5 min read
London can feel a little daunting when you first arrive - but one thing London is known for is its world-class transport network. Once you understand it, you'll find the city is remarkably easy to explore. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to travel confidently from your very first day in the big city.
How to pay
The simplest way to travel around London is to tap your contactless debit or credit card, or use your phone with Apple/Google Pay. The system automatically calculates the correct fare and applies daily and weekly price caps – so once you've hit your limit, the rest of your day's travel is free.
An Oyster card is a reloadable smart card that works like a contactless bank card but is tied specifically to the TfL (Transport for London). You can pick one up at any underground station or airport and top it up with credit at station machines or online via the TfL website. Oyster cards are particularly useful if your bank card doesn't support contactless payments or if you prefer to keep your transport spending separate from your everyday banking.
If you're an international student or young adult, you may also benefit from a Railcard, a discount card that reduces the cost of eligible train travel across the UK. Certain Railcards, such as the 16-25 Railcard and 26-30 Railcard, can be linked to your Oyster card to give you discounted off-peak fares on London's transport network. To set this up, take your Oyster card and valid Railcard to a London Underground station and ask a member of staff to add the Railcard discount to your Oyster card. Once linked, the discount will be applied automatically to eligible off-peak journeys.
Key rule: Always tap out when you exit a Tube or train station. Forgetting means you may be charged the maximum fare for that journey.
What things cost
A single Tube journey in London typically costs between £2.20 and £5.60, depending on the time of day and the zones you travel through. Bus fares are simpler - each journey costs £1.75, and you can make unlimited bus and tram journeys within one hour of tapping in without paying extra.
One of the biggest benefits of using an Oyster card or contactless payment is fare capping. Instead of buying a travel pass in advance, TfL automatically limits the amount you pay each day or week. The cap varies depending on the zones you travel through, but once you reach it, any additional eligible journeys during that period are effectively free. This means you never pay more than the cost of an equivalent Travelcard for your travel pattern.
For most students, pay-as-you-go travel with an Oyster card or contactless bank card is the simplest and most cost-effective option, as you'll automatically benefit from the relevant fare caps without needing to plan ahead.
Getting from the airport
All of London's main airports have direct rail connections into the city, making it relatively straightforward to reach your accommodation or campus after landing.
If you're arriving at Heathrow, the Elizabeth line is often the easiest option. It takes around 35-45 minutes to reach central London, and you can simply use an Oyster card or contactless bank card to pay as you travel.
Students landing at Gatwick can take a Thameslink service directly into central London. Trains run frequently and connect to several major stations, including Farringdon and Blackfriars, both of which are convenient for continuing your journey towards LSE.
Those arriving at Stansted Airport can use the Stansted Express, which travels to Liverpool Street Station in approximately 47 minutes. Tickets can be purchased in advance online or at the station on arrival. From Liverpool Street, you can take the Central line to Holborn and walk to LSE, or continue via the Tube network depending on where you're staying.
London City Airport is the closest airport to central London. The Docklands Light Railway (DLR) connects the airport to Bank Station in around 20 minutes, where you can transfer to the Central line or walk to nearby Underground stations for onward travel towards Holborn and the LSE campus.
Whichever airport you arrive at, it's worth planning your route before travelling and checking for any engineering works or service disruptions, particularly if you're arriving late at night or during weekends.
Getting your bearings: Zones
London is divided into numbered fare zones, from Zone 1 (central London, where LSE is based) outwards. The majority of your journeys will be in Zones 1-2, which cover all of central and the inner city.
Getting around: your transport options
1. The Tube
London's famous Underground network has 11 colour-coded lines connecting to most of the city - this will be the backbone of most of your journeys. It's fast, frequent and reliable. Each line has a name and a colour – so maps are easy to read even on your first day.
Several Tube lines and Overground routes run through the night on Fridays and Saturdays, so you can travel safely and affordably after midnight without relying on taxis (which can be expensive!). Night services run on the Central, Jubilee, Northern, Piccadilly, and Victoria lines, as well as parts of the Overground.
