Transport

The London Underground

JOANNE CACKETT — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 14:29:00 GMT

From history and overheating to legends and lost property, there’s lots of quirky facts about the London Underground.
WORDS: Trevor Paddenburg & Daniel Landon

Shoved into someone’s armpit, driven to distraction by another bloke’s iPod, and stuck in the dark cos of another mysterious signal failure.

Ah, the London Underground — we love to hate it. But whatever your sentiments there’s no denying the tube is an engineering marvel with enough trivia to send you one stop past Barking.

Was it the first?
Yep, the London Underground was the world’s first subterranean rail network. The House of Commons approved a bill in 1853 to build the Metropolitan line between Paddington and Farringdon.

Was it a hit?
Hell, no! The Times described the initial idea as an “insult to common sense”. Then why was it built? Necessity. London roads were overcrowded and reeked of horse poo, plus all the main line railways stopped on the city’s outskirts. So it covers a fair bit of the capital? Too bloody right! The Jubilee line extensions, which finished in 2000, brought the total distance of the network to 407km.

Was it always one big system?
Far from it. Individual lines were originally built by individual companies or entrepreneurs. It wasn’t until 1933 that the various lines were integrated. I bet the tube was pretty grim back in the day. The sulphurous pollution from early steam locomotives was so bad in the 1800s that drivers were told to grow beards to filter the fumes.

What happened during World War II?
Underground tube stations doubled as bomb shelters.

Any creepy stories or surprising facts?
Aldgate station was built on the site of a plague pit where about 1000 bodies were buried in 1665.The entire Westbourne River passes the Sloane Square station platform through a big iron pipe.

Any weird stuff left in the lost property office?
Uh-huh. A courier once left a set of breast implants on the Circle line. The lost property office has also been home to a wedding dress, two human skulls in a bag, a vasectomy kit, a lawn mower, a 14-foot boat, an urn of ashes, hundreds of sets of false teeth and a suitcase with £10,000 in cash.

What wildlife lives on the network?
Transport for London says woodpeckers, sparrowhawks, deer, bats, grass snakes and crested newts have been sighted on carriages or in tunnels.

How many people ride the tube every day?
3.4 million. Count ’em.

Why is it so stinking hot in summer?
Getting rid of all that heat when you’re 50m underground is costly, and the tube is the victim of decades of under investment.

Will we get new trains?
The first ones (with air conditioning!) will be on the Jubilee line in 2009, followed by trains on the Northern and Victoria lines.

What happens to the old train carriages?
Ones that aren’t sold to other railways are recycled — they’re mostly made of aluminium which is turned into drink cans.

Will the tube ever run for 24 hours?
Tube bosses have said “never”, though they do want trains to run later at night, subject to negotiations with unions.

What is the story behind the tube map?
It was drawn up by a young draftsman, Harry Beck, who told his biographer: “Looking at the old map of the railways, it occurred to me that it might be possible to tidy it up by straightening the lines, experimenting with diagonals and evening out the distances between stations.”

What’s with the delays?
Old equipment. Signal failures happen because today’s trains are faster than the network they were built for, and the equipment used to tell controllers the location of each train often stuffs up, which means checks need to be made on where each train is.

Will it ever be reliable?
Supposedly by 2020, when the final stage of the £1 billion-a-year tube refurb is completed.

Why is it so unloved by Londoners?
The dirt, delays, heat, overcrowding, irregular service, breakdowns, strikes and expense, for a start. Still, it’s usually the best way to get you where you’re going.

» For more info and trivia see www.tfl.gov.uk or www.ltmuseum.co.uk

The Tube In Numbers

1.014 billion: passengers travelling on the tube every year.
408km: length of network.
33km/hr: average train speed.
412: number of escalators.
275: number of stations served.
73 million: people using Victoria, London’s busiest tube station, each year.
48,800: people using Waterloo station during the three-hour morning rush.
146,000: people entering the tube system every hour.
£5 billion: investment in the tube over the next five years.
70 million km: Distance travelled by all the tube trains in 12 months. It’s the equivalent distance of 1735 times around the world or 90 trips to the moon and back.
67.4m: maximum depth of the network below ground level, at Hampstead on the Northern line.
68.9g: amount of carbon dioxide produced per person per km travelled on the tube.
45 seconds: the shortest tube journey, from Leicester Square to Covent Garden on the Piccadilly line.

