No matter how iconic the Tube is, most people want to get out of it as quickly as possible – and some tips can save you time and stress.
The London Underground is one of the most loved and hated transport systems in the world, inspiring praise and exasperation from commuters.
It is also one of the busiest, carrying millions of people each day through the morning rush hour until the Night Tube.
When a major problem like the recent power outage brings the Tube network to a standstill, there’s not much frustrated passengers can do except wait and pray for internet connection.
But some time-saving hacks from seasoned passengers could end up saving you precious minutes you can spend on something more fun than listening to that guy blasting music without headphones or being stared at by a ‘barebacker’ on the Tube.
Metro readers have their say
Temperatures have been summery in London for weeks, meaning the Tube is even sweatier, so we asked Metro readers for their travel hattricks.
Tube Exits
It can be easy to forget where you are when travelling on the Tube and get disoriented, especially when it’s hot and crowded.
Dudley said: ‘On any regular journey learn where the exits are and get on in the right place.’
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But don’t worry, we are not expecting you to learn every exit on the Tube network by heart – most stations have one or two exits, but Bank has 16 exits and entrances according to London Shoes.
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Hayley agreed: ‘Place yourself in the correct carriage where you need to exit.’
Walk instead
This might seem counterintuitive, but Metro readers revealed some stations where you might be quicker walking, especially in central London.
Dean said: ‘In central London, walk. You’ll be surprised how close together many stations are across different lines.’
Diana said: ‘It’s quicker to walk from Liverpool St to Monument than to get the Circle line.’
Nik said: ‘By the time you’ve bought a ticket, gone through the gates, gone down to the train, waited for it, got off the train, went back up the other end and out of the ticket gates, yes, quicker to walk between Leicester Square and Covent Garden Tube stations.’
Chrissy warned others to ‘never, ever, change at Bank,’ but to exit and walk instead.
Memorise the London Underground map
This will not only save you time, but earn you respect for not looking like a tourist when travelling with friends who don’t live in London.
Metro reader Mark said: ‘Just a general awareness of where you are actually going and what you need to do/go when changing lines.
Best tips for staying cool in the Tube
Not all Tube lines are created equal – including how sweltering they get.
The Central line is one of the hottest lines due to its depth and age of the carriages.
Meanwhile, you might have noticed how pleasant the Elizabeth line is thanks to its air conditioning and new carriages.
When London is hot and you need to travel:
- Bring a waterbottle – This is a must
- Use a mini fan
- Wear light and breathing materials
- If it’s too unbearable, swap your journey to a bike if possible
‘Tourists staring into the London Underground map looking confused is a common sight.’
Paul advised people to have ‘a mental picture of the Underground map, to assist where you are going, saves having to stare at the maps on the Tube.’
If you want to take your Tube expertise to the next level, you could become the next person to rank all Underground stations like this superfan, or even run the entire length of the network.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
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