Posts Tagged ‘Oyster card’
Tuesday, October 25th, 2011
Relocation to London – The world can be your Oyster (card) - Image via Wikipedia
Just as soon as you make a decision about your relocation to London, you need to start planning for your move. The biggest aspect of moving to London is learning about how the transport system works. Many Americans moving to London assume they will be able to get a car, but you don’t need it, you definitely don’t want the hassle and you’ll be using public transport for the most part after your relocation to London.
London is a massive city and the transport system is made up of trains, buses, the underground subway system and some of the river services. You might have to take one or more type of transport to get to work or into central London and having an Oyster Card is the most convenient way of navigating all three without having to manage cash and tickets.
The recognizable blue Oyster Card is like a credit card for all of your transport around London. It can be loaded with money like a pre-paid card so you do not have to pay cash for any of your travels around London. Not only are you saving time by avoiding the long queues for tickets on the tube and train stations. It is also cheaper to use an Oyster Card for all of your travel after your international relocation to London.
Once you have established where you need to go and how you’re going to get there, you can by a season ticket for your daily travel that will slash your budget and keep you on the move without having to buy a paper ticket. The Oyster Card is also great if you have just moved into your new London apartment and you want to get out and explore the city. Many of the top London attractions are very close to public transport, and you can combine your Oyster Card with London Pass that will get you to the venue and into the attraction with just one swipe of your card.
Relocation to London is going to be one of the most exciting and fascinating times of your life, you don’t have to worry about not having a car, they are really more hassle than they are worth if you life in central London. You’ll soon be catching the tube and trains without any trouble at all with an Oyster Card that can be purchased from any station using cash or a credit/debit card. You can also purchase an Oyster Card at many shops or even order it online and have it delivered to your home.
Tags: Americans moving to London, international relocation, London, London Underground, Moving to London, Oyster card, Public transport, relocation to london, United States
Posted in Americans Moving to London, London Transportation, Relocation to London | No Comments »
Monday, September 12th, 2011
Mind more than just the gap...get to know the London Overground after your London move - London Relocation Services - Image via Wikipedia
Author: Colleen
If you’re moving to London from outside the UK, you may already know of its subway system by nickname: the “tube.” London tourists and expats alike can find this endearing as there’s typically nothing much cute about a train that speeds through hot subterranean tunnels kicking up paper rubbish in its wake or popping plastic bottles on the very tracks that rodents scurry on when the trains aren’t around. This is the image of subway trains and facilities in the States, anyway…as a Chicago native, not even having a nickname like the “El” for our elevated trains could remotely make them seem more appealing. I’ll give it to London’s tube, though—its efficiency and cleanliness beats any equivalents I’ve seen in the States, bar none. I can handle seeing a little mouse now and then on the tracks versus the sewer rats I’ve seen in New York. Bleh. Station platforms and train interiors are cleaner. And just the people commuting on these trains in general are so much more, well, normal than back home. Just average commuters like you and me. Even the London Underground’s multi-colored tube map, logo, and famous “Mind the Gap” announcement have made their way onto T-shirts, mousepads, coffee mugs, and whatever other kitsch of your dreams.
Yes, indeed, there’s a lot to be said for the London Underground, a.k.a. the tube. And on relocating to London from the States a few years ago, I initially made it my sole mode of transport—likely because, also to its credit, it has an extensive number of stops, so can deliver you essentially anywhere from anywhere in London. But after a while you start to pine for the light of day. The bus can then become a preferable mode of transport that keeps you above-ground, though the arrival times can be hit-or-miss. I did, after a couple years, finally start taking the bus to work for a change, and it cost me about a third less to do so.
And it’s after three years living in London that I’m finally coming to appreciate the London Overground. These are truly beautiful trains! Maybe locals would laugh at me for saying that, but they’re air-conditioned, clean, comfortable, and provide a smooth and quick ride with a view outside—so nice for those longer hauls across this big city. Today, for instance, I cut my usual Underground commute to Hampstead (to visit a good friend) in half by instead taking the Overground out of a rail station just as close as my usual tube station. And the best part is you can use your Oyster Card for it, too, just like for riding the tube, so you don’t have to deal with standing at ticket windows or kiosks to pay expensive rail fares; just tap your existing card to the yellow readers, and you’re good to go.
