In this article, I present Luton Airportthe 4th^e London airport where you could land if you travel with a low-cost airline.

Here you'll find

• Luton airport presentation
• The different ways to reach the city center easily
• Practical information: prices, opening hours, reservations
• Methods to suit your profile
• And much more!

If you're looking for information about Luton Airport, you'll love this article.

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Luton Airport : article summary

Luton Airport: 4th^e London airport

There are no fewer than 6 London airportsand Luton occupies the 4^e place in order of importance behind Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted.

It's one of the most important for low-cost flightsThe Luton hub is a major hub for Easyjet, Wizzair and Ryanair flights from cities such as Lyon, Bordeaux, Paris, Grenoble and Montpellier.

So it may come in handy when you visit visit London. I'll introduce you to it, before explaining how to get to the city center from Luton Airport.

Luton airport presentation

Luton airport (LTN) is located in 55 km north of Londonin Bedfordshire. It topped 18 million annual passengers in 2019, and intends to continue attracting low-cost airlines with expansion and refurbishment projects.

He opened in 1938 and served as an air base for the French air force during the Second World War. From the 1960s onwards, it became a major player for the British in the all-inclusive package vacation market, which exploded at this time. In 1969, almost 1/5 of vacation flights in the UK depart from Luton Airport.

It lost some of its popularity at the end of the 80s - following Ryanair's withdrawal from commercial operations - and was renamed London Luton Airport to remind tourists of its relative proximity to the capital. In 1997, with the emergence of low-cost airlines such as Easyjet, the airport began to grow again, becoming the airport with the highest growth rate in terms of passengers.

Luton Airport facts and figures   

• The most popular destinations to/from Luton are Bucharest
• It has just one terminal
• More 140,000 flights / year pass through Luton Airport
• It hosts 11 airlines, with flights to 42 countries and 152 destinations

London city center by private shuttle

If you're looking for convenience above all, and don't want to bother with your luggage or have to wait for the next train or bus to leave for London, you can book a shuttle with private driver.

He will be waiting for you at arrivals and will take you to your destination. to your home (hotel or Airbnb) in the capital. Quick and easy, this solution lets you spend an hour with a driver who can tell you a few anecdotes or provide you with useful tips, making for a smooth arrival.

What's more, it's cheaper than a cabWith a single price per car fixed in advance, it's ideal for groups of 3, 4 or 5 travelers. No unpleasant surprises, and a great start to your stay in London.

Take the train to London

Where some of London's other airports have an internal station, Luton Airport does not. You have to climb on board a shuttle - with departures every 10 minutes during the day - to get there. Price: 1.70 euros / person.

A train is planned to link the two areas and facilitate travel, but it is not yet in operation. So you'll have to go to to Luton Parkway.

From there, a train leaves every 20 minutes to serve stations of :

• St Pancras International
• London Bridge
• City Thameslink
• London Blackfriars
• Farringdon

Count between 30 and 50 minutes for an average ticket price of £17.

It's an affordable solution, complicated only by access to Luton station.

Use a bus company

Several bus companies operate between Luton Airport and central London.

These include :

• Terravisionwhich runs to Victoria Station in 1h15/1h30 (with stops at Bricket Wood, Brent Cross, Baker Street, Finchley Road, Marble Arch). The ticket costs £10 for an adult, £7.50 for children aged 3 to 15, but it is possible to get a discount by taking a return ticket. This brings the fares to £17 and £12. Departures are every 30 minutes.
• National ExpressWith buses serving Paddington and Victoria stations in an average of 1h/1h30. Prices are lower than at Terravision (from £8.50 for adults / £6.50 for children) and departures are every 30 minutes.
• Easyjet has also set up a bus system called Easybusto London from Luton. An inexpensive service, with tickets from £2, to be booked with your plane tickets. Departures are at times indicated on the ticket, but it takes 1h20 to reach the city center.

Cab / Uber from Luton?

Cabs are an easy way to get to London from Luton Airport, but the most expensive method, with a journey costing à 120£. For an Uber, the bill will be slightly lower, with rates hovering around £80/£100.