Ghost Stations

The tube was constructed haphazardly over the years, so stations were often built without a great deal of planning.

Down Street on the Piccadilly line, for example, was so close to Hyde Park Corner the rich folk living nearby didn’t think that it was appropriate for the ‘hood. It shut in 1932.
There are about 40 similar ‘ghost stations’ on the network.

Strand/aldwych
This is a branch of the Piccadilly line, running one stop south from Holborn. The station is now used for film shoots and by the fire brigade.

Bull and Bush
Visible between Golders Green and Hampstead on the Northern line. It was built in 1907 but never used.

Wood Lane
You can see this on the Central line after you leave White City heading towards Shepherd’s Bush. It was the western terminus of the line before it shut in 1947.

York Road
A station between the long run from King’s Cross to Caledonian Road on the Piccadilly line would be very handy — but it shut back in 1932.

British Museum
This station can be seen on the Central line between Tottenham Court Road and Holborn. It closed in 1933, on the day the new Holborn station opened.

Airport tips

JOANNE CACKETT — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 14:20:00 GMT

Navigating your way to and around London’s airports can seem the most difficult part of your journey — and the most expensive. WORDS: Claire Goodall & Kate Megeary

If you’re using London as a base for travelling, it pays to know your options for getting out of it. Here’s TNT’s cheat sheet on how to get airborne in the capital.

Be airport savvy

Never assume low fares equal a budget holiday. It’s no good saving £20 on a flight if it’s going to cost you £20 extra to get to the airport (and the same applies at your destination). Also bear in mind departure and arrival times — can you physically make check-in or get home if the Tube isn’t running, for example?

Cheap flights are cheap for a reason. It’s always worth comparing budget deals with standard fares from your nearest airport to see whether you really are saving cash.

Go the rail way

All London’s airports have dedicated express rail services, and Gatwick, Luton and Heathrow are also served by the local rail network (see National Rail).

While the express trains are convenient they’re also scandalously expensive. Return fares and advance tickets are cheaper, and some airlines offer discounted tickets onboard — but watch out for getting stung when the trains aren’t running because of engineering work, or if your flight’s been delayed so long you’ve missed the last service. Your ticket will be valid on an alternative coach service, but it’ll take longer and you could have paid a much cheaper fare.

You can reduce the costs with a bit of local knowledge. If you’re in north London pick up the Stansted Express at Tottenham Hale or the Luton train at West Hampstead. In the south, go to Clapham Junction or Victoria for local Gatwick services. And if you already have a travelcard, queue up at the ticket office and ask for a fare from the zone boundary.

Heathrow is the only airport served by the Tube — meaning you can get there from zone 1 for just £3.50 on your Oyster card. Also consider London City Airport for destinations in western Europe — it’s on the DLR in zone 3.

The road more travelled

There’s a comprehensive coach network linking the airports with each other as well as with the city (see National Express). Fares are reasonable, and group saver tickets are available.

EasyBus runs a good-value minibus service from Victoria to Gatwick (from £11 return), Luton and Stansted, stopping at various central London locations on the way.

Crazy as it may seem in grid-locked, fuel-crisis London, driving may be your cheapest and most reliable option. If there’s a bunch of you flying together, pool your resources for a taxi — and if you already own a car, long-stay parking can be as little as £6 per day booked in advance.

Take Eurostar instead

Save the trees and some pennies by travelling to Europe by train. Pay the fare to St Pancras at this end and you’re set — you’ll be delivered straight to the heart of your destination city on arrival.

It’s not just Paris on the menu. Direct Eurostar services run to Brussels, the south of France (in summer) and the French Alps (in winter) — and you can buy through tickets to destinations across Europe (see www.seat61.com).

