Traveling to London? There's an App for That!

"When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life" Samuel Johnson once famously said. And in my opinion he was correct. London is one of my absolute favorite cities in the world to visit. The London of today is an exciting, vibrant, and a modern city yet it still retains it regal, royal roots. By day you can watch the Changing of the Guard, tour the historic Tower of London, or see Shakespeare's Globe Theater. Come nightfall, you can dine in some of the world's finest restaurants and catch world class theater in the West End. Indeed, London has it all.

And if you are planning a trip to London, be sure to get these free iPhone and iPad apps before you leave.

Virgin Atlantic Flight Tracker

When I fly to London I always fly Virgin Atlantic. I love the service, the people, and the innovation that Virgin Atlantic has brought to flying. And Virgin Atlantic's Flight Tracker app is just another reason to love this airline. The app shows all Virgin Atlantic flights that are in the air in real time on a globe. See the flight details such as departure and arrival time and even the actual aircraft name. There's also seating charts, connectivity to your Flying Club account to see your mileage history if you are a member of Virgin Atlantic's Flying Club, and even some great interactive games to help pass time while in flight. I particularly love the game in which I help Richard Branson navigate his hot air balloon through thunderstorms.

London Tube Status

London's subway system, or the Tube as it's called, is a great way to get around London. It's quick, cheaper that a taxi, safe, and relatively easy to use. However, like most big city transportation systems, it's subject to delays or service interruptions. The London Tube Status app provides real-time updates on the status of each of the Tube's lines.

Currency

One of the biggest headaches when traveling overseas is trying to figure out the exchange rate. The rate at which the dollar convert to British Pounds changes daily. So the Big Mac you bought yesterday might cost more, or less than it does today (and if you're eating Big Macs in London, shame on you! This is London, get some fish and chips or bangers and mash!). Currency is a free app that shows the current exchange rates not only for British Pounds but also most of the world's currency.

Spoonfed London

This awesome apps uses the iPhone's location service to show you what's happening around you by genre. The app covers art, music, theater, comedy, and more. It's a great way to discover happenings that you may have missed if you had stuck with the major tourist maps and guides.

The National Gallery, London

London is home to one of the world's greatest art collections. The National Gallery in Trafalgar Square is home to an impressive array of art. The National Gallery, London, is a great tool to use during your visit. It features audio and video in addition to pictures to highlight the impressive collection.

Anthem BG

I've been to London many times but I have yet to run in to the Queen. However, when that day comes I hope to impress her by singing Great Britain's national anthem. And this handy , fun Phone app will help. It has both the music and the words for the national anthem so I'll be ready to go when I do finally do bump in to the Queen.