Black cab London’s signature taxi. Despite the name, they're not all black!
Boris bike A colloquialism that has stuck for the red Santander-branded bikes for hire all across London. Nicknamed after former mayor – and current Foreign Secretary – Boris Johnson.
Contactless Payment card (debit or credit) that can be used to make quick (and reduced fare) payments without signature or chip and pin; used in the same way as an Oyster Card.
DLR Docklands Light Railway, an overground, driver-less train in East London.
Minicab A taxi that cannot be hailed in the street and must be pre-booked over the phone, in person with the dispatcher (offices generally have an orange flashing light) or through apps such as Uber.
Oyster Card Smart-card ticket for London’s transport network.
Night tube London's underground all-night service, running 24 hours on Friday and Saturday across five lines.
The tube London’s underground metro system.
Bus Route 15 This ‘heritage’ bus route uses the classic Routemaster double-decker buses and takes in the Tower of London, St Paul's, the Strand and Trafalgar Sq.
Bus Route 9 Another 'heritage' classic Routemaster double-decker bus passing Somerset House, Trafalgar Sq, Piccadilly, Hyde Park Corner, Knightsbridge and Kensington High St.
Bus Route RV1 Links the sights along the South Bank with Covent Garden across the river.
DLR: Bank to Greenwich Bag the seats at the front for an amazing sightseeing trip through the Docklands and Canary Wharf.
Tube: Piccadilly Line This tube line stops at some of London’s key sights and neighbourhoods – Piccadilly Circus, Covent Garden, Hyde Park Corner and Knightsbridge – and also runs from all Heathrow airport terminals.
ATo hail a black cab, look for a stationary or approaching cab with its ‘For Hire’ sign lit up.
AIf the car is approaching, stand in a prominent place on the side of the road and stick out your arm.
AAlternatively find them at the numerous taxi ranks dotting the city (at stations, airports, outside big hotels etc).
AUse a smartphone app such as mytaxi (https://uk.mytaxi.com/hailo), which uses your phone's GPS to find the nearest available black cab.
Top Tips
AAs a general rule, eschew the tube within Zone 1 unless going from one end to the other: cycling, walking or the bus will be cheaper/quicker.
ACheck www.tfl.gov.uk or advanced notices in tube stations for engineering works and line closures at weekends.
AGet an Oyster Card – and return it when you leave to get the £5 deposit back, along with any remaining credit.
ASantander Cycles are good for short trips. Get a rental bike for longer trips.
AHail black cabs in the street and book ahead for a minicab.
ARush hour is between 6.30am and 9.30am and from 4pm to 7pm.
ATravelling at these times can be uncomfortably crowded: think seat races, face-in-armpit standing, toe-treading and frayed nerves.
ATube fares are more expensive at rush hour.
AWeekends are notorious for engineering works, when entire tube lines or sections shut down. Replacement bus services are usually in place, but they take longer so try to plan ahead.
AOn Sunday to Thursday nights, the tube stops running around 12.30am. The Night Tube operates a 24-hour service on Friday and Saturday nights, covering the Central, Jubilee, Victoria, Northern and Piccadilly lines, with trains running roughly every eight to 10 minutes. Night Tube fares are standard off-peak.
ANight buses cover all of London, but some services only run every half-hour. Check times before leaving.
AHave your ticket or card ready before you go through the gate. Londoners are well practised at moving through ticket barriers without breaking stride.
AOn escalators, stand on the right-hand side and use the left if you want to walk down. Failure to observe this can cause consternation and tutting among other users, especially during rush hour.
ATake your rucksack off at rush hour to avoid sweeping off somebody's newspaper, tablet or child.
AGive up your seat for people less able to stand than you – people with reduced mobility have priority over the seats closest to the doors on the tube.
ACars will almost always stop for pedestrians at zebra crossings without a traffic light; remember to look right first!
AThe cheapest and most convenient way to pay for public transport is to buy an Oyster Card, a smart card on which you can store credit. The card works on the entire transport network and can be purchased from all tube and train stations and some shops.
AOyster Cards will work out whether to charge you per journey, for a return or for a day Travelcard.
AYou need to pay a £5 deposit per Oyster Card, which you will get back when you return the card, along with any remaining credit.
AIf you're staying for more than just a few days, consider getting a weekly or monthly pass (which can be loaded on to the Oyster Card).
APaper tickets are still available but are more expensive than Oyster Card fares.
AContactless cards can be used instead of Oyster Cards (they benefit from the same 'smart-fare' system); just check for international fees with your card issuer.