Paying for your travel
Before anything else, sort out how you'll pay, because it affects how much you spend. London no longer sells paper single tickets at sensible prices, and most Tube ticket offices have closed. The two things you need to know:
Contactless is the easiest option. Just tap a contactless debit/credit card or a phone (Apple Pay, Google Pay) on the yellow reader. You pay exactly the same fares as an Oyster card, and the system automatically applies daily and weekly capping. Once you hit the cap, the rest of your journeys that day are effectively free. Use the same card for every journey so the system can cap correctly.
Oyster cards still work and are useful if you don't have a contactless card, or if you’re travelling with children. A Visitor Oyster card can be ordered before you travel, while a standard Oyster card can be bought from ticket machines at stations. There's a small non-refundable fee for the card itself, plus whatever credit you load onto it.
A few fares to anchor expectations (2026 adult pay-as-you-go):
- Bus or tram: £1.75 a trip, capped at £5.25 a day.
- Tube within Zone 1: £3.00 off-peak / £3.10 peak.
- Tube Zones 1–2: £3.10 off-peak / £3.60 peak.
- Daily cap for Zones 1–2: £8.90. This is the most you'll pay in a day on the Tube, DLR, Elizabeth line, Overground, and most rail within those zones, as long as you pay with the same payment method.
Peak fares apply roughly 06:30–09:30 and 16:00–19:00 on weekdays; everything else is off-peak. Children under 11 travel free on the Tube, DLR, Overground and Elizabeth line when with an adult, and free on buses and trams.
Taking the bus
Travelling around London by bus is an efficient and cost-effective way to get from one place to another. Whether you're a local or a visitor, the bus is a great way to see the city at street level while getting from A to B. Fares are flat and cheap, routes are dense, and night buses run across most of the city. Night buses have broader coverage than the Night Tube, which runs only on a few lines. Night buses have an "N" in front of the usual route number.
An essential thing to know is that you can't buy a ticket on the bus. You must tap in with an acceptable payment method. Most people use contactless (a card or phone), and others use an Oyster card.
Bus stops have signs showing which routes stop there, and it's best to signal the driver that you want to get on. How you board depends on the bus: most buses serving outer London have a front entrance only, while in Central London, some buses let you board through the front or the back door (but typically not the centre door). You tap in when you board, but you don't tap out as the fare is the same regardless of distance.
The bus fare is £1.75 per trip, and there's no extra charge if you change to another bus (or tram) within 60 minutes. This is the Hopper fare, and there's no limit on the number of transfers within the hour. The daily cap is £5.25 no matter how many trips you make. Children up to 10 travel free.
The Superloop
A useful addition since this guide first appeared is the Superloop. It is a network of ten limited-stop express bus routes (numbered SL1 to SL10) that loop around outer London, launched between 2023 and 2024. They're aimed mainly at outer-London commuters rather than central sightseeing, but a couple are handy for visitors: the SL7 links Croydon with Heathrow Airport, and the SL9 runs between Heathrow and Harrow. They use the same flat £1.75 bus fare, Hopper transfers and daily cap as every other London bus.
Using the Underground (the Tube)
The London Underground is one of the most popular ways to get around. It's fast, frequent and relatively cheap. The network has 11 lines and around 272 stations across Greater London and beyond. To use it, tap in and out with a contactless card, phone or Oyster card.
The Tube map can look daunting at first. Each line has its own colour, used consistently on the map and on signs inside stations, so once you know which line you need, you can follow that colour to the right platform. A map app on your phone (Citymapper or TfL Go are popular) makes planning easy. On the platform, a sign on the wall lists all the stations in each direction, so check whether your stop is eastbound/westbound or northbound/southbound and pick the right side. Some lines have more than one branch, and you’ll also need to check the end station of the coming train. For example, to get to King’s Cross on the Northern Line, you’ll have to take the branch going via London Bridge and Bank. On board, watch the line diagram and listen for announcements. Some stations get very busy. Let people off before you board, and follow the signs to the right exit, as most stations have several.
Fares depend on the zones you travel through. Central London is Zone 1 and is the most expensive zone, but because of the £8.90 daily cap for Zones 1–2, sightseeing across central London for a whole day costs no more than a single capped day's travel, regardless of how many trips you take.
Night Tube: on Friday and Saturday nights, a 24-hour service runs on the Victoria, Central, Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines, which is handy for getting back after a night out. Night Tube journeys are charged at off-peak fares.
