Transport for London (tel: (020) 7222 1234 (open 24 hours); website: www.tfl.gov.uk) provides information on all modes of transport in the city. For information geared to tourists, you can visit the website http://tube.tfl.gov.uk/content/faq/tourism/introduction.asp. In addition to maps and planners journeys, this page contains all the necessary information regarding the use of underground and is available in several languages. Transport for London has recently introduced the Oyster card, a prepaid system that allows Londoners get several discounts. If you plan to spend considerable time in the city (one month or more) is recommended to ask at metro stations by the advantages of this system. The famous red double-deck buses of London (routemasters) are being gradually replaced by more modern buses for one or two plants. The bus fare is standard for adults (£ 1.20), regardless of area of London. You can acquire a bonus of six tickets in advance at kiosks press and metro stations for £ 6 and a bus pass for the day for £ 3. Tickets must be bought before boarding and the fine for travelling without a valid ticket is £ 5. The buses operate 24 hours a day, with night buses (marked with the letter "N") replacing the service standard on most routes after midnight. The fare of buses at night is like that of regular services. In the area of Croydon, three tram routes in operation, although it is unlikely that tourists have to use them. However, it plans to open a line in 2011 tram that carried out the route between Camden and Brixton through central London. It is conducting a program to replace old vehicles urban transport, upgrading stations and improve service performance. Despite the opposition of the mayor of London, the system is being privatized in part with an investment plan of 30 years. The underground network is composed of 12 lines, each with a different name and color, complemented by the light rail service Docklands Light Railway (website: www.tfl.gov.uk / DLR), which connects the City and Docklands. The entire network is divided into six zones concentric determining ticket prices. Within the centre (zone one), single ticket costs £ 2.00, while traveling from there to the area two costs £ 2.30 and any other area £ 3.80. The bonus of 10 tickets in the zone one will cost £ 17.00. Tickets must be purchased at the station and we must introduce them on a lathe to gain access to the metro (the fine for traveling with an invalid ticket or no ticket is £ 10). The London Underground is running every day from 05.30 to 24.30 but should be avoided whenever possible during peak hours (Monday through Friday from 08.00-09.30 and 17.00-18.30), which is already completely full.
Heathrow airport transportation
There are several bonuses available for use in buses and the subway. The one-day travelcard card (for a day) costs £ 4.70 off-peak hours (only valid from 0930) and £ 6 at peak times (only valid from 00.01). Both can be used at night until 04.30. The card for three days (3-day travelcard) costs £ 15 (rush hour). Prices quoted are only for one two areas. The cards include other areas cost more. The bond from one day to the bus (one-day bus pass) for zones 1-4 £ 3. Bonds weekly, monthly and annual must be accompanied by a photograph. All passes and bus or subway bonds are sold at subway stations or kiosks.
In the River Thames also operate a number of transport companies. Thames Clippers, the ferry service that connects Savoy Pier (Embankment) and Masthouse Terrace (east of Greenwich), depend on Collins River Enterprises
Tickets can be purchased on board the boats. Visitors interested in the history of development of the transport system in the city must go to London Transport Museum (Museo del Transporte) in The Piazza, Covent Garden
Taxis
The characteristic black London taxis are a nice, albeit expensive way of travelling through the city and meet the legendary Cabbio (taxi drivers). Fares start from £ 2.20 and increase in fractions of 20 pence. The lowest prices are from Monday to Friday from 06.00 to 20.00 (except holidays). The fares are higher from 20.00 to 22.00 during weekdays and until 22.00 on Saturdays and Sundays, while the higher prices charged between 22.00 and 06.00 every day. For more information on rates can visit www.transportforlondon.gov.uk / pco / taxi_fares.shtml. The highest rates were introduced during the night to make greater supply of taxis on the streets and so far has been successful, although the long journeys may have prohibitively high prices. It is customary to leave a tip of 10-15% for the "rounding" fare. Every taxi has a license number and drivers have to comply with existing regulation. Taxi drivers in London have to spend a intensive training that includes driving around the city moped in learning the names of streets and a review very hard.
