Home

about
Destination Guides
Trip Essentials
Global Weather

>>
Top Travel Stories
Europe Travel News
Asia Travel News
Browse by Country
North America
South America
Western Europe
Eastern Europe
Middle East
Africa
Australia
South Asia
South-East Asia
East Asia
Phrasebooks
Currency Calculator
Global Directions
Major Cities
Search for Cities

London
Template:Style
Tower Bridge at dusk. Bridging the River
Thames near the Tower of London, Tower
Bridge is one of the icons of the central
London landscape.

Template:Otheruses

London [1] is the capital and largest city of both the United Kingdom and of
England, and the largest city in western Europe. Situated on the River Thames in
South-East England, Greater London has an official population of roughly 7.5
million people—although the figure of over 14 million for the city's total
metropolitan area more accurately reflects London's size and importance. London is
historically one of the great "world cities" and remains a global capital of politics,
culture, fashion, trade and finance.

The Tower.

The Tower.
Image:London Eye.JPG
London Eye

Contents
1 Districts
2 Understand
2.1 History
2.2 Summer Olympics 2012
3 Getting in
3.1 By plane
3.1.1 London Heathrow
3.1.2 London Gatwick
3.1.3 London Stansted
3.1.4 London Luton
3.1.5 London City Airport
3.1.6 London Southend Airport
3.1.7 Other airports near London
3.2 By train
3.3 By bus
4 Get around
4.1 Oyster Card
4.1.1 Which ticket?
4.1.1.1 Travelcard
4.1.1.2 Pay-as-you-go (PrePay)
4.1.2 Validity
4.1.3 Where to buy
4.2 By foot
4.3 By skates
4.4 By Tube / Underground
4.4.1 Tube etiquette
4.5 By bus
4.6 By Tram
4.7 By DLR
4.8 By cycle
4.9 By Motorbike / Powered Scooter
4.10 By taxi
4.11 By road
4.12 By Boat
5 See
5.1 Landmarks
5.1.1 Central London
5.1.2 South Bank
5.1.3 City
5.1.4 Southwark
5.1.5 Highgate
5.1.6 South Kensington
5.1.7 Notting Hill
5.1.8 Greenwich
5.2 Museums and Galleries
5.2.1 Central London
 5.2.2 Bloomsbury
5.2.3 North West London
5.2.4 South Bank
5.2.5 South Kensington
5.2.6 Southwark
5.2.7 Greenwich
5.2.8 Other Neighborhoods
5.3 Parks and Gardens
6 Do
6.1 Explore
6.2 Experience
6.3 Skate
6.4 Sporting Events
7 Buy
8 Eat
8.1 Pricing
8.2 Restaurants
8.3 Chains
8.4 Vegetarian
8.5 Religious
8.6 Speciality shops
8.7 Shopping
9 Drink
9.1 Pubs/Bars
9.2 Nightclubs
9.3 Gay and lesbian
10 Sleep
11 Contact
11.1 WiFi Access
12 Stay safe
13 Get out

[edit]
Districts
The name "London" originally referred only to the once-walled "Square Mile" of
the original Roman (and later medieval) city (now confusingly called the City of
London, or just "The City"). "London", however, has taken on a much larger
meaning, to include all of the vast central part of the modern metropolis, the city
having absorbed numerous surrounding towns and villages over the centuries.
Reflecting the massive size of the metropolis, therefore, the term "Greater London"
embraces central London, together with all the outlying suburbs that lie in one
continuous urban sprawl within the lower Thames valley. Though densely populated
by New World standards, London retains large swathes of green parkland and open
space, even within the city center.
Greater London consists of 32 London boroughs and the City of London that,
together with the relatively new London mayoralty, form the basis for London's
local government. The names of several boroughs, such as 'Westminster' or
'Camden', are well-known and self-explanatory, others less so, such as 'Hackney', or
'Tower Hamlets'. A traveller's London, however, is better defined not by strangely-
shaped and often fairly arbitrary administrative divisions, but rather by recognized
functional, cultural, and social districts of varying types and sizes:

London regions

Central London
The City of London - the historical, and financial, core of the city
Westminster - a city in its own right, and home of the British
government and royal family
West End - theatres and shops
Soho - nightclubs and restaurants, the heart of Gay London
Covent Garden - designer and alternative shopping, as well as a
famous opera house
Oxford Street - long (over a mile) shopping street
Leicester Square - one of the mainstream entertainment hubs, lots
of cinemas
Chinatown - the Chinese district
Trafalgar Square - churches, galleries, monuments
Holborn
South Bank - a vibrant, artsy district fronting the river Thames
Southwark
Bloomsbury - academic and intellectual area, many of the University of
London's constituent colleges are based here
Mayfair
Marylebone
Paddington - centered around Paddington Station, includes Bayswater
and Queensway
 East London - a mixture of galleries and bustling nightlife, as well as the
some of the most deprived areas in the country. Now the focus of
redevelopment for the 2012 Olympic Games. covers Bethnal Green, Bow,
Brick Lane, Clerkenwell, Docklands, Hackney, Mile End, Poplar, Shoreditch,
Stepney, Stratford, Walthamstow and Whitechapel
West London - major centers include Kensington, Chelsea, Hammersmith,
Fulham, Shepherd's Bush, Chiswick, Acton and Ealing.
South West London - covers Battersea, Brixton, Clapham, Kingston, Putney,
Richmond, Twickenham, Wandsworth, Wimbledon, Streatham and Tooting.
South East London - covers Greenwich, Dulwich, Croydon, Lewisham,
Bromley, Deptford and Penge.
North East London
North London
North West London - the upscale areas of St. John's Wood, Maida Vale,
Finchley, Hampstead Garden Suburb and Hampstead; but also includes
immigrant and working class Wembley and Kilburn.

[edit]
Understand
History [edit]

Settlement has existed on the site of London since well before Roman times, with
evidence of Bronze Age and Celtic peoples. The Roman city of Londinium,
however, established just after the Roman conquest of Britannia in 43 AD, formed
the basis for the modern city (some isolated Roman period remains are still to be
seen within the city). After a short-lived decline that followed the end of Roman
rule in 410 AD, London experienced a gradual revival under the Anglo-Saxons, as
well as the Norsemen, emerging as a great medieval trading city, and eventually
replacing Winchester as the English royal capital. This paramount status for London
was confirmed by the Norman, William the Conqueror, who built the Tower of
London after the Conquest in 1066, and was crowned King of England in nearby
Westminster.

London went from strength to strength and, with the rise of England to first
European, then global prominence, the city became a great center of government,
industry and culture. London's long association with the theater, for example, can be
traced back to the English Renaissance (witness the Rose Theatre and Shakespeare's
Globe) and great playwrights, like Shakespeare, who made London their home.

With the rise of Britain to supreme maritime power in the 18th and 19th centuries,
the possessor of the largest global empire, London became an imperial capital,
drawing people and influences from around the world to become, for many years,
the largest city in the world. Despite the inevitable decline of the Empire, and
considerable suffering during the Second World War (when London was heavily
bombed by the German Luftwaffe in "the Blitz"), the city remains a top-ranked
world city, a global center of finance, learning, and culture.

The Museum of London, located near the Barbican to the north of the City of
London, makes an ideal destination (free admission) for the traveller who wants to
understand the history and ongoing legacy of this great city.

London is easily the largest city in the United Kingdom, eight times larger than its
second largest city, Birmingham, and ten times larger than the third, Glasgow, and
dominates the economic, political, and social life of the United Kingdom (much to
the annoyance of people in "the provinces" - i.e. everywhere except London). The
city is full of excellent bars, theaters, museums, art galleries, and parks. It is also the
most culturally and ethnically diverse part of the country, and, for a visitor, a nice
side-effect of this is the wide range of cuisines available. Samuel Johnson said
"When one is tired of London, one is tired of life." Whether you are interested in
ancient history or modern art, opera or underground raves, London has it all.

England's royal families have, over the centuries, added much to the London scene
for today's traveller: the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace,
the Albert Memorial, the Royal Albert Hall, and Westminster Abbey being
prominent examples.

London possesses one of the best collections of museums and galleries anywhere in
the world. World cultures throughout history are well represented, for example, at
the British Museum.

Summer Olympics 2012 [edit]

The International Olympic Committee decided in July 2005 that London will serve
as the host city for the Games of the XXX Olympiad, the Summer Olympic Games
of 2012 [2]. This will make London the first city to hold the Olympic Games three
times, having hosted the games previously in 1908 and 1948. The vast majority of
events will be held in a regenerated area in East London. For more information, see
London 2012.

[edit]
Getting in
By plane [edit]

Image:London airport links

summary.svg
A summary map of the main airport
rail and tube connections into London

London (all airports code: LON) is served by a total of six airports. Traveling
between the city and the airports is made relatively easy by the large number of
public transport links that have been put in place over recent years. However, if
transiting through London, be sure to check the arrival and departure airports
carefully as transfers across the city may be quite time-consuming.

In addition to London's six official airports (of which only two are located in
London) there are a number of other regional UK airports conveniently accessible
from London. Since they offer a growing number of budget flights, choosing those
airports can be cheaper (or even faster, depending on where in London your
destination is).

For transfers directly between London's airports, the fastest way (short of a taxi) is
the direct inter-airport service by National Express [3]. Buses between Heathrow,
Gatwick, Stansted and Luton airports run at least once per hour, with Heathrow-
Gatwick services taking 65 minutes (£18) and Heathrow-Stansted services 90
minutes (£20.50). (Note that services between Stansted and Luton Airports run only
once every 2 hours.) However, it's essential to allow leeway, as London's
expressways, especially the orbital M25 and the M1 motorway, are often congested
to the point of gridlock. Buses have toilets on board.

London Heathrow [edit]

Main article: Heathrow Airport

Heathrow (Template:ICAO, Template:IATA) [4] is London and Europe's largest

airport and the world's busiest airport in terms of international passenger movement,
with services from most available major airports world-wide. There are four
terminals, with a fifth opening in 2008. Flights landing in Heathrow often are
delayed by up to an hour as a simple result of air traffic congestion and waiting for
parking slots.

A quick summary of transport options:

Fastest: Heathrow Express train to Paddington Station, 15 min journey time

at 15 min intervals, £15.50
Cheapest: Piccadilly Line to central London (London Underground), 50 min,
Ask for an 'Oyster Card' for cheapest travel. Single journeys are around £3.50
with oyster (Requires deposit of £3, returned at the end of your stay) and £4
for a paper ticket. Zone 6 Travelcards valid £6-7 for a day. See 'Getting
Around' below for all transport ticketing options.
Most convenient: Combination of Heathrow Express to Paddington followed
by a Taxi to your final destination. A Taxi from Heathrow to Central London
will take around one hour and is highly dependent on traffic, £45-60
Also available: Heathrow Connect rail service - the same route as Heathrow
Express but slower, as it stops at intermediate stations.
South London: if you are heading for anywhere near Clapham or London
Waterloo in South London, take a 285 bus (or a taxi) to Feltham station (20
 mins), and SouthWest Trains to Clapham Junction or Waterloo.

London Gatwick [edit]

(Template:IATA, Template:ICAO) [5] London's second airport, also serving a large

spectrum of places world-wide. To get to the center of the city, the following
options exist:

Gatwick Express is a high-speed rail link between the airport and

London Victoria Station. The service runs every 15 minutes and takes
30-35 minutes. Express class £14 (single); £26.80 (return); First
Class (includes priority security procedures) £20 single, £38 return.
Some other options (including Day Return and Carnet) available.
Travelcards not valid. Railcards valid.
Southern Rail run trains to Victoria via Clapham Junction about every
15 minutes and take 35-40 minutes. £9 (single to Victoria), so slightly
slower and slightly cheaper than the Gatwick Express; Travelcards not
valid. Be aware that if you travel together in a group (3 people or
more), you get a group discount for a day travel card (valid on all
London Underground and TFL buses for the entire day) for only Â
£6.10 each after peak hours.
First Capital Connect (Thameslink) services run from Gatwick
station to London Bridge, City Thameslink, Farringdon, Kings Cross,
through north London to Luton Airport and beyond.
By car, Gatwick airport is some 29 miles (47 km) south of central
London.