Luton (LTN)

Bedfordshire, 50km north-west of London
Express train: 35 mins from St Pancras (£9.90 one way)
What’s it like? Luton airport is compact and easy to wander around without getting lost. The short queues and speedy check-ins are a plus and there’s no need to worry about finding your gate as, though it’s a long walk, they’re all in the same direction. Only a few food choices though, and they’re constantly busy — you’d better be happy with sandwiches and coffee.
Top tip: Allow 10 minutes for the shuttle bus from Luton Airport Parkway station to the terminal building.
Did you know? In 2003 flights were disrupted when a baby monitor broadcast a child’s crying over air traffic control’s frequency.
PHILLIPPA NETOLICKY

Heathrow (LHR)

Middlesex, 30km west of London
Express train: 15 mins from Paddington (£28 return)
What’s it like? If you’re claustrophobic, terminals 1, 2 and 3 probably won’t be to your taste. The newer Terminal 4 and brand spanking T5 are more spacious. Ceilings aside, there’s nothing wrong with flying out of Heathrow. The check-in and security staff — if not exactly friendly — know what they’re doing, and sign-posting is clear. Once airside there are dozens of clothing shops to grab whatever you need for your hols, and there’s no shortage of coffee shops, pizza joints and takeaways, and a couple of boozers.
Top tip: You can easily walk between terminals 1, 2 and 3. It’s free to take the train or bus to terminals 4 and 5.
Did you know? Around 67 million people pass through Heathrow each year — more than any other airport in the world.
TREVOR PADDENBURG

Stansted (STN)

Essex, 60km north-east of London
Express train: 45 mins from Liverpool Street (£24 return)
What’s it like? There’s nothing stylish or slick about Stansted — it’s just a big shed. But it’s this functionality that makes it one of the easiest airports to navigate. There’s a smattering of the usual high street shops (Boots, Borders, WH Smith) and food outlets (O’Neills, Pret A Manger and Costa). Once through customs it almost feels swanky. There are lots of spacious areas with plenty of seating and a small selection of cafés and restaurants for a last-minute pre-flight snack.
Top tip: Get on the monorail and go to your terminal early — there are crowd-free coffee shops and waiting lounges at the gates.
Did you know? Stansted is the designated airport for hijacked aircraft that request to land in the UK. Three have landed there in the past 25 years.
ALISON GRINTER

Gatwick (LGW)

West Sussex, 40km south of London
Express train: 30 mins from Victoria (£30.80 return)
What’s it like? About 90 airlines operate out of Gatwick, serving 200-odd destinations — but the vibe isn’t mad-rush, it’s more ‘eat, shop, relax’. If you need sustenance pick from M&S, Upper Crust, Yo Sushi, McDonal’ds, Burger King and Pizza Express. Or spend your holiday cash at Accessorize, The Body Shop, Monsoon or La Senza.
Top tip: A free shuttle train runs between the North and South terminals every three minutes.
Did you know? Gatwick means ‘goat farm’ in Anglo-Saxon.
AMELIA BENTLEY

TNT-O-Meter

We’ve put in a fair few air miles between us at TNT. Here’s what we think of London’s airports.

Flying high
Coming in at first place, no one has a bad word to say about Gatwick. 3.5 out of 5

Tail wind
A solid performer at number two, Heathrow is a well-oiled machine. 3 out of 5
(Despite the bad press, T5 came out top with 4 out of 5.)

Cruising altitude
An average airport with average marks makes Luton a good bet. 2.5 out of 5

Grounded
The budget airlines flying out of Stansted tend to make for a no-frills experience. 2 out of 5

Stopping Over

admin — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 11:00:00 GMT

Until airline technology moves on a couple more notches, you’ll need to stop and change planes when flying between Australia or New Zealand and the UK.

While some travellers take the fastest possible route to London, taking only a two- or three-hour layover and not leaving the airport, others take time out and smell the flowers en route, perhaps making several stops on their way to Heathrow.

The possibilities are virtually limitless, but here are five of the most popular stopovers

Bangkok (BKK)

Times: LON 11.5-13hrs; SYD 9-10hrs; AKL 11.5-12hrs.
Why? It’s a vibrant and amazingly varied place, from the cultured Old City to the sleazy but car-crash-fascinating nightlife area of Patpong. And it’s cheap.
Why not? Bangkok might be affordable but rip-offs are common, with cab drivers, street merchants and all manner of ne’er-do-wells in Patpong on the make. Be alert.
If you only do one thing: Visit Wat Pho, an extraordinary temple in the Old City famous for its huge reclining Buddha.

