Traveling anywhere can present some inherent logistical (and financial) challenges. Wherever you go, knowing some of the tricks can help you get around, save on your stay, and find extremely fun things to do. In common parlance, these tricks and shortcuts in life are also known as “hacks” and can be very helpful for everyday life. London certainly has no shortage of hacks … [Read more...] about Ten London Travel Hacks
Travel
The Fiver: Five Things to Look Forward to in London this Christmas
Even though Thanksgiving has yet to happen here in the States, the Christmas season is upon us both at home and abroad. In London, November is when the holiday really kicks into gear as the streets become lined with decorations, and many Christmas events help residents and visitors to get into the spirit of the season. In our first real post-pandemic Christmas, you can expect … [Read more...] about The Fiver: Five Things to Look Forward to in London this Christmas
London Alert: Strike by London Underground workers to go ahead after last-minute talks fail
A strike by London Underground workers will go ahead on Thursday after last-minute talks failed to resolve a dispute over pay, jobs and conditions. The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) said Transport for London (TfL) had refused its offer to suspend strike action. The union said it asked TfL to pause job cuts and detrimental pension changes to give both sides the … [Read more...] about London Alert: Strike by London Underground workers to go ahead after last-minute talks fail
The Fiver – Five Unusual Transportation Methods in London
Getting around London can be a hassle for many, especially if you traverse the city by car. This is why many turn to public transport, including busses, cabs, ride share, Boris Bikes, and the London Underground to move about. However, these are not the only ways to get around, and there are means of transportation available that you may never have considered. We’re going to … [Read more...] about The Fiver – Five Unusual Transportation Methods in London
London Mayor hails Elizabeth line as direct routes and Sunday services begin
Sadiq Khan has hailed the “huge success” of the Elizabeth Line as Sunday services and more direct routes were opened. The Mayor of London joined transport leaders to ride the £19 billion railway from Stratford to Paddington on Sunday morning. The trip marked the opening of direct routes across the line as well as a seven-day service for the first time since the line … [Read more...] about London Mayor hails Elizabeth line as direct routes and Sunday services begin
Elizabeth line fully opens and offers more direct journeys
The £19 billion Elizabeth line railway will open seven days a week and offer more direct journeys from today. Services in the tunnels across London have previously been suspended almost every Sunday since the line opened on May 24 to allow more testing to take place. The line stretches from Reading in Berkshire and Heathrow Airport in west London to Abbey Wood in … [Read more...] about Elizabeth line fully opens and offers more direct journeys
Ten Interesting Facts about the M25 Motorway
Sometimes referred to as “The World’s Biggest Carpark” by Londoners, the M25 is a major ring road that encircles the capital city of the United Kingdom. It was part of the plan for London after World War II to ease traffic congestion and now forms a de facto border for Greater London. You might not think that there are many interesting things to learn about a really long … [Read more...] about Ten Interesting Facts about the M25 Motorway
London Alert: Oxford Street Christmas lights switched on – but for shorter time amid Britain’s energy crisis
London’s annual Christmas lights display has been switched on – but will illuminate Oxford Street for reduced hours this year amid the ongoing energy crisis. Energy consumption will be cut by two-thirds in comparison to last year, according to the New West End Company. The festive switch-on is a big event in the capital’s calendar as the run-up to the holiday season … [Read more...] about London Alert: Oxford Street Christmas lights switched on – but for shorter time amid Britain’s energy crisis
UK’s largest jellyfish to go on display at Sea Life London Aquarium
Visitors to the Sea Life London Aquarium can view a special display in time for World Jellyfish Day. In a UK first, experts at the aquarium have raised Barrel jellyfish, having bred the species from their juvenile stage as polyps in its specialist breeding laboratory. The mushroom-shaped creatures are the UK’s largest jellyfish, growing up to one metre wide in the … [Read more...] about UK’s largest jellyfish to go on display at Sea Life London Aquarium
Heathrow passenger numbers ‘will take years to return to pre-pandemic levels,’ ends passenger cap
It will take years for Heathrow to get back to carrying as many passengers as before the pandemic, bosses have revealed. The UK’s largest airport is expected to carry between 60 million and 62 million passengers this year. It is a quarter fewer than 2019 – the year before Covid-19 hit the global economy. This summer, airlines and airports faced major problems as they … [Read more...] about Heathrow passenger numbers ‘will take years to return to pre-pandemic levels,’ ends passenger cap
Final preparations underway for opening of Bond Street’s Elizabeth line station
Final preparations are underway for the delayed opening of the Elizabeth line station in Bond Street, central London. Trial evacuations, testing of fire control systems, and extensive security checks are taking place ahead of the station opening next Monday. Under initial plans for the east-west railway, Bond Street was due to open with all the other stations in December … [Read more...] about Final preparations underway for opening of Bond Street’s Elizabeth line station
Hidden London Tours of Abandoned Tube Stations Return
I've done several of these tours, and I can highly recommend them. Hidden London have announced a new schedule, and you can see all the details below. I would recommend booking as soon as possible as the tours often fill up quickly! London Transport Museum’s new season of award-winning Hidden London tours is now on sale, offering privileged access to parts of the … [Read more...] about Hidden London Tours of Abandoned Tube Stations Return
Heathrow regains status as Europe’s busiest airport
Heathrow has regained its status as Europe’s busiest airport. The west London airport said it was used by more passengers between July and September than rivals in cities such as Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Madrid. A year ago, Heathrow blamed the UK’s comparatively strict coronavirus travel rules for it being just the 10th busiest airport in Europe, after being number … [Read more...] about Heathrow regains status as Europe’s busiest airport
