Kandara Guest House
Public Transport and Travelcards
London has one of the best public transport systems in the world.
Public transport offers a CHEAP and reliable way of travelling around the city. You can travel all day on London's buses for as little as £4.00 per day per person. It can cost you £3 per 30 minutes just to park your car - if you're lucky enough to find a parking space. You will also be charged £12 a day to take your car into the central Congestion Charge zone.
You can park your car overnight free in Ockendon Road (some daytime restrictions apply - contact us for details). We are located just outside the Congestion Charge zone.
On arrival at Kandara, we can provide you with a free bus and underground map of Central London. These are also available on request at most underground stations and can also be viewed on the Transport for London web site.
Bus services
Visitors often imagine waiting ages for a bus. London has an excellent bus service. Some routes such as the number 38 run every 4 minutes during the day until just after midnight. There is even a night bus service (N38) which runs every 15 minutes throughout the night.
At most bus stops there are now electronic indicators which tell you how long to wait for the next bus on each route.
Many locations offer a choice of routes meaning that you only have to wait a couple of minutes for the next service. With lots more dedicated bus lanes, the buses now travel around the centre more quickly. The average waiting time on Essex Road (for a bus to the Angel) is about 60 seconds.
We have 11 bus routes close to Kandara - 21, 30, 38, 56, 73, 76, 141, 271, 277, 341 and 476.
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Underground
The London Underground (the "tube") is the largest mass transport system in the world moving over 3 million people every day. The system is crowded and does suffer from breakdown more than it should. But it is still the quickest way to travel distances across London.
Our most convenient tube station is Angel. Bus numbers 38, 56, 73, 341 and 476 run along Essex Road to the Angel about every 60 seconds. Journey time is about 5 minutes. It takes about 15 minutes to walk from the Angel to Kandara.
Our nearest station is Canonbury - just a few minutes walk. This station is on the London Overground Line and has direct trains to Stratford (for connections to City Airport), Richmond and Kew.
Kandara is also close to the underground station of Highbury & Islington (Victoria Line) as well as the small railway station of Essex Road (connections to the City).
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Travelcards
London is divided into a series of Travelcard zones (see the maps on Transport for London's web site). Travelcards allow you unlimited travel on underground and other trains and on buses throughout specified zones. Visitors here for short stays will probably find daily cards most useful but they are also available for longer periods of time. Off peak daily travel cards are valid from 09:30 but if you need to travel before this a peak time card is also available at higher price.
Travelcards are available at any Underground station and at many newsagents including the one nearest to Kandara on Essex Road.
Purchase a daily Zone 1+2 card for travel in central London from £6.60 per person - Kandara is in Zone 2.
Purchase a daily Zone 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 + 6 card for travel to/from Heathrow Airport (on the Underground - note TravelCards are not valid on the Heathrow Express) from £8.00 per person.
A daily bus pass is valid on all buses for a day in all zones and costs just £4.00 per person.
Longer term travelcards (weekly and monthly) are also available. You may need a passport style photograph if you want to buy one of these.
Oyster pre-pay
is London's new travel smartcard. You simply touch it on the card readers at Tube and DLR stations and on buses. When your Pre Pay runs out, just top it up. Pre Pay is cheaper than paying for single tickets - and daily price capping on Pre Pay gives you the flexibility to change your travel plans without needing to buy additional tickets, or worry that you'll spend more than you need.
For more detailed information about Oyster, visit Ask Oyster
General information is available in the Fares and Tickets
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Taxis and minicabs
Only licensed taxis (black cabs) can pick up passengers on the street. Any minicab driver who picks up customers without a booking is acting illegally. This includes minicabs lined up outside pubs and clubs.
Taxis
The traditional "Black" taxis (they are not always black!) are available to hire on request in the street. The taxi is fitted with a meter which calculates the cost of your journey depending on both time and distance. The black taxis and their fees are tightly regulated and drivers have a very good knowledge of London.
Minicabs
Minicabs are privately owned cars which must be pre-booked by phone or by visiting an office. Follow these steps for the safest way to get a minicab.
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Book your minicab with a licensed minicab operator by phone, email or in a minicab office.
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Agree the price before travel. This is then fixed regardless of how long the journey takes.
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Make sure the driver can confirm your name and destination before you get in the car, and check the driver's photo ID.
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Always sit in the back seat, and carry your mobile phone in case of an emergency.
The most local minicab company is Essex Express (Tel: 020 7359 9898). We find them most reliable.
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buses travel is very cheap
in London
buses are very frequent
- about every 60 seconds
on Essex Road
5 bus routes on Essex Road
3 routes run 24 hours a day
The Angel Station
1 of 4 local stations
near Kandara.
Canonbury Station
Just a few minutes walk from Kandara
Use a Travel Card or Oyster Card on public transport.
Cash tickets are much more expensive and not always available.
The Oyster Card
The simplest and cheapest method to travel on public transport !
A taxi always displays a light on the front with the word "TAXI"