Getting around London: Transport Guide

You’ll never have trouble finding your way around London and its many quarters, because London’s transport system is among the most extensive and best organized in the world.

By Bus
Those cherry-red double deckers will take you anywhere you want to go. Destinations are clearly posted on the front and back. Smoking is not allowed, so puff, if you must, all you want before you get on. It’s a convenient way to get around , but not the speediest. During the worst of London traffic, buses can’t exactly squeeze their way through and you might be stuck longer than you expected. There are a number of good value passes available, like the TravelCard. Otherwise single fares begin at 70p or a pound for a short ride, depending on the location of the station.

By Taxi
The legendary black cab of London makes for a comfy ride, and probably a chatty conversation with your cabbie. Much faster than buses too. The metre starts at 1.40 pounds and then goes up by 25 pence a minute or thereabouts. Rates keep increasing, especially around holiday and peak times. The call -a -cab service exists for your convenience – bit more pricey though.

By "tube"
London’s famous tube has 10 different lines covering the metro extensively, all the way from Picadilly to Greenwich and beyond. Easy to understand tube maps are available all over.Trains start at 5 am on Monday thru Saturday and finish off their last stops a little after midnight, except on Sundays when they stop earlier. Many kinds of passes are available, and the general fare depends on how far you’re going.

This is a popular and affordable way to get around the city speedily and you get to see how the real Londoner gets about.

By Car
Rent a car with a chauffeur – that’s our recommendation, as parking is very hard to come by in the city. If you are traveling out to getaway spots – that is when it becomes really worthwhile to drive yourself.