Where Can I Charge My Phone In London? 9 Simple Options for 2024
Running low on battery in London? Been there, many times.
If you need to know “where can I charge my phone in london?” I’ve got quick, easy answers for you.
Here’s a fast guide to find the best phone charging London locations.
Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. Read my full privacy policy here.
Why is My Battery Running Out So Fast in London?
London is notorious for draining your battery really quickly. But why?
Here are the biggest culprits, and how to maximize your battery life while out and about exploring the streets of London.
If you’re navigating London all day, chances are your battery is drained. Why? And how do I conserve battery?
- Navigation apps suck battery fast. Download your maps so you’re not always using location services.
- Crowded places in London (such as Leicester Square or Oxford Circus) are notorious for sucking battery. Your phone is constantly looking for networks that are overloaded, and therefore uses more battery to do so.
- Close apps you’re not using, especially if they’re running in the background.
- Close your camera app when you’re done taking a photo – it uses a ton of battery!
🪫Invest in a Good Portable Charger 🔋
You’ll never have to be wondering “where can I charge my phone in London” if you have your own portable charger.
My favorite portable charger for travel is under $20, lightweight, charges 3 full battery cycles with one charge, and has 2 USB ports to charge two phones at once. Oh, and it has a built-in flashlight.
My favorite charging converter works for all of Europe and beyond, has a ton of ports, is super durable, and is compact and lightweight.
Phone Charging London: Public Charging Stations
1. Public Transport: Buses & National Rail
Some modern London buses have USB outlets, and many trains (not the Underground except for the Elizabeth Line) have USB ports or outlets.
You can ask the station attendants if your train will have outlets (most National Rail trains do, though it will vary if it’s a outlet or a USB port).
2. Libraries, Museums & Public Spaces
Local libraries will have outlets available. The British Library is centrally located near King’s Cross, and has tons out outlets in study rooms.
Many free museums have seating areas – like in their cafes – that will have accessible outlets.
Since these museums are massive, it’s best to ask (politely!) at the front desk if they have any public charging outlets available.
3. Charging in Restaurants & Cafes
Most chain restaurants, cafes, and coffee shops will have outlets available or another type of charging station, either for free or for rent.
Look for chain cafes like Starbucks or Pret a Manger; they often have charging points, either outlets you can use of a charging system like those listed below.
Free & Low-Cost Charging Services: Ranked
In recent years a ton of free and low-cost options have sprung up all over the city. Let’s look at the most popular and most available options near you.
1. Charged Up Battery Rental – Best Option!
Charged Up allows you to rent a portable charger, use it if for however long you need, and return it when you’re done.
Vending machines are available across London and are super easy to use!
✅ Pros
- Low cost (1 hour free, then from £3 for a full 24 hour rental!)
- Lots of rental locations
- Works with all types of phones
- Take it with you to charge on the go!
❌ Cons
- You have to download the app.
- The batteries are a little clunky and heavy
2. Aircharge
This service provides Qi wireless charging stations in partnership with brands like McDonald’s, Shake Shack, YO! Sushi, and Costa Coffee.
An app guides you to the closest station, but your phone needs to support Qi wireless technology to use this service. If you have Qi capabilities, this is the most widely available charging system in London, with locations literally everywhere.
- Download Aircharge for Apple
- Download Aircharge for Android
✅ Pros
- Tons of locations.
- Free if you are a customer of one of the partnered businesses
❌ Cons
- Doesn’t work for all phones, especially older phones.
- You have to sit for a while for your phone to charge; you can’t take it with you like a battery rental.
3. Joos Charging Points
A newer charging rental company, Joos has machines in some key locations across Central London, including London Bridge Station, near King’s Cross Station, UCL and more. Currently most of these points are inside bars and restaurants, but you can easily locate them using the app.
Find a Joos rental point, scan the QR code, and rent a battery pack easily.
✅ Pros
- Decent amount of Central London locations.
- Affordable (prices vary per charging point), starting at £1, with some offering a free option.
- Return the battery pack to any Joos charging station.
❌ Cons
- Not as many locations as Charged Up as of Dec. 2023.
4. Powermat
Available in tons of central London chains like Starbucks, these free charging stations are everywhere. They use wireless charging technology, so compatible phones can be placed directly on the Powermat to charge.
There is no map or app I could find to locate these charging stations, so it’s a bit hit or miss if the shop – like Starbucks – that you walk into will have them or not.
