How to get around in London | Step-by-step guide to the tube, buses, trains, and more!

How to use Public Transport in London
In this video, I'll share with you everything you need to know about how to get around in London using public transportation. We'll cover everything from buses to the tube and even how to take an uber boat!
This is part 2 of my London Guide Series. Part 3 will be a 7 day itinerary. Part 4 will be some general tips and dos and don'ts. Subscribe!
Citymapper (for iPhone): apps.apple.com/gb/app/apple-s...
Citymapper (for Andriod): play.google.com/store/apps/de...
00:00 Intro/General Tips
01:24 Buses
03:25 Tube/Underground
05:26 Quick note about random checks
05:54 Trains
07:16 Uber Boat
08:43 Bikes
09:29 Taxis
10:35 Final thoughts

[@geoffbuckley8637]

The clipper boat gets you from central London to Greenwich in 40 minutes. Stand in two hemispheres at the same time! Really, really worth a visit.

[@ohilovenewyork]

Thank you for this informative video❤

[@jeremywanamaker3105]

❤ thank you! This is a really great and comprehensive video

[@Lloydetc]

This is very very helpful. Thank you!

[@mysimcards137]

Liked your step by step method..great informative video..

[@rishabhberiwal2970]

Extremely comprehensive guide. Thank you so much for this.

[@Ttiiaarraa]

The express transit was so helpful!!

[@nicolejones_tv]

This video was so helpful for my husband and I traveling through London for my birthday. Thank you!!

[@deirdremcguirk1165]

Excellent and comprehensive guide! One tip I give to friends who are visiting London. Sometimes mobile/cell phones won’t work on the Tube/Underground so have a contingency plan just in case someone in your group gets accidentally separated - doesn’t get off at the Tube stop with you - or doesn’t manage to get onto the Tube , if the platform or train is very crowded. Especially important if travelling with children! If stuck on the train, go to the next stop, and the rest of the group will get the next train and get off at the next stop and meet you. Or if you’re left on the platform, get the next train and get off at the first (next) stop, where your group should be waiting for you, having got off the original train. Convoluted explanation, sorry, but worth having a plan.

[@emily_meadows]

That’s a great tip, thanks for sharing!

[@thefowlyetti2]

@@emily_meadows tfl say they will get full coverage on all underground by the end of 2024.. if you believe them.

[@carollewis3912]

​@@emily_meadowsThere are sometimes when I will need to transfer to a different bus. I'm looking at a bus map of London. Sometimes I can walk over a couple of stops or walk to my next destination. I understand Hyde Park Corner, Harrods and Buckingham palace are not too far from each other. I plan on taking 205 Euston to Aldgate. Instead of taking 15 over to Tower of London I'm going to walk.

[@maryap8821]

This is so helpful!

[@emily_meadows]

I'm so glad!

[@marymeadows6124]

Thank you for this - very informative!

[@MikeRecinecomedy]

Thanks for the citymapper tip

[@billflannery6635]

The citymapper app was a life saver. If you don't listen to anything else and you should download the app. Made getting around both London and Paris relatively easy.

[@BeautifulWorld-zx9nb]

Thanks for the great information 😊

[@emily_meadows]

Glad it was helpful!

[@oldnewman]

this is quite an interesting video. But I just started learning English)))) You speak very fast)) Despite on this fact, i subscribe to your channel))

[@keithclifton392]

I've was in London about 15 years ago and am going again this November. These videos are really helpful-thanks!!

[@DavidBrocekArt]

Are you by any chance visiting a certain event in Greenwich?

[@user-rf9sm2vy5o]

Thank you for these videos! Just returned from London and these were so helpful in our preparations. Practical, informative, and definitely helped shorten our learning curve. Rode the buses and Thames Clipper thanks to your tutorials.

[@emily_meadows]

Aw yay, I’m so glad you found it helpful! Thanks for sharing!

[@tyasu7793]

thanks, it was brilliant! When I was in London, It was quite fun to walk on passages and stairs like a maze on Tube. The tiles of Sherlock Holmes' profile at Baker street station are stylish aren't they? I like them. have a lovely day! tata!

[@annabelholland]

As someone who visits London a few times a year (live a 100 minute train journey away), I use oyster due to the fact I can add my railcard onto it and get 1/3 off. I travel by train a lot (2-5 a month), mainly for fun as I enjoy the train. One time, I was enjoying being on the tube for over 120 mins then a severe delay of 30 min and got two maximum fares as there's a limit on how long you can travel. The safe limit is 90 mins but can be more in some cases so now I learned it the hard way. Even if it weren't for the delay, I would still exceed it. The maximum journey time will normally only be exceeded for severe delays or if you just want to enjoy being on the tube for long periods of time. Now I will make sure to use a stopwatch to avoid exceeding the time limit.