There is a long-distance cycle path into Central London, but as it involves going
through the North Downs and South London and over, it will likely be quite a ride.
See Sustrans for more information.

London Stansted [edit]

(Template:ICAO, Template:IATA)[6] Currently London's third airport, the base for

a large number of budget carriers and flights within Europe and a few inter-
continental flights.

Locate the Airport on a map:[7]

Transport options into central London:

Stansted Express - a non-stop rail link between the airport and London
Liverpool Street Station. The service runs every 15-30 minutes and
takes between 45 and 60 minutes, depending on which train you catch
(Some are more 'express' than others.) Although this is an expensive
 option, it is the fastest and most convenient way to reach central
London from Stansted. £15 (single); £25 (return); Travelcards not
valid. The Stansted express covers the last part of its journey (between
Tottenham Hale and Liverpool Street) at snail pace and takes 15 min
for this short stretch. Stansted Express does not accept bicycles except
for folding bikes.
London Underground: If your destination is in the West End, West or
South London, take the Stansted Express only as far as Tottenham
Hale, then get off and change onto on the Victoria Line which goes
directly to Oxford Circus and Victoria - it will save you half an hour or
so. Fare to Tottenham Hale: £14.50 (single); Underground fare to
Oxford Circus: £2.50 (buy an Oyster card at the tube station).
Terravision [8] - this express bus service runs from the airport to
Bishopsgate(Liverpool Street station) and Victoria Coach terminal. The
service runs hourly and takes 75 minutes. £8/£14 (single/return) to
Victoria, £6.70/£11.80 (single/return) to Liverpool St; Travelcards
not valid.
National Express Bus [9] - coaches depart at least every half hours. Â
£10/£16 (single/return) to London Victoria (via Golders Green); £8/
£14 (single/return) to Stratford. National Express Bus does not accept
bicycles except for folding bikes. Buses go every 15min to Victoria
Station. The journey from Victoria takes about 1h30 min, from Stratford
1hr. Delays due to traffic congestion are commonplace, especially on
the Victoria Service.
Taxis are available but are not the most efficient option. The airport is
actually quite a long way from London, so expect the journey to take
1h30 min (2h in heavy traffic) and to set you back about £70. It's
normally a better idea to take a train to Liverpool Street station and
continue by taxi from there.
easyBus [10] - services started on 7th of June 2007. By booking in
advance via the internet tickets can be a little as £2. It costs £8 when
buying on the bus. Services go to Baker St.

Internet: There are several commercial wi-fi hotspots covering most of the airport,
but they charge extortionate rates. A free wi-fi hotspot is located in the arrivals gate
area, next to the phone booths offering fixed internet.

Sleeping in Stansted Airport: a large number of budget flights depart from

Stansted as early as 6:00 am (when the lowest fares are available). However, this
presents travellers with a problem, as the airport's location is a long way outside
London, and transport to the airport does not operate before 5:30 am. Due to the
high price of accommodation in the city and near the airport, and the fact that many
budget airlines don't pay for accommodation in the event of cancellation, an
increasing number of travellers choose to spend the night in the airport prior to their
flight. A crowd of around 100 travellers (up to 400 in summer) camp in the main
departure/arrivals hall every night, effectively turning it into a giant dormitory.
Tips for sleeping in Stansted Airport:

Arrive early, preferably around 10pm, and stake your territory

immediately. Benches without armrests are in limited supply and fill up
quickly.
If you arrive later take a floor mat and sleeping bag. Sleeping on the
floor is tolerated by the staff, but avoid pitching your bed in front of
shops and counters.
A Sleeping bag is generally recommended as the automatic doors
constantly open and close as passengers arrive, and it can get chilly in
winter.
Safety is not a problem. The airport is miles away from any settlement
and security guards overlook the open-plan building 24/7.
Ear plugs and eye covers are a must, as the cleaning staff are noisy and
shop assistants start arriving at 4am to open shutters.
At least one cafe is open all night, offering snacks and hot drinks.
Toilets remain open and are normally in good condition. There are no
drinking fountains.

London Luton [edit]

(Template:ICAO, Template:IATA)[11] Has traditionally been a holiday charter

airport, but is now also served by some budget scheduled carriers. As per Stansted,
and for the same reasons, many choose to spend the night here before flying. To get
to central London, the following options exist:

By National Rail [12]. The rail station is not actually in the airport, but
the there is a free shuttle bus from the airport to Luton Airport Parkway
Station which runs every few minutes and takes five minutes. From
there, Thameslink trains run by First Capital Connect run four or more
times an hour to either London St Pancras or London King's Cross
Thameslink stations taking around 30 minutes. The fare is £11
(single). Note that some trains run non-stop into London, whilst others
stop at every station pushing the travel time to nearly 50 minutes, so
check before you board. From December 2007, Thameslink trains will
serve the new King's Cross St Pancras International station. Travelcards
not valid.
By Green Line [13] bus 757 from Luton Airport to London Victoria.
Buses run every 20 minutes and take 90 minutes, stopping at Brent
Cross, Finchley Road Tube Station, Baker Street, Marble Arch, Hyde
Park Corner and London Victoria. Travelcards not valid.
By National Express [14] coaches. Coaches run from outside the
airport at various times throughout the day and night into Golders
Green, Marble Arch and Victoria Coach Station. Prices vary depending
on the service. It is often worth booking in advance via the National
 Express website as promotional fares can be as little as £1.
By easyBus [15] minibus. The route EB2 goes via Hastingwood
Motorways Services and South Woodford to Baker Street. EasyBus also
share operation of the 757 route with Green Line. If you book in
advance, it will be cheaper (£2-£8 booked via internet vs £8 at the
bus). They now run from the city center (Victoria), but terminate in
Baker St on the way back from the airport.

By car, the airport is some 35 miles (60 km) north of central London.

London City Airport [edit]

(Template:ICAO, Template:IATA)[16] A commuter airport close to the city's

financial district, and specializing in short-haul business flights to other major
European cities. To get to the city center, the following options exist:

By the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), which connects with the

London underground; Travelcards and Oyster PrePay are valid.
By taxi, the journey will take about half an hour. £20.00-£35.00.
By car, the airport is 6 miles (10 km) east of central London.
By bus, take the 474 bus to Canning Town Station and then the 115 or
N15 into central London.

London Southend Airport [edit]

(Template:IATA, Template:ICAO) Currently undergoing redevelopment and is set

to become London's sixth international airport once the new rail link is completed.
At present it serves destinations in the British isles only.

Other airports near London [edit]

Southampton Airport [17] (Template:ICAO, Template:IATA) is not

officially a London airport, though accessible enough to conveniently serve
the capital, especially South West London. A couple of budget carriers
serving an increasing number of European destinations are based here.

Direct trains connect Southampton airport to London Waterloo station

every 30 minutes. Journey time 1h10min, cost £30-35 return.

Birmingham International Airport [18] (Template:ICAO, Template:IATA)

is another non-London airport worth considering as a less congested and
hectic alternative to Heathrow, being just over an hour away from London.
As a major airport serving the UK's second largest city, there is a good choice
of long distance and European destinations.
 Direct trains connect Birmingham International to London Euston and
Watford every 30 minutes. Journey time 1h15min. Cost £35-100
return, however very cheap (as little as £10) one-way tickets on
Virgin's Pendolino service can be bought, for specific times only and in
advance, see website.

By train [edit]

London is served by one international rail link, currently operating out of St

Pancras. High-speed trains travel under the sea for 22 miles (35 km) through
the Channel Tunnel from Paris (2h35) and Brussels (2h15) and are operated by
Eurostar. Book well in advance to secure the best ticket deals. For onward
travel Waterloo International is part of the Waterloo station complex (see
below) and well served by tube lines, buses and taxis.

London is also well served by trains to and from other parts of the UK. There are no
fewer than 12 main line terminal stations, forming a ring around Central London
and each serving various parts of the country. Apart from Fenchurch Street (nearest
Tube Tower Gateway), all are served by their own stations on the tube network, and
most (but not all) can be reached by the Circle Line -- which may be the easiest, if
not fastest, way to transfer between stations by Tube. All are served by buses and
taxis.

For a detailed profile of each station, visit the Network Rail Stations website and
select the appropriate station from the list at left.

In clockwise order the mainline (National Rail) train stations are:

London Paddington, serving the area to the west of London including

Reading, Oxford, Bath, Bristol, Cardiff, Swansea, Taunton, Exeter and
Plymouth. Paddington is also the downtown terminus of the Heathrow Airport
Express service (see above) and also serves commuters from Ealing
Broadway, Acton Main Line, Slough, Maidenhead and points west.
London Marylebone, serving an area to the north-west of London. One
branch serves suburban stations including Wembley Stadium then towns like
High Wycombe, Banbury, Stratford-upon-Avon and Birmingham. The other
takes a more northerly route along the Metropolitan line via Harrow-on-the-
Hill to Amersham and then on to Aylesbury. It is usually much cheaper (but
slightly slower) to take a Chiltern Railways train from London Marylebone to
Birmingham instead of Virgin Trains from London Euston.
London Euston, serving central and north-west England and western
Scotland, including Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Carlisle, Chester and
Glasgow, and rail and ferry services to/from both the Republic of Ireland and
Northern Ireland from Holyhead. Euston is also the London terminus for the
sleeper train to Scotland.
London St Pancras, serving the East Midlands, including Leicester,
 Nottingham, Derby and Sheffield. Eurostar trains moved here from Waterloo,
on 14th November 2007, leading to the change of the station's name to St
Pancras International.
London King's Cross, serving north-eastern England and eastern Scotland,
Doncaster, Leeds, Kingston Upon Hull, York, Newcastle upon Tyne,
Edinburgh and Aberdeen. Regional services including Cambridge, Stevenage,
Hitchin and Peterborough also operate from King's Cross. Platform 9 3/4
from the Harry Potter books is marked with a special sign -- although
Platform 9 itself is actually in the fairly unpleasant metallic extension used by
Cambridge trains. Kings Cross Thameslink station is a short walk away and
provides services on the cross London Thameslink line to St Albans, Luton
Airport Luton and Bedford to the north and Gatwick Airport and Brighton to
the south.
London Moorgate, serving regional commuter stations along the King’s
Cross line north east of London, duplicating many of the services out of
King’s Cross.
London Liverpool Street, serving East Anglia, including Ipswich and
Norwich. Liverpool Street is also the downtown terminus of the Stansted
Airport Express service (see above).
London Fenchurch Street, serving largely commuter towns on the north side
of the Thames estuary, including Southend.
London Bridge, London Cannon Street, London Waterloo East and
London Charing Cross, all serving the area south and south east of London,
including Brighton, Eastbourne, Hastings, Dover and Ramsgate. Famously
known as the "Pit of Despair" by London commuters.
London Blackfriars A small intermediate station serving the cross London
Brighton- Bedford line with some commuter services from the south eastern
parts of London terminating here.
London Waterloo, serving the area south-west of London, including
Portsmouth, Winchester, Southampton, Bournemouth, Weymouth, Salisbury
and Exeter. South-west London is also most quickly reached from Waterloo,
although some areas like Richmond and Wimbledon are also served by the
western reaches of the District Line. This station is currently the terminus for
direct trains to mainland Europe (see above), until the service moves to St
Pancras on the 14th November 2007.
London Victoria, serving the area south and south-east of London, including
Brighton, Eastbourne, Hastings, Dover and Ramsgate, and serves some of
south London's commuter belt. Victoria is also the downtown terminus of the
Gatwick Airport Express service (see above).
Kensington Olympia, a small station just to the west of the center, and the
only London stop for several Virgin long distance cross country services
between the Midlands to the south coast.

There is also one cross-London rail service commonly known as Thameslink but
officially called First Capital Connect, from Bedford to Brighton and calling in
central London at London King's Cross Thameslink, Farringdon, City
Thameslink and London Blackfriars. It notably connects Gatwick and Luton
airports with each other and Central London.

