Routemaster Buses - A Sad Farewell and other London, United Kingdom Transportation Tips

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Bus
Getting TO/AROUND: Having spent most of my life using London transport and taking some of it much for granted, I'm pretty gutted that they are phasing out and selling off that classic London icon, the Routemaster bus.(yes, I know they are not practical etc BUT!)

I became very fond of the 73 in particular, when living in Stoke Newington, just hopping on and off when it suits. The slow ride into town via Church St gave you the chance to window shop along with the ride and the conductors jokey banter (not always, but even the grumpy ones could be amusing) would keep you far from bored (most Londoners will relish in passing on tales of daily spats between conductors and passengers).

When I was little, we used to brave the rather tricky winding steps upstairs and race to the front seat (adults, please note, these seats should be only for small people!) for the greatest views of city life, peoples balconies, etc -

Hopping on and off and negotiating those stairs is a practised art, and some lessons are learnt at a young ages when you have more passion than common sense ; )
Mind you, some never learn, I recently witnessed a rather sozzled friend, but thoroughbread Londoner, hanging onto the pole and being dragged along on his backside to much panic/amusement (the latter when we realised there was no serious injury, naturally).

On returning back from a long stint abroad some years back, I realised just how symbolic they are to London town, along with the post and telephone boxes - They always welcomed me back home.

In another year they will be totally gone and in the words of another internet writer on the subject, '"If I'd known that Ken Livingstone was going to allow this to happen, I'd have voted for Frank ******* Dobson first time around."

A sad farewell indeed.

Nuff said.

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'Mode': AROUND
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: I have a love/hate relationship with the tube, as do many people brought up in London. It can be a pretty good way to get around when not too busy, but hellish with a capital 'H' in the rush hour. When going back to London, I try to avoid it, especailly if I have a suitcase! Also people can be extremely rude on the tube and most have absolutely no consideration for small people (Shouldn't really say it, but I have found businessmen to be the worst in this department). Either way, if you want to get from A to B, you will have to encounter the tube at some point. London is served by 12 Tube lines and has 265 stations also servicing the suburbs. All lines run every few minutes between 5.30 until 00:30 Monday to Saturday, and between 7.30 - 23.30 on Sundays.

The best way to use the tube, is after rush hour (9.30 am) with a Travelcard .
These days you can also buy pre-paid smartcards called Oyster Cards which make travelling around on LT a little easier. An Oyster card can store up to £90 of cash which can be used to pay as you go, plus your Travelcard or Bus Pass. Oyster single fares are generally cheaper & daily price capping automatically calculates the cheapest fare for the journeys you make in a single day. (Although some people don't like the 'Big Brother' element about it).

As I say, I generally try to avoid it these days, but I confess, I still get a little sentimental buzz when it's less busy and I am zipping around the West End after a good show, but using it for going to work? - No thanks!

Tube Map
You can get an Oyster card at the following places :
At the Oyster website
At most Tube & London overground stations.
At Oyster Ticket Stops across London & some National Rail ticket offices
By phone on 0845 330 9876
When you first get your Oyster card you will need to pay a refundable £3 deposit if you are only adding cash to pay as you go.

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

'Mode': TO
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: **PLEASE NOTE** The Eurostar no longer leaves from here - Please see
Eurostar

"Waterloo is the UK's largest station, covering an area of 24.5 acres. One of its most notable features is the Victory Arch, built of Portland Stone. This commemorates the London and South Western and the Southern Railway men who gave their lives in the First and Second World Wars. Waterloo is the largest station in the UK by area. Its spacious, curved concourse, lined with shops, is one of the most practical of the the capital's rail termini."

iN 2005, I caught the 8.44 Eurostar to Gare de Nord from Waterloo tomorrow morning (Dec 05). I got up early and caught the first train from Brighton to London with the rush hour crowd (can't say I enjoyed that leg of the journey much). I booked my ticket to Paris online the day before and had to be at the ticket office 45mins before the train leaves. A journey in which I was supposed to be be served Champagne and a three course lunch which I was really looking forward to, but sadly didn't live up to expectations. However, not being keen on flying, this is the Amapola's preferred style of travel.

Waterloo station is much like any other mainline station in London. Large, crowded, expensive, confusing and many with horrible toilets that you have to pay for(usually 20 pence).

I wrote a report on this particular journey in my Paris pages.

