Podcast Episode 24 –  Getting around London: A introduction to the various public transport options

In episode 24 of the UK Travel Planning Podcast, we address one of the most frequently raised questions raised by those planning a visit to London. The question is quite simply how to get around London on public transport.

The good news is that the public transport system in London is excellent, with many options available to get around. The downside, however, is that all those options can be a bit mind-boggling! First-time visitors to London can find the transport system challenging. With multiple forms of transport and various ways to get around London, travel planning can seem daunting.

This podcast is aimed at introducing you to the many options available for getting around London to make it a little less stressful and more fun!

In this episode, you will learn

• The various public transport options in London include the Underground (or Tube), Overground trains, the Elizabeth Line, London buses, Docklands Light Railway and Uber Boat.
• The different methods of paying for transport in London, such as the Oyster card and contactless.
• Practical tips to help you get around London.

So, plug in your headphones and prepare to ace your London trip planning!

Click the blue button below to listen:

Episode 24 – Show Notes

Getting around London: A introduction to the various public transport options

Topics covered in this episode include:

• An introduction to the following >>
  • The London Underground (Tube)
  • London Overground
  • London red buses
  • The Elizabeth Line
  • UBER Boats
  • Docklands Light Railway (DLR)
  • IFS Cloud Cablecar
  • London trams
  • Santander bikes and e-bikes

• Various methods of paying for London transport including >>
  • Oyster card and contactless
  • Discounts available for children
  • Suggested amounts to load on your Oyster card
  • How and where to top up your Oyster Card

• Mainline train stations in London with examples of where they serve eg, St Pancras International, for the Eurostar to Paris, Euston train station for Watford Junction and Harry Potter Studios.

• Useful apps to help navigate London transport >>
  • Citymapper
  • TfLGo App

Places mentioned in this episode include

• Greenwich >> Read our one-day itinerary for this historic area of London

• Harry Potter Studios >> Read more about how to get from London to the famous studios

• King’s Cross Station >> North London station which serves the north of England and Scotland

• Paddington Station >> West London station with trains running towards Oxford and on to Devon and Cornwall.

• London St Pancras Station >> Eurostar terminus for trains to Paris

• London red buses popular routes with tourists include >>
  • Route 24 Pimlico to Hampstead Heath – Westminster Abbey, Downing Street, Trafalgar Square, Nelsons Column, Camden town.
  • Route 11 Fulham to Liverpool Street – Kings Road (Chelsea), Westminster Cathedral (Abbey), Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Strand, Fleet Street, St Pauls Cathedral, Ends near Spitalfields market.
  • Route 9 Aldwych to Hammersmith – Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly, Knightsbridge (Harrods shop), Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gardens, Holland Park.

A transcript of this episode is available to read on our website here or click here to download a PDF version.

Useful resources

• How to get around London by public transport

• Guide to London’s main train stations

• Oyster Card >> Everything you need to know about the London Oyster Card

• Oyster card versus contactless >> How to pay for public transport in London

• Useful apps for travelling London and the UK