Transport in Britain

You can reach England either by plane, by train, by car or by ship. Now, the fastest way is by plane; you can leave from an Italian airport, usually Milan or Rome, and you can reach London in a couple of hours, but with the Channel Tunnel it will become much quicker by train, too. London has three international airports: Heath­row, the largest, connected to the city by underground; Gatwick, south of London, with a frequent train service; Luton, the smallest, used for charter flights. If you go to England by train or by car you have to cross the Channel. There is a frequent service of steamers and ferry-boats which connect the continent, mostly France, to the south­east of England.

The organization which operates passenger service between France and England is called SEALINK. The Chunnel (tunnel under the Channel) was started recently. It is a 31-milelong tunnel linking France and England. It was opened in the spring of 1993. Double­decker trains will carry cars, lorries and coaches. Trains will depart every 15 or 20 minutes and driving a car in Britain.

People in Britain drive on the left and generally overtake on the right If you are walking, be sure to look to the right when starting to cross a road!     

Drivers and passengers sitting in front must wear a seat-belt.

The speed limit is 30 mph (50 km/h) in towns and cities; 50 mph (80 km/h) on normal roads; 70 mph (110 km/h) on motorways (mph - mile per hour).

Transport in London

When you are in London you can choose from four different means of transport: bus, train, underground or taxi. The typical bus in London is a red double-decker. Travelling on the upper deck gives you the opportunity of seeing London's best sights. The first London bus started running between Paddington and the City in 1829. It was a horsedrawn coach called «omnibus», a Latin word meaning «for all». It carried 40 passengers and cost a shilling for 61an. The next to arrive were the trains; now there are twelve main railway stations in use in London. The world's first underground line was opened bet­ween Baker St. and the City in 1863. Now there are ten under­ground lines and 273 underground stations in use. The London under­ground is also called the Tube by Londeners, because of the circular shape of its deep tunnels.

Here are some words you must be able to understand if you fly:

boarding card: you are given this when you check in and you must present it when you board the plane;

check in: when you show your ticket and they know you are present;

duty-free: all goods beyond passport control are free from taxes;

fasten your seat-belts: on the plane you must put on your seat-belt before the plane takes off;

gate: exit,

to land: when the plane touches the ground; to take off: when the plane leaves the ground.