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London Transportation: Everything You Need to Know

ViaHero
Updated September 17, 2023

Climbing the steps of an iconic double-decker bus in London can be as thrilling as your first glimpse of Big Ben—getting around London is just part of the adventure! Here’s everything you need to know about London transportation from “is there Uber in London?” to “how do I use the Tube?”.

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London transportation basics

Many of London’s attractions are centrally located near the Thames River. This means you can see Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palaceand Trafalgar Square all on foot in the same afternoon. 

But locals tell us you’ll want to venture from the city’s center. Unique neighborhoods like Notting Hill and foodie streets like Brick Lane are most easily accessed by public transportation. Transport for London (TfL) is the city government’s authority on all things transit—including the London Underground, buses, cabs and even bicycles.

Here’s a breakdown of the best ways to get around London: 

The Tube is usually your best bet

Locals tell us that the London Underground map may look intimidating—but navigating "The Tube" is easier than it looks. Extensive, efficient, and clean, it's an excellent option for navigating the city. Just remember to mind the gap! as you get on and off the train. 

Like Cinderella’s carriage, many stations turn into pumpkins at midnight (i.e. they close down). Select lines continue service into the wee hours on Fridays and Saturdays but plan to take a cab after any late-night adventures.

Local Tip:

If you take the escalator, be sure to stand on the right and move on the left. Otherwise, you risk the wrath of an irritated commuter. 

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Double-decker buses are your friend

You know you’re in London when you see a bright-red double-decker bus rounding Piccadilly Circus. You may have sea legs the first time you climb to the second floor, but the wobbly walk is worth it. Grab a seat at the front and it will feel like you’re on a tour bus. This is a great way to see the city while getting where you want to go.

These top-heavy buses are not known for speed, so be prepared for a leisurely pace. Locals say the Tube is a better option for packed itineraries with less wiggle room for unexpected traffic.

You cannot use cash on any bus in London. But you can use an Oyster card or Travelcard. (You’ll need to buy these before boarding the bus at a Tube station or an Oyster Ticket Shopmore on that later).

With more than 9,000 buses in the TfL fleetthe bus routes are extensive—navigating them can be daunting. When you have a local plan your trip, they'll include extensive travel instructions (and can even suggest a scenic bus trip if that's what you're looking for!)

Local Tip:

While riding the bus, listen for stop announcements. You’ll need to push a red call button to ensure the driver stops at your destination.

How to pay for public transit

London’s Underground is one of the most expensive in the world, and calculating fares can be a head-spinning endeavor. Locals explain that the Tube is organized into zones, which determine your fare. For example, the most-visited sites are located in Zones 1 and 2. However, to get to Heathrow via public transportation, you’ll need access to Zones 1 through 6—and a ticket that will take you across all these zones is more expensive.

Oyster Cards

The most convenient way to use any London public transportation (and even the National Railways) is by purchasing an Oyster card. Locals use these adorably-named pre-loaded plastic cards every day. They only require a tap to enter and exit the Tube. 

Where to buy Oyster cards?

You can buy your Oyster online and have it shipped to your home. The moment you land in sunny old England, you’ll be ready to go. This is especially helpful if you plan to take the Tube from the airport (see advice below). You can also purchase an Oyster at any station once you arrive—this just means one more line to wait in.

How much do Oyster cards cost?

The Visitor Oyster card costs £5. You then pre-load it with whatever amount you think you’ll need. As you ride, the card automatically calculates your fare and subtracts that amount from your total. You can always top-off your card. It will never expire, so you can save any unused credit or have your money refunded. 

Travelcards

How do Travelcards work?

Another option offered by TfL is the paper Travelcard. This gives you unlimited access to any public transportation for a flat rate. You can buy a Travelcard to last a day, seven days, a month, three months or six months.

Where to buy Travelcards?

Travelcards can also be purchased online ahead of your trip. Or, like an Oyster card, you can buy them in Tube stations.

Oystercard or Travelcard? 

Locals say if you plan on using public transportation a lot, the seven-day pass likely has the best value (it’s around £4/day less than the day pass). Although a Visitor Oyster card is not a flat rate, it does cap the amount you’ll spend in one day at or below the equivalent Day Travelcard rate. 

Single-fare tickets

Transport for London dissuades travelers from using single-fare tickets by increasing the price. The same ride will cost more with a single-fare ticket than it would with an Oyster. If you plan on using public transportation only once or twice, you can go this route. But be prepared to dust off your math skills. 

Unlike New York City’s subway, all fares are not created equal in London. They are determined by the zones you enter and the time of day you ride. You will need to calculate the cost before you purchase a single-fare ticket.