Train times (to and from any location) can be found on the National Rail Planner
[19] or by calling 08457 48 49 50 (local call charges apply) from anywhere in the
UK.

The last train sometimes doesn't come because of changes to the schedule,
variations in the weather, or for some other reason.

Many parts of London itself are best accessible by train (sometimes called National
Rail or Overground trains to distinguish from the Tube) -- Many areas, particularly
in South/South-West London, are only reachable via overground services as with
Clapham Junction or Kingston. Also, South-east London is served principally by
trains from London Bridge, Victoria, Charing Cross and Cannon Street stations and
increasingly by the Docklands Light Railway from Bank/Tower Gateway to
Lewisham and Woolwich Arsenal.

Travellers should note that London's bizarre lack of integration of National Rail
train services with Transport for London means that pre-pay Oyster cards are not
(NOT!) universally valid on the overground. Travelcards, Oyster or otherwise, are
valid, but it is not possible, for example, to use pre-pay to extend a Zone 1
Travelcard to a Zone 5 station. Some of the overground lines in North London are
Oyster compliant, but most south of the Thames are not.

By bus [edit]

Most international and domestic long distance bus services (UK English:coach
services) arrive at and depart from a complex of coach stations off Buckingham
Palace Road close to London Victoria rail station. All services operated by National
Express or Eurolines (see below) serve Victoria Coach Station, which actually has
separate arrival and departure buildings. Services by other operators may use this
station, or the Green Line Coach Station across Buckingham Palace Road. The
following are amongst the main coach operators:

National Express [20] is by far the largest domestic coach operator and
operates services to / from London from throughout England, Wales and
Scotland. Advance ticketing is usually required and recommended practice in
any case
Eurolines [21] is an associate company of National Express, and runs coach
services to / from London with various cities in Northern Ireland, the
Republic of Ireland and continental Europe. Advance ticketing is required.
MegaBus [22] operates budget coach services from/to London (Green Line
Coach Station) to/from several major regional cities, it is even possible to get
to Inverness in the Scottish Highlands. Tickets must be booked online and
fares are demand responsive but can be very cheap (£1.50 if you book far
 enough in advance).

There is also the option of a central London Park and Ride site located at Park Lane
and Marble Arch, see National Park and Ride Directory

[edit]
Get around
London has one of the most comprehensive public transport systems in the world.
Despite Londoners' constant, and sometimes justified, grumbling about unreliability,
public transport is often the best option for getting anywhere in London for visitors
and residents alike and is far more reliable than locals would have you believe.
Indeed, nearly a third of London households do not feel the need to own a car.
Transport for London (TfL) [23] is the body responsible for London's transport
network, predominantly made up of the Underground, buses, rail and trams. London
has recently been awarded the city with the best public transport in the world.

You can use Transport for London's useful Journeyplanner [24] to help you plan
your journeys around London on public transport. They also offer a 24-hour travel
information line, charged at local rate: tel +44-20-72221234 for suggestions on
getting from A to B, and for up to the minute information on how services are
running.

There are several different modes of transport in London. Most come under the
umbrella of Transport for London (TfL), the public agency which controls public
transport in Greater London.

London Undergound ("the Tube")

12 colour-coded lines cover the central area and suburbs mostly north
of the River Thames, run by TfL
London Overground
a suburban rail service that crosses north London, run by TfL
National Rail
suburban services that run out of the city from mainline stations like
Victoria and King's Cross; most lines are south of the river and only
one (Thameslink) runs through the city centre; operated by numerous
private train companies; most tourists will not use NR trains
Dockland Light Railway (DLR)
only runs in the east of the city, privately run but part of TfL's network
Tramlink
a tram service that only operates in southern suburbs around
Wimbledon and Croydon; most tourists will not use this.
River boats
a slower, pleasant way to travel through the city; privately owned, but
discounts are offered on some lines to Travelcard holders
 Airport Express trains
rail services to Heathrow, Stansted, Luton and Gatwick; tickets are
generally sold at a premium, and Travelcards/PrePay are not accepted.

Fortunately for visitors (and indeed residents) there is a single ticketing system,
Oystercard, which enables travellers to switch between modes of transport on one
ticket - but even this has a few limitations (see the guide below) and it is not yet
universally accepted by most of the private rail operators.

Oyster Card [edit]

Image:Oystercard.JPG
Oyster Card in use

Transport for London runs a contact-less electronic smartcard called Oyster. You
can add various electronic "tickets" onto the card, and the card is simply validated
each time you use it. Touch the card against a yellow disc, prominently displayed on
buses and trams and on the entry and exit gates for the Tube (do not try to insert it
into the slot!). Theoretically you don't need to remove it from your wallet or bag to
do this - the card reader can work through a bag - but in reality you may need to
take the card out to get it to work. If you keep it in your wallet, try not to sit on it as
sometimes they will crack and cease to work. Getting a refund for unused credit is,
frankly, a hassle. You can also "charge up" an Oyster card with electronic funds -
this cash is then deducted according to where you travel. Be careful standing near
the readers on some "bendy buses" - they are often quite sensitive and may read
your card from several centimetres away, even if you did not intend this.

Which ticket? [edit]

Travelcard [edit]

If you're going to be doing a lot of travelling by public transport, a Travelcard can

be useful as an all-in-one season ticket. You can buy a Travelcard for one day, a
week or a month. Prices vary depending on how many Travelcard zones you buy -
for most visitors central zones 1-2 will be fine, but check a Tube map to see where
the zones are. Note that some stations are counted as being in two zones (e.g.
Notting Hill), so tickets for either zone are valid. Travelcards are valid on the Tube,
Overground, National Rail, buses, trams, and DLR, but not airport express trains.

Pay-as-you-go (PrePay) [edit]

You can charge up your Oyster card with electronic cash at any tube station ticket
machine or ticket desk (you can even use a credit card to do this, if your credit card
has a PIN number) with Oyster pay-as-you-go, also known as PrePay. This money
is then deducted from your card each time you get on a bus or tube. On the tube, be
sure to touch in and touch out again at the end of your journey - the fare is
calculated based on your start and end points. If you forget to touch your Oyster
card at the start and finish, you will be charged extra!

Pay-as-you-go on Oyster is much cheaper than paying in cash for each journey - for
instance, a cash bus fare is £2, while with Oyster it is £0.90. Furthermore, a cash
tube single in Zone 1 is £4, while with an Oyster Card it costs a mere £1.50. It
also saves time getting onto buses - in the central area, tickets have to be bought at
a machine by the bus stop if you don't have an Oyster and outside the zone from the
driver. If you use pay-as-you-go and spend enough in a day to qualify for a
Travelcard, it will be automatically put on your Oystercard, saving you from paying
any more money. Using an Oyster will also make you look more like a Londoner!

The amount of PrePay deducted from your Oyster card in one day is capped at the
cost of the appropriate day travelcard for the zones you have travelled through, less
50 pence. This means you don't need to decide at the start of the day whether to get
a travelcard or just purchase single rides - using Oyster PrePay will ensure you are
charged the minimum fare.

Validity [edit]

Be careful - while Oyster PrePay is valid on London Underground, London

Overground and London buses, PrePay is not valid on most National Rail
services - you have to buy separate paper tickets, or use a Travelcard. There is a
map of Oyster PrePay validity on National Rail to help you, or ask at the station.
Don't get caught out! However, if you are only using the tube, bus and tram, Oyster
Pre-Pay makes a lot of sense.

The following table summarises the validity of the different tickets you can use on
Oyster. For most tourists, buses and tubes are the only transport you will use, but be
aware of the limitations if you travel on National Rail or on airport trains.

Airport
London London National
Bus DLR Tram Express
Underground Overground Rail
trains
PrePay yes yes yes sometimes yes yes no
Travelcard yes yes yes yes yes yes no
Bus pass yes no no no no yes no

Airport Express trains are Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted Express, and
Thameslink to Luton
Piccadilly line to Heathrow is a London Underground service, so PrePay and
Travelcards are valid.
Travelcards are only valid within the zones you buy.
Where to buy [edit]

You can get an Oyster Card from any Tube station for a deposit of £3. This is
fully refundable if you hand it in at the end of the trip. If you have any pay-as-you-
go credit left, this will also be refunded. However, there is no expire date on the
Oyster Card or any pay-as-you-go credit on the card.

Having an Oystercard also saves you money at some attractions - see 2 for 1 Oyster
deals [25]

Full details are at Oystercard [26]

By foot [edit]

For travelling shorter distances in London there is no better way. Walking forces
you to slow down and look around, and in a city like London there's always
something interesting to look at if you take the time. Walking can also be the
quickest way to get somewhere: check your map, central London is surprisingly
compact.

London walking directions can be planned online with the walkit.com [27] walking
route planner.

By skates [edit]

Inline skating is legal in London, both on the roads and the pavement, with the
exception of within the City of London (The Square Mile). Roads are not the
greatest, but easily skatable. In the center cars and taxis are more used to seeing
skaters than on the outskirts of the city.

By Tube / Underground [edit]

The London Underground [28] - also known popularly as "The Tube" - has trains
that criss-cross London in the largest underground rail network anywhere in the
world (it was also the first, the first section of the Metropolitan Line dates back to
1863). This mode of transport is usually the fastest way to get from one part of
London to the another, the only problem being the relative expense (go for a
Travelcard, if you can), and the fact that it can get extremely crowded during "rush
hours" (7:30AM-9:30AM and 4:30PM-7PM / 07:30 to 09:30 and 16:30 to 19:00).
Take a bottle of water with you on warm days. Trains run from around 5:30AM to
about 1am at night (05:30 to 01:00). Tube maps are freely available from any
station, most tourist offices and are prominently displayed throughout stations - and,
for some obscure reason, in the back of most diaries.
The Tube is made up of twelve lines, each bearing a traditional name and a standard
color on the Tube Map [29]. To plan your trip on The Tube, work out first which
station is closest to your starting point and which closest to your destination. Use
the Tube Map to determine which line(s) you will take. You are able to change
freely between lines at interchange stations (providing you stay within the zones
shown on your ticket, or via any reasonable route for single-destination tickets).
Since the Tube Map is well designed it is very easy to work out how to get between
any two stations, and since each station is clearly signed and announced it is easy to
work out when to get off your train. The Tube is therefore an easy method of
transport even for new visitors to London.

Visitors should be aware, however, that the Tube map is actually a diagram and not
a scaled map, making it misleading for determining the relative distance between
stations as it makes central stations appear further apart and somewhat out of place.
The Tube map also gives no information on London's extensive overground bus
network and its orbital rail network. An integrated map of London's Tube, Train and
Bus Map can be purchased online at mapvendor.com or alternatively you can view
the map online.

Travel on The Tube has become extremely erratic as of late, especially on the
weekends. Many sections of The Tube are shut down on the weekends due to
"planned engineering" work. Transport for London's website
(http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/) has constant updates about these disruptions of service.

The Tube system is divided up into several Zones in concentric circles from Zone 1
(central London, containing most of the primary tourist attractions) all the way out
to Zone 6 (outer suburbs and Heathrow Airport). Fares depend on which zone you
start in and how many zones you cross. Single cash fares for an adult are £4 for
most trips, including anything within Zones 1 thru 4, or £3 for any that stays
outside Zone 1 (January 2007). Travelcards offer much better value if you will be
making several journeys - an off-peak Day Travelcard for Zones 1-2 is available
after 9.30am each day, for example, at £5.10. Detailed fare information is
available at any Tube station or from the TfL website [30]. Most of the time the best
option will be an Oyster card (see above).

If you buy a weekly ticket, you do not have to wait until after 9:30am and the
average price per day will be even cheaper.

Tube etiquette [edit]

There is a general "underground etiquette" amongst Londoners on the Tube, and it's
a good idea to learn it quickly so you don't get trampled on by stampeding
commuters, and it will also help prevent you being identified as a tourist by
pickpockets and touts which still frequent the large central stations.

