What is the Best Way to Get Around London?

London can be a confusing place to get around, no matter whether you’re a resident or just visiting. To make the process of navigating London less stressful and more efficient, it’s important to have an understanding of all the different modes of transport available. This helpful guide will run you through the best way to get around London, with explanations of all the different methods of transport.

Public Transport in London

London is well-served by public transport, and with over one billion journeys taken every year, it is the most popular mode of transport among Londoners. This is split up into different sections:

Tube

The London Underground, popularly known as “the tube’, is the oldest and possibly the most iconic mode of transport in London. The tube is renowned for its vivid roundel logo and classic red text, and covers a variety of different areas of London. It can be incredibly busy so make sure you get an Oyster card beforehand, as these are cheaper than buying paper tickets. Just bear in mind that Heathrow airport is not connected to the tube network; if you’re flying into or out of Heathrow that’s one point at which you’ll need to consider another mode of transport.

Buses

Buses are a popular mode of transport in London and they are a great way to get around, especially as they have good wheelchair access. The London buses are all double-deckers and travel all over London, so they are an excellent option if you’re looking to cover long distances from one area to another. Public bus fares are determined by either distance or time, depending on how much you need to travel.

Taxis, Ubers, Minicabs and VTCs

London has two main types of taxi: black cabs and private hire (minicabs or VTCs – Vehicle for Hire Cars). You can hail black cabs from the street or at a taxi rank whereas with minicabs, you must pre-book them before you travel. Both types will involve a certain amount of queuing at busy times and prices tend to be slightly more expensive than buses or tubes. In addition, ride-hailing apps such as Uber have become increasingly popular in recent years and are a great way of travelling within London (though you will need access to a smartphone).

Overground

The Overground is a rail network connecting different parts of Greater London and parts of Hertfordshire and Surrey. It’s quite similar to the tube network but covers more areas; it provides connections between stations where there aren’t any tube lines. Overground fares are similar to those on the tube – cheaper if you use an Oyster card than if you buy paper tickets.

DLR (Docklands Light Railway)

The DLR is a light railway system in east and south east London which runs on elevated tracks with automated trains. It’s usually quite fast and reliable, so it makes for a good way of getting around London if you’re heading from one side of the city to the other. You can buy paper tickets or use an Oyster card – both are valid on the DLR but Oyster cards are cheaper than paper tickets.

Cycling

Cycling has become increasingly popular in recent years, and with cycling infrastructure in the capital getting better all the time, more and more people are starting to use bikes instead of cars or public transport. In addition, there are now schemes such as “Cycle Hire’ across London which allow you to rent a bike for a certain period of time. It’s important to remember that cycling can be dangerous in busy areas, so it’s worth doing some research beforehand if you’re planning on travelling this way in London.

Driving

Driving is an option for those visiting or living in London; however, it can be expensive and slow depending on where you are travelling from or to. It also involves a lot of waiting as traffic jams can be common in central London, especially during peak times. You should also factor in parking costs which can be quite expensive in some areas, as well as any congestion charge fees if applicable (congestion charge fees apply if you drive into central London during certain times).

Conclusion

In terms of getting around in the capital, public transport tends to be the most convenient and practical choice. The tube is great for quick journeys around central areas especially if you use an Oyster card; buses are good for longer trips across London and there’s plenty of opportunity for cycle hire if you don’t mind taking your bike with you. Driving can work too but it can be expensive and slow due to traffic jams and parking costs, so if you want to save time it might not be the best option for you. Ultimately, this will depend on where you’re travelling from or to and how long your journey is – so do some research beforehand and choose what is most suitable for you! If you’re looking for more detailed advice on your journey choice in London make sure to head to Transport For London’s website.