In short, locals suggest:

  • If you anticipate using public transportation more than four times per day, go with the 7-Day TravelCard. 
  • If you’d rather not risk paying for rides you won’t use, go with the Visitor Oyster Card. If you do spend a day riding the rails, you won’t pay more than you would for a Day TravelCard. Plus, you’ll get to tap your Oyster like a true Londoner.
  • If you only plan on taking public transit once or twice on your trip, go with a Single Ride ticket.
Local Tip:

Children under 11 years old can travel for free as long as they're accompanied by an adult.

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Taxis are everywhere (and they’re probably not what you’re used to)

The classic cab color in London is black—slightly more difficult to spot than NYC’s yellow taxis. But as in NYC, look for one with its yellow light on. If the light is off, that cab is not in service. 

A meter will tell you your fare at the end of the trip. Licensed taxis are required to have a working credit card reader. To drive one mile, expect to pay around £7 to £8. Locals say that cabs are convenient, but if your budget is top-of-mind, reserve taxis for times when you’ve wandered far from the Tube or are out past midnight. They note that it's polite to tip your cabbie 10–15%, but many people simply round their fare to the nearest pound and tell the driver to keep the change.

Taxis can be booked ahead of time via phone or online, but this will cost extra. There is also a non-profit app, TAXIAPP UK, for securing a black cab (which we’d recommend).

Fun fact: In order to be licensed as a driver, London cabbies must first master “The Knowledge”—an encyclopedic memory of London’s 25,000 streets and landmarks. Thought to be one of the most difficult tests in the world, The Knowledge often takes years of studying to pass.

Local Tip:

Uber lost its license to operate in London in November 2019. Don't fret—public transit in the city is really solid.

Bicycles are available, but keep these things in mind

London is not made for cyclists, though improvements to cycling routes are in progress. A bike is considered a vehicle so traffic laws must be obeyed. This means riding on the left side of the road. If you’re determined to tour the city on two wheels, consider consulting a local for the best paths away from traffic.  

Transport for London’s bikeshare program, Santander Cycles, is a convenient way to rent a bike. Bikes can be found throughout the city and hired on the spot via credit card. You’ll pay £2 for 24-hour access. As long as you return your bike to any dock within 30 minutes, you won’t pay any more than that. If you ride longer, you’ll be charged £2 for every additional 30 minutes.

Electric scooters are illegal to ride on the UK’s streets. Don’t expect to see scooter-sharing companies throughout London. However, Bird is reportedly lobbying for changes to the law and does have scooters for rent in Olympic Park.

Local Tip:

Keep an eye out for blue lanes, which were designed to improve cyclist's safety.

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Skip the rental car

Locals tell us that London's strong public transit means that you don't need to rent a car. If you do, you'll likely have to unlearn years of practice—in the U.K., cars drive on the left side of the road. 

Even if you plan on traveling to Bath or Oxford, locals say you'll be able to navigate by using public transportation. 

Local Tip:

You'll have to pay a toll (called a congestion charge) if you're driving in central London Monday-Friday between 7 am and 6pm. 

Getting to and from London’s airports

Three major airports serve London. Heathrow is the busiest and where most international flights arrive and depart. Gatwick is the farthest from downtown. London City is the smallest and so typically used for short flights to Europe. Here’s how to get from each to the center of the city.

Heathrow (LHR)

  • Best value: Catch the London Underground’s Piccadilly Line from Heathrow and your travel time will be about an hour. A single-fare ticket is around £6. If you use your pre-bought Oyster, the fare is only around £3 during off-peak hours (peak hours occur between 6:30 and 9:30 AM on weekdays). 
  • The Heathrow Express will take you by rail from the airport to Paddington Station in 15 minutes. But with speed comes cost. A one-way ticket is £25.
  • Black cabs queue at Heathrow and can easily be found. Travel times are difficult to predict due to traffic. They range from 30 to 60 minutes. This means your fare will be at least £48 and as much as £90.

Gatwick (LGW)

  • Best value: The Gatwick Express will take you by rail from the airport to Victoria Station in 30 minutes. A one-way ticket is around £18.
  • The National Express is a coach service running direct routes between Victoria Station and Gatwick. One-way tickets can be as cheap as £8, but the bus ride will be at least 60 minutes.
  • Black cabs can be hailed at kiosks located in both Gatwick terminals. Your ride will be at least an hour and will likely cost more than £100. 

London City (LCY)

  • Best value: The Docklands Light Railway (DLR) can be accessed from London City and connects to the Tube. This means you’ll face a transfer, but the trip will only be about 40 minutes and cost around £5. You can use your Oyster or Travelcard for payment.
  • Black cabs queue outside the airport. A taxi to the center of London will cost around  £30. Though convenient, traffic is always lurking. Taking public transportation will likely get you there in the same amount of time, if not quicker.
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