8 Essential Apps For Living In Edinburgh

As the largest open access arts festival in the world, Edinburgh’s famous Fringe resembles an alternate universe where creativity, theatre and comedy reign free. With this in mind, words can barely do the Fringe app justice. Long story short — everyone needs this! Not only is it a dab hand at finding nearby performances, but it also boasts the full show listings and offers a swift, seamless way to purchase tickets (especially for iconic shows bound to sell out immediately). The Ed Fringe app is a lifesaver that spares you waiting in nauseatingly lengthy ticket queues.

The Transport For Edinburgh app is just the ticket when it comes to the city’s trams and buses — a brilliant way of getting from a-to-b. Thanks to this beauty, those familiar moments of the mandatory last-minute ‘do I have the right change?’ panic become a figment of the imagination. The app lets you purchase m-tickets via phone, as well as the ultra-handy Lothian bus and tram tracker featuring all the information you could ever need regarding times. Just stock up on those nifty m-tickets, show the driver your device with the paid ticket confirmation and away you go zooming about town!

Edinburgh Mums is the technologically advanced way of ‘shopping local’. And you don’t necessarily have to be a mum! This free app holds the key to all the good stuff in Edinburgh (and the surrounding areas) from exclusive offers and fabulous discounts to must-have ‘me time’ treats. The best part? Local businesses reign supreme and receive the support they deserve, as do mums! Consider this app your parenting fairy godmother with the endless exciting family-friendly activities and mum-related delights.

Edinburgh Photo Guide is a vehicle for budding photographers and self-confessed ‘Kodak moment’ enthusiasts to think and act like locals. This genius app offers free whistle-stop tours, each of which include all the must-visit sites and golden photo opps. A menu of architectural, cultural and historical facts are thrown in there too. And yes, it also provides the weather forecast, wayfinding assistance and photography tips!

You aren’t an authentic foodie until you’ve downloaded Zomato! This raved about app entails a network of trusty in-the-know food fanatic reviewers sharing the love with an ever-evolving and meticulously curated menu of topnotch restaurants to try. Thanks to Zomato, say so long to grumbling about what eatery to visit, and spend more time consuming edible-art. Thank you Zomato.

Giving substance to the saying ‘blast from the past’, Timeline Trip Edinburgh enables app-goers to rewind to a bygone moment, while soaking up a whole bunch of accurate and riveting historical facts. Take your pick from all the eras and prepare to get carried away with all the interactive fun in map form. The perfect and coolest self-guided tour.

The City Cabs Edinburgh app is exceedingly useful for booking taxis during those times when Uber and buses simply won’t suffice. Instead of faffing about on hold via phone, this app makes the booking, confirming, editing and cancelling process a whole lot easier. The greenway network is particularly handy when strapped for time and in a rush, especially since they are the official taxi service for Edinburgh airport. All locations are found through a GPS tracking system.

Yes, we went there! Not to blow our own trumpet but with our 6 million plus monthly readers (we love you all) and over 2 million social media followers (you too), Culture Trip must be doing something right. Whether looking for hyper-local tips on cool places to visit or craving the best spots for a Michelin-star worthy meal, we’ve got you covered. The fun doesn’t stop there though. Between unearthing news of hot new openings and must-visit exhibitions — and all the other fun stuff in between — Culture Trip is suited to locals, adventurers, wanderlust-seekers and business-goers alike.