2. Buses
You may have seen the iconic double-decker buses running around the city, they even reach areas the Tube doesn't serve. Buses, albeit a little slower than the Tube, are still an amazing way to see the city above ground. We recommend getting a seat on the top floor for the best views! They run 24 hours a day on many routes, which is especially handy late at night.
3. Cycling
London's public bike-hire scheme has docking stations across central London, making cycling a convenient option for shorter journeys. For students living close to campus, cycling can often be quicker than waiting for a bus or making a short Tube journey, particularly during rush hour. It's also an affordable way to explore the city and travel between nearby neighbourhoods.
London has invested heavily in cycling infrastructure in recent years, with dedicated cycle lanes and quieter cycling routes across many parts of the city. As with any major city, it's important to stay aware of traffic and follow local road rules, but many students find cycling to be a practical and enjoyable way to get around.
Single rides on Santander Cycles cost £1.65 for up to 30 minutes. You can hire a bike using the Santander Cycles app or directly from a docking station.
4. River Travel
For a different perspective on the city, try the Uber Boat by Thames Clippers river bus service. Running along the River Thames, it connects central London with destinations further east, including Greenwich and Canary Wharf. You can pay using an Oyster card or contactless bank card, making it an easy and scenic alternative to the Tube for certain journeys.
5. Walking
Central London is more compact than it looks on a map, with many landmarks, museums, and LSE buildings within easy walking distance of each other. Walking is free, good for you, and often the best way to stumble across something unexpected. For shorter journeys, it can even be quicker than taking public transport once you factor in waiting times, station changes, and busy rush-hour crowds.
Saving Money on Travel
London's transport network can be expensive if you're not familiar with how fares work, but there are several easy ways to keep costs down.
- Use contactless payment or an Oyster card to benefit from automatic daily and weekly fare caps.
- If you're eligible for a Railcard, link it to your Oyster card to receive discounted off-peak fares on eligible journeys.
- Walk or cycle for shorter trips. Central London is often more compact than it appears on a map, and cycling can be quicker than public transport during busy periods.
- Take advantage of the one-hour Hopper fare on buses and trams, which allows unlimited journeys within one hour of your first tap-in for a single fare.
- Plan ahead when travelling from airports such as Stansted or Gatwick, as advance train tickets can sometimes be cheaper than buying on the day.
For most students, a combination of walking, cycling, and pay-as-you-go travel with an Oyster card or contactless bank card offers the best balance of convenience and values.
Getting around: useful apps
Citymapper combines every mode of transport into one journey plan, so you can compare your options and pick the route that suits your needs. Google Maps and Apple Maps also offer reliable journey planning across public transport, walking, and cycling - and if you already use either on your phone, they're a perfectly good place to start.
Your first day: keep it simple
- Have a contactless bank card ready, or pick up an Oyster card when you arrive.
- Download Citymapper, Google Maps or Apple Maps before leaving the airport to help plan your journey.
- Download the TfL Go app for live travel information, service updates, and step-free route planning.
- Remember to tap in and tap out when using the Tube, Elizabeth line, DLR, and most rail services.
- Check your route before travelling, especially if you're arriving late at night or at the weekend.
- Don't be afraid to ask station staff for help - they're used to assisting visitors and new arrivals.
You've got this
Within a few days, London's transport network will start to feel completely natural. What might seem overwhelming at first soon becomes your gateway to the city.
The Tube will take you to new neighbourhoods, museums, markets, and weekend adventures with friends. Buses offer a chance to see London's famous streets and landmarks from above ground. Walking and cycling can help you discover hidden cafés, green spaces, and corners of the city you might otherwise miss. Whether you're heading to a lecture, exploring a new area, or finding a quiet park to recharge, London's transport network gives you the freedom to make the city your own.
Millions of people from every corner of the world use it every day. Before long, you'll be confidently navigating London too - and making the most of everything the city has to offer.
Welcome to London!