Always stand on the RIGHT when using the escalators and passageways to
 allow people on in a hurry to pass. People will occasionally shove you out the
way if you are standing on the left.
Have your ticket or Oyster card ready for when you get to the top of the
escalators so not to obstruct the barriers.
Move down the platforms whilst waiting on a train to allow for others coming
down the escalators behind you.
Don't carry excessive amounts of luggage, especially at peak times.
Move clear of ticket halls, station entrances and at the foot of escalators.
If a train arrives and is badly overcrowded, look at the information display on
the platform to see when the next train is due. If it's only a couple of minutes
behind, you would be as well to wait, as it could be less crowded.
Ticket touts are common at the large interchange stations, and try to collect
unwanted Travelcards so they can sell on at a profit - the money is often used
for drugs and other illicit activities. It is illegal to buy a ticket from a tout.
Beware of pickpockets. They often prey on disorientated tourists at the
stations which connect with major rail terminuses (Euston, Waterloo etc.) and
tourist attractions. Always keep your belongings in an inside pocket.
ALWAYS allow passengers to get off the train before boarding yourself.
Also, DO NOT stand directly in front of the doors while passengers are
trying to get off. Always stand either to the right or to the left of the opening
train doors, and allow all passengers to disembark before attempting to get on
the train yourself. Adhering to this simple 'train-iquette' will make life a lot
easier.

Special London tube cards for North Americans can also be purchased at Britain On
Track

By bus [edit]

Image:London Bus.jpg
Red bus in London

London's iconic red buses are recognized the world over, even if the traditional
open-platform Routemaster buses have been largely phased out. Over 5 million bus
trips are made each weekday; with over 700 different bus routes you are never far
from a bus in London.

Buses are generally quicker than taking the Tube for short trips (less than a couple
of stops on the Tube), and out of central London you're likely to be closer to a bus
stop than a tube station. Bus lines running parallel to London Underground (The
Tube) lines shut down on the weekends for "planned engineering work" can be
extremely crowded. The difficulty with buses over the tube is knowing when to get
off; while tube stations are clearly marked it is sometimes more difficult to work out
where to get off a bus. Your best bet is to ask fellow passengers and/or to trace your
route on a map. All bus stops have their location and the direction of travel marked
on them, although by the time you've seen this it can be too late to get off! Bus
drivers are usually too busy to be able to tell you when you've reached your
destination.

Bus routes are identified by numbers and sometimes letters, for example the 73 runs
between Seven Sisters and Victoria. Buses display their route number in large digits
at the front, side, and rear of the bus. Each bus stop has a sign listing the routes that
will stop there. Standard bus services run from around 6am in the morning to
12:30AM at night. Around midnight the bus network changes to the Night Bus
network. Bus routes, numbers and timetable all change with most of the buses
radiating out from around the Trafalgar Square area to most outlying parts of
Greater London. Night buses are identified by an 'N' at the start of the route number,
for example the N73 runs between Walthamstow Central and Victoria. The night
bus service is a reliable and often interesting way to get home at night.

Bus journeys are cheaper than taking the Tube, at cash fare £2 per trip (January
2007). Children under 14 travels free without identification, under 16 travels free on
production of a Child Oyster card. However, unlike The Tube single tickets do not
allow you to transfer to different buses. Consider purchasing a One Day Bus Pass
(adult, one day, £3.50) or an Oyster card if you will be making several trips a
day, or a Bus Saver booklet of six tickets for £6.00 (£1.00 each), available at
rail stations, tube stations and news agents. Fares are the same for night buses as for
regular services.

A One Day Bus Pass can be purchased from bus ticket machines, local rail and
tube stations, and also selected newsagents for the bargain price of £3.50 (children
travel free), allowing unlimited bus journeys for an entire day (and night - up till
4:30AM the next day on the night bus network) across the whole of Greater
London. Travelcards and Oyster also work on bus services.

An Oyster card requires a £3 refundable deposit - however, when using Oyster
Pre-Pay, a bus journey is £0.90 per trip (November 2007), a considerable saving.
This also applies to night buses. Another option is to charge an Oyster card with a
One Day Bus Pass - it tends to be more difficult to lose or damage the Oyster card
than it does a slip of paper or card.

Yellow route signs indicate you must purchase your ticket before you board.
This means you must either have a Travelcard, a Bus Pass, a Bus Saver ticket, a
Pre-Pay Oyster card, or have bought single ticket from a machine at the bus stop.
Note that these machines don't provide change (all the more reason to use one of the
other options).

Old-fashioned Routemaster buses, with an open rear platform and on-board

conductor to collect fares, run on Heritage Routes 9 and 15 every 15 minutes,
every day between about 09:30 and 18:30.

Many of the most popular buses tend to be of the double-length articulated variety,
known as bendy buses. This could be related to the relative ease of hopping on and
off these without paying (at stops, doors open along the length of the bus and there
is no on-board conductor). This is, however, illegal and can be very risky - large
teams of inspectors frequently descend on these buses accompanied by police, and
it's entirely possible to be arrested and prosecuted. Care should be taken as it is
possible for those unfamiliar with this type of bus to get on board and then have no
way of paying. Routes served by this type of bus always carry a yellow route sign
as detailed above.

Central London Bus Map and Tourist attractions

Zone 1-3 integrated bus, train and tube map walking map with tourist
attractions

By Tram [edit]

There's an electric tram network running between South-West and South-East of

outer London (Wimbledon to Beckenham). The tram fares are the same as bus fares;
Travelcards covering zones 3,4,5 or any combination thereof, and/or bus passes, are
acceptable on all tram routes.

By DLR [edit]

Docklands Light Rail (DLR) is a dedicated light rail network operating in east
London, connecting with the Underground network at Bank and Tower Gateway.
Apart from the trains looking slightly different and running slightly less frequently
than the Tube, visitors may as well treat the two systems as the same. The DLR uses
the same system of Zones as the Tube, and travelcards are valid on DLR services.
As the trains often operate without a driver, it can be quite exciting - especially for
children - to sit in front and look at through the window, whilst feeling as though
one is driving the train oneself.

By cycle [edit]

Due to the expense of other forms of transport and the compactness of central
London, cycling is a tempting option. Many improvements have been made for
cyclists in the city over the last few years, even if they remain no more than gestures
in most places. Noticeably, there are many new signposted cycle routes and some
new cycle lanes, not to mention more cyclists since the July 2005 public transport
attacks. Excellent free cycle maps detailing these routes can be obtained from your
local tube stations, bike shop, or ordered online. However, London remains a
relatively hostile environment for cyclists, generally speaking. The kind of
contiguous cycle lane network found in many other Northern European cities does
not exist. The safest option is to stick to minor residential roads where traffic can be
surprisingly calm outside rush hours.

The towpaths along the Grand Union and Regent's Canals in North London are the
closest thing to a truly traffic-free cycle path in the capital. In summer they are
crowded with pedestrians and not suitable for cycling, but in winter or late in the
evening they offer a very fast and safe way to travel from east to west in North
London. The Grand Union canal connects Paddington to Camden and the Regent's
Canal connects Camden to Islington, Mile End and Limehouse in East London. It
takes about 30-40 min to cycle from Paddington station to Islington along the
towpaths.

Helmets are not compulsory for cyclists in the UK, and opinions differ on their
value. In London, many cyclists, especially those seen in rush hour, also wear filter
masks, but their efficacy is even more argued over. London motorists seem reluctant
to acknowledge the existence of cyclists, especially at busy junctions.

Non-folding bikes can only be taken on limited sections of The Tube network,
mostly only on the above-ground sections outside peak hours. There is a map
showing this on the TFL website. Most rail operators allow bicycles outside peak
hours also. For this reason, folding bicycles are becoming increasingly popular.

Care should be taken as to where you choose to park your bike. Many areas, some
surprisingly busy, attract cycle thieves, while chaining a bicycle to a railing which
appears to be private property can occasionally lead to said bike being removed.

The London Cycle Campaign [31] is an advocacy group for London cyclists and
organizes regular group rides and events. Critical Mass London [32] meets for
regular rides through central London at 6pm on the last Friday of each month. Rides
start from the southern end of Waterloo Bridge.

By Motorbike / Powered Scooter [edit]

Arguably the fastest way around London, but also the most dangerous. Parking for
motorbikes and scooters is free at many of the reserved areas. The congestion zone
does not apply, and thus for anyone commuting it's usually the cheapest option
(possibly excluding bus rides).

By taxi [edit]

Image:London Cab.jpg
London Cab

London has two types of taxis: the famous black cabs, and so-called mini-cabs.
Black cabs are the only ones licensed to 'tout for business' (ie pick people up off the
street), while minicabs are more accurately described as 'private hire vehicles' and
need to be pre-booked.
The famous black cabs of London (not always black in these days of heavy
advertising!) can be hailed from the curb or found at one of the many designated
taxi ranks. Their yellow 'TAXI' light will be on if they are available. Black cabs
charge by distance and by the minute, are non-smoking, and have a minimum
charge of £2.20 They are a cheap transport option if there are five passengers as
they do not charge extras, and many view them as an essential experience for any
visitor to London. Drivers must take an extensive exam in London's streets to be
licensed for a black cab, meaning they can supposedly navigate you to almost any
London street without reference to a map. It is possible to book black cabs by
phone, for a fee, but if you are in central London it will usually be quicker to hail
one from the street.

A new convenient taxi-based service is Zingo [33] - call 08700 700 700 and you
will be connected direct with the driver of the nearest available black cab anywhere
in London to arrange pickup. Normal meter fares apply + £2 booking fee.

Minicabs are licenced hire vehicles that you need to book by phone or at a minicab
office. They generally charge a fixed fare for a journey, best agreed before you get
in the car. Minicabs are usually cheaper than black cabs, although this is not
necessarily the case for short journeys.

Note that some areas in London are poorly serviced by black cabs, particularly late
at night. This has led to a large number of illegal 'mini-cabs' operating - just
opportunistic people, with a car, looking to make some fast money. These illegal
drivers are unlicensed and sadly they are often unsafe: a number of women are
assaulted every week by illegal minicab operators. Some of these operators can be
fairly aggressive in their attempts to find custom, and it's now barely possible to
walk late at night through any part of London with a modicum of nightlife without
being approached. You should avoid "mini-cabs" touting for business off the street
and either take a black cab, book a licensed mini-cab by telephone, or take a night
bus. Licensed minicabs display a Transport For London (TFL) License Plate -
usually in the front window. One of the features of the license plate is a blue
version of the famous London Underground "roundel".

Tipping is not mandatory in either taxis or minicabs, despite some drivers'

expectations..... Use your discretion - the fares are usually high enough....

By road [edit]

Driving in Central London is a slow, frustrating, expensive and often unnecessary

activity. Londoners who drive will normally take public transport in the center;
follow their example. Traffic is slow and heavy, there are many sorts of automatic
enforcement cameras, and it is difficult and expensive to park. However, for the
disabled it can be much more convenient than using public transport.
Car drivers should be aware that driving into Central London on weekdays during
daylight hours incurs a hefty charge, with very few exemptions (note that rental cars
also attract the charge). Cameras and mobile units record and identify the number
plates and registration details of all vehicles entering the charging zone with high
accuracy.

The Central London Congestion Charge [34] attracts a fee of £8 Monday
through Friday 7AM-6:00PM (excluding public holidays) if paid the same day
before 10PM (after 10PM until midnight, a surcharge of £2 is added to encourage
early payment, totalling £10). Failure to pay the charge by 12 midnight the same
day (take note!) incurs a hefty automatic fine of £80 (reduced to £40 if paid
within 2 weeks). Numerous payment options exist: by phone, by voucher and
online. If disabled and a resident of a member state of the EU then two cars can be
permanently registered, for free, for the congestion charge. Check the website for
details.

