Getting around

With millions of people travelling through London every day, this city offers many transport options from bike all the way to boat. See below for more information on how to get around one of the greatest cities in the world. 

Fares:

Trains and bus:

  • Train: There are many trainlines that will take you all over the UK and even the Eurostar which take you across the channel to France and beyond. National Rail is a great site to plan your journey and get updates on any delays etc. National Rail - Welcome to the Official source for UK trains.
  • Underground (tube): The tube is by far the fastest way to get around London (especially central London). Also referred to as the underground, it as the name suggests travels mostly underground through a detailed tube network, with trains arriving every few minutes. Tube - Transport for London.
    • You can now use your bank card to tap and off the tube, or you can purchase day tickets at the station, or get yourself an Oyster Card
  • Overground: The overground is somewhere between the underground and the train network. It is essentially the same as the underground just above ground (as the name suggests) although slightly slower but usually less crowded and stops as locations that are future outside of Central London - Overground.
    • You can now use your bank card to tap and off the overground, or you can purchase day tickets at the station, or get yourself an Oyster Card.
  • Docklands Light Railway (DLR): The DLR is a driverless train network that serves the east and south-east London, connecting them to the city.
  • Bus: You can’t come to London and miss the iconic red double decker buses. They are everywhere with many different lines to take you to across the country. 
    • You can now use your bank card to tap and off the bus, or you can purchase day tickets at a station, or get yourself an Oyster Card

Other modes:

  • Cycling: London is a cycle city with many bike lanes and cycling options. You can rent e-bikes and bicycles all over the city. We also offer a cycle to work scheme.
  • Taxi/Ridesharing Apps: Another London classic is the black taxi; you’ll find these dotted all over the country. UK also has many ridesharing options including Uber and so forth, even going so far as to have an Uber Boat which will take you all the way down the Thames.
  • Plane: Traveling by air is always the way to go when you have to travel long distances. London offers six airports which can get to the other side of the UK or all the way to the other side of the world.
  • Boat/Ferry: For those who prefer to travel on the water, there are plenty of boat and ferry options that go down the rivers and across the channel.
  • Driving: Some but not all, non-UK driving licence holders can continue to drive on this licence in the UK, however, others may need to apply for a UK licence. You can check whether you can drive on your existing licence at Driving in Great Britain on a non-GB licence.

Helpful information:

  • Citymapper and Google Maps are great transport apps that can give you live updates on delays and offer routes through different transport options. They can assist in journey planning and provide prices as well. 
  • Transport Accessibility: For support with accessibility in public transport in London including step-free tube guide please see here Transport accessibility.

Pedestrian safety: