London Public Transportation: The Perfect Way to See London on a Budget

London is one of the most widely visited of European cities by vacationers, people looking for a getaway, or holiday travelers. It is also a nice city to utilize public transportation that is budget-friendly and easy to use for any traveler. The public transportation system in London consists of the Tube, buses, trains and trams. If you are a family, there is no better way to see London on a budget because children under the age of 11 ride for free.

Here is a guide outlining how to use each form of London public transportation in order to have an enjoyable and affordable London stay.

1) The Tube

The London underground transportation system is referred to as the "Tube." It is made up of 12 lines that each sport their own color so you can easily tell them apart. These colors are coded on the maps so you can always read the maps of the lines with ease. The lines run through central London and into outlaying areas.

In the city of London, you will find 275 stations to serve the public. In central London there are 63 stations.

This is a fantastic and safe way to travel the city that is affordable and easy. Remember that the the Tube does not run 24 hours a day. The first trains start at around 5 a.m. and the last trains run at 12 a.m. On Sundays the trains start at 7 a.m. and the last train runs at around 11 p.m.

You can purchase your fare online with tickets, travel cards and what is called "Oyster," which is pay as you go cards. Simply go to Visit Britain.

2) Buses

There are 6,500 buses in London, which makes catching them quite easy. Everywhere you look is a bus stop. There are over 17,000 bust stops around the city. Some buses run during the night and some buses run during the day. Night buses do run throughout the night, which makes them a nice alternative to taxis.

Remember, when riding the bus you need to raise your hand as you approach a stop so the bus driver will stop.

Buses are cheap and easy to use throughout the city. You can simply purchase a travel card to ride the buses, which makes them quite easy to utilize. No trip is truly complete without riding one of the famous double-decked buses that London is famous for.

You can purchase tickets from Visit Britain and they will be sent to you prior to your departure.

All of London's buses are wheelchair accessible.

3) Overland Trains

These are wonderful way to see the outlaying areas or to travel outside of London to the countryside.

4) Trams

Trams are popular in the surrounding London area. They do not travel into central London. There are three tram routes in London.

Traveling as a family in London is very affordable because children ride free. If your child is under 11 then he or she can travel for free on the Tube, buses, trains and trams.

If you use a wheelchair then you travel for free on all of London's public transport.

The London public transportation system is truly one of the best and safest in the world. It is cheap and affordable, which makes it the perfect way to see London on a budget.

Sources:

http://www.visitbritain.com/en/travel-and-transport/