Did you know London has one of the most extensive public transportation systems in the world? The bus service in London runs over 700 different routes, from London City Center to the outskirts of Wimbledon, Woolwich, and Watford. For international students, there are integrated underground, train, and bus systems running through the city. Keep reading to learn all about the public transportation in London.
Student Travel Guide in London
Isn’t it always exciting to travel and explore new places? Well, such is the case with London. The city offers multiple reliable and safe public transportation options to students and travelers. Whether you are new to the city or not, London’s public transportation will take you by surprise.
Students in London can safely travel throughout the city at any hour. They can get an 18+ Student Oyster photocard to get discounts on Travelcards and bus & tram tickets and can consider the pay as you go service.
Oyster Cards and Travelcards in London
Oyster cards and other Travelcards are the most convenient ways to travel in London using its public transport. Oyster cards are electronic smartcards used to pay for public transport in London. Students looking for the cheapest ways to use public transport in London can buy an Oyster card or Visitor card. The Oyster or Visitor card can be issued before arriving in London, or at TfL Visitor Center, stations, and Oyster ticket shops. An Oyster Card in London costs £7.
16-25 Rail Card
Students using National Rail services to travel between London and home, or just explore the city can consider a 16-25 Rail Card. This travel card will offer you a 1/3rd discount on ticket prices and can save you a lot of money at the end of the month. The cost of a 16-25 Rail Card in London is just £30. A 16-25 Rail Card can save you over £200/ year on travel.
Docklands Light Railways (DLR)
The DLR is a driverless train service operating via the London Tube Network. Students can buy tickets using their Oyster cards, and Visitor Oyster cards or make contactless payments. This public transport connects with the IFS Cloud Cable Car and London City Airport, making it ideal for students to travel intercity. It even allows travelers to explore east London and the Docklands area on the DLR.
IFS Cloud Cable Car
Another exciting public transport feature of London is the IFS Cloud Cable Car. This modern public transport allows students to explore the beautiful views of the Thames, the Greenwich Peninsula, London’s skyline, and much more. A single IFS Cloud Cable Car ticket costs £6 for an adult and £3 for a child. A round-trip ticket will cost £12 for adults.
Bus
Remember those big red buses running on the streets of London? Maybe not in real life but in movies, we all have seen those buses. Buses are the best traveling option for students in London. No doubt the DLR and IFS Cloud Cable Car are faster means of transport, but London’s buses offer a more relaxing journey when exploring the city. Students can get up to 30% off on bus tickets using their 18+ Student Oyster Photocards.
Santander Cycles
Santander bikes in London are available for just £3/ person. Students and travelers can use this environmental-friendly mode of communication to travel around the city.
Travel Hours
Students and travelers, traveling around London during peak and off-peak hours can vary a lot. Peak hours in London are 0630 to 0930 hours and 1600 to 1900 hours. This is the time when you will see much of the city’s crowd and your journey to the desired location might take longer than usual.
Off-peak hours in London are less busy, have cheaper fares, and the services are also fast, especially the London Underground Rail.
Walk
No wonder London has some of the fastest and most comfortable transport facilities but walking in marketplaces and suburbs is great too. You might say walking is an obvious travel option, but it’s London and you are surrounded by some of the most exciting and beautiful streets in the world, and while you are on foot, you’ll get a unique experience.
Conclusion
Public transportation in London is pretty easy and handy to access, with all of London connected on an extended scale. London’s transportation system takes you around the city at really great speed either by the Tube, a scenic bus ride, or even cycling through its icon streets. The variety of options is somewhat overwhelming for the first-time visitor, but once you get the hang of it, London’s public transport becomes a generally reliable, fairly convenient, and often pleasant way of seeing everything the city has to offer.