European vacations

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Having now lived in London for a couple of years I feel able to impart some pretty useful tips to the newly arrived tourist or otherwise.

Firstly, without doubt the most important thing to buy if you are spending any time in London at all is a copy of the "A to Z". This a map that comes in many versions that everyone in London relies on. I still use mine at least twice a week.

Secondly - you are most likely to arrive at Heathrow.

There are many options available - black cab, mini cab, Heathrow express (train), bus and tube. Without doubt the quickest and easiest is simply the tube. The Picadilly line runs straight through Earls Court on its way to town and then into the centre of the city (Picadilly Circus) and then out again. The tube is very frequent from about 5:30 in the morning to round about midnight. Cost into town will be about £4. This compares very favourably with any of the other options. If you are not sure where your accommodation is, ring and ask where the closest tube station is. The system connects very well and you shouldn’t have too much trouble. Black cabs often congregate outside major tube stations too.

Once in London the tube is still the best way to get around (other than foot). Day passes can be bought for off peak hours from any station and many newsagents and small corner stores. Weekly passes require a photo card and filling out forms. You can get a map of the system for free from any station and you should be able to work out fairly easily how to get to you intended destination.

Buses indicate where they are heading with a sign on the front of the bus. They can be a bit confusing at first but they are cheap (£1 per ride in the centre of town and £.7 outside the centre) and provide a good way to see some of the city - especially the double deckers which have superb viewing from the top front seats. Besides you can’t come to London without getting on a red double decker.

Cabs come in two forms.

Black cabs are licensed. They know their way round London extremely well and are very convenient. They all have meters and there really is no better or safer way to travel at night. They can be hailed practically anywhere when they have the light on their roof turned on.

Mini - cabs. Mini cabs are either licensed or unlicensed. These cabs do not have meters and you are expected to negotiate your price before you get in. To the unexperienced they are daunting and scary. Mini cab drivers can be booked (if licensed) and have quite often set prices to airports and the like which can be very handy. Mini cab phone numbers can be found in phone books etc. Quite often drivers will wait around pubs, clubs, theatres etc trying to get rides. Unlicensed minicabs are simply people in their own cars trying to make money. These are not recommended at all. Unfortunately there is not much to tell them apart from the licensed ones. If you are new to the city I would advise against getting in a mini cab unless you have booked it either on the phone or through one of the little offices you will see near tube stations etc.

Lengthy I know - but I hope it helps.

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