Getting around London: public transport, passes and taxis

London is a car town. The centre is compact enough to walk, but the places visitors usually want — the fairgrounds, the commercial strip on the west side, Columbus — sit beyond a comfortable walk. Pick your mode from the table, then read the detail below. Local fares and wait times are not confirmed here; treat every figure as a check.

A car is the default here, and unlike a big city it is unlikely to cost much to keep one. Downtown parking is generally free or metered at low hourly rates, and lots around the commercial strip rarely charge much — but confirm current rates locally (check).

London sits on US-40, the old National Road, and close to I-70, the fast link east to Columbus and west toward Springfield and Dayton. State Route 38 and State Route 142 handle local traffic. Fuel is available along the main corridors; check current stations and prices on arrival (check).

If you are coming from abroad, note the country-level rules: rental cars in the US run about US$45–110 a day plus insurance and fees, one-way drop charges can reach hundreds of dollars, and drivers under 25 usually pay a surcharge. Liability cover in the base rate is low in many states — check before you decline anything.

Ride-hailing is the realistic option if you arrive without a vehicle, but local availability, wait times and fares are not confirmed — check in the app on the day. Tipping runs 15–20% and is added in the app.

Walking covers the compact centre: the courthouse square, the main restaurant strip and the older residential streets sit close together. Sidewalks exist on the main roads but thin out quickly on the edges of town, so plan to walk only in the core.

There is no confirmed public bus network aimed at visitors, and no confirmed scheduled intercity bus or rail stop in London itself. For anything beyond a ride-hailing trip, treat Columbus as your hub — that is where Greyhound, FlixBus and Amtrak connections are found. Verify current schedules before you build a plan around them (check).

All figures are 2026 estimates, and the local ones are unverified. The pattern is simple: driving is cheap, ride-hailing is moderate, and the expensive part of any trip is the long leg to the airport or another city.

Tipping is expected on ride-hailing and taxis at 15–20%, added in the app. Rental cars need a valid licence; an International Driving Permit is not required for a short US visit but is useful if your licence is not in English.

Chargers from 230 V countries work here because most are dual-voltage, but hair dryers and straighteners usually are not — bring a converter or buy locally. Plugs are types A and B, 120 V at 60 Hz.

Cell coverage is good in town and patchy on rural roads west and south. If you rely on maps, download an offline copy or set up an eSIM before you fly.