This is perhaps not the biggest London revelation I could share, but, honestly, using the Overground is something pretty new to me after three years already. So, I’d be remiss not to encourage those of you making the international relocation to London to educate yourself sooner on the Overground map in the event it could spare you so much time/transfers on the tube. Being aware of such public transportation routes is a key part of London Relocation’s services as well—our relocation agents will advise you on the neighborhoods to live in so you have quick and easy commutes to work, school, and other places important to your lifestyle. They can strive to find London apartments that are in close proximity to a number of public transport options so you can get to know London inside and out, under and overground. 
Tags: international relocation, London Overground, London public transport, London public transportation, london relocation agents, london relocation companies, London Relocation Services, London Underground, Moving to London, office relocation London, Oyster card, relocation company, relocation in london, relocation jobs London, relocation to london, relocation uk, tube map
Posted in London Transportation, Moving to London: Tips & Culture, Relocation to London | No Comments »
Wednesday, August 24th, 2011
Relocation UK: The London Pass- Look for this logo to know you can use the London Pass Card - Image by Leo Reynolds via Flickr
If your planning your relocation UK and have yet to arrive you really should visit the website of the London Pass. This little tidbit can really be a valuable resource when moving to London. There is a travel card option that we’ll dive into later but it will even pay for transportation from Heathrow to central London, which in a cab would cost you a pretty pound. So back to the London pass…
Your London relocation agent can also tell you more about it but let’s cover the details. The price: 80 pounds per day. You can buy a London Pass for 1, 2, 3, or 6 days, each day being the same price. What do you get? Well that’s the great thing, and it’s great if you are already living in London and want to get to know all the history you can in a short amount of time.
The London Pass covers the price of admission to 55 different museums and attractions in and about London. All the major ones are covered, in fact their top ten attractions are:
- Thames River Boat Cruise
- Tower of London
- Westminster Abbey
- London Bridge Experience
- Windsor Castle
- St. Paul’s Cathedral
- Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre Tour and Exhibition
- Tower Bridge Exhibition
- Hampton Court Palace
- Churchill War Rooms
All are terrific attractions and “Must See’s” when moving to London. Many are located close together so you can hit a few a day. There’s some really great features that come with a London Pass, but my personal favorite? NO WAITING. That’s right, if you have a Pass you skip all the lines (queues) which is particularly of benefit at say Towner of London and Windsor Castle, especially in the summer now that the tourist season is in full swing.
So on top of the free admission to the 55 top attractions your purchase comes with a 120+ page Guidebook that provides information and directions to each place included. The guide book does advertise that it includes discounts that added tours or attractions may have, as well as discounts on food. They have the Travelcard option, which covers unlimited travel on all public transport in London on the days you use your card.
The card has a smart chip inside, much like an Oyster card (see previous posts on this must have while living in London), so it’s activated the first time you use it. They read it in a machine and it records that as day 1, regardless of what time of day you use it, so best to get out early to get the most of it.
There’s a two minute video on the London Pass that explains it and the same page has a link for all the 55 attractions and museums it covers. Over the rest of the summer we’ll highlight many of the attractions so you who are relocating to London, and those of you enjoying your summer here who have already relocated to London will have a great list of places to visit.
Once your moving to London is over and you become an official resident of London you really will want to know more about the history of the UK. Life in England was pretty difficult at times and it may help you understand better the outlook of London natives. You’ll want to immerse yourself in the culture to truly feel at home here after your relocation UK.
Tags: England, living in London, London, London Pass, london relocation agent, Moving to London, Oyster card, relocated to London, relocating to London, relocation uk
Posted in Relocation UK | 1 Comment »
Thursday, June 30th, 2011
Moving to London – As You Touchdown…- Image via Wikipedia
As soon as you know that you are moving to London, you should make a list of the essential tasks that you have to do as soon as you touch down. If you’re using a London relocation services company to help you with the big move, then they may be able to help you get set up and settled in even faster.
The most important thing you should do when you arrive is to get in contact with your family back home to let them know that you’re enjoying London. If you have brought your mobile phone with you, make sure it will work on the British networks and then get a SIM card. It can be quite a process to get a contract through one of the service providers, so your best bet is to get a Pay-as-you-Go SIM card which will allow you to add credit when you need it. The most popular mobile phone operators in London are Vodafone, O2, Orange and T-Mobile. If you don’t have a phone then you can purchase one with SIM card at most major retail outlets in your neighborhood.
