The essential apps for city life

This article was inspired by my friend moving to London from New Zealand. I put together a guide to help her navigate the city, which got me thinking – whether you’re new to a UK city and Googling what to download, or you’ve lived here for years and just want to get more out of it, this guide is for you. From transport to wellbeing, these are the must-have apps to help city life run that little bit smoother.

UK-wide essentials

Transport

• Citymapper – The gold standard for getting around. It tells you the fastest route, which carriage to sit in, and even live updates on delays. Works in most major UK cities.

• Uber/Bolt/FREENOW – Handy to have all three downloaded for comparing prices and availability, especially late at night.

• Lime – For renting e-bikes on the go. Good to have ready for those moments when the tube just isn’t an option.

Food & drink

• Too Good To Go – Rescue surplus food from cafes, restaurants, and bakeries at a bargain price. Great for cheap meals and reducing waste.

• Deliveroo/Uber Eats/Just Eat – The holy trinity of takeaway apps. Each has different offers and restaurant selections, so worth checking all three.

• Vivino – Scan a bottle of wine before you buy to see ratings and reviews. Helps avoid dud supermarket picks.

Wellbeing & fitness

• ClassPass – Access to fitness classes and gyms across different cities, ideal if you like to mix things up.

• Headspace/Calm – For guided meditation, stress relief, and better sleep – because city life can be chaotic.

• Parkrun – Free, weekly 5k runs across the UK. Friendly and no pressure to go fast – just a great way to start the weekend.

• Urban – Book a massage to your home – perfect for unwinding after a hectic week.

• Better – Council-run gyms and pools, offering affordable memberships across many UK cities.

• SaunaMap – Find the best sauna and spa spots in your area for ultimate relaxation.

• Medito – A completely free meditation and mindfulness app, great for mental wellbeing on a budget.

City-specific must-haves

London

• Uber Boat by Thames Clippers – A more scenic (and sometimes faster) way to travel along the Thames.

• Londonist – A great guide for what’s on each weekend, from pop-ups to exhibitions.

• Santander Cycles – The city’s official bike hire scheme, perfect for short journeys.

• The Nudge – Curated recommendations for cool bars, restaurants, and events.

Manchester

• Indie Beer Finder – Locates independent craft beer spots around the city.

• Bee Network – The new transport app covering Manchester’s buses and trams.

• Visit Manchester – A go-to for cultural events, festivals, and activities.

Birmingham & Liverpool

• Skiddle – Local events, from club nights to live music.

• Birmingham’s Balti Triangle Guide – Not an app, but a must-read for the best curries in town.

• Liverpool FC & Everton Apps– Stay up to date with the latest football fixtures and news.

Edinburgh & Glasgow

• Walk Highlands – The go-to app for hiking trails just outside the cities.

• Secret Glasgow/Secret Edinburgh – Updates on hidden bars, food spots, and cool events.

• Celtic Music Radio – A brilliant station for discovering traditional Scottish music.

City life is always evolving, and so are the apps that make it easier. Want to add to this list? Share your recommendations with us on Instagram, @urbanapp