15 tips for London Underground first-timers

Hi everyone! Apologies for my slight break from posting: I had two of my wisdom teeth removed on Thursday morning, and let’s just say that I haven’t been in the best state since. I’ll be bedridden for the next few days, so my next few articles may not be the most exciting, but I’ll do my best to keep producing content, if and when I feel up to it.

Today, I thought I’d bring you a short article about my favourite city in the world: London. It occurred to me earlier that I hadn’t actually mentioned this place at all on my blog, except in passing, and why I just don’t know! I’ve been there so many times, and have so many sights and boroughs to recommend, so definitely expect more on this topic in the near future. For now, though, I’m going to be to focusing on a slightly less exciting, but still extremely important, aspect of the UK’s capital: the London Underground (or the ‘Tube’, as it’s known by locals).

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If you’re ever in London, chances are that you’ll encounter this mode of transport a fair few times. More often than not, it’s the quickest and easiest way to get from A to B, and with trains running as often as once every ninety seconds, it’s arguably the most reliable. However, if you’re a first-time traveller (or even hundredth, to be honest), it can be a pretty tricky system to navigate, with all sorts of unwritten rules attached to it. Here, then, are my fifteen top tips for anyone planning on using the London Underground in the near future!

Before your journey

1. Plan your route

There’s nothing worse than getting lost in an endless maze of underground tunnels, so try to avoid this by always planning your journey in advance. If you have WiFi, you can do this either on the Transport for London website, or using the Citymapper app. Both services take things like line closures into consideration, and will give you the easiest and fastest routes. Already at the station? Look out for tube maps on the walls, or grab a free paper copy to keep in your bag.



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2. Check that it’s not quicker to walk

If you’re only going one or two stops down the line, it may not be worth getting the tube at all. Open up your map app – factoring in the time it will take you to travel up and down escalators, etc. – and check that it’s not actually quicker to walk to your destination. Following this advice could leave you a few pounds richer!

3. Pay with your contactless card

If you’re travelling on the Underground for the first time, you’ll probably have people encouraging you to buy an Oyster card, but it’s actually faster, simpler, and cheaper just to use your normal contactless one. Both allow Tube-users to enjoy discounted journeys, but Oyster cards cost £5 up front and have to be topped up constantly, whereas contactless cards are free, and are directly connected to your bank account.

4. Have your ticket ready

A lot of people using the Tube will be in a rush, so if you don’t want a queue of frantic travellers forming behind you, don’t approach the barriers until you’ve got your ticket or card ready. If you do accidentally go up too early, simply take a step back and allow those behind to pass in front of you.



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5. Be prepared for no signal

At the moment, most phone companies don’t offer mobile signal in the Tube, so if you need to make any important calls or send any important messages, be sure to do so before you get on the train. If you can’t bear to spend ten minutes away from your screen, make sure also to download some games or music to keep you entertained during your journey.

6. Left in the corridors; right on the escalators

If you’re visiting from another country, you’ll have to keep reminding yourself that we Brits travel on the left hand side. This is something that’s particularly important to bear in mind when you’re walking down narrow corridors with pathways running in both directions. However, just to keep you on your toes, different rules apply when you’re on the escalators. Here, you must stand on the right hand side, leaving the left section clear for anyone in a particular hurry.



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7. Avoid peak travel times

A lot of Londoners use the Underground to get to school or work, so if you want a calm journey, avoid travelling during the rush hour (7:30-9:30 or 16:30-18:30). If you have no choice, try, at the very least, to start your journey at a smaller station, where you won’t have to push past as many other passengers to get a place on the train.

8. Be aware of closing times

Unfortunately, the Tube doesn’t run all night long, so if you’ve got a wild evening planned, make sure to find out when the last train departs. This is particularly important on weekdays, when most lines won’t stay open beyond quarter past midnight.

During your journey

9. Mind the gap

If there’s one announcement you’ll be sick of hearing by the end of your trip, it’s “please mind the gap between the train and the platform”. However, there’s a reason it get played on repeat! Make sure to check where your feet are headed when you’re getting on or off the Tube, and keep yourself and your belongings safe in the process.



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10. Get on at the first or last carriage

If you want to maximise your chances of getting a seat on the train, always get on at the first or last carriage. These are usually the furthest from the platform entranceways, and therefore the least crowded. It’s also supposedly safest to travel here, since, in the unlikely event of a fire, you’ll have the easiest escape out of the vehicle.

11. Let people off before you get on

When your train arrives at the station, it can be tempting to board right away, but it’s important to be courteous, and let everyone in the carriage get off first. I’ve seen young children being separated from their parents, because of other passengers failing to observe this rule, so don’t let yourself be the cause of a similar incident!

12. Move down the carriage

When you’ve finally made it onto the train, you’ll probably still have people waiting behind you, so make sure to move down as far as possible into the carriage, and give them space to board as well. There are handrails dotted throughout the vehicle, so no need to worry about being less steady on your feet!



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13. Give up your seat if necessary

If you are lucky enough to get a seat, bear in mind that others may need it more than you. If you catch sight of someone who is less able to stand (an elderly person, or a pregnant woman, for example), be a good citizen, and offer them your place. You’ll get a million brownie points – and lots of admiring smiles from your fellow passengers – and you’ll really brighten up this stranger’s day. (This is particularly important if you’re sitting in a priority seat by the door! )

14. Bring some water with you

The Tube can get pretty stuffy, especially in the summer months, so be sure to pack a bottle of water, just in case you need a little extra hydration during your journey. This is also a precaution worth taking if you’re prone to travel sickness: the winding tunnels can sometimes unsettle your stomach a bit, and a drink will help to soothe it.

15. Ask for help if you need it

Finally, if you have encounter any difficulties during your journey, don’t be afraid to ask for help! There are plenty of people working at each station – from conductors, to ticket sellers, to kiosk owners – all of whom will be very happy to answer your questions. Can’t see anyone official standing around? Approach another passenger: they’ll likely be flattered that you trust their judgement!



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Safe travels!

So there we have it: my fifteen top tips for London Underground first-timers! The Tube can take some getting used to, what with all its rules and regulations, but after a few journeys, you’ll definitely start getting the hang of it. Be patient with yourself, ask for help when you need it, and most importantly: mind the gap!

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