London is a city that stretches 1500 square kilometres and 32 boroughs. That’s an entire county in and of itself. Greater London is a city made up of towns and districts, each of which has its own distinct character and charm. For first time guests of the Bayswater Inn Hotel Hyde Park, this could all seem quite unnavigable if it weren’t for the London Underground.
The London Underground is the fourth largest underground train network in the world and the oldest. Stretching 400 kilometres and over 200 train stations, the network of 12 tube lines is the easiest way of navigating the city. There are a few knacks to getting the hang of it though, and this blog will help visitors capitalise on the deals, comforts and shortcuts that guests of accommodation Bayswater London might not know upon first visit.
Buy An Oyster Card
Oyster Cards are blue contactless payment cards that you can top up and buy (for just £5) at most tube stations. You can top up for up to £50 on your Oyster using simple, language optioned automated server points. The Oyster is not the only way you can pay as you go on the tube though, contactless debit cards also work. However, the latter cannot be linked up with travel cards, which we’ll get onto in a moment.
Travelcard Or Top Up?
If you’re a tourist staying at discount hotels in London, you might consider purchasing a daily, weekly or monthly travelcard for your trip. This means that you won’t have to top up your Oyster card every time it runs low for the duration of your stay, though there is an automated top up system available if you go to the trouble of linking your Oyster to your bank account.
The only problem is that the prices for a travelcard actually exceed the daily cap of an Oyster, meaning you could spend slightly more for the convenience. The only exception is if you buy a weekly travel card and use it at least two times daily for six days of the week.
Know Your Zones
London is split into six distinct zones. This is important to remember when buying travelcards, as you may not need to spend the extra money on different zones. Each zone consists of rings that emanate from the centre of the city, and a single fare will cost more if you’re travelling through more zones.
Avoid Rush Hour
Rush hour (between 7 am and 9.30 am and 4 pm and 7 pm) sees a price hike for single fares of around 30%. The tubes are busier, thanks to the many commuters heading to or from work. In essence, then, travelling at rush hour will mean you are spending more money for a less comfortable journey! Consider this when you plan your daily itinerary.
You’ll Always Be Safe
It’s worth noting that despite its quirks and high energy atmosphere, the London Underground is well served by staff members. Even on the night tube (that run 24 hours on Friday and Saturday nights on the Victoria, Piccadilly, Northern, Central and Jubilee Lines), security and staff attendance you’ll never be far from help, while the air conditioning units are surprisingly effective both on the trains and platforms. In short, then, whether you’re rushing for your reservation at restaurants near Bayswater or you’re travelling home after a night out, you can guarantee your safety and peace of mind on the London Underground.
