London Transportation Tips by Mariajoy

'Mode': TO
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: The recently re-opened St Pancras Station is the London terminal for Eurostar trains to France. Before embarking on your cross channel, 186mph trip to France, you can stop at the champagne bar for a glass of bubbly! Many of the concourse shops are not yet opened but soon will be.

Eurostar official website

All the information and facts you could possibly need to know about the history and refurbishment of St Pancras Station a Grade 1 listed building can be found on the website below.

Leave a Comment

Website: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/portal/main.jhtml?xml=/portal/2007/11/10/ftpancras110.xml&DCMP=ILC-traffdrv07053100

'Mode': TO
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: The 20 tonne, 9 meter high statue by Paul Day is the brand new statue that is currently drawing a lot of attention from visitors to the newly re-opened St Pancras International Station. It is absolutely massive and really quite awe-inspiring! Anyone meeting a friend here couldn't fail to find The Meeting Place!

Leave a Comment

Website: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/portal/main.jhtml?xml=/portal/2007/11/10/ftpancras110.xml&DCMP=ILC-traffdrv07053100

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Other
Getting TO/AROUND: In 1902 workers coming from Greenwich needed access to the Isle of Dogs. The tunnel was built because the ferry which had operated here since 1676 no longer existed and other routes were impractical.

Facts:

The tunnel is 1,217' with a 12' diameter.

200,000 white glazed tiles were used in its lining

It is situated approx 40' below the surface

As a public highway, 24 hour access is provided via lifts to the tunnel.

Leave a Comment

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: When travelling to Gatwick Airport you would need to catch a train from Victoria Station.
The Gatwick Express trains depart every 15 minutes and take just 30 mins to the airport and a single (one-way) adult fare is currently 14GBP.

Gatwick Express

You can also get other trains to Sussex and the Kent coast from this station.

Leave a Comment

Website: www.gatwickexpress.co.uk/

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Other
Getting TO/AROUND: The Excess Baggage Co.

If you have checked out of your hotel/hostel but need to leave your rucksack, suitcase or holdall for an afternoon or a day or so while you sight-see then most major London railway stations have an Excess Baggage office somewhere on the station concourse. Rates for this service are currently £5.50 per item (at the time of writing) for 0-24hours (or part thereof) Monday-Sunday 7am-11pm. This goes up to £6 for each additional 24 hours. For obvious security purposes, bags are x-rayed on arrival and monitored constantly by CCTV. The Excess Baggage Co is open 364 days a year – closed Christmas Day.

Just look up for blue and yellow sign.

Leave a Comment

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

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Bus
Getting TO/AROUND: Since the demise of the much loved London Routemaster buses in November 2004, the Nos 9 and 15 have been declared Heritage Routes, and restored to their 1960's style.

Heritage route 9 Stops are:

Royal Albert Hall
Knightsbridge
Piccadilly Circus
Trafalgar Square
Charing Cross
Strand
Aldwych

and

Heritage route 15 stops are:

Trafalgar Square
Charing Cross
Strand
Fleet Street
St Paul’s Cathedral
Monument
Tower Hill

Tickets

The TfL website states:

Standard fares will apply on both services, and all valid Bus Passes, Travelcards, Freedom Passes, Oyster cards and Saver Tickets will be accepted. Both routes will operate every fifteen minutes, between 0930 and 1830, seven days a week."

Sounds great! I shall definitely be taking a ride next time I am in the city!

Leave a Comment

Website: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/buses/ini-heritage-buses.asp

'Mode': TO
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: If you are coming to London from Stansted Airport you will arrive in Liverpool Street Station. The Stansted Express will get you there in 15 minutes. Other trains will take about 45 minutes.

It's about ?24 (at time of writing) for a return ticket but check the website for more information

Stansted Express

Also, for info on access for wheelchair users at the station check the link Liverpool Street Access

Leave a Comment

Website: http://www.networkrail.co.uk/Stations/stations/liverpoolstreet/Default.aspx

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Bus
Getting TO/AROUND: When checking into a hostel/hotel at night one always falls asleep anticipating the view from the window of ones accommodation in the morning. What delights would await me when I awoke from my slumbers in St Christopher's I wondered? Well... as you can see from the pic... a bus depot and sky scrapers!! Lovely lovely London :)) Is it only me who sees a surreal beauty in scenes like this???

Leave a Comment

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

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Bus
Getting TO/AROUND: Buy your ticket at the machine at the bus stop before you board. An adult ordinary single ticket will cost you £1.50 (at the time of writing).

Leave a Comment

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

'Mode': TO
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: During WWII - 10,000 mostly Jewish children were sent out of Austria, Germany, Poland and Czechoslovakia by their parents to escape the Nazis and almost certain death. These children came by boat from Holland to London and arrived in Liverpool Street Station to be sent around the country - some to hostels but mostly to foster families.

This monument of a rather forlorn little girl is found just outside the main entrance to Liverpool Street Station. The glass case she is standing next to, usually houses other artefacts and memorabilia from that time but currently it's empty due to renovation.

Leave a Comment

Website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/features/holocaust/kindertransport.shtml