London commuter pet peeves and other London, United Kingdom Transportation Tips

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: Tube station ettiquette? There is some of that, although that may be hard to believe at times! lol People just generally are trying to get to work with as little hassle as possible. Getting from A to B.

~ London commuters are quick on their feet but don't shove or jostle that much. Everyone likes their space, albeit there not being much.

~ When the train arrives at the platform, wait till the people have got off before you clamber on!

~ Don't listen to your stereo too loudly or chew your food or chewing gum too loudly or snort or sniff too loudly.. you catch my drift here ;) Shhhh...

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Website: www.tfl.gov.uk

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: One simple rule that's followed is the 'stand on the right of the escalator', so that people who wish to stand can stand, and those who wish to walk past, can do so on the left.

It's very easy to spot tourist on the underground, they are in groups and HOG the escalator! lol ;)

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Website: www.tfl.gov.uk

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: Rush hour is anything between 7:30am to 9am... and then from 5pm to 7pm in my experience. We leave home at 7am to miss the rush! We are alot less frazzled when we get to the office then :)

London Underground has a super system available where you simply dial this number and they tell you where there are problems on the line plus you can speak to an operator and ask for travel info to where you need to go +44 (0)20 7222 1234.

There are tube maps and tube staff all over the underground. They are the guys and gals in the royal blue jackets. They are there to help and generally do a very good job! Tubes run from early in the morning till late at night... best to ask them how late your specific line runs, as they run at different times. It covers 6 zones and carries 3 million commuters daily. Love it or hate it, you need it in London!

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Phone: 020 7941 4500
Website: www.tfl.gov.uk
Other Contact: travinfo@tfl.gov.uk

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: London's underground is the most expensive in the world, and if the quality of service matched, then a lot of the daily grumbles of London commuters (ourselves included) would evaporate overnight. We get travelcards as commute every day, using buses, tubes and trains to get to and fro work. If you anticipate making more than three tube trips or four bus trips a day then you'd be better off buying a travelcard - daily, weekend, or weekly.

For train travel from airports, including between Stanstead, Gatwick or Luton, there's a Network Southeast Card (and not many people know about it!), which gives you a brilliant travel throughout the south east of England. One card covers four people - you can buy them at the airport's train station. So if travelling alone, now is the time to quickly make 3 friends! haha

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Website: www.tfl.gov.uk

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Bus
Getting TO/AROUND: Dont forget, in London you drive on the lefthand side, NOT the right handside! THis has caught out many tourists unfamiliar with the driving here, and can ruin a holiday, and be really dangerous. Take care to remember this very important thing!

If you are worried about this, then catch the bus ;)

You will need your licence and a credit card if you want to hire a car. We recommend www.aimrentacar.co.uk. Reliable in service and cars, we have never had a problem with them, and have taken their cars all over the UK :)

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Website: www.tfl.gov.uk

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Bicycle
Getting TO/AROUND: Sometimes the easiest way to get around is by bike. Many people cycle into work every day, but I wouldn't personally do this. I would find this far too stressful! There are far too buses, taxis and cars and pedestrians! Half of the pedestrians are in 'tourist mode', so arent even really watching where they are going, especially not noticing bicycles.

So public transport is best for Central London. Bicycles are best for Greater London though, it's thrilling taking ones bike out to the park, good to get out, good for the exercise and great to be doing somehting other than the usual.

It is also (besides walking) the cheapest mode of transport in London! :)

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'Mode': AROUND
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: This has been in the news recently... commuter badges! This really tickled me :)

'Pregnant women on the London Underground are to be offered 'Baby on board' badges so that other passengers know if it's appropriate to offer them a seat. The etiquette surrounding offering seats can be complicated - so here are some suggestions of other badges that might be in order...

1. NO BABY ON BOARD - subtext: You don't have to be pregnant to have a belly, and in fact if you offer me a seat, you run a very real risk of irritating me. I'm not pregnant, this is just me, OK?

2. HOW MUCH MORE OBVIOUS CAN IT BE? - subtext: I'm pregnant OK? My back's killing me, I'm hot and bothered, and frankly, getting out of bed in the morning in my condition is a miracle. Please don't make me feel pathetic by relying on you being nice - just stand up.

3. GREY, NOT OLD - subtext: Just because I've got grey hair doesn't mean I'm a fogey. Please don't offer me a seat, it will make me think that I look really old.

4. THINK OF YOUR GRANDMA - subtext: I've got grey hair! I'm a lot older than you and, though I wouldn't dream of saying so, probably a lot wiser too. So there's a good boy/girl, show a bit of respect. This whole commuting lark is exhausting and I could really do with a sit-down.

5. I'M REALLY CONCENTRATING - subtext: Look, I don't want to get into this whole standing up business. So I'm reading really hard, oblivious to all.

6. JUST ASK - subtext: Look I'm a nice guy/girl. I'm only too happy to do the decent thing, but we're all adult enough nowadays to ask politely if we want something. Relying on all the old codes of chivalry is silly in this day and age.

7. ASK ALL YOU LIKE - subtext: I'm not standing up. I don't care who you are, or what state you're in. Working and commuting is hell, so it's everyone for themselves. If you can't stand the heat, stay in your kitchen at home.

This picture was nabbed from the website below as it goes with the news story. In all my travelling around London, I have yet to see ONE!

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Website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/4325393.stm