To get around London, you do not need a car. In fact you’d be advised to avoid all forms of car ownership for the duration, unless you rent a car for the day to travel out of London. The most efficient way of getting around London is by tube, train, bus or taxi. The first step? Get yourself an Oyster Card. This is the cheapest, safest and fastest way to pay for your travel around London. It looks like a bank card and all you do is load it with credit for your travel, and then swipe it on all tubes, buses and trains. No cash, no fuss. Easy does it.
You’ll also need to think of setting up a bank account as soon as you arrive in London. It’s not difficult, but it may be a bit time consuming, so be prepared to bring ALL of your paperwork with you. If you are using an international relocation company then ask them to guide you through the process and advise you on all of the possible paperwork that you might need when you’re moving to London.
Tags: Americans moving to London, international relocation, living in London, London, London Living, london move, london moving, London Neighborhoods, London Relocation, london relocation agent, london relocation agents, london relocation companies, London Relocation Services, London Underground, Moving to London, office relocation London, Oyster card, Public transport, relocating to London, relocation agents, relocation companies, relocation company, relocation in london, relocation jobs, relocation jobs London, Relocation service, relocation service london, relocation services, relocation to london, relocation uk
Posted in Americans Moving to London, Living in London, London Transportation, Relocating In London, Relocating to UK: Visas, Banking, & Other Logisitical Issues, Relocation In London, Relocation London, Relocation to London | No Comments »
Wednesday, June 1st, 2011
Living In London – Manners Maketh The Man – Especially On The Tube- Image via Wikipedia
When you’re living in London, you’re going to spend quite a bit of time commuting around the city and there are some unwritten guidelines to tube etiquette and manner. Most of them are common sense, but Londoner’s are an impatient lot, so it you don’t want to be the brunt of a busy Londoner’s burst of anger then you may want to take a look at the tube travel tips we’ve assembled for you.
Top Tube Travel Tips
- The most important aspect of travelling by tube is how to stand on the escalators. The tube is an underground rapid transit system, so you will be spending time on escalators as you descend to the very depths of London. If you’re not charging up and down the escalator, always make sure that you stand to the right. The left hand side of any escalator is always reserved for busy Londoners in a rush!
- Make sure you have your tube ticket or your Travel Card ready before approaching the ticket turnstiles. There is nothing more frustrating than rushing to catch a tube and being held up by someone frantically searching for their Oyster Card while blocking dozens of people behind them.
- On this note, when you pass through the ticket turnstile, walk onwards for several feet. Stopping dead in your tracks as soon as you are through indicates a lack of manner for the thousands of Londoner’s behind you. Of course their response will probably indicate a lack of bad manner overall… But you have been warned.
- If you are in a crowded tube carriage and standing close to the doors. It is common to get off the tube to allow people behind you to disembark. Just be certain you don’t get elbowed out of the way by Londoner’s in a hurry to get onto the tube
You don’t have to be alarmed by all of the rules and regulations seeming to govern tube travel while you are living in London. Just treat people the way that you’d like to be treated but try to never cross the yellow line on the platform, and do “Mind the Gap!”
Tags: living in London, London, London Living, london move, London Neighborhoods, London Overground, London Underground, Oyster card, Transport for London, Travel Card
Posted in Americans Moving to London, Living in London, London Neighborhoods, London Transportation, Relocating In London, Relocation In London, Relocation London, Relocation to London | No Comments »
Monday, May 30th, 2011
Americans Moving to London: Living In London – Keeping Safe - Image by Mirka23 via Flickr
If you’re an American moving to London from the U.S. or a smaller town in another country, you may be concerned about the levels of crime. Every big city in the world has issues with crime and personal safety, but it is important to remember that crime can and does happen in everywhere. It is important to keep alert while you are living in London and make sure that you new London apartment is secure at night.
Street Wise!
If you’re moving to London, you will be spending at lot of your time walking around the city. You need to keep alert while you are walking the streets of London and follow basic personal safety measures. You also need to be alert on the tube and on trains especially late at night. Not many people use private transport while they are living in London and the public transport system will be your main form of transport to and from work and while you are out and about.
· Try not to use your cell phone while you are walking on the street. A cell phone can be quickly grabbed out of your hand even in broad daylight on a crowded city street.
· Keep your bag close and don’t display your wallet to anyone on the train or tube. This is why it is always good to pay for your transport up front and get yourself an Oyster Card for your travel tickets.
