Getting Around London by Subway and Bus

The subway in London (Tube) has 12 lines, in addition to the DLR (Docklands Light Rail) trains and many other local trains that bring commuters into the city from the suburbs. The experience of taking the London subway can be quite overwhelming for first-timers, but after a while, you'll start to navigate with ease and appreciate this remarkable web of lines that connects every part of the city.

LONDON SUBWAY MAP

First of all, we recommend downloading and printing the London Subway Map.

The London subway operates every day without interruption. Some stations may be temporarily closed due to maintenance work. The only way to know about these changes is to check on-site.

The 12 lines of the London subway (Tube) are certainly the most comfortable and fastest way to get around the English capital. However, sometimes it can be easier to take a bus to reach your destination. Buses are the best way to enjoy the sights of London from the window of the famous double-decker buses, without spending entire days in the subway tunnels!

Buses are particularly useful at night when the subway is closed and you don't want to spend a fortune on a taxi. So here is all the information for getting around London by bus.

BUS MAPS IN LONDON

First of all, we recommend downloading and printing the official map of central London buses. There is also a map showing night bus routes.

Every day in London, about 7,000 buses operate throughout the city, connecting all areas from the center to the farthest suburbs. The routes are divided by numbers and colors. At the bus stop shelters, you can find all useful information: waiting time, route, connections with other bus lines and the subway. Inside the bus, there is an effective video surveillance system, and stops are announced in English by a small speaker. The driver also checks tickets, so when you board, you must show your ticket or pass.

London's daytime buses operate every day from 4:30 AM to midnight. The frequency and duration of each trip depend on the destination and the time of day. The service is efficient enough that many Londoners prefer it over the subway. Night lines operate from midnight to 4:30 AM when all other public transport is closed. They follow the same routes as the daytime lines but are marked with the letter N.

Like the subway, London buses are expensive: a single ticket for a journey between zones 1 and 2 costs £2.20 (almost $3). So it's not the ideal option for those who want to see many things and move freely around the capital. To take advantage of more convenient fares and avoid queues, it's better to purchase an Oyster Card (smartcard) or a Travel Card (paper ticket). Both allow for unlimited travel on the subway, buses, trams, and DLR trains.

The Travelcard is a pass valid for 1 or 7 days that allows travel in zones 1-2 or 1-6 and entitles you to use the subway, buses, Docklands Light Rail, trams, London Overground, and some National Rail lines operating within the zones. Travelcards are not valid for Express connections from airports. You can choose between a Travelcard that is valid during peak hours (all hours) and off-peak hours (after 9:30 AM Monday to Friday). You can purchase it online and must specify the exact days of your stay in London, as the card will be valid only during that period.

If you decide to buy the Travelcard upon your arrival in the city, it will not be in paper format but will be charged to your Oyster Card with an additional fee of £5, essentially a deposit that will be refunded if you return the card when you leave London.

Adults

1 day for zones 1-4 $17.50

1 day for zones 1-6 $24.50 (including Heathrow Airport)

7 days for zones 1-2 $46.50

7 days for zones 1-6 $84 (including Heathrow Airport)

Children

1 day for zones 1-4 $9

1 day for zones 1-6 $12.50 (including Heathrow Airport)

7 days for zones 1-2 $23.50

7 days for zones 1-6 $42.50 (including Heathrow Airport)

Oyster Cards are magnetic cards that must be purchased (£5 deposit) and then loaded with prepaid credit.

Unlike the Travelcard, the Oyster Card can be purchased directly in London at any station or at the many Oyster Ticket Stops scattered throughout the city. It is not subject to zone and day restrictions but can be used at any time and to cross any area of the city: just tap the card at the turnstiles, and the fare for the trip will be automatically deducted.

The advantage of the Oyster Card is that the maximum daily fare for subway tickets is £6.40, so trips taken beyond this amount are not charged. The same rule applies to buses.