Getting from A-B: a newbie’s guide to travel in London

One of the best things about London? You don’t need a car. Thanks to the city’s sprawling and (mostly) efficient public transport system, you can get just about anywhere by Tube, bus, train, tram, or even boat.

But let’s be honest: London’s transport network can feel like a maze at first. Whether you're visiting for a few days or just moved here, this guide will help you make sense of it—without standing on the wrong platform wondering where “Bank” went.

First Things First: Get an Oyster Card or Use Contactless

You have three options to pay for travel:

Contactless card: Just tap your debit/credit card or phone on the yellow reader. Easy.
Oyster card: A reloadable card (£7 deposit) that works across all public transport. Helpful for tracking your spending.
Travelcard: A fixed-price paper ticket (better for longer visits or if your employer offers one).

Tip: Most Londoners just tap their contactless card or phone/watch. Fares are capped daily and weekly, so you never pay more than a certain amount per day/week (Zone-based).

The London Underground (aka “the Tube”)

London’s most iconic transport option and often the fastest. It’s colour-coded and fairly intuitive but here’s what you need to know:

Zones

Central London = Zone 1
Most tourist destinations are in Zones 1–2
Fares go up the further out you go (e.g. Heathrow is Zone 6)

Tube Lines to Know:

Central Line (Red): East–West, through Oxford Circus & Liverpool Street
Elizabeth “Lizzie” Line (Purple): To/from Heathrow Airport
Northern Line (Black): To Camden, King’s Cross, Clapham
District & Circle Lines (Green/Yellow): Great for sightseeing

Download the Citymapper or TFL Go app. They tell you exactly which train to take, where to stand, and even what exit to use. When I first moved here, Citymapper was quite literally my Bible.

Tube Etiquette

Stand on the right side of escalators
Don’t block the doors
Take off backpacks and large shoulder bags
Don’t be that person taking a loud phone call or playing music.
Rush hour (7:30–9:30am & 5–7pm) is packed, so avoid those times if possible!

London Buses: Cheap, Scenic, and Surprisingly Easy

Buses are often overlooked by tourists, but they’re great for short trips or sightseeing from the top deck (especially routes like the 11 or 24). London has plenty of bus-only lanes as well, so you can often skip the majority of the traffic. If you’re new, go upstairs to the top deck and try to sit in the front seats - the big window offers excellent views! It’s a great way to get a feel for your new neighbourhood.

How to Ride:

Tap your card once when you board (no need to tap out)
Flat fare: £1.75 per ride, with a 1-hour Hopper fare — meaning unlimited bus/tram rides for free within 1 hour

Great Routes:

Route 11: Through Westminster, St Paul’s, and Chelsea
Route 24: Through Camden, Trafalgar Square, and Westminster
Route 9: Old Routemaster buses on weekends

Bus stops have letters (e.g. Stop B), so double-check the one you're standing at.

Other Transport Options to Know

Overground: Like the Tube, but above ground. Great for East and South London connections (e.g. Hackney, Clapham, Richmond).
DLR (Docklands Light Railway): Driverless trains in East London. Useful for Canary Wharf, Greenwich, and London City Airport.
Thames Clippers: You can ride boats along the Thames using your Oyster/contactless. Great views, especially from Tower Pier to Greenwich.
Santander Cycles (aka “Boris Bikes”): Available across Central London. First 30 mins = £1.65, but make sure you dock them on time!
Lime and Forest eBikes: More expensive than Boris Bikes but faster and you’re not as sweaty when you arrive!

Must-Have Apps

Citymapper: The easiest way to navigate. Tells you where to go, how long it’ll take, and alternate routes.
TfL Go: Official app with real-time status updates
Google Maps: Reliable for buses and walking connections
Trainline: For booking national rail and day trips outside London

Smart Tips

Plan for delays: Engineering works happen most weekends — check the TfL site.
Touch in AND out on the Tube and Overground to avoid max fare charges.
Don’t panic if you get lost—every platform has maps, and Londoners are generally helpful.
If you’re new to town, set aside a Sunday to ride buses and explore. It’s cheap and oddly relaxing.

Taxis are more expensive than Ubers, but you know exactly what you’re getting - no bad surprises. Also, they can use the bus lanes, so they’re often faster than Ubers as well. FreeNow offers an Uber-like service as well as taxi booking, so consider downloading it.

Final Word

London’s public transport seems intimidating at first, but once you’ve figured out the basics, it’s honestly one of the best parts of living here. Trains come often, buses are everywhere, and you’re never too far from your next adventure.

Got a question about getting around or a transport hack you swear by? Let me know in the comments or message me on Instagram. I’d love to add it to the list!