Using the Elizabeth line
The Elizabeth line (shown in purple on the map) is London's newest railway, opened in 2022 and running its full through-service since 2023. It's a fast, spacious, air-conditioned line that runs east–west across the city, from Reading and Heathrow Airport in the west to Abbey Wood and Shenfield in the east, calling at central stations including Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Liverpool Street, Whitechapel and Canary Wharf.
For visitors, it's especially useful in two ways: it's one of the quickest ways into central London from Heathrow (and far cheaper than the Heathrow Express), and it cuts across the city much faster than the older Tube lines for east–west journeys. Every station has step-free access from the street to the train, making it the best option if you're travelling with luggage, a pushchair or limited mobility. It's part of the same fare system, and you can just tap in and out with contactless or Oyster, and the same daily caps apply (note that Heathrow journeys are charged at the peak rate at all times).
Using the Docklands Light Railway (DLR)
The Docklands Light Railway (DLR) is a driverless light-rail system serving East and South East London. It is relatively modern (and new trains on the way), well-kept and pleasant to ride. Because there's no driver's cab, you can grab a seat right at the front for a scenic view, though staff do move through the carriages. Trains are frequent, running every few minutes throughout the day.
The DLR's western-most stations are Bank and Tower Gateway (close to the Tower of London and Tower Bridge), and it's a handy way to reach destinations like Greenwich, Canary Wharf and the ExCeL/Royal Docks. It's part of the same fare system, so just tap in and out with contactless or Oyster; the usual zone fares and daily caps apply.
Taking the Overground (London's suburban rail network)
The Overground is a network of rail services that mostly run above ground, reaching many areas the Tube doesn't. It can be a convenient way to travel within the city, particularly to destinations off the Underground map, and it serves more than 100 stations across the capital.
In late 2024, the Overground was split into six individually named and coloured lines to make the network easier to navigate:
- Lioness (yellow) — Euston to Watford Junction
- Mildmay (blue) — Stratford to Richmond/Clapham Junction
- Windrush (red) — Highbury & Islington to Clapham Junction/New Cross/Crystal Palace/West Croydon
- Weaver (maroon) — Liverpool Street to Cheshunt/Enfield Town/Chingford
- Suffragette (green) — Gospel Oak to Barking Riverside
- Liberty (grey) — Romford to Upminster
Some stops worth knowing: Wembley Central for Wembley Stadium and Arena (football and concerts), Kew Gardens for the Royal Botanic Gardens, Richmond for a lovely stretch of the Thames, and Stratford for the Westfield shopping centre and the Olympic Park.
The trains are spacious and a comfortable way to travel, as long as they serve your route. Fares work the same way as the Tube. You can use contactless or Oyster, though fares may be higher than for central journeys, as the Overground reaches as far as Zone 9.
Using taxis
There are several taxi options in London. The ones most associated with the city are the traditional black cabs, which can be hailed on the street, picked up at taxi ranks, or booked through apps like Gett. Many black cabs are now electric. They accept cards and contactless payments.
Black cab drivers must pass a demanding test ("the Knowledge") proving they know London's streets and landmarks. The cabs are spacious and easy to get into with luggage, with three seats in the back and foldable seats opposite for extra passengers. Black cabs cost more than other options but are convenient and reliable. One thing to watch out for is that the meter keeps running even in a traffic jam, increasing the price for the trip. The tube is often a quicker option if it’s close to your departure and destination locations.
The second option is ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Bolt. These are usually cheaper and can be booked in the app, with the price shown upfront. When demand is high, prices rise through surge pricing.
The third option is private hire vehicles (minicabs). These must be booked in advance and can't be hailed on the street like black cabs, and may be less readily available in some areas. A licensed private hire driver should be able to show a "Licensed London Private Hire Driver" badge.
Renting a car
Renting a car only really makes sense for trips outside the city, for example, a day out with several people, where train tickets for four travelling an hour or more from London can add up.
Within London, a car is usually more hassle than it's worth. Traffic is heavy, especially at rush hour; parking is scarce and expensive, particularly in the centre; and there's a Congestion Charge of £18 per day for driving in central London (it rose from £15 on 2 January 2026). Note that electric vehicles are no longer exempt from the charge; they must pay as well, though EVs registered for Auto Pay receive a discount. Add driving on the left to the list, and the Tube starts to look very appealing.
Using bicycles
Cycling can be a great way to get around when the weather's good. Santander Cycles has around 800 docking stations and more than 12,000 bikes across the city. You'll find them in Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, Green Park and across Central London. Parks are among the most enjoyable places to ride (keep to the paths where cycling is allowed), as distances within places like Hyde Park are longer than they look. The downside is that traffic in Central London can be hectic, and riding alongside double-decker buses isn't for everyone.
