Tips on urban transportation in London…
The capital of England and the country’s most visited city, London has a comprehensive transportation network that includes subways, trains and buses, as well as six airports.
London public transport: The Oyster Card
The Transport for London (TfL) Oyster Card is the simplest and most cost-effective way to use London’s public transportation network. It’s a smart card with that you can add money to, depending on where you’re traveling. The Oyster Card can be used for buses, the tube (subway), trams, the London Overground, the IFS Cloud Cable Car and the Thames Clippers River Bus services, as well as the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and most of the Elizabeth line. In addition, the Oyster Card can be used on most National Rail services in London and some outside London.
Features such as the Travelcard and the Bus & Tram pass can be added to the Oyster Card in 7-Day, Monthly and Annual versions. These options offer the user unlimited travel at any time, depending on the zone, on the bus and tram (bus and tram only for the Bus & Tram pass), as well as the DLR, London Overground, Elizabeth line and National Rail services in London. Daily paper tickets and passes are also available.
You can find out where to buy an Oyster Card here. After purchasing the card, you can use the TFL Oyster and download the contactless mobile application to easily manage your account.
London buses
To start our exploration of the London transit system, we board one of the city’s iconic red double-decker buses. Economical and convenient, London’s bus route network covers the entire city with 24-hour service. Keep in mind that you cannot purchase a bus ticket with cash; you can pay the bus fare with an Oyster Card or a contactless credit card. Buses are an ideal way to sightsee around London, especially when the traffic is light.
Rail systems
Known as the Underground or the Tube, the massive London subway system has 11 lines and 272 stations. Thanks to this network, it is easy to get almost anywhere in the city via the Tube. Subway maps let you see which lines or open stops are in use during the day and night.
The National Rail train system operates commuter trains to suburbs outside of central London, as well as to other cities and towns in the UK. You can review the National Rail maps, which are also linked to various metro lines, by clicking here.
River buses and ferries
River buses, which operate from 23 piers between Putney and Woolwich, let you see London from a different perspective, namely from the River Thames. Although the river bus takes slightly longer than the metro or bus, it offers scenic vistas along the river, including views of London’s most famous structures, such as the Shard and the Tower of London. If you have the time, we strongly recommend this mode of transportation! You can find more information on London’s river transportation here. Another way to get across the River Thames is via the Woolwich Ferry. Connecting Woolwich and North Woolwich, the ferry carries cars and vans, as well as pedestrians and cyclists.
Bicycling
Although cities like Amsterdam and Copenhagen are often noted for widespread bicycle use, Londoners also avail themselves of this two-wheeled transportation. Bike rentals are available throughout the city; you can find more information here on where and how to rent bikes at various bicycle stations throughout London.
Taxis
Naturally, taxis are also widely available in London. Although fares are pricier than that of public transportation (you can see a fare guide here) taxis are a convenient way to get around the city or to the airport. There are no extra charges for luggage, additional passengers or carrying assistance dogs.
Getting from London’s airports to the city center
Although London has six major airports, Heathrow and Gatwick have the highest passenger density and are the airports most commonly used by tourists. Heathrow, London’s largest airport, is about 24 kilometers from the city center; various public transport options operate between the airport and the city center.
The Heathrow Express, a high-speed train, gets to the city center in about 15 minutes, while the Elizabeth line trains, also known as Heathrow Connect, take 30 minutes. The subway will take about an hour while National Express buses take around 50 minutes.
Gatwick Airport, London’s second largest airport, is 50 kilometers from the city. The Gatwick Express high-speed train takes about 30 minutes to reach the city center while National Express or EasyBus buses take around 90 minutes.
We wish you safe travels!
