How To Get Around London Without A Car
David Brown
|2024-07-24
|5 Minute
While renting a car might seem like a feasible option available in London, it is often associated with hidden costs and safety concerns. Especially, since Londoners drive on the left side of the road, foreign travellers might encounter a unique challenge to navigate around the capital.
Being the centre of tourism, London has an excellent transportation system that accommodates travellers every day. From the local bus network, and underground trains to taxi hire, London has a variety of transport options for everyone.
Unfortunately, tourists visiting the capital for the first time overlook the importance of considering safe and reliable transport. This often puts them at the risk of breaking the budget or even losing progress with their dream travel experience.
Despite the phenomenal infrastructure of the capital, London, there are various factors directly connected to the ease of travel. Making the right choice for transportation can often feel daunting, but not anymore.
Let’s have a look at the best modes of transportation available without renting a car.
How To Pay For Transport In London?
Before we discuss the transportation options in London, it is crucial to understand the payment system. With the forever-changing economic landscape of the United Kingdom, the transport sector is prone to price hikes.
Fortunately, government authorities have made the payment system seamless with an Oyster Card, which allows cashless payments. You just have to top up the credits for the Oyster Card, and you will be able to pay for the public transport with a simple scan.
Apart from the Oyster Cards, travellers also have the option to pay with bank cards or mobile payments like Apple & Google Pay.
Overground & Underground Trains
All of the transport services are operated and maintained by the local authorities Transport for London. Among the various options available, Overground and Underground trains are the most preferable.
Also known as the “Tube”, underground trains are spread across London like veins pumping the cultural influence of England. Thanks to the well-maintained infrastructure, trains offer a seamless traverse across the sprawling metropolis of London.
Since most of the tube infrastructure is underground, you will not have to worry about the unpredictable weather conditions of London. There is a major benefit for commuters in Winters, as the underground tube is much warmer as the temperatures drop on the surface.
Conversely, travellers can also opt for an overground train to achieve a sightseeing experience. If you are visiting London for the first time, you will not have trouble finding overground and underground subway stations, since these are marked all around the city.
Iconic London Buses
Apart from the fast train services, London also hosts its iconic buses. You might have already seen these vehicles in famous movies and TV shows. You finally have the opportunity to try out the famous London buses operating on a thousand years old transport infrastructure.
The public bus transport resides in the heart of people and has a strong cultural influence in London. From first-of-a-kind red double-decker buses to luxurious trailblazing coaches, getting around London is straightforward.
Fancy a tour of the city? Often overlooked, private hop-in and hop-off buses are also available in London to provide guided tours of some of the prominent attractions. These tours operate on designated routes and are available all day.
Taxi Cabs Services
If you are not planning to drive a car, then a taxi might be the most appropriate choice to go for. London is famous for its black taxi vehicles that can be found around the markets, subway stations and airports. You can also book one to your pick-up spot with a Gett app.
London’s iconic black taxis travel to all nooks and crannies, making them a highly convenient transport option. Plus, these are licensed with vetted drivers and use a metre for cost calculation. If you are in a remote destination with no taxi in sight, you can also book a private minicab or MPV service that will assist you from the pickup to the final destination.
Private MPV Or Minibus Hire
As said earlier, a private MPV or Minibus hire comes with a driver, relieving travellers of the hassle of driving and driving on the routes in London. Unlike public transport, which is prone to delays and uncertainties, minibus hire with a driver offers the feasibility of handling the luggage to smoothly move across the destinations.
You can settle on our comfort and safety-focused minibus hire with driver services to travel around London without a second thought of payment, waiting for public transport or delays.
Whether you are travelling for local sightseeing or airport transfers, a minibus or MPV is an ideal travel solution for group travellers. Group travel is certainly a challenge on public transport like a bus or train because of the higher cost and limited routes.
On top of that, public transport will not provide a level of comfort for a long-distance journey. That is why a private minibus hire with a driver qualifies as an all-rounder transport service with maximum cost-effectiveness and flexibility on the itinerary.
What You Should Go For?
In the end, the best transport option is highly dependent on your journey, budget, luggage and travel members. For instance, if you are travelling solo or with a partner with light luggage, then public transport will be more suited for your needs. However, travelling with a large luggage or group of loved ones or friends adds further variables of affordability, safety and comfort of travel.
Our minibus hire with driver services is an unparalleled transport solution combining years of experience and love for travel to guarantee quality services. From licensed drivers, and trailblazing amenities to affordable upfront quotes and great attention to punctuality, our minibus hire service caters anytime and anywhere in London and beyond.