The incredibly comprehensive Transport for London website tells you everything you need to know about getting around London. What's more, you can purchase Visitor Travel Cards online, and they'll be mailed to you free -- even in the US.
Visitor Travel Cards are long-term tickets for unlimited Tube and bus travel. Visitors may purchase Travel Cards of up to 1 week duration, but they must be purchased online -- they're not available in London. A one-week Travel Card for all zones (areas) within London costs £39.50. (If you are only going to travel within the center of London, the cost is £20.) Considering that a single fare on the Tube is £2, if you ride Transport 3 times in a day during your week visit, you've more than paid for the card. In any case, you don't have to worry about having correct change for your ride, just show your Travel Card.
TubeGuru is an interactive Tube Map that highlights attractions, restaurants, etc. near Tube stations. Warning -- it only seems to work properly in Internet Explorer.
Speaking of the Tube, did you know that the London Underground has dozens of abandoned stations? I can't imagine a station being closed here in the D.C. subway, but London Transport has closed stations continually since the system opened, either for low passenger counts or to move the station or line to another location. In one instance, they built a station but then never bothered to open it! This site lists the abandoned stations and shows pictures of what you can only see in the dim light as your train passes through the tunnel.
Posted by Gene at March 11, 2004 07:00 AM