Joonbug.com: A Non-Londoner's Basic London Transportation Guide
London is one of the largest tourist destinations in the world- needless to say it can get a little crowded. Now, if you're like me, you'll want to make the most of your trip and see as much as possible. To do so, optimizing travel time is a necessity and it'll also give you the most access to all of the history, culture, and adventure that London has to offer. Now, I can't write your travel itinerary for you, but I can point out a few things that will hopefully help you as you navigate across London.
Walking:
I'm a big proponent of walking as much as possible when you're visiting a new place- not only is it good for you, it's a great way to see and experience a city in a more intimate and organic way. You'll get to see as much as possible-- little alleys and bustling pop-up street markets-- and you'll probably notice a few things that guide books can't tell you.
Ex: During one of my visits to London, my friends and I were walking through the City University London campus, enjoying the beautiful weather when we came across a man with a cart, who was giving away free gelato and lentil curry lunches to advertise a new restaurant- delish and free and something we never would have found if we weren't willing to go off the beaten path.
If you're planning on doing some walking, here's a few things you should know.
- The city is BIG- London is huge, and looks different neighborhood to neighborhood. It's also not remotely a grid- that's right, no numbered streets to easily orient yourself, if you're used to Manhattan. So, you're probably going to want to have a map or a smart-phone capable of navigation with you. There are definitely pros to getting lost in a new city- it helps you experience it honestly- however you always want to have the option of getting un-lost!
- As a pedestrian, you're going to have to cross some streets. Because London dates back to 43 AD, it was built for entirely different traffic patterns, namely traffic from horse and wagon. As such, roundabouts, where trade markets were set up, are numerous and they definitely hinder to flow of already extremely congested traffic. Now, why does this affect a walker? If you're American, you won't be used to the idea that in London-
- Watch your belongings. This is good advice no matter where you are, but big cities are prime targets for pickpockets, especially in crowded touristy spots. And an experienced pickpocketer will know how to spot a tourist. Now, there's absolutely nothing wrong with looking like a tourist- that's what you are, live it up! However, that just means that you'll also be a target for nefarious, especially at the iconic culture sights like Buckingham Palace or Big Ben. So, always be aware of where your things are and pick bags that close securely, even if your favorite tote doesn't.
- Also be mindful of the fact that THE WEATHER CAN CHANGE IN A SECOND. London is notorious for its grey skies and perpetual drizzle, however the spring and summer months also offer many beautiful, sunny days that just make you want to frolic in Hyde Park. However, it does rain any time of the year and it can often came out of nowhere. But there's an easy fix for this! Check the weather before you go out for the day, carry an umbrella or raincoat, and pick shoes that can stand up to a little dampness. If they're predicting heavy rain, even consider investing in a cheap pair of Wellies (that's rainboots for us Americans.) And you don't have to worry about fitting them in your suitcase-- buy them in London! They're much less expensive and if you go for an especially cost-sensitive pair of boots or coat, you can jettison them at the end of the trip.
- Try to keep a general sense of where you are, geographically. Like I said, the city is big and it's confusing- now, in our modern times, navigation is easy on our phones, however, it's always a good idea to orient yourself early into your trip or even before you arrive. Take 15 minutes to study a map and learn where the big landmarks are. My suggestions would be the Thames, the London Eye, Saint Paul's Cathedral, the Gherkin, maybe Big Ben, and one or two of the Tube lines (the Central line and the Picadilly line are the ones you'd probably use the most). These are all iconic landmarks that are easy to recognize and visible from most points in the city. Also make sure you find where your hotel or guest house is on the map. Then, if you can keep track of what time it is, where the sun is in the sky, and where one of these landmarks is, you'll always have a sense of where you are and if you're lost, what direction to go in. Plus, you'll really start to feel London-savvy. More likely than not, another tourist will mistake you for a native and ask for directions- it's very gratifying to be able to give them!
YOU DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT OF WAY!
That's right. The law is not stopping a vehicle from running you down if you're in it's way. Well, you might be able to bring it up, if there's serious harm done, but legally, it will have been your fault. So, take extreme caution when walking! Another more commonly known thing for foreigners to remember- traffic drives on the opposite side of the road, so make sure you're looking both ways before you cross, to be safe. Busier intersections will have reminders painted on the pavement, but best to be mindful!