✅ Pros
- Free
❌ Cons
- No way to locate Powermat ahead of time; you have to stumble upon them.
5. Charge Box
ChargeBox stations are across Central London. Find a Charge Box station here, put your device inside, lock it and leave it! Come back to a fully charged device.
✅ Pros
- Safe charging: Lock it and walk away.
- Fast, super speed charging
- Cheap.
❌ Cons
- Not very many locations.
6. Charge Spot Phone Charging Lockers
Available in locations across London, Charge Spot allows you to lock your phone safely away in the charging locker. You can hang out nearby, or come back for it later, and poof! Fully charged battery.
✅ Pros
- Cheap: from £1.
❌ Cons
- Not very many locations.
Where Can I Charge My Phone in London in an Emergency?
In a pinch and not near any of the locations listed above?
Some stores like an off-license (convenience store) or Argos sell disposable chargers. Don’t rely on it for all day use, though, as the charger you purchase might not be full.
It’s also key to remember that Londoners are generally nice and accommodating – if you need help and you’re stuck with a draining battery, ask for help!
Charge Phone London: Final Tips
Remember while you’re traveling London to take care of that phone battery. It’s really hard to navigate from attraction to attraction without one!
Here are my most important tips as a local:
- Come prepared with a good portable charger.
- Download your maps so your phone isn’t constantly using GPS.
- Close apps you’re not using, especially your camera app or anything that runs in the background.
- If you’re in a super crowded area and don’t need internet, turn on airplane mode so your phone isn’t always looking for a network.
Have fun exploring London, and use one of the charging options I’ve covered here if you’re in need!
More on Navigating London
The Best Oyster Card Tourist Options to Save Money
“Trains Now on Uber”: What’s the Deal With Uber Trains?
Ultimate Guide: 49 Brilliant Apps for London Everyone Should Know
Debating ‘Should I Rent a Car in London?’ Insider Tips
Can You See France from England and Visa Versa? 6 Stunning Viewpoints
Ultimate Guide: Everything You Need to Know About Snow in England
What’s the Closest Country to London? 10 Incredible Trips to Take Today
How to Use the London Underground for the First Time
How to Catch a Bus in London for the First Time
How to Travel in London During a Tube or Rail Strike
The Best Navigation App for London to Download Now
How to Use Google Maps in London
Citymapper vs Google Maps: Which App is Best for London?
Is London in Europe? 7 Common Questions Answered
Is London a City? 3 Common Questions Answered Once & For All
Where to Charge Your Phone in London: FAQ
What shops let you charge your phone in London?
Major chains like McDonald’s, Costa, Pret and Starbucks have free charging ports. If you’re not near one of these, you can always ask an independent cafe or restaurant. They may let you use power if you purchase something.
Can I charge my phone in Kings Cross?
Yes – King’s Cross has Charged Up charging stations that are super affordable and easy to use.
Can I charge my phone in John Lewis?
Yes – Department Store John Lewis on Oxford Street has a Charge Box charging station. Ask staff in the store, and they can direct you to the charging port.
Do I need a special phone charger in London?
No, you just need an adapter. Phones can charge on any international voltage using the USB charging port you already use. Purchase a good travel adapter and charge your phone anywhere internationally!
Can I charge my phone on a London bus?
Yes. Some bus routes that use the newest model of buses have USB charging ports.
As of 2021, the routes 25, 94, 100, 106, 134, 153, 192, 197, 202, 209, 212, 214, 230, 232, 270, 278, 285, 323, 357, 360, 364, 378, 405, 425, 444, 482, 497, 507, 521, C3, C10, K1, P5, X26 and X140 have USB charging ports, with more being added every year.
Are there charging ports on the Elizabeth line?
Yes. Each Elizabeth Line train has 92 charging ports.
Can I charge my phone at London Bridge station?
Yes – London Bridge Station has a Joos charging point. Download the app or scan the QR code on the machine and rent a battery ASAP!
Is phone charging London free?
Some of the charging stations – like AirCharge – are free if you purchase anything from the store in which they’re located (i.e. buy a Coke at McDonald’s and use their charging points).
Charging ports on public transportation are free to use, as are those in public spaces like libraries and museums.
For only a few quid you can rent a charger for a whole day, though, so it may be worth it to pay a bit more to have a full battery for longer.
