London Travel Guide, climate:
Best: May-Sept
Avoid: Jan, Feb [England in winter is not only often cold, grey and wet, but daylight is in short supply as well!].
Summer gets crowded, especially in late July/Aug.
Getting Around London
London has a quick and efficient underground (metro) train ‘tube’ system and the famous red ‘double-decker’ buses. That is a bit of a lie, as efficient and quick are not normally used in the same sentence as the tube. The best that can be said is that it runs most of the time and it stops the rain. Also these ‘double-deckers’ have now been replaced by the infamous ‘Bendy’ buses which seem to crush cyclists and pedestrians at regular intervals and had a tendency to burst into flames. The tube is quicker, especially at rush hours. But you will see more of London from a bus!
Buses and trains are operated by Transport For London (TFL). 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.
There are Travel Information Centres at all four terminals at Heathrow Airport, both terminals of Gatwick Airport and the main Underground stations, where you will find free leaflets and maps for the underground and bus services.
Tourist Advice
- Do wait until the people get OFF the tube before getting on.
- Stand on the RIGHT, walk on the left – Don’t worry you’ll work it out quickly
- There is no such thing as an “overcrowded train”, if you get in and have to hold on its classed as “Full”, if you don’t have to hold on its classed as “Busy”.
- Don’t stop in the middle of the stairs/Entrances/Doors you’ll be run over by the herd behind.
- Find a seat and take it, you could be on the tube for a VERY long time. Unless there are pregnent women about!
- DO take your backpacks off your back when you enter a tube carriage.
- If one person gets off, then two can get on. Three or Four in rush hour.
Tube survival kit
Survival kit for commuters
Since the tube sometimes breaks down, stops unexpectedly for long periods or gets attacked there are a few things that everyone should have with them to make it as comfortable as possible.
- A Bottle of Water – The Tube can be upto 10oC hotter than surface temperatures.
- A Torch (Flashlight) – If the power goes and you need to leave the train then this will be very useful.
- Something to read – You could be there for a very long time.
- A loud whistle – You never know who you may need to attract (passing sailors prehaps?)
- A breathing mask – It can get dusty down there!
- Baby wipes or simular for your hands and face
They were initially thought of due to power failures on the tube, but due to the odd crash and terrorist incident they are becoming more popular.