· When travelling by tube, always try to sit close to a group of people. This won’t be a problem during rush hour, but if it is getting late and you are travelling alone, then keep to more crowded carriages. As soon as you get onto a carriage, find out where the passenger alarm is so if you do have an emergency you’ll know how to alert the driver immediately.
· Get the number of a professional and reputable cab company loaded into your cell phone. If you’re out late at night and need to get home, you can always call a cab. For women travelling alone, you can always use a facility such asLadycab who only use female cab drivers for your peace of mind.
It is always important to maintain a sense of perspective. Very few people are affected by crime while living in London, but keeping safe is all about staying alert.
Tags: Americans moving to London, americans moving to london uk, canadians moving to london uk, England, living in London, London, London Living, london move, london moving, London Overground, Moving to London, Oyster card, Travelcard, United States
Posted in Americans Moving to London | No Comments »
Monday, May 23rd, 2011
Checking and updating your Oyster card balance after a London move - Image via Wikipedia
Author: Colleen
Welcome to the next installment of my “Idiot’s Guide to the Oyster Card,” which I started last Friday to help you out if you’re moving to London and don’t want to look like a tourist trying to navigate the city. Last week I discussed how to buy your Oyster card and use it at the tube station gates; today, I’ll explain how to add to your Oyster card balance, as well as where else you’ll be able to use it.
If the tube station gates don’t show you your balance on entry and/or exit, you can simply tap it on the same type of round, yellow Oyster pad found on the kiosks that line the walls of every tube station to view it. You can also use these kiosks to add money as necessary to your Oyster balance. The touch-screen will show you your options, but the typical transaction entails this:
1. Tap your Oyster against the yellow pad for a second or two until you see the touch-screen register your Oyster balance.
2. Select the onscreen button for top up/pay as you go. (“Topping Up” is the oft-used phrase for adding to your account balances, Oyster or otherwise)
3. On the next screen, select the button representing the GBP pound amount you want to add (displayed in 5 or 10 pound increments). Or, you can select the button “Another Amount” and drop the applicable amount of change into the machine or charge to your debit or credit card.
4. If charging to your debit or credit card, just insert it into the reader to the right and use the keypad to enter your PIN if applicable.
5. Regardless of whether you pay with cash or card, you’ll be asked to then tap your Oyster card against the yellow pad to officially add the additional amount to it and thereby complete your transaction.
When using one of these kiosks, bear in mind that not all of them accept cash. The narrower ones are usually debit/credit card only, and the ones accepting paper and/or coins are at least twice as wide. You’ll also see a digital screen above each one specifying which form(s) of payment are accepted.
You can use the Oyster card on London buses as well. When you step aboard, you’ll see the same yellow Oyster pad under the bus driver’s window. Tap it (remember to hold it there, though, until you hear the beep) and look to the little digital screen to the left to see your remaining balance. In the case of the bus, then, you pay one flat rate from the start, so do not need to tap again when you exit the vehicle.
You might also need to seek out the yellow Oyster pad on some Overground train platforms in the event you take the tube to a station that services both Under- and Overground trains and you need to transfer between the two. In the case where you’ll be going from the tube train directly to the ground-level platform rather than exiting the station altogether, you won’t be able to tap your Oyster on the exit gates to register your destination (which thereby determines your deducted balance). Rather, you’ll have to tap it on the pad found on the train platform aboveground to ensure the proper amount is deducted from your card given the distance you’ve traveled. If you forget to do this, your Oyster will automatically be deducted the maximum fare (4 pounds, last I was aware).
Okay then, now you’ve got your ticket to ride, so bon voyage on all the intercity travels to follow your
London move.
Tags: american expats in london, Americans moving to London, canadians moving to london, canadians moving to london uk, living in London, London, London Living, london move, london moving, London Relocation, london relocation agent, London Relocation Services, London relocation specialist, Moving to London, Moving to London from US, Oyster card, Public transport, relocating to London, relocating to london england, relocation agents, rent london apartments, things to know about london, Travelcard, tube map
Posted in Living in London, London Relocation & What People Say About Us, London Transportation, Moving to London: Tips & Culture, Relocating to UK: Visas, Banking, & Other Logisitical Issues | No Comments »
Friday, May 20th, 2011
The city is your Oyster after a London move - Image by Mirka23 via Flickr
Author: Colleen
Moving to London is only part of the journey; getting yourself around in the city is the next stage of your adventure. We’ve blogged about the Oyster card (what it is and what it does) before, but today I’d like to offer a step-by-step tutorial of how to use it. I’ve hosted enough visitors to see their confusion in first using this handy little item and continually have to walk them through it (at least the first couple of times). It will be no different for you when you first relocate to London and need to use it on a daily basis. So here’s how to not look like a tourist from the get-go:
First of all, you can purchase your Oyster card at the ticket window of any tube station or order it online at the Transport for London website. Keep it in the little plastic carrier they might provide you (souvenir shops sometimes sell cute versions of them, too) or stick it in an exterior pocket of your wallet. However you carry it, make sure to have that sucker in your hand and ready in advance of approaching the gates—nothing is more annoying than nearly running into someone who abruptly stops right in front of the gate to fish out their card or ticket; this is usually the sign of a tourist or a particularly dense and/or inconsiderate person. I’m serious. Don’t be the one who interrupts the flow of commuting traffic. Please.
