London is too spread out to treat every famous sight as a short walk from the last. Use rail between areas, buses when a street-level journey suits you, and walking for compact clusters such as Westminster and the South Bank.
Keep the Tower of London and Tower Bridge in one geographical block, and Westminster and the South Bank in another. A river trip is enjoyable when it is part of the plan; it is not automatically the fastest connection between two timed admissions.
Which transport should you use?
| Transport | Useful for | How to ride |
|---|---|---|
| Tube | Fast journeys across the city | Touch in and out with the same card or device, including when gates are open. |
| Elizabeth line, Overground and DLR | Airport, east London and suburban connections | Check the branch and destination; airport services do not all have the same fare. |
| Bus and tram | Local trips and a view from the street | Touch in only; do not touch out at the end. |
| River bus | Journeys along the Thames | Check pier, destination and fare separately from your rail budget. |
| Night services | Late evenings and early returns | Use the live planner for Night Tube, night buses and the final walk. |
First services, last departures and late returns
Many rail services run from early morning until around midnight, but the first and last train depend on the line and station. Selected Night Tube routes operate on Friday and Saturday nights. Use TfL’s journey planner for the full late-night connection, especially after a show.
Getting from the airport or terminal
Pick the airport-specific route. Heathrow has several rail choices; Gatwick, Stansted and Luton require different plans. Compare the whole journey to your hotel, the accepted payment method and late service availability rather than only the train’s advertised running time.
Build a route that saves backtracking
Keep the Tower of London and Tower Bridge in one geographical block, and Westminster and the South Bank in another. A river trip is enjoyable when it is part of the plan; it is not automatically the fastest connection between two timed admissions.
A first-day route in London
Pair a Tower of London visit with nearby river time rather than crossing to Kensington between fixed bookings. Treat a river bus as a separate transport choice and check its fare. Before staying out late, verify whether your own line runs overnight, not just whether London has a Night Tube.
Read the Oyster or contactless guideHow to get around London: common questions
What is the best way to get around London?
Tube is useful for fast journeys across the city. London is too spread out to treat every famous sight as a short walk from the last.
Does public transport in London run all night?
Many rail services run from early morning until around midnight, but the first and last train depend on the line and station. Selected Night Tube routes operate on Friday and Saturday nights. Use TfL’s journey planner for the full late-night connection, especially after a show.
How should I plan the airport or arrival transfer in London?
Pick the airport-specific route. Heathrow has several rail choices; Gatwick, Stansted and Luton require different plans. Compare the whole journey to your hotel, the accepted payment method and late service availability rather than only the train’s advertised running time.
Written for planning, with official visitor information linked where relevant. Suggested routes and time allowances are editorial recommendations. Check current entry rules, opening notices and ticket conditions before booking. Read how we prepare and update our guides.