[@jennifervasquez255]

This is perfect!!!

[@emily_meadows]

So glad it’s helpful!

[@johneaton7930]

Excellent info, my question:I'm coming in August, i have a 7 hour layover, would that be long enough to go into London for an hour or 2? How would you travel taxi or train? Thanks

[@lynnmcleod9788]

Thanks Emily, I like your London videos. and they've given me some great ideas for me trip. I do sometimes find it hard to understand some place and app names, and the autocaption is not helpful. Maybe in future you might add a text note or in the video description, for example the name of the free taxi hailing app. The summaries in the 7 day itinerary are very helpful. Thanks again!

[@emily_meadows]

Thank you for that feedback! I will certainly try to make sure the captions and description boxes of my videos are more correct and detailed.

[@DaisyShaz]

Hey ,could you do a video on how to travel outside London .It makes me soo nervous

[@witherr]

This was very helpful! Thank you! Quick question, is Google Pay as widespread as Apple Pay for stuff?

[@emily_meadows]

I'm not 100% sure since I've never used it, but I think any form of contactless payment will work.

[@colmflaherty3963]

Thanks very much. What I struggle with as someone new to London Underground is. Yes, I get the east or northbound, etc., but having two different destinations. Like the one in your video. the Piccadilly line. Westbound. It branches off so how would I know whether it's going to lets say Hounslow West or South Harrow. Thank you 😀

[@nathan_scofield_ynwa]

It will say the destination on the front of the train. It will also say the destination on the train display boards on the platform. And the speaker on the train will say - "this is a Piccadilly line train to south harrow". If you do get on the wrong one simply get of at the next station and wait for correct train.

[@jumpmanyang3117]

How much cash should I bring for a week? a month? Some places might not take credit cards or credit cards might not work for whatever reason.

[@claudiaroque4657]

What´s the best way to travel with children (12 and 15 years old)? For example, if i use a Oyster card for myself, do they also need a card for each? Thanks!

[@creexmusic]

When you use your contactless credit card to travel in London, does it charge you right away or does it charge you at the end of your journey when you tap out? Also, do I have to pay extra fees if I use my card instead of an Oyster card?

[@emily_meadows]

It’ll usually charge you £0.10 at first and then will adjust within the next 24 hours to reflect the actual price. There are no extra fees!

[@jkopvo]

Hi Emily, Thanks for the videos! We're planning to travel to London in June for a brief visit. We're planning to take a train (ThamesLink, I think) from LGW to St. Patras station (to get to our hotel), then will likely take other forms of transport while in London. A couple questions for you: - My wife and I are planning to share a single credit card (as it has no foreign currency fees), so my thinking is that she will tap on, then pass the card to me, then I will tap on. It sounds like when exiting some options (e.g., the tube), we also need to each tap-off upon exiting. Is the fact that we will both be tapping on with the same physical credit card going to be a problem? - You mentioned in this video that you have to buy a ticket if travelling outside London. Is the LGW Gatwick airport considered to be outside London? IOW, for taking ThamesLink from LGW to St Patras, can we just tap on with our American credit card? Thanks, John :)

[@emily_meadows]

Hi John, thanks for watching! Unfortunately, two people cannot use the same credit card for public transportation. If you only have one credit card you can use, I’d recommend one of you getting an Oyster card, which you can reload at the stations or in the TFL Oyster and contactless app. You can use Oyster and Contactless to get to Gatwick from central London!

[@josephsnearline2022]

I noticed that the Express Transit mode was hiit and miss on the Tube. Half the time, the gates wouldn’t open. I finally gave up and switched to a contactless credit card.

[@nadiuskarodriguez4122]

How do they check the tap you did with your credit card?

[@kajalsingla7581]

Hey Emily. does it cost different if i use my contactless credit card instead of oyster card? Does the Capping on both cards differentiate?

[@emily_meadows]

Hi, there is no price difference. Capping on both cards is the same as long as you use the same contactless credit card each time.

[@delfina128]

If you are using a credit card for the tube, do you also have to tap out again? Won't you get charge twice? TIA.

