Guide topic

Getting around London

Practical getting around london guides for planning a smoother London visit.

17 guides in this topic

Traffic running in both directions on a British motorway, cars and lorries in three lanes under a bright sky

Getting around London

Hiring a Car in the UK: Licence Rules, Costs and Driving Out of London

What you need to hire a car in the UK as a visitor: which licences are accepted, the age limits and surcharges, the excess and deposit, and every charge London adds. Prices checked 12 September 2026.

  • Driving
  • Day trips
  • Car hire
  • Road trip
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The train shed at St Pancras International, with platforms and the Victorian ironwork roof above

Getting around London

National Rail 2FOR1: How to Actually Get Two-for-One on London Attractions

The 2FOR1 scheme explained properly — why Oyster and contactless do not qualify, which attractions are included, which ones are only a third off, and when it is not worth the trouble.

  • 2FOR1
  • Days Out Guide
  • National Rail
  • Attraction discounts
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A row of red Santander Cycles hire bikes locked into a docking station on a London street

Getting around London

Cycling in London: Bike Hire, E-Bikes and the E-Scooter Rules

What Santander Cycles and Forest actually cost, why a privately owned e-scooter is illegal to ride in London, and the licence rule that catches visitors out.

  • Cycling
  • Bike hire
  • E-scooters
  • Getting around
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An open-top red sightseeing tour bus passing the Palace of Westminster

Getting around London

London Tour Buses Compared: Routes, Stops and Prices

Every Big Bus, Golden Tours and Tootbus route and stop, with what each really costs — Golden Tours from £24.78 online against £42 at the kerb — and the ordinary red bus that covers much of the same ground for £1.75.

  • Tour buses
  • Sightseeing
  • Getting around
  • Budget
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The exterior of Gatwick Airport South Terminal

Getting around London

Gatwick Airport to London: Every Transport Option Compared

Southern and Thameslink reach Victoria in 32–40 minutes for £10.70 off-peak. Gatwick Express costs £24.10 to save two to four minutes. Which train suits which part of London, with 2026 fares.

  • Gatwick Airport
  • Gatwick Express
  • Southern
  • Thameslink
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A red New Routemaster double-decker bus travelling through central London

Getting around London

Getting Around London: A Complete Transport Overview

An introduction to every practical way to travel around London, including trains, buses, trams, boats, taxis, the cable car and all six main airports.

  • Transport
  • London Underground
  • Buses
  • Airport transfers
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The glass exterior of Heathrow Airport Terminal 5

Getting around London

Heathrow Airport to London: Every Transport Option Compared

The Piccadilly line is the cheapest way in at £4–£5.90 and runs straight to South Kensington, the West End and King's Cross. The Elizabeth line costs £15.50 and is faster. Heathrow Express only reaches Paddington.

  • Heathrow Airport
  • Elizabeth line
  • Piccadilly line
  • Heathrow Express
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A red New Routemaster double-decker bus travelling through central London

Getting around London

How to Use London Buses and Trams: A Visitor's Guide

Every London bus and tram journey costs £1.75 however far you go, and the Hopper gives you unlimited transfers for 60 minutes on that one fare. How to pay, how to plan, and the routes worth riding for the view.

  • Buses
  • Trams
  • Weekend Hopper
  • Live bus times
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An Uber Boat by Thames Clippers River Bus travelling along the River Thames

Getting around London

How to Use London River Boats: Fares, Routes and Thames Cruises

A practical guide to London's River Bus, including 2026 zone fares, day tickets, scenic routes, speedboats, dining cruises and the River Bus Comedy Night.

  • River Bus
  • Uber Boat
  • Thames Clippers
  • Thames cruises
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The London Underground entrance at Piccadilly Circus, with the red and blue roundel above the stairs

Getting around London

How to Use the London Underground: A First-Time Visitor’s Guide

A practical guide to planning Tube journeys, paying the correct fare, navigating stations and travelling confidently on the London Underground.

  • London Underground
  • Public transport
  • Oyster card
  • Contactless payment
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The check-in hall inside London City Airport

Getting around London

London City Airport to Central London: Every Option Compared

A practical guide to the DLR, Elizabeth line connections, buses and taxis from London City Airport, including 2026 fares and hotel-area recommendations.

  • London City Airport
  • DLR
  • Elizabeth line
  • Airport transfers
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A yellow Oyster and contactless payment reader on a London Underground ticket gate

Getting around London

How Much Does London Public Transport Cost? 2026 Fares Guide

Current London transport prices for adults and children, covering the Tube, trains, buses, trams, boats, cable car, cycles and taxis.

  • Transport costs
  • TfL fares
  • Oyster card
  • Contactless payment
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A purple and white Elizabeth line train standing at Reading station

Getting around London

London Tube and Rail Lines: Which to Take and What to Expect

A line-by-line guide to the London Underground, Elizabeth line, DLR and London Overground, with crowding and comfort ratings, key attractions and the best station exits.

  • London Underground
  • Elizabeth line
  • DLR
  • London Overground
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An aerial view of London Luton Airport and the Luton DART route

Getting around London

Luton Airport to London: Every Transport Option Compared

Luton Airport Express plus the DART reaches St Pancras in 32 minutes. Buy the ticket to Luton Airport (LUA), not Luton Airport Parkway, or the £4.90 DART fare is not included. Coaches and taxis compared too.

  • Luton Airport
  • Luton Airport Express
  • Luton DART
  • Thameslink
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A Visitor Oyster card on a white surface

Getting around London

Oyster Card Guide: Should You Use Oyster or Contactless in London?

Where Oyster works, what it costs, how to buy and top it up, which National Rail operators accept it, and whether an adult visitor is better using a contactless bank card.

  • Oyster card
  • Contactless payment
  • Transport
  • Visitor Oyster card
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The arrivals and check-in hall inside London Southend Airport

Getting around London

Southend Airport to London: Every Transport Option Compared

Greater Anglia runs every 20 minutes to Stratford in 46 minutes and Liverpool Street in 52–55, and takes contactless. The fares, the buses, what a taxi costs, and which part of London each route suits.

  • Southend Airport
  • Greater Anglia
  • Liverpool Street
  • Airport transfers
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An aerial view of London Stansted Airport and its terminal satellites

Getting around London

Stansted Airport to London: Every Transport Option Compared

Compare Stansted Express, coaches, taxis and transfers, with 2026 fares, journey times and practical routes for London hotel areas.

  • Stansted Airport
  • Stansted Express
  • Airport coaches
  • Airport transfers
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