The American's Guide to London Transport

Planning Ahead

London Transport (www.tfl.gov.uk) provides a unique and useful service to its passengers: a journey planner that will help you get from point A to point B, offering you alternate routes and modes of transportation.You can choose from tube, bus and pedestrian options.The planner will tell you which lines and routes to take, and estimate how long it will take you to get there.Perfect for those getting to know the city, as well as those seasoned veterans who want to reach their destination faster.Now if only American subway systems would do they same.

Always have an alternative route

The Underground, as convenient as it is for getting around the metro London area, has a fatal flaw: there are often days when one or more lines is shut down for hours at a time, due to signal problems or line repairs.It is essential to know two, if not three, ways to get to your destination.Always be prepared to take an alternative route - sometimes you won't know until you're at the station that the Hammersmith and City line is closed, and you'll need to either switch lines or hop on a bus to get to that important meeting.Become familiar with the tube, commuter rail and bus lines that can get you to and from work, home or school, if you're in London long-term, as you may have to get creative last minute to get around.Tourists generally have less to worry about: when one line is shutdown, there is always another fast, easy way to get to all the top tourist destinations.

Silence is Golden

You can always spot an American on the tube: they're the ones talking.Londoners are notoriously quiet during their commute; most choose to either stare quietly at their hands, or, more likely, to read a newspaper or book.If you're enthusing loudly about fish and chips in your New York/mid-Western/Southern accent, you'll receive stares, ranging from shocked to extremely annoyed.That's not saying you can't talk on the tube, just keep the volume down!

Stay clear of the doors