What is the Best Way to Get Around London, England?

By Sophie, published Sep 20, 2007
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With a population of around 8 million residents, London is one of the largest, most densely populated cities in the world. Visitors to the city will want to know of the best forms of transportation to opt for in London. There are plenty of options available to visitors to London such as car rental, buses, taxis and the underground, more commonly referred to as "the tube". Choosing the right form of transportation according to preference and convenience is most important. Not all forms of transportation will suit everyone's taste. This article will explore the above options and suggest the advantages and disadvantages of choosing each form of transportation.

London Taxi

London taxis are easy to spot around the city. They are black cabs and they are quite spacious on the inside. When you first arrive at Heathrow or Gatwick, you may choose a taxi to take you to your hotel. The benefit of taking a taxi is that you can go straight to your hotel without having to worry about waiting around for the right bus to take you where you need to go when you are unfamiliar with London. It can be very overwhelming for first time visitors to London who just want to get to their hotel and get some rest.

However, London taxis are expensive. The metre will start running as soon as you get into the taxi. The price will not freeze as you wait in traffic for 2 hours to get to your hotel. So it is important to keep this in mind.

Bus

Red double decker buses are an adventure in themselves in London. Buses run efficiently and regularly. You can pick up a bus timetable at the airport and work out where you need to go. Try to ensure that you have plenty of change and that you pay the bus fare in full when you get on the bus, as some bus drivers are tired of dealing with passengers who do not have the correct change. Buses are also much cheaper than taxis.

The Tube

What is the Best Way to Get Around London, England?

Famous double decker bus

Credit: kudoskid

Copyright: morgueFile.com

Takeaways
  • London taxis are expensive!
  • Double decker buses are cheap, efficient and run regularly
  • The tube runs from dawn to late at night and is a very convenient way to travel
Did You Know?
I would strongly advise against renting a car while staying in London; you will spend more time in traffic than getting from A to B and the high petrol prices will shock you
Comments
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This information has helped me with my homework

Posted on 10/23/2007 at 5:10:00 AM

 
Great information. Last time I went to London I was with my mother. She hated the tube and buses (have to move too fast) so we ended up using taxis. Next time I will try to stay in a location closer to the action and save transportation.

Posted on 09/26/2007 at 10:09:00 AM

 
You're right, Lily. The daily passes are great! Sophie

Posted on 09/24/2007 at 8:09:00 AM

 
The daily passes are brilliant. You can get a travelcard and use it for taking the train, the tube and the bus and it certainly makes getting around a lot easier. I used to think that you had to buy all of these tickets separately and didn't realize that one lovely travelcard was good for them all. Silly me!

Posted on 09/24/2007 at 2:09:00 AM

 
Thanks Sophie this will hopefully prove useful someday. We live here in Michigan, birthplace of the auto industry, where there is virtually no mass transit. People really have to drive here,so high fuel prices are really digging into people's pockets thankfully we live in a good area with many of the needed types of stores etc and there are good sidewalk routes. A lot of the roads we are near are large main ones though don't like crossing them but we do what we have to until my husband can get his license(he's not had one ever before due to the mass transport there). Anytime we need a ride outside the area we have to make other arrangements for rides. London sounds like they have plenty of good mass transit.

Posted on 09/23/2007 at 1:09:00 PM

 
I hope I can use this info some day!

Posted on 09/22/2007 at 2:09:00 PM

 
Thanks for the comments. I appreciate the observation, Lori. Petrol prices are extremely cheap in America, even in some of the priciest states, compared to anywhere in Europe. Sophie

Posted on 09/21/2007 at 2:09:00 PM

 
Great tips! Good to know that taxis are unnecessary and overpriced in London. Even though Americans often bemoan high gas prices, it's good to remember that gas prices have been much higher in Europe for a long time.

Posted on 09/21/2007 at 2:09:00 PM

 
I was extremely impressed with the Tube system when were there.

Posted on 09/21/2007 at 5:09:00 AM

 
Rode the tube many years ago during a visit. Good article!

Posted on 09/21/2007 at 4:09:00 AM

 
The transport system is really great in London. I like using the tube whenever I am there. It is so quick and efficient. It gets you across London in next to no time. Sophie

Posted on 09/20/2007 at 11:09:00 PM

 
How I'd love to go to London...

Posted on 09/20/2007 at 11:09:00 PM

 
Great public transportation system.

Posted on 09/20/2007 at 9:09:00 PM

 
I plan on going there some day. Thank you for the information.

Posted on 09/20/2007 at 9:09:00 PM

 
I want to go in the double decker. It aggrivates me for tourist traps in America to have double deckers designed as party busses. Love your articles on travel in England.

Posted on 09/20/2007 at 9:09:00 PM

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