Whether you’re London born’n’bred, a reluctant resident or the occasional visitor, there’s one piece of knowledge which we all share; that mastering the transport system grants you a key to the city. If you play your Oyster cards right, then gone are the extortionate taxi trips from Dulwich to Dalston, finished is the standing on the number 35 to Peckham, and over are escalator sessions which seem to take longer than the actual tube journey. If you want to be that guy, with all the insider knowledge on transport in the capital, then read on; our 7 IDEAL travel tips for getting around London.
DOWNLOAD THESE ESSENTIAL APPS
There really is an app for everything. Statista recently estimated that 197 billion mobile app downloads were made in 2017 alone, and with our current world population standing at just under 7.7 billion, in theory this means that around 25 apps exist for every single person on the planet. So whether you want to fake a cracked screen (yours for $0.99), identify the best time to take a loo break during a film, or the ‘nothing’ app which does, well, absolutely nothing, the world wide web has got you covered. And where London transport is concerned, apps exist to help and hack every possible element of your journey.
Not exhaustive by any means, but here are some of our favourites: Citymapper, we think, is the undisputed king of journey planning in the capital while Busmapper allows you to track live updates on buses. Uber, even with competitors on your phone and black cabs prevalent in Central London, still ranks the quickest and most reliable taxi service. Tube Map – missed a trick not calling it Tube Mapp, don’t you think? – offers a live view of where every single train is on the underground system, which is at the very least, fascinating, and then there’s Santander Cycles, which provides you with information on where to find the nearest parked ones. Finally, TFL Oyster, where you can keep track of everything Oyster Card related on your phone, is super useful when you’re in a rush. Great stuff.
USE A CONTACTLESS CARD
Unless you’re staying for more than a month, the cheapest and most convenient way to pay for travel is to simply use a contactless card rather than an Oyster. Simply tap it on the yellow card readers and be on your way. Though travel in the capital is often infuriating, you can’t fault the system’s memory; travel is capped to the same as a daily or weekly travelcard for the zones you travel through. Of course, if you’re not comfortable using your debit card like this, you can use an Oyster card, available from any station (and most newsagents, too) for a refundable deposit of £5.
PUT YOUR TRUST IN THE TUBE (MOST OF THE TIME)
The London underground, famously known as the ‘tube’ is the oldest underground metro network in the world, and started operating way back in 1863. The system works across 270 stations and 250 miles of track and let’s be honest, London would not be able to function without the tube; it’s the heartbeat of the city and is often the quickest and most useful method of transport in the capital. You should be aware, though, that this isn’t always the case and sometimes other methods of transport are more efficient. Just check on the aforementioned City Mapper app or the official TFL one to best plan your route.
Indeed, if you’re travelling in central London, particularly during rush hour, then it can be faster to walk than take the tube. Be aware that the tube map doesn’t show literal distances accurately (it’s not to scale) and some tube stations are much closer than you think. Check out a few more insider tips for tube survival here.
THE OVERGROUND
Too often dismissed as a slow, embarrassing service which only takes you to the outskirts, the London Overground (or Gingerline to those in the know) is actually an efficient way to get about the city. What’s more, it’s a more pleasant ride, with sunlight and space making it surprisingly comfy. There’s also suburban rail which connects Central London to its suburbs, as well as fast trains that link London to the rest of the world. You can also use a train to travel to one of the capital’s three major airports. Don’t write it off.
THE BIG RED BUS
Perhaps London’s most recognisable icon is the red double-decker bus which sashays through nearly every street in the city. Though they’re slower than the rail services and you have to battle the London traffic (not an easy task) they provide an impromptu sightseeing experience and should be enjoyed once in a while for that experience alone.
Indeed, one of the easiest and cheapest (and in our view, best) ways to travel around London is by bus. What’s more, they’re the most wheelchair friendly mode of transport in the city. All London buses are low-floor and fitted with a hydraulic ramp and as such, are able to ‘’kneel’ to the curb making it easy for wheelchair users to roll on. They also have a designated space for wheelchairs from which you can see the streets of London as you travel. The London Bus Checker app brings you live transit times and detailed route maps for all of London.
Some of the best routes include:
- The number 11, which begins at Liverpool Street and ends at Victoria Station, passes many iconic must-see sights including St Paul’s Cathedral, Trafalgar Square, The Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey.
- The number 73 is another good one, starting at Victoria and finishing in uber trendy Stoke Newington. Taking you past Buckingham Palace Gardens, Hyde Park, Marble Arch and along the whole stretch of busy Oxford Street and through Islington, you get to see London in all its glory.
FLAG DOWN A BLACK CAB
Most iconic? Hey, we think the world renowned black cabs would have a thing to say about that. Indeed, with almost as strong a reputation as the vehicle itself is ‘the Knowledge’.
Sounds a little cultish? Well, it is; something all cabbies must know in order to get their license and gain access to the club. This involves learning by heart the some 320 routes through the 25,000 streets of London.
This atlas of London, imprinted in black cabbies brains typically takes between two and four years to learn and part of the process involves having to remember 100,000 landmarks and being able to navigate between them. These black cabs are easy to hail from the street, but you can also make advanced bookings online or via the phone by this one number: 0871 871 8710.
HOP ON THE THAMES CLIPPER
From sightseeing tours by bus to guided museum trips, there are so many tours of London available, most of which are best enjoyed on transport. One of the best, however, has got to be by boat. Indeed, a super convenient, picturesque way to see the sights of London is by cruising down the Thames. Setting sail at sunset and serving up spectacular, scenic views of London, download the MBNA Thames Clipper App to find out more.
PRIVATE CHAUFFEURED CARS
Should you need to arrive in style somewhere and the idea of struggling for elbow room with hundreds of other commuters or waiting on the road for a cab just isn’t your thing, then there’s no shame in considering a luxury chauffeur service in London to do the leg (or should that be wheel) work for you? A luxurious ride, for sure, but one in which you won’t have to worry about navigation, parking fees, sweat patches and the rest. One for the special occasions, this.
SANTANDER CYCLES
Nope, we won’t be saying the ‘B’ word here. But Santander Cycles, recognisable by their red frames and slightly cumbersome gait, are an eco-friendly, convenient way to get around London. Self-service and for hire at a reasonable fee (from as little as £2 in fact ), if getting lean and keeping it green is your thing, then keep your eyes peeled for one. Alternatively, use the app we mentioned way back when you read that second paragraph. Bon Voyage!