As a regular visitor to London I got fed up searching for tube
and underground information from my smartphone so I created this
page to help me when I am on the move. I also put in some tips
based on my own experience of using the tube and helping tourists and
visitors to the city.
With thanks to Blacknight.com
who were giving away .be domain names just as I was planning this page.
Tips for using the Underground in London
London has one of the most developed underground railway systems
(subways) in the
world, but it can be difficult for first time visitors to the capital.
Having used the tube regularly over the past few years I have a few tip
for visitors:
-
Try to travel out of rush hour as the trains get very busy
(avoid travelling between 8am and 9:30am and 4:30pm to 6pm). This is
especially the case if you have small children.
- If you have heavy luggage avoid using stations that are not
accessible to disabled people as these stations usually have sections
of
stairs that can be difficult to pull heavy cases up.
- Get an Oyster
Card. This is a prepayment card available from vending
machines at most stations for £1.50. You add cash to the card at a top
up machine next to the ticket machines. The cost per journey is a lot
less than buying individual tickets and you will not need to queue for
tickets at the ticket office. Make sure you touch your card on the pad
at the barrier at the
beginning and end of each journey or you will be charged the full
standard fare. This is called "validating" your card. The machine at
the barrier will display your remaining
balance each time you use your card. If you are in London regulalry you
can get an Oyster card linked to your credit or debit card which will
top itself up when the balance gets low and if you lose the card you
can get a replacement and not lose your balance.
- If you are using the Docklands Light Railway you will need
to hunt for the Oyster Card touch in point as there are no barriers at
most of the stations. If you board the train without touching in and
validating your oyster card you will be fined by a ticket
inspector!
- Scottish bank notes do not seem to be accepted on the
underground. If you get off a train from Scotland go to a cash machine
and get some English bank notes before going to the underground.
Useful links
Tube
Map (link to various London Underground maps for printing or
viewing online)
London
Underground Live Travel News (from Transport for London)
London Tube
Journey Planner (Unofficial, but very useful)
Tube Route
Planner for use with PDA's (Unofficial, but very useful)
Official
Web Site of London Underground
History
of London Underground (from Wikipedia)