[@emily_meadows]

Yes, you need to tap out. It won’t charge you twice. You have to tap in and out with the same card because it tracks how far you go to know how much to charge you.

[@SailorMoonFan92]

Do you have to get off out of the back of the bus or can you get off through the front?

[@emily_meadows]

Usually the back because people will be getting on through the front door.

[@whitneygeorge4116]

What happens if someone checks for your train ticket but you don’t have a paper one because you used contactless? Will they be able to scan you like on the bus?

[@emily_meadows]

Yes, they’ll ask you to tap your card on a reader and they’ll be able to tell if you’ve paid

[@BeautifulWorld-zx9nb]

Any knows? Can two people use the same Oyster card or the same contact less card in Tube or buses?

[@emily_meadows]

No, each person has to use a different card.

[@2002juliet]

What's the best way to get from Heathrow airport to a hotel in central London? I'm worried if I get a taxi, it'll be really expensive

[@emily_meadows]

I have a video with instructions: How to Get from Heathrow Airport to Central London (Updated 2024) kzbin.info/www/bejne/rnbUi6OIgraAZ7s

[@jvickery75]

Question about paying for buses, the tube, etc with a family of 4. Is it better to have each individual tap to pay for their fare or can one person pay for everyone in your party? I don’t want to make it complicated or be one of those tourists that gets in the way and holds things up.

[@emily_meadows]

It’s not possible to use the same card for more than one person’s journey. Each person can either tap with their own contactless credit card or oyster card. I recommend getting an oyster card for kids or anyone who doesn’t have their own credit card. As long as everyone is prepared with their card before getting on the bus or going through the barriers for the tube, it won’t hold anyone up. Hope that helps!

[@simonmatthew4553]

Does the Oyster work on bus please?

[@kr46428]

Yes, they do. Oyster or contactless payments only (no cash), £1.75 flat fee.

[@drewsharratt564]

Do you need to tap your card when getting off the bus (like you do at train stops)?

[@emily_meadows]

No, you don’t need to tap off on the bus.

[@drewsharratt564]

@@emily_meadows ok, thank you 🙂👍

[@nicolequiroz2941]

Hi! If I buy a Zone 1-6 and I get off somewhere in zone 5 for example, is that ok? I don’t really understand how zones work! Thank you

[@UK_RIDER365]

If u buy 1-6 u can get of earlier but will pay the same fee for the 1-6 u can jump of at anytime but will pay same fee if u do need any help at the station staff will be happy to help at anytime

[@UK_RIDER365]

U just can't go further than zone 6

[@FueledbyDesire]

How does it work if you and the person you’re traveling with are using the same contactless credit card?

[@emily_meadows]

You can’t use the same contactless card for multiple travellers. Each person needs their own.

[@fleurwerther]

dont you have to check out in the bus?

[@tracy629]

Do you have to tap out on the bus?

[@emily_meadows]

No, just on for buses

[@golgumbazguide...4113]

Explore Golgumbaz Deccan india 🇮🇳

[@fleurwerther]

do you need a creditcard? i have just a normal payment card, contact free and im from holland

[@emily_meadows]

Yes that will work, or you can get an Oyster card at large stations or airports.

[@jeremywanamaker3105]

Are you being paid by the taxi lobby?

[@AMMARTRAVELS]

Ticket eater😅 Turnstile!

[@scubadoonorway4960]

Good but talk way too fast..

[@adamwynyard4065]

Loving “ transportation “ - at least use English - its public transport

[@calinachehade1669]

Thank you so much for this! I just have a couple of questions: 1- So we don’t have to tap out on the bus? Only on the tube? 2- I understand that we need to press “stop” on the bus but when exactly do we press it? And how do we know our stop is approaching? Does it say so on a screen like in the tube? 3-About contactless payment for transportation, I will definitely be buying an oyster card but I was wondering if the machine where we can buy one takes cash since my only credit card takes 5% as a transaction fee on currencies other than usd🥹 4- Speaking of credit cards, do I need to worry about not having to use one? Do many places in London not accept cash payments? 5- Lastly, I am lost between taking a taxi or the tube from Heathrow airport to my hotel near Westminster Abbey, cause i’m alone and prefer to not carry and drag my luggage along the 1 hour trip, especially if there are stairs.

[@9836924840]

I liked your videos and how you made it simple. I am visiting UK with my family for the first in September 2nd half, I wanted your guidance on how i plan my trip. I am planning for 15 days and want to cover London Scotland and Northern Ireland. Do you mind helping me out?