Despite the Congestion Charge, London - like most major cities - continues to
experience traffic snarls. These are, of course, worse on weekdays during peak
commuting hours, i.e. between 7:30AM - 9:30AM and 4PM - 7PM At these times
public transport (and especially the Tube) usually offers the best alternative for
speed and reduced hassle. Parking during weekdays and Saturdays can also mean
considerable expense in parking fees - fees and restrictions are ignored at your
extreme financial peril - issuing fines, clamping and towing vehicles (without
warning!) has become a veritable new industry for borough councils staffed by
armies of traffic wardens. Find and read the parking restrictions carefully! A good
tip is, that outside advertised restriction hours, parking on a single yellow line is
permissible... Parking on a red line or a double yellow line is never permissible and
heavily enforced...

By Boat [edit]

The London Waterbus Company runs scheduled services (more in summer, less in
winter) from Little Venice to Camden Lock with a stop at the London Zoo. The 45
minute trip along Regent's Canal is a delightful way to travel.

[edit]
See
Template:Districtify London boasts a vast number of attractions for the traveller. As
a bonus, most attractions in London are free of charge! Following is a selection of
some of the most popular and noteworthy (the rest to be found in the various district
pages - get exploring!):

Landmarks [edit]

Template:Infobox
The Tower.

The Tower.
Buckingham Palace.

Buckingham Palace.
Image:Shakespeare's Globe
Theatre.JPG
Shakespeare's Globe Theatre
Image:St.Paul's Cathedral.JPG
St.Paul's Cathedral from across
the River Thames
[edit]
Central London

Somerset House [35] - this magnificent 18th century building off the Strand,
recently restored to the public, houses the collections of the Courtauld
Institute of Art, Gilbert Collection and Hermitage Rooms. You'll also find
shops, cafés, a restaurant and the spectacular Fountain Court, scene of
public ice-skating in the winter.

Trafalgar Square - home of Nelson's Column and the lions, and once a safe
haven for London's pigeons until the recent introduction of hired birds of
prey. It recently attracted controversy over the 'Fourth plinth', previously
empty, being temporarily home to a Marc Quin sculpture, 'Alison Lapper
Pregnant'. Overlooked by the National Gallery, it's the nearest London has to
a 'center', and has recently been pedestrianized.

Oxford Street - The largest shopping street in Europe

Westminster Abbey and the Palace of Westminster (including Big Ben and
the Houses of Parliament) in Westminster. The seat of the British parliament
and World Heritage site, as well as setting for royal coronations since 1066,
 most recently that of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.

Buckingham Palace [36] - the official London residence of the Queen, one
of several royal palaces in London. Open for tours during the summer months
only, but a must-see sight even if you don't go in.

Leicester Square - Possibly one of the busiest areas in London. It houses the
largest cinemas (frequently hosting star-studded premieres), as well as cafes
and restaurants. Due to the huge influx of tourists, everything from cinema
tickets to bottles of water are very expensive.

Tourists enjoy a rest at

Piccadilly Circus

Piccadilly Circus - London's "Times Square".

South Bank [edit]

The London Eye is the world's largest observation wheel, situated on the
South Bank of the Thames with magnificent views over London.

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, situated on the South Bank a fantastic modern

reconstruction of the Tudor period Globe Theatre, scene of some fine
Shakespearian moments

City [edit]

The Tower of London, situated just south east of the City, is London's
original royal fortress by the Thames. It is over 900 years old, contains the
Crown Jewels, is guarded by Beefeaters, and is a World Heritage site.

Tower Bridge is the iconic 19th century bridge located by the Tower of
London near the City. It is decorated with high towers and featuring a
drawbridge and you can visit the engine rooms and a Tower Bridge
exhibition.

St Paul's Cathedral, in the City, is Sir Christopher Wren's great

 accomplishment, built after the 1666 Great Fire of London - the great dome is
still seated in majesty over The City. A section of the dome has such good
acoustics that it forms a "Whispering Gallery."

Temple in the City, east of Somerset House, is a small realm of serenity in

the midst of the typical turmoil. It used to be the court of the Templar
Knights. You can still visit the beautiful Romanesque church, which is one of
the oldest ones in London.

Southwark [edit]

Southwark Cathedral [37] - off the traditional tourist path, Southwark

Cathedral has been the site of worship since 852 AD. Literally in the shadow
of London Bridge, the Cathedral is a shelter from the noise of the city.

Highgate [edit]

Highgate Cemetery [38], Where you can go on a guided tour of the

overgrown western cemetery which gives it a special beauty and charm, or
self guided on the east side where you'll find the grave of Karl Marx. There
are known to be at least 850 notable people buried at Highgate. It has been
said that Highgate has the finest collection of Victorian funerary architecture
in the country

South Kensington [edit]

Royal Albert Hall [39] - landmark location of many world-renowned

concerts (Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin), still plays host to top shelf
entertainment. In summer, the BBC Proms are a varied classical music
festival, and first-come first-served standing tickets can be had for £5 (2006
price). Doors open 30mins before the performance (which generally begins at
7.30pm) but a queue starts earlier, around 6pm for a 'normal' concert and
considerably earlier if there are big-name performers. Seated tickets are also
available for £20-£50; often there are some still available on the night.
Special rules restrict entrance to the famous Last Night in September; you
will not be able to get in without attending at least 6 other Proms!

Notting Hill [edit]

Portobello Road [40] - claimed to be the world's largest antiques market. For
antiques, souvenirs and other knick-knacks or simply a walk through time. At
night this is one of the best pick up areas in London, at least for women
needing men anyway.

[edit]
Greenwich [edit]

Maritime Greenwich [41] - home of Greenwich Mean Time, the Cutty Sark
[42] and the Royal Observatory [43] - World Heritage site

The o2 [44] - The former Millennium Dome has been transformed into a
major entertainment complex consisting of a large arena which plays host to a
number of world class acts; a cinema which includes the largest screen in the
UK and numerous bars and restaurants.

Museums and Galleries [edit]

London hosts an outstanding collection of world-class museums. Even better, it is

the only one of the three traditional "alpha world cities" (along with New York City
and Paris) in which the majority of the museums have no entrance charges, thus
allowing visitors to make multiple visits with ease.

Although the rest of London may be expensive, many of its best museums and
galleries are free including both Tates, the National and National Portrait Galleries,
the British Museum, the Imperial War Museum, and most things in Greenwich.
Temporary exhibits do cost money, however. Audioguides are available at many of
the major museums; many of these are free of charge, though there may be a
suggested donation at the entrance.

Central London [edit]

National Gallery [45] - excellent art collection, the vast majority of which is
free of charge to visit. The audioguides are very comprehensive, have
comments on most of the paintings in the museum, and are free, though this
fact is not advertised, and a donation is suggested.
National Portrait Gallery [46] just around the corner from the National
gallery; also admission free excepting some exhibitions

Bloomsbury [edit]

British Museum [47] - one of the world's great museums, founded in 1753 -
a vast repository of the world's cultures and free entrance.
Cartoon Museum [48] - A vast collection of cartoons and comics on display.
Located near the British Museum, it has an admission fee of £3 for adults,
and is free for students.
Foundling Museum [49] - a museum and a gallery telling the story of the
Foundling Hospital, an orphanage for abandoned children founded in the
eighteenth century. Massive art donations by British artists and the
involvement of George Frideric Handel as a patron made this child care
organization an early center of art and music. Admission is £5.
North West London [edit]

the Sherlock Holmes Museum [50] is at 239 Baker Street (aka 221B Baker
Street). A must see for Holmes fans but do remember that there is no 221B
Baker Street!

the RAF Museum [51] , in Hendon, is a longish Tube ride from Central
London is a must for any war buffs. It has extensive galleries detailing the
history of the RAF and its aircraft. A sound and light show inside the
museum focuses on the Blitz.

South Bank [edit]

Museum of London [52] - a great place to visit to understand the history and
development of the city, from prehistoric times to recent history, with plenty
of detail on the Roman and Medieval cities - admission is free

Image:Tate Modern.JPG
Tate Modern

Tate Galleries [53] - Tate Britain [54] and Tate Modern [55] - showcases of
some of the best of British and Modern Art respectively - mostly free entry
Saatchi Gallery [56] - closed and moving to Chelsea, opens in early 2007
London Dungeon [57] brings to life the gorier elements of London's past,
with faithful recreations of disaster, disease, and torture. Younger children
may be scared.

South Kensington [edit]

the Victoria and Albert Museum [58] - highlights the decorative arts such as
fashion and furniture - admission free
the Natural History Museum [59] - the dinosaur exhibit complete with life-
sized roaring T-Rex is popular with kids (and adults), but the museum really
excels with the galleries devoted to mammals, insects and the human body.
There is also a new wing where groups can tour a research facility and the
Museum's historic stocks of pickled specimens (well worth a visit, but not for
the squeamish!) - free entry
Science Museum [60] - packed with science and industry; there are galleries
devotes to many subjects, including space, nuclear physics, genetics, and
computing; the top floor is, appropriately, taken up with the history of flight
and many historic aircraft, including a Spitfire and a Hurricane.

Southwark [edit]
 the Imperial War Museum [61] - London site, with an afternoon's worth of
British military history, is free except for some special exhibitions; the same
institution owns the Central London Cabinet War Rooms, HMS Belfast (a
WWII cruiser, now a floating museum extensive enough to satisfy the most
warlike son or husband), and Duxford Air Museum, an airbase a day trip
from London with five hangars' worth of historic aircraft (you are unlikely to
fit everything in in one visit).

Greenwich [edit]

National Maritime Museum and Royal Observatory Greenwich [62] -

home of the Prime Meridian and Greenwich Mean Time. Highlights include
the lovely walk up to the observatory (with a great view of the river) and the
collection of old clocks and navigational instruments - admission free except
for special exhibitions

Other Neighborhoods [edit]

Sir John Soane's Museum [63] - free but groups must prebook and may
need to make donation
The Wallace Collection [64] - home to old master paintings, furniture,
porcelain, arms and armor and other fine art. Free tours, charges for special
workshops
Pollock's Toy Museum Trust [65] - no longer at Scala Street. Pollock's Toy
Museum [66] charges an entrance fee.
The Canal Museum [67]. Near King's Cross at 12/13 New Wharf Road, the
museum is housed in a former ice wharehouse on Regent's Canal. £3
admission. Closed Mondays (except Bank Holidays).

Parks and Gardens [edit]

The 'green lungs' of London are the many parks, great and small, scattered
throughout the city. Some of the best-known and most-popular are:
Lawn chair in
Kensington Gardens.

Hyde Park [68] - the West End's back garden, Hyde Park is the largest
central London park at 140 ha (350 acres) in size. Noted for the large number
of recreational possibilities, for the Serpentine (the central large lake) its
collection of public sculpture, and for being a venue of choice for world-class
music and other events, such as the annual 'Party in the Park', a concert in aid
of the Prince's Trust, and the record-breaking Live8 concert of 2005.
Hampstead Heath [69] - One of the three main parks in Central London
(Along with Hyde Park and Regent's Park). Most famous for its 360 degree
panoramic sweeping views of Central London and Kenwood House, the
stately home where scenes from the movie Notting Hill were filmed.
Kensington Gardens [70] - blends into Hyde Park at its western end, features
Kensington Palace and the Albert Memorial, 111 ha (275 acres) in size
Green Park [71] - 16 ha in size
St James' Park [72]
Regents Park and the London Zoo(ological Gardens) [73]
Kew Gardens [74] - the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew in south-west
London are one of London's most popular attractions, easily accessed by
public transport
Richmond Park [75] - The largest Royal Park in London at 1000 ha (2500
acres) in size. On a clear day, views can stretch as far as central London.
Battersea Park [76]. On the river next to the iconic Battersea Power Station.
Brockwell Park [77]. Running from Brixton to Herne Hill, this houses the
famous Brockwell Lido.
Holland Park [78]. Located near Notting Hill, this is one of the best kept
secrets in all of London. It features a traditional Japanese (Koi) water garden,
sports facilities, children’s play areas, nature reserve, and even a nice
cafeteria and restaurant right in the center of the park.
Clapham Common [79] The heart of South London's hippest district
Victoria Park - The city's first public park, located in the East End
 Wimbledon Common [80] A large area (460 hectares) of woodlands, open
grass areas and healthland with a windmill, nature trails and ponds.

