Getting Around London, Part III: The Tube
by Anastasia Watkinson
This article continues my series on getting around London.
If you missed the first two parts, check out Issues I and II
on the web site for information on taxis and buses.
As a newcomer to England, I relied on the Underground (the
official name, but you'll never hear a Londoner call it
that) to get around. The buses seemed overwhelming and
taxis just got too expensive, and The Tube was novel, fun,
and easy to use.
The Tube is one of the most extensive subway systems in the
world, with 11 different lines and over 270 stops at last
count. Each line has its own color coding and name, so it
is easy to determine which line you will need to take to get
to your stop, and whether any transfers will be necessary.
Tube stops are all over the city, usually no more than a ten
minute walk away maximum, and are easily identified by the
sign, which is a red and white circle with a blue
Underground tag on it. Taking the Underground is fast and
easy, but I think relying solely on the Tube is a big mistake
that a lot of visitors to the city make. You miss seeing
London as you ride, and sometimes it is much faster to take
a bus than to take the Tube.
Both The Tube and the buses can get packed during commuting
hours. There are a few other disadvantages to using the
Tube as well. The first one, important for those of you
with health issues, is that transfers usually involve steps,
and walking.
The second disadvantage is that being in a crowded Tube car
when the sun in shining is my idea of Hell. In the Summer,
The Tube tends to take on the smell of one big stinkin'
armpit. It's not pretty, but it had to be said. Oh, and be
prepared for beggars and buskers (people singing, playing
instruments for money).
Rolling with the Tube
If you don't already have a billion maps in your guidebooks
or leaflets, pick up a map at a Tube station. The
Underground system is divided into six fare zones, but most
tourist destinations are in Zone 1. Tube stations are also
very easy to use. You'll find maps and travel information
all over each station.
If you need some assistance or reassurance, don't be afraid
to ask one of the Underground staff or the staff at the
ticket office. I've found them very helpful, not only with
journey planning, but also with advice with which kind of
ticket would be best suited for my plans.
Now you're ready to ride...hold on there! You have to have
your ticket before you can get to the train. You can
purchase your ticket from the ticket office, or from one of
the automated ticket machines if you are certain of what you
want. I'd recommend that first time users utilize the
expertise of the ticket office to ensure you get the most
from your money.
Ticket Prices
You may buy a single or return (both ways) ticket, which
will be valid for only the day shown on the ticket. Zone 1
singles cost £1.50 for adults, and 60 pence for children.
There are no discounts for buying a return ticket; it is
simply the cost of two singles.
If you will be doing a lot of quick trips, or to save a bit
of money, you may consider purchasing a Carnet. A Carnet is
a booklet of ten single Underground tickets for Zone 1 which
can be bought in advance and are good for up to 12 months
from the time of issue. These tickets can be used by anyone
in the family, and cost £11.00 for adults, and £5.00 for
children.
If you are going to be doing a good number of trips in one
day, you may want to purchase a Travelcard, or one of the
other saver tickets. As these tickets were covered
extensively in the article on buses, I'll ask those who
missed that article to refer back to Part II in Issue 2 on
the web site for more details.
Riding The Tube
Okay, so now you have your ticket and you know what line you
need. Most stations, especially those in central London,
have ticket gates, that you will need to pass through to get
in and out of the stations.
To enter, insert your ticket face up into the slot on the
front of the machine. Your ticket will pass through the
machine and pop up at the top. Remember to take your
ticket!!! Then simply walk through the gate. If your
ticket is denied, see staff personnel for help. They have a
walk through gate for those who are carrying a lot of
luggage with them and won't fit easily through the normal
gates.
Take the escalator to your appropriate line (many stations
have more than one line), and choose your platform by
direction. There are signs indicating which stops are
serviced by which platform, so don't worry if you don't know
north from south.
Trains arrive every 5-10 minutes for most central stops.
Doors close automatically, so don't be an idiot like some
Londoners and try and jump on the train while the doors are
closing. Amuse yourself by reading the advertisements or
buy some melty chocolate while you wait.
The Tube stops automatically at each stop, so there's no
need to do anything to disembark. If you need to make a
transfer, hop off at the transfer stop and follow the color
coded signs for your next line. Easy!
Remember that when you leave the Tube station, you must go
through another set of gates. If your journey allowance is
complete, the machine will retain your ticket. If it's a
Travelcard, don't forget to take it with you! Tube stations
sometimes have multiple exits, so study the local map before
you head for an exit to be sure you're headed in the right
direction.
The Tube runs from 5.30am to around midnight, depending on
stations. I've never felt unsafe on the Tube, even at night
when few people are around. Some busy stations do warn of
pickpockets, however, so keep this in mind.
Ana's Top Tube Tips
We want to hear about your London Tube experience! Send us
your stories and tips to:
The author, Anastasia Watkinson, is the Editor of Great
Britain Travel Guide, a fun and insightful resource for travel
to England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. To read
more about her travels and subscribe to the free newsletter,
visit the web site at: http://www.greatbritaintravelguide.com
or send an email to: mailto:subscribe@greatbritaintravelguide.com
Anastasia, an American expatriate, has lived and worked in
England for over five years, and is the Managing Director of an
Internet Consultancy. Anastasia may be contacted at:
mailto:Ana@greatbritaintravelguide.com
