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Allyson Kazmucha
Whether you're learning your way around a new city or just want delay alerts, these are the best transit apps for iPhone
Looking for the best iPhone apps to help you master transit directions? When Apple ditched Google for their own map data in iOS 6 one of the casualties was transit. While rumors persist that we might get transit back in iOS 8, for the last year and a half anyone who wanted to go anywhere on on bus, train, or subway/metro had to rely on a third-party transit app to do it. Luckily there are many apps in the App Store to help you navigate public transit, but to get alerts about delays and outages. But which transit apps are the absolute best?
Google Maps
Google Maps offers transit directions for bus, train, subway, bike, and pretty much anything else a city would have available. If a specific area offers a specific type of transit, you'll probably find it within Google Maps. While Google Maps isn't the prettiest transit app of them all, the map data that Google has under their belt is pretty much greater than any other maps database. That means wherever you go, Google Maps can most likely provide you transit directions.
If you travel to different cities — or even different countries —rather frequently, Google Maps is a great app to have in your travel arsenal.
- Free - Download Now
Transit App supports almost all major US cities — as well as a few internationally —and focuses on letting you plan a trip with transit. Not only can you search for directions right at the moment you need them, you can choose a future time and then choose the best option. Not only is Transit App carefully thought out, it's one of the easiest transit apps to interpret. I've also found it to be one of the most accurate when it comes to transit times. You don't even need an internet connection to check route schedules.
If you like to check transit times or plan long before you leave home, Transit App is a must.
- Free - Download Now
Moovit supports many large metros within the United States and typically provides both bus and train system suggestions. You can also ask Moovit to minimize walking time to a specified distance if you need to. I've found Moovit's descriptions and directions to be a little more detailed and show more at a glance than other apps. This can make it a little easier to navigate for those not familiar with an area.
Moovit is ideal for anyone who needs great detail or wants to minimize the amount of walking they need to do.
- Free - Download Now
Citymapper actually only services New York City here in the states but it's one of the best transit apps you can get for that particular area. No matter how you want to get around NYC, Citymapper can get you there. The thing that draws me to Citymapper when in New York City are the beautifully designed maps that are easy to view and pick apart, something every tourist or non-local needs to do from time to time. These maps are applicable for every type of transit. Citymapper currently supports train, subway, bus, walking, and bike routes.
If you are visiting or live in New York City, Citymapper is a necessity.
- Free - Download Now
Transit supports a decent amount of US cities and focuses on finding you the fastest route possible. Just plug in where you're doing and where you're coming from — or use your current location — and Transit does the rest. One of my favorite features of Transit however is the ability to create reminders that can notify you to not miss a specific bus or trip. However, the feature is limited in the free version of the app. You can however buy an unrestricted version of the reminders feature for a one time in-app purchase charge of $0.99. Well worth it for those that need to be reminded to stay on time.
If you need reminders to stay on top of catching a bus or train, Transit is a good option.
- Free - Download Now
If you try one of the transit apps listed above let me know how it works for you. If you have another favorite, one I didn't list, let me know what it is and what makes you like it!
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