Whether you’re a born and bred Londoner, flying in for business or in town on holiday – there are several ways to tour around the UK’s capital. From hopping on the tube to catching a cab, exploring London has never been easier – or more exciting. So whether you’re a seasoned southerner or a typical tourist, if you’re looking for the best ways to explore London, we’ve put together a list of 5 ways to take in the sights, sounds and smells of the city.
On foot
London is packed with so much to see and do – and whether you’re in town for an evening or staying for a week, you’ll be amazed by all the excitement the city has to offer. Although the tourist spots are undoubtedly part of London’s appeal, the city’s charm lies in its ability to turn getting lost into an adventure – and there’s no better way to get stuck into city living than to take a tour on foot. Whether you’re new to town or a local Londoner, take a wrong turn and you could uncover any number of quaint eateries, bespoke antique shops or vintage book stores. Day or night, London is buzzing with activities, attractions and amenities – yours for the exploring. So if you’re feeling fit, pull on some sensible shoes and take a stroll through the city to guarantee a unique experience every time.
Kabbee
Anyone who has spent any time in The Big Smoke will know how hard it can be to hail a cab – but thanks to London’s leading minicab comparison app, you no longer need to wait it out in the rain. The handy Kabbee booking app enables users to not only book a cab, but also compare prices. With up to 65% savings in comparison to a black cab journey and a range of handy features, the Kabbee app can save you money, as well as time. Users can benefit from a real-time account of where their minicab is on a map with track My Kabbee, get a quick cab home by pre-registering their address with the Take Me Home option and use the Refer-a-Friend feature to get themselves and their pals £10 free credit.
As the first UK cab app to implement a loyalty programme, Kabbee rewards users based on how many miles they’ve earned with Kabbee Treats – and as part of its 5 Minute Punctuality Promise, they offer a full refund for late cabs, as well as an upgrade to an executive cab and £5 credit. Available for download for iOS, Android, Blackberry and Windows Phone, as well as being accessible via Kabbee’s website and mobile site, this user-friendly, money-saving app makes journeying around London a breeze!
Santander Cycles
Original image by Davide D’Amico
More commonly known as Boris Bikes, Santander Cycles are a public bike hire scheme available city-wide. The bikes provide a low-cost, healthy travel option – and for those who want to avoid the busy London traffic, there are plenty of cycle routes peppered throughout the city. From cycling through beautiful Hyde Park to weaving around busy Camden, hiring a bike allows you to mix with the locals and truly appreciate London’s scenery. Whether you want to hire a bike for the day and ride the length and breadth of London or secure your travel for seven days, a Boris Bike provides the perfect travelling companion – and if your journey is less than 30 minutes, a bike is available to hire free of charge!
Tube
For those who are new to London, the tube can seem like a daunting prospect – but for an efficient ride from A to B, the underground is the way to go. With the streets of London being pounded by millions of people every day, the tube provides an underground rail service that allows commuters to get to their destination more efficiently. With easy-to-use pre-paid Oyster cards available to use across all tube lines, you can hop on and off the tube at your leisure and cover large areas of the city without eating into your precious time. During 2012’s Olympic Games, a record number of 4.4 million people used the city’s tube service – paying testament to its importance as part of London’s transport system. Pick up your own Oyster card from just £5 and get exploring!
Emirates Air Line
Original image by fsse8info
With so much to pack into a day in London, why not make the journey the destination by taking in the city’s famous landmarks on the move? The Emirates Air Line is the UK’s first urban cable car and operates above the River Thames. As well as providing safe transport across the river, the cable car allows users to sit back and enjoy the stunning sights of the city. A journey across the river can take as little as five minutes and both Emirates Air Line terminals are easily accessed by various modes of transport.
With our handy tips for cruising around the capital, you’ll see London in a whole new light. However you choose to travel around town, you’ll never run out of things to keep you busy. London really is the city that keeps on giving.
