London: best smartphone apps for the business traveller

By John Walton, April 11 2012
London: best smartphone apps for the business traveller

If you're travelling to London on business, we've got some top recommendations for iPhone, Android and BlackBerry apps to make your trip easier and more enjoyable.

You'll find practical apps in the "getting in and around" categories, plus several in the "restaurants, bars and things to do" field -- useful for business lunches, after-meeting drinks and your off-time.

There are links to the iTunes Store, Google Play and BlackBerry App World so you can snag the apps you like with a single click.

Getting in and around

London's main international airport, Heathrow, has a reasonably useful app (iTunes | Android | BlackBerry) that shows arrivals, departures, interactive terminal maps, the full lowdown on Heathrow's security situation and some useful "while you're in the queue" London travel information.

Heading into town on the Heathrow Express train to Paddington? We've previously discussed how useful the Heathrow Express app is for checking timetables and buying tickets -- and it even works as a ticket, displaying a 2D barcode. (iTunes | Android | BlackBerry)

Getting around London's underground Tube network is immensely simplified with the London Tube app (iTunes). It also shows Tube stations using the geographical maps functionality of the iPhone -- so you can figure out if you really want to get on the Tube rather than just walking to where you're going.

Restaurants, bars and things to do

The London foodie app of choice is Toptable for snagging special deals, figuring out menu information and making bookings easily. (iTunes | Android)

The quirky Hidden London app (iTunes) has all kinds of things to amuse you if you have some spare time -- and all synced with your iPhone's GPS-enabled maps so you can find something just down the road.

Time Out's app is just as useful in London as it is elsewhere in the world for finding interesting things to do, from exhibitions and gigs to hidden gems to find a decent lunch when you're not on the expense account. (iTunes | Android)

London's many museums and art galleries mostly have their own apps too. Search the iTunes Store or Google Play for the ones you're interested in visiting.

Your favourite London apps?

What do you use to speed your way around London or to make the most of your trip? Share your favourites in the comments section below!

John Walton

Aviation journalist and travel columnist John took his first long-haul flight when he was eight weeks old and hasn't looked back since. Well, except when facing rearwards in business class.

13 Apr 2012

Total posts 1

Toiluxe! It's a GPS map of central London's luxury toilets that anyone can visit for free - musuems, luxury department stores, hotels: basically anywhere that's clean and nice and free, within the Circle Line tube.

09 May 2012

Total posts 1

On Business London is a fantastic new iPhone App designed specifically for people doing business in London as well as being an inspiring guide for local Londoner’s

On Business London' is available to download for free through the App store. Click here: https://bit.ly/KqdtGH


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