You’ll have to put money on your Oyster card initially on purchase, so when you first use it at a tube station, approach the gates to the trains and look for the glaringly obvious round, yellow pads with an Oyster symbol. Simply lay your Oyster card against this yellow pad—don’t tap it quickly, as it might not register that way, but hold it there only long enough to hear the gate beep and open the doors for you. It usually only takes a second or two. If you have luggage, look for the special double-wide gates for just such purpose (usually to the far left or right of the regular ones).
You’ll also want to pay attention to the little illuminated sign sticking up at the right-hand side of the gate. First of all, it will either have a green arrow (pointed left toward the gate doors) or a red X lit up on it. The green arrow is your signal that you can pass through the gate on that side. The red X means that only those approaching the gate from the opposite direction can go through it. It’s a simple means of traffic control, so pay attention so you don’t frustrate people by trying to enter through the wrong gate. Also on these signs, some (not all) of the time you’ll see a white number at the bottom (denominated in pounds) after you’ve tapped your Oyster card and as the gate opens for you; this figure is the remaining balance on your Oyster.
Now as far as that Oyster account balance goes, if the gate indeed shows it on its black sign to the right of the doors, the figure displayed on entering a tube station is going to be what you’re first coming in with—it will not reflect the fare deducted for that trip, simply because it doesn’t yet know where you’re going! The city is divided into multiple zones that form concentric circles around the greater London area as a means of gauging distance of travel. For example, it will cost you less to travel within a zone than between zones because the former distance is shorter than the latter. So, your travel fare won’t be deducted until you tap your Oyster card for the second time upon exiting the gates of your destination station.
Stay tuned for the next installment of my “Idiot’s Guide to the Oyster Card” on Monday (after our usual Weekend Warrior series!) in which I explain how to update the balance of your Oyster card, as well as where else you can apply it.
Tags: american expats in london, Americans moving to London, canadians moving to london, canadians moving to london uk, living in London, London, London Living, london move, london moving, London Relocation, london relocation agent, London Relocation Services, London relocation specialist, Moving to London, Moving to London from US, Oyster card, Public transport, relocating to London, relocating to london england, relocation agents, rent london apartments, things to know about london, Travelcard, tube map
Posted in Living in London, London Relocation & What People Say About Us, London Transportation, Relocating to UK: Visas, Banking, & Other Logisitical Issues | 1 Comment »
Tuesday, May 17th, 2011
Living In London – London Transport Zones; Lines; Colors: CONFUSING! -Image via Wikipedia
As one of the thousands of Americans moving to London each year, the biggest part of adjusting to living in London is learning how to use the public transport. Having a private car in London is expensive and unnecessary. As soon as you have settled into your new London apartment you need to start learning how to make your way around the city using the tubes, trains and buses.
Transport Zones
The London transport network is divided into fare zones that spread out from the centre of the city to the outer edges of the suburbs. The central Zone is called Zone 1 and the furthest Zone is called Zone 6. The more zones that you travel in, the more you will have to pay to use the transport network. If you live in Zone 2, work in Zone 1 and only make the occasional trip out to Heathrow or other areas in Zone 6, then you should only get a Zone1 and 2 Travelcard, and purchase a Zone 6 Travelcard when you need it. If you purchase an all inclusive Zone Travelcard, you’ll be paying quite a lot more than you need to.
Lines and Routes
The London transport system is coded by name and by color. The easiest way to remember which line you need to travel on is to remember the color, but note that Londoners refer to the line by its name. For example; the Red Line is called the Central Line. It just makes it easier to understand in a hurry if you can easily identify who line and station you need to get on and off.
