London underground (Tube) can not be regarded as the cheapest in the world. Seldom a day goes by without there being a delay or cancellation on one part of the network or another, so it cannot take credit for being the most efficient either. Even so, with the congestion and hap-hazard street planning above ground, it remains the easiest and most effective means of travelling around London.
There are 12 interconnecting rail lines which criss-cross London. These are far more concentrated North or the river, with buses, trains and Trams operating to the South. They operate from 5:30am until Midnight every day except Christmas day, with a reduced service on Sundays. Travelling during the rush-hour, however, should be avoided where ever possible, unless you like cramming, like sardines, in to compartments with inadequate ventilation and smelly, sweaty, commuters.
London Underground publish convenient route planners of the network system, freely available at every station. These convenient diagram style tube maps are so effective they have become as much an icon of the capital as Big Ben and the Double Deckers. Each line is colour coded and the same colours are used to identify the line on signposts at stations.
Despite its ease of use, it is important to remember it is a diagram and it is worth while comparing to a road map as well when getting about.
For instance If you want to get from Regents Park station to Great Portland Street station, by foot you would have a 200 yard walk, by the tube you would have a 20 minute journey, including a 100 yard walk when changing from the Bakerloo to the Circle Line!
For more information call London Transport 24 hours a day on 0207 222 1234 or check out the London Underground website.
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