Getting Around the UK Useful Apps

It is quite challenging to arrive in a new country and not know how to get around to and from your workplace or to a certain destination. It's a good thing that with the help of mobile apps, getting from one place to another can be a breeze. Below are apps that I personally use and find invaluable in my daily life in the UK.

One app that I find useful and use daily since I arrived in London is the Citymapper app.

Pros:

• no need to sign up and fill up forms

• save your top destinations and name them as Home, Work, etc.

• choose when you want to leave - so you can plan your journey

• select when you want to arrive to your destination - so you won't be late

• shows you how much your transport will cost you

• covers a variety of transports, even walking and cycling

• can activate the voice guide so you don't have to look at your phone

• 90% accurate on time tables, delays, re-routes, real0time traffic and cancellations

Cons:

• not available with any city

• works best with your location turned on

• needs internet or mobile data to use

I also use ride-hailing apps like Uber and Bolt for long journeys and for when I feel exhausted after shifts.

Pros:

• easy to use - just pinpoint your destination and your pickup point and wait for your ride to come

• share your journey with a trusted person and they can see where you are and have the details of the vehicle you've hailed

• you know the location of your driver and if he is already arriving so you don't have to wait long outside your house

• cashless

• shows you an estimate of how much you are going to pay at the end of the journey

• decreased discrimination and less chance of getting refused a ride as compared with hailing a cab right off the street

• promos and discounts - during the pandemic, I enjoyed up to 25% discounts as an NHS staff

• submit a review on your ride and on your driver

• not feel forced to give a tip - after the journey, the app will ask if you want to give a tip and you will not feel forced to tip if you don't want to since you are already out of the car when it asks you to

Cons:

• more expensive than public transportation

• less expensive than cabs - for long journeys

• needs mobile data or internet

I haven't had time to travel from London to another city, but the most recommended apps and/or websites for out of town travels are:

• Train

  • Trainline

  • RailEurope

  • National Rail

• Bus or Coaches

  • National Express

• Car Rentals

  • AutoEurope.com

  • Avis.com

  • Europcar.com