Dubai (DXB)

Times: LON 7-8hrs; SYD 14-15hrs.
Why? The climate, the beaches … oh, and the fact that Dubai is arguably the fastest-changing city in the world right now, a quite ridiculous artificial paradise in the most unexpected place.
Why not? Amazing it may be, but it’s not exactly all in the best possible taste. Although the ambition and affluence is amazing, some visitors find Dubai little more than a theme park for very, very rich kids.
If you only do one thing: Wander around Deira, one of the few pedestrian-friendly parts of Dubai.

Los Angeles (LAX)

Times: LON 10-11.5hrs; SYD 13.5-15hrs; AKL 12-13hrs.
Why? The airport (LAX) is right on the Pacific coast — it’s only a shortish bus or cab ride to kooky Venice Beach, bijou Santa Monica and surfer-packed Huntington Beach. And with the US dollar relatively weak right now, it’s currently good value.
Why not? LA has more unnecessary sprawl than a dozen porn stars playing Twister — you’ll need a week if you really want to get under the skin of the city, and a car may also be required.
If you only do one thing: Stroll along Venice Beach: it’s a bit Camden-on-Sea these days, but it’s not without its goofball charms.

Singapore (SIN)

Times: LON 12.5-14hrs; SYD 7.5-8hrs; AKL 9.5-10.5hrs.
Why? A favourite among travelling Australians for years, Singapore retains a character all its own, an island nation swimming in culture and rich in amazing, affordable restaurants
Why not? The history of the city has been overwhelmed by the present to the detriment of the place’s individuality. At times, it feels like a toned-down, pre-watershed remix of a standard Asian metropolis.
If you only do one thing: Visit the Night Safari, a fascinating, atmospheric after-dark zoo.

Hong Kong (HKG)

Times: LON 11.5-13hrs; SYD 9hrs; AKL 11-11.5hrs.
Why? Its stormy history and ever-changing present means there’s nowhere quite like Hong Kong, a vibrant blend of Chinese reliability and cosmopolitan chaos.
Why not? It can be expensive, and the often-hyped nightlife arguably promises more than it delivers.
If you only do one thing: Catch the nightly Symphony of Lights, a skyscraper-mounted display that’s as dazzling a display of wealth as you’ll ever see.

Driving in the UK

admin — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 15:27:00 GMT

The good news is second-hand cars are relatively cheap in the UK. But before you start scouring the local classifieds, keep in mind that the additional costs can quickly add up: insurance, MOT, vehicle licence and parking expenses could have you broke before you even reach the petrol station. And then there’s the traffic to consider.

Getting a UK licence

Australian, New Zealand and South African licences are only valid in the UK for the first 12 months you’re resident here. If you stay longer, your best bet is to exchange your foreign licence for a full British one.

To exchange a foreign licence, you need to contract the Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency. You will not get your foreign licence back as it will be returned to your home licensing authority. Upon returning home, you will be able to re-exchange your British licence.

International Driving Permits are not exchangeable.

Buying a used car

Check the car has a current vehicle licence or tax disc.

Check the vehicle has a current MOT certificate.

Have an independent inspection carried out by a mechanic.

Organise compulsory insurance for the vehicle.

With the seller, sign the joint declaration on the V5C form. Be sure to take the detachable slip.

Useful Links: hiring a Car

TNT readers can enjoy a 5% discount on car hire through easyCar in more than 2,400 locations in 60 countries.

London transport

admin — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 14:56:00 GMT

London's public transport system will seem daunting at first, but it won't be long before catching a tube or bus will become second nature.

Pick up a tube map and an Oyster Card as soon as you arrive and memorise the Transport for London web address — www.tfl.gov.uk — it's journey planner is extremely useful.

You should also buy a London A-Z street directory (available at all good newsagents) — every Londoners bible.

Public Transport

London Underground

The London Underground, or 'the tube', has 275 stations and is the world's oldest subterranean transport system. It runs from about 5.30am until just after midnight and the map of its network is made up of 12 colour-coded lines, including the DLR (Docklands Light Rail) in the east.

The tube can be crowded during rush hour and is prone to delays and breakdowns but Transport for London ensures Londoners that it's because of old equipment that will be refurbished by 2020.