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Website: http://www.networkrail.co.uk/Stations/stations/Waterloo/Default.aspx
Other Contact: York Road, London SE1

'Mode': TO
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: As London is such a huge city, there are so many different train, bus, coach and cab routes to the various aiports and I see there have been various posts (unsuprisingly!) regarding this subject, so I will kick off my London tips, with one of the basics, for visitors.

Most people here travel to Gatwick Airport by overland train from London Victoria station.
Catch a Brighton train and disembark at Gatwick. The cost is around £19 return.
Prices are more in the rush hour, and cheaper after 9.30. See National Rail Link fbelow or Journey Planning.
National Rail

The Gatwick Express is a rather expensive option and half the time, is not an express at all, crawling along infuriatingly. The one time I caught it, the toilets didn't even work, although they are nicer trains in general, you are really better off with the overland.
Gatwick Express
Tel: +44 (0)845 850 1530 for a recorded timetable

You can also catch a National Express coach from Victoria Bus station. This is a slightly cheaper option and their website is here :
National Express

The Gatwick Flyer Tel: +44 (0)1708 730 555) runs to destinations east of London, and coaches operate from the South Terminal station only.

There are two terminals at Gatwick Airport, There is a free Transit train, which links the North and South terminals 24 hours a day.

Driving :
The airport is linked to the M23 motorway. Turn off at junction 9 and follow signs for the airport. London Gatwick is also accessible from the A23 London-Brighton Road.

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'Mode': TO
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: The train to Stanstead Aiport leaves from Liverpool Street station. You can catch the Stanstead Express which takes 30 mins.
(See link below). This rather expensive at £24 return (2005 price, so it will have gone up).

See this Stanstead Airport 'Travellers Toolkit' website :
Stanstead Aiport 'Travellers Toolkit'

You can also get a bus to Stanstead Airport. Airbus route A6 serves Victoria Coach Station in central London from Stansted Airport. They operate roughly every 30 minutes, seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Journey time depending on traffic is around 1hr 40 minutes.
Here is a link for bus services National Express

Stansted is on the M11 motorway at Junction 8. The M11 connects with the M25 London Orbital Motorway at Junction 27, approximately 20 minutes drive south of the airport. Journey time from central London is around 70 minutes.

Always allow plenty of time ; )

Stanstead is a smaller aiport and there is only one terminal.

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Website: http://www.stanstedexpress.com/

'Mode': TO
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: You may or may not have worked out that none of Londons Airports are actually in central London & that includes Heathrow which is situated in the not so charming West London area of Staines (what a name!).

Heathrow Aiport has 4 terminals & plans for a 5th. You can catch The Tube (Not advised if you are in a hurry, as unreliable, lots of stops & very crowded).
There is also the Heathrow Express Train] Trains leave from London's Paddington station. 1st train every 15 mins at 05:10, last 23:40, Journey time Terms. 1, 2 and 3 is 15 minutes, Term. 4 is 20 minutes.Return £28.00. Children under 15 travel free with an adult.Tel Info : +44 (0)845 600 1515. National Express shuttle from London Victoria Coach Station to Heathrow runs every 30 mins. First bus 07.30, last bus 23.30. Runs 7 days a week Journey around 40 minutes, more at peak hrs.

The Airbus service links to Heathrow from many London hotels, Kings Cross & Euston rail stations. Departs every 20-30 mins, journey time around 60-75 mins £10 return.
The Airbus A2 service leaves King's Cross rail station every 30 mins, calls at Euston station & some Underground stations. The service also picks up at various hotels on its journey to Terms 1, 2 and 3. The first service leaves King's Cross at 07:00 the last at 20:30.
The Airbus Direct service picks up from various London hotels & drops off at Term. 4. 1st bus is at 05:30, the last 15:50. Journey time 1 hour 40 mins.
Tel : Heathrow Travel line on +44 (0)990 747777

Heathrow is west of London on the M4 motorway near the M25 interchange. All Terminal exits are signposted.
Access Motorway Local Access
Terminals 1, 2 & 3 M4 Junction 4 A4
Terminal 4 M4 Junction 3
M25 Junction 14 A30
A3113
(The local nicname for the M25 is 'The Road to Hell', so allow plenty of time if you are driving)!

Taxis cost approx £35-45. Get a quote before you get in!
Good Luck ; )

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