Transport for London adds electric bikes to hire scheme
Electric bikes have been added to Transport for London’s (TfL) cycle hire scheme. The capital’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, said it is a “momentous moment for cycling” in the capital. TfL has made 500 e-bikes available to hire from 800 Santander Cycles docking stations. They cost £3.30 per 30-minute ride – twice the price of standard bikes. Mr. Khan said: “I am delighted … [Read more...] about Transport for London adds electric bikes to hire scheme
Elizabeth line’s Bond Street station to finally open October 24th
Bond Street station on London’s Elizabeth line will open on Monday, October 24, Transport for London (TfL) has announced. The new railway began running in May, but trains have not called at Bond Street due to delays completing the station. The opening of Bond Street – which is subject to “final approvals” – is expected to ease congestion at nearby Oxford Circus Tube … [Read more...] about Elizabeth line’s Bond Street station to finally open October 24th
Transport for London boss American Andy Byford quits after funding deal secured
Transport for London (TfL) boss Andy Byford will leave the organization at the end of October. The organization said Mr. Byford – who became transport commissioner in June 2020 – will “resume life in the United States” and is “closing out a 33-year public service career”. TfL’s chief operating officer Andy Lord will take on the role of commissioner on an interim … [Read more...] about Transport for London boss American Andy Byford quits after funding deal secured
Three Tube stations to close before Queen’s funeral to avoid overcrowding
Three central London Tube stations will be closed on the morning of the Queen’s funeral to prevent overcrowding. Transport for London (TfL) announced that passengers will be prevented from starting or ending journeys at Westminster, St James’s Park and Hyde Park Corner stations for “most of the morning” on Monday. The transport body said it “will aim to reopen stations” … [Read more...] about Three Tube stations to close before Queen’s funeral to avoid overcrowding
London hotel prices soar ahead of the Queen’s funeral
People planning to visit London for the Queen’s funeral face soaring hotel bills. Hotel prices are up to four times higher on Sunday – the night before the funeral – compared with a week later, analysis by the PA news agency found. Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to line the streets of the capital during the funeral at Westminster Abbey. Many visitors … [Read more...] about London hotel prices soar ahead of the Queen’s funeral
Tunneling starts for new London river crossing Silvertown Tunnel
Tunneling has started for a new river crossing in east London. Transport for London (TfL) announced that a tunnel boring machine (TBM) has been launched at Royal Docks to excavate the 1.4km (0.9-mile) Silvertown Tunnel under the Thames. Once it has completed the first tunnel by reaching the Greenwich peninsula, it will be turned around and directed back to Royal Docks to … [Read more...] about Tunneling starts for new London river crossing Silvertown Tunnel
London Alert: Tube journeys to Heathrow via Zone 1 to be charged at peak rate from Sunday, September 4th
Tube passengers traveling to Heathrow via Zone 1 will be charged at peak rate from Sunday to help Transport for London (TfL) recover from the pandemic. Commuters taking the new Elizabeth line through the central zone to London’s busiest airport will be charged £12.80, up from £10.80, while those on the Piccadilly line will pay £5.50, up from £3.50. From Sunday, September … [Read more...] about London Alert: Tube journeys to Heathrow via Zone 1 to be charged at peak rate from Sunday, September 4th
Eurostar ends direct trains from London to Disneyland Paris
Eurostar is to axe its direct train service between London and Disneyland Paris. The company announced that the route will be suspended from June 5 next year. It stated that it must focus on its “core routes” such as London-Paris and London-Brussels as it is recovering from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and monitoring European Union plans to tighten entry … [Read more...] about Eurostar ends direct trains from London to Disneyland Paris
New sponsor for London’s cable car found – now the IFS Cloud Cable Car
Cash-strapped Transport for London (TfL) has finally found a new sponsor for its cable car, but will receive a fraction of what it earned under the previous deal. A contract seen by the PA news agency shows technology company IFS will pay just £420,000 per year for the naming rights of the east London link between The O2 in Greenwich Peninsular and Royal Victoria … [Read more...] about New sponsor for London’s cable car found – now the IFS Cloud Cable Car
Tube Histories: A Brief History of the Piccadilly Line
In our next entry on the history of the various Tube lines, we explore the history of the Piccadilly Line, which hits some important spots in London from Heathrow Airport to Buckingham Palace. As with many of the Underground’s lines, the Piccadilly Line has its start in the old underground railways that preceded the creation of the London Passenger Transport Board and the … [Read more...] about Tube Histories: A Brief History of the Piccadilly Line
A Brief History of the Northern Line
Looking at the London Underground map, you might be forgiven for thinking there’s been a mistake and that you’re looking at two separate lines instead of one. This is because the Northern Line has its origins in two separate railways that eventually merged into one even though they run on two parallel routes. However, it might be a good thing that the Northern Line is two … [Read more...] about A Brief History of the Northern Line
What Makes the Elizabeth Line Different from Other Underground Lines?
If you’ve looked at the London Underground map lately, you may have noticed a sharp purple line cutting from east to west. This is the new Elizabeth Line, formerly known as Crossrail, a hybrid commuter rail and rapid transit service. It has been in development since 2005 and finally opened this year after financial and construction setbacks caused in part by the COVID19 … [Read more...] about What Makes the Elizabeth Line Different from Other Underground Lines?
Londontopia is simply the website for people who love London. It was founded by Jonathan & Jackie Thomas from Anglotopia.net as a place to post articles solely focused on London and its environs. Keep up with all the latest London news at Londontopia! This site is geared towards people who love to visit London and our primary audience is North American but everyone is welcome!