London can feel overwhelming when you first arrive, but having the right apps on your phone makes settling in much simpler.
Getting around, finding accommodation, and meeting new people become significantly easier with a curated selection of essential London apps.
This quick guide covers the most useful apps for new London residents, focusing on transportation, housing, social connections, and daily life management.
Essential Transport Apps
- Citymapper – The gold standard for London navigation, offering real-time updates for tubes, buses, and trains
- TfL Go – Official Transport for London app showing live departure boards and service updates
- Santander Cycles – Book London’s public bikes directly from your phone
- Uber – Standard ride-hailing service, though London also has alternatives like FREE NOW and Bolt
Housing & Accommodation Apps
- Rightmove – UK’s largest property portal for rentals and purchases
- SpareRoom – Perfect for finding house shares and flatmates
- Zoopla – Property listings with detailed neighborhood information
- OpenRent – Direct landlord-to-tenant rentals, often with lower fees
Local Life & Services
- Too Good To Go – Get discounted food from local restaurants at closing time
- Deliveroo/UberEats – Food delivery services with extensive London coverage
- Monzo/Revolut – Digital banks offering quick account setup and local payment features
- TaskRabbit – Find help for moving, assembly, and other practical tasks
Social & Entertainment
- Meetup – Find local groups and events based on your interests
- Eventbrite – Discover and book local events, many free
- DICE – Curated listings for concerts and cultural events
- Design My Night – Restaurant and bar recommendations with booking options
Weather & Air Quality
- Dark Sky – Hyper-local weather forecasts
- London Air – Real-time air quality data from King’s College London
Money-Saving Apps
- Vouchercodes – Discounts for restaurants and shops
- TopCashback – Earn cashback on regular purchases
- Olio – Find free food and household items from neighbors
Getting Started in London
Download these apps before arriving in London if possible, as they’ll help from day one.
Set up a digital bank account through Monzo or Revolut while still in your home country to have immediate access to a UK account.
Consider joining local neighborhood groups on Facebook and NextDoor to complement these apps with community insights.
| App Category | Must-Have Apps |
|---|---|
| Transport | Citymapper, TfL Go |
| Housing | SpareRoom, Rightmove |
| Banking | Monzo or Revolut |
| Social | Meetup, Eventbrite |
Safety & Security Apps
- Find My – Track your devices and stay safe in unfamiliar areas
- WalkSafe – Maps showing safe walking routes and crime hotspots
- CitizenAID – Emergency response guidance and location sharing
Healthcare & Wellness
- NHS App – Access medical records and book GP appointments
- Echo – NHS prescription delivery service
- Headspace – Meditation app with London-specific guided walks
Language & Culture
- Duolingo – Learn British English phrases and cultural nuances
- London Official City Guide – Cultural insights and attraction information
- Art Fund – Museum pass and exhibition updates
Making London Home
Combine these apps with local knowledge and personal exploration to create your own London experience. Regular app updates ensure you stay connected with the city’s evolving landscape and opportunities.
Join local digital communities and enable notifications for relevant apps to stay informed about neighborhood events and opportunities.
Remember that while apps make London more accessible, personal interactions and exploration remain key to truly settling into your new home.
FAQs
- What are the essential transportation apps for London newcomers?
Citymapper, TfL Go, and Google Maps are must-have apps. Citymapper is particularly comprehensive for London transit, offering real-time updates, route planning, and bike-sharing options. - Which food delivery apps are most popular in London?
Deliveroo, Uber Eats, and Just Eat are the main food delivery platforms in London. Each covers different restaurants and areas, with Deliveroo having particularly strong coverage in central London. - What apps help find accommodation in London?
Rightmove, Zoopla, and SpareRoom are the leading apps for finding properties. SpareRoom specializes in flatshares, while Rightmove and Zoopla cover rental and purchase properties. - Which apps are best for meeting new people in London?
Meetup, Bumble BFF, and InterNations are popular for social connections. Meetup is particularly useful for finding interest-based groups and activities. - What are the most reliable weather apps for London’s unpredictable climate?
BBC Weather and Met Office are the most accurate for London’s weather. Both offer hyperlocal forecasts and precipitation radar. - Which parking apps are essential for London drivers?
RingGo and PayByPhone are the official parking payment apps used across London’s boroughs. JustPark is useful for finding and pre-booking parking spaces. - What apps help navigate London’s cultural scene?
DICE, YPlan, and Time Out London provide event listings, ticket booking, and last-minute deals for concerts, exhibitions, and cultural events. - Which safety apps are recommended for London residents?
TfL Oyster, CitizenAid, and Circle are important safety apps. TfL Oyster includes night transport options, while Circle helps track friends’ locations during nights out. - What apps help with managing council services in London?
Love Clean Streets and Fix My Street allow reporting local issues, while most London boroughs have their own apps for council services. - Which apps are useful for finding NHS services in London?
NHS App, Babylon Health, and Patient Access help book GP appointments and access health services.
