Travelling in London
London is a city full of sights, history and atmosphere. There are plenty of places to go. Wherever you are you'll find a bus and underground nearby. So you can reach any part of London easily and enjoy the ride. There are handy leaflets with maps and information to plan your journeys. If you need further information, 24-hour personal travel information by telephone is provided.
The wide choice of public transport includes bus, underground (subway), train (BR) and Docklands Light Railway (DLR). Most of South London relies on British Rail overground services, while the redeveloped Eastern part of the city - known as Docklands -is served by the DLR.
Getting out of the city is not straightforward because there are more than a dozen British Rail terminals - usually grandiose Victorian buildings - which connect the metropolis with the rest of the country, so make sure you know your station for arrival or departure.
The main London airports are Heathrow, Gatwick, London City Airport and Stanstead.
Heathrowis 15 miles west of London. Central London is a 45 minute journey on the tube. Alternatively take a licensed Black Cab[i]straight to your hotel or the Airbus. The Airbus and the tube are much cheaper than a taxi. Tube trains run every few minutes from early morning to late evening. It is best for people with light luggage. Airbus is ideal if you have lots of luggage. They can be boarded near all major hotels, rail and coach stations and all airport terminals. Airbuses run every 15 to 30 minutes throughout the day and are fast and comfortable with friendly drivers who offer advice and information. Disabled travellers are welcome.
Gatwick, 30 miles from London, is served by the Gatwick Express train, taking 30 minutes to Victoria[1] and costing £8.60 one way. Some commuter trains[2] go to and from Clapham Junction[3] and London Bridge. A Greenline Coach[4] service connects Gatwick with Victoria in Central London, taking about 75 minutes and costing £8.90.
London City Airport is only 6 miles east of the City. The nearest rail station is Silvertown, which connects with the tube at West Ham[5].Also, shuttle buses[6] connect the airport with Canary Wharf DLR and Liverpool Street station in the City.
Stanstead. A rail service connects this airport, 32 miles NE of London with the City's Liverpool Street station, taking about 40 min (£10.80).
There are over 20,000 licensed Black Cabs in London. Every driver has undergone a stringent test of London's geography called The Knowledge. You will find them a wealth of knowledge. Black Cabs can be hailed in the street when their "For Hire" sign is illuminated. Avoid unlicensed mini-cabs, especially those touting outside stations.
Exercise. Find words in the text that mean the same or similar to the following:
1.places worth seeing
2.not far
3.to get to
4.journey
5.printed sheet with announcement or short information; a small booklet
6.directly
7.baggage
8.important; big
9.invalid
10.local train
11.a bus which runs there and back
12.severe
[1]Victoria- большой лондонский вокзал, главная конечная станция Южногорайона
[2]commutertrain [ka'mjuita] - пригородныйпоезд
[3]ClaphamJunction [ 'klspsm ,d3Aok|3n] - Клэпэмскийузел (одинизкруп-
нейших железнодорожных узлов Великобритании - в южной части Лондона)
[4]GreenlineCoach- "зеленый автобус" лондонских пригородных ли-
ний; окрашен в зеленый цвет
[5]WestHam = WestHamUnited— Лондонский футбольный клуб
[6]shuttlebus[ 'JAtl] — автобус, курсирующий туда и обратно
[i]BlackCab–такси