London, United Kingdom

Getting around London

How to travel around London — 5 options, what they cost, and which booking apps fix the fare before you go.

Last updated 2026-08-08

1. Underground

Extensive, expensive, and the fastest way across the centre.

Cost: Contactless capped daily; single fares from GBP 2.80
Tip: Just tap a contactless bank card or phone. There is no need to buy an Oyster card any more.

2. Buses

Cheaper than the tube, with a separate lower daily cap and unlimited transfers within an hour.

Cost: GBP 1.75 per journey, hopper fare within 60 minutes

3. Elizabeth line

Fast cross-city rail reaching Heathrow directly.

Tip: Far cheaper than the Heathrow Express for a few minutes more.

4. Black cab and ride-hailing

Licensed black cabs are metered and their drivers have passed the Knowledge.

Watch outUnlicensed 'minicabs' touting outside clubs and stations are illegal to hail on the street and uninsured for passengers.

5. Santander Cycles and walking

Docked bikes across the centre, and a walkable core most visitors underestimate.

Cost: GBP 1.65 per 30 minutes

Booking apps in United Kingdom

Agreeing the fare in an app before you travel removes the argument at the end of the journey, which is where most transport scams happen. Links go to each app's official page — lookalike apps are themselves a scam.

Uber

Widely available, though licensing differs by local authority.

Coverage: London and most large cities; not licensed everywhere.
Why it helps: Fare is agreed in the app before the trip, and the route is recorded — which removes the refused meter, the tampered meter and the fixed 'foreigner price' in one move.

Bolt

Usually cheaper than Uber where both operate.

Coverage: London, Birmingham, Manchester and others.
Why it helps: Fare is agreed in the app before the trip, and the route is recorded — which removes the refused meter, the tampered meter and the fixed 'foreigner price' in one move.

Citymapper

Journey planning across tube, bus, rail, bike and walking, with live disruption.

Coverage: London and several other UK cities.

Trainline

Books national rail and coach travel across operators in one place.

Coverage: Nationwide.