Spanning 9 fare zones, London's public transport system, managed by Transport for London (TfL), includes the Underground, trains, DLR, streetcars, buses, cable cars and boats.
But with so many itineraries available, how do you navigate the system?
I'm going to tell you all about it today.
Public transport in London: article summary
Public transport in London: the London Underground
Visit metro known as the Tube or Underground, is the city's second most extensive means of transport.
The metro's 11 lines and more than 270 stations are mainly concentrated between zones 1 and 6, because these are the most densely populated areas.
This impressive infrastructure system helps over 5 million passengers reach their destination every day.
Subway opening hours
You can use the London Underground system:
- Monday to Saturday 5 a.m. to midnight
- Sunday 6 a.m. to midnight
The price of a one-way ticket between zone 1 and zone 6 is £6.70.
The train in London
Given that the UK boasts the 17ᵉ largest rail network in the world, it's no surprise that its capital boasts some excellent rail lines train.
National Rail is perfect for suburban or cross-country travel, while the Overground and Elizabeth Line are the ideal options. when traveling to London.
Public transport in London: Use the national rail network
If you need to travel outside the capital, your best bet is to use National Rail trains. The company operates both local and national trains, which can take you to any part of the UK.
Ticket prices vary depending on where you want to go and when.
Docklands Light Railway (DLR)
The DLR is a driverless subway system linking London's 2 main financial districts: Canary Wharf and The City in London.
The DLR has 45 stations and 6 branches linking Bank and Tower Gateway to :
- Stratford
- Beckon
- Greenwich
- Lewisham
- London City Airport
- Woolwich Arsenal
What are DLR's opening hours?
You can use the DLR:
- Monday to Saturday 5.50 a.m. to 0.30 a.m.
- Sunday 7 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Public transport in London: streetcars in London
London's tramway system, called Tramlink, began operating in 2000 and currently has 39 stops on its network.
Tramlink is mainly concentrated in South London, linking Wimbledon, Croydon and Beckenham.
The network is structured around 3 main axes:
- From New Addington to West Croydon
- Wimbledon at Beckenham Junction
- Wimbledon at Elmers End
Light rail operating hours
You can use the tramway:
- Monday to Friday 5.30 a.m. to 0 a.m.
- Saturday 6.30 a.m. to 0 a.m.
- Sunday 7 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Throughout the week, streetcars generally run every 10 minutes.
London buses
Covering more than 19,000 bus stops, the bus are London's most emblematic and extensive form of public transport.
What are the bus timetables?
You can use this means of public transport:
- Monday to Sunday 5 a.m. to 0 a.m.
Most routes also run after midnight. To find out the bus departure times, you can either consult the online night bus map, or look for the prefix "N" in front of the bus number, indicating that the line operates after midnight.
Public transport in London: which transport apps should you take with you?
There are 3 apps that anyone living in London needs to navigate the maze of public transport.
TfL Go application
The official application allows you to plan your trips and stay in touch. live information on buses, subways, streetcars and trains.
Citymapper
The app provides live journey information and several travel options. Citymapper is easier to use than TfL Go and offers offline maps, ticket prices and cab fares.
TfL Oyster
The application you need if you have a card Oyster. With this application, you can top up your card, consult your travel history and buy Travelcards or Bus & Tram Passes.
London offers a wide range of public transport options. During your journey, you'll come face to face with them. The choice is yours the means of transport that suits you best.
What to do in London in 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 5 days, a week?
Whatever the length of your stay, I invite you to download my special London guide.
It's free and in PDF format.
All you have to do is tell me below which e-mail address you'd like to receive it at.
EDIT: you can't enter your email?
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