It is no secret that London is one of the busiest cities in the world and that can make travelling around London as a family seem like a daunting option. It may even put you off booking your trip in the first place; but it really needn’t feel like that! London is an exciting place for children of all ages and travelling around is really quite manageable if you just take that little bit extra time when planning your visit. These different travel options needn’t break the bank either, which is ideal if you are a larger family trying to spend some quality time together in this wonderful and historical city.
The first thing to understand is that London does get busy at certain times of the day. These are typically commuter hours and are between 7-9am and 5.30-7pm on weekdays. If it is possible to travel outside of these times you will find your journey remarkably less crowded and less stressful. This is particularly key if you are journeying with young children or have a pushchair to navigate through the busy crowds. Catching a tube or a bus just half an hour after commuter time will make a noticeable difference to whether you are jostling for space and whether you are likely to get a seat. These commuter hours also apply to car traffic and we would suggest avoiding travelling by car if at all possible. It is not necessary to get from A to B within London itself so car hire would only be recommended if you wanted to venture out of the city to some of the wonderful surrounding cities and towns although these are all easily accessible by public transport.
London has an extremely versatile and comprehensive public transport network and it can offer a very cost effective way of getting around the city, particularly if you have a lot to cram into your visit. All of the following methods of transport cover the whole city of London and are easily accessible whether you are staying somewhere central such as The Shaftesbury Premier London Paddington or further afield. We will cover some of the major offerings along with our tips for when travelling with children which will hopefully help you to decide which method of transport would best suit you during your visit to the capital city:-
The Tube
Without a doubt one of the most practical and cheap ways of getting around London is the underground or ‘the tube’. Greater London is connected by 12 tube lines alongside the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and a local train network as well. The tube trains typically run between 5am and midnight, Monday to Saturday and with reduced operating hours on Sunday. Transport for London operate the tube and they have produced free maps which can be picked up from most tube stations around the city. These will assist you in planning which route you need to take to get to various parts of the capital.
It is worth bearing in mind that the tube is one of the busiest modes of transport during rush hour with people literally cramming themselves into every available space on the trains as they pass through. If you have young children and/or pushchairs it is definitely worth avoiding commuter hours. Other useful tips to keep handy include:-
checking the front of the train for its destination as it pulls into the station to ensure you have the correct one;
Going underground to catch the train can be a particularly exciting time for children but also a worrying one. Make sure you stand well back and be aware that the trains can be quite loud and noisy which may make some children jump. You should also be wary of the gap between the train and the platform edge and assist younger children in boarding the train safely. If you are travelling with a pushchair then be sure to check your tube map carefully; many of the stations are only accessible via steps which are not ideal if you are travelling on your own with a pushchair and have no-one to assist you in getting up and down. Accessibly and step-free stations are marked on the map which should help you when it comes to planning your journey.
Buses
London’s red buses are not only an iconic piece of London’s background but they also offer a cheap and easy way to navigate around the city. Not having to disappear underground on the tube means that you get to see the city around you as you travel from A to B as well which can be exciting for children and adults alike. There are also a number of bus tours which operate and will take you to various well known landmarks and attractions. These can be a cost-effective way of combining your travel costs with visiting memorable places in the city. Many of the bus tours also offer additional commentary which can provide interesting insight into the city of London as well.
River Bus Service
Another exciting way to travel around is by river bus. These operate in much the same way as the tube and the buses, with many stops around Central London and beyond. Travelling along the iconic River Thames is exhilarating enough on its own but you will also be given the chance to see some of London’s most iconic landmarks from a different perspective which makes the journey well worth it.
Fares
When it comes to fares, all of the above can be covered with an Oyster Card; Transport for London’s electronic smartcard system. You can purchase a Visitor Oyster Card which comes preloaded with your chosen amount of credit and then you simply swipe the card in front of the card reader at the tube station or when boarding the bus etc. You can order your Visitor Oyster Card in advance of your journey and have it delivered to your home address or purchase one when you arrive in the city. They are the easiest and cheapest way of getting around London, especially if you are staying in London for a number of days.
