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Travelling Around London

The London Tube or Underground may be the best public transportation system in the world and it would be a shame if one did not utilize this subway system. It's really the best way to travel around London during the day until about 12-1230 AM when it shuts down. Those black taxis are fun, but are terribly expensive. You still have to put up with traffic as well. The bus system is more convoluted than the tube and harder to use. But don't worry, the Tube will set you free.

It can often be intimidating going to a new country and trying to use their public transportation, especially a subway system with a bunch of confusing looking colors and lines. But the number one rule of travel is Don't Panic! to borrow from the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

Just follow these few tips and you'll be fine.

1. Get a map of the underground. These small maps can be found in tube stations and will avoid you the trouble of staring at posted map on a train or station.

2. It's important to know which station you're in and which line you're on. The tube consists of 12 lines with 12 distinct colors, ranging in names from the Jubilee to the Picadilly line. Many stations have multiple lines and you'll sometimes have to switch lines at a station to arrive at your destination. But it's all right there on the map! It might sound confusing, but just be calm.

3. Don't be afraid to ask a question if you're confused. People their are very friendly(for the most part) and will help you.

4. The main tourist attractions like Picadilly Circus and Big Ben are all relatively close to each other. So just use one stop like Westminster or the Picadilly Circus stop for these attractions and walk between them. There are street signs everywhere that will point you in the right direction.

Now that you've mastered the tube use it wisely. You don't want miss out on walking around central london so don't overindulge. Travel off the beaten path. The tube is a great way to get to places like Camden, which boasts a bohemian market, or Chiswick, an outlying district that's nice to travel to for a stroll. And finally, make sure to mind the gap.