{"id":5351,"date":"2018-11-02T14:38:26","date_gmt":"2018-11-02T14:38:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/britanniastudents.com\/?p=5351"},"modified":"2020-07-13T12:42:20","modified_gmt":"2020-07-13T11:42:20","slug":"an-international-students-guide-to-the-london-transport-system-part-2-buses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/britanniastudents.com\/blog\/an-international-students-guide-to-the-london-transport-system-part-2-buses\/","title":{"rendered":"An International Student\u2019s Guide to the London Transport System: Part 2 Buses"},"content":{"rendered":"

Whichever area you pick for your student housing, London\u2019s bus system will be accessible virtually outside your front door. Whether you pick a homestay outside the centre or an apartment share in the heart of the city, you\u2019ll have good access to this form of transport.<\/em><\/p>\n

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My experience of the network has always been positive. It is vast, cheap and runs 24\/7 in most places. Before you come to study here, it\u2019s worth familiarising yourself with the way it works.<\/p>\n

Tickets & Fares<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Unlike travel on the trains and tubes, there are no fare zones for buses. So wherever choose for your student housing, London<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s bus fares will be the same.<\/p>\n

Paying for Your Journey<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n

In the old days you could buy a ticket with cash as you got on the bus. That is no longer possible so make sure you have your Oyster Card, Travelcard or Contactless bank card with you when you board.<\/p>\n

Cost of Fare<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n

In my opinion, the most economical way to get around London is by bus (and you get to see much more of the city from above ground). A single journey costs only \u00a31.50 and if you change buses within an hour of starting your journey, the subsequent rides are free.<\/p>\n

There are daily, weekly and monthly passes too \u2013 if, like me, you prefer to regularly use the bus system rather than the tube then you\u2019ll save some money with these passes.<\/p>\n

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Maps & Timetables<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The network covers the entire city and its suburbs so the map system is complex. There are lots of downloadable maps available from Transport for London (TfL) and tourist websites, but the most useful tool for me is TfL\u2019s TravelBot<\/a><\/strong>. I use this app to find my nearest stop or check when the next bus is due.<\/p>\n

Night Services<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If you go out late with your friends you will probably need the service to get back to your student housing. London transport after midnight is primarily by bus, although more and more tube lines are starting to offer 24-hour trains.<\/p>\n

I love the night buses \u2013 if you\u2019re studying abroad because you want a cultural experience then you\u2019ll certainly get one when you join the passengers on these late night journeys.<\/p>\n

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London Tours<\/strong><\/h3>\n

As I mentioned, you get to see so much of London when you ride on a bus. And there are certain routes that you can use to experience your own London tour for just \u00a31.50!<\/p>\n

The routes I like best are: 9, 14, 15 and 22. There\u2019s an excellent chance that you\u2019ll be living on one of these routes and that there\u2019s a stop outside your student housing. London is best seen from the top of an iconic double decker bus!<\/p>\n

You can find itineraries that will cover some of the major landmarks on the TfL website<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Some Handy Tips<\/strong><\/h3>\n