Getting Around London
London is renowned as one of the busiest cities on the planet. Being one of the ten most populated placed on earth; it is often difficult to get around, especially as many of the city streets were laid out as far back as the 5th century! Fortunately, even for the casual tourist, there are many pleasant options, and it is said that no part of London is more than two hours from any other part, although that is sometimes up for debate.
The first and most common way anyone gets around in London is through use of the extensive London cab system. London’s cabbies are considered to be the best educated and friendly in the world, and in fact they must undergo a rigorous array of classes and tests to ensure that they know the city in and out. Cab transit is rather speedy since cabs are often the only cars on the road, similar to cities such as New York or Boston. London cabs are distinctly black and small, although surprisingly roomy on the inside. Cabbies have the added benefit of generally being knowledgeable about the area, which is excellent for persons wishing to shop or in need of a good place to eat.
For those who want a cheaper option, the London bus and subway system is comprehensive. The famous bright red double-decker buses are still in use in London, and are particularly useful when traveling long distances with a single destination. While nowhere near as fast as cabs, they are in fact quite frequent and quick, and usually on time. The London subway system, known as the “tube” because of the distinctive shape of the subway cars and tunnels, is much faster than the buses but is notoriously crowded and hot. Still, it is an excellent option for those who need to travel extremely long distances, especially as it links up with the British light rail at many points on the periphery of the city.