Alongside the more obvious ways of getting around the city, London provides a selection of more unique travel options. From the overground to the DLR, from river services to walking, the alternatives are covered here.

Overground

Overground trains are often the best option if you live a further away from the centre of London, or if your tube route is on the slow side. Locations in northwest London (Kensal Green, Queen’s Park) benefit from an excellent service to Euston, whilst many areas south of the river are just a short journey from Waterloo. You can now touch in to platforms using Oyster cards, meaning that overground services are just as convenient as the tube. Trains tend to run less frequently, however, so check a timetable before you set off.

DLR

The Docklands Light Railway (DLR) originally provided an alternative means of transport for those commuting from east London to Canary Wharf. It has since expanded to include links to and from Bank, Greenwich and City Airport.  It runs every 5-10 minutes and carries over 70 million passengers per year. It is the best alternative for travelling to Canary Wharf if the Jubilee line is down.

Click here for a map of the DLR.

River Bus

The River Bus is a particularly leisurely way of travelling around the city, and doesn’t offer a wide range of destinations to choose from. As you would expect, it is also more expensive to travel by boat, with the average Oyster single price at £3. As such, this is a great option for a day out, rather than a feasible method of making the daily trip to work.

For more information on the River Bus routes and fares, click here.

Walking

You’ll be amazed at how close everything is in London, particularly in the centre. It often makes most sense to walk to one’s destination, although the existence of such an extensive public transport system can occasionally obscure this fact. By walking, you get to know your way around London quicker than by using other method of transport; encountering places that you didn’t know existed, and making mental notes of areas you’d like to visit again. Walking is less advisable at night, unless you are in a group of people and don’t plan on travelling very far. Overall, though, walking is good for the environment, good for you, and, most crucially, free!