Piotr
We all have stories about our early experiences of using public transport in London. It can be scary at first, but you will soon get used to it! There is an incredible network of buses, trains and more, with some running day and night.
Top tips
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Cars drive on the left side of the roads in the UK
It can take some time to adjust so take care when you’re on the move:
- If you’re on foot - look both ways when crossing the road
- If you’re driving - give way to the right at roundabouts
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We mostly travel by train and bus but some areas of London also have tram services
Keep in mind that some stops are located within walking distance, so it can be quicker and cheaper to go on foot!
- Trains - including ‘Underground’ (Tube), ‘Overground’ and national trains
- Buses - most buses are classic red, and have one or two floors
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Plan your journey using a free app
Navigation apps save us a lot of time by working out the best way to get from A to B. They combine different modes of transport and provide alternative routes to avoid traffic and travel disruptions. Here are our recommendations:
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You can use one payment method for all modes of transport
Most people pay for public transport using a reusable electronic ‘Oyster’ card or their Contactless bank card
- Paper tickets are rare to see and tend to cost more
- You can’t use cash to buy tickets on the bus or train
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Choose your journey and payment options with care to reduce costs (1)
Trains vs. buses
- A single train ticket costs more than a bus ticket, and varies in price depending on the distance and time of travel
- Buses have a fixed fare of £1.50, with unlimited journeys within one hour
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Choose your journey and payment options with care to reduce costs (2)
‘Pay as you go’ vs. single tickets
- Single paper tickets cost more than ‘pay as you go’ using an Oyster or Contactless bank card