When you arrive in London it can all
seem terribly confusing. Of all, first you will have to learn how to travel
around the capital. Even if you have driven to London, you will be well-advised
to leave your car somewhere secure and use public transport throughout your
stay. Parking charges are high, even when you can find somewhere to park, and
the traffic jams get worse year after year. It is said that traffic in London
moves more slowly now than it did 100 years ago.
There main modes of public transport in London are:
-
Underground (tube)
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Bus
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Taxi cab
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Car Rentals
-
DLR
Underground
The Underground is very easy to use and its map is simplicity itself to
understand. Underground stations in the centre of London are often just a few
100 feet apart making them easy to find and use. You can buy saver
Travelcards valid for one day or longer periods. London
Underground is split into different zones, a bit like a target on a dartboard,
so you can choose to have one that just allows you to travel in the central
zone, or one that allows you to go further afield. Travelcards may also be used
on buses. If you are planning to use publice transport, it is well worth
looking at the Londonpass
which saves you money on your fares as well as giving you entry into many
popular attractions and discounts in some restaurants.
Tel: +44 (0)20 7222 1234
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Buses
London's famous double decker buses are a good way to see the capital and a
Travelcard means you can just jump on and off them (at bus stops) as you
please. There is comprehensive coverage throughout the whole of Central London
and you can take buses right to the edge of the city too. Again, it is a bad
idea to use them during the rush hour. Not only are they crowded but traffic is
also extremely slow in Central London. Many streets have dedicated bus lanes,
which ought to help the buses travel at reasonable speeds regardless, but
inconsiderate drivers parking in them can bring the whole system to a halt.
Several companies offer special sightseeing tours on open top double decker
buses and these can be good value. Not only do you see all the sights but you
can usually get on and off the buses using an all day ticket (not the London
Transport Travelcard) so you can visit any of the attractions or stop for
lunch, and then resume your sightseeing tour.
Tel: +44 (0)20 7222 1234
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Taxi
Cabs
The black cab, another of London's world famous features, now comes in a
multitude of colours but it is always the same boxy shape although the newest
ones are a little more streamlined. To hail one, just stand on the edge of the
pavement, look out for a cab with the orange 'For Hire' sign on top, then look
hard at the driver and put your hand up in the air. With a bit of luck he or
she will see you and draw up beside you. Tell the driver where you are going
and then get in. The amount you are charged is shown clearly on the meter and
you can see it increase as the journey progresses. The advantage of a cab is
that the drivers will endeavour to bypass traffic jams, and, if you are in a
hurry and tell them so, they will do there best to get you to your destination
on time. They also have to pass a very exacting examination, 'the knowledge',
entailing knowing every street and important building in Central London. Most
drivers take months, if not years, to pass it. Only when they have passed 'the
knowledge' can they become licensed London taxi cab drivers. You will hardly
ever have to give a licensed cab driver directions. When the journey is
finished, you have to get out and pay the driver through his side window, not
from inside the cab. It is established practice to give the driver a tip,
usually about 10 -15% of the fare. The drawback to cabs is that they can work
out quite expensive. Within Central London you are going to have to pay around
£5 for a relatively short journey in distance. The advantage of the taxi
is that you arrive at your destination cool and calm and usually on time. |
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