The Underground (Londoners call it the Tube) is the fastest and simplest way around London. You will find large Underground maps at every station, and free pocket maps are available from all information and ticket kiosks where you can buy train tickets in advance. You can also download apps to your iPhone, Android and Windows smartphone that display underground maps that you can use to help you plan your journey.
Twelve tube lines run from 5 am and stop running at midnight. There are display boards at most stations that show the final destination of the expected next few trains, along with an estimate of how long it will be before they arrive. The destination is also displayed on the front of the train, but it is not always possible to make it out when the station is crowded. You can also check if you are on the correct train by looking at the map over the door after you have got on. If it is wrong, you can always get off at the next station and return.
Elizabeth line – a new line for London
The Elizabeth Line stretches over 100 kilometres (62 miles) from east to west, connecting the existing suburban railway lines of Greater London with new underground tunnels through the heart of the city. It will serve as a vital link between London’s major business districts, including the City of London, Canary Wharf, and the West End, and connect several key transport hubs such as Heathrow Airport and London Paddington.
There are six zones which are shown on the maps. The Central London Zones are 1 and 2, and Zones 3 to 6 are the outer regions. Ticket prices reflect the number of zones through which you intend to travel, so make sure you don’t make any mistakes; otherwise, you could face severe on-the-spot fines. The cheapest way to pay for your tickets is through an Oyster Card, a pre-paid smart card that always finds the cheapest fares. You can also buy Plusbus tickets to economically combine your train and bus journeys.
If at all possible, try to avoid travelling at rush hour. Travelling during rush hour is very uncomfortable, and the trains get hot and overcrowded. If you are used to a more advanced underground service, for instance, the Metro in Budapest, you might be a little shocked about the Tube, but remember that it dates back to before 1900. It was built in heat-insulating London clay which has been heating up gradually for over 100 years, and the trains do not have any air conditioning.
The best way to survive crowded tube trains is to pretend you are elsewhere. You will find that most regular tube travellers insulate themselves from their immediate surroundings by listening to music through their MP Player, immersing themselves in a book or their Kindle, or playing Angry Birds on their smartphone or tablet.
You will find the Underground staff to be very helpful and friendly. They are a happy bunch of people, and you can expect a friendly wave and smile from the tube driver as he brings his train to a stop at your underground station. He has a very important job and is always happy to work extra hours, reflected by his £50,000 salary, around double the average wage in the UK, and his Olympics Bonus.
