The Tube - the best way to get around town and other London, United Kingdom Transportation Tips

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Subway/Metro
Getting TO/AROUND: The tube is the best way to get around London - and it is fun....ok, not in peak hour!! As much as Londoners whinge about the tube, it is still an excellent method of transport, with lines criss-crossing the city and outer boroughs.

To work out the best way to get to your destination, you can pick up a tube map at any station, and you can also ask there for advice if you are unsure of the best route. As some stations have multiple tube lines passing through them, you may find that you have several options. If you have internet access you can use http://journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk to find the quickest and easiest route to take.

In central London you may find that some tube stations are very close together and it may be just as fast to walk between places, as it can take some time to get underground to the tube platforms. You may also find that some station interchanges are quite a walk - particularly, for example, if you change trains between Monument and Bank stations - you may find it takes you 10 minutes to walk between trains!

These days, most Londoners use Oyster Cards, which are electronic cards that are used to store your weekly/monthly/annual tube tickets. You can also have 'pay-as-you-go' credit on your Oyster Card, which is perfect for those not travelling every day. You just pay for each trip as you go, but you will only be charged up to the cost of a normal 'Day Travelcard', which makes this a good method for visitors to London.

You can add credit to your card at the ticket office, or at the machines at each tube station. Just touch them to the ticket barrier as you enter and exit the stations - it is that easy…..just make sure you do 'touch in and out' every time (even if the ticket barrier is open), or you will be charged the maximum fare for your journey. Oyster cards can also be used on buses.

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Website: http://tube.tfl.gov.uk/
Other Contact: http://journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk

'Mode': TO
Category: Ship/Boat
Getting TO/AROUND: The cheapest way to get from central London to Heathrow Airport is to catch the Tube (underground railway). The Piccadilly line trains travel to and from Heathrow every 5-10 minutes. Trains from central London take around 45 minutes to travel to Heathrow, with the train arriving right at the terminal.

Alternatively, you can catch the Heathrow Express, which departs from Paddington Station. This is a significantly more expensive option, but the trip takes only 15 minutes, with services departing every 15 minutes to and from Heathrow.

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Phone: 020 8745 6655
Website: http://www.heathrowairport.com/ http://www.heathrowexpress.com

'Mode': TO
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: Gatwick Express

If you are flying in or out of Gatwick Airport, the easiest way to travel to/from Central London is via the Gatwick Express.

It departs every 15 minutes from London Victoria train station (connected to Victoria Tube Station), and takes 30 minutes non-stop to Gatwick Airport. The basic one-way fare is around 12 pounds.

There is plenty of room for everyone to have a seat and to store luggage. There is even a food cart that comes through the carriages if you need a snack en route.

Yes, there are cheaper trains that also stop at Gatwick, but they take longer and have several stops, plus can be crowded with general commuters in and out of London.

Another great thing about the Gatwick Express is that you can buy your ticket on board - just take a seat, and the ticket person will come buy and you can use card or cash to purchase your ticket from the comfort of your seat. You can also buy tickets online or at the ticket office before boarding the train.

Bon Voyage!

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Phone: 0870 000 2468
Website: http://www.gatwickexpress.co.uk/ http://www.gatwickairport.com/

'Mode': TO
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: The fastest way to travel to Stansted Airport is to catch the Stansted Express train. It departs every 15 minutes from London Liverpool Street station, with an average journey time of 45 minutes. One-way fares start at £15.

There are also numerous coach services to Stansted, which offer a more economical trip, but travel times are significantly longer. Coaches depart from such locations as London Victoria, London Liverpool Street and London Stratford, with some services operating 24 hours a day.

Bassingbourn Road, Stansted CM24 1SE

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Phone: 0870 000 0303
Website: http://www.stanstedexpress.com/ http://www.stanstedairport.com/

'Mode': TO
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: First Capital Connect trains operate a fast service direct between Luton Airport and central London. The journey takes about 35 minutes from the airport to London's Kings Cross station. A free shuttle bus at the airport terminal takes you to the train station.

EasyBus and Green Line both operate coach services between Central London (Baker Street) and Luton. The journey can take up to 1 hour and 20 minutes, and is a cheaper option than catching the train.

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Phone: 01582 405 100
Website: http://www.london-luton.co.uk/en/

'Mode': TO
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: The best way to get to London City Airport is to use the Docklands Light Railway. Catch the train to/from London Bank station right to the airport terminal.

The trip takes only 22 minutes and you can enjoy a scenic tour of the Docklands area on the way. Part of the light rail line is brand new and really opens up London City Airport as a great central airport to use for your European adventures.

Royal Docks, London E16 2PX

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Phone: 020 7646 0088
Website: http://www.londoncityairport.com/

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Subway/Metro
Getting TO/AROUND: If you are doing some sightseeing in London you can buy a day travelcard, which gives you unlimited transport on the tube, train and buses (within the zones purchased).

If you purchase it after 9.30am on weekdays it is cheaper (a zone 1-3 day card is about 4.60 pounds).

On the weekends you can buy a weekend travel card that works out cheaper for the two days.

If you are in London for longer, you can also buy weekly and monthly travel cards.

Ask at any tube office for information

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Website: www.thetube.com

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Car/Motor Home
Getting TO/AROUND: If you want to do some touring by car in the UK, a cheap car hire option is Easy Car.

They have locations across London, and each location has only the one type of car, which helps them to keep costs down.

You can hire a car via the internet, and the earlier ahead you book, the cheaper deals you can get.

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Phone: 0906 333 3333
Website: www.easycar.com

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Bus
Getting TO/AROUND: London double decker buses are fabulous - but most fabulous of all are the old Routemaster buses - the open platformed, rear entry buses, which still have a conductor.

Unfortunately they are fazing them out and they won't be around for much longer......so ride one while you still can!!

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Website: http://www.routemaster.org.uk/

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: As per my previous tips, the tube is a great way to get around London.

The only problem is that it doesn't run for 24 hours!! Most of the tube lines stop running by 1.30am at the latest.....often earlier....

I guess it is lucky that pubs shut at 11pm!!!

That said, there are night buses that cover most of London......but much slower than getting the tube.

Check out the website for details of last trains to your destination.

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Website: www.thetube.com