Underground stops are
easy to spot on busy
London streets.
The London
underground system is more than just a public transportation system
- it is a cultural landmark with a storied history, a symbol of
England's strength and a feat of engineering that defied all logic
at the time it was built.
The first-ever
electrified underground railway, the London Underground has been in service
since 1863, when the Metropolitan Line launched.
Since then,
the system has expanded to include 12 lines and 275 stations.
Today, the
London underground or "the Tube" is one of the quickest, most efficient metropolitan railway
systems in the world. The Underground marker - a red circle with
a blue line running through the middle - might as well be the
official logo of London and of tourist paraphernalia, with the
phrase "mind the gap" almost a catch-phrase for getting
around the city.
Where do you get off? Famous London attractions & nearest London Underground stations
It doesn't take long to become an expert London underground-hopper. Just follow the color-coded lines to well-known stops along the way. One stop at the Westminster station (green or yellow line), for example, will bring you to a treasure trove of London's famous sites including Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and the Houses of Parliament.
For Hyde Park, follow the blue line to Hyde Park Corner station, or the red line to St. Paul's station for St. Paul's Cathedral. For other stops at top London attractions, see this helpful list below:
Big Ben - Westminster Bond St. - Bond St. British Museum - Russel Square Buckingham Palace - Victoria Carnaby St. - Carnaby St. Covent Garden - Covent Garden Downing St. - Westminster
Harrods - Knightsbridge Houses of Parliament - Westminster Hyde Park - Hyde Park Corner Kew Gardens - Kew Gardens London Eye - Waterloo London Bridge - London Bridge Madame Tussauds - Baker St.
National Gallery - Embankment St. Pauls Cathedral - St. Pauls Tate Gallery - Pimlico Tower of London - Tower Hill Trafalgar Square - Charing Cross Westminster Abbey - Westminster Westminster Cathedral - Victoria
Follow the color-coded rail lines to get around the entire city.
Riding the
London underground is simple. There are stops at nearly every corner, and Transport
for London offers easy-to-read tube maps and a convenient Journey
Planner on its website so you can plan ahead. The lines are
color-coded, and, as with most public transport systems, the directions
are named after the last station stop.
There are
several options for purchasing tickets, including single fares,
1- and 3-day passes and season tickets. Most locals purchase a
refillable Oyster card, a cheap, reliable option that offers deep
discounts on all public transport. For instance, an adult single
fare within Zone 1 would cost £4, but with Oyster it only
costs £1.50. Plus, Oyster uses electronic price capping
to ensure that you never pay more on individual journeys than
you would on a day pass.
Oyster Cards
are available for purchase from London Overground ticket
offices; London Travel Information Centres and Oyster Ticket Stops
at independent retailers like newsstands or convenience stores.
Train fare depends on how many zones you plan to travel across;
most tourists will generally stay within Zones 1 and 2.
Once you have
your ticket or Oyster, you can gain access to the platforms by
passing through the electronic barriers in the station. Either
insert your ticket into the slot or swipe your Oyster over the
yellow reader, find the correct platform and direction for your
desired destination and there you have it! Just be sure to mind
the gap.
London
Underground basic information
The London
underground consists of 12 lines and 275 stations. Trains run between
5:30 and 3:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 7:30 a.m. to 11:30
p.m. Sunday.