The best transit apps for navigating your city

While public transportation is built for our convenience, it's not always easy to figure out when you'll be picked up, or how to make a difficult transfer from A to B. The good news is, this is no longer a problem if you're using a smart phone or tablet. There are a ton of tools to help you navigate, but we've selected our three favorites to help you get around, whether you're travelling for work or leisure.
Citymapper aims to do it all, and it's pretty good at doing just that. Sure, it can track busses, trains, and even rarer forms of public transit like ferries, giving you live updates on delays or accidents. But it also boasts Uber integration within the app if you decide that other modes might take a little too long. Citymapper even has a little something for the cyclists--it'll advise you on the best routes for cyclists and even gives the location of bike shares if you're new or visiting.
Transit is the friendly little app that does it all. It will figure out the lines and busses closest to your location and give you departure times for each. Transit doesn't stop there, though. Once you're on your way, the app will keep you updated, letting you know how many stops until your destination, and when to hop off. It's the perfect tool if you're new to a city and nervous about getting around.
Of the apps on this list, Moovit possibly has the largest following, and, consequently, supports the most cities around the world. Much like Transit App, Moovit gives you step by step instructions throughout your journey, from waiting for the bus, to timing your stops. If you don't feel like micromanaging on your travels, you can set an alert to notify you when it's time to get off the subway or bus. If you're travelling without cell phone service, you can also download transit maps in PDF format to use when you're away from a WiFi hotspot.
Citymapper aims to do it all, and it's pretty good at doing just that. Sure, it can track busses, trains, and even rarer forms of public transit like ferries, giving you live updates on delays or accidents. But it also boasts Uber integration within the app if you decide that other modes might take a little too long. Citymapper even has a little something for the cyclists--it'll advise you on the best routes for cyclists and even gives the location of bike shares if you're new or visiting.
Transit is the friendly little app that does it all. It will figure out the lines and busses closest to your location and give you departure times for each. Transit doesn't stop there, though. Once you're on your way, the app will keep you updated, letting you know how many stops until your destination, and when to hop off. It's the perfect tool if you're new to a city and nervous about getting around.
Of the apps on this list, Moovit possibly has the largest following, and, consequently, supports the most cities around the world. Much like Transit App, Moovit gives you step by step instructions throughout your journey, from waiting for the bus, to timing your stops. If you don't feel like micromanaging on your travels, you can set an alert to notify you when it's time to get off the subway or bus. If you're travelling without cell phone service, you can also download transit maps in PDF format to use when you're away from a WiFi hotspot.
Travelling in a new place or even keeping track of bus schedules, can be tiring tasks. Luckily they don't have to be. Give these apps a try the next time you're out and about and you'll see they can make all of the difference between a nightmare commute and a pleasant journey across the city.
Are you as good as a tour guide in your neck of the woods? Share your travel tips in the comments below!