INTA 2026 – Your London transport guide

With INTA 2026 getting ever closer, we are excited to be welcoming you to our home city this May! With the conference fast approaching, we are here to help you make the most of your time in London. It is one of the world’s best-connected capitals: easy to navigate, well signposted, and full of transport options around the clock. Below, you will find all the key things to know about getting around London; quickly, easily, and like a local.

A key website for travel is: Visiting London – Transport for London

1. Useful apps

Before you travel, we recommend downloading a few essential apps. These are widely used by both locals and visitors and will make getting around London much quicker and easier.

Navigation apps:
Apps such as Google Maps, Citymapper and TfL Go are the most reliable tools for planning journeys across the Tube, buses, Overground and Elizabeth line. They provide live travel updates, platform information, and the fastest routes in real time.

Ride-hailing & taxis:
Apps such as Uber, Bolt and FREE NOW allow you to quickly book cars or licensed black cabs for door-to-door travel.

Cycle hire apps:
If you plan to cycle, apps such as Santander Cycles and Lime make it easy to locate and unlock bikes across the city.

2. The Tube (London Underground)

The London Underground rail network, known as the “Tube”, is the quickest way to travel across the city, especially between central London locations and the INTA conference venue. With INTA taking place at ExCeL London, the Elizabeth line is your quickest and most convenient way to get there. It runs directly to Custom House (adjacent to ExCeL), making travel from all INTA designated zones fast and straightforward. Most journeys from central London to ExCeL take 15–25 minutes, with frequent trains throughout the day.

The DLR (Docklands Light Railway) also serves ExCeL London via Custom House and Prince Regent stations and connects with key interchanges such as Canary Wharf and Bank.

A PDF map of the Tube can be found here.

Payment:
Contactless payment (bank card or mobile wallet) is the fastest and most convenient option for visitors. Just make sure you use the same card or device each time you tap in and out, so the system can calculate your fare correctly. At the end of the day, TfL will automatically work out the lowest applicable fare for your journeys. This means that if you make multiple trips across the Tube, DLR, buses and other TfL services, your total fare will be capped, so you should not pay more than the cost of the relevant daily travel limit. If preferred, you can also use an Oyster card to pay for travel around London (however, this is not a necessity). Details on how to buy an Oyster card can be found here.

3. London buses

London’s iconic red buses are a great alternative when you want to sightsee or travel shorter distances above ground.

When buses are useful:
Perfect for routes not served by the Tube, or scenic journeys through neighbourhoods like Bloomsbury, Soho and Covent Garden.

Several companies also offer open-top sightseeing buses, which can be a relaxing way to see London’s landmarks between meetings.

Payment: Every bus accepts contactless payment, just tap when boarding (no need to tap out). As with other TfL services, remember to use the same card or device throughout the day so your fares are correctly calculated and capped.

4. London Overground trains

London’s Overground train lines connect parts of the city not directly served by the Tube. While most INTA visitors will mainly use the Tube or Elizabeth Line, it can be helpful when travelling between outer districts. London’s Overground lines link key central stations such as London Bridge, King’s Cross, Blackfriars, and Waterloo to wider parts of the city.

Payment: Just like the Underground, tap in and out using contactless payment. Using the same card or device throughout the day ensures your journeys are capped at the best daily rate.

5. Taxis and ride-hailing

If you prefer door-to-door convenience, taxis and ride-hailing services are widely available across London.

Black cabs:
London’s iconic black taxis are licensed, regulated and driven by professionals who have passed an intensive test of London’s streets and routes. They can be hailed on the street, found at taxi ranks, or booked via apps such as Free Now. All black cabs accept contactless card payments.

Ride-hailing apps:
Services such as Uber and Bolt operate throughout the city and are commonly used by both locals and visitors. They are easy to book via mobile apps and can be a convenient option late in the evening or when travelling directly between venues.

6. Cycling

Cycling is another convenient way to travel short distances across central London, particularly between meetings or nearby neighbourhoods. The city has an extensive network of cycle lanes and bike hire schemes. Santander Cycles (often known locally as “Boris bikes”) operate from docking stations across central London and can be hired via the Santander Cycles app or at the docking station itself. Dockless bikes and e-bikes from providers such as Lime are also widely available and can be unlocked using their respective apps. These options are ideal for quick journeys between venues or for exploring areas such as the South Bank, Westminster and Hyde Park.

