The back story 1
In-depth stories behind the list.
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The back story
Liquid history: the Thames, the back story
From Roman port to empire’s docks and today’s riverside of galleries and towers: the story of the river that made London.
22 of the best · London, United Kingdom
Getting to and Around London
Airports, trains, the Tube, buses and the river.
Our 22 favourites, listed A–Z · Updated October 2026
What's onThis week in London
Browse by type
Insiders' picks
Three of our favourites from this list, vetted by people who know and love London.
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Tap in with a card or phone
The Underground, buses and contactless
The Tube, buses, Elizabeth line, DLR and Overground, all paid by tapping a contactless card, phone or Oyster card, with daily and weekly caps.
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London’s main airport
Heathrow Airport (LHR)
London’s largest airport, about 15 miles west of the centre, linked by the Elizabeth line, Heathrow Express and the Piccadilly line.
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Trains to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam
Eurostar from St Pancras International
High-speed trains through the Channel Tunnel from St Pancras International to Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam and beyond.
St Pancras International, Euston Road, N1C 4QPExplore View on map
The full list: Getting Around, A–Z
Neighbourhood
Airports 6
Flying in.
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London’s second airport
Gatwick Airport (LGW)
London’s second airport, south of the city, linked by the Gatwick Express to Victoria and by Thameslink and Southern trains.
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Gatwick to Victoria non-stop
Gatwick Express
Non-stop trains between Gatwick Airport and London Victoria.
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London’s main airport
Heathrow Airport (LHR)
London’s largest airport, about 15 miles west of the centre, linked by the Elizabeth line, Heathrow Express and the Piccadilly line.
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Heathrow to Paddington in about 15 minutes
Heathrow Express
Non-stop trains between Heathrow and London Paddington, about 15 minutes from Heathrow Central.
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The closest airport to the centre
London City Airport (LCY)
A small airport in the Royal Docks, linked to Bank in the City by the DLR.
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The other airports
Stansted, Luton and London City airports
Stansted (Stansted Express to Liverpool Street), Luton (trains to St Pancras) and London City Airport (DLR to Bank).
By train 1
Eurostar and beyond.
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Trains to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam
Eurostar from St Pancras International
High-speed trains through the Channel Tunnel from St Pancras International to Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam and beyond.
St Pancras International, Euston Road, N1C 4QPExplore View on map
Around the city 6
Tube, bus, taxi, river and bike.
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Hail a black cab
Black cabs and ride-hailing
London’s licensed black cabs can be hailed in the street when the yellow light is on; ride-hailing apps also operate.
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Booked cars and chauffeurs
Chauffeurs and private hire
Licensed private-hire firms such as Addison Lee, ride-hailing apps and chauffeur services must be booked in advance, never hailed in the street.
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Hire a bike
Santander Cycles
London’s public bike-hire scheme, with docking stations across central London.
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Heathrow to the City
The Elizabeth line
The east–west railway across central London, linking Heathrow and Reading with Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, the City and Canary Wharf.
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Friday and Saturday nights
The Night Tube
All-night Tube services on Friday and Saturday nights on the Central, Jubilee, Northern, Piccadilly, Victoria and Windrush lines.
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Tap in with a card or phone
The Underground, buses and contactless
The Tube, buses, Elizabeth line, DLR and Overground, all paid by tapping a contactless card, phone or Oyster card, with daily and weekly caps.
On the river 8
Boats and cruises.
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A 1906 narrowboat on the canal
Jason’s Trip
Narrowboat trips from Little Venice to Camden Lock on a canal boat built in 1906, with a live commentary.
Blomfield Road, Little VeniceExplore View on map
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Little Venice to Camden by boat
London Waterbus Company
Boat trips along the Regent’s Canal between Little Venice and Camden Market, past the Regent’s Park and London Zoo.
Little VeniceExplore View on map
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Boarding the river buses
London’s piers: where to catch a boat
The main central piers for Uber Boat river buses and sightseeing cruises: Westminster, London Eye, Embankment, Bankside, Tower and Greenwich.
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Upriver by boat from Westminster
Thames River Boats to Kew, Richmond and Hampton Court
Seasonal river cruises from Westminster Pier upstream to Kew, Richmond and Hampton Court.
Westminster Pier, Victoria EmbankmentExplore View on map
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A speedboat ride on the Thames
Thames Rockets
Speedboat trips on the Thames from the London Eye Pier, with commentary, past Tower Bridge to Canary Wharf and back.
London Eye Pier, SE1 7PBExplore View on map
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London from the water
Thames sightseeing cruises
Narrated sightseeing cruises between Westminster, the Tower and Greenwich, run by operators such as City Cruises and Thames River Sightseeing.
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The river bus
Uber Boat by Thames Clippers
Fast river buses calling at 24 piers between Putney in the west and Barking Riverside in the east, paid by contactless or Oyster.
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Your own boat on the Thames
Woods’ Silver Fleet
Private charter and event boats on the Thames, from intimate dinners to large parties.
Explore more of London
58 of the best Restaurants
31 of the best Cafés & Tea
52 of the best Bars & Pubs
53 of the best Hotels71 of the best Sights50 of the best Museums & Arts
16 of the best Parks13 of the best Walks
35 of the best Shopping
29 of the best Health30 of the best Property28 of the best New Developments
10 of the best Luxury CarsHomes & Gardens North of EnglandHomes & Gardens East of EnglandHomes & Gardens South of EnglandHomes & Gardens West of England