Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Underground and overground lines in London
Red Double Decker Buses
Red double decker buses are not merely museum pieces lauded the world over. You won't
see a bus that isn't bright red, and it's rare that they don't have stairs to a top deck. The
buses are efficient although usually slower than the Underground. They're best for journeys
when you're away from Central London and the Underground stations are more generously
spaced. Bus fares generally increase dependent on the number of stops you take.
Night Buses
The London Underground closes for the night around 11pm, leaving a six hour gap until the
first services start rumbling back through the city's arteries. This poses a problem if you're a
night owl. Miss the last Underground service and it can be a challenge getting home. Night
buses run through the night, each of the services prefixed with an N. Expect a smattering
of drunk people on board, as well as plenty of tired faces returning from work. Night buses
should get you home quickly enough if you're hotel is on the same side of London. But
crossing London West to East by night bus will take a couple of hours.
Black Taxis
Wonderfully curvaceous and an absolute essential photo stop, you'll find London black tax-
is everywhere. While they queue outside stations and popular streets, the concept of the
black cab was a spacious recognizable vehicle that anyone could flag down on the street.
If the yellow TAXI sign is illuminated on the front of the cab, then they're available for
hire. Even better, they are legally required to take any journey up to 12 miles or one hour
in duration.
Black taxis all have a standardized meter. But watching the meter can be eye-watering, be-
cause a journey of just two miles will easily hit £10. Taxis are expensive in London and
are best reserved as a last option, either for getting home after 11pm or getting out to an
address you don't know.
The Prepaid Oyster Card
