London Underground is one of the best public transport systems on earth. Extending out to Buckinghamshire, Essex and Hertfordshire, it’s been around since 1863 and the recently opened Elizabeth Line means it’s quicker than ever to get around without a car. The 272 stations ferry up to 5 million people each day, although almost half the trains run above ground.
The most economical way to use London Underground for regular users is to purchase an Oyster Card. This is a smart card on a pay-as-you-go basis, which you can also use to travel by bus, tram, DLR, and some cable car and river bus services. There are many discounts available (including free or discounted travel for pensioners and disabled people).
Blue Cross has information on taking pets (it’s noisy and stressful so likely most won’t like it, and dogs are not allowed on escalators, for safety reasons).
a few fun facts about London Underground
Bakerloo line was created, after some businessmen compained that after work, they could not reach Lord’s Cricket Ground quickly enough.
Liverpool Street is built on an ancient burial site, and an archaeological dig recovered 3000 bodies. It’s rumoured to be haunted!
If you’re travelling from Leicester Square to Covent Garden, you may as well walk. Called ‘the Tube’s most pointless journey, it’s just 260 metres’.
Just three babies have ever been born on the tube apparently. And one of them was former US talk show host Jerry Springer.
Tube driver Christopher Hughes (he used to work on the Piccadilly Line) became well-known a few decades ago, when he won Mastermind. He has since won lots of other game shows, with Anne Robinson once said he was the best contestant ever on The Weakest Link.
