TRAVEL ESSENTIALS




Travel essentials

GETTING AROUND

Transport for London (www.tfl .gov.uk) operates an extensive transport network across the capital, covering six fare zones.

TUBE

The London Underground, or the Tube to most, is usually the quickest and most convenient way of getting around. There are 11 working Tube lines, along with the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and an interconnected rail network, with the fi rst trains operating from around 5am Monday to Saturday and around
7.30am on Sunday. The last train on each line departs between 11.30pm and 12.30am.

BUS

London’s bus service offers an easy way of getting around the city — longer journeys can be slower than the Tube, but it’s a more comprehensive network that saves on changing trains as well as reaching areas not served by the Underground or trains. The fare is �2 for any journey and you often have to buy tickets from a machine at the bus stop.

TRAIN

The overground train network links many areas not served by the Tube, as well as offering direct east-west and north-south routes. National Rail Enquiries: 08457 48 49 50. www.nationalrail.co.uk

DLR

The DLR connects with the Tube network at Bank and Tower Gateway (Tower Hill) stations and also at Shadwell, Stratford and Canary Wharf. The DLR serves Beckton and Stratford to the east and north-east and Docklands, Greenwich and Lewisham to the south.

RIVER

There is a variety of riverboats serving numerous points and attractions along the Thames, as well as special cruises.

TAXI

London’s black cabs are available for hire when the yellow light above the windscreen is lit — just raise your arm to hail one. Cabs are metered with a minimum fare of �2.20 and will cost from �8 for a 10-minute journey. Minicabs cannot legally be hailed on the street, so ensure the car is licensed.


TO/FROM AIRPORTS

London’s airports are all less than an hour from the city centre and are served by trains, buses and taxis.

HEATHROW

Heathrow Express (www.heathrowexpress.com) departs for Paddington every 15 minutes, the journey taking 15 minutes. Trains run from
5.10am until 11.44pm; the fare is �16.50 one way and �32 return.

Heathrow Connect (www.heathrowconnect. com), runs trains every hour between 5.29am and 11.26pm, calling at Hayes & Harlington, Southall, Hanwell, West Ealing, Ealing Broadway and Paddington (25 minutes; approx. �6.90).

Dot 2 dot (www.dot2.com) offers a bus shuttle into central London (20 minutes; �19) or Canary Wharf (30 minutes; �30), 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The Piccadilly Line, part of London Underground, services all terminals, with trains to terminals 1, 2, 3 and 4 or 1, 2, 3 and 5 (45 minutes; approx. �4). The fi rst train leaves Terminal 4 at 5.03am (5.47am on Sundays); the last train leaves Heathrow at 11.36pm (11.13pm on Sundays). At night, bus N9 connects Heathrow with the centre.

GATWICK

Gatwick Express (www.gatwickexpress.com) is fastest to central London, with departures every 15 minutes to Victoria, taking 30 minutes. A single costs �16.90 and a return �28.80. Trains run from 4.35am to 1.35am.

First Capital Connect (www.fi rstcapital connect.co.uk) and Southern (www.southern railway.com) offer services taking 35-40 minutes, with fares from �8.90. Taxis can be very expensive, with journeys taking about an hour and costing in excess of �50.


Dot 2 dot (www.dot2.com) offers a bus shuttle into central London (20 minutes; �25), 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

LONDON CITY

The DLR is now connected to the City, taking 22 minutes from the airport to Bank and costing from �4 one way. A taxi costs around �25, depending on the destination.

LUTON

Luton Airport Parkway is around 35 minutes from St Pancras International and First Capital Connect (www.fi rstcapitalconnect.co.uk) operates a fast service to central London. EasyBus (www.easybus.co.uk), Green Line (www.greenline.co.uk) and Terravision
(
www.terravision.eu) operate coach services. A taxi costs around �60.

STANSTED

The quickest rail link is the Stansted Express (www.stanstedexpress.com) to Liverpool Street via Tottenham Hale (45 minutes; �17). National Express (www.nationalexpresseastanglia.com) operates rail services to Tottenham Hale
and Stratford. EasyBus (
www.easybus.co.uk), National Express (www.nationalexpress.com) and Terravision (www.terravision.eu) operate coach services. A taxi costs around �60.


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T FOR LONDON 2005. PRICES CORREC


IN THE KNOW: TRAVELCARDS


ANSPOR


Electronic smartcards called Oyster Cards offer the best fares when travelling in London (www.oystercard.com), but if you’re in town for only a few days, a Travelcard may be more convenient. These give unlimited travel on the Tube, DLR, buses and overground rail, plus a

third off scheduled riverboat fares. Travelcards can be bought for one, three or seven days, plus longer periods, with the cost depending on the zones you need to travel through. An off-peak, one-day Travelcard for zones 1-2 costs around �5.60. www.tfl .gov.uk


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