Most of the larger parks have their origins in royal estates and hunting grounds and
are still owned by the Crown, despite their public access. These royal parks are now
policed by a division of the Metropolitan Police Service for London. It takes over
from the Royal Parks Constabulary which policed Royal Parks prior to the
Metropolitan Police.

[edit]
Do
Template:Districtify If you're feeling really touristy visit Madame Tussaud's. Here
you can see (and take photos of yourself with) a lot of very realistic waxfigures of
celebrities, criminals, politicians and more. There is also the creepy chamber of
horrors, although if that appeals you may prefer The London Dungeon.

Explore [edit]

Open top bus tours offer a good, albeit somewhat expensive, introduction to
the sights of London. Two principal operators tend to dominate the market for
this kind of tour: (The Original Tour and The Big Bus Company). Both
provide hop-on/hop-off services where you can get off at any attraction and
catch the next bus; both provide live commentaries in English and recorded
commentaries in other languages (not necessarily on the same buses).
Alternative to a bus tour -- use your feet. All the main sights you'll want to
see can be reached in a long day of walking (12 hours or so). Sketch a copy
of your guidebook map to stick in your pocket, have an early breakfast and be
on your way. Magnificent on a sunny day, and even if the weather is awful,
you're still in LONDON.
London Eye [81], the sixth tallest structure in the city; see fantastic views
across London.
London Eye

London Eye

If you don't feel like splashing out on one of the commercial bus tours, you
can make your own bus tour by buying a Travelcard (see 'Get Around'
section) and spending some time riding around London on the top deck of
standard London Buses. Of course you don't get the open air or the
commentary, but the views are very similar. You will likely get lost but that is
half the fun; if it worries you go for the commercial tour. Alternatively make
sure you are equipped with an integrated map of London's buses, trains and
tube (available to purchase online prior to your visit) so that you can make the
most of your travelcard by getting less unpleasantly lost and more pleasantly
lost! Every day except December 25/26. £4.30 (offpeak adult); £5.30
(peak adult); £2.60 (children); peak means before 9:30AM.
Go on a Walking Tour - London Walks offers excellent guided walks (£6
full) for 2-3 hours of guided walks on a variety of themes. But buyer beware,
there are a lot of impostor walking guides masquerading under the same name
—make certain that you are getting the real deal! Phone: +44 020 7624 3978.
Take part in one of the free organized Street Skates
(Wednesday/Friday/Sunday). Experienced marshals stop traffic while you roll
along past the sights and sounds of London.
Visit one or more of the great Royal Parks, London's "green lungs" - in the
center, Hyde Park (the largest) and Kensington Gardens, Green Park, St
James Park, Regents Park; further afield, Richmond Park, Bushy Park,
Greenwich Park and Brompton Cemetery.
Explore many of London's most interesting buildings during the London
Open House Weekend normally held in Autumn (2006: Sep 16-17). During
this weekend several hundred buildings which are not normally open to the
public are opened up. See website for details of buildings opening in any
given year.
If you are in the mood for a view of London by sea, take advantage of the
 London Ducktours. Your tour 'bus' is actually a D-Day landing water/land
vehicle that has been refurbished complete with tour guide. Visit [82]
See history come alive - go to the Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of
London. This ceremony, the locking up of the Tower, has been performed
every night at 10pm for 800 years. It has never been missed and was only
delayed once - when the Luftwaffe bombed the Tower. Begun by Edward I to
lock the soldiers in the tower so they didn't wreak havoc, these days it is
ostensibly to lock people out. Tickets are free but MUST be prearranged. See
the Tower website for details (http://www.hrp.org.uk)

Experience [edit]

London Theatre - go and see a musical, play or comedy in London's

Theatreland. The weekly Time Out magazine http://www.timeout.com/london
has listings for most plays, concerts, etc. London Theatre has a large variety
of shows from fringe to Broadway-like musicals and productions. The West
End district is where you'll find the last type, with famous imported Broadway
shows and some very good local productions. You can find discounted tickets
to these shows at the Half Price Ticket Booth (aka: TKTS) in the area, where
reduced tickets are sold on a free seats basis. If you prefer to buy your tickets
in advance you can still find discounts at sites like
http://www.broadwaybox.com/london

Walking on Green Grass - There are some parks - usually the ones that are
considered "gardens" - on which walking on the grass is actively discouraged.
The larger parks, however, are good places to enjoy the sun, play a game of
football, or enjoy a romantic afternoon or evening.

Christmas Holiday - Most museums and galleries (public and private) close
early on December 24 and are closed through December 25. Many sites are
also closed December 26 for Boxing Day (though the Tower of London may
be open). Most restaurants are closed on Christmas day - of those that remain
open, many only offer a "Christmas Menu." These special menus include
several courses but can cost about 50 GBP per person (splitting plates may
not be allowed). The Tube is entirely closed on 25 December and runs a
shortened schedule on the 26 December.

Skate [edit]

London has a number of outdoor ice rinks that open in the winter months.
Considered by some to be somewhat overpriced and overcrowded, they nonetheless
have multiplied in recent years, easing congestion and increasing competition. Most
charge from £10-12 (adults) for an hour on the ice, including skate hire.

Somerset House [83], Strand, Tube: Temple, Charing Cross, Holborn,

 Covent Garden, Waterloo and Blackfriars - set in the courtyard of Somerset
House, this has become a Londoner's favorite, although how it will compete
with the newcomers remains to be seen. It's preferable to visit at night, when
the Christmas tree is lit up. From 24 November 2005 - 29 January 2006.
Kew Gardens [84], Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Tube: Kew Gardens - a
relative newcomer to the scene, this draws in skaters despite the distance from
central London. The ice rink is situated in front of the Temperate House (the
large greenhouse containing the exotic plants), a combined entry ticket is
available, allowing you to wander round the fascinating gardens as well. 26
November 2005 - 15 January 2006.
Natural History Museum [85], Cromwell Road - this museum has decided
to join in the rinks this year, and looks to be an interesting venue for a festive
skate. If you've visited the museum before, you will appreciate the beautiful
building that the museum occupies. There is also a Christmas fair (which is
free), selling various gift ideas. From 16 November 2005 – 22 January
2006. Nearest tube: South Kensington (Circle, District and Piccadilly Lines).
Tower of London [86] - another debut this year, set in the tourist-hotspot of
the famous Tower. The ice rink itself will be hosted in the dry moat beneath
the North wall of the Tower of London. From 19th November 2005 for 7
weeks. Nearest tube: Tower Hill (Circle and District Lines)
Canary Wharf [87] - opened for the first time in 2005, the Canary Wharf ice
rink offers a café and bar, and the only genuine Central Park style skating
in London, in the smart Canada Square park surrounding by glittering office
tower blocks. Nearest tube: Canary Wharf (Jubilee line and Docklands Light
Railway)

In summer (and also in winter, for the more dedicated) there is also a thriving roller
skating (on inline and traditional "quad" skates) scene in London, catering to many
disciplines including street hockey, freestyle slalom, dance, general recreational
skating (including three weekly marshalled group street skates) and speed skating.
This mostly centers around Hyde Park (on the Serpentine Road) and Kensington
Gardens (by the Albert Memorial).

Skate Patrol[88] runs free stopping and turning classes, and can advise you if
you have the skills to join one of the street skates. They can also refer you to
an ICP qualified instructor if you want to take things further. Serpentine Road
near the lake, Hyde Park, Sundays 1pm-5pm. Look for the red t-shirts.
Group street skates are the LondonSkate[89] on Wednesdays (8pm,
Serpentine Road, April-September), the London Friday Night Skate[90] (8pm,
Hyde Park Corner) and the Sunday Stroll[91] (2pm, Serpentine Road)
The Easy Peasy Skate[92] for absolute beginners runs in Battersea Park:
10:30am Saturdays
The SerpentineRoad.com[93] discussion forum is the best place to ask about
any other kind of wheeled skating and to find like-minded people
Easyskate provides qualified instructors (most of them teach in Hyde Park
check out easyskate.co.uk[94] for details.
Sporting Events [edit]

Take in a home match of one of London's 20+ professional football clubs for
a true experience of a lifetime as you see the passion of the "World's Game"
in its mother country. The biggest clubs clubs include Chelsea, Fulham,
Brentford, Queen's Park Rangers (West London); Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur
(North London); West Ham United, Leyton Orient (East London); Charlton
Athletic, Millwall, Crystal Palace (South London).

the world-famous Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships [95] - part of

the Grand Slam world tennis fixtures - are held each year in late June-early
July in Wimbledon in South West London and attract all the top-seeded
players for a fortnight of competition.

[edit]
Buy
One of the world's great metropolises, anything and everything you could possibly
want to buy is available in London, if you know where to look, and if you can
afford it (London is not particularly noted for bargain shopping, owing to high
prices and high exchange rates - though it can be done with some determination!)

The famous Harrods.

The famous Harrods.

Central London, and especially the West End, has a number of world-famous
shopping areas and streets:

Oxford Street: London's main shopping street home to flagship branches of

all the major UK high street retailers in one go - including Selfridges [96] and
other department stores
 Bond Street One of the intersections with Oxford Street and is home to some
of the world's most luxurious designer labels such as D&G, Versace, Cartier,
Louis Vuitton & Jimmy Choo
Camden Town - alternative clothing and retail, popular with teenagers and
young adults. Camden Lock market is always worth a visit.
Soho - for alternative music, clothes
Covent Garden - Fashionable district home to quaint outlets and relatively
expensive designer retail. Neal Street in the heart of Covent Garden is
considered a haven for shoe shopping. Chain stores around the Seven Dials
area include G Star Raw, Adidas Originals, Fred Perry, All Saints, Stussy and
Carhartt. The Market area is home to the London Transport Museum, whose
gift shop has some of the best souvenirs in the city (vintage Tube posters, old
maps, etc).
Knightsbridge: including Harrods [97] the slightly more expensive retailer,
and Harvey Nichols [98]
Chelsea - the King's Road is noted for fashion, homewares and kids
Regent Street: between Oxford and Piccadilly Circuses - includes such gems
as Hamleys [99], considered to be London's flagship toy store, on seven
levels, and the London Apple Store
Tottenham Court Road: specializing in interior decorations and electronics
Charing Cross Road - for book stores, new, specialized and antiquarian
Markets - London has plenty, whether you're looking for bric-a-brac, clothes
or fresh food, try Portobello, Brick Lane, Greenwich, and Borough for
starters. Borough Market (London Bridge tube stop) is a great (if expensive)
food market, offering fruit, veg, cheese, bread, meat, fish, and so on, much of
it organic. It's open Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and it's best to go in
the morning, since it gets unpleasantly crowded by around 11am. Spitalfields
is an excellent market for clothes from up-and-coming designers, records,
housewares, food, and all things trendy.
Leicester Square - London is a famous place for musicals, but it is quite hard
to get a ticket for it. However, if you go to Leicester Square, there is this
district where you can get many half-price tickets for all of the musicals
showing in London - in the center of the square you will find the "TKTS"
booth which is operated in collaboration with all the major theaters, and is the
best place to start when looking for cheap theater tickets. As this is one of the
more touristy areas of the city, if you're looking for a real London experience,
avoid Leicester Square.

Central London shops are usually open late at least one night a week, until 7PM-
8PM. West End shops (Oxford Street to Covent Garden) stay open until late on
Thursdays, while Wednesday evening is late opening for Chelsea and
Knightsbridge.

Tax-free shops in airports are not strong in variety, prices are equal to London, and
they close rather early as well. Shop listings at airport web sites can help to plan
your tax-free (vs traditional) shopping. In the evening allow extra half an hour as
closing hours are not always strictly respected.

[edit]
Eat
Template:Eatpricerange It is a huge task for a visitor to find the 'right place' to eat in
London - with the 'right atmosphere', at the 'right price' - largely because, as in any
big city, there are literally thousands of venues from which to choose. You can find
restaurants serving food cuisine from nearly every country in the world.

Unfortunately, London is quite possibly the world's most expensive city to eat in.
But this survey hides the fact that there are plenty of good value, even cheap places
to eat - you just have to know where to look.

