Underground      Trains      Buses      To and from airports      Wheelchair access?

Underground

The underground system in London is extremely efficient and the most affordable way to get around. For tourists staying less than a week, it is advisable to purchase a travel card each day. Most tourists will find that a travel card for zones 1 and 2 will be plenty. Tourists staying in London for a week or more should invest in week or month long travel cards which again allow for unlimited transportation within the specific zones at a further reduced cost. Two passport sized photos are needed for those passes.

A map of the underground (also called "the tube") can be found at this site: London Transport.

Further information about the underground can also be found at this URL for London Transport.

Trains

Trains are one of the quickest and most efficient ways to travel from London to other parts of England, Scotland, and Wales. For tourists staying more than a month in England, there are several train passes which offer good discounts, especially for students and senior citizens. Rail passes for students and seniors offer up to 1/3 off the usual ticket price on most destinations and are good for a year.

The best source for information online is Rail UK web site.

Buses

Buses are another popular form of public transportation in London. Note that underground tickets are valid on all city buses as well for the same zones.

For longer distance journies, buses (or "coaches," as the British tend to call them) are not as quick as trains, they are usually less expensive and quite comfortable.

The best online source for bus and coach information is: London Transport.

To and from airports

The costliest mistake that most tourists make is to take the most expensive form of transportation from Gatwick or Heathrow airport to the center of London. From Gatwick Airport, the most affordable way to get into downtown London is to take the Gatwick Express train which goes to London's Victoria Station which is also an underground station. Tickets for the Gatwick Express service can be purchased on board the train and trains run every fifteen minutes throughout the day. The entire journey takes about half an hour. The price is about £9 one way. However, taking a taxi from the airport costs anywhere from £35 to £70. To find the train platforms, simply follow the signs in the airport.

From Heathrow Airport, the quickest way to get to downtown London is on the Heathrow Express train to Paddington Station (starting June 23) which runs from Heathrow terminal 4. Trains run every 15 minutes during the day and the entire journey takes only 15 minutes. Another option is to take the underground from Terminal 4 on the Piccadilly line. The journey to central London takes approximately 45 minutes, depending on which stop you want. Whatever you do, do not take the Air Bus into the center of town. For one thing, the price is too high and it can take two to three hours to get into town depending on traffic. The Air Bus circles through every terminal at Heathrow airport so if you are unlucky enough to catch the Air Bus at the beginning of its trip through the airport, add at least another half an hour to your travel time. Conversely, taking a taxi from Heathrow airport usually costs around £30.

The easiest way to get from Stanstead Airport to downtown London is again via the train. Tickets must be purchased before you board the train. Average journey time to London's Liverpool Street Station (also an underground station) is approximately 40 minutes. Trains run every half hour during the day.

There are buses that run between all of the airports as well.

The best web site with information for getting around all of the airports is the London Airports web site.

Wheelchair access?

The following information was submitted by Frank Harris:

We had been led to believe that some subway stations were handicap accessible. We found NONE to be so. Staff were , for the most part, totally disinterested in requests for assistance or information. If you use a wheelchair, just plan to use cabs. The classic, old-style taxis are very roomy and well regulated. Some drivers were very helpful some less so. Just be sure the chair is secured before the driver pulls off, so it doesn't fall on your shins.