Business travel in London

Getting around

When it comes to efficiently negotiating your way around London, knowledge is key. As a business traveller, it's fair to assume you'll be fairly localised, so a few moments chatting to a concierge, colleague (who knows the area) or looking at a map could save you precious time and a great deal of stress. Top ways to get around town include:

Walking

London is phenomenally green and beautiful – and, contrary to popular belief, temperate. If you're staying and working in the City or the West End, chances are your offices and meeting places will all be within a 1 or 2 miles radius. A brisk walk could very well be the fastest and most pleasant way to get around.

Public Transport

Transport for London (TFL) manages Tube, bus and some rail services. Even with the Congestion Charge, central London is a busy place. The TFL network goes where no other vehicles are allowed to go – and as a result often is quicker than any other means. The key to TFL travel is the cheap and cheerful Oyster card.

Green Tomato Cars

From recycling to the Congestion Charge to sustainable architecture, London is working hard to be greener. The upscale private car hires company Green Tomato Cars use environmentally friendly vehicles that run on hybrid power and produce vastly reduced emissions. Visit www.greentomatocars.com for more information on their service.

Virgin Limobikes

One of the quickest, raciest and most glamorous ways to get from A to B has to be the Virgin Limobike. The passenger motorbike service is great for getting to destinations in the fastest and safest way possible. Passengers are protected from the elements with waterproof clothing and blankets.

OYBike

In recent years more and more Londoners have been putting on their helmets and getting on their bicycles. And it makes sense – it's a good form of exercise, and is economical and environmentally friendly. The OYBike is a street-based rental network that allows you to hop on a bike at a convenient location and then simply return the bike to another convenient location.

Black Cabs

Last but not least, why not go with the iconic black cab? While the majority of cabs are leased by drivers rather than owned, all drivers have to pass the famous "knowledge": the result being drivers who really do know where they're going. If you're in central London, you're in black cab territory. All it takes is an arm to flag one down.