London style
London, capital of Britain, is always surprising and innovative, and although it strictly adheres to ancient traditions, it also knows how to adapt the newest trends in all areas - clothing, art, music, food. As in any large city, also in central London the most convenient way to get around and from one attraction to another is by using public transport. In an effort to reduce air pollution and noise nuisances and alleviate the traffic jam problems and the chronic shortage of parking, London charges congestion fees - a charge collected from vehicles driving in areas defined as Congestion Zones during certain times of the day.
The fee in London is collected during the work week - on Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 18: 30 PM and the fines for failure to pay this fee are extremely high.
What brings us back to public transport, which as said is the best way to get around downtown. London’s underground, called the Tube, is easy to navigate as long as you are careful to check on the map the color of the line you need and the name of the final station, in order to know in which direction the train is going. Unlike New York, where the subway operates 24 hours a day, the London Tube’s operation starts at 5:00 AM and closes at midnight. So, if you plan on spending time until the wee hours of the night you should know that a few bus lines operate throughout the day and other lines, designated for night time, operate during the hours when the subway does not operate.
Speaking of buses, who isn’t familiar with the red double-decker bus in London? While not all buses in the British capital are double-deckers, if you get on one, go up to the second floor to get a scenic view of the streets and the impressive buildings. It is recommended to buy the bus ticket before getting on the bus at the ticket vending machine located at the bus stop, and if you haven’t done so, make sure you have the exact amount, as the driver doesn't customarily give back any change. It’s possible to purchase a pack of tickets for buses as well as for the Tube at a slight discount than buying single tickets, a day pass for free use of public transport for 24 hours, a ticket that is good for a few days, and so on - a good deal for someone who plans to use public transport frequently.
Another option for getting around downtown London is using the black cab, another classic symbol of the city. The ride using such cab is enjoyable at first, however you will soon find out that standing in the constant downtown traffic jams makes the ride very expensive, and the meter keeps on going vigorously even when your driver crawls like a turtle...
London stretches over a huge area, and there are neighborhoods that although considered to be a part of the city, are located very far from the center and the public transport means to such are less convenient and efficient, and are sometimes quite expensive. In cases like these, if you are staying in one of the city’s suburbs or wish to stay with family or friends living in a remote neighborhood, its better to rent a car.
When renting a car in England, the first and foremost thing to remember is that driving there is on the left side of the street, meaning opposite from what we do here. Everything here is reversed: The steering wheel is on the right side, the passenger sitting next to the driver enters through the left door, bypassing other cars is done from the right, when entering a roundabout, entering is through the opposite side than that here, and the right of way is given to the car entering the roundabout from the right... And if that were not enough, the distances and speed limits are noted in miles, not kilometers (1 mile equals 1.6 kilometers). But once you get used to all of these, driving on the roads outside the city is convenient (and very enjoyable for those who love challenges) and the green landscapes and quaint villages you reach more than compensate for all of difficulties.
The allowed speed in urban areas is usually 30 miles per hour, and on highways - 70 miles per hour. On interurban roads with one lane the speed limit is lower, you should follow the road signs in order to avoid going over the speed limit. In rural areas the roads are very narrow, sometimes with stone walls on the margins, and the drive through them is slow. It’s better to drive under the speed limit; however this enables you to experience the tranquil life of the residents and the region’s scenery.
And if you wish to go further out from London’s suburbs, it’s recommended you go to Oxford, the beautiful ancient city hosting one of the world's most prestigious universities. Another charming region within driving distance from London is the Cotswolds, a rural region northwest of London, with picturesque villages of stone houses and straw or slate sloping roofs, rounded hills and sheep grazing peacefully in the meadow, postcard picture beautiful.
