London (Fodor's 2012) - Fodor's [233]
London’s mayor, Boris Johnson, is a real cycling enthusiast and keen to make the capital more bike-friendly. A 24-hour cycle-for-hire scheme, the Barclays Cycle Hire, was introduced in 2010 to enable Londoners to pick up a bicycle at one of more than 400 docking stations and return it at another. You can find a map of docking stations at the Web site below. The first 30 minutes are free. After that, charges rise incrementally from £1 for one hour up to £50 for the entire 24 hours. There is also a £1 per-day access charge. Fees are payable online, by phone or at docking stations, by credit or debit cards only—cash is not accepted. To sign up, a user goes to the TfL (Transport for London) Web site and then receives a bike key in the mail, so this scheme is really meant for locals, not tourists. But whether you join the Barclays Cycle Hire scheme or just, per usual, hire a bike for rent from a rental shop, remember that London is still a busy metropolis: unless you’re familiar with riding in London traffic, the best way to see it on two wheels is probably to contact one of the excellent cycle tour companies that aim to take you around town, avoiding all the busy routes and traveling along cycle lanes and river paths, down quiet backstreets and through parks.
Tour Operators Barclays Cycle Hire(0845/026–3630 within U.K., 208/216–6666 from outside U.K. | www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/cycling/14808.aspx). Cycle Tours of London (0207/737–4802 | www.biketoursoflondon.com). Fat Tire Bike Tours (0788/238–779 within U.K., 0788/238–8779 from outside U.K. | www.fattirebiketours.com). London Bicycle Tour Company (0207/928–6838 | www.londonbicycle.com).
BOAT TOURS
Year-round, but more frequently from April to October, boats cruise the Thames, offering a different view of the London skyline. Most leave from Westminster Pier, Charing Cross Pier, and Tower Pier. Downstream routes go to the Tower of London, Greenwich, and the Thames Barrier via Canary Wharf. Upstream destinations include Kew, Richmond, and Hampton Court (mainly in summer). Most of the launches seat between 100 and 250 passengers, have a public-address system, and provide a running commentary on passing points of interest. Some include musical entertainment. Depending upon the destination, river trips may last from one to four hours.
Details on all other operators are available as a PDF from Transport for London’s River Services page
River Cruise Operators Bateaux London (0207/695–1800 | www.bateauxlondon.com). London Duck Tours (0207/928–3132 | www.londonducktours.co.uk). Thames Cruises (0207/928–9009 | www.thamescruises.com). Thames River Boats(0207/930–2062 | www.wpsa.co.uk).Thames River Services (020/930–4097 | www.thamesriverservices.co.uk).
BUS, COACH, AND TAXI TOURS
Guided sightseeing tours from the top of double-decker buses, which are open-top in summer, are a good introduction to the city, as they cover all the main central sights. Numerous companies run daily bus tours that depart (usually between 8:30 and 9 am) from central points. In hop-on, hop-off fashion, you may board or alight at any of the numerous stops to view the sights, and reboard on the next bus. Most companies offer this hop-on, hop-off feature but others, such as Best Value, remain guided tours in traditional coach buses. Tickets can be bought from the driver and are good all day. Prices vary according to the type of tour, although £20 is the benchmark. For that more personal touch, try out a tour in a guided taxi. Other guided bus tours, like those offered by Golden, are not open-top or hop-on, hop-off, but enclosed (and more expensive) coach bus versions.
Bus Tour Operators Best Value Tours (www.bestvaluetours.co.uk). Big Bus Tours (0207233–9533 | www.bigbustours.com). Black Taxi Tour of London (0207/935–9363 | www.blacktaxitours.co.uk). Golden Tours (0207/233–7030 in U.K., 800/548–7083 in U.S. | www.goldentours.co.uk). Original London Sightseeing Tour (02088877–1722 | www.theoriginaltour.com). Premium Tours (0207/713–1311 | www.premiumtours.co.uk).
CANAL TOURS
The tranquil side of London