Getting Around London

'The Travel Guide 2 London' provides the information you need to travel around London and beyond by public transport, bike, car or on foot. 

London is a large city. Although most of the sights can be reached on foot, you will need public transport for longer trips across the city. London’s famous red buses and tube trains are all part of the experience of getting around London. For example if you want to visit Portabello and Brick Lane markets, or areas such as Camden public transport will be required.

By far the cheapest and most convenient option for travelling around London is by using a Travelcard. These are valid for buses, underground, Docklands light rail and also the overland train. 

There are a number of travel card and discounted tickets available; one day and three day travel cards are very useful for extensive sight seeing,Only buy a 1-6 zone version if you are considering travelling a large distance and if you intend to just use buses, consider buying a book of tickets in advance. Travelcards can be bought at underground stations and many newsagents throughout the city.

On Foot

Most locations in London are reasonably walkable, and there are plenty of attractive parks along the way which offer respite from the London traffic. One walk which is recommended is along the river  Thames , especially from the Houses of Parliament to the London Eye, the South Bank, Tate Britain and across the river to St Paul ’s Cathedral. Other areas recommended for walking include Convent Garden , Soho ,  Piccadilly Circus and   Leicester Square.

Bristol walking directions can be planned online with the walkit.com walking route planner.

Bus

London ’s famous red buses maybe slower than the tube for longer journeys but they are very convenient for short hops. The top deck on double deckers provide excellent views, and the main central routes pass a large number of landmarks making you feel like you are on a sightseeing tour. Londons famous double-decker Routemaster buses provide two excellent sightseeing routes: routes 9 and 15.  There are bus connections all over the capital, and it is considerably cheaper than travel by underground. A number of the routes run for 24 hours, with an N in front of the bus number signifying a night route.  

The Underground

The London Underground (The Tube) is an extraordinarily extensive transport system,and not as complicated as it first seems.With almost every attraction easily reached on one of its 12 lines,it is also the fastest way to get around the city. At peak times travelling by tube which will be very busy, can be an unpleasant experience, but after the morning rush hour and throughout the rest of the day, it is normally fine. The tube map can look a bewildering mix of colours and lines, but is actually fairly simple to follow. A one day travel card, for use after 09:30 (not valid before then), allows unlimited travel on the underground and buses.

By Train

Visitors will probably find the commuter trains are not as useful as the underground. Thameslink trains run from Bedford to Brighton and serve a number of London stations as well as Luton and Gatwick Airport. Silverlink trains provide some useful connections around north London and beyond. Trains are included in Travelcards and are a fast way to reach neighbourhoods like Brixton and Greenwich, or to travel further afield.

Taxi

London’s famous black cabs are extremely professional, but they are also rather expensive. Cabs are metered and will take up to 5 people and luggage. They can normally be easily hailed on the street except late at night. Legal (and illegal) mini cabs will offer lifts. Phone a reputable company rather than accept a minicab on the spot, if you are unsure ask in your hotel or someone who knows the city well. It is also wise to establish fare before setting off.

Ferry

There are a number of destinations served by ferry and it can be an enjoyable way to see the sights of London. One of the most popular routes is to visit Greenwich by river ferry; tickets can be purchased on board.

Public commuter services operate from the central London Embankment area. The commuter riverboats also operate to Docklands and Greenwich. There are plenty of sightseeing riverboat trips also, particularly along the central Embankment/South Bank stretch.

Bike

A large number of London residents cycle. The central area is mostly flat, and statistically this is the quickest way to travel overland around London .