Our lives are inseparable from mobile phones, whether in Hong Kong or studying abroad in the UK. If you are planning to study in the UK, it's essential to install a series of new apps to smoothly integrate into your new life in the UK, including UK transport and train apps. What are the must-have apps when living in the UK? Cyclopes will divide them into five categories and carefully select the essential apps that you must have on your mobile phone!
Source: Unsplash
Must-have UK transport app: Citymapper
When you first arrive in the UK to study, even if you have visited before, living here long-term is a different matter. It's best to make good use of technology when you're not familiar with the area. In Hong Kong, we may use Citymapper, which provides the fastest routes for MTR, buses, and minibusses from point to point. However, Citymapper can also be used in the UK and has even more powerful features. Citymapper can provide multiple transportation options, including subway, bus, car, bike, walking, etc., based on your input of the starting point and destination. It also provides real-time traffic information, allowing you to better understand the traffic situation and avoid congested roads. If you are interested in renting an electric scooter in the UK, Citymapper can also show you the location of nearby scooters available for rent.
Source: Google Playstore
Must-have UK train app: Trainline
Citymapper is often used in daily life within the city, but what about when you need to go to another city? Most people choose to take the train, and when it comes to train apps that can help you plan your route, Trainline is the first choice. Trainline is a UK train app that provides train schedule information and allows you to book tickets. It can help you filter out the lowest ticket prices and the most ideal travel routes based on time. You can also change or refund your trip through the app. Trainline supports train routes across the UK and provides real-time train schedules and information, making your travel plans smoother.
Source: Google Playstore
Must-have UK food app: Just Eat
n addition to sandwiches, fish and chips, and Indian curry, what other food options are there in the UK? In addition to Deliveroo, which is familiar to Hong Kong people, you can also use Just Eat in the UK. It is a very popular takeaway app in the UK, where you can search for food options and place orders, and have your favorite food delivered straight to your doorstep. If you love pizza, you can also install the Domino's Pizza app. This world's largest pizza brand no longer has any branches in Hong Kong, but you can enjoy it to your heart's content in the UK.
Source: Google Playstore
Must-have UK shopping app: Unidays
When studying abroad, you inevitably need to buy daily necessities, food, reference books, and electronic products. Amazon, Marks & Spencer, and Tesco are all must-have UK shopping apps, which I believe do not need to be introduced. However, you can also make good use of your student status to get exclusive student discounts. Unidays is a discount shopping app exclusively for university students, providing discount codes for clothing, food, housing, transportation, and entertainment, allowing you to truly enjoy the same things at different prices. It is a money-saving tool for your student life!
Source: Google Playstore
Must-have UK finance app: Monzo
With the increasing maturity of global electronic payment technology, the UK has also begun to enter the era of cashless payments. Local merchants prefer to accept debit card payments, and cash is becoming less and less accepted. Monzo, a popular virtual bank among young people in the UK, offers free account opening, card delivery, and transfer services, making it easier and more convenient for you to handle money and payments in your daily life.
In addition, the cost of living in the UK is relatively high, so it's important to develop good financial habits. You can install a budgeting app, such as Money Manager by Realbyte, to record your daily expenses. When your accounts are clear, you will know where to start and reduce unnecessary expenses.
Source: Google Playstore
The above covers the must-have UK apps for transportation, food, shopping, and finance, which will bring convenience and comfort to your student life in the UK. We hope these suggestions can help you better adapt to the new environment and enjoy a wonderful student life!
