London’s underground transportation system, otherwise known as the “Tube”, is undoubtedly the most efficient means of public transportation in the city. Although the Tube often gets crowded during rush hour (between 8-9:30am and 4:30-6:30pm Monday through Friday) it is generally much faster than riding the bus. The best way to travel the tube is by purchasing a travel pass at an underground station or at your local British Tourist Authority. Buying a one-day, three-day, or week travel pass at an underground station is easy and it will give you unlimited access on the Tube for the allotted times. Check bottom of page for details on purchasing Travelcards.
The first Tube of the day leaves at around 5:30am Monday to Saturday, 7am Sunday. At peak times the service runs every couple of minutes; at off peak times it runs about every 8 minutes. Be sure to check when trains stop running, lest you get stuck somewhere in town you’d rather not be. Most trains pass through central London for the last time at around 12:30am, 11:30pm on Sundays.
A BRIEF SYNOPSIS OF THE TUBE SYSTEM: If you’re planning on using public transportation and are new to London, then Tube maps are absolutely essential. The Tube system consists of 12 underground lines, each color-coded and dotted with all of the underground stations a particular line will pass through. The easiest way to navigate the Tube system is by locating the Tube station nearest to the particular destination you seek. This is best done by finding it on a city map. (Standard city maps are issued at all London hotels and motels, the airport or a visitor’s bureau). After locating the necessary station, scan the Tube map to discover which lines connect with that station and the station nearest you—keep in mind you may need to transfer lines. Nevertheless, you’ll find the color codes are associated with names. For example, the Circle Line is always yellow; the Northern Line is always black, etc. Additionally, the direction of a train is realized by knowing that train’s final destination. A train’s final destination is always posted in an underground station to help you find your way around. For instance, taking the Northern Line to Morden from anywhere else in the city means you are actually heading south, as Morden is that train’s southern-most destination. This is also how it will be posted in the underground stations -- something to the effect of: Northern (black) Line—Modern, meaning that that train is heading south to Modern. And, if that’s the way you want to go, then follow all station signs that point in that direction.
This is basically the gist of the system and its general means of navigation. Again: find the station you need to get to, find which line(s) connects that station to the one nearest you, then figure out which direction you need to go by locating that line’s final destination. Follow station signs to that train platform. Maps are posted on trains to ensure you of which direction you are headed.
Travelcards: Purchasing a Travelcard is the most practical and economical way to travel London. They are on sale at all underground and rail stations and can be used on the Tube, buses, Network SouthEast trains and the Docklands Light Railway.
One-Day Travelcards can be used after 9:30am Monday to Friday and all day during weekends and public holidays. You can make unlimited journeys within the Zones you select. These tickets are not valid on night buses. Adult tickets cost from 3.80 pounds (Zones 1 & 2) to 4.50 pounds (all Zones); children 1.90 (all Zones).
One-Week Travelcards give unlimited travel throughout the selected Zones for seven days, including use of night buses. To buy a weekly Travelcard, you must get a Photocard (take a passport-size photo with you when you buy your first ticket). Adult weekly Travelcards cost from 14.30 pounds (Zone 1) to 34.90 pounds (all Zones); children 5.50 pounds (Zone 1) to 13.50 pounds (all Zones). |
