobility scooter. The app also includes information on overground and DLR trains.

London Bus Live Countdown

London Bus Live Countdown is a useful app for those using buses in London. It provides information on the next bus for free, saving you money on text alerts. You can locate your nearest bus stops via GPS or 3G, save stops as favourites, and keep track of bus numbers for each stop.

UK Bus Checker

If you're travelling outside of London, the UK Bus Checker app is a great alternative to London Bus Live Countdown. It offers live transit times, detailed route maps, and journey planning for all of Great Britain. The app covers various transport options, including train, bus, tram, underground, and ferry. You can easily locate bus stops, routes, and scheduled times for over 300,000 stops and stations across Britain.

National Rail Enquiries

The National Rail Enquiries app is a useful tool for planning rail journeys across the UK. It provides timetables, allows you to track trains, and enables you to save frequent journeys or station details. You can also set up alerts to stay informed about any disruptions to your travel plans. While the app has a free version, it is worth noting that it may be slightly slower than some other apps.

Accommodation apps: Airbnb, Booking.com, and Skyscanner

When it comes to accommodation, there are several apps that can help you find the perfect place to stay in the UK. Here are three of the most popular ones:

Airbnb

Airbnb is a well-known app that offers a wide range of unique accommodations, from cottages in the countryside to apartments in the city. With over 7 million listings in more than 220 countries, you can easily find a place that suits your needs and budget. The app allows you to filter your search by various amenities, such as a pool, kitchen, or step-free entry, and provides reviews from previous guests. It also makes planning group trips easier with features like shared wish lists, group messaging, and digital trip invitations. Additionally, the app gives you access to important trip information, instant notifications about your travel plans, and messages from your host.

Booking.com

The Booking.com app offers a wide range of accommodations, including hotels, apartments, bed and breakfasts, and more. You can easily search for places to stay by price, review score, WiFi quality, or specific requests such as pet-friendly options. The app also offers mobile-only discounts and free cancellation at most properties. In addition to accommodations, Booking.com also allows you to book flights, rental cars, taxis, and attractions, making it a one-stop shop for all your travel needs. You can manage your bookings on the go and discover local attractions to make the most of your trip.

Skyscanner

Skyscanner is a travel app that helps you compare prices for flights, hotels, and car rentals across different booking sites. With the calendar view, you can easily find the best dates to travel and save money. The app also allows you to set price alerts, so you can book at the right time. Skyscanner features trusted travel partners, including major airlines and accommodation providers, ensuring that you book with reliability and confidence. Whether you're looking for a last-minute deal or planning ahead, Skyscanner has you covered.

These apps can help you find accommodations that fit your preferences and budget, making your travel experience in the UK more enjoyable and convenient.

Money-saving apps: Revolut, Splitwise, and Skyscanner

When travelling to the UK, it's important to be mindful of your finances. Thankfully, there are a variety of apps that can help you save money, such as Revolut, Splitwise, and Skyscanner.

Revolut

Revolut is an app that helps you manage your money, offering perks such as easy payments, exclusive rewards, and cashback and discounts. You can send and request money with a tap and split bills with anyone in over 200 countries. The app also allows you to get instant payment notifications and manage card security. Additionally, you can find personal loans that fit your needs without any fees and start investing and trading with small amounts of capital. Revolut also offers crypto services, allowing you to go from cash to crypto instantly. Your money is protected by regulated partner banks and is FDIC-insured up to $250,000.

Splitwise

Keeping track of shared expenses during trips can be stressful, and that's where Splitwise comes in. This app helps you keep track of shared expenses and balances with anyone, including housemates, friends, family, and travel companions. You can quickly add expenses on the go and settle up with friends, recording any cash or online payments. Splitwise also offers a PRO version with additional features such as receipt scanning, charts and graphs, and currency conversion.

Skyscanner

The Skyscanner app is a useful tool for comparing flight, hotel, and car rental prices across various travel booking sites. It offers a calendar view to help you find the best dates for saving money on travel, and you can set up price alerts to notify you when prices drop. The interactive map feature lets you compare hotel prices across different areas and find the best value car rentals. Skyscanner only works with trusted travel partners, so you can book with confidence.

Packing apps: PackPoint

Packing for a trip can be stressful, but with the PackPoint app, you can ensure you have everything you need for your travels. This handy app will help you organise what to pack based on the length of your trip, the weather at your destination, and any activities you have planned.

To get started, simply input your destination, departure date, and the number of nights you'll be staying. PackPoint will then build a customised checklist for you, taking into account factors such as whether your trip is for business or leisure, the type of weather you can expect, and any activities you plan on doing.

One of the great features of PackPoint is its robust list of travel activities, which helps ensure you don't forget any essential items. The app also allows you to add your own activities and packing list items, making it customisable to your specific needs.

Once your packing list is built, you can choose to share it with your fellow travellers, so they know what to pack too. You can also tap and hold to reorder items, swipe left to remove items, and tap the "+" sign to change quantities. If you're willing to repeat wearing basic items like shirts and pants, you can check off "Repeat Basics" to pack lighter. Similarly, if you'll have access to laundry facilities, you can check off "Laundry" to reduce the number of clothes you need to bring.

With PackPoint, you can be confident that you'll have everything you need, whether you're packing for your trip a week in advance or the night before. So, the next time you're travelling to the UK, let PackPoint help take the stress out of packing!

Communication apps: WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger

Communication apps are a must-have when travelling to the UK, and two of the most popular ones are WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger.

WhatsApp is an encrypted messaging app that allows you to send messages and make video and voice calls over WiFi. It is the most popular messenger service in the United Kingdom, with 81% of the population using it daily, according to Statista (2020).

Facebook Messenger, on the other hand, is used daily by 75% of people, making it the second most popular messaging app in the UK. It is a more user-friendly app, but if you are concerned about your privacy, WhatsApp is a better choice.

Both apps are easily accessible and can be downloaded on Android and iOS devices. They are also available on desktops and laptops, making it convenient for users to stay connected no matter where they are.

With these communication apps, staying in touch with friends and family back home or even meeting new people while travelling in the UK becomes much easier and more convenient.

Frequently asked questions