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Traveling in London

Traveling in London

London is the most populated city in the European Union and in the world, spanning an area of 1,000 square miles. Charming and diverse with a grand history and wealth, its population now matches New York.  As such, getting around will take some planning.

There are various ways of traveling in London. The underground, also known as the tube, are the preferred mode of transportation due to their speed and low cost. The city is divided into six fare zones for the tube and the buses. Usually visitors stick around Zone 1, but if you wish to travel beyond Zone 1, get a multi-zone pass. Maps can be downloaded from http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl for further assitance. Tickets bought at vending machines or at the ticket office may be transferred as many times as desired.

For sightseeing, a travelers best option is the bus system. A bus offers the best views of the city without the added burden of driving in London, which may be overwhelming due to the driver’s seat being on the right side of the car and the driving lane opposite from what is customary in most parts of the world.  Add to this the costly parking and the long walk to your car and suddenly buses become an attractive option.

A travel card is a recommended purchase for travelers on an extended stay because it offers unlimited use of buses, the underground, and British Rail services in Greater London for periods of up to a year. Travel cards are available at underground ticket offices, LT information centers and main post offices. You can also buy a London Visitor Travel Card before you leave home. For more information, contact BritRail Travel International (800-677-8585).

The London bus system is as good as the nnderground. Bus fares are £1, slightly less than tube fares and both increase with distance of travel. To avoid getting lost, ask your driver or conductor to call your stop out. Because passengers pay before boarding, it’s helpful to carry your ticket or exact change. Visitors are encouraged to take advantage of the double-decker red buses that are a London icon and presently serve many of the 60 major bus routes in London, as they may become obsolete in the near future. Maps can be found at http://www.londontransport.co.uk/buses.

London taxicabs are user friendly and well planned. They may be flagged down in the street or picked up from a cab stand. The numbers to call for a cab are: 020 7272-0272 or 020 7253-5000. For complaints please call 020 7918-2000 and make sure to have the cab number which is displayed in the passenger compartment.