Getting Started - Transportation
London is a very accessible city, offering a wide variety of public and private transportation options. At first, driving can be a bit intimidating as you learn to navigate the narrow streets, heavy traffic and aggressive drivers – all driving on the left side of the road. With time and patience, driving becomes easier and you learn the varied options that allow you to get to your destinations more quickly.
Drivers Licences: Under British law, you must obtain a British drivers license within one year of arriving in London. Driving lessons are both common and advisable, and easy to book through driving schools. The process of obtaining your licence can take time, so plan ahead to ensure that you are able to get it by the end of your first year in London. Information about licensing and driving tests is available at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and the Driving Standards Authority (DSA.)
British School of Motoring: 08457 276 276
AA Driving School: 0800 587 0087
DVLA: 0870 240 0009
DSA: 0870 010 1372
Congestion Charge: To combat heavy traffic and to aid in environmental concerns, London has a ‘congestion charge’ for the centre of the city. This charge is a daily fee of £8 for driving into the designated zone. It’s important to be aware of the limits of the congestion charge zone because the fines are hefty. For more information, see www.cclondon.com
Public Transportation
Getting around London can be quick and easy using the extensive public transport network of buses, tubes and overground trains. Comprehensive London transport information for bus, tube, rail, and road travel is available on the ‘Transport For London’ website, www.tfl.gov.uk.
Oyster Card: The Oyster card is the most straight-forward way of paying for your bus and tube journies, both for the daily commuter and infrequent users. The Oyster card is a ‘travel smart card’ that allows you to store your monthly or annual passes, as well as offering a pay-as-you-go feature for the occasional journey. There is a significant reduction in the cost of your journey using the Oyster card, so it is well-worth the investment. More information can be found at www.tfl.gov.uk
Train Travel: There is an extensive train network in the UK, allowing you to travel the island easily and quickly. For consolidated information about train schedules and destinations available contact Network Rail (www.networkrail.co.uk) or 08457 48 49 50.
Private Transportation
Black Cabs: London’s iconic black cabs can be the most comfortable way of getting around London. Black cabs can be hailed on the street or ordered in advance. If you thing that you may be using black cabs frequently, it may be worth setting up an account, which will give you priority over bookings.
Dial-a-Cab: 020-7426-3420 or www.dialacab.co.uk
Comcab: 020-7908-0207 or 020-7432-1432 or www.computercab.co.uk
Zingo: Tel: 08700 700 700. Zingo is a special cab company that locates you using your mobile phone and GPS, allowing you to remain at your location until the taxi arrives. This service is especially appealing if you are travelling late at night or in an unfamiliar neighbourhood.
Mini-cabs: Private hire taxis, more commonly known as ‘mini-cabs’ have recently undergone a licensing process in order to make them more safe. It is never advisable to get into a minicab on the street, as any driver might tout himself as licensed. You will find that there are several reputable minicab companies in your neighbourhood that are perfectly safe and allow you to book in advance. It is best to get a reference from a neighbour or colleague. For more information see www.tfl.gov.uk
Airport Transportation
London has five major airports, Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, Stansted and London City Airport. Each of these airports is some distance from the city centre, so it takes some planning to ensure that you arrive in time for your flight.
Airport Information:
Heathrow – www.heathrowairport.com
Gatwick – www.gatwickairport.com
Stansted – www.stanstedairport.com
Luton – www.london-luton.com
City Airport – www.londoncityairport.com
Heathrow Express – Running every 15 minutes between Paddington station and Heathrow Airport, the Heathrow Express is the fastest way to get to the airport with a journey time of approximately 15 minutes. www.heathrowexpress.com
Gatwick Express – The Gatwick Express runs between Victoria station and Gatwick airport, with a journey time of approximately 30 minutes. www.gatwickexpress.com
Stansted Express – The Stansted Express is the most comfortable way to get to Stansted Airport, running every 15 minutes from Liverpool Street station with a journey time of 45 minutes.
Luton Airport – Luton can be reached using the First Capital Connect overground trains. www.firstcapitalconnect.co.uk
London City Airport – Located near the heart of London’s financial district, City airport can be reached using the Docklands Light Railway www.londoncityairport.com