Of course, many travellers (especially those on a budget!) prefer to help themselves;

picnicking and/or buying food for preparation in your room is a great way to enjoy
good food at the lowest price possible.

Pricing [edit]

Following is a (very!) rough guide to what you might get, should you fancy eating
out:

£3 - a good English Pub or Cafeteria breakfast with egg, sausage, a rack of
bacon and beans in tomato sauce, coffee or tea and a glass of orange juice.
Most pubs stop this offer at 11am.
£5 - a couple of sandwiches and a soft drink, or some fish and chips
(takeaway only), or a fast food 'meal'. There are also a number of (mostly)
chinese restaurants which serve an 'all you can eat buffet' for around this
price. These are dotted about the West End, and it is well worth asking a
member of public or a shopkeeper where the nearest one is. These restaurants
make much of their revenue on drinks, although these are usually still
moderately priced. The food, whilst not being of the finest standard, is usually
very tasty, and the range of dishes available is excellent.
£6-8 - a decent meal and a drink of choice at an English pub. Be aware that
many pubs have a 2 for one offer, and you can either order two main dishes
for yourself or bring a friend. For £6 you can normally also get a good meal
at Chinese or Italian restaurants offering a buffet.
£10 - plenty of Chinese/Indian/Thai/Vietnamese restaurants will give you a
meal and bottle of beer for this much. Some more expensive restaurants
serving French, Mediterranean or International cuisine have cheaper "lunch
offers" that include two or three courses.
£20 - a lot more choice: you can have a good meal, half a bottle of wine
and change for the bus home. There are plenty of modest restaurants that
cater for this bracket.
£40 - you are generally paying for nicer interior, or a better view. But if you
 are trying to impress a special someone it'll be worth it.
£50 +: with more money to spend you can pick some of London's finer
restaurants. It may be a famous chef (like Gordon Ramsay or Jamie Oliver) or
simply a place that prides itself on using the finest ingredients. There is no
maximum limit on what you can spend, as some restaurants seem intent on
pushing this higher and higher....

Prices inevitably become inflated at venues closest to major tourist attractions -

beware the so-called "tourist traps". Notorious areas for inflated menu prices trading
on travellers' gullibility and lack of knowledge are the streets around Piccadilly
Circus, Leicester Square, the British Museum and the Palace of Westminster. The
worst "tourist trap" food is, in the opinion of many Londoners, that served at the
various "Steak Houses". Real Londoners wouldn't dream of eating here - you
shouldn't either!

London has many fast food outlets. Sandwich shops are London's most popular
places to buy lunch, and there are a lot of places to choose from. More upmarket
chains such as Eat and Pret a Manger offer ready-made sandwiches made with
quality ingredients--the latter of these, especially, is recommended. Other
independent shops will make sandwiches to order, but depending on where you go
the product may not be as large as you expect. Some Italian sandwich shops have a
very good reputation and you can identify them easily by looking at the long queues
at lunchtime. And if all else fails, there's likely to be a Subway nearby (often
connected to an easyInternetCafe in case you need to check your email). Another
good (and cheap) lunch option is a chicken or lamb doner (you might call it a gyro)
at many outlets throughout the city. If all else fails, the central area has lots of mini-
supermarkets operated by the big British supermarket chains (e.g. Tesco Metro,
Sainsbury's Central etc.) where you can pick up a pre-packed sandwich.

It is worth bearing in mind that if for any reason you are visiting the suburbs of
London, the cost of eating out is reduced drastically. Particularly in large ethnic
communities, there is a competitive market which stands to benefit the consumer. In
East London for example, the vast number of KFC-style chicken shops means that a
deal for 2 pieces of chicken, chips (fries) and a drink shouldn't cost you more than Â
£2, and will satisfy even the largest of appetites.

Tipping may also be different than what you're used to. Some places include a
service fee (usually 10-12%), and all meals include the 17.5% VAT tax. The
general rule is to leave a tip for table service, unless there's already a service charge
added or unless the service has been notably poor. The amount tipped is generally in
the region of 10%, but if there's a figure between 10 and 15% which would leave
the bill at a conveniently round total, many would consider it polite to tip this
amount. Tipping for counter service, or any other form of service, is unusual - but
some choose to do so if a tips container is provided.

Restaurants [edit]
If you are looking for particular nationalities these tend to be clustered in certain
areas: Brick Lane is famously known for curries, but for a better quality meal (and
cheaper) Tooting has a far better reputation. For a collection of good value Indian
Vegetarian restaurants, go to Drummond Street (just behind Euston railway station).
There's Chinatown (Soho) for Chinese, Kingsland Road (Shoreditch) for good
cheap Vietnamese, Brixton for African/Caribbean, Golders Green for Jewish and
Edgware Road (Marylebone) for Middle Eastern cuisine. Other nationalities are
equally represented, but are randomly dotted all over London.

Chains [edit]

<eat name="Wagamama" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="" email=""

fax="" hours="" price="" url="http://www.wagamama.com">Japanese noodle
bar; generally good quality freshly cooked food at a reasonable price, in a
well-designed canteen style restaurant. Diners are seated on benches opposite
each other, so not a good place for an intimate meal. Main courses generally
around £5 to £8. Open Mon-Sat 12pm-11pm, Sun 12pm-10pm. Two
dozens of restaurants around Central London.</eat>

Vegetarian [edit]

London has plenty of vegetarian-only restaurants, and a quick search in Google will
produce plenty of ideas, so you never have to see a piece of cooked meat all week.
If you are dining with carnivorous friends, then most restaurants will cater for
vegetarians, and will have at least a couple of dishes on the menu.
Indian/Bangladeshi restaurants are generally more fruitful, as they have plenty of
traditional dishes that only use vegetables.

For those of you looking for veggie fast food, Red Veg on Dean Street, opposite
Tesco in Soho, has some great stuff. There are also many vegetarian Thai buffet
places where you can eat somewhat unconvincing (but tasty) meat substitute grub
for £5. These can be found on Greek Street, Old Compton Street and Islington
High Street.

Food For Thought restaurant in Neal Street, Covent Garden, has a tasty range of
choices for vegetarians and vegans.

For those of you that are not scared of moving a bit out of the center Blah Blah
Blah in Shepherds Bush is a nice place to start the evening. Please keep in mind that
this place does not accept cards. In case you want to have a glass of wine you
should bring your own bottle.

If you’re passing through Kings Cross, the previously infamous Backpackers â

€“ now the Cross Kings - has been transformed into a quirky oasis of comfy sofas,
gorgeous home cooked food, friendly staff and excellent entertainment. 2 minutes
from the train station, book in advance and the chef will produce a dish specifically
for your table. Some of the best ‘real’ food in London.

Religious [edit]

Due to the mix of cultures and religions, many London restaurants cater well for
religious dietary requirements. The most common signs are for Halal and Kosher
meat, from burger joints to nice restaurants. There are plenty of Kosher restaurants
in London, including a Chinese Kosher restaurant (Kaifeng [100]).

Speciality shops [edit]

London caters for most global tastes by hosting at least one - and sometimes - many
food stores that specialize in one or more cuisines. Numerous examples exist, for
example, of food stores dedicated to Chinese, Japanese, Italian and African foods.

Shopping [edit]

Fortnum & Mason, "the Queen's grocery store", selling the finest quality (and
most expensive) foods and drink
Harrods, a seven floor department store which is world famous.
Harvey Nichols, noted for fashion, jewelry and music.
Selfridges, the Oxford Street emporium, has high style in all categories (like
Bloomingdale's in New York)

[edit]
Drink
London is home to a great many pubs, bars and nightclubs.

Pubs/Bars [edit]

You are reminded that London is an expensive place and that your drink is likely to
cost you more than its equivalent elsewhere in the UK. Expect to pay close on £3
for a pint of beer in an 'average' pub. However, the cost of alcohol drops
significantly the farther away you go from the central area (though be aware that
West London tends to be an exception, with prices pretty much the same as central
London). 'Classier' bars and pubs can be much more expensive. However many
local pubs, especially those run by chains like Wetherspoons and Scream tend to be
more reasonably priced, the latter catering for a student audience. In the Euston
area, check out The Court (near the top end of Tottenham Court Road) and The
Rocket (on Euston Road, a short walk from the British Library); both are part of the
Scream chain and are fairly cheap to drink in, given that they cater for students of
the adjacent University College London. Directly opposite the British Library is The
Euston Flyer, popular with locals and commuters alike given its close proximity to
Euston, St. Pancras and King's Cross railway stations.

The Knights Templar on Chancery Lane is an atypical but very pleasant, if large,
pub. As it is part of the JD Wetherspoon chain, it is cheap but, unlike most of the
rest of the chain, is a nice place to drink.

The various Sam Smith's pubs are very well priced, central and as traditional as you
could want. Try Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese on Fleet Street, the Cittie of Yorke on
Holborn, the Princess Louise on High Holborn, the Chandos on St Martin's Lane off
Trafalgar Square and the Crown on New Oxford Street.

The general rule about tourist traps applies to pubs as much as anything else - you
will find plenty of "traditional English pubs" near major attractions (usually the type
with mock Tudor style cladding and lots of hanging baskets decorating the outside),
with inflated prices to match - avoid them all. For a cheap pint near Piccadilly
Circus, check out The Midas Touch (Golden Square, just off Beak Street in Soho),
is another popular pub with locals and usually has some good happy hour deals.

However, these are the more trendier bars/clubs. Some classy and somewhat
expensive hip and trendy bars include the Light Bar, Long Bar and Purple Bar.

One of the most interesting pubs in London can be found off Old Street: The
Foundry. It's got a unique atmosphere, and serves excellent organic ales and stouts
from Pitfield's, a local brewery. It's closed on Mondays. Make sure to go downstairs
to the bathrooms, as there is usually an art exhibit in the halls.

If you're looking for something a little more rock/metal oriented then you may want
to try the Intrepid Fox in the west end or the Devonshire Arms in Camden, but be
prepared to look the part.

Nightclubs [edit]

Nightlife seems to be an integral feature of London life and there are countless
nightclubs in and around the Central London area with music to suit even the most
eclectic of tastes. Districts in London tend to specialize to different types of music.

The Shoreditch/Farringdon/Hoxton area mainly consists of Nightclubs playing

Drum & Bass, House & Trance Music and is home to two superclubs, Fabric
(arguably the best nightclub in London) and Turnmills. The clubs in this area are
often home to the world's top DJ's and attracts a lively crowd.

The area around the West End (Leicester Square, Piccadilly, Mayfair) is home to
the more upmarket and exclusive clubs in London. Music played here is often of the
Chart R&B, Hip Hop and Funky House genre. Notable clubs include China White,
Funky Buddha, Mahiki, Cafe De Paris, Number One Leicester Square and Paper.
This area attracts a rather pretentious crowd who love to flaunt what they have and
is a must go to celebrity spot. Beware that drinks are ridiculously expensive and
many clubs operate a guestlist only policy.

The Camden area is made of clubs which play Rock, Metal and Indie Music.
Notable clubs include Electric Ballroom, Underworld and the world famous Koko.

Gay and lesbian [edit]

London has a vibrant gay scene with countless bars, clubs and events. The nucleus
of London's gay scene is undoubtedly the western half of Old Compton Street in
Soho and the surrounding area, but over the last couple of years Vauxhall has seen a
boom. The choice of places to go sometimes seem to be unmanageable. Gay Pride is
held every year in June with parade and street parties.

Heaven The Worlds Most Famous Gay Nightclub - A must visit while in
London
Kudos A bar popular with Asian guys and their admirers (Off Trafalgar
Square).
Rupert Street A great bar in Soho (Corner of Winnett St & Rupert St),
popular with business men
Barcode Bar and dance club in Soho, opened a second venue in Vauxhall
Comptons and the Admiral Duncan (Old Compton Street, Soho) are both
gay institutions in London
G-A-Y Dance party, popular with a very young crowd (Old Compton Street,
Soho)
Candy Bar Lesbian bar (Carlisle Street, Soho)
The Royal Vauxhall Tavern a landmark. Features the Dame Edna
Experience on Sundays
The Hoist Men only leather bar
Central Station Bar and fetish club in King's Cross - seedier than most
central venues.
Ghetto Different music every night of the week, relatively cheap

You will probably find that most places, particularly Shoreditch or Camden, straight
bars will have a mixed clientele. To find out what is going on during your visit,
Boyz Magazine is published fortnightly and is freely available at most London gay
venues, and contains listings of everything that is happening in all the major clubs
in London and the South East.

