London is a bustling and big city. That said, if you are Londoner, you will learn that no transportation method fits into all situations. This blog will introduce you to 4 ways to get around London, with tips on making the most of it.
- Walking
So this is a no-brainer, yet it is worth mentioning. While London may seem large and daunting sometimes, the central of London is very, and best, accessible on foot. For example, you can walk from LSE to many significant places on foot within just 20 minutes (eg, Covent Garden, St. Paul’s Cathedral, or King’s Cross station).
Personally, I will check a navigation app (like Google Map) first; if the walking distance is less than 30 minutes, it is feasible to do it, and you should walk. Otherwise, if it takes longer than that, I will take the bus or tube.
- Bus
This is my second favourite mode of transportation. It costs just £1.60 and has an advantage over the tube in that the bus routes spread to more destinations, and you don’t have to walk far down to the platform. Two tips about taking the bus. First, download the CityMapper app to your smartphone. It will show you which bus to take and the locations of the bus stops. The other tip is that there is something called the hopper fare. Basically, you can hop on and off as many buses as you want within one hour of your first contactless payment. However, be mindful that you must tap using the same card to seize the hopper fare benefit.
The disadvantage, though, is that the bus can be unreliable because of traffic or unplanned cancellations. So if you are in a rush, you should always have a plan B.
- Tube
This should be the option you rely on if you have to be somewhere within a specific timeframe. It is more reliable than the bus but more costly (£2.40) and requires more walking. The tube is also a better option if you have to travel to the other side of the city. For example, you live around Waterloo station and want to catch a train from King’s Cross, located in the northern part of London Zone 1.
Two tips about taking the tube. First, as usual, CityMapper is the perfect assistant to help you with the journey. Secondly, don’t forget to apply for a student railcard and link it to your Oyster card to get a 1/3 discount on all tube tickets outside the peak period.
Again, to avoid disruption in your commute, be cautious of the tube strikes or cancellations, usually announced in advance.
- Bike
Now comes the most advanced way of getting around London, at least for me. You can hire a bike from the docking stations, which are as many as bus stops all over the city. Download the Santander app to find the nearest bike docking stations to plan your journey. If you are doing it right, biking will never cost you more than £2 per 24 hours, as long as you dock your bike at any station every 30 minutes.
Care should be taken while travelling on a bike, as you will become a hybrid traveller between pedestrians and cars. You should know the route reasonably well so that you can be less worried about the direction and more about your safety. Notice the bike lane when there is one and be careful of the large vehicles such as buses. Think twice before overtaking other cars, and please wear protective gear.
Bikes can be the fastest way to get around if you master how to bike in London.
