How to Get Around London

Use contactless. Tap a bank card or phone on the reader — no ticket needed — and the system caps your daily and weekly spend automatically at the best available rate. Do not buy a travelcard unless you have worked out it is cheaper.

The Underground covers the centre and the north well, runs roughly from five in the morning to midnight, with some lines all night on Friday and Saturday. The Elizabeth line crosses the city fast and is air-conditioned.

Buses are cheaper than the Tube, capped separately, and far better for short hops and for actually seeing the city.

Walking is underrated: adjacent Tube stations are often five minutes apart on foot.

Cycling works, with hire bikes and a growing network of segregated lanes.

Driving is a bad idea — congestion charge, emissions charge and no parking.

Stand on the right on escalators.