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Traveling on the London Underground

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Copyright 2006 S Wander You can take the Underground to nearly all parts of London, andcan get you to your destination, without the delays of hailingcabs or waiting for buses. The London Underground consists of aTube network made up of 275 stations on 12 rail lines. Thedifferent lines are marked with colours to help you keep trackof where you are headed. Maps for the Tube have major touristdestinations clearly marked so you can find where you are goingquickly. Any ticket station will have free maps. Smoking is notallowed anywhere in the London Underground system. The Tube is a very inexpensive way to get around London. Thefares are based on a map of zones in the city, with the ratesvarying depending on your starting and ending zones. Tube faresstart at only £1.30 for most travel in the central downtownareas. If you plan on traveling extensively by Tube, you should thinkabout getting an Oystercard. These plastic "smart cards" aredurable and more convenient than carrying regular paper tickets.You can load your Oystercard with season passes or regularpre-pay fares. Using an Oystercard is simple. Just touch thecard to one of the many card readers on the platform when youstart your trip, and again when you reach your destination. TheOystercard isn't just for the Tube either. This handy card canalso be used on all other forms of public transit, such as busesor the DLR (Docklands Light Railway). The Tube runs frequently throughout the day, with trains runningthrough each station every few minutes. There aren't exacttimetables available, except for the times of the first and lasttrains of the day. Each route is different, but travel begins asearly as 5am and ends well after midnight. If you are planning on getting around London via other transportas well as the tube, you should be aware that there are parkingfacilities at many stations though you will have to pay to parkyour car. Rates are low, starting at around £2.00 for a weekday.Some parking is free of charge on statutory


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holidays. Bicyclescan be taken with you onboard the trains throughout most of theTube network, but not everywhere. Some sections are off-limitsto bicycles and they are also not to be brought onboard duringpeak travel periods (morning and evening rush hour). Check withthe transit authorities before trying to board with your bike.There is no extra charge. The etiquette involved with traveling by London Underground isthe same for subway systems in any major city. Remove yourbackpack when boarding and keep it on the floor by your feet.Don't stand in the doorway; allow passengers room to board anddisembark the train. When riding the escalator, stand to theright so that quicker people can pass you. Overall, be courteousto other rides and transit staff. Even if you don't need to travel by Tube, you might still wantto visit a local station, as the London Underground is a touristdestination in itself. The Poems on the Underground programbrings poetry to the trains, alongside the advertisements. Thepoems are updated 3 times a year and can even be purchased as acollection at London's Transport Museum Shop. Not a fan ofpoetry? You can also enjoy the numerous pieces of artwork thatare on display throughout the Underground. Most of the art is inthe form of wall-mounted posters, but there are displays ofsculpture, photography and installation art as well. Planning ahead can make using the London Underground system eveneasier. Visit their website (http://tube.tfl.gov.uk) anddownload maps of all routes along with timetables. Knowing yourTube routes will get you to your destinations faster, easier andwith less time lost. One more tip. If you are traveling during the summer, be awarethat the Tube is not air-conditioned and gets quite hot. Bring abottle of water with you if you plan on being on a train for awhile. About the author: Smooth Hound http://www.smoothhound.co.uk/london.html offersaffordable hotel, guest house and bed & breakfast accommodationthroughout the London and the rest of the world.

Written by: S Wander

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