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Underground 'tube' trains and busesLondon has a quick and efficient underground (metro) train 'tube' system, and the famous red 'double-decker' buses. The tube is quicker, especially at rush hours. But you will see more of London from a bus! Buses and trains are operated by London Regional Transport. Their website includes travel information and other transport links. As well as maps and journey planners, Tube Tourism contains all the necessary information for visitors to London about using the tube and is available in different languages. They have Travel Information Centres at all four Heathrow Airport terminals, and MAIN Underground stations, where you will find free leaflets and maps for the underground and bus services. |
Tourist TicketsAfter 09.30 am, you can buy the One-Day off-peak Travelcard. The One-Day Travelcard covers you for travel on underground trains and most London buses all day after 09.30 Mondays to Fridays, or anytime weekends and public holidays. Different prices cover different zones of the underground.There is also the One-Day Capital Card, which covers London buses, tube trains, and British Rail trains. In each case, a single ticket will cover you for the whole day. There are different prices, according to zones (area) of travel. All underground tickets carry a magnetic strip. You place the ticket in the barrier, which then opens automatically. Your ticket comes out again at a hole on top of the barrier. Don't forget to take it out again! |
TaxisThe famous London black taxis 'cabs' will take you anywhere in London. The taxi 'cabbies' pride themselves on 'The Knowledge' - knowing every street in London. You can stop a taxi in the street if the yellow 'for hire' or 'taxi' sign is lighted. You can also book taxis by phone.If several people travel together, the cost becomes reasonable. Try to avoid travelling in the rush hour periods as you pay for the time, as well as the distance!Driving in LondonIf you have not driven on British roads before, London is a bad place to start. You will find it much better to use taxis and public transport. If you must drive in London, then buy a good London route map, as well as the A-Z Street Map. |
Cheap AccommodationHappy Homes'Happy Homes' is one of London's leading bed and breakfast/accommodation agencies. They are a family-run agency that places overseas tourists and foreign language students into bed and breakfast accommodation and private family homestays in central and south-west London. |
Where to go in LondonThe British Tourist Authority produce the free 'BRITAIN: LONDON GUIDE'. The British Travel Centre is the place to visit for information on where to go in London and the UK.
They are open 7 days a week. They can book rail tickets, reserve tours, theatre tickets and accommodation, change money, and give you information on all of the United Kingdom in many languages. There is so much to see in London that it would take months to see it all! Unfortunately, more and more museums and attractions now charge for entry. Note that there are sometimes cheaper prices for students or groups. (See our section on Students and young people under 26.) |
Free EntryThere are still some London attractions with free admission! They include (at the time of writing) the British Museum, the Museum of Mankind, Sir John Soane's Museum, and the Museum of Garden History. The main art galleries - the National Gallery, National Portrait Gallery, Tate Gallery, Wallace Collection are all free. Below is a complete list, with telephone numbers which you could print out.You will also find many beautiful old churches around London which are usually free to visit, and usually open during the day. Many are masterpieces designed by Sir Christopher Wren (1632-1723). There are often free mid-day music recitals in St. Martin-in-the-Fields Church, and St. John's Smith Square. There are free 30-minute lunchtime music recitals in St. Bride's Church, Fleet Street, starting 1.15pm, several days each week, except for the 4 weeks before Christmas, the 6 weeks before Easter, and all of August. (Nearest underground station: Blackfriars, nearest rail stations: Blackfriars and City Thameslink, Bus routes: 4, 11, 15, 15B, 23, 26, 76.) Also free to watch is the 'Changing of the Guard' outside Buckingham Palace. Here you can see British soldiers in ceremonial uniform handing over their guard duties. It is a very popular tourist attraction. It is at 11.30am every two days in the winter, and every day in the summer. Arrive at least 15 minutes early to get a good view. Notices at Buckingham Palace will tell you which days it will be. When the Houses of Parliament are in session (not over the summer), it is possible to watch the debates from the Public Gallery. There is very limited space in the Gallery, and you may have to queue and wait for a very long time. |
List of attractions with free entryWe believe this list to be correct for 2004. Unfortunately, the situation may not remain the same.
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| London Transport | Official site for all public transport services in London. |
| The London Map | Interactive map of London with over 100 panoramic photographs of major sights and parks. A virtual tour of sightseeing, locations and attractions starting at Piccadilly Circus, in the West End. See the London Eye, the Tower of London and more. |
| Buckingham Palace | The Queen's residence in London. |
| Tower of London | One of the most visited tourist spots in London. Arrive early to avoid queuing. |
| London Museums and Galleries | Links to museums and art gallery web sites. |
| British Museum | One of the world's best collections of antiquities. |
| Saatchi Gallery | Features many exhibibitions - currently (Sept 05) The Triumph of Painting |
| Kew Gardens | World famous gardens and research centre. |
| London Transport Museum | Old buses, trams, and more. |
| The Science Museum | A world-famous museum - well worth visiting. |
| Natural History Museum | All about the living world of plants and animals. |
| Military museums of London | Links to military museums of London |
| Victoria and Albert Museum | A good site for one of London's most popular museums. |
| Madame Tussaud's | The famous waxworks. Try to avoid busy times - there is often a long wait to get in. |
| Sherlock Holmes Museum | Britain's most famous fiction detective? |
| Steam Trains for Tourists | Steam Trains operating in the UK. |
| Tower Bridge | The famous Victorian lifting bridge. |
| Westminster Abbey | British Kings and Queens crowned and buried here. |
More London links are available on the the main page.
Return to Visiting Britain page
Christ gave himself for us so that he might make us free from all that is wrong. He gave himself to make us into clean people who belong to him and want to do good.Titus 2:14
"VISITING BRITAIN"is just one section of theSOON ONLINE MAGAZINE, covering learning English, problem page, 'life and how to survive it', true stories, interviews, and much more.
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