Underground in London

Except for a few exceptions subway trains are marked by the last station in each direction

The Circle Line runs from Hammersmith to Edgeware Rd - so if you are at Paddington and want to go to Westminster then you would travel in the direction of Hammersmith.

The system is not cheap if you pay full fare as you go.
There are several London residents on this Forum, including Emma, who will be able to suggest passes you can get that will make travel on the London transportation system easier and less costly.

The Washington DC Metrorail is basically set up like London's Underground (but not as well run as London's). Trains run in both directions on the different named lines; and as Emma noted, signage in the stations and on the platforms is very good. Also, the station employees are very knowledgeable, helpful, and friendly, just like Emma!.

Thanks to all, for your quick responses.

emma... Your explanation was just what I was looking for and not garbled at all.

We will be staying in London for 4 days next weekend; near High Street Kensington station and will acquire an Oyster card the first time we are there. We will be visiting the usual tourist attractions. Westminister, St Pauls, London Bridge, The Eye, British Museum, etc. So, will be using the underground several times.

I told you Emma knows about these things! Her posts helped me on a recent trip to London.

And about London Bridge, is it true that the Arizona guy thought he was buying Tower Bridge?

Agree with Emma. I would not fear trying the buses. The sign posts/maps at shelters are easy to understand (there's info in the RS guide book on how to find your bus). I was 'forced' to use the bus system during a tube strike, and it opened up a world of options.

Have a great time!

It is certainly true that through its various incarnations and rebuilds - despite how ugly - London Bridge is the historic one, going back centuries, while Tower Bridge is brand new.

I love using the Tube whilst in London but dare say it's also fun to use the buses especially if you can get a front row seat on the upper deck. Nearly floor to ceiling windows and a great POV of all things London. BTW I've ridden the D.C. metro, the NYC Subway, LA's Metro, and BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit). Can honestly say none of them are as well signed or as easy to ride as The London Underground. If you can locate one (nearly always near the manned ticket window) grab a small tube map to carry with you. Very practical. GREAT city. Mind The Gap!

A phrase that has stuck in my mind about the Underground from an old guide book is 'if you can get lost for long, you'd manage to get lost in your own back yard'. Some of the larger stations with many platforms and services might need a pause to read the signs (eg Baker Street, Bank/Monument and Kings Cross St Pancras) but little more.

I went to London 2 years ago and it took me a few days to get comfortable with the Tube. I noticed that a lot of signs in the tunnels say "northbound, southbound, eastbound, westbound," instead of names of the last stop on the line like the Paris Metro. Know the direction you're going in, the name of the line you need, and the name of the stop you want (southbound to Elephant & Castle on the Bakerloo line, for example) and that will help you navigate the tunnels and find the correct platform.

While you're in London, check the Transport for London website every morning: https://www.tfl.gov.uk/. When I was there, they were constantly working on the lines ("planned engineering", they call it) and sometimes, not uncommonly on the weekends, they will close an entire line for maintenance. Check the website every morning and if they are working on a line or Tube stop you need, plan accordingly. Don't do it the hard way at first like I did, without checking the website and spending 50 minutes on the Tube trying to get to the Tower of London!

Why would anyone want to buy London Bridge and then put it in Arizona?
(When children are starving in the world, etc)
Yeah, I realize, it's the way of the world....