5 Things not to miss In London

5 things you shouldn't miss!

1. The View from Alexander Palace In North London

2. Borough Market Under the Railway Bridge at London Bridge

3. The Walk from the Tate Modern to Charring Cross Station along the Embankment and pass the Royal Festival Hall at dusk

4. If you are there in the summer months the open air concerts at Kenwood they are free and everyone takes picnics and candles.

5. Take a train ride from Finsbury Park to Stratford on the over ground. Weaving through the London rooftops you get to see London's rugged beauty

A Guide to Travel in London - Public Transport

A Guide to Travel in London

The Basics

 

There are several type of public transport in London. There are London buses, over ground trains and underground trains also known as the "The Tube" or "The Underground"

LONDON BUSES are red. We have several types of buses now. We have Bendy Buses, Double Decker Buses, Single Decker and The Hop on Hop off Double Decker. Each are slightly different

Bendy Buses- (see top pic)  are mostly used for routes that go into central London. On these Buses you enter at any door and if you have an Oyster Card you swipe it yourself at any of the Oyster Locations points on poles in the bus. If you are paying Cash you get on at the door were the driver is sitting. You get off the bus at any door.

Double Decker and Single Decker Buses - you get on were the driver sits and you either pay your fare in cash, swipe your Oyster where the driver sits or show your travel card to the driver. You exit at the back doors.

The Hop on Hop off buses - (see pic below) are only found in Central London. The entrance and exit are the same door at the rear to the bus its open no actual door so be careful. You can get off anywhere the bus slows down at your own risk it is not advisable to do this but everyone does. There will be conductor on board and he will ask for fares please. You show him your pass or pay cash and then you will not need to show him again unless he asks you in person. I believe they may be phasing these buses out soon.

Buses are the cheapest way to travel in London Via public transport and a great way to see the city. However if time is a factor take the Tube.

The Tube..

The Tube is the most efficient and fastest way to travel across London, Its unusual to be waiting more than 10 minutes for a train, on most lines they come every 2-3 minutes. The routes are color coordinated and easy to follow.

Transport for London -  This is the link to the public transport for London website. It has live updates, maps, and you can buy travel tickets and top up your oyster online.

PAYMENT

Oyster Cards are plastic cards that you can put a fare type on, like a top up card for your mobile phone. You choose the fair type and either a machine or customer service person can do it for you, You can even do it online if you register the card. ( see link above)

Fare Types - Always ask if you are not sure the cheapest fare for what you plan to do that day.. NEVER PAY FOR A SINGLE FARE, (unless your only taking a single trip) This can end up being extremely expensive.

LONDON is broken down into zones for traveling, before you purchase your ticket make sure that you are valid for the zones you want to travel in. A map of the Underground are available at all Tube Stations and online at the link above.


If you have any more questions about traveling in London leave a comment and I will do my best to answer you.