TfL Go: Plan, Pay, Travel icon
TfL Go: Comprehensive Review of London's Official Transport App

by TfL

4.8
IOSNavigation
TfL Go is Transport for London's official iOS app providing real-time journey planning, live tube maps, and accessibility features. Essential for both tourists and residents navigating London's complex transport network with confidence and efficiency.

Detailed Review

TfL Go represents Transport for London's flagship mobile application, serving as the definitive digital companion for navigating the British capital's extensive transportation network. The app establishes itself as the authoritative source for real-time transit information, leveraging TfL's official data feeds to provide accurate journey planning across Tube, Overground, Elizabeth line, DLR, Tram, National Rail, and the IFS Cloud Cable Car systems. The application's core functionality centers around its intelligent route planning engine, which processes multiple transportation variables to suggest optimal journeys. Key features include real-time service status updates, step-free accessibility filtering, live departure boards, and disruption alerts. The app integrates contactless payment capabilities through TfL's fare system, though it primarily functions as a planning tool rather than a direct payment platform. The mapping interface dynamically adjusts to show only accessible stations when toggling step-free mode, demonstrating thoughtful inclusive design considerations. User experience reflects a deliberately minimalist interface that prioritizes clarity over visual complexity. The iconic Tube map forms the visual foundation, with intuitive gesture controls for zooming and panning across London's transport geography. Real-world usage patterns show particularly strong adoption among tourists navigating the city for the first time, as evidenced by Ahmed from US (October 2023) noting 'Excellent help and directions for novice user like me.' The app performs reliably across various network conditions, with offline capability for pre-loaded journey information. User feedback trends consistently highlight the app's reliability and interface clarity. Globetrotter862 (May 2024) characterizes it as 'THE Transport App for London,' while WeezSteez (April 2024) praises the 'simple, clean, functional' design. Multiple reviews from 2023-2025 consistently award five-star ratings, with SocialGuy7 (April 2025) noting 'the guidance is precise and timely, always.' The absence of critical reviews in the sampled feedback suggests high user satisfaction, though this may reflect selection bias in the available data. The application demonstrates particular strength in accessibility features and real-time accuracy, though limitations include occasional refresh delays during severe service disruptions and dependency on TfL's backend systems. Ideal use cases include tourist navigation, daily commuter planning, and accessibility-conscious journey mapping. The app serves most effectively as a complementary tool rather than replacement for physical Oyster cards or contactless payment methods, functioning primarily as an information portal rather than comprehensive payment solution.

Key Features

  • Live Tube map with real-time service status updates showing current train positions and service disruptions across all lines
  • Step-free accessibility mode that filters stations to only show those with elevator or ramp access for mobility-impaired users
  • Multi-modal journey planner calculating optimal routes across Tube, bus, rail, and cable car systems with transfer guidance
  • Real-time departure boards displaying upcoming services at any station with minute-by-minute accuracy
  • Service disruption alerts providing immediate notifications about line closures, delays, or scheduled engineering works
  • Fare information integration showing estimated costs for journeys using contactless or Oyster payment methods

Why Users Love It

Official real-time TfL data
Superior accessibility features

Perfect for: London tourists and residents needing reliable transport navigation

Screenshots

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Ranking History

Track TfL Go: Plan, Pay, Travel's performance in Navigation over the last 30 days

Top 5
Top 10
Top 15
Below 15

Current Rank

#48

+2 from last week

Best Rank

#37

All-time high

Average Rank

#45

30-day average

User Reviews

Download this with an open mind
Sep 28, 2024

This app is so handy for navigating the trains and buses of London. Even after living in the city for over a year, this app is so handy for locating tube stops, finding bus routes, planning journeys, and more. Simple interface and lots of features for everything related to TfL. Don’t visit London without it! Must have app for visitors This app is so handy for navigating the trains and buses of London. Even after living in the city for over a year, this app is so handy for locating tube stops, finding bus routes, planning journeys, and more. Simple interface and lots of features for everything related to TfL. Don’t visit London without it!

MtnBrookie
Jan 15, 2023

This app is invaluable! I travel alone & am American , even tho this summer will be my 4th UK trip I am not comfortable going around London without a map ! . My first trip( 2016 ) it took me about 30 min every am & night to plan my journey etc ! I still got lost and my phone battery would die from constant use. This app allows you to find the tube line you need and w a spare battery you should be fine alone! I’m 60 and stay in Victoria area ( my fav) buy need no help now largely bc of this great app! I use this every time I go to London This app is invaluable! I travel alone & am American , even tho this summer will be my 4th UK trip I am not comfortable going around London without a map ! . My first trip( 2016 ) it took me about 30 min every am & night to plan my journey etc ! I still got lost and my phone battery would die from constant use. This app allows you to find the tube line you need and w a spare battery you should be fine alone! I’m 60 and stay in Victoria area ( my fav) buy need no help now largely bc of this great app!

Lbinthesea
Mar 19, 2023

This was the most helpful app to use while getting around London. Beautiful, simple design and so easy to use. Absolutely Brilliant and Essential This was the most helpful app to use while getting around London. Beautiful, simple design and so easy to use.

AppleMan700
May 18, 2023

As a tourist in London finding this app was amazing, but it goes beyond usability and into art. This app is such a great example of thoughtful and precise design. I’ve kept it on my phone after leaving London just to continue to fiddle around with it and continue to discover additional layers of loveliness. When an app feels this good As a tourist in London finding this app was amazing, but it goes beyond usability and into art. This app is such a great example of thoughtful and precise design. I’ve kept it on my phone after leaving London just to continue to fiddle around with it and continue to discover additional layers of loveliness.

Patriot BillG
Jul 14, 2023

This app should be the standard for all major cities worldwide that have mass transit systems. Awesome app This app should be the standard for all major cities worldwide that have mass transit systems.

App Details

Developer

TfL

Platform

ios

Rating

4.8

Last Updated

10/7/2025