You do not need dozens of apps to visit London.

For most travellers, the most useful setup is:

  1. Citymapper for navigating London
  2. Google Maps for walking and offline maps
  3. EatClub for restaurant and bar discounts
  4. TodayTix for cheaper West End tickets
  5. An eSIM app if your mobile plan does not include UK data

Install and set up anything involving a payment card before travelling. It is much easier to check passwords, bank verification and phone compatibility at home than outside a busy London station.

The essential London apps at a glance

App Best for When to install
Citymapper Tube, bus, train and walking routes Before travelling
Google Maps Walking, saved places and an offline backup Before travelling
EatClub Restaurant and bar discounts Before your first meal
TodayTix Same-day West End tickets Before the day of the show
An eSIM app Mobile data in the UK Before travelling
Trainline or a rail operator app Day trips outside London Only if required

1. Citymapper: the best app for navigating London

Best for: deciding how to get from one place to another
Cost: free

Citymapper compares complete journeys across:

  • London Underground
  • Elizabeth line
  • London Overground
  • Buses
  • National Rail
  • Walking
  • Cycling
  • Taxis and ride-hailing services

It can tell you which part of a train to use, which exit to take and whether walking or catching a bus would be faster.

Citymapper also incorporates live disruption information. For most visitors, there is no need to install a second London transport app.

Before travelling, save:

  • Your accommodation
  • Your arrival airport or station
  • Your first attraction
  • Your departure terminal

Open Citymapper for London

You do not need an app to pay for London transport

Use a compatible contactless card, Apple Pay, Google Pay or an Oyster card.

Touch in and out with the same card or device. A physical bank card and the same card inside Apple Pay are treated as different payment methods.

Every adult traveller needs their own card or device.

Read our guide to the cheapest way to travel around London with Oyster or contactless before deciding which one to use.

2. Google Maps: save your places and download London offline

Best for: walking and finding entrances
Cost: free

Google Maps is useful for walking between nearby attractions, finding the correct entrance and saving places you want to visit.

Before travelling, save:

  • Your hotel or accommodation
  • Your arrival point
  • Booked attractions
  • Restaurants you want to try
  • A nearby supermarket
  • A backup indoor activity

How to download a London map

On iPhone or Android:

  1. Open Google Maps while connected to Wi-Fi.
  2. Tap your profile picture.
  3. Select Offline maps.
  4. Tap Select your own map.
  5. Move and resize the box so that it covers the parts of London you need.
  6. Tap Download.

If you are staying centrally, include your airport too—or download the airport area separately.

Downloaded maps can show streets and saved places without mobile data. However, Google says offline public-transport, walking and cycling directions are unavailable. The map is a useful emergency backup, not a complete replacement for internet access.

See Google’s official offline-map instructions.

3. EatClub: find discounted restaurants and bars nearby

Best for: spontaneous discounted meals
Cost: free to download; service fees and conditions can apply

EatClub shows live offers from participating London restaurants and bars. Discounts can reach up to 50% off the total bill, including drinks, although venues, percentages and times change.

It is especially useful for tourists because you can search around your current location rather than researching restaurants before your trip.

The process is straightforward:

  1. Open EatClub and find an offer nearby.
  2. Check the time and conditions.
  3. Unlock the offer before dining.
  4. Eat normally.
  5. Pay with the EatClub digital card in your phone’s wallet.

The restaurant produces its normal bill. When you tap the EatClub card, the app applies the eligible discount and charges the connected debit or credit card.

There is no paper voucher and no need to discuss the offer with restaurant staff. The card-linked payment makes the process discreet from the customer’s point of view.

EatClub charges a service fee, and offers cannot normally be combined with another discount. Check the final amount in the app before paying.

Read our complete EatClub London restaurant-discount guide, including the current new-user invitation.

See EatClub restaurants in London

4. TodayTix: look for cheaper theatre tickets

Best for: same-day West End tickets
Cost: free to download; tickets are paid

TodayTix offers tickets for London plays and musicals, including limited same-day Rush tickets.

Many participating shows release Rush tickets at 10am London time on the day of the performance.

Prepare before that morning:

  1. Install TodayTix.
  2. Create your account.
  3. Find the production.
  4. Unlock Rush if required.
  5. Enable notifications.
  6. Open the app shortly before 10am.

Availability is not guaranteed. Compare the final price with the theatre’s official website and box office before booking.

Read our full TodayTix Rush guide for cheap London theatre tickets.

See current London Rush tickets

5. An eSIM app: make sure you have mobile data

Best for: visitors without inclusive UK roaming

Citymapper, restaurant offers, mobile tickets and live opening information all work better with mobile data.

First, check whether your existing phone plan includes the UK. You may already have roaming and need nothing else.

If you need an eSIM:

  1. Confirm that your phone supports eSIM.
  2. Check that the phone is unlocked.
  3. Install the eSIM using reliable Wi-Fi.
  4. Keep your normal SIM active if you need verification texts.
  5. Select the eSIM for mobile data.
  6. Disable expensive roaming on your normal SIM.

Eskimo currently has a small free-data offer for new users. It may be useful as a backup, although it will not be enough for heavy streaming or constant social-media use.

Read our Eskimo eSIM new-user offer guide before installing it.

6. A train app: only for trips outside London

You do not need Trainline to use London buses or the Underground.

Install Trainline or a UK rail operator’s app only if you are planning a day trip or travelling onwards to places such as:

  • Brighton
  • Oxford
  • Cambridge
  • Windsor
  • Bath
  • Canterbury

Trainline is convenient for comparing journeys, but booking directly with a rail operator can sometimes avoid third-party fees. Compare the final price before paying.

Useful London tools to bookmark

These work in your browser and do not require another app:

Add the ones you need to your phone’s home screen. They will behave like lightweight apps without taking you through another registration.

What if an app is not available in your country’s store?

Open the app’s official website and follow its direct App Store or Google Play link first. Some apps, including EatClub, are available in several European stores even though they are designed for use in the UK.

For a short trip, avoid changing your main Apple or Google account region. Doing so can affect subscriptions, store credit, payment methods and family accounts. Use the service’s mobile website or choose an alternative if the official download remains unavailable.

The simplest setup

Before visiting London, install:

  • Citymapper for public transport
  • Google Maps for walking and an offline backup
  • EatClub if you plan to eat in restaurants
  • TodayTix if you want West End tickets
  • An eSIM only if your existing plan does not include UK data

Do not change your App Store or Google Play country casually. Try the app’s official download link or web version first, particularly if you are only visiting for a few days.

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