London is one of the oldest cities in the world, and as such is rich with history. There's no wonder it's a favorite destination for tourists. There are numerous ways to get about London, but first one must arrive. When flying into London one will most likely land at Heathrow, Gatwick, or Stansted International Airport.
- Heathrow is London's largest and busiest airport. It lies 15 miles to the west of London. The Heathrow Express provides rail transportation from the airport to Paddington Station in London.
- Gatwick is London's second largest airport, located in Crawley, West Sussex, 28 miles from London. The Gatwick Express carries rail passengers into downtown London's Victoria Station.
- Stansted Airport is the third largest, and lies in the Uttlesford District in the county of Essex, about 30 miles northeast of London. The Stansted Express will carry passengers to Tottenham Hale or Liverpool Street Underground stations.
- London Luton and London City Airports are the two smaller international airports that also provide transportation into London.
The London Underground is a subway system that provides access to many parts of London. It's the world's oldest subway system. More than just a convenient mode of transportation, the "Tube" is a tourist attraction in its own right.
London's black taxis can get tourists to their destinations quickly and efficiently. In addition to being hailed on the streets they are available for advance booking, touring, airport shuttling, and longer trips booked by daily and half-daily rates.
Driving a car in London takes a certain expertise. It's not recommended for amateurs. Tourists are better off finding public and private transportation.
The most colorful mode of transportation throughout London is the red double-decker bus. It is a favorite amongst tourists, who often feel they haven't seen London properly if they haven't seen it from the top of a double-decker bus. The busses operate throughout the UK, but are particularly associated with sight-seeing in London.
Other bus options include the luxury coaches that are available for tours, and the airport busses that ferry travelers from the major area airports to various locations in London.