Best public transport apps in 2026: Google Maps and 5 alternatives

By BusMaps · 15 October 2026 · Desktop, mobile and coverage

Published by BusMaps, a public transport planner and data platform. All six services, including BusMaps, are compared using linked provider sources and browser checks. Information as of 16 October 2026.

Which public transport planner should you choose?

• BusMaps suits planning in a browser, exploring routes and timetables, and working with the underlying transit data, with partner apps for iOS and Android.
• Google Maps is a general-purpose starting point for finding a destination and comparing ways to get there.
• Citymapper suits urban trips where alternative routes, transfers and station access matter.
• Transit is a strong option for regular commuting in supported regions, with mobile and desktop planners.
• Moovit is worth checking for international city coverage and mobile guidance during a trip.
• Apple Maps suits travellers who prefer to plan and navigate within the Apple ecosystem.

Public transport trip planners at a glance

All six services offer public transport planning in supported locations. The important differences are the interface you can use, the detail of local data and what happens after you choose a route.

* Subjective editorial scores out of 10. BusMaps mobile ratings refer to partner apps.

Apple Maps supports transit in its native app; its desktop website did not offer transit in the browser check. Moovit's web features are shown in the supplied screenshot and described in its documentation. [13] See the comparison methodology for the scope of the browser walkthrough.

Where each planner is available

• BusMaps: 90+ countries and 80,000+ cities, based on official transit feeds. [11]
• Google Maps: transit directions where local operators provide supported data. [1]
• Citymapper: supported cities and regions listed in its coverage directory. [3]
• Transit: 1,564 cities in 40 countries, according to its supported-region directory. [8]
• Moovit: 3,500 cities across 112 countries, according to the provider. [5]
• Apple Maps: transit support in the locations listed on Apple's feature-availability page. [10]

What the planners look like in practice

BusMaps: trip planning, timetables and network exploration

BusMaps places journey alternatives beside a large map on desktop and adapts the planner for mobile browsers. The example below combines the Victoria line and a Southern train from King's Cross to Battersea Park, with walking legs and a Details view. Depart at and Arrive by controls support planning around an appointment.

Strengths

• Plan a journey without installing an app, then explore route pages, stops and timetables.
• Use partner apps on iOS and Android, including Routees, powered by BusMaps infrastructure. [14]
• Use Transit Map Tools to explore the network, or work with transit data through the API and MCP server.

Limitations

The website does not offer every native commuter-app feature, such as ticket wallets or stop reminders. Live data depends on the feed. Its wheelchair filter uses published stop and trip accessibility fields, rather than a complete pavement-to-platform accessibility model. [12]

Best for

Travellers who prefer browser access, and agencies, researchers or developers who want to explore the data behind a journey.

Try the BusMaps Trip Planner

Google Maps: places and directions in one search

Google Maps connects finding a destination with choosing how to reach it. The London browser search showed an Elizabeth line itinerary with a fare, walking time, live status and alternative routes.

Strengths

• Place search and transport directions share one interface.
• The transit results bring together departure information, walking legs and fares where available. [1]

Limitations

Transit availability depends on local data, and the interface also includes discovery features beyond journey planning. A mapped destination does not guarantee a supported public transport route.

Best for

Visitors and occasional travellers who want one place to find a destination and compare the journey.

Citymapper: detailed choices for city journeys

Citymapper puts urban travel alternatives at the centre of the screen. Its London results presented transit suggestions alongside walking, cycling and cab estimates, with fares and upcoming departures. Now, Arrive and Leave controls sit directly below the endpoints. [2]

Strengths

• Several ways to cross a city are easy to compare before opening an itinerary.
• Documented step-free routes account for station access and easier transfers in supported regions. [4]

Limitations

Coverage is organised around supported cities and regions. Check your destination and the features available there; mobile and web features can differ. [3]

Best for

Urban travellers who want to compare transfers, walking and station access in a supported city.

Transit: a focused planner for everyday commuting

Transit offers a desktop planner as well as its phone app. Its browser search returned London journeys in compact timebars, making durations and alternatives easy to scan. [7]

Strengths

• A transit-focused result list keeps journey choices prominent.
• The desktop options include departure and arrival times, less walking and accessibility information. [7]

Limitations

Agency coverage and the depth of live information vary by region. Check the supported-region directory for the networks you use. [8]

Best for

Regular commuters who want a focused transit app with the option to plan on a desktop.

