I love writing about trains and all that. For a change I thought I would probably write about all sorts of transport available right here in the city of London. London has the largest transport system in the United Kingdom. There are so many ways of getting to London and loads of ways getting around in London. I’ve previously written about getting around via the tube but today I’ll write about the other forms of transport as well to give everyone a better idea of travelling in London.
OK, as you may have heard there are a lot of ways travelling around in London from Trams to Trains. Yes, many ways. I personally love travelling via trains or the tube as it is faster and better but they do have their disadvantages.
** Ways of getting around in London ** -----------------------------------------------------
London Buses}}}
This has to be the worst way of getting around and believe me it is. I hate travelling on buses in London especially in the city or places like Oxford Street and those busy places.
There are many bus companies in London from Arriva to Stagecoach to others. Many buses are torn apart you see the old service buses are ugly, inside they are rotten have rubbish seats, paintings come off, tacky seats, chewing gum under seats and all that. But recently new buses
are coming out. I live in East London and the stagecoach buses were awful, well not that awful they were OK but not enough seating and a boring old look. But know they have improved a lot and have produced new look buses and brand new seating and they have improved a lot. Other companies will do so in the future.
There is always a problem in buses the number one problem being SEATING, yes seating! This problem still cannot be solved. The buses do not have enough seating and every one complains about that. Even double Decker buses do not have enough seating, people have to stand that one of them is I. But some people hate going to seat upstairs and they just stand downstairs and block entrance, which causes problems for people trying to get upstairs.
The bus routes run all round London and buses are frequent but on Sundays some buses can come to 2 buses per hour. Most used buses have frequent service like a bus per 5 minutes but then the less used buses have slower times. Bus stands are now being fitted with electronic readings that show you what time a bus in coming and at what time. Some buses do come late and that might be due to traffic.
The cheapest way of probably traveling in London by bus is by buying a One Day Bus Travel card. As you can get on and off buses on how many times you want to.
One day bus passes = Zones 1,2,3, and 4 = Adults = £2, Children = £1
They can be used for a whole day and is valid on all London buses.
Single Fares = Zone 1 = A = £1, C = 40p, All other journeys except Z1 = A = 70p, C = 40p,
No return available.
Other tickets are available. More info go to www.transportforlondon.gov.uk
#Advantages#
- Buses go to most parts of London, - Frequent times, - New look buses coming out, - Run at good speeds, - Covers most routes, - A range of routes, - A range of buses,
#Disadvantages#
- Prices are expensive, - Buy a Bus Day travel card, - Tacky seats, - Old, - Boring colors, - Some routes have buses running like 2 times per hour, - Can get packed, - Less seating,
That’s buses done!
London Tube }}}
Not going to write this all again. Please read my opinion on the tube for further information.
The tube covers most parts of London, with more than 10 underground lines running. Major stations like Kings Cross, Waterloo covers most of the tube lines. Wide ranges of tickets are available and trains can get very packed indeed on rush hours. Trains can get very hot and if you suffer from asthma please stay away from the tube. Most transport in underground and this is the best way of traveling around in London. The best ticket to buy is a one-day travel card that allows you to travel on all London transport except black cabs, as many times you want in a day.
London Tram }}}
This is a new service and a new form of transport in London. The trams serve most parts of Croydon and go to places like Wimbledon, and some other stops. The tram service covers 38 stops in that part of London and 24 trams running over 28 kilometers of track. I have not traveled on the trams yet but looking at pictures they do look good and it is good to see the good old tram system back but with a brand new look and better seating.
For more information visit www.tramlink.net.
I am not sure what types of tickets are available for the service and not sure about the prices. You can travel on the trams if you have a travel card.
DLR.}}}
I have written an opinion on the service of DLR. It is a driver less train and runs to a few routes. The trains are great for tourists because it is like a roller coaster ride. Seating at the front is a privilege because not that many people get a chance. Trains run to Bank, Canary Wharf, Stratford, Tower Gateway and other stops. For more info you can read my opinion on DLR. A number of tickets are available to buy.
Black Cabs}}}
Never traveled by a black cab in London. I always go by Tube or Bus. So I won’t know that much about the system. You will find black cabs usually everywhere in London. The cabs make a lot of money. Where ever you go you should see black cabs in London. They run to major parts of London. I’ve got no idea on the prices but they might be expensive as there is a lot of traffic in London the meter still runs and this will make your amount even higher. I say avoid traveling on cabs as they do cost a lot. (I Think).
River Services}}}
Yes, not tried this as well. Do not need to unless you want to see the attractions by the Thames. There are many places you can catch a boat from and prices do vary. Some routes go to different piers like Westminster, Kew, Canary Wharf, Waterloo and others to name. The boats I’ve seen and they do look nice. Tickets available vary from single to returns. Some cost from £7 +.
If you go to www.transportforlondon.gov.uk they have the routes and fares there.
National Rail / Rail}}}
Yes, another form of transport. Many trains run into London and out of London and within London. Many rail companies are covered in London like c2c, Thames link, virgin, southeast, great east/west and many others. This is also a good way of traveling around in London. It is faster and saves times. Avoid rush hours. I can’t give all details on national rail but for more information visit www.nationalrail.co.uk. Prices vary for all train companies. You can travel with a travel card but it has to be within your zones and within London.
There are other ways but if you have got a car leave it at home and get on traveling with London Transport.
** Tips** -------------
Here are a few tips from me to help you making a better decision traveling in London.
º Try avoiding rush hours in the mornings and in the evenings. (8am - 9.30am) (3.30pm-5.30pm) º Travel on trains rather than buses as it is faster, º Buy a travel card rather than single tickets, º If traveling with a family buy a family travel card, it is a lot cheaper, º Plan your journey ahead so you can avoid getting lost, º Always carry a map with you, º Never travel with out some sort of ticket otherwise there will be a penalty, º Keep all luggage with you, º Make sure you have the right tickets, º Travel cards can be used on the tube, rail, trams, and buses, º Family travel cards give you money off certain attraction, º Avoid coming on Saturdays as it is very busy, º Leave your car at home and enjoy the transport, º Remember some times you won’t get a place to sit in trains and buses, º More information go to transportforlondon.gov.uk.
Advantages =
º A lot of ways traveling in London, º Enjoy the tube, º Easy traveling on transport, º Traveling on trains means you can avoid traffic, º New buses coming soon, º The transport is good,
Disadvantages =
º Can get very packed, º Rush hours, º Queues, º Heat in transport, º Black cab prices might be high, º A few more....
Overall getting around London is a breeze but not all the time. There are so many ways of getting around and my favorite is the tube and rail. I love that sort of transport. Like I said avoid the rush hour.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
First let me deal with this op, which is thorough,honest enough to admit lack of knowledge and immensely helpful to anyone unfamiliar with the sheer variety of modes of transport in London.Second, thanks ffor your comments on the US tragedy op - let us hope that rage does not precipitate hasty action.When we know who the culprits are, then is the time for action.Thanks again,Bruce (bwsr2)
Jehaz 24.08.2001 07:32
Cheers for the review! Especially handy for those of us who don't drive!
Deenie 24.08.2001 00:17
Wicked review! You wrote so much - a load of very helpful information for someone who is visiting London, and an interesting read for people who are sick of living in London ;) ~Deenie~
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Advantages: Lots to see, lots to do, comprehensive travel deals Disadvantages: Quite expensive, you need to stick with the programme to make it worthwhile.
Advantages: Buses and trains come evry 15 minutes and taxis r found evrywhere. Disadvantages: The buses and trains are very dirty and some have broken seats.
Aug 19th, 2001
(Aug 21st, 2001)
very helpful by (100%):