However, the tube is more reliable than the locals like to let on and is usually the quickest way to get from point A to B. Avoid peak times and your journey should be smooth.

London buses

The red bus network is cheaper, but often slower, than the tube or train. Routes reach every corner of the capital.

Night buses — with the letter 'N' before the route number — run all night.

Single tickets for the bus can only be used once per journey and can't be carried onto other buses. If you want to make multiple journeys by bus it's best to use an Oyster card or Bus Pass/Travelcard.

National Rail

Travelling to some parts of suburban London is best accomplished on mainline rail services. Again, the network is complicated, but all the information you need will be on the Transport for London website.

Tickets and zones

London's Underground and rail network is divided into six zones and the price of your ticket dependents on which zones your journey covers.

Zone 1 covers Central London, with Zones 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 spiralling in rings around it.

Oyster card

Get an Oyster card! It is an electronic smartcard-type ticket that will save you money.

Oyster can can be used on the Underground, the bus network and some Overland services.

Buy an Oyster card from any station or ticket stop (there's a £3 refundable deposit). Make sure you register the card so that you can get the Oyster card replaced if it gets lost. In some instances, you may be able to get the money you had on the lost card transferred to the new one.

Pay As You Go

Once you have the Oyster card you add any amount of money on it and the fare is then docked from your Oyster card when you pass through the ticket barriers or board a bus. Unfortunately you cannot use Pay As You Go on mainline trains (but your Travelcards are valid).

When the money runs out, you simply add more to your card at one of the ticket machines in every station. You can also set up the Oyster so it automatically tops itself up from your bank account.

Oyster is the most convenient and cheapest way to travel. A Zone 1 tube journey costs £1.50 when paid with an Oyster card, but £4 if paid in cash. Your Oyster card is also capped at a daily amount. Similarly, a journey on any bus service costs 90p when paid by Oyster but £2 in cash.

Travelcards

Season tickets, called Travelcards, are also available and allow the holder unlimited tube, and train travel in the designated zones (and bus travel in all zones).

Travelcards covering Zones 1 and 2 cost £6.80 a day at peak times, £24.20 a week, £93 a month and a whopping £968 a year. You can also get a Bus Pass for travel on buses only for £3.50 a day, £13 a week, £50 a month and £520 a year. (Prices as at September 2008)

Other transport options

Taxis and minicabs

Black cabs are as famous as London's red buses, and they don't only come in the black variety. You can hail them on the street — if the light is on, they're available. They're pricey, but can seat up to five people.

Minicabs are ordinary, unmetered cars which operate as taxis. Transport for London has numbers for licensed minicab firms. You can book by phone or in person from the company's offices, which are located all over the city.

It's illegal for minicab drivers to pick up passengers on the street. Fares should be agreed in advance and are usually cheaper than black cabs. There are many unlicensed — and illegal — taxis operating in London. Use them at your own risk. There is a high rate of women sexually assaulted by illegal minicab drivers, so it's best to be careful.

Cycling

Don't forget that the cheapest, easiest and, sometimes, quickest way to get around London might be to buy a bike and get cycling. Log on to the London Cycling Campaign to find a bike shop in London (including second-hand bike shops). People who join London Cycling Campaign get up to 15 per cent off bikes and accessories at the listed shops, which can save you a packet on your new wheels. Don't forget to invest in a decent lock to beat those pesky bike thieves.

Boats

There are several boat services running regularly up and down the length of the Thames in London. Details are at Transport for London.

Which airport?

admin — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 14:07:00 GMT

When you arrive in London you're most likely to land at Heathrow Airport. But there are actually five airports servicing London - Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, Stansted and London City. You'll probably get to know them well during your time in the UK.

Heathrow Airport

Heathrow is 30km west of London. There are five terminals at Heathrow and where you land or depart from depends on the airline and the destination.

The cheapest way from Heathrow to central London is on the London Underground. Heathrow is in zone six and is on the Piccadilly line. Buy an Oyster card to pay for your travel around London.

The fastest way from Heathrow is on the Heathrow Express train, which travels to and from Paddington station every 15 minutes. The journey takes 15 minutes and costs £28.

