Visiting London: Making Public Transport Work for you

London is an incredible city to visit and many people come for a few days and immediately start looking for ways they can stay longer. Indeed, more than a few visitors punctuate their visit to the city with calls to estate agents in London. To really make the most of your time here you will need to master the transport system which is, unsurprisingly, quite sprawling.

The most commonly used form of public transport here is the tube. This ancient underground railway, which dates to the 19th century, has many different lines which cross in a confusing manner on the omnipresent tube map. Yet getting around on the tube is actually quite simple and everything is well sign posted. The challenges are the huge distances involved and getting anywhere requires at least 40 minutes, while some trips can take hours. The best way to get around is with an Oyster Card which will reduce your fares and make it easy to hop on and off.

Buses are also a great way to get around: these can actually be a lot quicker than the tube, especially if you are travelling short distances. Once again you can use your Oyster Card to pay, and hop on easily and without a lot of hassle. Buses also run later than the tube so if you’re out late at one of London’s many fine clubs and pubs then you will probably need to take the bus back to your accommodation.

People tend to forget that it’s possible to explore London on foot. The city is a bit smaller than most people think, and you can explore the central area by heading on a long walk. Indeed, this is a great way to see a fair bit of the city itself rather than just the highlights.

Everybody who comes to London needs to master the transport system, whether they are there for a year and are using the tube to help them search for flats to rent in London, or just a couple of days to see the sights. Thankfully, it is a pretty easy system to master.