London Underground – Tube Travel Tips

Here’s a few handy tips for travelling on the tube.

1. If you are arriving to London Heathrow airport, heading for the centre of town and you’re not in too much of a hurry, just jump on the tube. With luggage you may not want to be changing trains too often, but the Piccadilly line will take you to the centre of town and you can hop in a taxi from there. Heathrow is the first stop on the line so you are guaranteed a seat and it will be far cheaper than getting at taxi all of the way or getting the Heathrow express train.
2. ALWAYS stand on the right hand side of an escalator in single file. The left is kept clear for commuters who are usually running up and down at high speed to catch their next train.
3. You can pay using single tickets, return tickets, daily travel cards, oyster cards or contactless debit card. Oyster cards or contactless are by far the most flexible, cheapest and easiest methods to use. Just buy an oyster card from the ticket counter or from the machine, top it up with some cash and use it for your journeys by train or bus or even the emirates skyline.
4. Try to avoid traveling between 5pm and 6pm if you are in central London. It will be very busy at this time and you are likely to be packed into the tube carriages like sardines.
5. Contrary to popular advice about not making eye contact and not speaking to strangers on the tube, it is acceptable if you need to ask a question. If you are not sure if this is the right train for you, just ask! Ask a platform attendant or even a member of the public, most will be able to tell you if it’s the right train.
6. Please don’t stand in the walk ways or at the top of escalators to look at your map or regroup. Stand to the side where people will be able to pass you easily.
7. Use the TFL journey planner on before you head out and it will give you the quickest route to your destination.
8. Look on an actual street map to see which tube stations are closest to your destination. If may be easier to use one that’s not always the obvious choice. For example, if you want to go shopping in Oxford Street you don’t necessarily need to get to Oxford Circus station. If you are travelling on the Jubilee line you could get off at Bond Street station instead which actually exits on to Oxford Street.
9. If all else fails, go outside and hail a black cab! TAXI!!!

   
 Please feel free to comment below or email me if you have any helpful suggestions and I will be happy to add them to the list.