Commuting in the United Kingdom is very different compared to transportation in Missouri. Before coming here, I would get everywhere by using an Uber or driving, and when traveling I would simply book a flight. Commuting in the United Kingdom is completely reliant on modes of public transportation such as buses and subways. Uber is an option, but it can be very pricey. For example, one 15 minute Uber ride in London was about 32 pounds which equates to 42 USD.

At first, I was too intimidated to ride the bus or use the Tube. Learning to commute by bus was very difficult because buses that have completely different routes may share the same bus number. But if you look beyond that learning curve, riding the bus is very pleasant. The majority of the people riding the bus wear their face masks and are more than willing to give up their seats if they see someone who is carrying lots of grocery/shopping bags or someone who just seems like they need to sit down.

The Tube on the other hand is easier to use because Google Maps will tell you which tube, station and platform to use. Though two main downsides of riding the Tube are that seats are very dirty and the Tube can get extremely packed. You can tell the seats were originally blue but have turned into a dark brown color.

Overall, public transportation is a cheaper alternative to ordering an Uber, and Google Maps will help you find the right bus and tube. You might get on the wrong tube, but it is part of the learning experience.