Hiring is easy. A standard bike costs £1.65 per 30 minutes (with a further £1.65 for each extra 30 minutes), and e-bikes cost £3.30 per 30 minutes for registered users. If you plan several rides in a day, a Day Pass at £3 gives 24 hours of unlimited 30-minute journeys on standard bikes (e-bikes are then £1 per 30 minutes on top of that). Pay in the Santander Cycles app or with a card at the terminal beside the docking station, and return the bike to any docking station when you're done.
One place where cycling is the highlight rather than just a means of transport is Richmond Park. Cycle hire there is separate from Santander Cycles, and there are routes of roughly 5 to 17 kilometres where you can enjoy the landscape and see the park's famous wild deer. It's a popular ride on a sunny day.
Using the Uber Boat by Thames Clippers river bus
One of the most enjoyable ways to travel in London, combining getting somewhere with seeing the sights, is the Uber Boat by Thames Clippers river bus. It stops at many piers along the Thames, from Woolwich (Royal Arsenal) in the east to Putney in the west, offering both a practical service and a fresh perspective on the riverside landmarks. Popular stops include:
- Embankment for Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament
- London Eye (Waterloo)
- Tower for the Tower of London and Tower Bridge
- North Greenwich for The O2
- Battersea Power Station
You can pay with contactless or Oyster, or buy a ticket in advance on the Thames Clippers website, the Thames Clippers Tickets app or the Uber app. The river is divided into three zones (West, Central and East), and single fares depend on how far you travel. Buying online or via an app, or paying with contactless/Oyster, saves up to a third compared with buying at the pier. Paying that way, adult singles are £6.20 within the East or West zone, £9.90 in the Central zone, and £19.30 for an all-zones trip. Children aged 5–15 travel at half the adult price, and under-5s go free. One thing to note: the TfL daily cap does not apply to river services, so river fares sit on top of any Tube/bus capping.
If you want to explore several riverside spots in a day, the Hop-on Hop-off day ticket (formerly the River Roamer) is excellent value: unlimited all-day travel across every pier. An adult 1-day ticket is £27.90 when bought online (£31 at the pier), a child or concession ticket is £13.95 when bought online, and a family ticket (two adults plus up to three children) is £55.80 when bought online. There is also a 2-day version available. The boats even have a café/bar on board, making it a lovely way to travel on a sunny day.
Getting to and from the airports
London is served by six airports, and the right transport option depends on which one you land at. Here's the quick version.
Heathrow (west London, Zone 6) has the most choice. The Elizabeth line is the sweet spot for most visitors, taking around 30 minutes to Paddington, fully step-free, and about £14.60 with contactless. The Piccadilly line is the cheapest at £5.90 (contactless), takes 50–55 minutes, and stops at many central stations. The Heathrow Express is the fastest at 15 minutes to Paddington but costs around £26 on the day (cheaper booked ahead). National Express coaches to Victoria run £9–£12.50 and suit travellers with lots of luggage.
Gatwick (south of London) is reached by train in about 30 minutes. The Gatwick Express to Victoria is around £24 (slightly less booked online), while Thameslink and Southern services to Victoria, London Bridge, Blackfriars and St Pancras are usually cheaper (from around £15) and just as quick. Coaches are the budget option.
Stansted (north-east) is served by the Stansted Express to Liverpool Street, which takes about 48 minutes, from £9.90 if booked ahead, every 15 minutes. Coaches to central London are cheaper but take around 1 hour 45.
Luton (north) is reached via train to Luton Airport Parkway, then the quick Luton DART shuttle into the terminal (the DART is included when you buy a ticket to "Luton Airport"). Total journey is roughly 32–45 minutes from St Pancras. Coaches are a cheaper, slower alternative.
London City (east London, Zone 3) is the most central airport, and easiest to just hop on the DLR, around 22 minutes to Bank for about £3.10–£3.90 with contactless. It's easily the simplest airport to reach if you're staying in the City or Canary Wharf.
(The sixth, Southend, is further out in Essex and used by few visitors; trains run to Liverpool Street and Stratford.)
As a rule of thumb, tap in with contactless for the Tube/DLR/Elizabeth line, and book coach or express-train tickets in advance online for the best price.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are plenty of ways to get around London, each with its own strengths. For most visitors, the Tube and buses will cover almost everything. Elizabeth line is often best for fast cross-town and airport trips, the DLR and Overground for the outer reaches, and the river boats for a bit of sightseeing all add something to a trip. Whatever you choose, tap in with a contactless card or phone, let the daily cap do the work, and you'll find London remarkably easy to navigate.
