Lasting in London – tips and tricks

Last updated: 29 July 2023

So you may have just moved across the globe to London, one of the worlds most famous cities, or perhaps just popping in for a visit.  Either way, there is plenty to see and do. Everyone says London is expensive. At first I didn’t see it, I said ‘noooo its not. Its no more expensive than Sydney’. But let’s face facts, Sydney is expensive too.

I’ve realised many of my tips are related to getting around London. Its the linchpin at a successful trip. Transport in London will sting your hip pocket but there are cheaper ways to travel.   Which brings me to point #1.  

1. Buy yourself an Oyster Card & collect a Tube map

Available from the Underground stations or online they’re the best way to travel around London. You can pick one up in Heathrow once you land so local or tourist there’s no excuse to be without one.  It’ll set you back £5 for the card, then you load money onto it. Tap in and out of Tube stations with the cost of travel being deducted off your balance – Cost will vary on how far and when you travel (peak/off peak). Tap in on a bus will set you back £1.40* for as long as you want to travel, no need to tap out.

So Tube and trains are quicker, but ultimately the bus is the cheapest way to travel around London.

Tube maps are available at every Tube station and will become your lifeline at getting out and about.  Be warned: the tube map is NOT to scale.  There is a well known fact that the artist made the Tube map easy to read, but in fact is not accurate in terms of distance.  I.e. Charing Cross and Embankment are a maximum 5 minute walk from one another, however on the map they look a lot further apart.  So in this instance, its not worth going around the world to change lines for this, its easier to go to Ground level and just walk.  (NB: This will involve tapping in and out though so you will get charged twice!). Just one thing to keep in when planning a visit to some iconic London landmarks. 

Insider Tip: Just remember how much you have on your Oyster card, if you don’t have enough £ on it, you won’t be able to exit the station.  Fees apply however the staff are usually very helpful. I recommend getting an App or paying particular attention to the tap in/tap out screen as it shows your balance.

2. Stand right, walk left

Londoners are short on patience for people that don’t know the basics so familiar yourself with the basic concepts of public transport or prepare yourself to be grunted, pushed or even sworn at by frustrated commuters.

Escalators have a very well known rule, stand right, walk left.  If you want to ride the escalator stand to the right. If you want to walk up or down, do so on the left.  People don’t care that you want to stand and chat but don’t block the walk way with yourself, your bags or luggage.

Insider Tip: When the Tube arrives, wait for people to exit the Tube before attempting to board. It seems like common sense but you’d be surprised how often I see people do this!

Be prepared to learn the Tube Etiquette – Rules of the Underground

3. Be organised and prepared to tap in and out

Again, another one for common sense, but it has to be said.  Don’t consider approaching the barriers if you don’t have your Oyster in your hand! There will be sighs of exasperation and frustration as you rummage through your pocket/bag/wallet to dig it out.

Londoners like a streamlined approach to tap and go and don’t take it lightly when people don’t get it together to grasp the basics.

Insider Tip: Tap in and out of the Tube, but only tap ON for buses.

4. Invest in a data included SIM card

Mobile phones are cheap in London.  BYO your own smart phone (99% of us have one anyway) and buy a SIM when you arrive.  The best place to go is probably Carphone Warehouse as they stock all the big brands and have all the available plans on hand.

For anyone visiting London for more than a few days, I recommend a local SIM card. 

Upon arriving in London I found most what I needed was data and the odd credit for local calls/texts. I went with Three.  For £20 I got everything I needed.  The SIM was free, and I opted for pay as you go (not contracted) and worked perfectly from the start.   The current plan is 3000 texts, 300 minutes plus 12GB data for just £20. That’s plenty to last you 30 days.

If you plan to spend a lot of time on the Tube stations, review which companies include the new Tube WiFi (at time of writing it is: Virgin, EE & Vodafone). No WiFi ON the Tube, just at some of the stations.  With an average of 3 mins between Tubes it might not be worthwhile.

There are plenty of cafe’s with WiFi if you’d rather not get a SIM but don’t even consider paying roaming charges from your home country provider.  It’s ridiculously expensive!

The Essentials

• Buy an Oyster card
• On escalators, strand right – walk on the left
• Tap in and out from the Tube, DLR, trains. Buses only tap on
• Buses are the cheapest form of transport
• Tube, train & DLR charge peak/off peak rates
• Don’t use roaming data. Pay as you go (PAYG) Sim Cards are easily purchased.

*Prices are correct at time of writing but are subject to change.

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