Reading the Map
The London Underground Map, in particular, is not to scale, so when you read it, you might find that you save more time with a five minute walk than by taking the tube to the closest station. The tube maps that you see are drawn schematically and do not represent distances in scale. In London it is sometimes quicker to walk!
Peak and Off Peak Times
Peak travel time for all forms of public transport is between 4:30 am and 9.30 am Monday – Friday. If you purchase a 7-day Travelcard loaded onto your Oyster Card you can travel at any time of the day and not pay any more.
Living in London for the first time can be confusing, but armed with your Underground Map and you’re A-Z street map, you’ll be right at home in no time at all.
Tags: american expats in london, Americans moving to London, canadians moving to london, canadians moving to london uk, Central Line, List of stations in London fare zone 1, List of stations in London fare zone 2, living in London, London, London Living, london move, london moving, London Neighborhoods, London Relocation, london relocation agent, London Relocation Services, London relocation specialist, Moving to London, Moving to London from US, Oyster card, Public transport, relocating to London, relocating to london england, relocation agents, rent london apartments, things to know about london, Travelcard, tube map, understanding british history for a london move
Posted in Living in London, London Neighborhoods, London Neighborhoods, London Transportation, Relocating to UK: Visas, Banking, & Other Logisitical Issues | 1 Comment »
Monday, May 16th, 2011
Living In London – A Travel Card Or An Oyster Card?- Image via Wikipedia
If you’re an American moving to London, then you’ll have to get used to fact that you’ll be using public transport while you’re living in London. Having a car in London is almost out of the question; not only is it exorbitantly expensive, it is also completely unnecessary. The Tube, which is the name for the London Underground (subway system) carry most of London wherever they need to go. Combined with an excellent train system and hundreds of buses, you’ll never be stuck without transport in London.
You might have heard about a Travelcard and an Oyster Card, and are wondering about the difference between the two. Most people living in London use the Oyster Card system. An Oyster Card will always be cheaper than a Travelcard in the long run but a Travelcard can be combined with some fantastic special offers if you’re new to London and want to explore the city before settling into your new London rental.
A Travelcard is a temporary card and you do not have to pay a deposit for the card. When you’re Travelcard expires you can just throw it away and get a new one. There are a number of special offers and you can take advantage of the 2 for 1 admission to the some of the biggest London tourist attractions. If you’re travelling for 5 or more days in London then a 7 day Travelcard is better value for money than the same fares on an Oyster Card. However in the usual British tradition of making things confusing, a 7-day Travelcard comes loaded onto an Oyster Card!
An Oyster Card is a pay-as-you go card for all forms of London transport, and it is a permanent card that you can use as and when you need it. If you’re living in London and going to be a regular commuter then you can load your pre-paid Oyster card with cash amounts or with Travelcards to take advantage of the cheaper fares.
Tags: american expats in london, Americans moving to London, americans moving to london uk, canadians moving to london, canadians moving to london uk, flats to let in london, fun facts about london england, learning about london england, living in London, London, London Living, london move, london moving, London Neighborhoods, London Relocation, London Underground, Moving to London, moving to London England, moving to london england from canada, Oyster card, relocating to London, Transport for London, Travelcard
Posted in Living in London, London Neighborhoods, London Transportation | No Comments »
Friday, April 22nd, 2011
Living In London – Transport In the City--Image via Wikipedia
Author: Belinda
When you’re moving to London, you’re going to have to find a way of getting around this massive city without spending a fortune or having the frustration and hassle of trying to drive, park and pay for a car. The odds are that once you’re living in London you’ll use more than one form of public transport to get to and from work, school and the shops. Learning the intricacies of the winding city street when you’ve just settled into your rental can take a bit of time and the best thing to do is arm yourself with a London A-Z, which is a comprehensive map book that all Londoners own, and get out and discover your transport options.
The Tube
The tube is the underground network of high speed trains that many Londoners use to get in and out of the city for work. It can be busy in the morning and late afternoon, so if it’s your first time on the tube, then choose an off peak time to travel. Spend some time getting a travel pass and Oyster card which will make all of your travel cashless and save you time in queues.
The Bus
Bus transport is very cheap in London and all neighborhoods have local buses as well as the ones that travel into the city. Buses run regularly and are a safe and efficient way of getting around London.
