London Transportation Tips by Britannia2

London buses Public Buses Review

I never use the buses where I live but I actually like using the buses in London. With a little advance planning it is very easy to get around London - the buses have a public address system and a recorded voice constantly updates the journey. Price for a single journey is £2.25 but the best value is a day ticket ( see the website for details). If you have a day ticket and you get on the wrong bus it does not really matter as you can get off and just get on another bus.
The buses are generally clean and safe even at night in central London (perhaps not some suburbs) but the drivers are not helpful - ask another passenger if you need travel help. They are certainly slow due to the heavy traffic but if you are not in a rush it does not really matter and the view from upstairs is certainly worth the price of the ticket. Buses seem to run every few minutes in the central area and bus maps are free from travel centres.
Recommnded.

Mode: AROUND

Type: Bus

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

Kent Rover Trains Review

If you wish to explore Kent from London the Kent Rover ticket offers 3 consecutive days unlimited travel in the county for £39.50 and up to 4 accompanied children at £5 each. The area covered is bounded by Swanley - Sevenoaks - Ashford International - Dover - Ramsgate - Swanley plus Tonbridge - Tunbridge Wells - Sittingbourne - Sheerness on Sea and Rochester - Gravesend. After 09.30.
The fastest service from London on this list is Sevenoaks (from Charing Cross) and this journey would be in addition to the cost of the Kent Rover. However still good value travel but with some limitations - read the linked website carefully before considering purchase of this ticket.
(2013 prices)

Mode: AROUND

Type: Train

Website: http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/promotions/pr463b9a0a0400040074e1fe23ef2ad3/details.html

Shakespeare Explorer Trains Review

This value ticket offers one return journey from Marylebone to Leamington Spa and unlimited travel between Leamington Spa and Stratford on Avon . A day ticket is £35 , child £17.50, senior citizen £26.00 (no railcard required). 4 days travel is £55, children £27.50 and senior citizens £36.30.
2013 prices. Not vaild on any train on any train from Leamington due in to London before 10.00.
Group Save also applies to the 4 day version (3 adults / children pay £36.30, 4 adults/children pay £27.50). Senior citizens do not need a railcard so if you are a tourist from overseas and over pension age (proof required) you can take the low fare as shown above.
Please note - through 2013 this card will change in price and scope).

Mode: AROUND

Type: Train

Website: http://www.chilternrailways.co.uk/

First Capital Connect DaySave Trains Review

This day ticket is only available from Tourist Information Offices (NOT AVAILABLE FROM RAILWAY STATIONS OR THE WEBSITE) at Bedford, Brighton, Dunstable, Greenwich, Luton, Sandy, and St Albans. You may be staying in the London area near one of these towns and this is why this tip is included. Travel after 10.00 and not for travel on services departing Moorgate or St Pancras to any station between St Albans and Bedford between 16.30 and 19.01.
One days unlimited travel costs £17 and up to 4 accompanied people (adults or children) are £2 each. Travel on any FCC service. The website describes the area covered.
2013 prices.

Mode: AROUND

Type: Train

Website: http://www.firstcapitalconnect.co.uk/

Southern DaySave Trains Review

Valid on all Southern services from their stations including their London stations but after 10.00. Not valid on trains departing London stations, Clapham Junction or East Croydon 16.45 - 19.15.
1 day - adult £14. Accompanied children £1 each . Group (up to 4 adults or children) £28.
You must purchase from the website (www.southernrailwaytickets.com/daysave) a minimum of 7 days before travel - you cannot buy this ticket at a station. Other options of the ticket are available - see the website. 2013 prices.
New in 2013 - other versions of the ticket are available for peak travel, weekly travel and flexi (5 nominated days in one month).

Mode: AROUND

Type: Train

Website: http://www.southernrailway.com/daysave

Thames Branches Day Ranger Trains Review

A good value way to explore the area west of London by train is a day ticket that offers unlimited rail travel from London Paddington to Reading, Tilehurst, Reading West, Winnerish Triangle, Greenford, Windsor and Eton Central, Marlow and Henley on Thames. After 09.30 (10.00 if Network Railcard used) and not allowed on mainline services to Reading (local trains only) between 16.00 and 19.15. A one day ticket costs £19.00, with a railcard £12.55 and child £9.50. 2013 prices.
Please note FGW have a minimum fare Monday to Friday - some of the prices quoted above may only be available on Bank Holiday Mondays and weekends. Ask at FGW stations.

Mode: AROUND

Type: Train

Website: http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/

Thames Rover Trains Review

To explore to the west of London by train the Thames Rover is a good value option. The area covered is Paddington - Moreton in the Marsh - Banbury - Bicester Town - Bedwyn - Basingstoke plus Reading - Redhill and the Greenford, Windsor and Eton Central, Marlow and Henley on Thames branches are covered too. After 09.30 and also not allowed on Paddington and Reading on mainline express trains (only local trains) between 16.00 and 19.15.
Any 3 days in 7 costs £45, with a railcard £29.70 and children £22.50. For 7 days travel £79, £52.15 and £39.50.
Very good value. 2013 prices. Please note FGW have a minimum fare Monday to Friday - some of the prices quoted above may only be available on Bank Holiday Mondays and weekends. Ask at FGW stations.

Mode: AROUND

Type: Train

Website: http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/

All line rover Trains Review

I have included this - it is not necessarily a London tip but as many tourists will make London their first place they visit in the UK this ticket that covers the whole of the UK for unlimited rail travel may be of interest. It is never advertised!
It allows unlimited travel on all trains including the Ffestiniog Railway in Wales but not Heathrow Express, Heathrow Connect, London Underground or large city metro systems. Nor does it include ferries or buses.
The First Class option permits the holder to partake of all complimentary offers such as breakfast on Virgin Trains.
2013 prices are - Adult 7 days £464, child / with railcard £306.00, 14 days £702 and £463.
First Class Adult 7 days £702, child / with railcard £463. 14 days £1073 and £708.
There are some restrictions from some London stations -please ask me if you want to know more.

Mode: AROUND

Type: Train

Website: http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/promotions/pr569241c35ce74100fb0de1b9798124/details.html

Day Travelcard Oyster Cards / Travelcards Review

The best and cheapest way to see London is a with a Day Travelcard - we bought a ticket for the buses and tube for only £5.50 (May 09) for travel zones 1 & 2. To illustrate its value our days travel was - Kings Cross to Hampstead by tube, Hampstead to Little Venice by bus, Paddington to London Bridge by tube, Tower Gateway to Park Lane by bus, Park Lane to Oxford Street by bus and Oxford Circus to Kings Cross by tube. All for £7.00 - is the new 2012 price.
Remember a single bus ride is £2.30 and single tube train ride is £4.40 - if you buy a £7.00 card and only make 2 journeys on the tube , you have made a profit.
The cards are available from Underground stations or mainline rail stations and I have shown below what each ticket looks like - they both have the same validity.

Mode: AROUND

Type: Subway/Metro

Euston Trains Review

Euston is situated on the Euston Road in the north of the central area and you get trains here for Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Chester and north Wales and Glasgow. Also local trains to Watford , Riugby and Northampton.
The trains using the station are from Virgin and London Midland.
A good variety of shops and eating places can be found in the station.
There is a bus station at the front of the station and good tube links although some lines stop at Euston Square and not Euston - check carefully.

Mode: AROUND

Type: Train

Website: http://www.networkrail.co.uk/aspx/819.aspx