London is a fascinating city to visit and fortunately for tourists and business travelers alike, it is fairly easy to navigate. It has an extensive public transportation system that is relatively easy for tourists to use as they travel about the city and surrounding areas. From the famous red double-decker buses to the London Tube, tourists and visitors will find public transportation in London very easy, accessible and affordable.
London Buses
London has an affordable extensive bus system that runs throughout the city. You can easily navigate your way through the London bus system with the “Central London Bus Guide” which can be found at the travel information centers at larger tube stations or bus route maps can be downloaded at the VisitLondon.com website. Most bus routes in London require a ticket before you board. Ticket machines selling single fares or daily bus passes can be found at most major bus stops. The machines require exact change. Bus passes are valid for the entire bus and tram system in London. A standard adult one day bus pass costs about £3.80 which is about $6.00 in Unites States currency depending on the exchange rate. Most bus routes shut down about midnight, but there are several that run 24 hours.
Helpful Bus Tips
Children under 16 travel free with a photo ID.
All buses except for the Heritage Buses are wheelchair accessible and allow assistance dogs.
The London Journey Planner can help find the right bus routes for any destination.
24 Hour Transport for London Guideline number is 0207 222 1234. It can provide the best way to get from one place to another in London.
London also has an extensive underground transportation system locally known as the tube. There are 12 color-coded lines used for travel in and around London. Tube maps can be downloaded at the VisitLondon.com website. Tube trains generally run from 5am to midnight with reduced service on Sunday. Accessing many tube stops involve a long flight of stairs and they may or may not have elevators. Also, access on and off the train may involve a step up or down that is not easily navigated in a wheelchair. A map with wheelchair accessible stations can be found here.
Tram System
London also has a small tram system serving part of the south London area. The tram system is treated as part of the bus system in terms of fares. Day passes purchased for the buses can also be used on the trams. Like the bus system children under 16 travel free on trams and they are fully wheelchair accessible. Trams run every ten minutes in the daytime during the week and on Saturdays. The Wimbledon Station is a hub where visitors can easily access the tube, bus, and other rail services.
Riverboats
Riverboat travel on the Thames can be a great way to see London. They can be used for convenient travel about the city, but also offer dinner cruises and tourist cruises. Piers are wheelchair accessible and most riverboats are accessible with the newer craft providing easier use. Staff are usually on hand to help but it is best to call ahead (+44 (0)20 7941 2400) to ensure the best experience.
Although all forms of public transportation tickets can be purchased individually in London, the city also offers Oyster Cards and Travel Cards. An Oyster Card is a smart card that can be prepaid and reloaded. You swipe the card as you get on off public transportation and the card is automatically debited the correct fare. Travel cards are pre-printed paper tickets available for one to seven days of travel. They work across most of the system. You can purchase an Oyster Card or Travel Card and have it delivered in 2 to 3 weeks depending on where you live. The details about using Oyster and Travel cards can be found here.
Helpful Links
London Public Transportation Accessibility Guide
Downloadable Tube and Bus Route Guide
Trip Planner for Exact Routes and Station Stops
Oyster or Travel Card Online
With a little planning and research a trip to London can be a great travel experience. The extensive and affordable public transportation system makes it easy for tourists and travelers to visit the city and navigate in and around the London area.
