Quick Survival Guide: The Basics
Quick Survival Guide: The Basics
True, there are more lengthy and informative "survival guides" all over the place...but you are a New Yorker. You don't have to be bothered with such trifling rubbish. Here is a list of the key things that you've absolutely got to know (and/or wish I knew before getting there).
The best way to get around in London is by public transportation. London's "subway" is called the Tube, and it is a much cleaner and happier place than the New York City Subway System. Here is a link to the London Transport website. You can either pay your fare by single-ride tickets, which are more expensive and not as cool as the Oyster card, which is magnetic. Simply tap the yellow circle on the turnstile to enter AND exit the tube. The fare is based on how far you travel in the system. Fare cards can be purchased/or refilled (topped up) in the stations. Buses charge a flat rate, and you only need to tap your card when you enter. Remember not to try to hold opened the closing doors...they do not take kindly to fingers, arms, heads, faces and torsos that get in the way.
As a New Yorker, I have two complaints about public transport in London: the first, there are no "free transfers" between buses and trains (and fares are somewhat pricey by New York standards). The second, the trains stop running at night, so when you head out, be sure to check to see when the last train leaves the station, and be sure to give yourself enough time to catch it if you plan on catching it. As an alternative to trains an night, London has a night bus system: special buses that run special routes at night. Be sure to figure out what bus or buses you need to bring you back home, and where to pick them up.
London Cabs are wonderful, but also rather expensive. To save yourself a few quid, you might consider taking a mini cab. Mini cabs are generall cheaper, more like a car service company. Make sure to ONLY take a licensed mini cab. Here's what TFL (Transport for London) has to say about Minicabs.
While London can be a very expensive place to live, and the pound is much stronger than the dollar, you can still find ways to not starve while in London. Never underestimate fish'n'chips. Street vendors have rather good food for cheap, especially at the markets. While in London, I survived mostly on Tea and Triangle Sandwiches (and salt and vinegar chips). You can pick up food for not-so-much-money in supermarkets, which was a wonderful realization for a rather hungry college student trying to live on £7 a day.
London can get very hot in the summer, but you can also get those damp, misty, rainy, chilly days. I was in London from late June to early August. We had quite a few gorgeous days of sunshine and warmth, but not once in my entire time there did I say "I wish I brought some lighter cloathing."In the evenings the temperature dropped a bit, and I was rather glad for my comforter, and on occasion, I slept in my sweatpants with a sweater over my pajama top. Always dress in layers.
I've also been to London in November. At the time, I was told that it was a fluke, that we happened to be there for the coldest November ever, but man was it COLD. Check to see what the weather is like at the time you are planning on going. Be sure to bring comfortable shoes, as the best way to experience London is on foot.
