Capital city in Greater London, United Kingdom
Getting around London
How to get around London
The Tube, Elizabeth line, buses and Overground cover almost everywhere; tap a contactless card or phone with daily fare caps. Walking and Santander Cycles fill gaps.
Ways to get around London
| Option | Fare | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Tube and Elizabeth line | £2.80–£6.70 per trip; daily caps from about £9 | Zone 1–2 daily cap about £9; tap in and out with the same card |
| Buses | £1.75 per trip; 1 hour hopper | Cheap, slow, run all night; no cash |
| Overground and DLR | Same fares as Tube | Useful in east and south east London |
| Santander Cycles | £1.65 per 30 min | Docks across central London |
Ride-hailing apps in London
A 5 km ride costs about £10–20 ($13–26).
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Uber | Most cars; also licensed black cabs in some cities |
| Bolt | Often cheaper than Uber; common in big cities |
| FREENOW | Black cab and minicab app |
- Black cabs hail on the street (yellow light on) and are metered but costly; minicabs must be pre-booked through an app.
Arriving in London
Heathrow (LHR)
Elizabeth line to Paddington or Liverpool Street about £13–14, 30–40 min; Heathrow Express £25+, 15 min to Paddington; Tube Piccadilly line about £5.60.
Gatwick (LGW)
Gatwick Express or Thameslink to central London £12–22, 30–45 min; Southern is cheaper.
Stansted (STN)
Stansted Express to Liverpool Street £21+, 50 min; National Express coach about £11–15.
Driving and onward travel
- Scooters: Tricky and stressful: cycle lanes, buses and ULEZ. Private e-scooters are illegal on roads; use Lime or Tier-style rentals only where licensed.
- Driving: on the left. Visitors may drive on a valid foreign licence for 12 months; carry an IDP if it isn't in English.
- Onward travel in United Kingdom: Trains link most cities quickly but walk-up fares are high; book Advance tickets or buy a Railcard. Coaches are cheaper and slower; the Highlands suit a car or tour.
Quick answers
Is there Uber in London?
Yes. Apps that work here: Uber, Bolt, FREENOW.
What's the best way to get around London?
The Tube, Elizabeth line, buses and Overground cover almost everywhere; tap a contactless card or phone with daily fare caps. Walking and Santander Cycles fill gaps.
How do I get from the airport to London?
Elizabeth line to Paddington or Liverpool Street about £13–14, 30–40 min; Heathrow Express £25+, 15 min to Paddington; Tube Piccadilly line about £5.60.
Is London walkable?
Very walkable.
More about London
Going to London solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in London meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- National Rail Enquiries
- Railcards
- National Express coaches
- Transport for London
- Heathrow Airport
- Visit London
- NHS 111
Fares are typical 2026 prices; check the operator for today's fares. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.