London London's tube (underground) is legendary but mainly because it's not that fun to use. Although the tube network is immense (13 lines) south London is not well covered. Tickets are bought from machines or from ticket booth in the station entrance hall. Minimum charge is £1.70 (zone 1 with an Oystercard) or £2 without an Oystercard or you can buy a carnet of ten tickets (for zone 1 only) for £17 . Tube is quicker than buses, especially in summer time when central London becomes a logjam. Buses in London are more pleasant and interesting. Network is comprehensive and from the double-decker buses you can watch the city's architecture and life much better. A lot of bus stops are request stops, so if you do not stick your arm out the bus will drive past. Regular buses operate between about 6am and midnight, in the period in between night buses operate, with routes radiating out from Trafalgar Square. Travelcards can be used on all forms of transport. Several rail companies now run passenger trains in London most of which interchange with the tube. A bus journey will cost £1.20, but only £1 (per journey) if you buy a book of six bus saver tickets. The new Oystercard (http://www.oystercard.com/) is available as pre-paid and offers bus tickets for 80p and cheaper Tube tickets. Top it up and touch the reader. London's famous black cabs are excellent but expensive. Minicabs are cheaper competitors with freelance drivers but you can't flag these on the street. If you'd rather drive yourself you're in for a parking nightmare - it's almost impossible to get a park in the city centre and the punishments for parking illegally are cruel indeed. Heathrow airport is accessible by bus underground (the cheaper more reliable method) and the new Heathrow Express which makes the journey from Paddington Station to Terminals 1-3 in 15 minutes and to Terminal 4 in 20. A cab to or from the airport will cost around US$35 to US$50. The Gatwick Express runs between the airport and Victoria station or you can get a cab for around US$60. There's a direct train link between Stansted airport and Liverpool St or you can get a cab for US$100 or more.
|