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Getting around London can seem overwhelming, but once you know the basics it’s easier than you might think. With a huge network of tubes, buses, trains and even bikes, there are plenty of ways to explore the city without any stress.
Having lived in London, I know the best ways to navigate the city efficiently, so in this guide I’ll break down everything you need to know about London’s public transport, taxis, bikes, and even car rentals, plus some insider tips to save you time and money.
London Underground (Tube)
The London Underground (known as the Tube), is usually the quickest and most convenient way to travel around the city. With 272 stations and 12 color-coded lines, it connects all of central london and the outer boroughs, making it easy to get around.
Using the underground can be confusing at first, but once you understand how it works, it's easy!
Tickets & Payment Options for London Underground
To enter and leave tube stations, you'll need to go through a ticket barrier which you can do with a paper ticket, contactless bank card, oyster card or travelcard.
- Contactless Payment - The cheapest and easiest option, use a contactless bank card, Apple Pay or Google Pay to tap in and out.
- Oyster cards - Only useful if you live in London and have a railcard for disounts. Otherwise, contactless payment offers the same fare.
- Travelcards - You can buy 1-day, 7-day, or monthly passes for unlimited travel, but these are only cheaper if you’re staying a week or more and traveling frequently within zones 1-2. Otherwise, contactless is usually cheaper.
- Paper Tickets - If you don't have a contactless card, apple pay or google pay, you can buy single tickets or travelcards at stations.
Contactless payments apply daily and weekly fare caps, so you'll only pay up to a certain amount each day/week, depending on the zones and time of travel. For a daily cap between zones 1-2, it's usually £8.90.
London Underground Zones
London is divided into fare zones 1–9, which determine how much you pay for each journey.
- Zone 1 – Covers central London, including Westminster, Soho and the City of London.
- Zone 2 – Surrounds central London, covering areas like Camden, Notting Hill and Shoreditch.
- Zones 3-6 – Cover suburban areas, Heathrow Airport (Zone 6) and other commuter regions.
- Zones 7-9 – Outer London and beyond, mainly for locals commuting in.
Most tourists will only need to travel within Zones 1 and 2, but if you're heading to Wembley, Heathrow or Harry Potter Studios, you might need to go further.
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Peak vs. Off-Peak Times on the London Underground
London Underground fares are cheaper during off-peak hours. Peak hours (rush hour) is between Monday - Friday at 6:30–9:30 AM & 4:00–7:00 PM. Off peak is any other time including weekends and public holidays.
Some tube lines run 24 hours on Fridays and Saturdays (Victoria, Jubilee, Central, Northern and Piccadilly lines).
Avoid travelling during rush hour if possible, as it's extremely crowded and you'll be paying more for the same journey. The busiest hours are usually between 7:30-9:30 AM and 4:00-5:30 PM.
London Underground Navigation
The tube map can be confusing and overwhelming at first, but the main takeaway is that each tube line has its own colour. There are a total of 12 lines, but you wouldn't use all of them as some don't run through the central areas.
When travelling on the tube, you may need to switch lines to reach your destination, as not all stations are served by a single line.
To help you understand this, it's best to use an app that will show you which lines you need to get on to reach a certain location (otherwise you'll have to work it out by the maps at the tube station).
I have always used the Tube Map - London Underground App, which I highly recommend. You can also use the TfL Go App and Citymapper.
Should I get an Oyster card or use contactless payment?
You should use contactless payment for the London Underground, as Oyster cards are only useful if you live in London and have a discount with a railcard.
Do I need to tap out when using the Tube?
Yes, always tap in and out at the barriers, if you forget to tap out, you’ll be charged the maximum fare.
How do I buy a ticket for the London Underground?
You can buy tickets at ticket machines in stations. However, single paper tickets are much more expensive than using contactless payment.
How do I get from Heathrow Airport to central London on the Tube?
The Piccadilly Line runs directly from all Heathrow terminals to central London. The journey (£5.60 via contactless) takes around 45-60 minutes to reach central stations like Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square and King’s Cross.
Or, the Elizabeth Line offers a faster route, reaching Paddington in about 25 minutes with fares starting at £12.80.
Can I take luggage on the London Underground?
Yes, you can bring luggage on the Tube, but there are no dedicated luggage racks. Avoid traveling during rush hour (7:30-9:30 AM and 5-7 PM) when trains are busiest. The Elizabeth Line is a better option for Heathrow travel as it has more space for luggage.
What time does the London Underground run till?
Most London Underground lines run from around 5 AM to midnight, Monday to Saturday. On Fridays and Saturdays, the Night Tube operates on select lines (Central, Jubilee, Northern, Piccadilly, and Victoria) all night. On Sundays, services start later and finish earlier, typically around 11:30 PM.
London Buses
London’s iconic red buses are one of the most affordable and convenient ways to get around the city. They cover areas that the Tube doesn’t reach and sometimes offer a more direct route.
How to Pay for London Buses
Buses in London do not accept cash, so you’ll need to pay using:
- Contactless payment (bank card, Apple Pay, Google Pay)
- Oyster card (best for residents)
- 1 day, 7 day or monthly Travelcard
A single bus fare costs £1.75, and there's a "Hopper Fare", allowing unlimited bus journeys within one hour for the same price. This means you can change buses multiple times within an hour without paying extra.
How to Use London Buses
- Signalling: Buses don't always stop at bus stops, you'll have to wave at them to signal you want to get on.
- Boarding: Enter through the front doors and tap your card on the yellow reader.
- Exiting: Buses do not announce every stop, so press the red stop button when your stop is next.
- No need to tap out as your fare is charged when you board.