Moovit: international coverage and mobile trip guidance

Moovit combines a broad published city footprint with guidance during a journey. Its trip-planning guide describes total duration, walking, transfers and the first boarding stop, with live arrivals shown in green where available. [5] [6]

Strengths

• A published coverage footprint of 3,500 cities across 112 countries. [5]
• Live Directions in the mobile app can guide a trip and notify the passenger when to get off. [6]

Limitations

Live arrivals are available for selected services; other results use scheduled times. The desktop interface also includes app promotions alongside journey results.

Best for

Travellers comparing coverage across countries and riders who value guidance while travelling.

Apple Maps: transit within the Apple ecosystem

Apple Maps is a natural option for travellers already using Apple devices. Apple documents transit routes and real-time information in supported places and publishes a separate transit availability list. [9] [10]

Strengths

• Transit planning fits into the Apple device experience.
• A dedicated availability list helps distinguish transit support from general map coverage. [10]

Limitations

The native app and website differ. The desktop browser check showed Drive, Walk and Cycle controls, with driving results even when the link requested transit. The native app is the relevant option for this comparison.

Best for

iPhone users who want to keep transit planning within Apple Maps.

Desktop planning and travelling with a phone are different tasks

A large screen helps you compare the map and several itineraries at once. A phone needs readable steps, easy time changes and a quick way back to the route. Native apps can add background guidance and notifications; a responsive website alone does not establish those capabilities.

Consider BusMaps for browser planning, network exploration and iOS or Android partner apps; use Google Maps for destination search and general navigation; compare Citymapper or Transit for supported-city commuting; consider Moovit for its international reach; and check Apple Maps on Apple devices.

Common questions about public transport apps

What is a good alternative to Google Maps for public transport?

Start with Citymapper or Transit for a supported-city commute, Moovit when comparing international coverage, or BusMaps for a browser-based planner with route, stop and timetable exploration. Apple Maps suits Apple-device users. The best alternative depends on your local network.

Can I plan a bus or train journey without downloading an app?

Yes. Browser transit searches were completed with Google Maps, Citymapper, Transit and BusMaps. The supplied Moovit screenshot also shows a completed browser journey. Apple's web and native apps offered different travel modes in this session.

Why do two planners show different journey times?

They can select different entrances, walking paths, services or departure times. They may also use different timetable versions or live updates. Compare the boarding stop, departure and walking legs before treating a shorter displayed duration as a better prediction.

Does a countdown mean the bus is tracked live?

No. A countdown can be calculated from a published timetable. Look for an explicit live status or prediction, and check the operator when a disruption could affect the trip. The feature table describes availability somewhere in each service, not a guarantee for every bus.

Comparison methodology

The comparison draws on official product and coverage pages reviewed on 15 October 2026, covering browser access, time controls, journey alternatives and local data availability. The recommendations describe who each service suits; they are not a market-share ranking. Detailed timetables scores reflect the schedule detail presented in the browser. All scores are subjective editorial judgments on a 10-point scale, not measured performance results or an audit of data completeness or geographic coverage.

Desktop browser searches from Paddington to the British Museum were completed with Google Maps, Citymapper, Transit and BusMaps. BusMaps was also checked in a mobile-sized browser. The BusMaps desktop illustration uses an additional journey from King's Cross to Battersea Park. Searches ran at different times and could select different entrances, so the screenshots are not a controlled comparison of journey duration.

Native app features are based on provider documentation. Mobile usability ratings reflect editorial opinion; native apps were not hands-on tested for this article. The BusMaps mobile rating applies to partner apps such as Routees. Direct access to Moovit's planner was blocked during the initial browser check. Its desktop illustration is a supplied screenshot of a completed Fulham to Trafalgar Square / Charing Cross journey, reviewed on 16 October 2026; that search was not independently reproduced. Apple's browser showed driving rather than transit results. Coverage totals are provider statements, not an independent audit of every network.

Sources and further reading

Reviewed on 15-16 October 2026. Features and coverage can change. Screenshots are included for comparison and commentary; each interface and map retains its respective ownership and attribution.

1. Google Maps directions help
2. Citymapper web planner
3. Citymapper cities
4. Citymapper step-free routing
5. Moovit coverage statement
6. Moovit trip-planning guide
7. Transit desktop planner guide
8. Transit supported regions
9. Apple Maps features
10. Apple Maps transit availability
11. BusMaps data and coverage
12. BusMaps accessibility filter
13. Moovit mobile and web availability
14. Routees partner app for iOS and Android