London Bus users - which app?

[FormerlySpeckledyHen]

How is it best to find the best routes, times etc please?

I use the Citymapper app. It’s got all transport methods (bus/tube/train/car/walk etc) and will tell you the time of each journey. Also tells you which bus stop you should be at - useful when you’re in an area you don’t know and realise you’re standing at the bus stop going in the opposite direction!

Thank you very much. Despite being ancient I have never been on a London bus as I always use the tube or walk. Citymapper sounds perfect.
Having a few days in London soon and wanting to explore far and wide and didn’t know how!

I use Citymapper for routes and planning but also have bus times for local bus timings (when I just want to jump in a bus not plan a journey)

Yup Citymapper is the best. Londoner of 25 years ☺️

People rave about Citymapper but I find Google Maps just as good for what I need, and you probably already have it

Citymapper is way better for buses, it gives times when the bus is due, which bus stop etc. Particularly helpful when you're somewhere like Victoria Station and there are about 20 bus stops!

Citymapper it is! Thank you all very much.

@FormerlySpeckledyHen

I use the TfL Plan A Journey if I want to go somewhere I haven't been to before.

I know my way to most of the places I'm likely to want to go to because I've lived in London for a long time, but I would use Plan A Journey for the rare one I don't know.

Two things to know about the buses.

One is that there is a text number on each bus stop which you can text and you get an instant reply listing the buses on their way to the stop at which you are standing.

You can't pay in cash on a London bus, but you can use a bank card.

https://tfl.gov.uk/plan-a-journey/

Download the Tfl go app. I have it and it is simple and easy to use.

I prefer TfL one I didn’t like city mapper found it confusing

Thank you for the recommendation for the TFL app / planner which I will also look into..

May I ask a stupid question please as it is literally decades since I have been on a bus? Do busses display the stops as the bus approaches or arrives please?
Will I know when to get off!?

Yes, there’s an LCD display inside the bus, at least one on each deck. It shows the next stop and usually the audio will tell you the name of the stop too. Press the button to tell the driver you want the next stop.

I would always take the info in the app about the buses approaching with a small pinch of salt as they are known to have mistakes from time to time.

The app I use is ‘London Live Bus Countdown’ - it’s my favourite app!

On reflection it might not be best for you! For planning you are better off with the tfl app - which I also use!

TFL tends to recommend unnecessary bus journeys. Sometimes it's much faster and less hassle to walk than to wait for a bus and use it for one or two stops.

I don't trust them about buses.

I have an only bus app, it's red, but my phone is charging at the moment and cannot look it up now. It's better for buses only.

The top deck of a London bus is a joy imo! Enjoy!

@ChardonnaysBeastlyCat - yes that’s the one!

Thanks! I like it, it has lots of info and it's chunky enough to see everything.

TFL go is great if you want to see live departure time. When I’m travelling by bus only I use Bus Times as it has fewer pop up ads.

I do agree with @ChardonnaysBeastlyCat re TfL - I often ignore their suggestions though you can change the settings regarding walking times!

Most buses will have the automated announcements and signs in them. Once in a while it won’t be working. If you have your location settings on you can track where you on the Bus times app.

Another google map user here!

Thank you all 🙏