London Transportation Tips by RhineRoll

'Mode': TO
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: For wheelchair users, Stansted Express probably is the only public transport option in order to get from Stansted Airport to Central London. Since you don't have a choice, you might as well swallow down your anger over the totally scandalous price of 22 GBP for a return ticket in express class. Access to the train is okay, but I cannnot confirm they have specially designated areas for disabled passengers like it says on their website. I had to stand in the doorway providing an obstacle for everybody else. In express class, the train's interior is very narrow and not really pleasing to the eye.

UPDATE February 2006: Because they are so dependent on the train, wheelchair users should always check the website for railway closures. This happened to me on my recent visit. I was lucky to have pre-booked the tickets. That way, the responsibility to deal with my problem was on the railway company's side. I am happy to report that they dealt with my case in a very customer-friendly way. Without any discussion, they got me a taxi driving me to London and back on the other day. If I would have had to pay it by myself, it would have cost me 200 quid round trip.

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Website: http://www.stanstedexpress.com

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Bus
Getting TO/AROUND: Since there are so few accessible tube stations, wheelchair users will largely have to rely on buses in order to get around in London. The majority of them, however, do seem to be equipped with ramps. The good thing about buses is that you actually can see the city while travelling on them. I found bus route Nr. 15 particularly helpful -- it very roughly travels east-west north of the Thames, thus linking the Marble Arch area with Piccadilly Circus, St. Pauls and the Tower Bridge area.

Hey, and wheelchair users can use the buses FREE OF CHARGE :-))

For those who need to buy bus tickets, a single within the London tariff zone costs 1,50 pounds. A day's pass is 3,50, other travel cards are available as well. NOTE: At some specially marked bus stops, you need to buy your ticket in advance, the bus driver won't sell you one. This is done in order to speed up the travelling time at buses, so expect this to happen at very crowded bus stops. Pretty much speaks for buying a days pass if you ask me...

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Website: www.tfl.gov.uk

'Mode': TO
Category: Airplane
Getting TO/AROUND: Being the main hub for Ryanair and other budget carriers, Stansted clearly puts emphasis on low costs and maximised efficiency. It is not necessarily the most convenient airport to use. This is apparent in the main terminal with all the check-in booths lumped together leaving so little space that a queue in front of a check-in desk will seriously impede peoples' ability to get through. They also seem to save on the electricity bill, very dim light everywhere making one sleepy and uncomfortable.
The airport is pretty far out of town, much closer to Cambridge than to London. It is well connected to the railway network; the travel time of 45 minutes to London Liverpool St. is not that bad, comparing it with other large city airports. But the price -- 22 quid for a return ticket -- is outrageous. There are also coach services with various routes available.

Please note that most no-frills airlines open their check-ins no sooner than 90 minutes before the scheduled departure time, so it is absolutely unnecessary to arrive at the airport earlier than that only to hang around in that unpleasing terminal.

For disabled travellers, there is a special seating/waiting area. It might be advantageous to use it -- if there is no power wheelchair or scooter occupying the electric plugs, you might be able to use your notebook computer without needing to rely on the batteries.

Thanks to VTer HORSCHECK, I am now aware that the central terminal building actually was designed by Norman Foster, the architect who made those wonderful conversions of the German Reichstag and the British Museum. I still think the building is boring, maybe he let one of his apprentices do the designing...

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Website: http://www.stanstedairport.com/

'Mode': TO
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: The Docklands Light Railway (DLR) is the main means of transport in this district of East London characterized by its many waterways and interesting mixture of new developments and old, run-down buildings. I found the DLR very easy and fun to use, the high-up tracks providing a great overview of the area. Very good wheelchair access with all of the stations having lifts.

NOTE FOR WHEELCHAIR USERS
The terminus of one of the DLR lines is bank station where the DLR is submerged deep down below the surface and where the lifts consequently are down rather than up. The lift down from the street level is situated in King William Street, about 100 yards from where it merges with Lombard Street, and you need to use the intercom to call someone to operate the lift for you and guide you through the maze of subterranean walkways. Almost a small adventure of its own!

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

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Other
Getting TO/AROUND: The shortest way from Buckingham Palace to parliamentary Westminster is a walk through St James Park. On a hot day, you can also mingle with a lot of picknicking and suntanning Londoners -- including a bunch of Pelicans! There are signs reading "do not feed the Pelicans" but the fact that some of these Pelicans are not exactly thin and probably fly like a clump of lead suggests there might be some loopholes in following/enforcing that order :))

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