London Transportation Tips by Tripack

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Subway/Metro
Getting TO/AROUND:
Want to travel relatively quickly around London...
Looking for a fascinating and unforgettable trip...
Think about the Tube solution...


Well let's talk about:
- price... think Oyster (card) to find the rare pearl in terms of fare.
- timetable... service is operating usually from 5:30 AM to 0:30 AM (MON-SAT) except in case of strike...
- map... mind the map and the gap of course ;-)
- delay... unpredictable as usual. The peak hour for tube suicides is 11 AM.
- comfort... air-conditioning is performing well thanks to the draughts causing by tube mouvements. So the air in the underground is on average 10°C hotter than the air on the surface. In summer, take a breath before diving underground and prepare to get out bathed in sweat...
- comfort (2)... try the Tube shake with flickering lights available on all lines...
- cleanliness... no comment, you will find all possible colors underground except white.
- safety... hope that Big Brother is watching you or rather your neighbour...
- accessibiliy... people with reduced mobility or heavy luggage should well plan their trip as only a few stations offer lifts and user friendly platforms.
- way out... you are about leaving the Tube experience, think to find the right and quickest way out.

A last interesting fact found on the funny Underground website:
The shortest distance between tube stations is Leicester Square and Covent Garden on the Piccadilly line with 0.16 miles. The most popular route for tourists is Leicester Square to Covent Garden on the Piccadilly line. It is quicker to walk this distance than travel on the tube.

Have fun Underground!!!

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Website: www.tfl.gov.uk/tube/
Other Contact: www.goingunderground.net

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Bus
Getting TO/AROUND:
People often miss their last tube as it usually closed around midnight and nightbird need to travel too (first tube begin operation around 5:30 AM or even 7:30 on SUN).

Do not panic...

The London bus network is one of the largest and most comprehensive urban systems in the world. Each weekday 8'000 London buses carry 6 million passengers on over 700 different routes. On night you won't be alone as 27 million Night Bus passenger trips was taken in 2003/04 – up 82 per cent from 2000/01. The London bus revolution is driving the Capital’s growth as a 24-hour city. Night Buses can be recognised by the prefix ‘N’ in front of the route number. CCTV (security cam) are widely present in buses so if Big Brother is watching you or your neighboor you are supposed to be safe... and cost cheaper than cab.

Have a look to the link to find your night way ;-)

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Website: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/buses/spiders/default.asp?borough=night

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: District Light Railway (DLR) is unique in the UK as its trains run without drivers. So don't be surprise and enjoy the view from the top of the carriage. Must admit that the trip was a little bit shaking. But this trip was very convenient and quick from my arrival at London City Airport to Bank station (only 22 minutes).

Since opening in 1987, the Docklands Light Railway has been central in the regeneration of East London. The system started with two main 'arms', running north-south and east-west, intersecting in the suburb of Poplar, but by 2012 will have another crossroads at Canning Town. One of the first light rail systems in Britain, with one of the world’s safest and most advanced automatic train control systems, DLR has expanded faster than any UK railway.

Today DLR is a £1 billion, 31km railway with 38 stations and 94 vehicles; with passenger numbers expected to increase to 60 million within the next two years.

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Website: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/dlr/

'Mode': TO
Category: Airplane
Getting TO/AROUND: What a good surprise to flight to this airport, which is located in the Docklands close to the City center. I flew with Swiss from Geneva and land to this very convenient airport. My LCY airport approach on board of the Swiss AVRO RJ100 was quite impressive with great views on the city before landing after a stunning but normal dive in direction on the runway. In fact the approach is done at 5.5 degrees or steeper (this compares with 3 degrees at most other airports).

The way out was quick as only small aeroplanes are allowed to land (usually less than 100 passengers on board), currently test are made with an Airbus A319 in prospect of airport development. To reach quickly the city take the Docklands Light Railway London City Airport extension open since December 2005. Direct travel time to Bank in the City of London is a speedy 22 minutes and Canary Wharf is just 14minutes, via Poplar. Which is convenient for business purposes and travellers as well.

London City Airport is situated just 10 miles (16km) from the West End (the major shopping centre) and Westminster (location of main government offices), six miles (10km) from the City of London (the financial district) and three miles (5km) from Canary Wharf (London's newest business and financial centre).

A really quick and convenient experience... too bad that my return flight was from Heathrow...

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Website: http://www.londoncityairport.com/index.php