Getting to and around London.
HEATHROW AIRPORT
London's number one international airport. There are 4 terminals and the fastest way into London is the Heathrow Express (£14.50 one way) every 15mins to Paddington Station, or the ' tube ' trains that run the Piccadilly line, (£4.60). There are public buses to the city centre or National Express buses (from £10 single). Timetables and tickets are available online, see our websites listing.
GATWICK AIRPORT
46km south of central London, connection by either Gatwick Express (£15.90 single) every 15mins to Victoria Station, or Southern Trains or Thameslink .
LUTON AIPORT
51km northwest of central London with Thameslink trains making the connection to Kings Cross or by Greenline coaches (from £7 single) to Brent Cross, Finchley, Baker Street and Victoria.
STANSTEAD AIRPORT
A major hub for Ryanair, it lies 56km north east of London, connection is either by Stanstead Express (from £15.50 single) every 15-20mins, journey time 45mins, or there are National Express coaches every 15-30mins to Victoria coach station.
There are a few train companies operating overland connections to the rest of England, such as Virgin Trains, Great Western, National Rail, Southern Railway, GNER and Southwest trains. Main stations include Kings Cross, Waterloo, Victoria, Paddington and Euston.
The central bus terminal is Victoria Coach Station, for National Express and Greenline. The familiar red London buses have a wide network and run night buses. A single ticket is from £2 cash or 90p with an oyster card or can be bought in carnets of 10. Travelling above ground is often slower over a long journey but you get to see more of the city. Busier routes are now selling tickets from machines beside the stops. An all day pass is £3.50. Destinations are clearly marked on the front of the bus.
The worlds oldest underground public transport system and some days it feels just like that. Delays and strikes aside the Tube is usually the fastest way to get around. Oyster cards and tickets are available for one trip, return, one day, three day, weekly, monthly and year long travel cards. Prices correspond to the number of zones you want to travel in and are far cheaper with the Oyster option. Oyster cards can be used on both public buses and the tube. There are visitor cards available if you are in town for a limited time. Cards can be topped up in the machines or at the tellers. You must touch in and out on the tube.
The safest and most reliable way to get home after a night out, when you can find one. The drivers spend up to 4 years training to learn 'the knowledge', literally every sidestreet and backstreet in London. The minimum charge is £2.20. They are the only licensed cabs able to be hailed on the street. Avoid unlicensed cabs like the plague. Heathrow to Central average cost £40-70.
Cheap and environmentally friendly, central London and the West End is a wonder to walk around in, especially when it's sunny. However streets are exceptionally long and the city well spread out so a gentle wander in one direction may require public services to return. Take an umbrella too, just in case.