Transport in the UK

The UK is known for its excellent transport links, specially rail, which can take you across any point in the country.

London specifically is very well connected in terms of public transport, and not many people choose to own or lease a car.

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London AirportsTransport for London (TFL)Driving in the UKGet Help

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How can I travel around the UK?
Should I get a car in the UK?
Do kids have to pay for public transport in London?

The London Airports

London has five airports spread across the city. Each airport has a different transport route to get you to the city center. Some airports are located just outside London, which usually require a longer bus or a train to reach the city center.

Below you can find the transport routes for each airport. Just select which one you're traveling to, and we will show you the available routes:
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Transport For London (TFL)

Transport For London (TFL) is the organization that manages and oversees London's public roads and transport links.

There are many different types of transport in London. They are interchangeable and the only difference between them is the rail system they use. It is normal to combine different transport methods in one single journey to get to your destination.
Bus
Traveling by Bus is the most affordable method of transport. The only downside is traffic at certain times, which can make your journey longer.

‍All bus tickets cost £1.75. If you change buses within one hour of paying your first bus ticket, you won’t be charged extra. The Daily Bus Cap is £5.25
Underground
The Underground (commonly known as Tube) is the most used and fastest way to travel across London. Around 5 million passengers take it every day.

There are 272 stations across London and the network covers over 400 Kilometers of distance.
Overground
The overground trains are not as common, but they take you to and from certain areas of central London.

There are currently 6 lines operating.
DLR
Mainly present in the East and Southeast of London, the DLR is a driverless automatic train that integrates with the Tube and Overground system.

Train
There is a few train companies operating in London. They normally bring you into the city fromthe outskirts.

Others
TFL also governs the roads of London, as well as the 8 Piers, where passenger boat services operate.

Examples of other travel options include the cycle lanes and boats.

Cost of public Transport in London

To travel through London, you can either pay as-you-go for your trips, or get a travel card for a specific period of time. Regardless of the method you choose to pay, your fare will be defined by the Zones you travel.‍

‍London is divided into 9 zones. Zone 1 is the most central part of the city, whilst Zone 9 is the outskirts of London. The more zones you travel on the public transport, the more your journey will cost.

In addition to the distance travelled, you fare will also change depending on the time of the day that you travel. London transport costs more during the busier times of the day, often referred to as ‘peak hours’ or ‘rush hours’. Peak Hours are 06:30-09:30 and 16:00-19:00 Monday to Friday (except public holidays).

‍To pay for your transport, you will need to use one of the following methods:
A contactless Bank Card
You can use your contactless bank card to pay as-you-go when you use the transport.You will just need to tap in and out, and TFL will calculate the cost of your journey.

TFL has daily and weekly caps to ensure you don’t spend too much. This means that once you reach the spend cap, additional travels will not be charged.
An Oyster Card with credit
Oyster Cards are London’s official transport cards. You can buy them at most Underground stations and top them up with credit via card or cash.

Top it up and them tap at the station to use it.
A Travel Card
A Travelcard gives you unlimited travel on any transport method in London, within the Zones and dates you purchase for your travel card. You can also use it on all buses, regardless of the Zone.

To purchase a Travelcard, you’ll need to buy an Oyster Card and top it up with your chosen Travelcard.
See Travel Card Prices

Driving in the UK

If you decide to drive in the UK, you will need to ensure you have the budget and right documentation.

The average cost of driving in the UK is £250 per month, excluding the purchasing or leasing cost. That includes monthly costs of insurance (£40), Petrol/Diesel (£120) and average repairs (£20). This costs can vary depending on the actual car you have and how much you drive.

If you want to drive in London, you’ll also need to pay a Congestion Charge of £15 daily charge if you drive within the Congestion Charge zone 7:00-18:00 Monday-Friday and 12:00-18:00 Sat-Sun and bank holidays. In many London areas you may also need to purchase a parking permit to park your car. The price of this varies from area to area.

Check below if you are able to drive with your existing license or if you will need to get a new one in the UK. If your country doesn't appear in any of the lists, you'll need to get a brand new UK license.

Best Transport Apps

To find the best routes for your journey and estimate the cost we recommend using these apps:
Citymapper
Best to find the cheapest route
google Maps
Best for planning in advance
TFLGo
Best for disruption updates

Need more help? Speak to an Advisor today!