The Black Cab
Black cabs and mini cabs are taxis in London, and apart from the obvious advantage of getting you to your exact location they are convenient for late night jaunts into the city while you’re living in London. Remember to only take a licensed mini cab and rather take a cab from a taxi cab rank or phone for one to come and collect you. They are more expensive than public transport but very convenient.
Remember that the distances on all maps in London are not to scale. You might find it easier sometimes to use your own private and free form of transport which is walking. It’s a great way to get to know the roads and the sights while you are living in London. Plus: Great exercise!
Tags: Boris Johnson, England, Hackney carriage, living in London, London, London Living, london move, london moving, London Relocation, Moving to London, Oyster card, Public transport, relocating to London, Taxicab, transport
Posted in Living in London, London Transportation, Moving to London: Tips & Culture | 1 Comment »
Tuesday, April 12th, 2011
Living In London – Get Yourself An Oyster Card As Soon As You Land--Image via Wikipedia
Author: Belinda
As soon as you know you are going to be moving to London you should start learning all you can about getting around your new city. The biggest aspect of living in London is learning about how the transport system works. Don’t bother to think about cars in London, when you arrive your first job is going to be getting around London using the public transport system.
London is a massive city and the transport system is made up of trains, buses, the underground subway system and some of the river services. You might have to take one or more type of transport to get to work or into central London. Having an Oyster Card is the most convenient way of navigating all three without having to manage cash and tickets.
The recognizable blue Oyster Card is like a credit card for all of your transport around London. It can be loaded with money like a pre-paid card so you do not have to pay cash for any of your travels around London. Not only are you saving time by avoiding the long queues for tickets on the tube and train stations, it is also cheaper to use an Oyster Card.
Once you have established where you need to go and how you’re going to get there, you can by a season ticket for your daily travel that will slash your cost and keep you on the move without having to buy a paper ticket. The Oyster Card is also great if you have just moved into your rental and you want to get out and explore the city. Many of the top London attractions are very close to public transport, and you can combine your Oyster Card with London Pass that will get you into the attraction with just one swipe of your card.
Living in London is going to be one of the most exciting and fascinating times of your life, you don’t have to worry about not having a car, they are really more hassle than they are worth if you live in central London. You’ll soon be catching the tube and trains without any hassle at all with an Oyster Card that can be purchased from any station using cash or a credit/debit card. You can also purchase an Oyster Card at many shops or even order it online and have it delivered to your home.
Tags: Credit card, England, living in London, London, London Living, london move, london moving, London Relocation, Moving to London, Oyster card, Peter Hendy, Public transport, relocating to London, transport, Transport for London
Posted in Living in London, London Neighborhoods, London Transportation, Moving to London: Tips & Culture, Relocating to UK: Visas, Banking, & Other Logisitical Issues | 1 Comment »
Friday, March 11th, 2011
Living in London- Beat Budget Blues-Image via Wikipedia
Living in London has had a reputation of being a pricey place. You can become budget conscious and still enjoy all the wonderful attractions London has to offer. You can travel, eat, be entertained at all the right places without strangling your purse strings.
If you want to travel in London in the most cost effective way you can use either the Tube or start walking. Travelling with the tube, the Oyster card can be your companion as it will give you freedom of movement that normal rates of travel tend to constrain. The other alternative to getting around London is walking; it is a simple means of getting around and getting to know the city better. As always the case, you will often stumble across some wonderful little places that you might never have found in guidebooks.
Another cost effective way of enjoying London would be food; where to eat, what to eat, and when. The first thing would be do your shopping at the main supermarkets and buy your vegetables and fruits at the farmer’s markets. If you’d rather eat out then there are a lot of two for one offers at chain and local restaurants alike. There are also all you can eat buffets if you care to do your research properly. Every year, many restaurants join up under an “’eat for a fiver” scheme.
Pubs are also prime spots for filling meals that will only cost you about £5. If it’s a pint you fancy but want to watch your pocket, the Weatherspoon chain of pubs is your kind of place. There is also Guanabara which is a Brazilian Bar and have a happy hour with cocktails, you even get a free Samba lesson after that.
And if you have some free time during the day and really do not want to spend any money at all, I would go so far as to say London is an ideal place to be. With free entry to many art galleries (don’t miss the Tate Modern), museums (such as the Natural History Museum, the British Museum and the British Library). London’s multitude of beautiful parks (St James’ Park is home to some of the Queen’s own pelicans) and London‘s famous markets such as Portabello Road Market, you really can enjoy London on a shoestring. You may not remember what you buy, but the strangers you meet and adventures you experience will be hard to forget.
