is London a generally walkable city, like New York?

Answer 1

Yes, everything is usually within walking distance! Central London is easy to get around without cars and buses - its actually quicker sometimes!

Answer 2

Hi there! I spent three weeks in London this Feb (2007) and I did not have a vehicle. I enjoyed riding the tube (get an oyster card) but loved walking even more! You can walk everywhere! I recommend obtaining a small popout map, available at all big bookstores, and that is all you need! There are lovely walks along the Thames, but it was not until my last day that I discovered the walks along the canals! These are so beautiful, a peaceful oasis in the middle of the thriving city! You can start at Camden lock, and walk a good long way, seeing beautiful houses and canal boats, and come up in an entirely different part of the city! I also loved walking along Oxford street in rush hour. Crowds of people, vendors selling chestnuts and dates, people offering you free newspapers, the sound of many different languages. If you feel tired, you are never far from a tea shop, many of which offer outdoor seating even in the winter, where you can sit and watch the interesting people pass by. I really like a chain called Cafe Nero. Covent Garden and Leicester Square are right beside eachother, and are wonderful places to walk and see the theater district and small alleyways full of art and book shops, and then you are not too far from Trafalgar square and a large free art museum. There are many free museums, in fact. Really, I could go on and on, it was the most wonderful trip I have ever taken, and I will definitely return. A wonderful city, I envy you if you are going, and would be glad to offer any assistance I can.

Answer 3

Oh yes!
Walking and cycling in London, which is fairly flat and not to big a city, is the best thing you can possibly do! I realized pretty quickly that if I want to maintain good health and save a few quids then investing in a bike and good walking shoes would be the wisest thing to do; because public transport is not only getting More and more expensive, but it's also an incubator for all the germs people bring from all over the world to London! (my first winter in London I was sick, on and off, for about 5 month, cause I kept getting every virus on the bus...)
So not only it's good for your fitness, it will also prevent you from getting ill and it's free!

Answer 4

With the traffic you'll get where you want usually faster if you walk than on bus or cab.
And you'll definitely not miss less beauties of this city than you would by spending half the time underground!

Anyway most attractions are within walking distance of each others.

Piccadilly - Covent Garden - Leicester Square - Trafalgar Square are less then 5 min walk from one to the next.

Just as London Eye - Big Ben - Westminster Abbey and Churchill's Statue are just next to each other etc.

Answer 5

YES. I did not find NY at all walkable, anything but. Yes London is easiliy walkable, all the major attractions are within a relatively short walk, say 30 to 45 minutes. Which I suppose is subjective and depends also on your fitness levels.

Answer 6

Central London is the most amazing place to walk in. There is loads to see with suprising little alleyways. Monday to Friday London is a working city and on weekends it's tourist city. Contact the Tourist information centres for free walking maps. Also available free are bus rute maps, these are handy.

Central London is covered in CCTV cameras and most commercial buildings have front desk security which adds to the 'eyes'. Take care if in suburban areas.
Like all cities do take care.

NY is easier to navigate due to the grid system. London streets have been there since day 1 and do not follow modern city planning 'patterns'. Some building a built across narrow lanes as these are still classified as public accessways and cannot be built across.

A map is essential. Most bus stops have a map of the locality plastered onto the walls. Tube stations have free local area maps.

Answer 7

yes it is walkable. You can get the underground for really cheap, i'm sure it is approx £4.50 and the tube basically goes anywhere you want, although you will need a map as they can be quite confusing. You can pick up a map when you pay for your tube ticket at the station and there are also maps on the wall. There are plenty of busses and taxi's around. I would suggest buying a tube ticket as they are cheap, and dif you want to see alot, it will save time travelling to the closest stop to you destination rather than walking it. If you do decide to walk, or get the metro for that matter, be careful of pick pockets!
I hope this helps
Nikki x

Answer 8

Yes, it's very walkable and if you get lost or tired just hop on a bus.

Answer 9

Yes very,taxis everywhere if you want one,just hail it just as you do in NY,open topped busses for tourists,river cruises down the Thames they go from Westminster pier just by the Houses of Parliament and go to the Tower of London.Pleanty of eating places,Parks are everywhere,You will love it,also very safe as lots of people about, armed police everywhere

Answer 10

yes, its fine, i would advise buying a map though, as the layout of the streets is a bit more more complex than ny.
you can always hop on the tube as well