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Getting to London is easy enough. There are four major airports serving almost every major airline in the world: Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, and London City. Getting around is even easier. The London Underground, more commonly known as the tube, is the fastest way to traverse the city. If you would rather see sights while you're heading from one place to another, hop on a double-decker bus. You can see a lot of the city while sitting in the upper deck. If you don't like the constant stops and starts of the bus and tube, you can opt to take a taxi. Heathrow Airport Heathrow is one of the biggest airports in the world. With four terminals, and a fifth being built, almost every major airline in the world services this airport. Airlines include, but are in no way limited to Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Air China, Air France, Air India, Air New Zealand, Alitalia, All Nippon Airways, American Airlines, British Airways, British Midland, Continental Airlines, El Al Israel, Finnair, KLM, Korean Air, Lufthansa, Qantas, SAS, United Airlines, and Virgin Atlantic. Traveling to the city from Heathrow is best by rail. The Piccadilly line tube costs a mere £3.40 for an hour-long journey to the city center. For visitors who don't want to wait, the Paddington Line serves the Heathrow Express. A £12 ticket will take visitors to the city center in around 15 minutes. Gatwick Airport With two terminals, Gatwick is smaller and easier to get around than Heathrow. Airlines servicing this airport include Aer Lingus, Air France, American Airlines, British Airways, Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines, Flyjet, Royal Jordanian, Ryanair, South Atlantic Airways, US Airways, and Virgin Atlantic. The Gatwick Express shuttle train takes visitors to Victoria Station for £9.50 one way for adults. The trip takes around half an hour. Stansted Stansted is a small airport, with only one terminal, but it serves over twenty different airlines, including British Airways, easyJet, Norwegian Air Shuttle, and Ryanair. Train service from the airport is provided by Stansted Express and goes directly to Liverpool Station Street. The journey costs £13 one way and takes 40 minutes. Rail service is also provided to Birmingham, Cambridge, Ely, Leicester, and Peterborough. Bus service, cheaper at £7 one way, takes a little less than two hours and drops visitors off at Victoria Coach Station. London City London City airport has one terminal and services Aer Lingus, Air France, Air Wales, British Airways, Cirrus Airlines, Fly BE, KLM, Lufthansa, Luxair, Scot Airways, Swiss, and VLM. The airport is around 10 km from the city and can be accessed by taxi for £20 or less, depending on where in the city you depart. The Jubilee line tube runs from the Canning Town station to London City airport for £2 one way. The journey takes about twenty minutes. London Underground The tube, as the London Underground is commonly called, was built over 100 years ago and stops at 275 stations throughout greater London. Twelve lines run from 5:30 AM to 12:30 AM Monday to Saturday at 7:30 AM to 11:30 PM on Sundays. Tickets can be purchased at each station. A Travelcard can make using the tube a lot easier by providing unlimited use for seven or more days at a time, but only within specific zones of travel. As a bonus, the Travelcard can also be used on the buses. The only downside is it requires a passport-type photo. Buses The bus system in London is one of the largest in the world. Over 6,500 buses are in service at any one time traveling 700 different routes. All journeys, regardless of distance, cost only £1 for adults and 40 cent for children. Some buses only stop on request so it is good to put your hand out, as if you are hailing a taxi, to let the driver know you would like to board. When you are near your destination ring the bells provided in the bus to let the driver know you would like to get off. If you are unsure whether a specific bus is heading in your direction ask the driver as you board. Most drivers will be helpful and let you know if your desired destination is on their route. Remember if you invest in a Travelcard it can be used on the buses as well! Taxis Black cabs, London's famous taxis, are everywhere and provide fast, safe service to your destination. To hail a taxi look for the lit "TAXI" light. Fares are metered depending on distance and there is a minimum £2 per trip. DO NOT get in an unlicensed cab! They are a potential danger and should be avoided! If you are unsure whether the cabbie is licensed, ask to see his or her Public Carriage Office license before getting in the vehicle. |