Travel For London (tfl.gov.uk)

Member Name: cognition

Product:	tfl.gov.uk
Date:	03/12/08 (323 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Accurate, Easy to use

Disadvantages: Sometimes the best route is not suggested

Transport for London (TFL) is the government body responsible for most aspects of traffic in London. The website is an essential tool for finding your way around London with public transport. It gives up to date information on the status of all tube lines, including any ongoing delays. It does tell you about all the different types of tickets you can get, but fails to list any prices.

The main selling point of the web site is the 'Travel Planner'. Simply input where you would like to start your journey, where you would like to end up, and then at the click of a button you will be given instructions of what buses, trains or tubes you can get, where you need to change, how long each part of the journey will take, and all possible leaving times.

This all sounds good and well. There are a few problems, however. First of all, you may or may not know the name of the closest bus stop, which makes finding the results you really want difficult. It is possible to search by post code or place of interest, but this not remedy the main problem of the 'Travel Planner'. The fastest/quickest option is not always given by default. Unless you know the exact name of the best close bus stop, you might be given a route which turns out to be far less direct than what you could achieve if you waked to the next bus stop.

That being said, though, the 'Travel Planner' always gives you a valid route from Point A to Point B. I wish I could click on any bus in the route results list and be given a complete list of stops, but this is not possible. Still, the TFL web site always, always gives a valid and true answer as to how you can make your desired travel at any time in London.

Summary: The most comprehensive web site foe planning your joruneys within London