General tourist information for London

Britain Visitors Centre is a useful information centre to be found just off Piccadilly Circus at 1 Lower Regent St. Tel 020 8846 9000. Get their free London Planner for ideas of what to see and where to go and what's on at present. The Fast Track ticket is well worth having if you are short of time since it allows you to skip queues at some of the attractions.  It is valid for unlimited travel by Underground, British Rail, Docklands Light Railway and most buses. It is priced according to the number of zones (areas of London) included and the length of time you want it for. You will probably need a card valid for zones 1 and 2 which covers central London. You can take one for  a day, a week, a month or even a year. A special one day off-peak card covers all zones. The one day card is easy to buy but you may need a photo for longer periods. Children under 5 travel free. If you haven't got your map already get it here.

The biggest TIC centre is at Victoria Station Forecourt, London SW1, open Easter - October daily 8am-7pm; Nov - Easter Monday, Saturday 8am-6pm. They have a shop devoted to London too. Other TIC centres can be found at Heathrow's tube station for Terminals 1.2 and 3;  Victoria Railway Station  beside the Eurostar Terminal; Waterloo International Terminal Arrivals Hall; Liverpool Street Underground Station; Selfridges, in the Basement Services Arcade, 400 Oxford St, W1. You can also send for a TIC information pack by writing to PO Box 151, London E15 2HF. The City of London has its own Information Centre at St Paul's Churchyard, London EC4 open April - Oct daily 9.30am - 5pm; Nov - March Mon- Fri 9.30am - 9.30noon. The London Tourist Board also runs Visitercall service. A recorded phone guide to London. Try 0839 123 456.

If you want to know what to do, what's going on, what events not to miss then get Time Out a great magazine published on Thursdays listing almost every evening London for the coming week  and Whats On. Most newsagents have copies.

Want a map to find your way around then explore the  London A-Z  before you go. Excellent maps covering the whole of London.

If you need computer access while in London take a look at www.easyEverything.com  They have a mass of pc's in every store and are open all the time. They have branches at Trafalgar Square, Victoria Station. Oxford St. Tottenham Court Road and Kensington High Street.

Tourist Information Centres:

For further information contact: The London Tourist Board, 6th floor, Glen House, Stag Place, London SW1E 5LT.

Travel Information: 

Gatwick: Tel: 01293 535353  - Gatwick Airport hotels

Trains leave every 15 minutes to Victoria Station, every 30 minutes at night. The journey takes about 30 minutes. There is also the Thameslink service to the City and King's Cross.   Tel: 08457 48 49 50.

Gatwick Airport Station is in the South Terminal, and linked to other parts by escalators and lifts. A Transit Shuttle runs continuously between the South and North terminals.

Coach:  Flightline route 777 serves both terminals. Tel: 020  8668 7261. National Express operates from the South Terminal. Tel: 0990 808080. The services operate to Victoria Coach Station, where there are connections to all parts of Britain. If you wish to book a ticket see National Express on our Travel page

Heathrow: Tel: 020  8759 4321 - Heathrow Airport Hotels

Underground: The Piccadilly line connects the airport to Central London and the rest of the underground system. The trains have special luggage areas. The journey to Piccadilly Circus takes about 47 minutes. There are trains every few minutes. There are two stations in the airport: Heathrow terminals 1.2.3. and Heathrow Terminal 4. Check which terminal applies to your flight. Tel: 020  7222 1234

Trains: The Heathrow Express runs from Paddington Station to Heathrow Airport (stops for Terminals 1.2.3. and for Terminal 4) every 15 minutes from 0510 - 2340. Journey time is 15-20 minutes.  Tel: 0845 600 1515

Airbus: Airbus A1 goes to Victoria rail and coach station with stops in Cromwell Road and Knightsbridge. Airbus A2 goes to Russell Square, with stops at Notting Hill Gate, Bayswater Road, Paddington and Euston. Both are equipped for disabled passengers and luggage. Tel: 020  8400 6655

London City: Tel: 020  7646 0000.  Coach: Shuttle Bus departs from Liverpool Street Station (journey time 30 minutes) and from Canary Wharf Station on Docklands Light Railway (journey time 15 minutes)

Luton:   Tel   01582 405100 -  Hotels at Luton Airport

Trains: There is a combined rail and coach link from King's Cross Thameslink to the airport, via Luton Station. Journey time about 45-60 minutes.

