Running out of cellphone charge can be devastating when you’re exploring a new city or out and about. We don’t often realise how dependent we’ve become on our phones while navigating the streets around us, and a charged phone is a must in today’s digital era.
Fortunately, there are several ways in which you can keep your phone powered up on the streets of London.
Why It Is Important To Keep Your Phone Charged
Before getting into how to charge your phone in London, it is good to have an understanding of why you can’t walk around with a dead battery.
London is a massive city, and you can use your phone to access street maps, navigate the tube schedule, and book transport around the city and beyond.
You can also use your phone for entertainment while commuting. Social media is a handy distraction, or you can investigate the best online casino providers available in the UK while you’re waiting for your bus to earn some money gambling to pass the time. These sites, which have been selected by Elias Malo, accept a wide range of payment methods and offer a bigger range of casino games.
Your phone is also used to stay in contact with people you want to meet up with, check out the menus of nearby restaurants, and make a call in an emergency if you get lost.
Staying Charged On London’s Streets
There are several ways where you can charge your phone in London or ensure that your battery never dies.
1. Use your own power bank
The easiest way to stay powered up at all times is to be prepared and carry a power bank or spare battery with you, along with a charging cable. This will allow you to charge your phone on the go without having to stop somewhere and wait for the battery to come to life.
2. USB outlets in public
Many of the public buses in the city have USB outlets available for charging. As long as you have a cable with you, you can charge while commuting.
Cafes and restaurants have also become more aware of the need of their patrons to charge their phones and will have outlets and USB charging stations available.
3. Rent a power bank
There are several power bank rental providers around the city. ChargedUp is the most prominent. They have machines in tourist areas, bars, resorts, and restaurants around London (you can use an iOS app to track down the nearest one).
You simply rent a power bank and whatever charging accessories you need, and you can charge your devices for as long as you’re at the establishment. Once you’re done, you return to the vending machine and drop in the rental equipment. These banks cost £3 per hour to rent.
4. Find a ChargeBox
ChargeBox is a service where you place your phone in a rented locker where it can be charged. The first 30 minutes are typically free, whereafter you will be charged for the duration of the charge.
You can find a ChargeBox at the John Lewis shop on Oxford Circus as well as in Harrods, Knightsbridge, or use the ChargeBox website to locate the nearest option before your phone dies.
5. Public spaces
Most public spaces will have outlets available for a quick battery boost. Public libraries, like the British Library, will be more than happy to have you charge your phone, while museums (more specifically, the coffee shops inside the museums) will also have public outlets available.
6. Powermat stations
Powermat charging stations can be found in most Starbucks around the city. These stations are free to use and allow wireless charging. The only downside is that there is no Powermat app to use so you can quickly find a station, making it a bit of a hit-and-miss situation if you start crawling around all the Starbucks.
Final Thoughts
Staying charged is crucial when you’re exploring London. A charged phone will help you get around the city, explore the nearest attractions, get a ride, and check out where you should eat. It can also be used for entertainment while you’re commuting or waiting for a friend to arrive.
There are fortunately plenty of free and paid-for ways in which you can charge your phone in London, from public transport to power bank rentals, ensuring you’re never without your phone or devices.
Source link