[edit]
Sleep
London has hundreds of options for accommodations - from 4 star hotels, through
apartments, to historic B&Bs and hostel beds. You can end up paying anything
from £20-200 per person, per night, with most hotels anywhere near the center
charging £50 per person and up. Expect smaller than average rooms, especially at
the lower end of the price range. London's most prestigious hotels can charge
literally thousands of pounds per night for their top suites!! Your budget will have a
lot to do with what part of London you will want to stay in. With the excellent Tube
available, where you stay won't limit what you see, but be sure to check where the
closest tube station is to your hotel.

Staying further out will be cheaper, but when travelling in allow 1-2 mins per tube
stop (near the center), around 2-3 mins per stop (further out), and 5 mins per line
change. This can easily total up to a 1 hour journey if there is a walk at each end.
The extra cost of more zones on a travel card is probably not significant compared
to hotel savings further out.

Capsule-style crash spaces are just arriving, but currently these are only in central
locations. (does anyone know of cheaper capsule-style crash space further out?)

Some nice, convenient areas to stay in London include:

Bloomsbury - relatively quiet area with a wide range of accommodations, gets

a little seedy towards and beyond King's Cross station. Many budget options
are located on Argyle Street. Cartwright Gardens features a dozen small
B&Bs in historic homes.

Kensington - the Earl's Court area of Kensington has many budget and
modest accommodations as well as good 4 star hotels and some good
restaurants as well.

Paddington/Hyde Park - an area that has undergone a lot of change recently,

largely resulting from the Heathrow Express coming into Paddington Station.
Good hotels can be found in the immediate area of the station and in quieter
spots a short walk away.

Westminster - lots of small B&B hotels (many used to be brothels but are
much nicer now) around the back of Victoria station, in the Pimlico area.

Hostels are not necessarily as unpleasant as you may think, and as long as you don't
mind sharing with others, they can be the most cost effective option, and also offer
breakfast as well as kitchens for self catering. The Youth Hostel Association of
England and Wales [101] operates four hostels in Central London:

St Pancras (Euston Road, opposite the British Library and St Pancras railway
station) The largest and newest of the four, minutes walk from Kings Cross/St
Pancras and Euston Tube stations)
St.Pauls (In the City, a short walk from St. Paul's Cathedral) A small hostel
converted from one of the Square Mile's oldest buildings.
 Holland Park (Off Kensington High Street, near High St. Kensington on the
Circle Line) Situated in a spectactular location in one of London's most
prestigious areas.
Oxford Street (Located in the middle of the shopping district)

As of 2006, the YHA's prices were £24.80 for Bed and Breakfast per night for
Hostelling International members, a £1 supplement per person per night for non-
members. Like everything else, you should book online well in advance - the hostels
usually fill up on Friday and Saturday nights about 14 days before. A top tip is don't
be put off if there are no beds left online, phone the hostel in question to see if there
are still beds available or if there has been a cancellation. Some of the YHA's
properties also offer a limited number of private family rooms - expect to pay £61
per night.

The Generator Hostel in Russell Square (Zone 1) provides dorm-style

accommodation starting at £10 in the low season. There are a number of hostels
all through the city but this is probably the cheapest one that's close to the Tube and
some attractions - an easy walk to the British Museum and a few minutes further to
Kings Cross Station.

In the summer season, many of the colleges and universities in Central London
open up their student Halls of Residence as hotels during the summer vacation, at
usually much lower rates than "proper" hotels, but expect very basic facilities and
no catering. University College London [102] is based in the King's
Cross/Bloomsbury area and offers such a service.

In an emergency, should you get stranded in London with nowhere to stay, call the
Shelter 24-hour helpline on 0808 800 4444 (Shelter is a UK national charity that
provides advice on housing and homelessness).

[edit]
Contact
WiFi Access [edit]

Unlike some other cities, London is unfortunately not noted for free public wifi
access - as yet. That said, a number of projects are in place or in development.

One of the most promising (it seems) for traveller-frequented areas is Online-
4-Free.com [103], a service that provides blanket coverage along the banks of
the River Thames (and some surrounding streets) from Millbank down to
Greenwich Pier, and a small 'cloud' in Holborn - the free service only asks
that you view a short advertisement every half hour in order to get 256 kbps
(higher rates and ad-free come at a small charge).
The Tate Gallery [104] is offering for a trial period free wi-fi internet access.
Some internet cafès may offer free wi-fi.
 See http://londonist.com/2007/05/free_wifi_in_lo.php for a map containing
free wifi locations.

[edit]
Stay safe
Like many big cities, London has a variety of social problems, especially begging,
drug abuse, theft (mobile phones are a favorite), etc. London, however, manages to
make do with a police force that doesn't need to carry guns, and is generally a safe
place for the tourist to visit and walk around. In an emergency, telephone "999" (or
"112"). Don't take illegal minicabs (see 'Getting Around' for details). If you're
planning to go out late at night and are worried about safety, frequent crowded areas
such as the West End. There are always plenty of people on the street, even at 4am.
Generally, outside central London, South and East suburban areas are considered
more dangerous, notably Brixton and Hackney, although some parts of North-West
London such as Harlesden and Northern Camden are also known trouble spots.

Even busy nighttime Soho presents a particular danger; the "clip joint". The usual
targets of these establishments are male tourists. Usually, an attractive woman will
casually befriend the victim and recommend a local bar. The establishment will be
near-desolate, and even if the victim has only a drink or two, the bill will run to
hundreds of pounds. If payment is not immediately provided, the bouncers will lock
the "patrons" inside and take it by force. If it appears you are being lured into a "clip
joint", the easiest way out is to recommend a different bar to the new "friend" trying
to get you into her "favorite local place" - and if she staunchly refuses, be very
suspicious.

Use common sense, at night in particular, but be alert at all times: Don't let anyone
near your phone, wallet or valuables; don't give change to strangers; avoid
unfamiliar areas at night. It's always a good idea to appear confident and take steps
not to mark yourself out as a tourist - some unscrupulous locals will equate "tourist"
with "mug". Don't carry your wallet in your back pocket - while London's legendary
pickpockets may not be as numerous as in days gone by, they are still equally
skilled. The Metropolitan Police have placed significant resources in combating
street level crime. Working in conjunction with borough councils they have been
able to significantly cut and bring the level of theft and pickpocketing in major
retail areas in London.

Transport is generally safe, although care should be taken on suburban tubes/trains

at night; don't fall asleep. Travelling on lower deck of a night bus is generally safer,
as there are more passengers around, and you are visible by the bus driver. If you
have been the victim of crime on the railways or the London Underground, you
should report the crime as soon as possible to the British Transport Police, who
have an office in most major train and tube stations. Elsewhere, you should report
your crime as normal to the Metropolitan Police. Major train stations, particularly
Kings Cross and Waterloo have problems you would normally associate with large
stations. Some thieves hang around waiting for the Gatwick, Heathrow and Stansted
express trains so they can target disorientated tourists.

It can be a good idea to keep your credit card receipts in a safe place rather than
throwing them away; and to be generally wary of "skimming" devices that may be
attached to ATMs in an attempt to steal card details. Some of these are very
sophisticated, so if in any doubt do not use that ATM. Ones inside shops or banks
are safer. Be sure, when using ATM that there are no objects in the card slot nor any
micro cameras above the keypad. If you suspect an ATM has been tampered with,
you should inform the bank staff indoors or call the police.

London is a fairly safe city for its size, and most visits should be trouble-free. The
police are generally very helpful when problems do occur.

[edit]
Get out
Take a high-speed Eurostar train to Paris or Brussels.
Brighton is a beach resort about 55 miles distant, sometimes known as
"London-on-Sea". £13 (adult off-peak day return by rail). It is less than 1
hour's train journey from Victoria Station.
Hampton Court Palace[105] is an historic Royal Palace located on the
outskirts of London with lovely gardens, a Henry VI palace, and perhaps the
most famous maze (labyrinth) in the world.
Bath is rich in Georgian architecture and makes an easy day trip.
Bournemouth is only 2 hours away from London and offers 7 miles of
golden sandy beaches.
Portsmouth the home of the British Navy would be of real interest to nautical
enthusiasts.
Stratford upon Avon is mostly an interest for those interested in
Shakespeare.
Winchester is former capital of England and an attractive cathedral city with
lots to see. The train journey (from London Waterloo) gives good views of the
southern English countryside and takes about one hour. £20 (adult off-peak
day return by rail).
Windsor is a nearby Thames-side town with a magnificent castle and royal
residence. Book tickets for Windsor (£14.20) online before you go because
the queues can be long. Frequent trains for Windsor and Eton leave from
Paddington Station (£7 adult off-peak day return by rail).
The University cities of Oxford and Cambridge make for ideal days out of
London
Canterbury is the site of the foremost cathedral in England, constructed from
the 12th to the 15th century. The famous white cliffs of Dover are only 15
miles further east, easily accessible by train.
Entry to the cathedral at Canterbury costs £4, and it's certainly worth doing
a guided tour for an additional £3.
 Southend-on-Sea is a seaside town in Essex and a short train ride away.

GsawOf <a href="http://onidbpvpjatq.com/">onidbpvpjatq</a>,

[url=http://ubiuwnnkmgfg.com/]ubiuwnnkmgfg[/url],
[link=http://cydwdgbbnvvy.com/]cydwdgbbnvvy[/link], http://ttoqafwsapaz.com/
GsawOf <a href="http://onidbpvpjatq.com/">onidbpvpjatq</a>,
[url=http://ubiuwnnkmgfg.com/]ubiuwnnkmgfg[/url],
[link=http://cydwdgbbnvvy.com/]cydwdgbbnvvy[/link], http://ttoqafwsapaz.com/
GsawOf <a href="http://onidbpvpjatq.com/">onidbpvpjatq</a>,
[url=http://ubiuwnnkmgfg.com/]ubiuwnnkmgfg[/url],
[link=http://cydwdgbbnvvy.com/]cydwdgbbnvvy[/link], http://ttoqafwsapaz.com/

Template:Geo Template:IsIn Template:Guidecity

ca:Londres de:London eo:Londono es:Londres fi:Lontoo fr:Londres hu:London

it:Londra ja:ãƒãƒ³ãƒ‰ãƒ³ pl:Londyn pt:Londres sv:London (Storbritannien)

WikiPedia:London Dmoz:Europe/United_Kingdom/England/London/
World66:europe/unitedkingdom/england/london OpenGuides:london
Wikevent:Greater London

Retrieved from "http://www.guide360.com/content/index.php/London"

Also Check Out These Topics:

Major Cities, Search for Cities, United Kingdom, South-East England, Square Mile,
City of London, Central London, City of London, Westminster, West End, Covent
Garden, Oxford Street, Leicester Square, Chinatown, Trafalgar Square, South Bank,
Southwark, Bloomsbury, Marylebone, Paddington, East London, Clerkenwell, West
London, South West London, Wimbledon, South East London, North London,
North West London, Winchester, Westminster, Rose Theatre, Museum of London,
Birmingham, United Kingdom, modern art, underground raves, Tower of London,
Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey,
Guide360.com provides travelers with coverage of thousands of travel destinations,
as well as the essential tools to plan the perfect vacation. The site includes
destination guides, news articles, feature stories, language guides, phrasebooks,
currency information, global weather forecasts and more. The site also gives trip
planners the ability to ask questions if they didn't find an answer in the site's vast
content library. Those travel questions are responded to by our staff and network of
travel experts.

© 2008 The Travelati Group. All Rights Reserved

Terms of Use | Our Commitment to Your Privacy | Travel Content for Your Web
Site