Coach: Luton & District's 757 operates from Buckingham Palace Road, Victoria, to the airport, taking about 75-90 minutes. Tel 020  8668 7261

Stanstead:   Tel: 01279 680500  -  Hotels at Stanstead Airport

Train:  A direct service from Liverpool Street takes about 45 minutes. The train stops at Tottenham Vale, giving direct access to the Victoria line of the underground. Tel: 0345 484950

Coach:  > operates from Victoria Coach Station, taking about 80 minutes. Tel: 0990 808080.

Travelling in and from London:

For information about bus or underground services in Greater London, or the Docklands Light Railway telephone 020  7222 1234 at any time.   Visitors should take advantage of inclusive tickets such as the daily or weekly Travelcards available from stations or information offices.

Car: 

Numerous international and British car hire companies have offices at the airports and in London.On-street parking in Central London is expensive and difficult. Illegal parking is controlled by fines, towing away of vehicles and wheel clamps. Restriction are shown by yellow lines on the road and kerb, and yellow plates on lamp posts. Parking is particularly restricted between 0830 and 1830 Monday to Friday, and from 0830 to 1330 on Saturday. National Car Parks: Tel: 020 7499 7050. London now also has a toll system known as congestion charges - for information see the AA page. For further information on the congestion toll phone 0845 900 1234 or click here

Coach:

   > operates to all part of Britain. Most coaches leave from Victoria Coach Station. Tel: 08705 808080
 

Green Line and London & Country operate to many interesting places around London, such as Windsor and HamptonCourt. Tel:  0870 608 7261

Rail:

National train enquiries: Tel : 08457 484950  For train times and booking on line try  >

Taxis:

Taxies may be hailed in the street, the doorman will do it for you at your hotel. Taxis may be booked by telephoning 020  7272 0272 or 0171 253 5000.

Drivers are not obliged to accept a hiring of over six miles, or over 20 miles for a journey from London Heathrow Airport, but if they do, and the journey is wholly within the London area, the fare payable is as shown on the meter. If a driver accepts a hiring to a destination outside the Greater London area, the fare becomes negotiable and should   be agreed beforehand. Do not use unauthorised drivers who offer their services at airports and stations and the like.

Advice:

Bureaux de Change:  Banks are normally open from 0930 to 1530 or later Monday to Friday, some branches may open on a Saturday. Bureaux de Change are open longer hours than ordinary banks. many are near railway stations and in shopping areas

Theatre and Concert Tickets: Tickets may be bought from the Tourist Information Centre in Victoria Station, Heathrow Underground and Liverpool Street Station. They may also be bought direct from the theatre box office, in person or by telephone. Most theatres accept credit card bookings. There are also many theatre booking agents. Always check the amount of commission on booking fee. Do not buy from touts.

Taking a Walking tour is a great idea, especially if you're short of time - you'll learn more and won't/shouldn't get lost. The TICs will have fliers on them listing times and places to meet. You could try www.walks.com for an overview.

Get to know London on entertaining walks with professional guides. Registered Blue Badge.  e.mail on brian.cookson@ndirect.co.uk

For useful information on London transport  - underground, river services etc .

I hate to say it but you have to watch your handbag. Don't put it down for a moment - you may not even feel you are being 'done'. If you use a backpack don't keep your wallet in it - honestly you won't feel a thing!

If you need to dump your luggage for a while then go to Victoria Station. The luggage room is behind platform 8. Costs around £4-£10 a day depending on size of locker.