Advice needed on London Tube
 

This is going to be my 1st time in London.
Heard it's convenient to travel via Tube.
But seems like it is gonna be quite confusing due to the changing of direction/terminals eight?

The tube is great. I am sitting in my hotel now and I'm about to tube across town in a few minutes. The bus is also a great way to get around in conjunction with the tube.

The Tube is very easy to understand once you get the hang of the colour codings for each line.

There's an interactive map at
http://map.tfl.gov.uk/map.asp
which should help get you started.

All you need to remember is:

(a) the line you want (which is colour coded)
(b) the direction you want on that line (which is simplified to North, South, East or West in terms of the map).

So you look at the map and decide you want (say) District Line (green) eastbound, changing at South Kensington to Piccadilly Line (dark blue) northbound, or whatever.

Hi BC,

Most important: remember to "Mind the Gap".

To help you get comfortable with using the tube, go to http://journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk/use...T2?language=en and plug in the first few cross town trips you expect to make. It will walk you through the journey.

Keith

Don't worry, the tube stations have loads of signs and maps, and you can ask questions of anyone around you!

One thing that's news to some people who have ridden "regular" trains but not subway sustems is this: Each train has its own "tube" and platforms, they're always in the same place, it's not like a train station with lots of parallel tracks and lines where you have to checka single board to make sure you get on the right one -- so there are plenty of permanent signs.

As others have said, it's hard to go wrong if you know which line you need and which direction you're going. Relax, when you take your first ride it will all be clear!

Are the overseas visitor travel cards such a great savings?
JoeG

One important thing about the underground: keep a hand on your wallet at all times, as it's prime hunting ground for pickpockets. If you're carrying a purse, hold it tightly in front of you. If something is stolen, go to the office of the stationmaster as soon as you notice the theft.

The Visitors Travelcards for Zones 1 and 2 for 7 days cost about the same as what you'd buy in London.

Here are the 2004 prices:

Visitors travelcards:

http://www.ticket-on-line.com/cgi-bi...te=info_prices

London-bought -- family, day, weekend, 7-day ("period tickets"), etc.:

http://www.transportforlondon.gov.uk...velcards.shtml

Hi all,
thanks for all the advise...
juz another question: is it worthwhile to buy the daily tourist tickets or for the 3 days i'm going to stay there.
For me, i like to take the london bus...

Once you get here, you can only buy 7-day or one-day Travelcards. These will be usable on buses, tube and suburban trains within the zones you select. Only you can decide the balance of advantage to you between three one-day cards bought here or a three-day card bought online overseas. Probably not a lot in it.