The right cycle route planner can make the difference between a commute that works and one that leaves you stuck on a dual carriageway wondering where it all went wrong. The main options for UK cyclists in 2026 are CycleStreets, Komoot, Strava Route Builder, and Google Maps — plus the Sustrans National Cycle Network as a route resource. Here is what each one does and which suits a daily commuter.
CycleStreets — the UK specialist, and free
CycleStreets is built specifically around how British cycling infrastructure works. It is a UK not-for-profit and uses UK road classification data alongside the National Cycle Network, rather than treating cycling as a variant of car routing.
It offers three named routing modes:
- Fastest — direct routes, may use busier roads. Suited to experienced, confident cyclists.
- Quietest — avoids main roads and prioritises cycle paths, back streets, and minor roads.
- Balanced — a practical middle ground, described by CycleStreets as suitable for an average cyclist.
For a new commuter, Quietest or Balanced is usually the better starting point. The fastest route gets you there quickly, but the quieter alternative often feels safer and is worth the few extra minutes once you have ridden it a couple of times.
The app and web planner are free. There is no paywall for route planning, and you can download your route without a subscription. For a straightforward, purpose-built commuter tool, CycleStreets is the natural first choice for UK riders. Website: cyclestreets.net
Komoot — detailed surface information
Komoot is widely used across Europe and shows you a surface breakdown before you set off: tarmac, gravel, dirt, or singletrack, displayed on the map and in the elevation profile. That distinction matters if you are commuting on a road bike with narrow tyres and want to know whether part of your route is unmetalled.
Basic route planning on Komoot is free in the UK. Since February 2025, however, syncing routes to a GPS device (Garmin, Wahoo, and similar) or downloading GPX files has required a Komoot Premium subscription. Check current pricing at komoot.com — at launch the cost was £4.99 per month or £59.99 per year, but this may have changed.
If you navigate via your phone, the free tier covers what most commuters need. If you use a cycling computer and want to push routes to it, you will need Premium.
Strava Route Builder — worth it if you already subscribe
Strava is primarily a fitness-tracking app, but its Route Builder feature plans rides using a heatmap built from other Strava users’ activity. In practice, this can surface quieter roads that real cyclists actually ride — streets that do not stand out on a standard map but are well-used by local commuters.
Route Builder requires a paid Strava subscription (officially called “Strava Subscription” at strava.com; widely referred to as Strava Premium). Check current UK pricing at strava.com/subscribe. If you are already paying for Strava to log your commutes, the Route Builder is a useful extra at no added cost. If you are not already a subscriber, CycleStreets or Komoot give you route planning for less.
Google Maps — familiar, but less cycling-specific
Google Maps includes a cycling mode in the UK and for a simple commute on roads you broadly know, it works. Google has been improving its cycling data, including a partnership with Transport for London to surface safer and quieter routes within London.
The limitations show when you use a dedicated cycling app alongside it. Google Maps does not distinguish road surface quality when routing, and its cycling infrastructure data is less granular than CycleStreets or Komoot. It draws from a combination of city authorities, OpenStreetMap contributions, and user edits rather than from cycling-specific databases.
It is adequate for a short, familiar commute. For anything involving back streets, shared paths, or a route you have not ridden before, a dedicated cycling route planner tends to produce a more useful result.
Sustrans and the National Cycle Network
The National Cycle Network (NCN) is a signed network of more than 12,000 miles of cycling, walking, and wheeling routes across the UK, created by the charity Sustrans. It is not a route planner app, but the Sustrans website lets you search by town or postcode to find NCN routes near you — and many of the apps above incorporate NCN route data when calculating their suggestions.
If you are building a commute route and want to include a traffic-free section — along a disused railway path or canal towpath, for example — checking the NCN for your area is a practical first step. Website: sustrans.org.uk
Which app should you use?
For most UK commuters, the choice comes down to this:
- Use CycleStreets if you want a free, UK-specific planner with clear quiet and fast options. It is the simplest to start with.
- Use Komoot if surface type matters for your bike and you are happy planning on your phone at no cost, or if you want GPX export for a cycling computer.
- Use Google Maps if your commute is short and straightforward and you want one fewer app to manage.
- Use Strava Route Builder only if you are already a Strava subscriber and want to use the heatmap-based routing.
Whichever tool you use, the most reliable approach is to plan the route first, then ride a dry run at a quieter time — a weekend morning or mid-morning on a weekday — before committing to it as a daily routine. There is more on preparing for your first weeks of cycle commuting, including what to carry and how to handle the route in different conditions, in our guide to cycling to work.
If your route takes you out year-round, it is worth thinking about whether the path stays rideable once the days shorten. Some quieter tracks become muddy or poorly lit in autumn. More on managing that in our guide to cycling through a British winter.
If you are also interested in how the cost of cycling to work compares with driving, the commute cost calculator lets you enter your distance and fuel costs to see the annual saving.
Frequently asked questions
Is CycleStreets free?
Yes. CycleStreets is a UK not-for-profit and is free to use, both the website and the app. There is no subscription required to plan routes or download them.
Do I need to pay for Komoot to plan cycling routes in the UK?
Basic route planning on Komoot is free. Since February 2025, syncing routes to GPS devices or downloading GPX files requires a paid Komoot Premium subscription. Check current pricing at komoot.com.
Can I use Google Maps for cycling in the UK?
Yes, the cycling mode is available across the UK. It works well enough for simple commutes on familiar roads, but dedicated apps like CycleStreets give you more cycling-specific routing, especially for quieter back routes and paths that do not show up clearly on a general map.
What is the National Cycle Network?
The National Cycle Network is a signed network of more than 12,000 miles of cycling, walking, and wheeling routes across the UK, managed by the charity Sustrans. You can find routes near you at sustrans.org.uk.
Does Strava Route Builder require a paid subscription?
Yes. Route Builder is a paid feature that requires a Strava subscription. Check current UK pricing at strava.com/subscribe.
