Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Minicabs
Minicabs look just like regular cars and are consider-
ably cheaper than black cabs, but they cannot be
hailed from the street. All minicabs should be
licensed
and able to produce a TfL ID on demand.
There are hundreds of minicab firms in the phone
book, but the best way to pick is to take the advice
of the place you're at, unless you want to be certain
of a woman driver, in which case book a cab from
Lady Mini Cabs (
T
020 7272 3300), or a gay/lesbian-
friendly driver, in which case call
London Cabs
(
T
020 7205 2677). Avoid illegal taxi touts, who
hang around outside venues alongside licensed
cabs, and always establish the fare beforehand, as
minicabs are not metered.
and from Tower Gateway (close to Tower Hill tube
and the Tower of London) above ground to the
financial centre of Docklands, plus other areas in
the East End and also below ground to Greenwich
and Woolwich. Oyster cards and Travelcards (see
opposite) are valid on the network.
Boats
Unfortunately, boat services on the Thames are not
fully integrated into the public transport system. If
you have a valid Travelcard (either in paper or Oyster
form), you're entitled to a third off, but if you have a
pay-as-you-go Oyster card, you get just ten percent
off. Timetables and services are complex, and there
are numerous companies and small charter
operators - for a full list pick up a booklet from a TfL
information centre (see p.21) or visit
W
tfl.gov.uk.
One of the largest companies is
Thames Clippers
(
W
thamesclippers.com), who run a regular
commuter service (Mon-Fri 6am-11pm, Sat & Sun
9am-10.30pm; every 20-30min) between Waterloo
and Greenwich (including the Dome), with some
boats going as far as Woolwich. Typical fares are
£6.50 single, with an unlimited hop-on, hop-off
River Roamer costing £13.60, and a weekly ticket
costing £41.
Other companies run boats upstream to Kew,
Richmond and Hampton Court (see p.329). Look
out, too, for the MV
Balmoral
and paddle steamer
Waverley
, which make regular visits to Tower Pier in
the summer and autumn (
T
0845 130 4647,
W
waverleyexcursions.co.uk).
Pedicabs
Last, and definitely least, there's currently a plague of
pedicabs or
bicycle taxis
in the West End. The oldest
and biggest of the bunch are Bugbugs (
T
020 7353
4028,
W
bugbugs.com), who have rickshaws
operating Monday to Saturday from 7pm until the
early hours of the morning. The rickshaws take up to
three passengers and
fares
are negotiable, so you
should always agree a price beforehand based on a
fare of around £3-5 per person.
Driving
Given the tra
c jams, parking hassle and pollution
caused, driving in London - especially central
London - is by far the worst transport option
available. However, if you must drive, bear in mind
the rules of the road (even if no one else does).
Seatbelts are compulsory front and back and the
speed limit is 30mph, unless it says otherwise.
Taxis
Compared to most capital cities, London's metered
black cabs
are an expensive option unless there
are three or more of you. The minimum fare is £2.40,
and a ride from Euston to Victoria, for example,
costs around £12-15 (Mon-Fri 6am-8pm). After
8pm on weekdays and all day during the weekend,
a higher tariff applies, and after 10pm, it's higher
still. Tipping is customary. An illuminated yellow
light over the windscreen tells you if the cab is
available - just stick your arm out to hail it. London's
cabbies are the best-trained in Europe; every one of
them knows the shortest route between any two
points in the capital, and they won't rip you off by
taking another route. They are, however, a blunt
and forthright breed, renowned for their generally
reactionary opinions. To order a black cab in
advance, phone
T
0871 871 8710, and be prepared
to pay an extra £2.
CONGESTION CHARGE
All vehicles entering central London on
weekdays between 7am and 6pm are
liable to a
congestion charge
of £10 per
vehicle. Drivers can pay the charge online,
over the phone and at garages and shops,
and must do so before midnight the same
day or incur a £2 surcharge - 24 hours
later, you'll be liable for a £130 Penalty
Charge Notice (reduced to £65 if you
pay within 14 days). Disabled travellers,
motorcycles, minibuses and some
alternative-fuel vehicles are exempt
from the charge, and local residents get
a ninety percent discount, but you must
register in order to qualify. For more
details, visit
W
tfl.gov.uk.
