London King’s Cross train station or “Kings Cross” opened in the early 1850’s in London N1 and was named after the area it was built.  Today King’s Cross is the London terminus for the east coast main line with trains run by National Express East Coast and First Capital Connect to destinations such as King’s Lynn, Letchworth, Doncaster, Hull, Leeds, York, Harrogate, Newcastle, Glasgow and northern Scotland. Thameslink trains no longer journey through the station.

The London Underground, otherwise known as “The Tube”, also runs through King’s Cross St Pancras Station via the Circle line, Hammersmith & City line, Metropolitan line, Northern line, Piccadilly line and Victoria line.  St Pancras station neighbours King’s Cross and it is here that the Eurostar train service runs directly to France and Belgium under the English Channel.

Kings Cross car hire is simple to arrange with easyCar and can either be collected from the station if booked in advance or from one of the car hire offices in close proximity to the station.

The actual locale of King’s Cross station is on the Euston Road, postcode N1 9AL, and it falls in both the London Boroughs of Camden and Islington. The British Library is just 5 minutes walk from King’s Cross, with Regent’s Park a short bus journey away.  The area of Bloomsbury next to Russell Square is to the south with all the delights of central London just a hop away!

The closest motorways to King’s Cross are the start of the M1 in Brent Cross, north west London and the beginning of the M11 in South Woodford (to the north east).  If heading to the west of England or Wales, then you will head to the M4 entry which is near Chiswick in west London.

King’s Cross and Euston are located on the edge of the Congestion Charging zone in London, and no fee will be required to pay as long as you stay north of Euston Road or Pentonville Road. Should you drive through the Congestion Zone the current fee is £8.00 per day if paid before or on the day of travel (£10 charge on the first charging day after travel – fines thereafter). There is no charge for vehicles driven in the charging zone between 1800 and 0700 Monday to Friday, or at weekends or during English public holidays.

After Waterloo, London Victoria is the second busiest railway station in London; however Victoria is also the location of London City’s central coach station, a busy bus station and the London Underground.

Located in the City of Westminster and named after Queen Victoria, the London Victoria National Rail station sees hundreds of trains travelling to and from stations from all over London, Kent, Surrey and parts of Sussex. London Victoria Station provides some of the best facilities of any London station with multiple fast food outlets and restaurants, bars and coffee shops, cash points (ATMs), an upper floor shopping centre and public toilets/restrooms (current charge to use is 20p).

One of the most popular overland rail routes  (National Rail) is between London and the coastal city of Brighton. This train also stops at the excellent shopping town of Croydon and at Gatwick Airport.  The “Gatwick Express” is a direct train service between Gatwick Airport and London Victoria with a journey time of 30 minutes (35 mins on Sundays). Whilst the daily London to Gatwick service runs every 15 minutes from 5.00am to 11.45pm, there is a train at 3.30am and 4.30am, with the last services at 00.01am and 00.30am (correct as of 17 August 2009). Times are slightly different from Gatwick to London Victoria.

The London Underground or tube at Victoria lies a few steps away and to the north of the mainline/overland rail station. There are four platforms; two for the Circle and District lines, and two for the Victoria line.  Victoria Coach Station (NOT bus station) is located on Buckingham Palace Road about half a mile from the mainline rail station and is used for long distance coach services.

Collecting car hire from London Victoria is popular due to its central location in the city, and because the drive between Gatwick and the city can be slow. There is a huge choice of cars to hire from London Victoria with easyCar.com and whilst driving can be slow during rush hour (as with any major city), the route to reach the M1 motorway in north west London is direct, with popular “A” roads leading all over the city from Victoria.

Remember that Central London is covered by a Congestion Charge and Victoria, as all the major London stations, is within the designated area; however there is a non-chargeable route alongside Victoria so ensure you view the www.tfl.gov.uk website for full details.  In brief a charge of £8 is imposed on all those driving within the congestion zone from Monday to Friday between 7am and 6pm, which MUST be paid on the day entry is made. There is no charge at weekends, English public holidays or between 6pm and 6am the following morning, Monday to Friday. All vehicles entering “the zone” are registered by a camera system (there are no tolls, barriers etc).

Hiring a car in London is very popular either for those who wish to travel around the great city but don’t usually require a car, or for those wishing to explore further afield.  The main London airports Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and London City are where easyCar car hire is easily collected, as well as at the train stations such as Euston, Waterloo, Kings Cross and St Pancras.

Famous Fulham, Marble Arch, Kennington and Vauxhall (the latter both near the Oval cricket ground) are ideal for collecting car hire in central London with locations such as the Finchley Road, Bayswater and Streatham, Earls Court and West Hampstead easily accessible too.

If travelling into central London by hire car do be aware of the Congestion charge of £8.00 if paid during the day of travel either online, by sms, by phone, at a shop or by post (correct at 6/7/09). A charge of £10 is made if paid on the first charging day after travel, but pay later and penalty charges could be imposed.  However, this charge does not cover the whole of London and the Congestion area is clearly marked in the road and on signs depicting a red circle with a white “c”.

There are so many places to visit in London for all ages, at any time of the year. The Science Museum in South Kensington is a fantastic day out with interactive exhibitions, a selection of IMAX 3D shows and a simulation theatre (selected dates). London Zoo is a personal favourite for many Londoners and will definitely fill a day with visits to see the wild animals, mammals, birds and reptiles. The Royal Parks in London are simply stunning and definitely worth a visit. They incorporate Kensington Gardens, Regent’s Park, Hyde Park, Greenwich Park, St James’s Park, Richmond Park, The Green Park and Bushy Park (near Hampton Court Palace) and are often where shows, walks and other events are arranged during the summer.

Of course the accommodation in London is plentiful with many deluxe hotels standing side by side with budget accommodation.  The well known chain of Hilton has a number of hotels in London including the Hilton London Kensington hotel, Hilton London Hyde Park hotel and The Trafalgar Hilton.