- Home ›
- United Kingdom ›
- London
Transportation in London
London has an impressive and efficient public transportation system. Here are the main modes of transport that can be used in London:
London Underground (Tube)
The Tube is probably the best-known means of transportation in London. It consists of 11 lines that cover the entire city and beyond. The Tube is particularly useful for covering long distances in the city quickly. Each line is marked with a different color, which makes navigation easier.
- Bakerloo Line (brown): This line runs from Harrow & Wealdstone in the northwest to Elephant & Castle in the south through central London, serving key stations such as Baker Street and Oxford Circus.
- Central Line (red): One of the longest and busiest lines, connecting East London (Epping) to West London (Ealing Broadway and West Ruislip) and serving key hubs such as Liverpool Street and Oxford Circus.
- Circle Line (yellow): Originally a ring line connecting many central stations, it now spirals from Hammersmith to Edgware Road and then continues along the original ring.
- District Line (green): This sprawling line serves a variety of routes from East to West London, with key stops including Westminster, Victoria and Tower Hill.
- Hammersmith & City Line (pink): This runs from Hammersmith in the west to Barking in the east, often parallel to the Circle Line, and concentrates on the northern parts of central London.
- Jubilee Line (silver-grey): This modern line connects Stratford in the east to Stanmore in the northwest, passing through central areas such as Canary Wharf and Westminster.
- Metropolitan Line (purple): One of the oldest tube lines, running from central London (Aldgate) to the far northwest as far as Amersham and Chesham.
- Northern Line (black): Known for its 'two branches' in the north, it connects the north-south parts of London and has major stops such as King's Cross St. Pancras and Leicester Square.
- Piccadilly Line (dark blue): This line is very important for tourists as it serves many important landmarks such as Leicester Square and Covent Garden and goes all the way to Heathrow Airport.
- Victoria Line (light blue): A fast and efficient line that runs from Walthamstow Central in the north to Brixton in the south, serving key stations such as Victoria and King's Cross St Pancras.
- Waterloo & City Line (turquoise): A short but important commuter line that only runs between Waterloo and Bank and is mainly used during peak hours.
Buses
With over 700 routes and a fleet of around 8,600 buses, London's bus network covers almost every corner of the city. There are both the characteristic red double-decker buses and single-decker buses. Buses are often the best choice for short journeys or for areas not served by the tube. They also have the advantage that you can see the city as you travel.
Docklands Light Railway (DLR)
The DLR is an automated, driverless subway system that mainly serves east London and Docklands. It is particularly convenient for travel to and from London City Airport and for visits to Canary Wharf.
London Overground and National Rail trains
The London Overground complements the subway network by mainly connecting the outer London boroughs. There are also National Rail trains that provide suburban services as well as connections to other cities in the UK.
Streetcars
In some parts of South London, particularly Croydon and the surrounding areas, the streetcar is a reliable and efficient mode of transport.
Ferries
River services on the Thames, also known as Thames Clippers, offer not only a scenic route but also a fast link between key destinations along the river such as the London Eye, Greenwich and the Tower of London.
