Getting to Grips With Getting Around London

As one of the world's most popular holiday and business destinations, you can be guaranteed there is a lot to see and do in London. Shuttles from the various airports are full of visitors clamouring to get started on exploring this cosmopolitan capital city.

But where do you start? After all, London shuttles will only get you as far as from the any of the city’s six airports to your hotel, right? Here are a few ways to get around the city and how to navigate them.

Walk

The London shuttles to your accommodation in the centre of the city will be quick and comfortable, but you’ll be raring to stretch your legs once you settle in. There will be plenty of sights, attractions and things to do just a short stroll away from your hotel. Grab a map from the desk and get walking!

If longer walks are more your thing, London is a wonderful city for exploring on foot. In fact, there are plenty of walking tours specifically tailored for whatever you’re interested in. Harry Potter: check. Sherlock Holmes: double check. There are also literary tours, tours of haunted London (after dark) and, of course, the pub walk. (Yes, it becomes a pub-crawl after a few drinks!)

London Black Cabs

The traditional London Black Cabs are the only ones allowed to ply for hire and that you can hail on the streets of London – any 'mini-cabs' must be booked in advance through the offices. This isn't a bad thing, as everyone knows they provide the best taxi service in the world. While they can end up becoming quite expensive, they can carry five people plus luggage, (except for the Metrocab which can take six) and are all wheelchair accessible. The London Black Cabs can also be booked for certain tours and day trips and, for better or worse, they’re not all black anymore.

Red Buses

London’s red buses are definitely a quick and inexpensive way to get around the city, and they also enable you to do some sightseeing on the side. Pick up a Central London Bus Map to help guide you as to where the stops are throughout the city. Familiarise yourself with the layout of the city and keep the map handy so you know where you’re going. Some London bus routes are perfect for sightseeing, and the buses are designed to make the most of that feature!

Many London buses cover routes 24-hours, and night buses cover the times when the Underground stops running. If you ever get lost at night, head to Trafalgar Square, the hub for the night buses, and check out the bus information board. By the way, you can’t pay your fare with cash – you’ll need the Visitor’s Oyster Card or a day pass for any bus travel.

The Underground

More popularly known as The Tube, it helps to be a little familiar with the city and where you’re going before trying it out, as many find their first experience navigating the tube quite intimidating. As with the buses, you will need an Oyster Card or day pass to get on the tube. If you're a first-time visitor to London it's definitely recommended you pre-book the London shuttles to your accommodation, but if you're feeling brave you can get the tube to the centre of the city, providing you arrive at Heathrow Airport.