City guide
London, United Kingdom 🇬🇧
Status: ready
Last refresh: 2026-02-22 08:12 UTC
Authorities
1
Transport modes
6
Payment methods
3
Airport links
5
Transport Authorities
Getting Around
| Mode | Operator | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| metro | Transport for London | London Underground (Tube), 11 lines, frequent service every 2-5 min peak, Night Tube on select lines Friday-Saturday. |
| light_rail | Transport for London | DLR (Docklands Light Railway), with planned extension to support new homes and jobs. |
| bus | Transport for London | Extensive network, 24-hour night buses, largest zero-emission bus fleet in Western Europe with continued expansion planned. |
| train | Transport for London / National Rail | Elizabeth line (east-west), London Overground, National Rail suburban services, with more Elizabeth line services planned. |
| cable_car | Transport for London | IFS Cloud Cable Car across the Thames. |
| other | Santander | Bike hire via app or docking stations. |
Paying for Transport
- Oyster card Contactless smart card for Tube, buses, Elizabeth line, Overground, DLR, National Rail.
- Contactless payment Bank card, Apple Pay, Google Pay on all TfL services.
- Daily/Weekly capping Pay as you go with automatic fare cap per day or week. Tube fares increased 6% from 1 March 2026; bus and tram fares frozen until 5 July 2026.
Operating Hours
- Weekday Tube: ~5am-midnight, frequent peak service; Buses: 24 hours; Elizabeth line: ~5am-midnight.
- Weekend Tube: ~5am-midnight (Night Tube Fri-Sat on select lines); Buses: 24 hours.
- Night service Night Tube Friday-Saturday on select lines, 24-hour night buses.
Rideshare & Taxis
- Uber Available Available citywide via app, automatic payment.
Airport Connections
- train - Heathrow Express to Paddington 15-20 min, £25 single
- metro - Piccadilly Line Tube to central London ~50 min, £6.40 peak with Oyster/contactless
- train - Elizabeth line Heathrow to Paddington ~30 min, £12.80
- train - Gatwick Express to Victoria 30-35 min, £21.90 off-peak
- bus - National Express coach Heathrow to Victoria 35-60 min, from £6
Live Delay Info
Local Tips
For 2-5 day stays, use contactless or Oyster with daily capping (~£8.90 central zones); download TfL Go app for live maps and timetables; avoid rush hours (7-9am, 5-7pm); black cabs reliable for short trips; walkable center; bikes for good weather. Note: Tube fares increased 6% from 1 March 2026, bus/tram fares frozen until 5 July 2026.