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Visiting London for the first time? Navigating this massive, historic and bustling city can feel overwhelming at first, but it doesn’t have to be. With a little preparation and the right tools, getting around London can actually be one of the easiest parts of your trip. Whether you’re planning how to use the tube or just figuring out the best way to get from the airport to your hotel, these essential London travel tips will help you move around the city like a local.
Things to Know Before Travelling to London
First of all, you definitely don’t need a car in London. It’s expensive, confusing and most central areas are covered by the Congestion Charge. Not to mention parking!! Public transport and walking are far better options.
London is divided into transport zones, with Zone 1 being the central area and Zones 2–6 radiating outward. Most tourist attractions fall within Zones 1 and 2. The city is served by the Transport for London (TfL) network, which includes:
- the Underground (also known as the tube)
- buses
- overground trains
- DLR trains
- riverboats
- and the occasional tram
One of the most important things to know before travelling to London is that you don’t need to buy individual tickets for every journey. In fact, if you do that you’ll be spending crazy amounts! (and London transport is already expensive as it is, even with travel cards)… You can get a travel card OR use a contactless payment method but I’ll tell you more about this later.
If you’re traveling to London for the first time, expect the city to be fast-paced, well-connected and surprisingly easy to navigate. The speed and amount of people may overwhelm you but I’m here to give you all the tips to make it easier.
- Get familiar with the tube map, but also download the Citymapper app (it’s better than Google Maps for real-time disruptions in London)
- Avoid rush hour (7:30–9:30am and 5:00–7:00pm) if possible. Trains and buses are packed during these times and fares can be more expensive (on the tube, the bus is the same)
- If you’re not in a rush, opt for a scenic walk. Many popular neighbourhoods like Soho, Covent Garden and the South Bank are best explored on foot anyway. To be honest, walking is often the best way to explore London!
- Don’t forget to mind the gap when stepping off the train.
- Always have a contactless method of payment. You can’t use cash on buses or at ticket barriers. And make sure you have it ready to go by the time you get to the barrier in order to avoid the huffs and puffs of the locals trying to rush through. Londoners are ALWAYS in a rush, whether they’re late, super early or don’t even have anywhere to be. It’s part of the autopilot!
- Tap the same card or device each time. If you tap in with your phone and out with your card, you’ll be charged the full fare twice.
- You won’t be charged for every single ride as public transport is capped daily and weekly. So if you use it enough, you’ll hit the cap and the rest of your rides are essentially free.
How to Get Around London Using Public Transport
The best way to get around London depends on where you’re staying and what you want to see. That said, a combination of the London Underground and walking is often the most efficient.
I must say, personally, I try to avoid the tube like the plague and it’s what I recommend as well. Some station changes you walk so much you might as well take the scenic route above ground! When my mom came over to visit she was going around with a tour group and they only took the tube. There was so much going up and down stairs and escalators! She hated it. One day I took her on the actual overground train and the buses and she loved it. That made a real difference to her trip.
The Underground, or the “tube”, has 11 lines and over 270 stations. It runs from around 5am to midnight, with some services running 24 hours on Fridays and Saturdays. Trains come frequently, especially in central zones.
Buses cover areas the tube doesn’t reach and are a great way to see the city above ground. Unlike the tube, you must enter through the front door and tap in using your payment card but you do not tap out. If the bus has a third door at the back it means you can enter via any door. Bus fares are flat rate and cheaper than the tube (£1.75 regardless of zones).
The DLR (Docklands Light Railway) serves East London and is especially useful if you’re visiting Greenwich or flying into London City Airport. Riverboats on the Thames offer a unique, scenic way to travel but are best used for leisure, not speed. And it’s a cheap boat ride as opposed to an actual river cruise!
How to Ride the London Underground
Taking the tube in London is easier than you think. Follow these steps:
- Enter the station and follow signs to the correct line. You can find maps at every entrance and platform.
- Use your contactless payment card or phone to tap in at the barrier. You must also tap out at your destination station to be charged correctly.
- Stand on the right side of escalators. Londoners take this rule very seriously. Walk on the left if you must.
- Let passengers off the train before getting on. Move down the carriage to make space. If the train is packed and you worry you’ll miss your stop, you can always get off at the next one and wait no time for a train back! But usually there’s enough time to get out anyway.
- When you arrive, follow signs to the correct exit or line if you need to transfer.
Travel Card for Tourists in London
You don’t need to buy a tourist travel card in advance. The best travel card for tourists in London is often… no card at all. Instead, use a contactless payment card like your bank card, phone wallet or a prepaid travel card.
This is where the Wise card comes in handy. It’s a prepaid multi-currency card that lets you load money in GBP and pay in London like a local. No hidden fees, great exchange rates and it works on the tube, buses and even in shops and restaurants. You simply tap in and out on the barriers and TfL automatically calculates the fare for your travel that day at the end of it. You’ll usually see the charge around 1am the next day.
If you’re coming from abroad, using a Wise card also helps you avoid bank fees and dodgy exchange rates. You can preload your travel budget in pounds, track your spending in real time and freeze the card if you lose it. It’s my go-to travel essential and I always recommend it to anyone visiting London or any major European city.
If you get your Wise card using my link you get your first transfer fee waived (when transferring up to £500).
Best Way to Get Around London Based on Your Plans
For sightseeing: Use the bus + walk. Take the tube if you need to go far and have some place to be at a particular time.
For scenic travel: Try the bus or the riverboat service (Uber Boat by Thames Clippers).
For airport transfers: Heathrow has a direct tube line (Piccadilly). Gatwick and Luton have trains, thameslink and buses. Stansted offers trains and buses. City Airport is on the DLR.
For short distances: Walk! Many tourist attractions are closer than you think.
Walking from Big Ben to Trafalgar Square takes about 10 minutes. From the Tower of London to St. Paul’s is a lovely riverside walk. Use walking shortcuts through Soho, Covent Garden or along the South Bank to save time and experience more of the city.
I put together a self-guided walk through some of the most iconic sights of London between Westminster and London Bridge here.
Final Thoughts
London is one of the most well-connected cities in the world! Once you get the hang of using the tube and buses, you’ll be zipping around with ease. The best way to get around London is by embracing the local system: tap your contactless card, use your apps and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Whether you’re here for a short trip or planning a longer stay, these London travel tips for first timers will help you save time, money and stress.
To summarise very simply:
- Contactless card is the best payment
- Bus/walk > tube
Need a simple way to pay for transport and avoid bank fees? Get a Wise card before your trip! It’ll make your time in London smoother and smarter.
More London Travel Tips:
The Ultimate Guide to the Best London Food Markets
Ultimate London Food Guide: Where to Eat for Every Budget
How to Visit Buckingham Palace in Summer 2025: Find Out Here
Complete Self-Guided Walk from Westminster to London Bridge
11 Autumn Hikes Near London: The Best Leafy Trails to Explore This Fall
Best Beaches Near London by Train This Summer 2025
This post contains affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them at no extra cost to you. Using these links helps support our work, so we truly appreciate it if you choose to do so. Thank you for your support!