For both solutions, you should expect to pay around 70-minute journey depending on traffic.

Luton Airport > city center: which method is best?

It's not difficult to get to London if you arrive at Luton airport. In fact, if you can find air tickets at a good price, this is the destination for you.

Depending on your needs, budget and convenience, you can opt for :

• Shuttle service with private driver, for a maximum convenience and an attractive rate, especially if you're traveling in a group. If you've got luggage and want to get straight to your accommodation, this is the perfect solution.
• The train, which offers good value for money which allows you to reach one of the central stations quickly. Convenient, if you have accommodation not far from one of the destinations served.
• The bus, which remains the least expensive solutionideal for small budgets. On the other hand, it's the most time-consuming solution, especially if traffic is heavy. What's more, you'll be dependent on the departure times of each company.

Enjoy your stay in London!

In this article, I present London busesto get from one neighborhood to the next easily during your stay!

Here you'll find

• London's main bus routes
• The most convenient routes
• Useful information: fares, timetables, frequencies, Passes
• What you can see and do in London by bus
• My tips for getting around the city
• And much more!

If you're looking for information about buses in London, you'll love this article.

Follow the guide!

Bus London: article summary

Bus London: is it a good way to visit the capital?

To visit London, you'll need to use public transport. It's impossible to do everything on foot, so if you want to explore neighborhoods in the capital.

Visit bus routes are numerous, and despite the heavy traffic, the bus is a practical way to get around. Here's everything you need to know.

Introducing London's buses

London is a huge capital, and you can find 673 day and night lines which serve the city center and surrounding areas of Greater London.

Their origins date back to à 1829It wasn't until 1904 that the first motorized buses made their appearance. Up until 1919, there were only steam buses in the capital!

TFL (Transport For London) now operates London's extensive public transport network.

These London buses are easy to identify, because they are red and two-storeyYou'll see them all over the city. It's a great way to visit the English capital while enjoying views of its most beautiful monuments!

Other means of transport available in the city

In London, you can also borrow :

• Visit subway lines (the Tube) that serve most of the areas to be visited
• Streetcars
• The DLR (Docklands Light Railway), which operates in the east and south-east of London and is similar to a small subway railway.
• River shuttles to cruise the Thames

What are the most useful bus routes in London?

The sheer number of bus routes in London makes it impossible to list them all. What's more, most of them won't be of any use to you.

To make life easier for travelers, the TFL company has designed a map including the essential lines, which allow you to cross the city and stop near monuments and places not to be missed.

These include :

• Visit line 8from Tottenham Court Road to Bow, via the Museum Of London
• Visit line 9which runs from Kensington to Aldwych, not far from the famous Trafalgar Square
• Visit line 11 from Liverpool Street in the direction of Fulham, which takes you through Westminster (and Westminster Abbey)
• Visit line 14convenient to reach the place de Piccadilly Circus and do some shopping at the famous Harrods from London
• Visit line 15 (the only one with the old bus models), which passes near St Paul's Cathedral and allows you to stop at Tower Hill, to discover the famous Tower of London
• Visit line 24which crosses the city center from north to south, passing through Camden TownTrafalgar Square and Westminster
• Visit line 38which will take you past the British Museum from Clapton Pond and the station by Victoria
• Visit Line 43 which starts from the London Bridge to reach the north of the city
• Visit line 59departing from the notorious King's Cross station and heading south, with stops at Covent Garden and easily reach the Ferris wheel London Eye
• Visit line 74a convenient way to reach 221b baker street home to the Sherlock Holmes Museum and the Museum of Madame Tussauds
• Visit line 274This is a great way to get to London Zoo and take a trip to the heights of the Hampstead Heath
• Visit Line 453 from the west (Marybelone) to the Westminster district
• Visit RV1 linefrom the east side of the Thames to its west side, from the Tower of London to Convent Garden stop

On the official planYou'll see the corresponding metro, train and river shuttle stops, other bus routes you might find useful, and tourist information points.

>> See the official bus and metro map

How to use the bus in London

London's buses are easy to use. Simply climb aboard, validate your journey (up and down) and press the red button to request a stop. A light signal bus Stopping indicates that your request has been processed. All you have to do now is wait for the doors to open!