Tags: British Library, British Museum, Guanabara, London, natural history museum, Oyster card, St. James Park, Tate Modern
Posted in Living in London, Moving to London: Tips & Culture, Relocating to UK: Visas, Banking, & Other Logisitical Issues | No Comments »
Thursday, February 24th, 2011
Image via Wikipedia
Author: Belinda
Living in London is exciting, fascinating and it may be a little different to what you are used to. Firstly, you will have to get settled into your new London apartment and then you will have to start your new job, which will bring new challenges and learning curves. An advantage of working in the UK is that you do get much more annual leave, paid annual leave that is. It is not uncommon for employees to get between 23 and 30 days of paid leave per year. That is on top of the public holidays, which are also paid holidays. You’ll be able to explore your new city from the top of The London to the depths of the London Dungeons.
One of the biggest challenges though will be getting to work. London has a phenomenal transport system but it does take some getting used to. Even people who own cars prefer to use public transport to get to work. Driving in London is not only frustrating it is expensive. You will be charged up to £8 per day just to drive into the city from the suburbs. This is known as the congestion charge and you will have to pay it before you start your journey into the city or face a hefty fine. Parking is also nearly impossible to find in the small streets and narrow lanes that make up the centre of London. The best thing that you can do is make use of the public transport: the Tube, buses or trains.
The tube or underground is the English equivalent of the subway and is a massive rapid transit system that makes getting around London a breeze. Armed with your Oyster Card you will be able to get to and from work quickly and easily. Living in London can take some getting used to, but remember that you are living in one of the biggest, most efficient and exciting cities in the world. Get out and seize the day!
Tags: Americans moving to London, flats to let in london, london apartment, london move, london relocation agent, London relocation specialist, london relocationservices, Oyster card, Public transport, relocating to london uk from canada, rent london apartments, Transport in London
Posted in Living in London, London Transportation, Moving to London: Tips & Culture | No Comments »
Tuesday, February 1st, 2011
Living In London – ‘Super-Seven’ List Of Things To Remember-- Image via Wikipedia
Author: Belinda
You have settled into your new London rental and you are starting to make your way around the city. The best part about moving to London is that you’ll have the chance to really explore the city and immerse yourself in the cultural melting pot that is London. Just when you think you have figured London out, she throws you a curve ball and you get to start learning all over again. This is my ‘super-seven’ list of things you might not have thought about, but really should know about living in London.
- Avoid the tube during rush hour as much as possible. If you do not have to get to work then you can wait just a few minutes to avoid most of the early morning or evening crush on the London Underground.
- Tube Map. Be aware that most of the maps of the Underground are not to scale and the actual distances from station to station vary considerably. It might be easier to get off the tube and walk. It will certainly be faster if you are travelling at rush hour.
- For all the charm of London it is still a big city and that carries its fair share of petty crime. Be very aware of pickpockets, and don’t display your wallet and other documents. Keep your wits about you and don’t leave your handbag or briefcase unattended for any length of time.
- Look the other way. The British drive on the left hand side of the road, so you should pay careful attention when crossing the road as a pedestrian while walking in London. It will be the opposite of what you are used to, and while London is well signed, you still have to take extra care when crossing at intersections.
- If you have just arrived and want to explore London and see all of the tourist sites, then you should get an Oyster Card. It handles all of your travel payments so you don’t have to get tickets for the bus/tube/train and a Pass that allows you to enter different tourist attractions, for much less that you would pay for a single ticket, as well as letting you avoid most of the queues (lines) to get in.
- When walking in London; really walk. Londoners walk fast, they don’t amble and they get irritated quickly with people who stroll along like they have nothing better to do with their time. Really irritated. Keep it moving even when walking up escalators.
- Living in London is expensive. You need to find savings wherever you can. Many stores operate great voucher and coupon programmes and you will find that most companies and even restaurants have specials offers at certain times. Grab them when you can, it will make a huge difference.
Don’t be afraid to get out and experience London as a tourist. You will only see things for the first time once, so take loads of photographs and write about your adventure of moving to London. The memories will last a lifetime.
Tags: canadians moving to london, England, London, london facts, london moving, London Underground, Moving to London, moving to london from america, Oyster card, relocating to London, Rush hour, things to know about london, tips on living in london, transport, Transport for London
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