Many buses run 24/7, especially in central London. Night buses are marked with an "N" before the number (e.g. N15) and operate after the Tube closes.
Hop-On, Hop-Off Buses in London
Hop-on, hop-off buses are another option which let you explore London's top attractions at your own pace. With tickets valid for 24-48 hours, you can hop off at sights like Buckingham Palace and The Tower of London.
It’s a convenient, though pricier, option for sightseeing, with audio guides available in multiple languages. If you're planning to visit multiple attractions in London, we would reccommend getting a Go City Pass, as it includes a Hop-On-Hop-Off tour as part of the package.
How do I find the right bus in London?
Use Google Maps, Citymapper or TfL’s journey planner to find the best route. Bus stops have maps and timetables showing all routes that pass through.
Can I take luggage on London buses?
Yes, but space is limited. If the bus is crowded, you might need to stand with your luggage.
Do I need to tap out when leaving the bus?
No, you only tap in when boarding, there’s no need to tap out.
Other public transport in London
There are three other public transport options in London which are the DLR, London Overground and National Rail. However, you're not likely to use these if you're staying in central London.
DLR (Docklands Light Railway)
The DLR covers East London, including areas like Canary Wharf, Greenwich and London City Airport. You can use contactless, Oyster or a Travelcard, just like the Tube.
London Overground
The London Overground connects outer London areas and some parts of the city centre, such as Shoreditch, Camden and Clapham Junction. It’s useful for getting to places the tube doesn't run to, like Richmond Park. The same contactless and Oyster payment options apply.
National Rail
If you're traveling outside of London, you’ll likely need to use the National Rail. Trains depart from big stations like King’s Cross, Victoria and Paddington to cities such as Oxford, Brighton and Cambridge. These trains require a separate ticket.
River buses and Uber Boats
You can travel around London via cruises and uber boats, which are a unique and scenic way to explore London. You can catch an Uber Boat by Thames Clippers between central spots like Greenwich, Westminster and London Bridge, and you can use contactless cards or Oyster for payment.
The Hop-On Hop-Off day ticket offers unlimited travel for a day, perfect for hopping between riverside attractions. River cruise tours are also available to see the city from the Thames.
Although river transport is more expensive than the Tube, it’s a great option for sightseeing.
Taxis & Ride-Hailing Apps in London
London has plenty of options for getting around by taxi, including black cabs and apps like Uber and Bolt.
Black Cabs
London’s iconic black cabs can be hailed on the street, found at taxi ranks or booked in advance (on apps like Gett). They operate on a metered fare so you'll be notified of the price at the end of the journey (unless booked via app).
They are much more expensive than other options, but they can use bus lanes, making journeys quicker during heavy traffic.
Ride-Hailing Apps
To get cheaper taxis, you can use apps like Uber and Bolt. Uber is the most popular and you'll find them all over London, so it's easy and quick to get one at all times of the day.
Although these apps are cheaper than black cabs, they can have surge pricing during busy times
Can I pay by card in London taxis?
Yes, all black cabs accept card payments, including contactless and Apple/Google Pay. Most ride-hailing services are app-based, so payment is processed automatically.
Bikes & Scooter Rentals in London
London is a very bike and scooter-friendly location with plenty of cycle lanes and big parks all around the city.
Santander Cycles (Boris Bikes)
The Santander Cycles ( Boris Bikes), are London’s iconic bike renting service. You can rent bikes from docking stations around the city and return them to any other station.
- Cost: A one-off hire costs £1.65 for 30 minutes (E-bikes cost £3.30), after that, it’s £1.65 for every additional 30 minutes. Day Passes are £3.
- Payment: You can hire bikes with a contactless bank card or via the Santander Cycles app.
- Where to find them: You'll find them all over London, especially in popular areas like Hyde Park, South Bank and Shoreditch.
Electric Scooters
There are several electric scooters rentals around London, including Lime, TIER and Bolt. These scooters are a quick and fun way to get around the city and are available for rent through their apps.
- Cost: The starting fare is usually £1 to unlock the scooter, and then it’s about 15p to 25p per minute.
- Where to find them: Scooters are mainly available in designated zones across central London. You can use the app to check availability and find nearby scooters.
Is London a walkable city?
London is one of the most walkable cities in the world, with most of the top attractions, historic landmarks and shopping districts within walking distance of each other.
There are some instances where you might need to get a bus, tube or uber, such as travelling from Westminster to the Tower of London or Tower Bridge, which takes roughly an hour to walk between. However, attractions like Buckingham Palace, Oxford Street and Covent Garden are walkable (all within 20-30 minutes).
Top walking routes in London:
- The South Bank: Walk along the River Thames, passing famous landmarks like the London Eye, Tate Modern and Shakespeare’s Globe.
- Regent’s Canal: A peaceful walk along the canal, especially around Little Venice or Camden Market.
- Hyde Park to Buckingham Palace: Explore one of London’s most famous parks and then walk to Buckingham Palace.
Should I rent a car in London?
You can hire a car in London, but we wouldn't recommend it as the city has heavy traffic, expensive parking and complicated roads, and it's much easier, cheaper and faster to get around using public transport. There's also a Congestion Charge Zone and Low Emission Zone (LEZ), so there's extra charges.
If you do decide to rent a car to travel further out, there are plenty of car hire options in the city centre and at all London Airports. Rental cars are often best suited for trips outside of London, like if you want to do a day trip to the cotswolds.
To hire a car, you must be at least 21 years old (some companies require a minimum age of 23-25), and you’ll need a valid driver’s license. Some companies may also require an International Driving Permit if your license is not in English.
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