Please note that you cannot purchase a ticket in cash in a London bus. You can choose to pay via :

• A rechargeable travel cardtype Oyster Card or Travalcard. This makes travel easier and allows you to benefit from reduced ticket prices.
• Your credit cardvia contactless payment at bus terminals

Please note that each ticket entitles the holder to a 1 hour on the network.

How much does a bus ticket cost in London?

Bus fares are :

• £1.75 for an adult ticket
• With a travel card, you pay at most £5.25 / day, as there is a daily cap after which your journeys are free of charge

Good to know children under 11 can travel for free!

Where to buy bus tickets in London

Tickets for London bus/transport are on sale at all TFL offices, at the counters. Or via automatic terminals many metro and/or DLR stations. What's more, some railway stations also have this type of automatic terminal.

You can buy a transport card online and load it with the desired amount, if you want to arrive in London and get going straight away.

Bus London: useful information, timetables and frequencies

Here's some more information on how to use London's buses with ease.

Schedules and frequency

Most of the busiest lines run 5 a.m. to midnightsome of them with variable opening hours.

You can consult them and plan your journeys using the official planner >>. plan a trip.

Night bus

London is a lively city day and night, and its transport network operates 24 hours a day. After midnight, buses become night buses (departing from Trafalgar Square) and the route number is preceded by an N (as in Night).

You need request stop because they are no longer automatic with these night-time lines. In addition, the frequency of service is less frequent between midnight and 5am. 

Can I take a bus from London airports?

Yes, but it all depends on London airport you'll land.

For the main routes, bus companies (such as Terravision, National Express or Easyjet's EasyBus shuttles) provide connections to London.

This is the case for the airport Heathrowthe Gatwickthose of Stansted and Luton as well as from London City Airport served by routes 473 and 474, but it's a complicated option from London Southern.

Enjoy your stay!

In this article, I present le Cutty Sark, un navire emblématique de Londres, utilisé au XIXe siècle par rapporter du thé de Chine !

Here you'll find

• Une présentation de Cutty Sark
• What you can see and do on your visit
• How to reach him easily
• Practical information: opening hours, anecdotes and tour tips
• And much more!

Si vous cherchez des informations sur le Cutty Sark, vous allez adorer cet article.

Follow the guide!

Cutty sark : sommaire de l’article

Cutty Sark : le dernier témoin d’une époque de grands voyages maritimes

Visit visitant Londres et en longeant la Tamise, vous apercevrez sans nul doute ce navire qui siège triomphalement sur le quai. Il s’agit du Cutty Sark !  C’est un clipper (ou bateau à trois mats et plus) qui servait à rapporter de la laine de Nouvelle-Zélande et du Thé de Chine.

Laissez-moi vous présenter cette merveille !

Présentation du Cutty Sark 

Construit en Écosse en 1869, le Cutty Sark tire son nom d’une sorcière d’un poème de Robert Burns, dans lequel celle-ci porte une chemise courte. C’est la traduction en langue Skots (un dérivé de l’Anglais parlé en Irlande du Nord et en Écosse) de Cutty Sark.

C’est un des deniers clippers à avoir vu le jour, à une époque où ces navires imposants servaient à transporter des marchandises d’un bout à l’autre du monde. C’est également le dernier modèle en l’état, ce qui en fait un témoin historique capitale pour l’histoire du Royaume-Uni.

This bateau à voile, connu pour sa rapidité et la facilité à le manœuvrer, sera néanmoins dépassé par la concurrence des navires en acier et des bateaux à vapeur, dès la fin du XIXᵉ siècle.

Il est alors récupéré par les Portugais, qui le surnomment Pequena Camisola (soit l’équivalent de Cutty Sark en portugais). Ils l’utilisèrent quelques années, avant qu’il soit de nouveaux acquis par le capitaine Wilfred Dowman en 1922. Il lui rendra son nom et sa forme initiale pour le transformer en navire-école.

