The Cheapest Way to Travel in London UK

The British Capital by Bus, Tube or Foot

Tourists to London tend to assume that the Tube, subway to North Americans - is the fastest, easiest and cheapest way around London. While it is accessible, quick and affordable, the time spent walking up and down stairs may be a deterrent that makes buses look like a better alternative.

See London's Sites by Bus or Foot

Taking the Tube everywhere keeps you underground so that you're missing the beauty of the city and its famous landmarks. You'll also have no idea how you got there because you don't see the route unfolding. The tube will cost you £ 7.40, but the bus will be £4.30.

Taking the tube from Piccadilly Circus to Covent Garden might seem like the fastest Tube route, but you'd miss out on how close these parts of London really are to each other. You could walk from Piccadilly to Covent Garden in less then ten minuets, and to Trafalgar Square in 5 minuets.

The Oyster Card

Don't get too turned off the Tube though as it is ideal when traveling across the city or the river and the Tube is best to get to train stations and airports or outside of central London.

A single day card will cost you up to eight pounds or about $20 unless you have the Oyster card. For a one-time deposit of five pounds you get a card that will last forever. All you have to do it top it up like you would do a pay-as-you-go phone. This is easily done at machines in the Tube stations or ticket agents.

As you get on the Tube or bus tap the round card reader and do the same as you get off. The Oyster card only charges for the portion of the journey you made; if you do not swipe out it assumes you have gone to the end of the line.

The Oyster card will max out at fifty pence less then the travel card for the tubes and just about a pound for buses.It's cheaper and you can save the card for the next time you're in town or get your deposit back. Check the London Transportation site for more information.

Taking the Tube everywhere keeps you from realizing how walkable the city really is whereas taking the bus allows you to see the city go by, notice things you might like to do, and get a better idea of the layout of the city and there are no stairs or escalators!