Plan your stay · NourNest
Getting around London: a practical visitor guide
Start with your apartment’s exact address and the place you want to visit. Use TfL’s journey planner to compare routes, then choose how to pay. A sightseeing bus or cruise can be part of your day, but you do not need to buy one to use London’s regular public transport.
Transport guidance checked against the linked official sources on 3 October 2026. Check live routes and fares before travelling.
Contactless or Oyster?
Contactless and Oyster both offer pay-as-you-go travel. If you use contactless, keep to the same physical card or the same device throughout the journey. Your phone and the plastic card linked to it are not interchangeable for tapping in and out.
When should I tap out?
On the Tube and rail journeys within the pay-as-you-go area, touch in at the start and out at the end. On London buses and trams, touch in only. Keep your payment card separate from other contactless cards when using the reader.
For current fares, caps and eligibility for discounts, check TfL before deciding what to buy. Check separately that your intended rail journey is within the contactless or Oyster area.
TfL: how to pay the right fare →Plan from the front door
Use the address in your booking confirmation rather than just the neighbourhood name. Compare the whole journey, including walking to the station and any changes. For a day of sightseeing, grouping nearby stops can leave more time to explore.
With luggage, a buggy or a wheelchair, check the complete route. TfL’s planner offers accessibility preferences, including step-free access to the platform or full step-free access. Check live disruption before leaving.
Arriving from the airport
Compare your airport’s official transport information with a route to your apartment’s postcode. Check the service on your arrival date, luggage arrangements and the last departure if landing late. Before buying a transfer, confirm the airport, terminal, destination and whether the ticket covers your whole journey.
When is a sightseeing ticket useful?
Consider a sightseeing bus if the route and stops match the places you want to see. Choose a river cruise if time on the water is part of the experience you want. Compare departure points, journey length, return options and accessibility before booking.
A sightseeing ticket has its own terms. Do not assume it includes regular TfL services, a return trip or entry to attractions; read the specific listing.
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Choose a neighbourhood to explore
Find places to eat and things to see, then check apartment locations against the journeys you expect to make.
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