The en 1954 que le Cutty Sark est installé en cale sèche sur les bords de la Tamise, juste en face de l’île aux chiens et du quartier désormais connu sous le nom de Canary Wharf. Il entre au patrimoine mondial de l’UNESCO en 1997. Désormais, il fait figure d’emblème d’une époque révolue dans le quartier de Greenwich.

Un vaste projet de rénovation s’étendra de 2006 à 2009, pour le préserver et faciliter l’arrivée des visiteurs, mais il est victime d’un grave incendie le 21 mai 2007 au petit matin. Fort heureusement, une grande partie de ses éléments avaient été retirés pour la rénovation. Ainsi, les dommages restent mineurs, malgré la nécessité de remplacer sa structure métallique et le plancher du pont intérieur.

Que vous soyez ou non un amateur de navigation, c’est une visite à ne pas manquer, pour découvrir des histoires passionnantes sur les courageux navigateurs chargés de ramener le précieux thé pour le peuple anglais !

Chiffres et anecdotes sur ce navire   

• Le Cutty Sark mesure 85,4 mètres de long ; son poids est de 921 tonnes ; sa voilure de 3 000 m²
• Les cales pouvaient accueillir jusqu’à 600 tonnes de thé de Chine, soit environ 10 000 caisses à thé !
• Son équipage se composait de 28 à 35 membres
• Il a participé à deux reprises aux Tea Race, qui consistait à désigner le navire qui ramènerait le plus vite le thé de Chine jusqu’à Londres. Les deux fois, il a été dépassé par la concurrence !
• Parmi ses belles performances, on notera un voyage de seulement 67 jours pour relier l’Australie et Londres !
• Il se trouve à 3 mètres au-dessus du sol, suite au projet de rénovation

Que peut-on voir et faire au Cutty Sark ?

Le Cutty Sark peut se visiter, puisque c’est désormais un musée. L’espace, bien organisé, permet d’en apprendre beaucoup sur la construction de cet impressionnant navire, sur son utilisation et sur la vie quotidienne à bord.

Voici comme se déroule la visite.

La cale du Cutty Sark

Visit visite des cales est très ludique, avec des reproductions des caisses à thé et du matériel utilisé lors des traversées les plus mouvementées. Entre les panneaux explicatifs et les maquettes, c’est une visite pédagogique à même de ravir aussi bien les parents que leurs progénitures.

En effet, des activités interactives permettront aux plus jeunes de se prendre pour des moussaillons !

Le pont supérieur

In the partie supérieure du Cutty Sark, on peut découvrir les cabines des matelots, avec des tailles qui dépendaient de leur grade. Comme vous l’imaginez, les officiers étaient bien mieux lotis que les simples membres d’équipage. Ces derniers étaient obligés de vivre dans des conditions presque spartiates !

Sur le pont, vous visiterez certaines salles qui permettent de mieux comprendre la routine quotidienne à bord, et vous découvrir la vue sur l’île aux chiens qui fait face au navire.

Parmi les petites expériences immanquables, il y a celle qui consiste à prendre la barre pour se sentir pousser une âme de capitaine !

La collection de figures de proue

Vous verrez ici la plus grande collection au monde de figures de proue. Ce sont ces figurines de bois qu’on plaçait à l’avant des navires pour une identification rapide des navires quand ils approchaient d’un port.

La coque du navire

Le navire impressionne autant par sa superficie que par la finesse de sa conception. La coque est faite de cuivre et de zinc, pour éviter que des parasites maritimes ne viennent s’y accrocher. Admirez-la de l’extérieur !

Comment rejoindre le Cutty Sark facilement ?

Le Cutty Sark se trouve à l’adresse suivante : King William Walk, Londres SE10 9HT

C’est une zone à l’est de Londres, que vous pourrez rejoindre facilement via :

• The bus, lignes 129, 177, 180 et 188
• Le DLR (le métro léger de Londres), en descendant à l’arrêt Greenwich Station
• Visit river shuttle, avec un arrêt devant le bateau nommé Greenwich Pier

Cutty Sark : tarifs, horaires et informations pratiques

Voici quelques informations complémentaires pour parfaire votre organisation et visiter le Cutty Sark sans encombre !

