Getting to London

London’s world class status is reflected in the skies. London is served by nearly every international airline, and the vast majority have offices here.

You can get almost anywhere swiftly from the city’s five major airports. From the UK's main gateway at Heathrow, to the convenience of London City Airport in the Docklands, all London airports have easy connections into central London by coach, train and taxi.

Heathrow (LHR) is one of the world’s busiest and most sophisticated airports, handling more international passengers than any other. 90 airlines serve 183 destinations from its four terminals. A fifth terminal is currently under construction

London Gatwick (LGW) is the second largest airport in the UK after Heathrow. It is the seventh busiest international airport in the world handling 30 million passengers every year on behalf of 85 airlines flying to 209 destinations.

London City Airport (LCY) is situated approximately 6 miles (9.5km) east of Central London and just 3 miles (4.8km) from Canary Wharf. A single short runway handles short-haul flights with a strong emphasis on business travel. The airport served 1.6 million passengers in 2002.There are connections to 20 continental European cities as well eight destinations in the UK. The airport can be accessed by taxi, bus or Underground/DLR.

London Luton Airport (LTN) is one of the UK's fastest growing airports with passenger numbers up from 1.9 million in 1995/6 to 6.5 million in 2001. Of those passengers, 74 per cent are on scheduled services, many of which are provided by low-cost airlines. Luton Airport is 35 miles (56km) north-west of London

London Stansted (STN) is London's third international gateway and one of the fastest growing airports in Europe. It is home to many of the UK's low-cost airlines, serving mostly European and Mediterranean destinations. 16 million passengers choose Stansted every year to connect with 30 different airlines. The airport is located 35 miles (56km) to the North-East of London.

Eurostar is a quick and easy way to travel between the UK and continental Europe via the Channel Tunnel. Travel in style and avoid the hassle of airports with this high-speed rail service, which is both comfortable and affordable. There are frequent inter-capital services from London Waterloo to Paris and Brussels daily. The Paris journey takes two hours 35 minutes. Brussels is two hours and 20 minutes away. Eurostar Plus is a service run in association with the high-speed rail services in France (TGV) and Belgium (Thalys). It provides convenient connections within France and Belgium plus additional links to Germany and the Netherlands.

Getting Around London

London Underground (The Tube)

The London Underground, or ‘the Tube’ as it is universally known to Londoners, is normally the quickest and easiest way of getting round London.

Greater London is served by 12 Tube lines, along with the DLR and an interconnected rail network. The first Tube train operates at around 5am Monday to Saturday and around 7.30am on Sunday. The last train leaves between 11.30pm and 12.30am depending on the day, the station and the line.

Bus

Buses are a quick and convenient way to travel around London, providing plenty of sightseeing opportunities en route. London has over 17,000 bus stops. Privatised in 1994, London’s bus services are under the Transport for London (TFL) umbrella.

Taxi

Black Cabs
The black London cab is as much a feature of the cityscape as the red bus, although these days it comes in a variety of colours, bespattered with advertising. A new, streamlined black version has also been introduced.

Taxis come into their own at night, although prices are higher. Cabs are available for hire when the yellow sign above the windscreen is lit; just stick your arm out to signal one.
Fares are metered, with a minimum charge of £2.20, and increments of 20p for each 219m (after the first 438m). There are no additional charges for extra passengers or luggage. You can tip taxi drivers up to 10% but most people round up to the nearest pound.

Hailing a taxi in popular nightlife areas of London such as Soho late at night (and especially after pub closing time at 11pm) can be tricky. If you do find yourself in any of those areas, signal all taxis – even those with their lights off. Many drivers are very choosy about their fares at this time of night.

Minicabs
Minicabs are now fully licensed and are cheaper, freelance competitors of black cabs. Minicabs cannot legally be hailed on the street – they must be hired by phone or directly from one of the minicab offices (every high street has at least one – look out for a flashing orange light). Licensed minicabs carry their licenses in their car and are also displayed in the operator's office.

Women traveling alone at night can choose Ladycabs (Tel: +44 (020) 7254 3501), which has women drivers.

Freedom Cars (Tel: +44 (020) 7734 1313) caters for the gay and lesbian market, although gay couples are extremely unlikely to experience open homophobia from drivers of black cabs.