You’re wasting your time trying to drive around London, as the congestion is pretty horrendous. As for cycling, well again the traffic is bad, and if you don’t end up getting knocked down you will definitely do yourself damage from chugging the fumes from all those cars going nowhere in a hurry! If you want to see London, you can stroll in the finer months, or take advantage of the touring double-decker buses. These old school people carriers are the last of the original red buses that used to be so synonymous with London and offer a really authentic way to admire the city. If you’re heading along the Thames you can get one of the many ferry boats for an excellent perspective on the new developments along the river banks, which sit easily alongside the old Victorian structures.

Of course, it goes without saying that the most efficient way to get around the city is by taking the Tube. Some might argue that staring at a train platform is hardly the most scenic of pursuits, but the London Underground network has been around since the dawns of time and no trip to the city would be complete without experiencing the city’s metro system.

If you’re around for a while you’d do well to get yourself an oyster card, which gives you a good discount on travel prices on the Underground. Then it’s just a case of working your way round the system (which you’ll find is pretty user friendly). The network is made up of Zones 1 to 6, which describes the position of the Underground Station, with Zone 1 being the central area and Zone 6 being the outer ring of the network, and the train’s directions being described by the platform – i.e. Northbound, Southbound, Eastbound or Westbound. Just work out the line that you’re destination is on, choose the corresponding platform to the direction (i.e. North, South, East or West) and away you go.

Of course if you want to ride in style you can flag down one of the many black cabs knocking around the city. They cost a bit more but they’re always fair and you certainly won’t get ripped off. Just keep your eyes peeled for the lit up sign on the roof – this means it’s available, and then flag it down. Remember it’s seen as the done thing to leave a 10% tip.

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