Rates and booking

• Billet adulte : £18.00
• Billet enfant (de 4 à 15 ans) : £9.00
• Free for children under 4

Il est possible d’acheter vos billets directement sur place. Ou de les réserver en passant par le site officiel des Musées Royaux de Greenwich qui le gère >> Voir le site officiel

Opening hours

La visite du Cutty Sark est possible tous les jours, de 10h à 17h avec une dernière admission à 16h15.

Practical information

Si les informations présentées sont majoritairement in English, des guides audio multilingues sont disponibles pour tout comprendre !

What to see and do in the area?

Bien qu’assez excentrées des zones avec les monuments les plus célèbres de Londres, les alentours du Cutty Sark permettent de découvrir :

• Visit Musée Nationale de la Marine, avec ses activités interactives, ses simulateurs et ses jeux ludiques pour tous
• Visit Royal Naval College, situé au sein d’une université. Il accueille fréquemment des expositions et dispose d’un plafond peint admirable
• L’original Fan Museum dédié aux éventails et à leur fabrication : très enrichissant, pour une visite qui sort des sentiers battus !

In this article, I present Heathrow airportLondon's largest airport!

Here you'll find

• Heathrow airport presentation
• The different ways to reach the city center easily
• Practical information: prices, opening hours, reservations
• Methods to suit your profile
• And much more!

If you're looking for information about Heathrow, you'll love this article.

Follow the guide!

Heathrow: article summary

Heathrow: London's largest airport  

If you decide to travel to London by plane, you'll land in one of the following airports 6 airports around the capital. Heathrow is the n°1It is the UK's largest airport and the 2nd largest in Europe.^e in Europe, behind Charles de Gaulle in Paris.

I'll introduce you to it, before explaining how to make the Heathrow - Central London journey as simply as possible.

Introducing Heathrow

Heathrow International Airport (LHRfor London Heathrow) was founded in 1929 as a small airfield. It takes its name from the nearby hamlet of Heathrow where it was established.

Its expansion began in 1944, and after the war it became a civilian airport with an official opening. March 25, 1946. Originally called London Airport, it was not renamed Heathrow Airport until 1966.

Heathrow is a massive airport with four terminals (terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5, with terminal 1 included in the expansion plan for terminal 2), which handles international flights by the world's leading airlines: Air Canada, Air China, Air France, American Airlines, British Airways, Japan Airlines, Royal Air Maroc, TAP Portugal and many others, with 80 airlines who use our services.

It is in the top 10 of the world's busiest airports, with a record in 2019, a year in which it exceeded the 80 million passengers. For comparison, Gatwick (London's 2nd largest airport) does not exceed 19 million annual passengers!

Good to know In addition to Gatwick, you can land at Stansted, à Lutonor at London City and London Southend airports.

Airport facts and figures  

• The most popular destinations from Heathrow are New York or Dubaiin competition in recent years
• Among local flights, it's Edinburgh in first place
• It is located in 26 km west of London
• In 2021, there will be an average of 536 daily flights at Heathrow
• Flights serve 89 countries and 214 destinations

London by private shuttle from Heathrow

For a smooth arrival in central London, you can book a shuttle with private driver. The driver will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel or Airbnb.

This is the most convenient solution, especially for those with luggage to move and for travelers in groups of 3, 4 or 5. The price is fixed, and when costs are shared, it doesn't cost much!

Heathrow Express

Since 1998, a train service has been operating between London Heathrow and London. Paddington station operates from terminals 2, 3 and 5. A shuttle bus runs between Terminal 4 and Heathrow Central station (Terminals 2 and 3) to make life easier for travelers.

This express train connects the city center in 15/20 minutes with departures every 15 minutes between 5 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. It's the quickest way to reach the capital, and you can take advantage of it all! from £28 for a one-way ticket.

You can buy your tickets online, so all you have to do is climb aboard the Heathrow Express on arrival. How convenient!

Heathrow Underground

The metro is an inexpensive option for getting to London from Heathrow. The airport, in zone 6, is served by the Piccadilly linewith stops at terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5.