Gatwick Airport

Gatwick Airport is 40km south of London. There are two terminals: Gatwick North and Gatwick South. You can travel between the two on a free bus (every 3 minutes, journey time 5 minutes; allow 20 minutes all up for the transfer). The free train that linked the terminals is closed until May 2010 for refurbishment.

Getting from Gatwick Airport to central London

By bus

The cheapest way from Gatwick Airport to London is on easyBus. Fares start at only £2 one way, and from £4 return. The cheapest fares are available with easyBus. Click here to get the best fares. easyBus is for all airline passengers, whoever you fly with - not only easyJet.

easyBus runs from Gatwick North Terminal to Fulham Broadway. At Fulham Broadway, easyBus departs from bus stop ‘M' on Fulham Road, right outside the Fulham Broadway underground station.

The journey takes 65 minutes and buses run up to every 20 minutes. From Gatwick Airport, the earliest departure is 7.15am, the latest is at 12.35am. From Fulham, the earliest departure is 6am, the latest is 11.20pm.

Bookings for easyBus can be made online. Click here to make a booking or you can pay the driver on the day.

By train

Trains to central London depart from Gatwick South terminal. The cheapest trains (about £11 one way) from Gatwick Airport to central London are with First Capital Connect and Southern Railway.

First Capital Connect run trains from Gatwick to London Bridge, Blackfriars, Farringdon and King's Cross, and continue to Luton and Luton Airport Parkway (the stop for Luton Airport). It takes 30-40 minutes from Gatwick to London Bridge. Note: because of engineering work, on weekends trains from Gatwick terminate at London Bridge.

Southern run trains from Gatwick to London Victoria station, taking 35-40 minutes.

The Gatwick Express trains run every 15 minutes and take about 30 minutes to reach London's Victoria station. Tickets are £16.90 one-way and £28.80 return

Stansted Airport

Stansted Airport is 60km north-east of London.

Getting from Stansted Airport to central London

By bus

The easiest and cheapest way to get from Stansted Airport to central London is on easyBus. Fares start at only £2 one way, and from £4 return. The cheapest fares are available with easyBus. Click here to get the best fares. easyBus is for all airline passengers, whoever you fly with - not only easyJet.

easyBus runs from the Stansted Airport Coach Station (which is just outside the airport) to Baker Street (journey time 80 minutes) and the Victoria Coach Station stop 8 (journey time 90 minutes).

easyBus runs to and from Stansted Airport every 20 minutes. From Stansted Airport, the earliest departure is 7am, the latest is 1.05am. From Victoria the earliest departure is at 3am, the latest is 10.20pm.

Bookings for easyBus can be made online. Click here to make a booking or you can pay the driver on the day.

Train

The only train service from Stansted Airport to central London is the Stansted Express. It runs between the airport and London Liverpool Street station, and takes 45 minutes. Trains depart every 15 minutes, one way is £18 and a return ticket is £26.80.

Luton Airport

Luton Airport is 50km north-west of London.

Getting from Luton Airport to central London

By bus

The easiest and cheapest way to get from Luton Airport to central London is by easyBus. Fares start at only £2 one way, and from £4 return. The cheapest fares are available with easyBus. Click here to get the best fares. easyBus is for all airline passengers, whoever you fly with - not only easyJet.

Easy Bus runs from Luton Airport Bus Station (just near the airport), to Brent Cross (journey time 40 minutes), Finchley Road (50 minutes), Baker Street (60 minutes), Marble Arch (70 minutes), and London Victoria (on Buckingham Palace Rd stop 6 (80 minutes)

easyBus run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week between Luton Airport and central London, except Christmas Day

By train

First Capital Connect run trains to central London from Luton Airport Parkway station. There is a shuttle bus which runs regularly from Luton Airport to the station (cost £1) and takes about 10 minutes.

Trains from Luton Airport Parkway station run to St Pancras (about 35 minutes) and then on to Farringdon, Blackfriars, London Bridge and Gatwick Airport.

Note: because of engineering work, on weekends trains from Luton terminate at St Pancras.

One way from Luton Airport to central London is about £12.

London City Airport

London City Airport is a smaller airport, just east of the City. The Docklands Light Railway trains (DLR) leave London City Airport every 7 to 15 minutes, with journey times of just 7 minutes to Canning Town, 18 minutes to Canary Wharf and only 22 minutes to Bank.