Transport in and around London

Getting to London

London is a major international hub, with five airports serviced by all major airlines, making it one of the simplest destinations to reach by air. Regular ferries depart from mainland Europe and Ireland. The addition of the Channel Tunnel has provided still another avenue of travel to the island nation from Continental Europe.

By Air

Most air carriers will have direct flights to London from all major airports. Smaller airports offer one- or two-stop connecting flights.

Once a traveller has arrived, they may embark on one of the many trains that travel into London, or may opt for a hotel shuttle, bus, taxi, or rental car.

By Train

London can be reached from Continental Europe via the Channel Tunnel on an underground high-speed train linking France and England. Trains depart from Calais, Paris, Brussels, and Lille, some traveling non-stop to London, while others offer connecting service from English cities via National Rail overland trains.

Ferries

Ferry transport is available from France, Spain, Belgium, and Ireland to points along the English coastline. Ferry passengers debarking in Folkestone or other British destinations can then board an overland train bound for London for the final leg of their journey.

Getting around London

By Bus

Appealing double-decker buses catering specifically to tourists stop at all major London sights and can be an excellent way to travel around London, as well as a way to efficiently visit tourist all the major tourist destinations. Regular buses also travel frequently along numerous routes; travellers can purchase tickets per ride or opt for all-day passes. Free route maps are available at the cities many tourist information centres.

By Tube/Train

London’s underground Tube system is efficient, relatively simple to navigate, and has plenty of options for both peak and off-peak travel. Given its ease of use as well as plentiful stops and full London coverage, using the Tube is the most economical and efficient mode of travel within London.

Visitors can purchase a plastic smartcard you can use instead of paper tickets, called an Oyster card. This is the cheapest way to pay for single journeys on bus, Tube, tram, DLR, London Overground and most National Rail services in London. Cost for other ticket types do vary, as travellers can opt for off-peak only or focus on certain zones within the city. Day travel cards can be obtained that cover the all your travel for the day for less than £10.

By Boat

Boat passage along the Thames from Tower Bridge to Parliament can be a fun journey for tourists who have just visited the Tower of London and wish to see Big Ben, or vice-versa. A one-way ticket will cost around £10 for adults and last about a half an hour. Sights seen along the way include Tower Bridge, the Globe Theatre, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the London Eye, the Millennium Bridge, and end at the Westminster pier, where passengers alight near the Parliament buildings, Big Ben, and Westminster Abbey.

By Car/Taxi

The iconic London taxi is a sure fire method for dependable door-to-door travel, but can be cost-prohibitive for some travellers. Taxi drivers are required to memorize all London streets, ensuring that your driver will be knowledgeable about wherever you wish to go. Fares will vary according to time of day, but generally, travellers will pay around £5 per mile.

Rental cars can be obtained from all London airports, as well as from points in the city itself. Parking in the busy city centre, however, can be difficult to negotiate, as can driving on the left for those not used to it.

By Bike

Avid cyclists can opt for Barclays Cycle Hire, a program that allows instant, no-reservation-necessary rental of bicycles in the city at over 400 locations. Simply swipe a credit card at one of the locations and the bike is yours for around £5 an hour, with a maximum of around £50 per day. The first 30 minutes are free. With more than one hundred miles of cycle paths, London can be a rewarding city to experience by bicycle.

By Foot

With its compact city centre, London is an appealing and accessible city for tourists to navigate on foot. London is also known for having more parks and open green spaces than any other capital in Europe, making viewing London by foot a rewarding choice. While travellers should always be cautious, London is generally clean, safe, and well policed. Many streets are closed to traffic and scenic footpaths run along the banks of the Thames River for dozens of miles.

Whether you choose to drive, take the train or fly into London, there are plenty of options available whatever your budget.