It's a convenient way to get straight to the center of town. It takes about 45/50 minute journeywith frequent departures between 5am and 11:30pm.

Good to know It is possible to use the Oyster Card to make the trip from the airport at lower cost.

Using TFL trains  

Company trains TFL (Transport For London, which also operates the subway and London bus) connect the airport to Paddington station, via the Elizabeth Line which passes through terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5.

It has been extended to reach Abbey Wood (via Canary Wharf) on one side, and connecting terminal 5 to Shenfield via Stratford on the other.

Tickets cost 12,80£ with regular departures between 4:30 a.m. and midnight, depending on the season.

By bus

Classic buses serve several parts of London from the airport bus stationwithin walking distance of the main terminals.

You'll find lines 105, 111, 278, 285, 350, 423, 482, 490, A10 and U3 during the day; and night lines N9 and N140. Convenient, but longer than the metro, which I'd rather recommend.

The companies National Express and Terravision also offer regular shuttle services from this station, with fares starting from £4 one way / £8 return. However, the journey time is a little long here too, up to 1h15/1h40 depending on traffic.

With a cab or an Uber?

From black cabs and mini-taxis await travelers arriving at Heathrow. Allow around an hour for the journey, and the fare is usually in the region of £70-£90.

The Uber option is available and slightly cheaper, with a bill of around £50.

Heathrow > city center: which method to choose?

As you can see, there are many ways to reach central London easily from Heathrow airport. The best choice for you will simply depend on your expectations and your budget:

• For a smooth arrival, the private shuttle with driver is the best choice. You won't have to carry your luggage and you'll be dropped off directly at your accommodation!
• The quickest solution is the Heathrow ExpressIt's an excellent choice if you're staying near Paddington Station, which it serves.
• The metro is the cheapest way to get to London, with excellent value for money that will delight even the smallest budgets.

Enjoy your stay in London!

In this article, I present London Bridgeoften confused with Tower Bridgeto help you choose the right tour!

Here you'll find

• A presentation of London Bridge
• The difference between London Bridge and Tower Bridge
• What makes them interesting
• How to reach them easily
• Practical information: opening hours, anecdotes and tour tips
• And much more!

If you're looking for information about London Bridge, you'll love this article.

Follow the guide!

London Bridge: article summary

London Bridge, a historic bridge across the Thames

The British capital has many bridges, one of which is referred to as the London Bridge. While the bridge has an interesting history, it is now a modern building with little appeal.

On the other hand, a neighbouring bridge 900 metres downstream on the Thames is well worth a visit: the Tower Bridge opposite the famous Tower of London !

I present to you these two bridges and what they have to offer.

Introducing London Bridge

London Bridge is the oldest bridge linking the capital's road and river crossings. The first wooden version dates back to Roman times, until a stone bridge was built between 1176 and 1209.

It was fortified and rebuilt several times over the centuries, with an 1831 granite version dismantled and moved to Lake Havasu City in the state of Arizona in the USA, where it is reassembled and still visible. It is replaced in 1973 by the current London Bridge, designed by architect Harold King, who completely modernized it.

It's now a bridge with little tourist appealwhich pedestrians and vehicles use to move from the Cité de London to Southwark. Only the view of the Tower Bridge a neighbor well worth the detour!

Facts and figures about the bridge   

• Visit XIIᵉ centuryAt the time, there were buildings, houses and a church on this bridge, but these have since disappeared due to the inconvenience they caused to traffic.
• It measures 262 metres long for a height of 8.9 metres
• A nursery rhyme, London Bridge Is Falling Downis very popular with young English people. It reminds us of the fragility of the work, its many reconstructions and ideas for repairing it!

Can you visit London Bridge?

The official London Bridge cannot be visitedYou can walk around it or admire it from afar.

On the other hand, I strongly recommend a visit to nearby Tower Bridge!

Tower Bridge, London's most famous bridge!

Too often confused with London Bridge, Tower Bridge is a few hundred metres further down, in front of the Tower of London.

