ARRIVING IN AND GETTING AROUND LONDON

ARRIVING IN AND GETTING AROUND LONDON

London is right up there with the most popular destinations in the world for leisure and business. London has the finest transportation system of any European city. With over 500 local rail stations, 200 Tube stations, and 600 bus routes.

London boasts 5 international airports: Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and City. Each airport has a connection to Central London by Tube, Express train service, and coach. You may also choose to get to Central London by Taxi, but this can be a more costly alternative. Make sure the taxi you use has a meter, and ask for an estimation of how much it will cost before you start. The Heathrow express train will travel to Paddington station on London's West side, and the Gateway express travels to Victoria, on the South side of London. You will be able to access all of London from either of these stations.

First of all you should invest in a mini atlas, which contains maps of London that show areas to about seven miles outside the city center in all directions. The atlas also contains an index of all roads, streets, lanes, and squares in London. You will always be able to see where you are when you have this atlas. This book also has maps of the London Underground and a great deal of other information. You can also purchase a second version of the mini atlas that extends 16 miles out of the city instead of 7. You will probably not need this unless you want to visit the outlying areas.

London is separated into dozens of boroughs. Kensington, Chelsea, and Knightsbridge are where you want to go for shopping, wonderful cafes, wine bars and pubs. Clerkenwell, Shoreditch, Soho, and Camden have fantastic night entertainment. Primrose Hill, Maida Vale, and St. Johns Wood, are residential areas that are very quiet. The West End, Covent Garden, and the South Bank are where you will find theaters, street performers, and many restaurants and bars.

Public transportation in London is very large and can be quite expensive. To travel the Tube you will want to purchase an Oyster card at any Tube station. This will allow you seven days of unlimited travel on the Tube or any buses within the area of zone 1 or 2, and costs a reasonable flat rate. When in a Tube station be aware that the left side of the escalator is only for people who are walking.

Black cabs and minicabs are the two types of taxis in London. All Black Cabs are not black in color, they are the larger cabs and are a bit more expensive because the fares are regulated. Minicabs are an unlicensed cab with any driver that may or may not be insured.

If you will be traveling by taxi at night, you should use a black cab or go to an official mini cab office. Do not go with anyone who asks you on the street, if you need a taxi. Especially in Picadilly, Soho, and around the Oxford Street area, where there are many unlicensed and illegal drivers. You will need to take care anywhere around London, even if they offer you a cheap fare, you may find yourself in a dangerous situation.