London: Transportation

Airlines
  • Ryan Air
  • EasyJet
  • British Airways
  • Monarch

Airports
Heathrow
  • Major international airport, very busy and thorough security checks. 
  • Allow at least 2 hours between flights or more if switching airlines.
  • To London:
  1. Heathrow Express
  2. Heathrow Connect
  3. Underground (Piccadilly Line)
Gatwick
  • Arrive at least 2 hours before your flight
  • Train station is located directly beneath the South Terminal (best budget airline airport).
  • To London
  1. Gatwick Express to Victoria station: best option before 10 am on weekdays , avoids rush hour commuters
  2. Thameslink/First Capital Connect (train) to Blackfriars or St. Pancras: few pounds less than GEX, commuter train, crowded during rush hour
  3. Southern Rail to Victoria station: few pounds less, crowded during rush hour
  4. National Express coach: 1.5-2 hr journey, cheaper fares
  5. EasyBus: Avoid this service at all costs! Reviews are notoriously awful!
Luton
  • Smallest of the five major airports
  • To London:
  1. Shuttle Bus to Luton Parkway station, then Thameslink (train) to St. Pancras, City, Blackfriars, or London Bridge stations.
  2. National Express coach: 1-1.5 hour journey, makes several stops including Victoria rail station, the cheapest tickets are purchased online in advance for a specific time.
  3. Green Line 757 coach: similar to National Express, terminates at Victoria station.
  4. EasyBus: Avoid this service at all costs! Reviews are notoriously awful!
Stansted
  • To London:
  1. Stansted Express
  2. National Express coach
  3. Terravision coach to Victoria station
  4. EasyBus: Avoid this service at all costs! Reviews are notoriously awful!
City
  • To London:
  1. Docklands Light Railway

Trains
Underground/Tube
  • Usually the best option for getting around London
  • Avoid taking the tube during rush hour (8-10 am and 5-7 pm). Trains will be crowded with commuters on weekdays.
  • The distance between most underground stops is less than a 5 minute walk
  • Children under 11 travel free on the tube and buses when accompanied by an adult
Overground
  • Travels above ground providing better views of the city
  • More spacious and cheaper than the Underground/Tube
  • Urban and suburban London routes, most tourists will not use it.
National Rail
  • Major rail travel operator across the UK
  • If you travel by NationalRail, keep your ticket for 2-4-1 offers on London attractions. Basically buy one get one free!

Train Tickets
Anytime
  • Standard ticket, no time restrictions, buy any time, travel any time
Off Peak
  • Usually cheaper due to restrictions on when you can travel , buy any time, travel off peak
Advanced Purchase 
  • Buy in advance with ticket restrictions

Oyster Card
  • Oyster cards can be used on most transportation in London including buses and trams; Tube, DLR, TfL Rail, and London Overground.
  • Most people living and working in London use the Oyster card.
  • Cards can be purchased in London upon arrival at underground/tube ticket machines
  • Costs £5 for the card itself. If you cash it in after less than a month, you will get £2 back. If you cash it in after more than a month, you get the entire £5 back. Any remaining balance on the card can be refunded at the end of you stay (whether you refund the actual card or not).
  • Each adult must have their own Oyster or contactless bank card. The contactless bank card will be the same fare price as the Oyster card, but eliminates the need to buy an Oyster card.
  • Adding money: Most visitors add £25 to start with
  • Gatwick, Stansted, and Luton airports are outside of the London public transportation zone and are not covered by the Oyster card. They require the purchase of a separate ticket for airport buses and trains outside of those zones.
  • City airport is serviced by the Docklands Light railway (DLR) and is covered.

Visitor Oyster Card
  • If you purchase an Oyster Card online or anywhere outside of London (airports, express trains/coaches) you will most likely receive a Visitor Oyster Card rather than a standard Oyster Card.
  • It has a non-refundable £3 deposit
  • Another drawback is that you cannot add a weekly travel card to a Visitor Oyster Card

Travel Card
  • 1 Day or Weekly travel cards.
  • Inludes TfL tram, Tube/Underground, DLR, London Overground, and National Rail services within select zones (1 through 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6). All buses in London that display the red TfL circle can be used with the travel card regardless of zones.
  • Travel Cards can allow you to take advantage of 2-4-1 deals at major London attractions, essentially buy one adult admission and get one free! For more on  2-4-1 deals see: Fast Facts.
  • Travel cards are generally more expensive than Oyster cards. However, taking advantage of 2-4-1 deals using a travel card can save much more money.
  • An Oyster Card generally tops out at half the cost of a one day Travel Card in the same zones.
  • 1 Day travel cards can be purchased as Anytime or Off Peak (cheaper) travel cards. 
  • Peak travel time is before 9:30 am Monday through Friday. Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays are considered off peak. 
  • If you travel during peak hours, you will need to purchase an Anytime Travel Card. 
  • Weekly Travel Cards are for Anytime. If you are staying four days or longer, it is a better deal to buy a weekly travel card as opposed to four daily. 
  • To buy a weekly travel card you will need a passport size photo. These can be printed off at home or some stations have passport photo booths.
  • Travel Cards are valid from 4:30 am one day to 4:30 am the next day.
  • When purchasing travel cards you can choose specific days of validity.

Bicycle
  • Bikes can be rented throughout the city
  • Bike on the left and avoid rush hour (8-10 am and 5-7 pm)


Driving
  • Drive on the left
  • Rent a car at Gatwick airport rather than inside the city