Transportation Options When Traveling to London

It’s no secret that London is a wonderful place to visit. It doesn’t only have instagrammable spots, but it also has one of the best public transportation systems in the world. Public transportation in London is regulated by a government body called TfL, which stands for “Transport for London.” If you’re a newbie in London, you might get overwhelmed with the number of public transportation systems they have. Listed below are the most popular modes of transportation for rolling in the city.

The Overground

The overground railway is one of the newest transportation options in the city. These are the rail tracks you’ll usually see over the ground, as the name suggests. You can take the overground track through an oyster card and top it up at any station. In most cases, oyster contactless payment is used especially when switching lanes from overground to underground. Take in to note that the overground’s logo has an orange-coloured circle. While the underground has a red one.

The Underground

The underground or often called “the tube” has been operating since 1863. It carries numerous passengers daily, running to 270 stations and 250 miles of track. Taking the tube is one of the most efficient ways to get around the city without any traffic. Stations can be found at a distance and normally a train comes within a few minutes. Also, watch out for rush hours from 7:30 am to 9:30 am and 5 pm to 7 pm. The tube can get very crowded with commuters.

Bus

Of course, we can not miss the iconic red bus in London. Many buses are roaming around London which makes it a convenient way of travel. Several bus services drive around London for 24 hours. It means you can still get home after a long shift at work or a night out with friends. Once you jump into the bus, just tap your oyster card and enjoy the ride. Don’t worry if your card went short, you can still travel. The machine will give you a ticket and will ask you to pay the fare.

Taxi

Next to the bus is the taxi. Taxis are available at any time of the day. Often, the taxi light is on if the driver is available. Wave a hand and the driver will stop to pick you up. Taxis can be convenient but pricey at the same time. Assuming that you are travelling in groups, taking a cab can be cost-efficient. If you don’t want to call out taxis on the street, try booking a car at StressFreeCarRental.com. It’s just like a taxi, but you can book ahead and select your preferred type of car at a reasonable price. Check out their website to know more about their service.

Bicycles

Bicycles were recently made available as part of transport designed for short trips. Bike bays are almost on every street making it affordable and eco-friendly to roam around the city. The bikes can be activated through an app and can be borrowed using debit and credit cards. The first 30 minutes or less are free of charge afterwards, you’ll need to pay £2 for another 30-minute ride.

The city has a wide range of selection when it comes to transportation. Securing an oyster card gives you easy access to the tube, bus, and overground. London explorer pass and London pass are also must-have tickets especially if you’re a tourist. It’s really easy to get around London. With a good public transportation network, you can go to places hassle and stress-free.

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