The Tube and other London, United Kingdom Transportation Tips

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Subway/Metro
Getting TO/AROUND: London's Tube is probably one of the most famous, and best planned, in the World. I hate it. There is something about being underground I just can't stand. The crowds of people swarm toward the appointed train platforms, rushing, up and down stairs, following the familiar (to them) signs and obediently "Minding the Gap".

In my experience, the trains are always crowded: I inevitably get pushed up against someone smelly, there is absolutely nowhere to sit, and you can't see anything.

But that said, it is the cheapest and most efficient way to get anywhere in London.

Edited: July 2006

I am reading a novel that takes place in London and read an amazing statistic that I had to check out. Here is the result of my research:

On average, a person a week attempts suicide across the network (in 2003, 179 people committed suicides on the UK Rail Network). Only 1 out of 3 attempts is successful. To prevent deaths, most stations have pits between the tracks. These are actually known as a "suicide pit" to allow the body to fall between the tracks as the train passes over them. Such actions are announced in the station as "passenger action" or "a person under a train" but are called by the staff "one under".

A great website with lots of interesting information about the London Underground is HERE

Leave a Comment

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Other
Getting TO/AROUND: While most people find the tube the most efficient means of getting around London, I think this is the perfect place to splurge and take the famous London Black Cabs!

It's easy to hail one, once you get the hang of it. Just watch for the taxi that has it's light indicating that it's available and stick up your hand. I find the cabbies incredibly watchful for people wishing to ride. In July we just finished our visit to the London Eye, stepped onto the sidewalk and raised our hand. A cabbie coming the other direction swung into a UTurn and picked us up.

While some feel them to be expensive, every ride is a mini tour. We nearly always pass something interesting, and Cabbies are always anxious to impart a little history and local color. While in many foreign cities the taxi drivers are known for trying to trick you into paying a steeper fare, London Cabbies are always professional and forthright.

Can you imagine a NYC taxi driver calling you "luv" and not being seriously creeped out?!

Leave a Comment

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Ship/Boat
Getting TO/AROUND: In every great city with water nearby, it's great to get out onto the water to take a peek at the land. In London, take one of the boats that go between Westminster Pier and the London Tower.

If you purchase a ticket on the Big Bus, a one way ride comes with your ticket. We like to use at the very end of our time.

Leave a Comment

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Car/Motor Home
Getting TO/AROUND: Just don't do it! It's crazy enough to try to negotiate the City streets with all the traffic, busses, taxis, and pedestrians. There will no doubt be NOwhere to park. And as of 2003 the City has introduced a "Congestion Charge". That means that 8 GBP per day (Increased from 5 GBP in 2005) must be paid by the registered owner of a vehicle who passes into the "Inner Ring Road" between the hours of 7 AM and 6:30 PM.

To enforce this charge, there have been 230 CCTV cameras installed within the zone, the bulk of which are at the entrances. These cameras are fitted with automatic number recognition and a list of license plates photographed are compared to those which have paid the daily fee. Those who haven't will be fined 100 GBP. It is said that virutally 98% of the cars passing into the zone are photographed. Those that aren't are likely to be captured by the cameras at random places within the zone. It all seems like an amazingly bulky process!

The purpose of the charge, introduced by Mayor Ken Livingston, is to reduce traffic in the City and encourage visitors to use public transit.

Leave a Comment