The black taxis can be booked in london airport shuttle
The famous minicabs can be booked by phone or directly through local offices. One of the most efficient and reputable companies throughout the capital Although generally cheaper than black taxis, there are also many illegal or unscrupulous operators, so visitors are advised to hire the services of taxi companies registered. Above all, it is advisable to avoid tenders of unlicensed taxi drivers at night in areas of the West End or anywhere else.
Transport for London (tel: (020) 7222 1234; website: www.tfl.gov.uk) provides information on private companies authorized as well as information on taxis.
Limousines
Driving through the city
The unpopular measure known as "congestion charge" (tel: (0845) 900 1234; website: www.cclondon.com) came into force in 2003. The current fee for driving on the city centre from Monday to Friday between 07.00 and 18.30 is £ 8. The limit for this area of congestion is the internal ring of the city, which covers Marylebone Road, Euston Road, Pentonville Road, City Road, Commercial Street, Mansell Street, Tower Bridge, New Kent Road, Kennington Lane, Vauxhall Bridge Road and Park Lane. The boundaries are well marked with signs.
The rate of "congestion charge" can be paid in advance or at any time before 22.00 pm the same day. You can pay by mail or instantly on the Internet, by phone at BT Internet kiosks and shops, parking garages and the symbol "C". It is necessary to provide the car registration number. If you're registered, you may pay up to one year in advance and also pay through a text message. If you pay between 22.00 and 24.00 on the same day, the price increases to £ 10. However, if not paid prior to 24.00, amounting to £ 80 (reduced to £ 40 if paid within 14 days) or £ 120 if not paid within 28 days.
These attempts to reduce traffic congestion in the center have been quite successful and there are plans to extend the zone of "congestion charge". However, the M25 and major exits and access to the city tend to be very congested, especially Friday and Sunday afternoons.
You can park 24 hours a day in the NCP car parks located around the city (tel: (0870) 606 7050; website: www.ncp.co.uk). Rates may, however, vary the parking lot. The NCP cheaper London is in the Brunswick Centre, Marchmont Street, WC1, with prices ranging from £ 4.50 up to two hours and £ 14 from nine to 24 hours. Parking on the street in central London can be extremely expensive. All the streets have parking meters or parking permit only residents. It should also read the signs to check the hours authorized parking and bear in mind that, although in a particular parking has to pay a fee only until 18.30, the obligation to have a permit for residents to park can do to be paid 24 hours a day. It is prohibited to park where there is a yellow line within hours of operation of parquímetro nearer. It is also prohibited to park in any area that has a double yellow line or zigzag. In the streets with a red line or double red line, it is forbidden to even stop for a moment. The fine for parking in an unauthorized area is £ 100 (reduced to £ 50 if paid within 14 days). However, it is quite common stocks found in the vehicle, which means paying an additional amount.
The improved economic and bus services combined with the "congestion charge" and the high parking rates make it better to use public transport instead of driving through the city.
Car Rental
Conditions vary, but the car rental companies typically require that the driver is more than 25 years. Driving from another country are valid for one year, although it is preferable to hold a driving licence if there is no international license English. It is necessary to possess a credit card and you should always check what type of insurance is included in the rental fee.
Major car rental companies at the airport include Avis (tel: (02) 606; website: www.avis.com), Budget (tel: (02) 156; website: www.budget.com) and Hertz (tel: (02) 599; website: www.hertz.com). Rates usually start from £ 40 per day. In addition to the price of rent, we must add the fee of "congestion charge" if it is flowing through the city centre. The policy of rental companies varies, but most do not organize the payment of this fee and let drivers find out the payment.
EasyCar (tel: (0906) 333 3333; website: www.easycar.com) heads the recent boom in car rental firms economic or operating through the Internet. This is the first company that offers its services exclusively over the Internet with prices starting from £ 8.50. The tank vehicle easyCar in Barbican is one of the only places in the centre where the "congestion charge" is included in the rental price.
Nice airport limousine - limousine service to cannes