LONDON Travel And Transportation London has 5 main airports, though long haul visitors normally arrive at just 2. London Buses There is a huge network of buses around London, which begin and end at the major train stations. Daily bus passes can also be used on the tubes. As with tubes buses list their final destination and sometimes also the major stops en route. The bus stops have timetables on them and most buses run every 10 minutes with less on Sundays and bank holidays. London Taxis London’s famous Black Taxis are well known and abundant. They are however quite expensive and the price goes up by 50% at 9 o’clock at night. Minicabs are also available throughout London but are not able to pick up on the street. If you are offered minicabs on the street, avoid them as they are often illegal and can be dangerous. Also try out Zingo Taxi service, you can ring them anywhere in London Day and Night and they will send the nearest available Black Taxi to you. London Tubes The London tube system is often confusing for visitors, particularly as the map does not show the direct route that the trains take. As the routes are so complicated, it was necessary to simplify the map to prevent it looking like spaghetti. Basically though, the platforms indicate whether they are running north south east or west. Then the electronic signs which tell you how long a train will take to arrive, list the trains in order of destination. For example, a Piccadilly line train running East from Piccadilly will sometimes end at Tottenham Hale, therefore the sign will say Tottenham Hale. This tube will still stop at all stations on the way to Tottenham Hale. To take a tube further on the same line, just wait for a train that goes all the way on that line for example a Piccadilly line train going to Cockfosters. Also some lines can split into 2 separate lines such as the Northern line. In that case you must be careful again to look at the station you want, and see which station is at the end of the line. Then check that the sign on the platform say that the train is going there. Normally it also says on the front of the train where it is going, which can be useful. Daily Tube passes can also be used on the buses. The first tubes run from approximately 5am and the last ones leave the stations at the ends of the lines at about 00:30am.
We can provide taxis to and from all airports, mail us for a quote.
Heathrow Airport is 15 miles to the west of London, and is the biggest. Central London can be accessed by many types of transportation. Obviously taxis are available but quite expensive. There is the Heathrow express train link to Paddington (under 15 minutes), and even a tube service – the Picadilly line. Driving is quite simple as it is situated near to 2 motorways – the M4 and the M25 which encircles London. There are National Express buses from here to 500 destinations including central London.
Gatwick Airport is south of London, and is considerably further out than Heathrow. While taxis are available it is quite a distance to the centre. The Gatwick Express (train) is simple and reasonably priced and goes to Victoria, where taxis and tubes will take you to your apartment (link) or hotel. There is also a regular train service which stops en route, but head for the express for a quick journey. There are shuttle buses operated by National Express, who also operate a service between Gatwick and Heathrow, an otherwise lengthy journey.
Stansted Airport is to the North of London, and has its own reasonably priced taxi service to the centre. There is also a simple express train service to Liverpool Street, it also stops at Tottenham hale for the Picadilly line tube. There are express coach services which go to Victoria Station as well as many other destinations
Luton Airport, is located outside London though is still considered to be a London Airport It is north of London and can be accessed by train with a 24 hr service to the centre of town – the Luton Airport Express. The journey time is about 25 minutes. Coaches are also available to many destinations including other airports and take the green line bus to Victoria Station in central London, it also stops at Baker street, Marble Arch and some other stops.
City Airport, is located in East London, but due to the smaller runways only accepts smaller planes and therefore is unlikely to be used by holiday passengers. Most business passengers will take a taxi the 10 miles to central London from here. Also shuttle buses operate to Canary Wharf and Liverpool street where most tubes are available.
