The best way to get around London is the rapid-transit London Underground, or what locals call the Tube. You can even take the Tube from Heathrow Airport (LHR) – one of the world's busiest airports – into the city center.
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The cheapest ways to get around London include walking, getting an Oyster card, avoiding travel at peak hours, cycling, taking the bus for long-distance, cruising the Thames Clipper, and taking the Docklands Light Railway (DLR).
A Visitor Oyster card costs £5 (plus postage) and is pre-loaded with pay as you go credit for you to spend on travel. You can choose how much credit to add to your card: £10, £15, £20, £25, £30, £35, £40 or £50. The credit on your card never expires - it stays there until you use it.
If you don't have time to buy your card online, you can also buy a Visitor Oyster card before arriving in London from different locations in the UK and overseas.
The benefits of walking for London and LondonersLondon is one of the most walkable cities in the world according to the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP).
London Heathrow and London City Airport are directly connected to the Tube network. National Express coach transfers are often the cheapest airport transfers to London, though they can take longer than travelling by train or Tube. Taxi and car hire services are also available at every airport.
It's more than 50% cheaper than buying a paper Travelcard or single tickets with cash. Oyster cards have a daily price cap – once you reach this limit, you won't pay for any additional journeys (excluding Thames Clippers River Bus where there is no capping).
Bus from London City AirportThe bus is definitely the cheapest option, but might not be the most convenient from London City Airport depending on your destination. Cost: A ticket costs £1.50. Journeys cannot be paid in cash, you must have a contactless card or an Oyster card.
How and where do I buy an Oyster card? The most convenient places to buy an Oyster card are Underground stations across London, including Heathrow airport. You can buy one using either cash or your credit/debit card.
Travelcards are a flat rate pass where you have unlimited rides for the time period purchased. Oyster / Contactless payment cards are charged on a per journey basis but has a daily maximum you can be charged.
Cons: A £7 cost applies when you get a standard or visitor card. You'll need to top it up in advance of travel. You can't use an Oyster card at any station between Reading and Iver.
You can add money to an Oyster card or use contactless (card or device) straight away. You only pay for the journeys you make and it's cheaper than buying a paper single or return ticket (train companies may offer special deals on some journeys).