It's a bascule bridge, built in 1984This was the time when the growing population of the East End required the construction of a new crossing over the Thames. And the idea for a bascule bridge came from the fact that a conventional bridge would have prevented larger ships from crossing to the nearby port of Pool of London.

It is easily recognizable, with its two towersits imposing dimensions (244 metres long and 65 metres high) and its neo-Gothic styleThe building is modelled on the architecture of the medieval fortress of the Tower of London, so as not to stand out in the landscape.

Several times a day, the bridge opens to let the boats through, a process that takes around 1.30 minutes. Of course, you're welcome to attend!

It can be visited and offers memorable activities, which I'd like to introduce to you!

What to see and do at Tower Bridge

A visit to the Tower Bridge is full of surprises, and you're sure to enjoy both the views and the sensations. Here's what's in store!

The glass walkway

If the lower part is reserved for road and river traffic, a glass walkway was built at the top, between the two towers. At a height of 40 metres, it offers a magnificent view of the surrounding area.

To complete the experience, glass slabs have been installed on the footbridge, so that visitors can see the sieve and the void. Those afraid of heights are warned!

The engine room (via Tower Bridge Exhibition)

Your reward for crossing the footbridge is access to the machine room. Discover the impressive mechanism that allowed the bridge to be raised several times a day.

The mechanism is now computer-controlled, which has caused malfunctions on several occasions. Which just goes to show that, sometimes, the engineering of the past has some trump cards to play.

Le levée du Pont

If you're lucky, you'll be able to see the bridge lift when you're on the bridge. Otherwise, feel free to observe this event from afar, by leaving it to chance or by consulting the updated schedules on the official website.

How do I get to London Bridge?

London Bridge can be found at the following address: London EC4R 9HA

You can access it easily via :

• Visit metroJubilee line, London Bridge stop. It is located in the station of the same name
• River shuttle, RB1, RB2, RB6 and RBS, London Bridge City Pier stop
• Buses 21, 35, 43, 47, 133, London Bridge stop

Visit Tower Bridge can only be found in 900 meters downstream (at Tower Bridge Rd, London SE1 2UP) and you can access :

• By subway, District and Circle lines, Tower Hill stop
• By bus, with routes 15, 42, 78, 100 and RV1
• By river shuttle, getting off at St Katherine Pier and Tower Pier stops

Tower bridge: prices, opening hours and practical information

Rather than focusing on London Bridge, it's much more interesting to discover the Tower Bridge. Here's what you need to know before visiting!

Rates and booking

• Adult ticket: £12.30
• Children's ticket (5 to 15 years): £6.20
• Free for children under 5

You can book your tickets on the official website (which also offers guided tours at £27.00 / £12.30). Or directly from the bridge ticket office, if you don't mind queues.

Opening hours

Tower Bridge is open to visitors every day, 9.30 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last entry at 5pm).

Allow no more than an hour for the tour.

Practical information

Bags are systematically searched during the visit.

Be aware that the queue is outside, which is a good thing to know in case it rains - a frequent occurrence in London.

What to see and do in the area?

You'll find plenty of interesting things to do around London Bridge and Tower Bridge. Here are a few suggestions to keep you exploring London!

• Visit the Tower of Londonthe ancient medieval fortress with its ramparts and emblematic corbels
• Climb to the top of The Shardwhich offers the most impressive view of the capital
• Coffee at the Sky Gardenin the heart of the City, to admire London from above
• Visit the Monument to the Great Fire of London which recalls the fateful event of 1666. Fascinating for the history, magnificent for the view!

In this article, I present London Gatwick airportand what you need to know to reach the city center easily.

Here you'll find

• A presentation of London Gatwick
• The different ways to reach the city center easily
• Practical information: prices, opening hours, reservations
• Methods to suit your profile
• And much more!

If you're looking for information about this London Gatwick airport, you'll love this article.

Follow the guide!

London Gatwick: article summary

London Gatwick, 2nd^e London airport

Gatwick is the 2^e largest airport from London after Heahtrow and ahead of Stanstedin terms of visitor numbers. When you come visit LondonYou could land here, as it is served by numerous flights from France, including low-cost airlines from Bordeaux, Calvi, Lyon and Nice.

