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Subway rail systems

There are two underground railways in Britain: the extensive London Underground system and the Glasgow Subway.  There are also an increasing number of other light rail and tram lines around the country. 

Click here for the Glasgow Subway

The London Underground  or 'Tube'

London has one of the best urban transport systems in the world comprising the subway, buses, trams and river (together with walking and cycle routes).  These are today managed by Transport for London.  The first Underground line opened in 1863 connecting Paddington and Farrington and the system has grown ever since and now comprises a network of 11 lines covering a total of 253 miles with 268 stations and 3 million daily users.  The Tube actually has many uses including taking commuters from the suburbs into the city, connecting the main railway terminals and providing city centre transportation. 

Using the Tube

The Underground is very easy to use.  The 11 lines are colour coded and the world famous map shows how to get from station to station and where to change trains.  It also shows how to reach mainline railway stations from the underground network - most of which are located next to or in the same location. 

When you first arrive at the tube station, make your way to the ticket machines (or ticket counter) to purchase your ticket.  Ticket machines will accept coins and notes (although not Scottish or Northern Ireland bank notes) and most credit or debit cards (including American Express).  A valid ticket is needed for each person and you will need to put it into the barrier to gain entry to the platform and then keep it to feed into the barrier again to exit at your destination station. 

The Underground network is divided into zones, which are marked on the map.  Each zone you wish to travel to costs more or put another way you can travel within each of the zones for the same price regardless of the journey length.  Therefore if it is just a short journey between two stations you might be better walking. 

The Underground gets especially busy at busy times - before 0930 and after work (1700) so try to avoid those times if you are travelling and especially if you have luggage.  If you are travelling with luggage there are special ticket barriers at all stations that allow you to take your cases through more easily. 

The tube runs every day except Christmas Day from around 05.30 to just after midnight.  During the night there are special night buses. 

The Map and Ticket Types

Underground maps are freely available from stations.  You can click on the map to the left to open a large version of the map (from Wikipedia) which gives details of the lines, and shows the routes on their actual layout rather than the graphic style map which is usually used.   Fares are calculated according to zone.  There are six main zones and  stations on the Metropolitan line outside Greater London are in special Zones 7-9.  Zone 1 covers most of central London, while Zone 6 is the outermost and includes Heathrow Airport. 

 
What type of Ticket to buy? (April 2011 Prices Quoted)

* Peak times are 0430-0930 Monday to Friday (except Public Holidays). Off-Peak is at all other times - avoid these times for lower fares.

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London Buses and Trams

In addition to the excellent tube network there is also a fantastic bus system in London.  Often overlooked by the more famous tube system, the bus network is often an excellent way to get around.  When do London's buses make more sense?:

• When travelling between London King's Cross, Euston or St Pancras Stations and Marylebone Station.  Although all are on tube lines it is most direct to take a bus between the two, although if you have heavy luggage you might find the tube more convenient as the tube stations are inside the national rail stations. 

• When the tube is very busy, sometimes the buses may be less busy and more pleasant to travel on. 

• The Congestion charge has made London Streets much less busy with cars so that buses can now travel freely. 

• Buses are cheaper than using the Tube. 

• Try out one of the two heritage 'Routemaster' routes.  They are the only scheduled services still using London's famous bus and take in most of the sights you will want to visit such as Trafalgar Square, The City, St Pauls and the Tower of London. 

Bus Fares

Cash single	£2.20
Oyster single (same card as for tube - see above)	£1.30
Daily Oyster cap (Max payable in one day for unlimited journeys)	£4
7-day bus and tram pass	£17.80

Using the Bus

If using a Travelcard or Oyster Card, the same ticket as purchased at any tube station may be used on buses.  Alternatively tickets may be purchased from machines at bus stops or onboard. 

Bus stops are marked with signs such as the one on the left.  They tell you the direction the bus will be travelling in, it's ultimate destination and the name of the bus stop you are at.  They also have a list of bus numbers serving the stop.  Usually there will be a timetable for each bus listed at the stop and sometimes a map showing you where they go. 

If the stop says 'request' it means the bus will only stop if you ask it to by giving the driver a hand signal in plenty of time.  Just hold your hand out so they know to stop. 

When you get on tell the driver your destination and either pay for your fare or show your bus ticket / Travelcard / Oyster Card. 

Once on board find a seat and enjoy the journey.  Once you get to your destination ring the bell (there are buttons located throughout the vehicle) and it will stop at the next bus stop to let you off.

The Croydon Tramlink

As with the buses, the Oyster Card is the best ticket to get for London's tram lines.  There are three lines.  Route 1 runs from Elmers End to Croydon, route 2 from Beckenham Junction to Croydon, running every 10 minutes Monday - Saturday daytime, every 30 minutes at other times, and route 3 from New Addington to Wimbledon every 7.5 minutes Monday - Saturday daytime, every 15 minutes at other times. 

There are interchanges with the Underground only at Wimbledon (as the tram system serves an area which is not well served by the Tube network).  All stops have disabled access, raised paving, CCTV, a Passenger Help Point, a Passenger Information Display (PID), litter bins, a ticket machine, a noticeboard and lamp-posts, and most also have seats and a shelter.  Tickets may be purchased at stops, but as with other services the best value ticket is the Oyster Card.  For those wishing to purchase a tram ticket the single fare is £2.00 so it really is better to buy an Oyster Card (single fare £0.90) unless it really is just one journey that you will be making. 

Interchange with National Rail.  There are connections with National Rail stations at # Mitcham Junction, East Croydon, West Croydon, Wimbledon, Birkbeck, Beckenham Junction and Elmers End.   

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 The Glasgow Subway

Using the Subway

A single fare costs £1, a return £1.90.  For visitors there is an all day 'Discovery' ticket costing £2.50 which is provably the best value for money for visitors using the system.  There are also various season tickets if you are a regular user. 

If you are traveling as a family on holiday in the Strathclyde area, the best value ticket is the 'Daytripper' Ticket.  This unlimited travel fare is valid on the rail, bus and subway networks in Strathclyde after 0900 Mon - Fri and all day Saturday and Sunday. 

Connections with National Rail

Queen Street Station (GLQ) has its own Subway station and is clearly marked from the main station concourse - interestingly this is not mentioned in the official National Rail webpage for the station!  Keep in mind that the subway station is named Buchanan Street (after it's street location) and not Queen Street which is only the name of the mainline station, but they are in fact the same location! The other main station in the city, Glasgow Central (GLC) is about a five minute walk or short bus journey away.  The bus is free to rail passengers and operated by Strathclyde Passenger Transport - the same organisation as the subway.  This is the easiest way for passengers using Glasgow Central to join the subway. 

Partick (PTK) Station is a suburban station in Glasgow on the Glasgow Queen Street / Central to Helensburgh lines.  There is a Subway Station at this location within the mainline rail station and this makes another useful point to connect with the subway network.  West Highland Line trains do not stop here so it is easier to connect at Queen Street Station. 

The subway has a website with detailed information on the system - Glasgow Subway.

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