London Underground

Travel by the underground train in Central London Central London has a quick and efficient underground train system, "The Tube". The tube is faster than the red 'double-decker' buses but often very crowded, especially at rush hours. An underground map is an absolute must have - either the standard version available from Transport For London (TFL) or a geographically correct version showing the actual position of stations.

Tube trains are operated by London Regional Transport. London Transport have Travel Information Centres at all four Heathrow Airport terminals, and MAIN Underground stations, where you will find free leaflets and maps for the underground and bus services. Tickets and Travelcards After 09.30 am, you can buy the 'One-Day off-peak Travelcard'. The 'One-Day Travelcard' covers you for travel on underground trains and most London buses all day after 09.30 Mondays to Fridays, or anytime weekends and public holidays. Different prices cover different zones of the underground. There is also the 'One-Day Capital Card', which covers London buses, tube trains, and British Rail trains. In each case, a single ticket will cover you for the whole day.

There are different prices, according to zones (area) of travel. All underground tickets carry a magnetic strip. You place the ticket in the barrier, which then opens automatically. Your ticket comes out again at a hole on top of the barrier. Don't forget to take it out again!

London Regional Transport (LRT) sell Visitor Travelcards covering unlimited travel over 1, 2, 3, 4 or 7 days on:

The Underground Docklands Light Railway (DLR) Most National Railways in the London area Most London Buses London visitors from outside the UK can buy their visitor Travelcards online

Oyster Cards Oyster Cards are a new way to pay for transport in London. Simply buy an Oyster Card and top it up with credit much like a pre-pay mobile phone. When you go on the Tube or a bus you swipe your card over the magentic card reader and it automatically deducts the fare from your balance.