|
Transport
London's public transport system is fast and efficient at its best;
infuriating, confusing and crowded at its worst. Travel through
the rush hours (7 - 9 am, 5 - 6 pm) to see an example of the latter.
Most Londoners use the Underground ('tube') as a means of getting
around inside the city. However the bus services that operate are
also excellent, for that difficult to reach location. Failing that,
hail a black cab who operate on a variety of metered tariffs. If
you're heading out of town, you will be travelling by Rail, car
or coach
- London Tours
London Tours offer private guided tours by car of London,Windsor,the
Cotswolds,Bath and many interesting places in England.
Address: 31 Crosslands Road Epsom Surrey KT199SS
0181-393-7451
Nearest tube: Hyde Park Corner (Piccadilly)
(Added: 2-Feb-1999)
- Buses
Buses are numbered, numbers referring to the route the bus is
following. Some of their key destinations are also indicated on
the front of the bus, next to the number. At the bus stop check
the timetable for times and destinations, better still get a timetable
from bus stations, underground or some newsagents. (Or a travel
information centre) The type of bus that will arrive depends upon
the route or the company servicing the route. The classical double
deckers will either have a conductor (in which case you board
the bus from the back) or (as with the single deckers) you pay
the driver at the front. Check with the driver/conductor to see
that the bus is going in the right direction. On route keep your
eyes to the road for indications that you are reaching your destination,
better still ask a conductor or the driver to help you.
24 Hour, seven days a week information: 0171 222 1234 Recorded
information: 0171 222 1200
Admission charge: between 50p and £1.20, Children ( up to 16 years
of age): Zone 1 - 50p, Zones 2 and 3 - 70p, all Zones - £1.50.
Under 5s travel free.
(Added: 27-Aug-1998)
- Night buses
As the transport networks grind to a halt at around midnight,
the night buses take over. Look for the 'N' sign at the bus stop
or on the bus. Most of these buses pass through Trafalgar Square
and this is the best place to head. Unfortunately this is also
where most of late night London heads, so be patient. Night buses
are more expensive than the usual fare.
24 Hour, seven days a week information: 0171 222 1234 Recorded
information: 0171 222 1200
(Added: 27-Aug-1998)
- Taxis
Black cabs are knowledgeable and (usually) quite helpful. Travelling
by cab is the most pleasurable method of transport in London.
Hail a cab if the yellow 'For Hire' sign is switched on. In fact,
hail a cab whether it is or it isn't as a lot of cab drivers seem
to forget to switch it on! Cabs are metered and have fixed charges.
24 Hour, seven days a week information: 0171 222 1234 Recorded
information: 0171 222 1200
(Added: 27-Aug-1998)
- The Railway
Best for heading out of town, choose the station that services
the line that is most appropriate. Telephone the station of choice
to request more information about services to other stations and
fares.The key stations (all linked via the Underground system)
are as follows: Charing Cross, Strand, WC2 (0171 928 5100) Trains
to South East England (including Dover and Folkestone for the
ferries) Euston, Euston Rd, NW1 (0171 387 7070) Northern suburbs
of London, East Hertfordshire, Milton Keynes, Midlands and North
and North West of England, Scotland. Kings Cross, Euston Rd, N1
(0171 278 2477) North London, other parts of Hertfordshire, Cambridge
and the north east of England, Scotland. Liverpool St, Liverpool
St, EC2 (0171 928 5100) North East London, Stansted Airport, Essex,
East Anglia, Harwich Paddington, Praed St, W2 (0171 262 6767)
Suburbs of London, Cotswolds, South Wales Victoria, Terminus Place,
SW1 (0171 928 5100) South and South East London, Gatwick, Surrey,
Sussex, South Coast Waterloo, York Rd, SE1 (0171 928 5100) South
West London, Richmond, South West England
0345 484 950
(Added: 27-Aug-1998)
- The Underground
Either turn to the 'Maps' section for a full Underground map,
or get a map and timetable from any Underground station. the various
different 'lines' are colour coded and there are eleven in total.
Trains run in a 'Northbound', 'Southbound', 'Westbound' or 'Eastbound'
fashion and you need to establish which direction you are heading
before boarding a train. If you have loose change you can purchase
your ticket from a machine, or from the ticket booth in most stations.
Most stations are now automated, and you put your ticket in the
slot, take it out, and walk through the open barrier. Keep hold
of the ticket, you will use it at the other end. Word of warning:
Compared to other major cities, the Underground is a relatively
safe place to be, when travelling sensibly. Avoid travelling alone
at night, do not keep valuables on display. Be aware of pickpockets.
24 Hour, seven days a week information: 0171 222 1234 Recorded
information: 0171 222 1200
Admission charge: £1.10 will buy you a ticket for travelling in
Zone 1 (one journey only), £1.40 for Zones 1 and 2 and £3.20 for
an all Zone journey. Most tourists and those using the network
a lot will purchase a travel card (see above).
(Added: 27-Aug-1998)
- Travel Cards
You can purchase these cards in one day or one week denominations
and they are available from tube and rail stations, as well as
some newsagents. Travel cards usually allow travel on both the
buses and tubes.
24 Hour, seven days a week information: 0171 222 1234 Recorded
information: 0171 222 1200
|
