London travel

Posted on by Abha Thakor

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Booked your ticket for WordCamp London 2019? This post can help you plan your travel across the city.

We have brought together information to help you make the most of your trip. We will be featuring London’s fascinating and beautiful tourist locations on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram in the run up to WCLDN in April. Share your images of the city with us on our social channels.

Thanks to our international visitors who have given feedback on the kind of travel advice they would find useful. This post includes details of underground and buses, route maps, and links to the UK Government’s online visa checker. There are links to accessible transport information in London and the assistance available at the airports, stations and on buses. 

Visas

If you need supporting information for a visa application to speak or attend WordCamp London, email the team at london@wordcamp.org

Buses and the Underground

Public transport buses in London are still painted red. Open-top buses, yellow, green and other colour buses are normally tourist attractions.

London bus passing Big Ben & the Houses of Parliament (credit Aron Van de Pol/ Unsplash)

Please note in London, the underground rail network is commonly referred to as the ‘Tube’. The underground system is made up of several different routes, known as ‘lines’. Each line is represented by a different colour on the maps. You do not need separate tickets for each line. Some stations serve more than one line and you can freely interchange lines by using the pedestrian linking tunnels. Paper maps are available at stations or you plan your Tube journey online.

A Tube train passing through an underground station (credit by Pau Casals/ Unsplash)

On the bus and the Tube, you will need to pay for travel by either an ‘Oyster Card’, purchased before your journey, or through a Contactless payment card. At some of the major stations you can buy a single or return Tube ticket at a Ticket Office. Please note these can be very busy at peak travel times. 

If you are travelling in from a mainline train station, you may be able to buy a travel card which includes bus or Tube travel within the capital.

All London buses are wheelchair accessible, but only a small number of Tube stations are accessible for wheelchairs. Accessible Tube stations are marked on the map with a solid blue dot over the station.

Cycling in London

Are you planning to bring a bicycle or planning to hire one to visit tourist locations in London, you can find some tips on finding cycle-friendly hotels in London on our Accommodation post.

Cycling routes, London

Travelling safely in London

London is a large and safe city, but like any large city there is crime. You should keep a close eye on your bags and pockets when travelling on the Tube, especially at rush hour.

Take extra care when travelling at night, and get a licensed taxi door-to-door if you’re concerned. Never get an unlicensed taxi, day or night!). If you have any queries, ask one of the local attendees or organising team london@wordcamp.org.

Accessible travel information for London

Information on accessible places to stay in London on our accommodation post. The following are some helpful links.

Assistance from airlines and airports

Assistance on train, coach and tube

Wheelchair accessible taxis

The London Taxis, known as Black Cabs, are wheelchair accessible. Some newer ones are fitted with induction loops and intercoms for hearing aid users.