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| Edgware Rd. Station |
As part of the cost of my study abroad experience, included was an
Oyster card which covered tube travel in Zones 1 and 2 as well as bus
travel in any zone. Oyster cards are something worth having, they
save you the trouble of buying a ticket every time you use the tube
and the flexibility to get off at any stop.
Then again, if you plan on remaining in one area and not taking
the tube much then there would not be as beneficial. It all depends
on your budget and what you plan on doing in London.
Taxis are a great way to get around the city as well. But be
cautious of the minicabs. Something that we were told is that legit
cab drivers will not ask if you want a ride, if a cab driver asks if
you need a ride- chances are they are illegal, and you might not make
it home.
Black cabs are all over the city like the big red buses and those
drivers go through intense training and will get you where you need
to go. The only downside is that you can't book them in advance. If
you do want to book a taxi (minicab) service in advance there are many options.
One of the largest companies is Addison Lee
GET A MAP.
No seriously, even if “you never get lost” London
is so big that even Londoners get lost (they use the A to Z book).
And I've had many people (Londoners included) ask me for directions.
So get a map- trust me, you will still get lost with it. I have a
tube map as well as a map of London itself, and both have been
remarkably helpful in not only getting around, but also in deciding
what I want to do with my days.
You can pick up a map at the airport or at various grocery stores.
And tube maps are available at the stations around the city.
Walk as much you can- and don't stick to only the main road. Give
yourself a landmark on the map and then take a sharp left or right
down a side road. I promise you won't be disappointed in London's
back streets. Rows and rows of quiet houses, a neighbourhood park
filled with neighbours enjoying the sun, or a quiet local market
tucked away down a side street. The buildings themselves are reason
enough to not stay on the well trodden path.
There
are also some great walking tours to go on. The weekly magazine Time
Out
is a great way to keep up with “what's on” and they're available
at most every newsstand.
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