Transport in London
- As soon as you arrive in London - you must buy a LONDON A-Z book. It is essential for getting around in London. This lists all the streets in London in alphabetical order (A-Z) which you can then check on maps. It is best to use it discreetly as you do not want to appear lost.
Click on the list below for more information on:
The Tube
Buses
Trains
Cycling
Boats
Driving
Taxi
Walking
Travel Outside London The Tube
London Underground is divided into 6 'zones'. When you buy a ticket, you must cover all the zones that you will travel in. There are white boards on all the walls in the stations with names of all the stations in alphabetical order and it tells you which zones they are in.
If you are found travelling with the wrong ticket or you arrive at your destination with the wrong ticket, you will have to pay a 'penalty fare' of at least £25.
It is cheapest to buy a Travel Card for one week, one month or one year.
Cards for Tube can also be used on Bus, DLR, tram and some railways in London (e.g.Thameslink).
Student Discount Cards (Student Oyster Card) - collect a form from the Language Centre or your school office. Save 30% on all fares. You will have to be on a course of at least 14 weeks in order to qualify for the student oyster card. Check the date on your student card - you cannot use a discount ticket after your student card expires (not everyone in the Language Centre will get a ticket with exactly the same date although you are on the same course). If your card is not valid - you may be fined.
Transport for London website.Using the Journey Planner on the TfL website you can plan your journey by Tube, Bus, Train or on Foot. Using the Routefinder you can plan your Tube journey. Check Interactive tube map.
You can plan you bus journey by searching by Bus number, Stop Name or Street name
London Travel Information - 020 7222 1234 or Customer Service Centre 0845 330 9880
Travel Information Centre
Liverpool Street Underground Station,
London
Open from 7.15 am - 9.15 pm Mon- Sat and 8.15 am - 8.15 pm on SundaysLost Property
Call 0845 330 9882 or go to their websitePlatform for Art is a public art project. Click on the website link for more details.
Safety on the Underground
No Smoking anywhere.
Stand on the right on escalator.
Pickpockets work on the tube - be careful.
When leaving the station avoid using your mobile phone. This is the most common place to have your mobile phone stolen. It is best to wait until you are further away before using it.
There is a passenger alarm in every carriage in case of an emergency.- Check the times of your last Tube and avoid walking home alone late at night.
Buses
Buses are much cheaper than the Tube. You can buy a bus only pass or you can use your tube pass for both.
If you don't have a ticket, you have to pay before you get on the bus - look out for yellow signs and the machines at bus stops (everywhere is £2.20 cash (or £1.30 with Oyster pay as you go), there is a cheap option of buying bus saver booklet, check Transport for London website)
Night Buses have an N on the front of the bus number. Check the routes and times early on in the evening.
Bus maps - you can order one for your area on line or collect from the Transport Information Centre at Piccadilly.
Trains
The Student TravelCard does not cover travel outside London. You need to buy a 16-25 Railcard (if you are over 26 need to show you are a full-time student).
This costs £26 a year and you get 1/3 off all rail tickets. Pick up an application form from the national rail station (not Tube). More information on the 16-5 Railcard canbe obtained from the Railcard webste.
For information on travelling by train go to the National Rail website or call National Rail Enquiries: 08457 48 49 50
Tickets are very expensive if you buy on the same day even if you have a card so try to book tickets as far in advance as possible.
DLR - Docklands Light Railway
Check Map of E.London
Cycling
Cycling is the fastest way to travel short journeys in London.
Collect a map from your nearest Tube station or Transport Information Centre in Piccadilly.
For more information on cycling groups in London, click on the links below:
London Cycle Network
London Cycle Campaign
Order Cycle Maps online
Events:
National Bike Week
London to Brighton Cycle RidesBoats
There are many kinds of river trips along the Thames including 'Tate to Tate' where you can take the boat from Tate Modern to Tate Britain.
Pick up a 'London River Services' booklet from the Tube or Transport Information Centre or telephone London Travel Information on 020 7222 1234.
Some boat companies offer student discounts. Many have discounts for Travel Card holders. Click here to order River maps
Driving
UKCISA website provide a guide for international students driving in the UK.
There is a 'Congestion charge' in London. This means that you must pay £10 each time you enter central London.
Check the Transport for London website for further information and how to pay.
Taxi
Black taxis are more expensive than minicabs (ordinary cars that work as taxis) but black cab taxi drivers know London extremely well. If you are travelling late at night, try to share with friends and share the cost.
Never get in a minicab on the street (they often park outside pubs and clubs) as many are unlicensed - you do not know who this driver is.
Walking
It is often quicker to walk between Tube stations. Walking will help orientate you in London but you should avoid walking around alone late at night.
If you enjoy walking, you may enjoy guide books about London and outside -
Time Out Book of London Walks ("Time Out" guides)
Time Out Book of Country Walks- all around 1 hour from London starting and finishing at train stations.
Travel Outside London
STA Travel (Student Travel). Take your NUS card to any STA office and get an International Student Identity Card (ISIC Card). This costs £9 and allows you cheap travel in and around Europe.
Coach
Travelling by coach is a very cheap way to get about Britain and a nice way to see the countryside too. You can buy a Young Persons Coach card for £10. The card entitles you to special offers and up to 30% off ticket prices.
The main station is Victoria coach station but you may be able to leave from other parts of London. For more information, go to the website.
International Students House has a Travel Club which organises very cheap trips around UK and in Europe. For more information, go to the ISH website.
There is a special Offer on at the moment on National Express and you can travel for £1 in UK. For more information go to the National Express website and click on 'Cheap fares'.
There are also very cheap travel deals in Europe.
Flying
There are very cheap flights in UK and Europe. For more information click on the links below
Before travelling in Europe, please check the immigration rules.
