Maps of London you need

Maps of London you need

Are you travelling to London anytime soon? Then, I am pretty sure you will enjoy this article about the maps of London you need!

When people travel to a new place, they usually feel kind of lost at first. Because they are new to the place and aren’t always sure of what to do. I tried to gather the maps I think will be useful to you so you don’t feel completely lost if you travel to London for the first time.

My advise for you to travel around the city of London

Once you arrive in London, you will need to get around the city. When you reach the centre of the city, look for a vending machine in the metro. This is where you will be able to buy your Oyster cards. These electronic smartcards are one of the cheapest ways to travel around London.

At the vending machine, hit “get new card”. Then provide the number of cards you wish to acquire. If you’re travelling with other persons, you will need more than one card. Each person has to own their own card. The next step is to decide how much money you wish to put onto your Oyster card. This amount will depend on whether you will be using a lot of public transportations or not. If you’re not sure, the best thing you can do is to charge the card with fifteen pounds. At the end of the day, you can add more money onto it for the next day, in case you’ve used all your journeys.

Note that you will have to pay a five pounds deposit, that are refundable at the end of your trip if you return your Oyster card. All the credit under ten pounds found in your card will also be refunded.

It is very easy to use the Oyster card. You will simply have to touch the card on the yellow card reader at the gates to the subway.

If you have any doubts, don’t hesitate to ask a member of the station staff. They will help you and also advise you the best options for your needs.

Tube map

The London metro has eleven lines. And you should also know that the underground of the city is divided into several travel zones (nine, to be exact) with different fares. The further you travel away from the centre of the city, the more expensive it gets. The tube trains run from 5 am to midnight, from Mondays to Saturdays. On Sundays, you will notice slightly reduced operating services.

If you buy a travel ticket for a single journey in central London, which is the zone 1, you will have to pay £4.90. While the Oyster card fare is £2.40, which is why I strongly advise you to buy an Oyster card for your trip to London.

The London tube is pretty use, just like any other metro service I’ve written about in these articles:

Buses map

You woulnd’t dare to visit the city of London without getting into one of their emblematic red double-deck buses! Even though travelling the city by the London tube can be more practical than taking the bus, it definitely is an experience you shouldn’t miss! Whenever I travel to London, I usually rather walk than take the public transports because I get to see much more places and I think it provides a more authentic experience of the city.

In London, you will find twenty-four different bus lines. It is a cash-free service, which means you won’t be able to purchase a travel ticket on board. So, make sure you have your Oyster card with you. The fee for a travel by bus is £1.50 per journey, so it actually is cheaper than the tube. Then, once you’re getting closer to the station you want to hop off, press the red button that says “stop” inside the bus, so that the driver knows he has to stop at the next station for you.

The bus route 24, 11, and 9 are the best because they take you to many of the main landmarks and highlights of the city. You will definitely use these routes quite a lot! Note that it is the route 24 that will get you to Camden Town, which is one of the coolest areas of London with its many concert venues and street markets!

Hop on Hop off buses map

Another way to travel around the city for visitors is the hop on hop off buses. These buses take you around the main landmarks of the city, and you are free to hop on or off whenever you want. It is a good way to visit the city if you don’t have much time or don’t particularly like walking or you just can’t.

In general, the prices from one company to another don’t vary much. For adults, the prices are about forty pounds for one day. If you’re interested in these buses services, I advise you to check the prices beforehand and buy your tickets online, because they usually make discounts.

Map of London landmarks

To finish, here is a map of London major landmarks for you to have an idea of where they are located.

My article is over! You now have all the maps of London you need for your trip! I hope you’ve enjoyed it and that it will be useful to you. Let me give you a few more little advices: you definitely should avoid rush hours, from 7 to 9 am and from 5.30 pm to 7 pm. Also, when using the escalators you should stand on the right because some people are in a hurry and they will use the left side to walk down the escalators. Before boarding the metro or the bus, let the people get down before entering. And, of course, mind the gap!

Don’t hesitate to join one of our tours in London! Our Discover Walks guides always make sure you experience the best of the city and get the best tips. You will discover and explore many amazing places and learn a lot more about the history of London and the country. See you soon in London!