The first thing to understand is that London does get busy at certain times of the day. These are typically commuter hours and are between 7-9am and 5.30-7pm on weekdays. If it is possible to travel outside of these times you will find your journey remarkably less crowded and less stressful. This is particularly key if you are journeying with young children or have a pushchair to navigate through the busy crowds. Catching a tube or a bus just half an hour after commuter time will make a noticeable difference to whether you are jostling for space and whether you are likely to get a seat. These commuter hours also apply to car traffic and we would suggest avoiding travelling by car if at all possible. It is not necessary to get from A to B within London itself so car hire would only be recommended if you wanted to venture out of the city to some of the wonderful surrounding cities and towns although these are all easily accessible by public transport.
London has an extremely versatile and comprehensive public transport network and it can offer a very cost effective way of getting around the city, particularly if you have a lot to cram into your visit. All of the following methods of transport cover the whole city of London and are easily accessible whether you are staying somewhere central such as The Shaftesbury Premier London Paddington or further afield. We will cover some of the major offerings along with our tips for when travelling with children which will hopefully help you to decide which method of transport would best suit you during your visit to the capital city:-
The Tube
Without a doubt one of the most practical and cheap ways of getting around London is the underground or ‘the tube’. Greater London is connected by 12 tube lines alongside the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and a local train network as well. The tube trains typically run between 5am and midnight, Monday to Saturday and with reduced operating hours on Sunday. Transport for London operate the tube and they have produced free maps which can be picked up from most tube stations around the city. These will assist you in planning which route you need to take to get to various parts of the capital.
It is worth bearing in mind that the tube is one of the busiest modes of transport during rush hour with people literally cramming themselves into every available space on the trains as they pass through. If you have young children and/or pushchairs it is definitely worth avoiding commuter hours. Other useful tips to keep handy include:-
checking the front of the train for its destination as it pulls into the station to ensure you have the correct one;
- Stand to the right when using escalators;
- Wait for passengers to disembark before trying to board;
- Stand behind the yellow line whilst waiting for the train; and
- Hold onto the rails when the train is moving.
Going underground to catch the train can be a particularly exciting time for children but also a worrying one. Make sure you stand well back and be aware that the trains can be quite loud and noisy which may make some children jump. You should also be wary of the gap between the train and the platform edge and assist younger children in boarding the train safely. If you are travelling with a pushchair then be sure to check your tube map carefully; many of the stations are only accessible via steps which are not ideal if you are travelling on your own with a pushchair and have no-one to assist you in getting up and down. Accessibly and step-free stations are marked on the map which should help you when it comes to planning your journey.
Buses
London’s red buses are not only an iconic piece of London’s background but they also offer a cheap and easy way to navigate around the city. Not having to disappear underground on the tube means that you get to see the city around you as you travel from A to B as well which can be exciting for children and adults alike. There are also a number of bus tours which operate and will take you to various well known landmarks and attractions. These can be a cost-effective way of combining your travel costs with visiting memorable places in the city. Many of the bus tours also offer additional commentary which can provide interesting insight into the city of London as well.
River Bus Service
Another exciting way to travel around is by river bus. These operate in much the same way as the tube and the buses, with many stops around Central London and beyond. Travelling along the iconic River Thames is exhilarating enough on its own but you will also be given the chance to see some of London’s most iconic landmarks from a different perspective which makes the journey well worth it.
Fares
When it comes to fares, all of the above can be covered with an Oyster Card; Transport for London’s electronic smartcard system. You can purchase a Visitor Oyster Card which comes preloaded with your chosen amount of credit and then you simply swipe the card in front of the card reader at the tube station or when boarding the bus etc. You can order your Visitor Oyster Card in advance of your journey and have it delivered to your home address or purchase one when you arrive in the city. They are the easiest and cheapest way of getting around London, especially if you are staying in London for a number of days.
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