Navigating London – Transportation Tips from My Trip October 2024
Nov 1
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During my recent business trip to London, I attended the European and African Property & Hotel Awards 2024 held at The Marriott Grosvenor Square. While the event itself was only one day followed by a gala night, I had a few extra days to explore the city. Navigating London efficiently was essential to make the most of my trip. However, as I discovered during my trip with Nim in December 2023 to January 2024, transportation in London can be quite expensive.
In this post, I’ll share my transportation experiences and tips to help you save time and money while exploring this amazing city.
Public Transport in London – Saving Money and Time
London is known for its reliable public transport system, but it’s important to budget carefully, as fares can add up quickly. Here are some of the key ways I moved around the city:
Airport Transfer: Gatwick to Central London
When I landed at Gatwick Airport, I initially considered booking an airport taxi transfer to my hotel near Hyde Park. However, the fare was quoted at £89—a hefty Rs 5,800 (at the October exchange rate of Rs 61-62 per pound)! After some research, I discovered the Gatwick Express train, which runs from the airport to St Pancreas Station.
What I did:
Uber to the train station, followed by the Gatwick Express to central London.
Total cost: Approximately £40 (including the Uber ride and train ticket).
Savings: Instead of paying £89 one way or £178 for a round trip, I managed to cut costs significantly.
Tip: If you’re traveling light, as I usually do, with just one large suitcase and a backpack, taking the train and metro becomes much easier. Traveling light makes public transport manageable, even alone.
Exploring London by Bus – A Scenic Ride
For most of my trips around London, I preferred buses. While they take a bit longer, they offer a unique way to experience the city's beauty.
Fare: Approximately £1.75 per trip.
What I loved: Sitting on the upper deck of the bus, enjoying the scenery as we passed iconic spots and local neighborhoods.
Why I recommend it: The buses gave me the chance to explore the city at a slower pace, and since the weather was lovely, it was the perfect way to enjoy the views.
For evening outings or late-night rides, I switched to the Underground/Overground (metro), which was fast, convenient, and reasonably priced at around £3.20 per trip. I had researched beforehand to ensure the areas I was staying and exploring were safe, and I felt very comfortable traveling alone, even late at night.
Using Uber for Specific Events
While public transport was my primary mode of travel, I used Uber for specific events, such as attending the International Property Awards.
Hotel to Event: 10-minute Uber rides costing between £14-24, depending on the time of day.
How many trips: I used Uber four times on the event day—
To the event in the morning
Back to the hotel to change
Back to the gala event in the evening
Returning to the hotel at night
Uber was convenient, especially when I needed to dress for formal events, and the short trips helped me stay on schedule.
A Train Journey to Wolverhampton for Football
On one of the days, I took a 2h30 train from London Euston to Wolverhampton to watch an English Premier League match: Wolves vs. Man City.
Cost: Round trip ticket for £62.5.
Why I recommend it: If you’re a football fan, catching a live match in the UK is an incredible experience, and the train system makes it easy to get to cities outside London.
To navigate the city efficiently, I relied heavily on a few essential apps:
Citymapper: This app became my favorite for getting around. It provides the best itinerary options for any destination, whether by walking, train, bus, or taxi, along with estimated travel times. It even tracks your journey in real-time, guiding you through every step to make sure you don’t miss a stop or transfer.
Uber: For quick rides or formal events, Uber was the perfect solution, offering convenience when public transport wasn’t practical.
TfL Go: This app was incredibly helpful for live tracking buses, giving me accurate arrival times and ensuring I stayed on schedule.
These apps made navigating London much easier and helped me optimize both time and budget, allowing me to enjoy the trip without unnecessary stress.
Accommodation & Location Tips
Strategic accommodation was a key factor in making my trip seamless. I stayed at two different hotels, each chosen for its convenience and proximity to key locations:
Blakemore Hyde Park – This hotel was perfect for the first part of my trip, as it was close to the event venue and centrally located near popular attractions like Hyde Park. Staying here saved me a lot of time and made commuting easy, especially since I only had two days for the business-related part of my trip.
The Hoxton, Shepherd’s Bush – For the second part of my trip, I stayed at this amazing hotel. Its location near the Westfield Shopping Mall and a variety of restaurants and pubs made it an ideal spot for leisure. The proximity to public transport also made it easy to explore other parts of the city.
Choosing these hotels based on location helped me minimize travel time and maximize my time for both business and leisure.
Navigating London can be expensive, but with a little planning, you can save a lot on transportation. Using public transport, like buses and trains, is both cost-effective and a great way to explore the city. Traveling light also makes it easier to move around, whether you take the Gatwick Express, Underground, or buses.
While Uber was necessary for formal events, I kept its use minimal to avoid overspending. Staying at hotels close to key locations further reduced travel time and allowed me to enjoy more of what London has to offer.
If you’re planning a trip to London, plan your transportation carefully—explore the bus routes, use the trains for airport transfers, and consider the Tube for late-night travel. With a bit of research and flexibility, you can experience the best of London without breaking the bank.
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