Bus:
I'll be honest: I never quite got the hang of the bus system in London, but that doesn't mean that it's difficult! I simply opted for the Tube most of the time. However, it operates much like any other bus system- know the number bus that goes to your destination and find a corresponding stop. All the stops are all clearly marked, so wait at a stop that your bus will arrive at, get on, and go! The buses accepted fares through Oyster card (you can use it for the Tube as well) but unlike the Tube, the buses run all night. Also, if you're not quite used to double-decker buses like me, they're a bit of a treat!
Cabs:
Cabs work fairly normally in London, however it's important to know the distinction between a black cab and a mini cab. Black cabs are larger, they can fit more people, but they're more expensive. Both types will have a lit up sign on the roofs to indicate if they're available. To hail, simply stand at a sensible place at the edge of the sidewalk and when you see an available cab approaching, raise your right arm. When the cab stops, you'll give the driver your destination through the window. Mini cabs will tell you the fare then, black cabs will tell you upon arrival. If you're going to a hotel or a big landmark, don't worry about giving the cabbie a direct address; before a cabbie gets their license, they all have to pass a test wherein they must memorize every street in London within six miles of Charing Cross Station! This means they have to learn 320 routes, 25,000 streets, and 20,000 landmarks. The same isn't true of Uber drivers, but they're another alternative to the cab system, and one you're likely more familiar with.
Trains:
Trains are mostly used for trips out of the city from Liverpool Station or Charing Cross Station, and they're similar to trains in other countries: tickets can be purchased online ahead of time or directly from a machine at the station, and display monitors will tell you which platform to leave from. Pay attention to transfers on your travel itinerary, if you have them, so you know when to get off the train and swap. And also make a note if your train is making additional stops-- it probably will be, and you want to be sure you're not getting off at the wrong place! But don't worry too much; attendants or conductors are very friendly and will be more than happy to help you, if you unsure of where to go.
The Tube:
Ah, the Tube (subway or metro for Americans). An extensive system with 11 lines and 270 stations, the Tube is incredibly efficient and delightfully fast. It can be a little pricey, however, so there are tons of payment options to best fit your needs. You can buy individual tickets at kiosks, or if you think you'll be traveling more frequently, you may want to sign up for an Oyster card, a plastic card that you tap on a scanner for admittance. You can pay as you go, pre-deposit funds onto the card, or pay for unlimited rides within a time period (week, month, 6 months, etc.) The pay-as-you-go prices will vary depending on how many zones you elect to include on your card, however the first zone or two will probably more than cover your basic needs. The Tube is by far the most efficient mode of public transportation and if you want to cram your itinerary full of sites and activities, the Tube is gonna be your best friend for getting from Point A to Point B quickly. If you think you'll be using it more than a few times, I definitely recommend the Oyster card, as it'll save you having to wait at the single-ride kiosk each time. A few key points about the Tube to be aware of:
- It's fast, and frequent. You don't have to worry about missing your Tube- another will be along within two minutes, if that.
- It's popular and it gets crowded.
- If you're traveling during the busiest hours, and you're lugging a suitcase with you, you'll be met with some dirty looks since you're taking up more of the limited room.
- The Tube doors will not stop closing if something is in their way- you CANNOT hold the door for someone rushing. If you try, you may lose an arm!
- The woman announcing stops is also looking out for you- she'll constantly remind you to 'mind the gap", the gap being the ravine between the platform and the train. At certain stations, it really is a ravine, and is much wider than most gaps in America, so watch your step!
- Social protocol is to not converse with a stranger you don't know. That may be acceptable in other cities in different countries, but in Londoners will feel awkward holding a conversation on the Tube with someone they don't know.
- The Tube is a finely tuned machine and Londoners travel through the station quickly; try not to hold them up. Chances are they'll have a better sense of where they're going than you, so if you need to take a second to orient yourself, scan some signs, or check a map, try to step off to the side and avoid blocking foot traffic.
Now that you're an expert on all the modes of transportation around the city, I hope you're feeling a bit more comfortable about your London sojourn! London truly is one of my favorite places in the world, so I hope you're able to use some of the above tips to make the most of your time there, and maybe you'll fall in love with it too.
