Means of transportation

The London Underground

The Underground, or Tube as called by locals, is a subway system that connects most of central London and its outskirts. Coded by colour and names the tube can be easily followed, even by those of us who have never had to rely on public transport in our lives. Tickets are quite reasonable: you can pick up a day pass ‘Travelcard’, which also includes buses, from £4.10, or a single ticket, which will cost you anything from £1.60 depending on the length of your journey. You will also find the station masters very helpful and willing to point you in the right direction when lost. The tube does not run 24 hours, but you will find most lines open around 6am and close at midnight. To check routes and timetables, check the Travel for London site. Please note there is an unspoken law all to its own on the tube, one I was never explained, so count yourself lucky. It consists of the following rules:
 no talking loudly
 no laughing
 no eye contact, a big no, no
 bring a book or a paper so your attention doesn’t stray to staring at people
 if you forgot your book read over the next persons shoulders, but try not to get caught at doing it
 there’s no need to give your seat to the elderly or pregnant
 do not wait till passengers have hopped off the carriage before boarding yourself, just push

Bus

The immensely characteristic red double decker buses are a part of the whole London experience. You can jump on for £1 or on and off all day with just £4, definitely the cheaper alternative for travel; furthermore, the ride from the top gives you a greater view of the city and districts than what you can get from the underground (obviously). A London sport is to wait till the bus has just accelerated out of the stop, run after it and then leaping from the curb grab hold of the pole in the open rear platform: if you try it, make sure you have a tight grasp and don’t blame us if things go wrong. This pleasure is not outlawed and makes the trip all the more interesting.

Taxis

The famous Black cabs are constructed especially to be taxis, with a lovely roomy passenger area for up to 5 people. The cabies (drivers) are well trained, they actually have to sit intensive tests to prove their knowledge on London’s streets before they are allowed in the drivers seat. If you catch a taxi around central London you will most likely pay a (relatively) small price from 8 to 10 pounds, if your heading further out your driver will be happy to give you an approximation before you head off.

By bike

Going around London by bike can be a very dangerous endeavour, apart from the every last Friday of each month, which are devoted to the so-called Critical Mass: a huge number of bikes invade the centre of London, in a peaceful demonstration that tends to block traffic and enrage motorists.