London transport
Goldsmiths is well connected by public transport and getting around London is easy once you know how.
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London has a large public transport network. It is made up of the Underground (Tube), Overground train network, Elizabeth line, Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and London Buses. Transport for London (TfL) manages all of these services. There is also a large suburban railway network across London, which is managed by individual rail companies.
Goldsmiths is well-connected to the public transport network and is located very close to both New Cross and New Cross Gate railway stations. The city is split into nine fare zones (1-9) – most of central London is in zone 1, and Goldsmiths is in zone 2. London Heathrow Airport is in zone 6.
If you prefer walking, Lewisham, Greenwich, Peckham, Brockley and Deptford are all within easy walking distance of campus.
To help plan your way around London you can use the official TfL journey planner or you can download the TfL Go app. There’s also CityMapper, which is available as an app on your mobile or online at citymapper.com. Google Maps can help you plan outside of London.
Every location in the UK has a postcode (Goldsmiths’ is SE14 6NW) – searching by postcode will help you easily find your way to a specific destination.
The cheapest way of travelling around London is by using a contactless debit/credit card, or by using an Oyster card.
Oyster cards
An Oyster card is a smartcard that can hold pay-as-you-go/pre-pay credit and season tickets for travel around London, as well as any student railcard you may choose to purchase.
Oyster cards can be purchased from major airports, Tube stations and major railway stations, as well as in many local shops. You will be charged a £7 deposit for the Oyster card (refunded as pay-as-you-go credit after one year) – that is the official price and you should not pay more than that. You must then add pre-pay credit or a season ticket to your Oyster card as required before you can travel.
You can use your Oyster card to travel on most public transport in London, including buses, the Underground (Tube), the Overground, the Elizabeth line, the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and most National Rail services.
You should register your Oyster card using the website printed on the reverse of your card. Doing this means you will be able to easily replace any lost cards and season tickets at a minimal cost.
Find out more about Oyster cards
Contactless payment cards
If your UK bank account issues you with a contactless credit or debit card it can also be used to pay for travel in London. Along with an Oyster card, this is often the cheapest payment method if you do not want to purchase a season ticket.
Buses in London do not accept cash for travel – you must use either an Oyster or a contactless payment card.
Find our more about contactless payment for travel in London
Travel discounts
If you are a full-time student, you can apply for discounted travel with a student Oyster card or a National Railcard.
See the discounts available to you
Taxis and minicabs
London’s black cabs (taxis) are well-known but also very expensive to use. They are easy to spot – if the orange light on top of the car is illuminated, they are available to hail. It is easy to pick up a black cab in central London but less so in New Cross. These are the only non-booked taxis you should take in London.
You can also use minicabs, Ubers or Bolts, but these must be booked in advance, either via an app, on the phone or at a minicab office. Never use a non-booked minicab – they are illegal and unregulated.