Getting around London is very easy, because it has a superb transport infastrucure of underground railway(subway), buses and, of course, taxis. In addition, many of the areas I highlight in my articles are really quite compact and can best be seen on foot.
If you come to London from overseas, you will likely arrive at one of London's three airports. Because of its central position between America and the European and Asian continents, Britain is the hub of world travel and Heathrow, to the west of London, is the largest airport in the world.
London's other major airport (Gatwick) lies to the south of London, with the third (Stansted) to the north.
Heathrow is linked to central London by frequent fast coaches and taxi cabs. There is also The London Underground (subway) railway called the Piccadilly Line which will literally bring you to Piccadilly, if you so wish. A direct overland rail link also brings you to one of London's main rail termini: Paddington.
There is also a fast rail link from Gatwick Airport to London - The Gatwick Express.
Stansted Airport is linked to London by the M11 motorway.
If you are coming from closer to home - Ireland perhaps - your destination airport could be the recently established City Airport, which bring you right into the heart of London's historic Docklands area. For centuries, the London docks were the destination for valuable cargos coming by sea from all over the world. Nowadays, the cargo that arrives by air is no less valuable: visitors, coming to sample the delights of this amazingly diverse city.
Getting round London is very easy. There is a very comprehensive and easy to navigate underground (subway) railway system with nine main lines – all colour coded on both the maps and in the liveries of the various stations. Trains run very frequently.
In the East End of London, around Canary Wharf, the newly created Docklands Light Railway provides swift transport if you wish to see the Cutty Sark. This is a beautiful ship from the era of sail, when "tea clippers" would race each other from India and China, attempting to be the first to arrive in London with their highly valued cargo of tea - thus commanding a premium price.
Call me biased, but I think the very best way to see London is sitting back in the roomy comfort of a traditional London taxi cab.
Like me, all the drivers have to achieve a high level of knowledge about London, and you can be assured you will get a smooth, and courteous trip via the most economical and swift route.
Of course you might also like to take a trip on one of London's famous red double decker buses. Some of the buses have open tops, which offer an even better panorama of London's many sights.
Whatever mode of transport you choose, I'm sure you will be amazed and delighted with the diversity and interest you will find in London.
© copyright 2006 Jon Michael and London Vacation Secrets