Get around London
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Transport maps
London is the home of the famous tube map, and TfL produce some excellent maps to help you get around:
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- with Oyster card information
- - if you know which borough you're in, these maps are very useful
- - great if you're near the Thames
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Engineering work
In the run-up to the 2012 London Olympics, Transport for London are undertaking a massive redevelopment programme on the 19th- and 20th-Century Tube network. As a result, many Tube lines are closed on most weekends, and some lines close for several weeks at a time. Alternative bus services may be provided, but these can be slowed down by traffic congestion. It is very important to check the TfL website for , especially at weekends, to avoid disappointment. A number of mobile phone apps are also available to download which show line closures on real-time Tube maps.
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The city has one of the most comprehensive public transport systems in the world. Despite residents' constant, and sometimes justified, grumbling about unreliability, public transport is often the best option for getting anywhere for visitors and residents alike and is far more reliable than locals would have you believe. Indeed, nearly a third of households do not feel the need to own a car.
In central London use a combination of the transport options listed below - and check your map! In many cases you can easily walk from one place to another or use the busses. Be a Londoner and only use the tube as a way of travelling longer distances - you're here to see London - you can't see it underground!
Transport for London (TfL) is a government organisation responsible for all public transport. Their website contains maps plus an excellent journey planner . They also offer a 24-hour travel information line, charged at premium rate: tel +44-843-2221234 (or text 60835) for suggestions on getting from A to B, and for up to the minute information on how services are running. Fortunately for visitors (and indeed residents) there is a single ticketing system, Oyster, which enables travellers to switch between modes of transport on one ticket.
The main travel options in summary are:
Central London
By tube / underground 11 colour-coded lines cover the central area and suburbs mostly north of the River Thames, run by TfL.
By Docklands Light Railway (DLR) Runs only in the east of the city, privately run but part of TfL's network.
By boat Commuter boats and pleasure cruises along the River Thames, privately run but part of TfL's network.
Airport Express Express rail services run to Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Luton airports (tickets are generally sold at a premium), privately run and not part of the TfL network.
Suburban London
By tram (Tramlink) A tram service that operates only in southern suburbs around Wimbledon and Croydon.
By Overground 3 orange-coloured lines circling the northern suburbs (including the former East London line) , part of TfL's network.
By National Rail A complex network of suburban rail services, mostly running in the southern suburbs, privately run and not part of the TfL network, although many do accept Oyster payments.
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about London
