It’s quite possible that you’ve heard all the stories about being squashed under the sweaty armpit of some random commuter during peak hour travel times (07:00 to 09:30 and 17:30 to 19:00) on the tube or trains. And this can be true sometimes; however it’s worth mentioning that the service offered is easy to navigate in a relatively short space of time. London public transport includes:
·London Underground (commonly known as the tube);
·London Buses
·River Services
·Docklands Light Railway (DLR)
·Croydon Tramlink
·National Rail
The bus and rail network in Britain overall is well developed, frequent and efficient, providing access to the rest of England.
With the help of the tube and bus network you can reach all of the capital city airports (Luton, Stansted, Gatwick and Heathrow). At every airport you can rent a car from most major car rental companies, however it’s advisable to rely on public transport as navigating your way from the airport into the inner city can be a daunting task for even the most experienced driver.
If you would postpone being initiated into navigating the London transport network upon arrival (with your suitcase, bike, surfboard etc) it might make more sense to arrange for a taxi to collect you from the airport. You could pay between £20 - £45 for this luxury, but it’s well worth it. Taxis can be called upon arrival however stay clear of traditional London black cabs as these are deemed the most expensive rather use the services of a licensed mini-cab company.
Most international flights arrive in the early morning or early evening just when the transport system is at its busiest, so you may want to grab a coffee at the airport and wait for it to subside a bit before starting your journey if you would rather not pay for a taxi.
Using London Underground
There is invariably an underground station close to your destination, (there are currently 12 underground lines) and finding yourself around the system really is very easy.
The easiest way to approximate where the zones is to check out the London Underground Map
Most visitors will only be travelling in Zone 1 (the central zone). For most its worthwhile purchasing aTravelcardor an Oyster Card http://www.oystercard.co.uk. It is probable that you will have to travel through Zone 1 to your destination in which case it’s worthwhile buying a Zone 1 – 3 travel card for your first day. Daily Travel cards are cheaper after 09:30 for both adults and children.
You will see mention of Oyster Cards offering cheaper fares. These are reusable "smart" cards and if you are staying in London for longer it’s a worthwhile purchase.
Manned ticket offices are located at all stations and accept major credit/debit cards as well as cash. They will also be able to advise you on various travel passes. There are also automatic ticket machines at all central stations as well as rural stations. These can you save you a lot of time if there are queues at the manned ticket office. They take credit/debit cards as well as cash.
Tips for Travelling On the London Underground
·Stand on the right on the escalator at all times. The left hand side is used for commuters who are late, in a hurry and/or in need of a morning work-out. You will be grunted at (or politely told to move) if you block the left hand side off the escalator.
·Keep a map of the Underground with you (even local Londoners keep one with them at all times)
·Familiarise yourself with the various zones before arrival. Zones are clearly marked on most Underground maps.
·Ensure you know where you will travelling before buying daily, weekly or monthly travelcards.
·Familiarise yourself with names and colour of tube lines.
·Familiarise yourself with your cardinal points North (always up), South (always down), East (to your right) and West (to your left). On underground platforms a line will either be North or South bound, East or West bound which indicates the general direction the train will go.
·Avoid buying tickets on Monday mornings as there are often long queues.
And Another Thing…
·You can always get at least one more person (who has a backpack and wheelie suitcase) on a packed tube.
·Dawdle, diddle/daddle, move at a snail’s pace at your own risk! There is normal walking and then there is London walking which is about 6 paces faster than normal walking. Pick your pace and stick to it.
·Step away (far away!) off escalators once you have reached the top (or bottom) to avoid congestion and people falling over you.
·A little obvious: let people off the train before you get on.
·A little rude (but get used to it): men don’t generally offer their seats to women.
·A little sign that you weren’t born in a barn: try and offer your seat to the elderly or pregnant woman if they are standing.
·If you experience a delay to your journey of more than 15 minutes, for reasons within our control, TFL will refund you with a voucher to the value of the single delayed journey. Subject to conditions. Visithttps://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/tickets/refunds/tuberefund/default.asp
Getting Started 
