sean.blunk Have you ever traveled by subway, underground, or tube? Well, let me tell you from someone who comes from a huge metropolitan area you would be surprised to know that I have never had the “subway” experience before I traveled to a European country. My first experience with a subway was while in Paris, France so I was hoping that when my husband mentioned that “according to the internet” the best way to travel while in London was to take the Tube I would have a less stressful experience.
One hears stories of pickpockets, crammed sardine cans for people in one car, and various other reasons to avoid a place like that. But I am happy to say that 98.6% of my time spent on the London Tube has been positive and really fun! So let’s dive into the London Tube/Underground.
Fun Facts
I thought it would be fun to share some of the wackiest and most amusing facts about the London Tube to get us started. So sit back, grab your Oyster card (we’ll cover that don’t worry), and enjoy this lighthearted look at the world beneath our feet.
- The London Tube may be old, but it’s not a fossil! The first line opened way back in 1863, but it’s been updated since then. You won’t find any steam engines or horse-drawn carriages down here, I promise.
- Did you know that the Tube isn’t just underground? Yeah, some parts run above ground too! Just don’t expect to see any open-top trains like in the movies. This isn’t Hogwarts, folks.
- Ah, the “Mind the Gap” announcement. It’s so iconic, it’s practically a meme. But seriously, have you ever wondered why they say it? Apparently, it’s to remind passengers not to fall into the gap between the train and the platform. As if anyone needs a reminder to be careful around a giant metal vehicle hurtling through a tunnel.
- The escalators on the Tube may be old, but they’re still kicking! Some of them are over 80 years old and still in use. That’s the equivalent of a 200-year-old person still going to work. Impressive!
- The Tube is also home to some deep stations, like Hampstead, which is over 190 feet deep. That’s almost as deep as my love for crepes. Let me tell you climbing out of this station is definitely a feat!
How To Ride The Tube
So outside the wacky facts above, first thing first, what is an Oyster Card? Well, it is a prepaid smart card used for the electronic payment of public transport fares in London. It is a contactless payment system that is used on the London Underground, London buses, London Overground, Docklands Light Railway (DLR), London Trams, and some National Rail services. The Oyster card is a convenient and cost-effective way to travel around London.
The Oyster card is really cool and efficient if you do not have a contactless card in your wallet, plus it makes a great souvenir. Let’s get a couple of downfalls on the oyster card out of the way:
- The initial purchase will cost £7 and yes that is just to purchase the card, that does not include any funds to travel.
- Chances are you will have to “top up” your card at some point during your trip. Simply put, add more funds to the card so you can actually use the great transportation system that London offers.
Now on to the positives:
- Again if you don’t already have a contactless debit/credit card, this is a great alternative.
- The oyster card can be used on ANY of London’s transportation systems (bus, tube, trams, etc.)
- And this can be reused on multiple trips to the area (so don’t trash it after your first trip!).
About The Tube
Now, my first experience on a subway system as mentioned before was in Paris, France – a completely different language people!! So one of the best parts of the London Tube system is that it’s all in English. The system runs off a north-to-south, west-to-east method and has 18 lines altogether, I know that’s a lot! There are several “main” lines that run through the city, but if you are traveling to London via Heathrow Airport, the good news is they have a direct train line from Heathrow into the heart of the city on the Piccadilly line.
Reading a London Tube map might seem like a bit of a nightmare, but with some practice, it’s totally doable. Here’s what you need to do:
- Check out the different colored lines: Figure out which color you need for your journey.
- Find where you’re starting and ending.
- Keep an eye out for interchanges: If you need to change lines during your journey, look for the stations where you’ll need to do that. They’ll have a circle, square, or triangle on them.
- Make sure you’re going the right way: Look at the arrows on the map to see which direction you need to go.
- Look for landmarks: The Tube map shows major landmarks and attractions.
- Keep an eye on how far away stations are: The closer together the stations are on the map, the shorter your journey will be.
With these tips in mind, you’ll be able to read a London Tube map like a total pro and get around the city without getting too lost. But if you find yourself not where you need to be, you’ll probably find something pretty cool and unique off the beaten path!
Main Lines
The main lines around the city include:
- District
- Circle
- Piccadilly
- Northern
- Victoria
Tube Travel Ideas
If you are looking for touristy stations to include in your London travels I would definitely recommend the following:
Off the Circle & Hammersmith & City lines you can find:
- Paddington – Yes Paddington the bear! They have an entire shop dedicated to the adorable, marmalade-eating bear.
- Baker Street – This one might sound a tad familiar if you are a Sherlock Holmes fan. The infamous detective’s abode is located at 221 B Baker Street. AND OMG there is a museum and store… definitely, a must-see if you are a fan!
Off the Piccadilly line you can find:
- Piccadilly Circus – which is a massive shopping district. It is home to Fortnum and Masons, home to the Diamond Jubilee Tea room.
- Check out this post if you are interested in more Afternoon Tea options. Afternoon Tea In London: Recommendations, Etiquette, & More
- If you love books I would highly recommend visiting the OLDEST bookstore in London, Hatchards. This is a multi-level book store and you can just feel the history walking in
- Covent Garden – This station lets out to one of London’s infamous garden districts. Here you can find a diverse selection of food and stores.
- But let me warn you, there are no escalators at this stop so your choice for exiting the station is to either take the endless stairs or wait for the lifts (elevator) which can take some time during peak travel times. So I would suggest either traveling during off times or stopping at Leicester Square and walking down.
Off the Victoria, Circle, & District line you can find:
- Westminster – You have the Abbey and Parliament at your fingertips as soon as you exit! Outside of those main “tourist” attractions, the Churchill War Rooms can also be found at this stop. You can walk the top-secret corridors of Churchill War Rooms and glimpse what life would have been like during the tense days and nights of the Second World War. If you are a WWII buff I highly recommend taking this interactive tour.
- Tower Hill – If you are into the darker side of history this is a great stop to make. Want to see where Anne Boleyn was beheaded, well this is your stop!
Harry Potter Anyone?
Now for the Harry Potter fans reading this, you will understand the importance of Kings Cross Station. As a main feature point (Platform 9¾) in all the films it is a MUST see if you have time to drop by. Luckily there are several lines that all converge for this one location. So really you have no excuse not to take 20 minutes out of your day to visit. Which lines converge you might ask?
- Circle
- Piccadilly
- Hammersmith & City
- Northern
- Metropolitan
- Victoria
The Harry Potter Shop located in Kings Cross was the first to open in the world. They offer a variety of experiences but it can get quite crowded, so I definitely recommend visiting during off-peak hours (so right when they open and during the weekday). If you’re dying to experience how various wizards and witches access Platform 9¾, well the Harry Potter Shop is a great way to do that and get proof!
Conclusion
The London Tube is a great way to get around the city. London has done a truly remarkable job of ensuring the city is accessible to all of its residents and tourists. If you are wanting a taste of London culture I couldn’t recommend the underground more. One of my husband’s favorite things about the underground is it often has artists (musical, painters, etc), so free entertainment as you make your way to your next stop! Chances are, no matter where you are in London you are more likely closer to a tube station than your end destination.
I would highly recommend taking the tube! It is one of my favorite & stress-free experiences when we visit London. Just remember to “mind the gap”, follow the crowds if you get lost, keep your eyes peeled for the talent, and enjoy the experience! Until next time, tube riders, keep calm and carry on (unless you’re standing on the left side of the escalator, in which case, move it or lose it!)