Payment: Most bike hire services operate through their mobile apps, where you can register a payment card and unlock a bike in seconds. For Santander Cycles, you can also hire directly from the docking station using a contactless card. Charges are typically calculated based on the length of your ride, making cycling a flexible and affordable option for shorter journeys around the city.

7. River bus services

London’s river bus services (Uber Boat by Thames Clippers) offer a scenic and relaxing way to travel across the city along the River Thames. While not always the fastest option, they can be a pleasant alternative between meetings or social events. Services run between key locations including Westminster, Embankment, London Bridge, Canary Wharf and Greenwich, with regular departures throughout the day. Several piers are located close to major landmarks and transport hubs.

Payment: Payment can be made using contactless cards, Oyster cards, or via the Uber Boat app. Visitors can simply tap in and out at the pier, similar to using the Tube.

8. Walking

London is a highly walkable city, particularly across central areas such as Covent Garden, Soho, Mayfair, and the South Bank. Many restaurants, bars, and meeting spots are located within short walking distance of each other, making it easy to move between meetings while enjoying the city’s architecture, parks, and landmarks.

Walking is often the quickest way to travel short distances, especially in busy areas where traffic can slow taxis and buses. Pleasant walking routes include the South Bank along the River Thames, St James’s Park near Buckingham Palace, and the streets around Covent Garden and Soho, which are filled with cafés, theatres, and classic London pubs.

Comfortable shoes are recommended as you may find yourself walking more than expected while exploring the city during INTA.

9. Cable car (IFS Cloud Cable Car)

For a unique way to travel across the River Thames near the conference venue, visitors can take the IFS Cloud Cable Car, which runs between Greenwich Peninsula and Royal Docks, close to ExCeL London. The cable car offers panoramic views across the river, Canary Wharf and the Docklands, making it an enjoyable short trip before or after the conference.

The Royal Docks station is located a short walk from ExCeL London, making it easy to incorporate into your visit if you are exploring the surrounding area or heading towards Greenwich. Services run throughout the day, with cabins departing every few minutes.

Payment: Payment can be made using contactless cards or Oyster, similar to other London transport services. While not designed for daily commuting, the cable car is a memorable way to see London from above and a fun addition to your visit during INTA.

10. Practical tips for visitors

Last train times:
London’s Tube and rail services generally stop running around midnight, with most last trains departing between 00:00 and 00:30 depending on the line and station. Service hours typically run from around 05:00 until midnight Monday–Saturday, and 07:00–23:00 on Sundays. On Friday and Saturday nights, the Night Tube operates 24-hour service on the Central, Jubilee, Northern, Piccadilly, and Victoria lines, offering continuous travel through the night. For exact last train times from a specific station, travellers can check the official TfL first and last Tube timetables, available as downloadable PDFs. Night buses operate across London when Tube services finish, providing reliable alternatives if visitors miss the last train.

Accessibility:
Most major stations have stepfree access options. If you require assistance, TfL (Transport for London) provides detailed accessibility and guidance here.

Contactless travel:
When using public transport in London, always tap in and out with the same card or device. TfL will automatically calculate the lowest daily fare, meaning multiple journeys are capped so you don’t pay more than necessary.

Airport travel:

• Heathrow: The Elizabeth Line and Piccadilly Line both offer direct Tube or rail connections into central London.
• London City Airport: Connected via the DLR, reaching the city centre quickly.
• Gatwick Airport: Fast trains run frequently to London Victoria and London Bridge.
• Stansted Airport: The Stansted Express provides a direct rail service to London Liverpool Street, with connections onto the Tube and Elizabeth line.
• Luton Airport: The Luton Airport Express runs directly to London St Pancras International, where you can easily continue your journey across London.

11. Our interactive London map

To help you plan your visit, you can use our bespoke Venner Shipley INTA London guide packed with recommended hotels, bars and restaurants, and coffee shops.