What's the smartest way to use public transit in London?

Get an Oyster card or link a contactless bank card the moment you arrive — tapping in and out with either caps your daily and weekly fares automatically, so you never overpay. The Elizabeth line, Overground, and Tube cover the vast majority of journeys; buses fill the gaps and cost a flat £1.75 per ride regardless of distance. Avoid the Tube for short hops between adjacent Zone 1 stations like Covent Garden to Leicester Square, which are genuinely faster on foot. Peak hours (07:00-09:30 and 16:00-19:00 weekdays) are worth sidestepping when you can, both for price and sanity. The TfL Go app gives live departures and step-free route options, which matters because not every station has lift access. Black cabs and Uber exist but are rarely the right call within central London during the day. If you're staying more than a week, check whether a 7-day Travelcard works out cheaper than pay-as-you-go based on your expected zone range.

Trip Friend knows London cold.

Plan a real trip there, and Trip Friend can answer every follow-up — with your dates, your style, and your places baked into the conversation.

• Where do locals actually go for aperitivo in London?
• Where do locals drink coffee in London?
• What does a local breakfast look like in London?
• Where is the street food in London actually good?
• Where can I eat after midnight in London?
• How do I get from the airport to the city in London?