Olympic Games are just on the gate, so, the Olympic lovers across the world are no doubt fully prepared for getting around London to follow and cheer their favorite athlete or country. For the duration of the event, the athletes and the tourists obviously explore the city. On the other hand; at the time when such a major international sports event is going on, getting around London will really become hard and awkward.
Probably, travelling would be the worst part for that critical time, as delays and sudden changes in the travel service timetable annoy the people. Fortunately, there are some handy Mobile Apps, which provide real time information regarding London transport service plus an insight into how the transport system works. By means of these apps, the tourists will get help to ease the extra stress placed on their commute.
London Bus Checker
Using one of the city’s iconic red buses is necessary for the over-ground inner city transport, but figuring out the bus numbers & routes, and understanding which one to get & at when might prove a little tricky if it is not part of your normal commute. The London Bus Checker is an ideal solution for over-ground inner city transportation woes. This app is available on both iOS and Android.
This app not only provides the complete live timetables of buses throughout London, but there is also a GPS-based bus stop location which will aid you to discover your nearest stop plus full bus route navigation. Moreover, for Android users, there is a live arrivals widget which helps them to know exactly when the next bus will hit their stop right from the home screen. This bus app also holds an alert system, which by notifying the users their approaching stops, makes the users to look and feel like a London local. As it provides excellent visual information to find your way, traveling in London using London Bus Checker will cut transportation from your list of daunting things that you have to chase in London.
Tube Map
London Tube Map is a totally FREE application, which has been developed by mxData. Since its launch in mid 2009, it has exceeded 1 million downloads. An excellent thing about this app is that, it is available for free across all the major mobile Application stores including iOS, Android, Windows Mobile, BlackBerry, Ovi Store and Java. It is a fantastic application, offering not only an inclusive, scalable tube map covering zones 1 through 6, but also allows you to plan your route to locate the fastest journey or fewest changes.
It is the app you will need to get access to all kinds of important information about the London Underground. The map provided in application is of high quality and any section of the map can be zoomed in and out still with a good quality. The catalog of major changes in timetable and Tube stations has also been provided by the app. As well as, it includes a catalog of all Tube stations alongside their respective services and facilities. Moreover, to keep an eye on delays on the lines, it provides the real-time service updates and underground departure times.
Barclays Bikes
Borrowed from other great cities like Amsterdam and Paris, the all-new Barclays bike scheme has been one of the most excellent London transport systems in recent years. The users who do not want to prefer the public transport services like tube, bus or train can go for Barclays bike scheme. The Barclays Bikes app is available on iOS and Android platforms to provide the users with clear, concise maps and route directions to simplify their journey. It is a free application, and is significant for people who want to cycle around the city.
When you need to pick up a bicycle, the app will help you to discover the bike docks closest to you. The app provides route information and turn by turn navigation, which will help you to plan your route. As well as, you will also be enabled to set an alarm on your rental timer so that you can remind the time when your bike is due to be returned. There is even a facility to bookmark your favorite docking stations; therefore you will not have to search around every time to find them.
Google Maps
Google Maps is a perfect app for Android users whether they need directions to their destination, the nearby good restaurant, or just a sense of where they are. The latest release of Google Maps is featured with the best version of public transport services so far. By using this app, the users can not get information about public transport routes and tube stations only, but they also get clear and easy transit route from A to B by means of both text and visual navigation.
Another good thing about this app is that, it is totally free. The app is also loaded with directions for various transport routes including multiple public transits, driving, biking, and walking. It is packed out of Google Maps street view, detailed maps with 3D buildings, live traffic information to avoid congestion, voice guided turn-by-turn GPS navigation, as well as indoor maps for selecting airports, hotels, retail stores, etc.
Nokia Transport
Since the launch of Windows Phone smartphones, Nokia is working hard to make these devices distinct. And, for that, the company has developed the Nokia suite, a selection of apps exclusive for Lumia devices. Nokia transport is one of the app of Nokia suite, which helps the users to discover the fastest public transport routes in real-time on the bases of where they are and where they want to go, whether it by walking, tube, bus or train.
The user interface is an exclusive blend of Windows Phone Metro tang and Nokia’s mapping lineage. The app provides transportation route options with departure times. The Nokia Maps can guide the users to get the destination by walking. The users also have an ability to add all their favorite destinations to start screen if they want to travel back again any time soon. It is an outstanding no-frills solution to plan a travel across the city. Currently, Nokia Transport is available for free to download on Nokia Lumia 610, Nokia Lumia 710, Nokia Lumia 800 and the Nokia Lumia 900.