London
Due to its size and population, the quickest and cheapest way of getting around London is usually by public transport. It can take between half an hour up to one and a half hours to get to your destination, depending on where you live and what mode of transport you take.
London A-Z
Getting around in London is easy. One of the first things you should buy when you get here is a 'London A-Z'. This is a map book of the whole city and each street is listed alphabetically. You will find this essential for living in London and getting around the city. You can buy an A-Z at most newsagents or bookshops. Train
Some areas of London are better served by Britrail trains than the tube, notably the norther suburbs. The North London Link stretches from Richmond across northern London to North Woolwich. Another useful Britrail service travels from Hampstead Heath to Kew. Often these suburban trains are cheaper than similar tube trains and leave the traveler closer to popular tourist destinations. The Thameslink must be mentioned here. This overcrowded line runs from London Bridge in the south, throughthe City, as far north as Luton.
Traveling to London from the south-eastern suburbs may be cheaper by train than by tube. Consider a 1 year Network Railcard, which costs only £20 and allows discounts of 1/3 off most train travel in south-east England and all one day Travelcards. The Network Railcard is valid only after 10:00 AM weekdays and anytime on weekends, and can be purchased from any staffed rail station.
London Underground
The London Underground is a popular and safe way to travel around London. Roads are very busy and it is often quicker to travel on the underground or 'tube' as it is known. The tube system is arranged into zones for ticketing purposes and you must buy a ticket that covers all the zones you will be travelling through. If you are travelling frequently by tube, it is usually cheaper to buy a 'travelcard'. You can buy travelcards for periods of a day, a weekend, a week, a month or longer. The Students' Union will give you information about discounted travel for students.
The tube runs from around 5.30 am to midnight (11.30 pm on Sun). Rush hour is around 8-9 am and 5-6.30 pm. Each station has a timetable for the different lines running from that station. Some stations are closed at weekends or during off-peak times.
Each of London's tube lines is identified by a name and a color on the map. At some stations, a number of lines operate from one platform. Always check the notice board for the train's destination.
For more information visit The Tube
Buses
Buses are also a popular way of getting around London and are cheaper than the tube - they also offer better views!. Bus rides often take longer than the tube and you may have to wait a while for a bus to arrive.Travelcards can be used on both the tube and buses. Bus maps, and details of where and how to catch them, are available free of charge in tube stations, bus stations and some local shops. If you are not sure where you should get off, let the driver know and they will usually be happy to tell you when you reach the correct stop. London also has a night bus service which is advertised at most bus stops. The night bus system runs all night and you can get a bus home to most destinations from Trafalgar Square in central London. Beware: some buses do not run the whole length of the route. Check the destination on the front of the bus before you get on. Ring the bell for the bus to pull up at your required stop. Bus maps are available from underground stations.
Buses run from 5 am to 11.30 pm.
For more information visit London Buses
Cycling
Cycling around London is a way of cutting transport costs and getting some exercise at the same time although heavy traffic can detract from the benefits. Ongoing efforts are being made to improve the situation including more cycle lanes. The London Cycling Campaign produces a useful map of central London cycle routes. When cycling is advisable to wear a helmet and some Londoners also opt for facemasks.
For more information visit London Cycling Campaign Walking
Walking around central London is another option. Although London is very large, central London is quite small and most of the sights that visitors to the city want to see are concentrated in the centre. Although you will probably need to use public transport to travel between home and college, and into central London, once you are in the centre you may find that walking is the easiest and quickest way to get about.
For more information visit Walking in London Taxis
Taxis are a relatively expensive way to travel in London. However, sometimes they can be useful if there is a group of you travelling (no more than five) as you can share the cost between you. Make sure you ask the taxi driver what the approximate cost of the trip will be before you start your journey. The black London taxicab is as much a feature of the cityscape as the red bus, although these days it comes in a variety of colours, bespattered with advertising. A new, streamlined black version has also been introduced. Taxis come into their own at night, although prices are higher. Cabs are available for hire when the yellow sign above the windscreen is lit; just stick your arm out to signal one.
Minicabs, some of which are now licensed, are cheaper, freelance competitors of black cabs. Minicabs cannot legally be hailed on the street – they must be hired by phone or directly from one of the minicab offices (every high street has at least one – look out for a flashing orange light). The cabs don't have meters, so it's essential to fix a price before you start (it's therefore not usual to tip minicab drivers).
Useful websites
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accurate as possible, but it is provided 'as is' and we accept no
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