I'll introduce you to it, and explain which means of transport you can use to get to the center of the capital quickly.

Introducing Gatwick Airport

London Gatwick Airport (LGW) is located at 45 km away of London, in the south of the country. With more than 45 million passengers a year, it is the second busiest of the London airports.

In 1930It opened as a simple flying club for enthusiasts, before becoming an airfield for use by the general public. It didn't become a full-fledged airport until 1950, when it was officially opened by the Queen. in 1958 It was the first airport with a direct rail link to London.

International connections are expanding and in 1987In fact, London Gatwick is the world's second busiest airport, ahead of New York's JFK!

This airport, which boasts two terminalsThe airport could have been linked to Heathrow by a direct train, but the project was abandoned in favor of an extension to Heathrow airport. But there's a good chance you'll end up here, if you fly with airlines like Easyjet, RyanAir, Wizzair or even Iberiawhose planes land at Gatwick.

Gatwick facts and figures  

• Easyjet is the busiest airline at Gatwick, with 19 million annual passengers
• The most popular destination from Gatwick is Dublin
• By 2030, a train will leave every 2.5 minutes for central London in 30 minutes

Shuttle to downtown London

If you don't want the hassle of packing and are looking for maximum convenience, you might as well make a reservation. a private shuttle.

A driver will be waiting for you at arrivals to take you to your hotel/Airbnb. A more intimate journey, where you can enjoy a few anecdotes about the city and its people. good deals.

And it's no more expensive, because the price is fixed. No stress, no nasty surprises!

Using the Gatwick Express

This shuttle train connects Gatwick to London (and Victoria Station, in Westminsterwhich is connected to the Victoria, District and Circle Lines of the London Underground) in 30 minuteswith departures every 15 minutes or so.

A practical if somewhat expensive solution, with tickets at :

• 19.90 (one-way)
• 34.90 for a return ticket valid for 30 days

It operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and provides the fastest solution to London. It's best to book your ticket online.

Good to know It is possible to use the Oyster Card to pay for it, if you've loaded it beforehand.

Take the Thameslink train

Visit Thameslink runs between Brighton and Bedford, serving Gatwick airport at the same time. It will also take you to London King's Cross ( London station for Harry Potter fans!) or at London Bridge at 30 minutes approx..

It operates between 5.30am and 11pm every day, with fares starting from £11.30.

Opt for the Southern train

The company Southern Railway also runs to London from Gatwick to Victoria Station. Cost: 40-minute journeywith tickets starting at £9.00.

It's the solution the cheapestwhich allows you to arrive not far from Buckingham Palace if you plan to stay at the center.

Use the National Express buses

The company National Express offers buses that take 1h15 / 1h30 to reach Victoria station. It's a long journey, but one that saves you a lot of money. Tickets start at £7.50.

If you have the time and a small budget, it's a good choice!

Good to know Another bus solution is to take the EasyBus shuttle, available to Easyjet travelers. A 1h20 ride will take you to the city center, but you need to buy your tickets in advance with your plane tickets.

Cab or Uber from Gatwick?

It is possible to borrow a London Taxi or an Uber from Gatwick airport, for easy access to the city center. While this is a practical solution, it's still very expensive, with fares starting from £70 (with an Uber) and around £100 if you opt for a cab.

The advantage is that you'll be dropped off in front of your hotel or Airbnb, and there's no need to book. The (black) cabs are laid out at the exit and you won't be able to miss them.

London Gatwick Airport > city center: which method is best?

It's easy to get to London city center from Gatwick, and easy to get back to the airport once your stay is over. But what is the best option for you?

This will depend mainly on your budget and your travel habits:

• For those in a hurryThe private shuttle offers the best value for money, with total care and no unpleasant surprises.
• If you're looking for easeThe Gatwick Express is a good option for reaching the city center, although a little expensive if you're traveling in large numbers.
• The bus is still the cheapest, and will delight small budgets
• The train is the good compromise time/practicality, especially if you're travelling to secondary stations

Enjoy your stay in London!